Abstract: An improved electrical connection between a metal surface and a semiconductor surface is provided by the deposition of a conductive dimple on the metal surface, whereby the conductive dimple is interposed between the metal surface and the semiconductor substrate. For example, a conductive trace deposited on an insulating substrate may have a conductive dimple formed thereon. A semiconductor substrate, such as a silicon substrate, may be bonded to the insulating substrate over at least a portion of the metal trace having the dimple thereon to form an electrical connection between the semiconductor substrate and the conductive trace.

Abstract: An improved electrical connection between a metal surface and a semiconductor surface is provided by the deposition of a conductive dimple on the metal surface, whereby the conductive dimple is interposed between the metal surface and the semiconductor substrate. For example, a conductive trace deposited on an insulating substrate may have a conductive dimple formed thereon. A semiconductor substrate, such as a silicon substrate, may be bonded to the insulating substrate over at least a portion of the metal trace having the dimple thereon to form an electrical connection between the semiconductor substrate and the conductive trace.

Abstract: Cells of a thin film solar module having opposed upper and lower electrodes are connected in series by a plurality of discrete conductive regions extending between each upper electrode and the lower electrode of an adjoining cell. In a preferred embodiment, the opposite electrodes of adjoining cells overlap one another and one of the electrodes is a transparent conductive pad with a thickened metal-containing portion to aid in interconnection. In another embodiment, the conductive regions are formed by applying laser pulses to spaced locations along the areas of electrode overlap, after which a conductor may be deposited into cavities formed by the laser pulses.

Abstract: A photovoltaic device has a continuous thin film with a plurality of spaced photovoltaic regions thereon and front and back electrode portions substantially coextensive with each of the photovoltaic regions. Electrical connection between the regions is provided directly through the film itself, from each back electrode portion to the front electrode portion of an adjacent region. Thus, at least two of the photovoltaic regions are connected in series to increase the output voltage of the device.

Abstract: A process for fabricating solar to electrical energy conversion units, includes the forming of arrays of parallel-connected strings of series connected solar cells selected from a number of different categories of cells. The categories are defined by different ranges of cell currents at a set cell voltage, a set level of incident cell face radiation and a set temperature. Each string of an array consists of cells from the same category; but strings of cells from different categories are used in the same array. A goal array current range for the arrays may be correlated with the average current of a group of cells at the set conditions, or with the estimated average for a group of cells to be manufactured, so that a selected number of strings for the arrays multiplied by such average falls within the range. According to a particular fabricating process, nine solar cell categories covering a total of approximately 0.

Abstract: A bipolar voltage ramp generator applies a linear voltage through a resistor to a solar cell for plotting its current versus voltage (I-V) characteristic between short circuit and open circuit conditions, with automatic stops at the end points. The resistor serves the multiple purpose of providing a current sensing resistor, setting the full-scale current value, and providing a load line with a slope approximately equal to one, such that it will pass through the origin and the approximate center of the I-V curve with about equal distance from that center to each of the end points.