PROCESS FOR FORMING FLEXIBLE SUBSTRATES HAVING PATTERNED CONTACT AREAS

摘要

Embodiments of the invention generally include a method of forming a low cost flexible substrate having one or more conductive elements that are used to form a low resistance current carrying path that is used to interconnect a plurality of solar cell devices disposed in a photovoltaic module. A surface of each of the one or more conductive elements will generally comprise a plurality of patterned electrical contact regions that are used to form part of the electrical circuit that interconnects the plurality of solar cell devices and the solar cell devices to an external load. The methods disclosed herein also generally include a method and apparatus used to rapidly and reliably form the electrical contact regions on an inexpensive conductive material before electrically connecting a formed solar cell to the conductive material.