Abstract: A solar panel includes a silicon cells submodule of silicon based cells, a front transparent plate and a backsheet. The backsheet is arranged with at least a first conductive pattern that is connected to rear surface electrical contacts on each of the silicon cells. A thin film photovoltaic submodule is arranged between the front transparent plate and the silicon cells, and includes thin film cells in an arrangement with two photovoltaic submodule contacts that connect to a second conductive pattern on the backsheet. The backsheet is arranged for four-terminal wiring with the first pattern for the silicon cells and the second pattern for the thin film cells. The thin film cells are disposed in a first group of cells and in at least a second group of cells, each connected in series. The first group is connected in parallel with the second group, between the photovoltaic submodule contacts.

Abstract: A tandem solar cell includes a top solar cell and a bottom solar cell. The top solar cell and the bottom solar cell each have a respective front surface and a rear surface, with the respective front surfaces being adapted for facing a radiation source during use. The top solar cell is arranged with its rear surface overlying the front surface of the bottom solar cell. The top solar cell includes a photovoltaic absorber layer with a bandgap greater than that of crystalline silicon. The bottom solar cell includes a crystalline silicon substrate. On at least a portion of the front surface of the bottom solar cell a passivating layer stack is disposed which includes a thin dielectric film and a secondary layer of either selective carrier extracting material or polysilicon. The thin dielectric film is arranged between the silicon substrate and the secondary layer.

Abstract: A solar panel includes a silicon cells submodule of silicon based cells, a front transparent plate and a backsheet. The backsheet is arranged with at least a first conductive pattern that is connected to rear surface electrical contacts on each of the silicon cells. A thin film photovoltaic submodule is arranged between the front transparent plate and the silicon cells, and includes thin film cells in an arrangement with two photovoltaic submodule contacts that connect to a second conductive pattern on the backsheet. The backsheet is arranged for four-terminal wiring with the first pattern for the silicon cells and the second pattern for the thin film cells. The thin film cells are disposed in a first group of cells and in at least a second group of cells, each connected in series. The first group is connected in parallel with the second group, between the photovoltaic submodule contacts.

Abstract: A solar panel is provided with a stack including at least one back contacted solar cell and a back-sheet layer. The back-sheet layer has a patterned conductive layer of a first material. The conductive layer is arranged with contacting areas each located at a location corresponding to a location of an electrical contact on the solar cell. The solar cell is arranged on top of the conductive layer with the rear surface of the solar cell facing the patterned conductive surface. Each electrical contact of the solar cell is in contact with a corresponding contacting area on the conductor circuit by a body of conductive connecting material. The conductive layer includes at the location of the contacting area a patch of a second material. Each patch is arranged in between the body of conductive connecting material on one electrical contact and the layer of the first material.

Abstract: A tandem solar cell includes a top solar cell and a bottom solar cell. The top solar cell and the bottom solar cell each have a respective front surface and a rear surface, with the respective front surfaces being adapted for facing a radiation source during use. The top solar cell is arranged with its rear surface overlying the front surface of the bottom solar cell. The top solar cell includes a photovoltaic absorber layer with a bandgap greater than that of crystalline silicon. The bottom solar cell includes a crystalline silicon substrate. On at least a portion of the front surface of the bottom solar cell a passivating layer stack is disposed which includes a thin dielectric film and a secondary layer of either selective carrier extracting material or polysilicon. The thin dielectric film is arranged between the silicon substrate and the secondary layer.

Abstract: Photovoltaic module with a negative terminal (5) and a positive terminal (6), and a parallel connection (3, 4) of m sub-modules (2) connected to the negative and the positive terminal (5, 6) of the photovoltaic module (1). Each of the m sub-modules (2) has a string of n series-connected back-contact cells (9), wherein the n cells (9) of each sub-module (2) are arranged in an array. The parallel connection (3, 4) and connections (8) for each string of n series-connected back contact cells (9) are provided in a back conductive sheet, and the back conductive sheet comprises designated areas (7) for the parallel connection (3, 4), corresponding to edge parts of each corresponding sub-module (2).

