Abstract: A photovoltaic module includes a plurality of interconnected submodules. Each submodule has a transparent front electrode layer, a semiconductor layer and a back electrode layer which have separating lines in each case for forming series-connected strip-shaped photovoltaic cells. The outer cells of two adjacent submodules are united into a single tap cell for current collection, the separating lines of the two adjacent submodules being disposed mirror-symmetrically with respect to their common tap cell.

Abstract: For fastening the contact strip (8) to the back electrode layer (4) of a photovoltaic module, the back electrode layer (4) is provided on its outer side with a tin-, copper- and/or silver-containing contact layer (12). Subsequently the contact strip (8) provided with solder (17) on the joining surface is connected to the back electrode layer (4) by soldering. The contact layer (12) causes good adhesion of the back surface encapsulation material (13) to be obtained. A barrier layer (11) prevents alloying of the tin-solder with the layers (9, 10) of the back electrode layer (4).

Abstract: A photovoltaic module (10) comprises a plurality of interconnected submodules (11, 12, 13). Each submodule (11, 12, 13) has a transparent front electrode layer (15), a semiconductor layer (16) and a back electrode layer (17) which have separating lines (18, 19, 20) in each case for forming series-connected strip-shaped photovoltaic cells (C). The outer cells (Cn, C1) of two adjacent submodules (11 and 12 or 12 and 13) are united into a single tap cell (Cn, C1) for current collection, the separating lines (18, 19, 20) of the two adjacent submodules (11 and 12 or 12 and 13) being disposed mirror-symmetrically with respect to their common tap cell.