Abstract: An example of an apparatus to convert light energy to electrical energy is provided. The apparatus includes a semiconductor material to absorb energy from a photon. The energy is to be converted to a current. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a positive electrode disposed on a backside of the semiconductor material to collect the current from the backside. In addition, the apparatus includes a via to connect the backside of the semiconductor material electrically to a frontside of the semiconductor material. The apparatus also includes a plurality of fingers disposed on the frontside of the semiconductor material to collect the current from the frontside. The apparatus further includes a trunkline connected to the plurality of fingers to deliver the current to the via. The trunkline is to increase a cross-sectional area toward the via to reduce parasitic resistance.

Abstract: An example of an apparatus to convert light energy to electrical energy is provided. The apparatus includes a semiconductor material to absorb energy from a photon. The energy is to be converted to a current. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a positive electrode disposed on a backside of the semiconductor material to collect the current from the backside. In addition, the apparatus includes a via to connect the backside of the semiconductor material electrically to a frontside of the semiconductor material. The apparatus also includes a plurality of fingers disposed on the frontside of the semiconductor material to collect the current from the frontside. The apparatus further includes a trunkline connected to the plurality of fingers to deliver the current to the via. The trunkline is to increase a cross-sectional area toward the via to reduce parasitic resistance.

Abstract: An example of an apparatus to generate electricity from light with photovoltaic cells is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells. The plurality of photovoltaic cells is to form a module. Furthermore, the apparatus includes an electro-conductive backsheet to connect the plurality of photovoltaic cells. The electro-conductive backsheet is to collect current from the plurality of photovoltaic cells. Each photovoltaic cell of the plurality of photovoltaic cells is formed on a silicon wafer by cutting along a {100} plane to provide a substantially square wafer and cleaving the substantially square wafer along a preferred cleavage plane.

Abstract: An example of an apparatus to convert light energy to electrical energy is provided. The apparatus includes a semiconductor material to absorb energy from a photon. The energy is to be converted to a current. Furthermore, the apparatus includes a positive electrode disposed on a backside of the semiconductor material to collect the current from the backside. In addition, the apparatus includes a via to connect the backside of the semiconductor material electrically to a frontside of the semiconductor material. The apparatus also includes a plurality of fingers disposed on the frontside of the semiconductor material to collect the current from the frontside. The apparatus further includes a trunkline connected to the plurality of fingers to deliver the current to the via. The trunkline is to increase a cross-sectional area toward the via to reduce parasitic resistance.

Abstract: A diagnostic device (40) having layers (25, 27, 29) corresponding to respective layers (24, 26, 28) of a given photovoltaic module (20). The diagnostic device is provided for testing and monitoring a condition of the given photovoltaic module. The layers of the diagnostic device may be made of respective materials with the same or substantially the same electrical resistance and aging characteristics as the respective layers of the given photovoltaic module under operational conditions. Electrodes (42, 44, 50A-C, 52A-C, 54A-C) of the diagnostic device are configured to independently measure electrical resistance along at least two different current resistance paths in the diagnostic device corresponding to respectively different current leakage paths (R1, R?1, R2-4, R5, R5) of the given photovoltaic module.

Abstract: A diagnostic device (40) having layers (25, 27, 29) corresponding to respective layers (24, 26, 28) of a given photovoltaic module (20). The diagnostic device is provided for testing and monitoring a condition of the given photovoltaic module. The layers of the diagnostic device may be made of respective materials with the same or substantially the same electrical resistance and aging characteristics as the respective layers of the given photovoltaic module under operational conditions. Electrodes (42, 44, 50A-C, 52A-C, 54A-C) of the diagnostic device are configured to independently measure electrical resistance along at least two different current resistance paths in the diagnostic device corresponding to respectively different current leakage paths (R1, R?1, R2-4, R5, R5) of the given photovoltaic module.