Abstract: A method of providing a plurality of classified photovoltaic articles, including the steps of providing a first photovoltaic element that includes a plurality of photovoltaic articles on a continuous flexible substrate, forming a electrically insulating material on the first photovoltaic element at one or more predetermined locations, separating adjacent photovoltaic articles from each other, determining an efficiency of each photovoltaic article by measuring its current-voltage characteristics, and classifying each photovoltaic article according to its efficiency.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing electrically interconnected solar cell assemblies, including the steps of: positioning at least a first interconnect element (64) in an alignment feature of a top carrier and facing a top surface of a first photovoltaic cell (60); adhering the first interconnect element to a location on the top surface of the first cell, wherein a length of the first interconnect element extends beyond a trailing edge (68) of the first cell; and adhering a portion of the length of the first interconnect element that extends beyond a trailing edge of the first cell to the bottom surface of a second cell (62). In one aspect, a system is provided for assembling solar cell strings, including cell transfer equipment, a bottom pallet including grooves, multiple top pallets including grooves, an adhesive dispensing system, a ribbon supply mechanism, and a system for moving ribbons and top pallets.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing electrically interconnected solar cell assemblies, including the steps of: positioning at least a first interconnect element (64) in an alignment feature of a top carrier and facing a top surface of a first photovoltaic cell (60); adhering the first interconnect element to a location on the top surface of the first cell, wherein a length of the first interconnect element extends beyond a trailing edge (68) of the first cell; and adhering a portion of the length of the first interconnect element that extends beyond a trailing edge of the first cell to the bottom surface of a second cell (62). In one aspect, a system is provided for assembling solar cell strings, including cell transfer equipment, a bottom pallet including grooves, multiple top pallets including grooves, an adhesive dispensing system, a ribbon supply mechanism, and a system for moving ribbons and top pallets.

Abstract: A method of providing a plurality of classified photovoltaic articles, including the steps of providing a first photo-voltaic element that includes a plurality of photovoltaic articles on a continuous flexible substrate, forming a electrically insulating material on the first photovoltaic element at one or more predetermined locations, separating adjacent photovoltaic articles from each other, determining an efficiency of each photovoltaic article by measuring its current-voltage characteristics, and classifying each photovoltaic article according to its efficiency.