Abstract: A solar module comprising a sheet; a plurality of solar cells electrically connected in series between first and second conductor lines, and arranged on a first side of the sheet, wherein the first and second conductor lines each extend along a length on the sheet; a first conductor lead in electrical connection with the first conductor line and a second conductor lead in electrical connection with the second conductor line; and a through-hole in the sheet through which the first conductor lead extends to a second side of the sheet and a further through-hole through which the second conductor lead extends to the second side of the sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to an element capable of collecting light, including a first substrate having a glass function and forming a cover, and a second substrate forming a support, the substrates sandwiching between two electrode-forming conductive layers at least one functional layer based on an absorber material for converting light energy into electrical energy, the second substrate provided on its lower face with a plurality of profiles oriented parallel to one of the sides of the element.

Abstract: A solar module is described. The solar module has a laminated composite of two substrates bonded to one another by at least one bonding layer, between which substrates there are solar cells which are connected in series and which each have an absorber zone made of a semiconducting material between a front electrode arranged on a light entrance side of the absorber zone and a rear electrode. A diffusion barrier differing from the front electrode is located between each absorber zone and the bonding layer and is designed to inhibit the diffusion of water molecules from the bonding layer into the absorber zone and/or the diffusion of dopant ions from the absorber zone into the bonding layer. A process for producing such a solar module is also described.

Abstract: A solar module, more particularly a thin-film solar module having a plurality of solar cells connected in series for the photovoltaic generation of power, is described. The solar module has two voltage terminals of opposite polarity, which are each connected to an external surface of the module. Each of the two leads is electrically connected to a separate terminal device. Each of the two terminal housings is attached to the outer surface of the module. The two leads are electrically interconnected through a flyback diode, and the two terminal devices are electrically connected by a ribbon cable that is arranged between the two terminal housings and attached to the external surface of the module. A manufacturing method for the solar module is also described.

Abstract: A thin layered solar module having a plurality of serially connected thin layer solar cells for producing photovoltaic energy is described. The module has two substrates which are interconnected by an adhesive layer. Each solar cell has a layer structure arranged between the two substrates, having a first electrode layer, a second electrode layer and a semi-conductor layer which is arranged between both electrode layers. The semi-conductor layer forms a pn-junction and is doped with a doping material. The adhesive layer has a certain amount of doping material such that the doping material from the semi-conductor layer is prevented from diffusing into the adhesive layer.

Abstract: A thermal evaporation apparatus for depositing of a material on a substrate is described. The apparatus can comprise material storage means; heating means to generate a vapour of the material in the material storage means; vapour outlet means comprising a vapour receiving pipe having vapour outlet passages, and emission reducing means arranged such that an external surface of the vapour outlet means directed to said substrate exhibits low emission. Also the use of the apparatus, and a method of depositing a material onto a substrate by thermal evaporation are described.

Abstract: A thermal evaporation apparatus for depositing of a material on a substrate is described. The apparatus can comprise material storage means; heating means to generate a vapour of the material in the material storage means; vapour outlet means comprising a vapour receiving pipe having vapour outlet passages, and emission reducing means arranged such that an external surface of the vapour outlet means directed to said substrate exhibits low emission. Also the use of the apparatus, and a method of depositing a material onto a substrate by thermal evaporation are described.

Abstract: Thermal evaporation apparatus for depositing of a material on a substrate, comprising material storage means; heating means to generate a vapor of the material in the material storage means; vapor outlet means comprising a vapor receiving pipe having vapor outlet passages, and emission reducing means arranged such that an external surface of the vapor outlet means directed to said substrate exhibits low emission, and wherein the apparatus further comprises pipe heating means in the interior of said vapor outlet means, wherein at least the surfaces of the material storage means, heating means, and emission reducing means and pipe heating means arranged to come into contact with the material vapor are of a corrosion-resistant material.

Abstract: A solar module comprising a sheet; a plurality of solar cells electrically connected in series between first and second conductor lines, and arranged on a first side of the sheet, wherein the first and second conductor lines each extend along a length on the sheet; a first conductor lead in electrical connection with the first conductor line and a second conductor lead in electrical connection with the second conductor line; and a through-hole in the sheet through which the first conductor lead extends to a second side of the sheet and a further through-hole through which the second conductor lead extends to the second side of the sheet.

Abstract: The invention relates to an element capable of collecting light, comprising a first substrate having a glass function and forming a cover, and a second substrate forming a support, said substrates sandwiching between two electrode-forming conductive layers at least one functional layer based on an absorber material for converting light energy into electrical energy. The second substrate is provided on its lower face with a plurality of profiles (17, 18) oriented parallel to one of the sides of said element.

Abstract: The invention related to an element capable of collecting light, comprising a first substrate (1) having a glass function and forming a protective cover and a second substrate (1?) forming a support plate, said substrates sandwiching between two electrode-forming conductive layers at least one functional layer (7) based on an absorber material for converting light energy into electrical energy. The second substrate (1?) is provided with at least one orifice which opens at the level of the conductive layers and within which a pressing member (19) passes, said pressing member being held within a cavity made in an electrical connection device (9) fastened to said substrate (1?).

Abstract: Thermal evaporation apparatus for depositing of a material on a substrate, comprising material storage means; heating means to generate a vapour of the material in the material storage means; vapour outlet means comprising a vapour receiving pipe having vapour outlet passages, and emission reducing means arranged such that an external surface of the vapour outlet means directed to said substrate exhibits low emission, and wherein the apparatus further comprises pipe heating means in the interior of said vapour outlet means, wherein at least the surfaces of the material storage means, heating means, and emission reducing means and pipe heating means arranged to come into contact with the material vapour are of a corrosion-resistant material.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing integrated series connections of a plurality of solar cells each of which includes a photovoltaic thin film on a common transparent substrate which involves depositing a strip pattern of a material which is readily removable from the photovoltaic thin film onto the film at intervals dependent on the size of the solar cells, the strips of the pattern being offset laterally relative to the front electrodes lying under the thin film and extending over the regions of the thin film which are not to be covered by the subsequently back electrodes. Separating grooves are then mechanically generated in the film adjacent the strips. An electrically conductive metal is deposited over the entire surface thus produced and finally the strip pattern is removed by lifting the pattern off the film, leaving gaps in the metallized layer forming the separated back electrodes of the solar cell.