Direct connection of lead bar to conductive ribbon in a thin film photovoltaic device

摘要

Thin film photovoltaic devices 10 that include a direct connection to at least one lead bar 84, 86 extending through a connection aperture 74, 76 defined in the encapsulation substrate 70 to electrically connect to an underlying conductive ribbon 60, 62 are provided. The photovoltaic device 10 can include: a transparent substrate 12; a plurality of photovoltaic cells 28; a conductive ribbon 60 electrically connected to a photovoltaic cell; an encapsulation substrate 70 laminated to the transparent substrate 12 such that the plurality of photovoltaic cells 28 and the conductive ribbon 60 are positioned between the transparent substrate 12 and the encapsulation substrate 70; and a lead bar 84 extending through a connection aperture 74 defined in the encapsulation substrate 70 and electrically connected to the conductive ribbon 60. The lead bar 84 can define a lead tab 302 that establishes a mechanical connection having a biasing force between the lead bar 84 and the conductive ribbon 60. Methods are also provided for electrically connecting at least one lead to a thin film photovoltaic device 10.