Abstract: Known photovoltaic cells with wrap through connections have output terminals of both polarities on its back surface, one of which is coupled to the front surface via the wrap through connections. The invented solar cell is manufactured by creating an emitter layer on the back surface. Electrode material is applied in mutually separate first and second areas on the back surface. The electrode material in the first area contacts the emitter. The second area covers a surrounding of a hole that provides for the connection on the back surface. The electrode material in the second area lies on the emitter and around the second area the emitter is interrupted by a trench. On the front surface a further area of electrode material is applied over the hole. If necessary the electrode material in the second area on the back surface is applied on a supporting surface that is substantially electrically isolated from current flowing laterally through the emitter layer underneath the first area.

Abstract: Photovoltaic module with a negative terminal (5) and a positive terminal (6), and a parallel connection (3, 4) of m sub-modules (2) connected to the negative and the positive terminal (5, 6) of the photovoltaic module (1). Each of the m sub-modules (2) has a string of n series-connected back-contact cells (9), wherein the n cells (9) of each sub-module (2) are arranged in an array. The parallel connection (3, 4) and connections (8) for each string of n series-connected back contact cells (9) are provided in a back conductive sheet, and the back conductive sheet comprises designated areas (7) for the parallel connection (3, 4), corresponding to edge parts of each corresponding sub-module (2).

Abstract: A solar panel (1) includes: a plurality of semiconductor substrate based solar cells (2), a transparent front side plate (4), and a rear side plate (6). The transparent front side plate (4) is stacked on top of the rear side plate (6) and the plurality of solar cells (2) are arranged in an array in between the rear side (6) plate and the front side plate (4). Each solar cell (2) has a light receiving surface facing (8) towards the front side plate (4); the solar cells (2) being embedded in an encapsulant layer (10) between the front side plate (4) and the rear side plate (6), wherein the solar panel includes an internal light redirection unit (12; 20) for guiding light received on the solar panel (1) but not captured by the solar cells (2), towards the solar cells (2).

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar cell module that includes a solar cell based on a semiconductor substrate with front and rear surfaces, includes—fabricating a solar cell from the substrate, and—depositing on at least the rear surface a coating layer. The deposition step includes applying a coating powder on at least the rear surface, forming an adhered powder layer on said surface. The method includes after the deposition step: performing a first annealing process on the solar cell module for transforming the adhered powder layer in a pre-annealed coating layer. Further the method includes—creating open contacting areas on the solar cell by removal of the adhered powder layer at locations of contacting areas on the solar cell , wherein the removal precedes the first annealing process, or by masking contacting areas on the solar cell 1, wherein the masking precedes the deposition step.

Abstract: Photovoltaic module with a back side conductive substrate (10) and a plurality of PV-cells (2) having back contacts and being arranged in an array on a top surface of the back side conductive substrate (10). A circuit of series and/or parallel connected PV-cells (2) is formed by connections (8) between the back contacts and the back side conductive substrate (10). A plurality of by-pass diodes (5) are present having back contacts (6a, 6b) in electrical contact with the circuit of series and/or parallel connected PV-cells (2), wherein the by-pass diodes (5) are positioned on empty parts (4) of the top surface of the back side conductive substrate (10). Each by-pass diode is a wafer based diode and is connected in parallel with one or more PV-cells (2).

Abstract: In an assembly of photo-voltaic cells, the cells are arranged in a matrix and connected in series. Bypass diodes are connected in parallel respective parts of the series connection. In each of these parts, the cells are arranged in a sub-matrix, for example of 4×4 cells. The matrix contains rows of sub-matrices that have identical first sub-matrix connection patterns, except at the edge of the matrix, where sub-matrices with a second sub-matrix connection pattern are used. Each first sub-matrix connection pattern extends over a plurality of rows of photo-voltaic cells of the matrix, running back and forth along successive columns through the plurality of rows. Each second sub-matrix connection patterns extends over a plurality of columns of photo-voltaic cells of the matrix, running back and forth along successive rows through the plurality of columns. The second sub-matrix connection patterns, connect first sub-matrix connection patterns at ends of pairs of the rows of first sub-matrix connection patterns.

