초록 ▼

High performance photovoltaic modules are produced with improved interconnects by a special process. Advantageously, the photovoltaic modules have a dual layer back (rear) contact and a front contact with at least one layer. The front contact and the inner layer of the back contact can comprise a tr

High performance photovoltaic modules are produced with improved interconnects by a special process. Advantageously, the photovoltaic modules have a dual layer back (rear) contact and a front contact with at least one layer. The front contact and the inner layer of the back contact can comprise a transparent conductive oxide. The outer layer of the back contact can comprise a metal or metal oxide. The front contact can also have a dielectric layer. In one form, the dual layer back contact comprises a zinc oxide inner layer and an aluminum outer layer and the front contact comprises a tin oxide inner layer and a silicon dioxide dielectric outer layer. One or more amorphous silicon-containing thin film semiconductors can be deposited between the front and back contacts. The contacts can be positioned between a substrate and an optional superstrate. During production, the transparent conductive oxide layer of the front contact is scribed by a laser, then the amorphous silicon-containing semiconductors and inner layer of the dual layer back contact are simultaneously scribed and trenched (drilled) by the laser and the trench is subsequently filled with the same metal as the outer layer of the dual layer back contact to provide a superb mechanical and electrical interconnect between the front contact and the outer layer of the dual layer back contact. The outer layer of the dual layer back contact can then be scribed by the laser. For enhanced environmental protection, the photovoltaic modules can be encapsulated.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A photovoltaic module, comprising:a front contact;a back contact;each of said contacts comprising a semiconductor comprising a transparent conductive oxide selected from the group consisting of tin oxide, indium-tin oxide, zinc oxide, and cadmium stannate;at least one a

[ What is claimed is:] [1.]1. A photovoltaic module, comprising:a front contact;a back contact;each of said contacts comprising a semiconductor comprising a transparent conductive oxide selected from the group consisting of tin oxide, indium-tin oxide, zinc oxide, and cadmium stannate;at least one amorphous silicon-containing cell positioned between said contacts;a substrate positioned adjacent one of said contacts opposite said cell such that said adjacent contact is positioned between said cell and said substrate;the back contact comprising a dual layer comprising said transparent conductive oxide and a metallic layer comprising a metal selected from the group consisting of aluminum, silver, molybdenum, platinum, steel, iron, niobium, titanium, chromium, bismuth, antimony, and the oxides of the preceding and;at least one interconnect extending between the metallic layer of the back contact and the front contact and connecting the metallic layer with the front contact, said interconnect being formed by laser scribing a trench through the transparent conductive oxide layer of the back contact and said amorphous silicon-containing cell and immediately thereafter filling said trench with said metallic layer.