Abstract: A tandem photovoltaic cell device is disclosed including an upper and lower cell. The lower cell may comprise a glass substrate and overlying layers that may include an electrode, absorber, window layer, and a transparent conductive oxide layer. The upper cell may comprise an intermediate glass substrate and overlying layers that may include a transparent conductor, an absorber, a window layer, a second conductive oxide layer, and an upper glass material. The cells may be coupled with an optical coupling material, and edge sealing material may be disposed between the glass substrates for both the upper and lower cells.

Abstract: A tandem photovoltaic cell device. The device includes a lower cell configured for substantial independent operation of an upper cell. In a preferred embodiment, the lower cell has a lower glass substrate material and a lower electrode layer made of a reflective material overlying the glass material. The lower cell also has a lower absorber layer overlying the lower electrode layer. In a preferred embodiment, the absorber layer made of a first semiconductor material has a first band gap energy in a range of Eg=0.7 to 1.1 eV. The lower cell includes a lower window layer overlying the lower absorber layer, a lower transparent conductive oxide layer overlying the lower window layer, and a first optical coupling material comprising first ethylene vinyl acetate overlying the lower transparent conductive oxide layer. In a specific embodiment, the device also has the upper cell coupled to the lower cell.

Abstract: A solar cell has electrical conductors applied on a pattern of electric contacts on a front surface and extending transversely relative thereto with a portion projecting beyond the edge of the solar cell. The formation of the electrical pattern includes at least two elongated portions interconnected by a return portion which extends beyond the one edge. This return portion provides a stiffening suitable for reliable interconnection to an additional solar cell to achieve a connection of two conductors in the projecting region.