Abstract: A solar panel is provided with a stack including at least one back contacted solar cell and a back-sheet layer. The back-sheet layer has a patterned conductive layer of a first material. The conductive layer is arranged with contacting areas each located at a location corresponding to a location of an electrical contact on the solar cell. The solar cell is arranged on top of the conductive layer with the rear surface of the solar cell facing the patterned conductive surface. Each electrical contact of the solar cell is in contact with a corresponding contacting area on the conductor circuit by a body of conductive connecting material. The conductive layer includes at the location of the contacting area a patch of a second material. Each patch is arranged in between the body of conductive connecting material on one electrical contact and the layer of the first material.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solar cell (1), comprising a front side (10) and rear side (20). In use, the front side (10) is turned towards the light, on account of which charge carriers accumulate on the front side (10) and charge carriers of an opposite type accumulate on the rear side (20). The front side (10) is provided with a first pattern (13) of conductive elements (51, 52) which are connected to first contact points (15) on the rear side (20) by means of a number of vias (14) in the solar cell. The rear side (20) is provided with a second pattern of conductive elements (22) which are connected to second contact points (21) on the rear side (20). The first and second contact points (15, 21) are situated along a number of lines (30). The first contact points (15) are situated on a first side of the lines (30) and the second contact points (21) are situated on a second side of the lines (30).

Abstract: Known photovoltaic cells with wrap through connections have output terminals of both polarities on its back surface, one of which is coupled to the front surface via the wrap through connections. The invented solar cell is manufactured by creating an emitter layer on the back surface. Electrode material is applied in mutually separate first and second areas on the back surface. The electrode material in the first area contacts the emitter. The second area covers a surrounding of a hole that provides for the connection on the back surface. The electrode material in the second area lies on the emitter and around the second area the emitter is interrupted by a trench. On the front surface a further area of electrode material is applied over the hole. If necessary the electrode material in the second area on the back surface is applied on a supporting surface that is substantially electrically isolated from current flowing laterally through the emitter layer underneath the first area.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a silicon semiconductor substrate of a first conductivity type. The substrate has a front surface and a rear surface, of which the front surface is arranged for capturing radiation energy. The rear surface includes a plurality of first electric contacts and a plurality of second electric contacts. The first and second electric contacts are arranged in alternation adjacent to each other. Each first electric contact is a heterostructure of a first type as contact for minority charge carriers, and the front surface of the silicon semiconductor substrate includes a highly doped silicon front surface field layer. The conductivity of the front surface field layer is the first conductivity type.

Abstract: A solar panel module includes a transparent carrier and semi-conductor substrate portions that have a front surface and a rear surface. The front surface is arranged for capturing radiation energy. The semiconductor substrate portions are arranged adjacent to each other on the transparent carrier and are separated from each other by a groove. Each semiconductor substrate portion is attached with the front surface to the transparent carrier. Each groove includes a side wall of each of the adjacent semiconductor substrate portions. The front surface of each semiconductor substrate portion is provided with a doped layer of a first conductivity type. Each semiconductor substrate portion includes a first electric contact for minority charge carriers and a second electric contact for majority charge carriers in the semiconductor substrate portion. The first electric contact is arranged on at least the rear surface of the semiconductor substrate portion as a heterostructure of a first type.

Abstract: The invention relates to a solar cell (1), comprising a front side (10) and rear side (20). In use, the front side (10) is turned towards the light, on account of which charge carriers accumulate on the front side (10) and charge carriers of an opposite type accumulate on the rear side (20). The front side (10) is provided with a first pattern (13) of conductive elements (51, 52) which are connected to first contact points (15) on the rear side (20) by means of a number of vias (14) in the solar cell. The rear side (20) is provided with a second pattern of conductive elements (22) which are connected to second contact points (21) on the rear side (20). The first and second contact points (15, 21) are situated along a number of lines (30). The first contact points (15) are situated on a first side of the lines (30) and the second contact points (21) are situated on a second side of the lines (30).

Abstract: Liquid-containing photovoltaic element, comprising a platelike work electrode and a platelike counter-electrode adhered thereto by means of a vapour and liquid-tight peripheral edge, wherein the work electrode and the counter-electrode are each formed on a flat substrate provided with an electrically conductive layer and wherein a liquid is received into a space between the work electrode, the counter-electrode and the peripheral edge, wherein a system of mutually connected electrical conductors is provided on the conductive layer of each of the substrates for the work electrode and the counter-electrode, which conductors are provided with a layer of an electrically insulating material, in which layer there is provided at least one recess for an electrical contact on a conductor, and which systems of conductors have a mirror-symmetrical form relative to each other.