The invention relates to a frame for photovoltaic modules into which connection sockets and module electronics can be integrated so as to be easily accessible and which is simultaneously used as a guide system for connection cables.

A solar cell module is discussed. The solar cell module includes a plurality of solar cells each including a semiconductor substrate and a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes, which are formed on a back surface of the semiconductor substrate and are separated from each other, the plurality of solar cells disposed in a first direction; a plurality of first conductive lines connected to the plurality of first electrodes included in a first solar cell of the plurality of solar cells, and the plurality of first conductive lines extended in the first direction; a plurality of second conductive lines connected to the plurality of second electrodes included in a second solar cell of the plurality of solar cells which is adjacent to the first solar cell, and the plurality of second conductive lines extended in the first direction.

A multijunction solar cell including interconnected first and second discrete semiconductor regions disposed adjacent and parallel to each other including first top solar subcell, second (and possibly third) lattice matched middle solar subcells; a graded interlayer adjacent to the last middle solar subcell; and a bottom solar subcell adjacent to said graded interlayer being lattice mismatched with respect to the last middle solar subcell; wherein an opening is provided from the bottom side of the semiconductor body to one or more of the solar subcells so as to allow a discrete electrical connector to be made extending in free space and to electrically connect contact pads on one or more of the solar subcells.

Disclosed are a solar cell and a solar cell module comprising same, the solar cell comprising: a solar cell structure having one or more hollows passing therethrough in the height direction, and a plurality of light-concentrating parts disposed in each of the one or more hollows.

A solar cell can include a built-in bypass diode. In one embodiment, the solar cell can include an active region disposed in or above a first portion of a substrate and a bypass diode disposed in or above a second portion of the substrate. The first and second portions of the substrate can be physically separated with a groove. A metallization structure can couple the active region to the bypass diode.

A photoelectric converter including a crystalline silicon substrate having a light receiving surface including a smooth section and a rough surface section having surface roughness greater than the surface roughness of the smooth section and a light transmissive inorganic film so provided as to overlap with the smooth section and the rough surface section, and the film thickness t1 of a portion of the inorganic film that is the portion where the inorganic film overlaps with the rough surface section is smaller than the film thickness t2 of a portion of the inorganic film that is the portion where the inorganic film overlaps with the smooth section. The arithmetic average roughness of the rough surface section is preferably greater than or equal to 0.1 μm.

A solar cell for a solar cell array with one or more grid on a surface thereof, wherein electrical connections are made to the grids in a plurality of locations positioned around the solar cell; and the electrical connections extend to one or more conductors located under the solar cell. The conductors located under the solar cell are buried within a substrate, and each of the conductors comprises a low resistance conducting path that distributes current from the solar cell. The conductors are loops, U-shaped, or have only up or down pathways. The solar cell comprises a full cell that has four cropped corners and the locations are in the cropped corners.

A method includes providing an electrically conductive mandrel having an outer surface layer comprising a preformed pattern. The metallic article is electroformed. The metallic article includes a plurality of electroformed elements formed in the preformed pattern on the outer surface layer of the mandrel. The plurality of electroformed elements have a first side adjacent to the outer surface layer of the mandrel and a second side. The metallic article is separated from the mandrel. The plurality of electroformed elements are interconnected such that the metallic article forms a unitary, free-standing piece. A solution is applied to create a blackening of the first side of the plurality of electroformed elements.

A solar cell can include a built-in bypass diode. In one embodiment, the solar cell can include an active region disposed in or above a first portion of a substrate and a bypass diode disposed in or above a second portion of the substrate. The first and second portions of the substrate can be physically separated with a groove. A metallization structure can couple the active region to the bypass diode.

There is provided a multi junction photovoltaic device comprising a first sub-cell comprising a photoactive region comprising a layer of perovskite material, a second sub-cell comprising a photoactive silicon absorber. and an intermediate region disposed between and connecting the first sub-cell and the second sub-cell. The intermediate region comprises an interconnect layer, the interconnect layer comprising a two-phase material comprising elongate (i.e. filament like) silicon nanocrystals embedded in a silicon oxide matrix.