Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a photovoltaic module, comprising:?—providing a plurality of bifacial photovoltaic cells each having a short-circuit current ratio (B),?—asymmetrically cutting each cell into two portions, such that the ratio between the surface areas of said portions is substantially equal to the short-circuit current ratio (B) of said cell or to the average short-circuit ratio of the set of cells,?—juxtapositioning said cell portions in a main plane of the module in order to form pairs of cell portions chosen such that the front face of the first portion has a short-circuit current substantially equal to the short-circuit current of the rear face of the second portion, said portions being arranged such that the front face of the first portion and the rear face of the second portion coincide with the front face of the module,?—creating an electrical connection of the front face of the first portion with the rear face of the second portion.

Abstract: A lightweight photovoltaic module including: a first transparent layer forming the front face; photovoltaic cells; an assembly encapsulating the photovoltaic cells; and a second layer forming the rear face and containing an inner surface and an outer surface. The encapsulating assembly and the photovoltaic cells are located between the first and second layers. The module is characterized in that: the first layer is made from glass and/or polymer material and has a thickness that is less than or equal to 1.1 mm; the inner surface is substantially planar; and the second layer includes raised portions projecting from the outer surface, the outer surface and raised portions together defining the visible rear outer surface of the photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A lightweight photovoltaic module including: a first transparent layer forming the front face; photovoltaic cells; an assembly encapsulating the photovoltaic cells; and a second layer forming the rear face and containing an inner surface and an outer surface. The encapsulating assembly and the photovoltaic cells are located between the first and second layers. The module is characterized in that: the first layer is made from glass and/or polymer material and has a thickness that is less than or equal to 1.1 mm; the inner surface is substantially planar; and the second layer includes raised portions projecting from the outer surface, the outer surface and raised portions together defining the visible rear outer surface of the photovoltaic module.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a photovoltaic module, comprising:•—providing a plurality of bifacial photovoltaic cells each having a short-circuit current ratio (B),•—asymmetrically cutting each cell into two portions, such that the ratio between the surface areas of said portions is substantially equal to the short-circuit current ratio (B) of said cell or to the average short-circuit ratio of the set of cells,•—juxtapositioning said cell portions in a main plane of the module in order to form pairs of cell portions chosen such that the front face of the first portion has a short-circuit current substantially equal to the short-circuit current of the rear face of the second portion, said portions being arranged such that the front face of the first portion and the rear face of the second portion coincide with the front face of the module,•—creating an electrical connection of the front face of the first portion with the rear face of the second portion.

Abstract: A method for controlling the internal pressure of a photovoltaic module having a front plate, rear plate, photovoltaic cells, electrical interconnection conductors, and peripheral seal, in which the conductors are in pressure contact with the cells, under the effect of a force resulting from a vacuum prevailing inside the module. The method includes: a) gradually reducing the pressure of a gas quantity around the module; b) detecting, during step a), a physical parameter representative of the actual pressing of the interconnection conductors against the cells; and c) determining a value of the internal pressure of the module on the basis of a variation in the physical parameter. The control facility comprises an enclosure for receiving the module inside a gas quantity, the enclosure including elements for: reducing the pressure of this gas quantity, detecting a physical parameter representative of the actual pressing, and determining the internal pressure of the module.

Abstract: A method for controlling the internal pressure of a photovoltaic module having a front plate, rear plate, photovoltaic cells, electrical interconnection conductors, and peripheral seal, in which the conductors are in pressure contact with the cells, under the effect of a force resulting from a vacuum prevailing inside the module. The method includes: a) gradually reducing the pressure of a gas quantity around the module; b) detecting, during step a), a physical parameter representative of the actual pressing of the interconnection conductors against the cells; and c) determining a value of the internal pressure of the module on the basis of a variation in the physical parameter. The control facility comprises an enclosure for receiving the module inside a gas quantity, the enclosure including elements for: reducing the pressure of this gas quantity, detecting a physical parameter representative of the actual pressing, and determining the internal pressure of the module.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module including first photovoltaic cells and second photovoltaic cells, electrically connected to each other and arranged adjacent to each other, in which a value of a short circuit current of each of the first photovoltaic cells is less than a value of a short circuit current of each of the second photovoltaic cells of the photovoltaic module, and the first photovoltaic cells are arranged at edges and/or ends of the photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module including a transparent upper plate and a lower plate, electrically insulating and sealed to each other to define a tight package; photovoltaic cells pressed between the upper and lower plates; at least two electric contacts arranged on at least a surface of each cell, at least one electric contact being in the form of a strip; and elements electrically connecting the contacts of each cell with the contacts of at least one adjacent cell. At least one strip of each cell is housed in a groove made in the plate in front or it, the groove is defined by: a depth between one quarter and three quarters of the thickness of the strip in a uncompressed state; a width greater than or equal to the width of the strip at 85° C.; and a length greater than or equal to the length of the strip at 85° C.

