Thin-film solar cell modules and serial cell-to-cell interconnect structures and methods of fabrication are described. In an embodiment, solar cell module and interconnect includes a conformal transport layer over a subcell layer. The conformal transport layer may also laterally surround an outside perimeter the subcell layer.

The invention is directed to a photovoltaic apparatus comprising a carrier substrate. The carrier substrate carries printed structures comprising: a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each module including first and second terminals and a plurality of photovoltaic cells electrically connected between the first and second module terminals; a first bus bar extending along one side of the photovoltaic modules; a second bus bar extending along an opposite side of the photovoltaic modules; and a plurality of intermodule rails, each inter-module rail being associated with a photovoltaic module. The apparatus includes a plurality of selectively configurable junctions, one or more of the junctions being configurable to enable a photovoltaic module to be selectively connected to or disconnected from an adjacent photovoltaic module via one or more inter-module rails, and/or enable a module terminal to selectively connect with or disconnect from one of the first and second bus bars, such that the photovoltaic modules can be selectively electrically connected in series and/or parallel on demand.

Thin-film solar cell modules and serial cell-to-cell interconnect structures and methods of fabrication are described. In an embodiment, solar cell module and interconnect includes a conformal transport layer over a subcell layer. The conformal transport layer may also laterally surround an outside perimeter the subcell layer.

The invention is directed to a photovoltaic apparatus comprising a carrier substrate. The carrier substrate carries printed structures comprising: a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each module including first and second terminals and a plurality of photovoltaic cells electrically connected between the first and second module terminals; a first bus bar extending along one side of the photovoltaic modules; a second bus bar extending along an opposite side of the photovoltaic modules; and a plurality of intermodule rails, each inter-module rail being associated with a photovoltaic module. The apparatus includes a plurality of selectively configurable junctions, one or more of the junctions being configurable to enable a photovoltaic module to be selectively connected to or disconnected from an adjacent photovoltaic module via one or more inter-module rails, and/or enable a module terminal to selectively connect with or disconnect from one of the first and second bus bars, such that the photovoltaic modules can be selectively electrically connected in series and/or parallel on demand.

A photoelectric conversion element includes: a transparent substrate; a photoelectric conversion cell disposed on one surface of the transparent substrate; and a conductive first current extracting portion disposed on the one surface of the transparent substrate and that extracts a current from the photoelectric conversion cell. The photoelectric conversion cell includes: an electrode disposed on the one surface of the transparent substrate; a counter substrate that faces the electrode and that has a metal substrate; and sealing portion disposed between the transparent substrate and the counter substrate. The photoelectric conversion element further includes: a first external connecting terminal on the conductive first current extracting portion; a connecting terminal, separated from the first external connecting terminal, disposed on the conductive first current extracting portion between the first external connecting terminal and the sealing portion; and a conductive member that connects the connecting terminal and the metal substrate.

A continuous electric/electronic device and a method of manufacturing the same are disclosed. The method of manufacturing a continuous electric/electronic device having a serial connection structure comprises (a) disposing a first electrode current collection unit, (b) disposing first organicinorganic material in regard to the first electrode current collection unit, (c) laminating a first area of a second electrode current collection unit on the disposed first organicinorganic material, (d) disposing second organicinorganic material in regard to a second area of the second electrode current collection unit and (e) laminating a third electrode current collection unit on the disposed second organicinorganic material. Here, the first area and the second area of the second electrode current collection unit operate as current collection units having different polarity in regard to adjoining first organicinorganic material and second organicinorganic material.

A dye-sensitized solar cell module (1) has at least two dye-sensitized solar cell units (2a-c) arranged adjacent each other and connected in series. Each dye-sensitized solar cell module has a porous insulating substrate (7), a first porous conducting layer (4) formed on one side of the porous insulating substrate (7) and a second porous conducting layer (5) formed on an opposite side of the porous insulating substrate (7). A series connecting element (6) penetrates through the porous insulating substrate (7) and extends between the first porous conducting layer (4) of one of the cell units and the second porous conducting layer (5) of the adjacent cell unit. Each of the cell units is surrounded by an ion barrier (12) in the form of a non-porous layer penetrating through the porous insulating substrate (7) to prevent the electrolyte from leaking to an adjacent cell unit.

Disclosed herein are a solar cell module and a method for manufacturing the same. The solar cell module comprises: a substrate; and a plurality of solar cells located on the substrate, each solar cell comprising a first electrode, a second electrode, and a photoactive layer located between the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein at least a portion of a second electrode is located on a photoactive layer of a neighboring solar cell, and a conductive channel is located between the second electrode and a first electrode of the neighboring solar cell. Therefore, a solar cell module having a structure in which every layer except for electrodes is entirely formed as a thin film may be provided. In addition, a solar cell module the module efficiency of which is improved by increasing the active area of each solar cell may be provided.

A photoelectric conversion element includes: a transparent substrate; and a photoelectric conversion cell disposed on one surface of the transparent substrate, the photoelectric conversion cell includes: an electrode disposed on the one surface of the transparent substrate; a counter substrate facing the electrode and including a metal substrate; and a sealing portion disposed between the transparent substrate and the counter substrate, and the photoelectric conversion element further includes: a connecting terminal that faces the one surface of the transparent substrate and is disposed an outside of the sealing portion; and a conductive member that includes a wiring part connecting the metal substrate of the photoelectric conversion cell and the connecting terminal.

The invention provides a dye-sensitized solar cell module that is capable of achieving high electrical power. The invention provides a dye-sensitized solar cell module in which photoelectrodes and counter electrodes are disposed opposite to each other in a T-shape via an electrolyte layer.