Abstract: A solar module and a method of manufacturing the same. The solar module has a plurality of solar cell arrays, a cross-connector and an encapsulation. Each of the solar cell arrays includes solar cell substrates with contact structures and an interconnection structure that includes a plurality of round or rounded wires. Some of the wires have a flatter cross-section in a flattened region than the same wires in a non-flattened region adjacent to the flattened region and/or than other wires. The flattened region is located at and/or near an edge of a terminal solar cell substrate adjacent to a portion of the contacting surface of a rear side of the solar cell substrate. At least two strings of solar cell arrays are arranged side by side and interconnected by means of the cross-connector.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for metallizing and connecting solar cell substrates and to a photovoltaic module made of several metallized solar cells that are electrically connected to one another. According to the invention, a solar cell substrate, in which second metal layers forming electrical metal contacts are optionally provided, is attached to a carrier substrate, on the surface of which at least one first metal layer is formed in a suitable pattern. By localized irradiation of the metal layer with laser radiation through the solar cell substrate or the carrier substrate, energy is introduced such that the metal layer is heated by absorbed laser radiation for an irreversible bonding to the adjacent surface of the solar cell substrate. By the laser bonding of the metal layer on the carrier substrate to the solar cell substrate, solar cells can be connected to form a photovoltaic module.