Abstract: A method of bonding a film (2) to a curved substrate (1) comprises preforming the film by applying a pneumatic pressure difference between two sides of the film and by heating said film. An intermediate shape is then conferred on the film, which is suitable for applying the film against a curved face of the substrate. This application is carried out, on the one hand, by keeping the film m the intermediate shape by means of an adjusted pressure difference applied between the two sides of the film and, on the other hand, by pressing the substrate against the film by means of a movable support (12-14). Such a method is used to obtain a defect-free ophthalmic lens with a film bonded to it.

Abstract: A method sticks onto a curved surface of a substrate a functional film (4) that has a substantially planar initial shape. To this end, the film (4) is retained on a deformable membrane (1) by connecting means (2) that allow portions of said film to slip relative to the membrane when said membrane is deformed. This reduces stresses that are created in the film by the deformation. The method is adapted for applying a functional film to an ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: A transparent optical component comprises two sets of cells (1) disposed in respective superposed layers (10, 20). Each cell (1) contains an optically active material, and the cells in each set are isolated from one another by separating portions (2) within the corresponding layer. The cells (1) of one layer are offset relative to the cells of the other layer so as to be located in line with the separating portions (2) pertaining to the other layer. Such optical component exhibits transparency that is improved compared with components having a single layer of cells or cells that are superposed.

Abstract: A method of bonding a film (2) to a curved substrate (1) comprises preforming the film by applying a pneumatic pressure difference between two sides of the film and by heating said film. An intermediate shape is then conferred on the film, which is suitable for applying the film against a curved face of the substrate. This application is carried out, on the one hand, by keeping the film m the intermediate shape by means of an adjusted pressure difference applied between the two sides of the film and, on the other hand, by pressing the substrate against the film by means of a movable support (12-14). Such a method is used to obtain a defect-free ophthalmic lens with a film bonded to it.

Abstract: A transparent optical component comprises two sets of cells (1) disposed in respective superposed layers (10, 20). Each cell (1) contains an optically active material, and the cells in each set are isolated from one another by separating portions (2) within the corresponding layer. The cells (1) of one layer are offset relative to the cells of the other layer so as to be located in line with the separating portions (2) pertaining to the other layer. Such optical component exhibits transparency that is improved compared with components having a single layer of cells or cells that are superposed.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a transparent optical element (1) including filling cells (10) of the element with a substance having an optical property. It consists in moving an amount of the substance (20) radially on the cells, towards a peripheral edge of the optical element, such that the substance penetrates each cell. Optionally, the cells may be sealed with a film (30) fixed on the partition walls (11) of the cells. The filling and the sealing of the cells may be carried out in a single step of the process.

Abstract: A method sticks onto a curved surface of a substrate a functional film (4) that has a substantially planar initial shape. To this end, the film (4) is retained on a deformable membrane (1) by connecting means (2) that allow portions of said film to slip relative to the membrane when said membrane is deformed. This reduces stresses that are created in the film by the deformation. The method is adapted for applying a functional film to an ophthalmic lens.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for producing a transparent optical element (1) including filling cells (10) of the element with a substance having an optical property. It consists in moving an amount of the substance (20) radially on the cells, towards a peripheral edge of the optical element, such that the substance penetrates each cell. Optionally, the cells may be sealed with a film (30) fixed on the partition walls (11) of the cells. The filling and the sealing of the cells may be carried out in a single step of the process.