Method for electrically contacting thin-film solar modules

US5580509A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• Siemens Solar GmbH · DE

Inventors

• Robert Van Den Berg · Amsterdam, NL
• Hans J. Bauer · Eppelheim, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 28, 1994
• Grant date: Dec 3, 1996
• Expiry date: Nov 28, 2014

Classification

• Technology area (CPC Y): Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
• CPC primary: Y02E10/50

Abstract

In a method for electrically contacting thin-film solar modules interconnected in integrated fashion, a number of solar cells forming a module are created by structuring a layer on a substrate to produce strip-shaped, side-by-side solar cells, and electrically conductive contact strips are laid over the electrode layers of the two outermost, individual solar cells. The conductive strips are held in place by a lamination using hot-melt adhesive foil at elevated pressure and temperature, in the same step wherein a backing is laminated with the solar module. If necessary, the contact strips can be attached by an electrically conductive paste or utilizing an ultrasonic welding process.