Abstract: The invention to a method of making an interconnector assembly for electrically interconnecting solar cells, wherein the method comprises: feeding a plurality of (preferably elongated) electrical conductors that form an conductor array defining interspaces that are free from conductors; and applying at least one sheet, preferably made of electrically insulating material, to a side of the conductor array, wherein the sheet has at least one contact zone coming into contact with the conductors and intermediate portions overlapping with the interspaces of the conductor array. The invention also refers to an apparatus for fabricating an interconnector assembly for electrically interconnecting solar cells and to a rotatable heating drum.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for manufacturing solar cell matrices includes several stringers (2) for forming strings from solar cells, a lay-up and interconnection station (5) for arranging and interconnecting the strings to form a solar cell matrix, and a transportation system (3) for transferring the strings from the stringers (2) to the lay-up and interconnection station (5), wherein the stringers (2) are arranged perpendicular to the direction of flow of the transportation system (3), or in an acute angle to an axis perpendicular to the direction of flow of the transportation system (3). Furthermore, a process for operating such apparatus (1), wherein the several stringers (2) are controlled such that collision between different strings is avoided in the transportation system (3).

Abstract: Solar cells, where at least one conductor is mechanically and electrically connected to the solar cell and/or further conductors by conductive cladding. The conductive cladding is preferably deposited electrolytically or galvanically from solution or is produced by plasma-spraying. In addition, methods for connecting solar cells by means of at least one conductor and/or for connecting conductors on solar cells, wherein at least one electrically-conductive conductor is mechanically and electrically connected by depositing conductive cladding from solution onto the solar cell and/or at least one conductor.

Abstract: The subject matter is directed to electrical contacting of band- or plate-shaped materials (1), which are conveyed by transport track through an electroplating system. The cathodically polarized contact means (6) may be located on the underside of the material (1) in the electrolyte (12) circulated in the electroplating system. The material is electrically contacted to transfer current to the material (1). Each tubular contact means (6) is cooled by means of a cooling unit or a cooling medium. No metal is deposited on the cooled surface of the contact means (6) if the temperature difference between the working temperature of the electrolyte (12) and the surface temperature of the contact means (6) is sufficiently large. This property can be supplemented with a surface of the contact means (6) that cannot be cathodically metal-coated in the electrolyte (12) used.

Abstract: A process for operating a stringer (10) for connecting solar cells in series by solder ribbon cut-offs cut from continuous solder ribbon strip, includes monitoring depletion of the momentarily-employed continuous solder ribbon strip (13a) by a monitoring unit (16) detecting when the end (17) of this strip (13a) approaches, entering a new roll (2) with a new continuous solder ribbon strip (13b), connecting the end (17) of the momentarily-employed strip (13a) to this new strip (13b) thereby forming a composite continuous solder ribbon strip that includes a connection, moving this composite strip to a cutting station (14), cutting this composite strip into solder ribbon cut-offs in cutting station (14), and removing the ribbon cut-off that includes this connection. Also, stringer apparatus for performing such process.

Abstract: Process and apparatus for providing a solar cell (2) with a solder ribbon (3), the cell (2) having at least one bus bar (7), wherein flux (4, 4a-4d) is applied by an automatically controlled spray head (5, 6), and the solder ribbon (3) is connected to a bus bar (7) by an automatically controlled soldering unit. Flux (4, 4a-4d) is only applied to locations of the ribbon (3) to be connected to the bus bar (7) and/or flux (4, 4a-4d) is only applied to those locations of the bars (7) to be connected to the ribbon (3). A solar cell (2), that has at least one bus bar (7), with a solder ribbon (3), may be provided by such apparatus and processes.

Abstract: Apparatus (1) for manufacturing solar cell matrices includes several stringers (2) for forming strings from solar cells, a lay-up and interconnection station (5) for arranging and interconnecting the strings to form a solar cell matrix, and a transportation system (3) for transferring the strings from the stringers (2) to the lay-up and interconnection station (5), wherein the stringers (2) are arranged perpendicular to the direction of flow of the transportation system (3), or in an acute angle to an axis perpendicular to the direction of flow of the transportation system (3). Furthermore, a process for operating such apparatus (1), wherein the several stringers (2) are controlled such that collision between different strings is avoided in the transportation system (3).

Abstract: An electric contact in the outer edge thereof, is used for electroplating substrates, e.g. as a wafer in a cup plater. In order to obtain an even electroplating result, at least two electrolytic partial cells are formed which are supplied with current by respective electroplating current sources (9?) and (9?) that can be individually adjusted. The partial cathode (12?) and the associated partial anode (7?) are supplied in the region of the diametrically remote partial cathode (12?). Conversely, the partial cathode (12?) is supplied via the base layer of the partial cathode (12?). The required levelling of the layer thickness distribution is inter alia carried out by alternate different adjustments of the quantity of the electroplating current of the two partial cells and by the electrodes (7,12) that rotate relative to each other.