A solar cell assembly includes a plurality of solar cells and an inter-cell region provided between adjacent ones of the solar cells included in the plurality of solar cells. Each of the solar cells and the inter-cell region includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type and having a first main surface and a second main surface that face away from each other; a first amorphous semiconductor layer having a second conductivity type and being provided on a first main surface side of the semiconductor substrate; an insulating layer provided on part of the first amorphous semiconductor layer; and a first transparent conductive film provided on the first amorphous semiconductor layer so as to cover the insulating layer. In a plan view of the solar cell assembly, the insulating layer is provided along the inter-cell region and partially overlapping the inter-cell region.

A solar cell assembly includes a plurality of solar cells and an inter-cell region provided between adjacent ones of the solar cells included in the plurality of solar cells. Each of the solar cells and the inter-cell region includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type and having a first main surface and a second main surface that face away from each other; a first amorphous semiconductor layer having a second conductivity type and being provided on a first main surface side of the semiconductor substrate; an insulating layer provided on part of the first amorphous semiconductor layer; and a first transparent conductive film provided on the first amorphous semiconductor layer so as to cover the insulating layer. In a plan view of the solar cell assembly, the insulating layer is provided along the inter-cell region and partially overlapping the inter-cell region.

The present invention relates to a colored tandem solar cell module, and more particularly, a high-efficiency thin-film colored tandem solar cell module which does not require separate photocurrent matching, implements a color without a separate color filter, and generates power with high efficiency. According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a colored tandem solar cell module including solar cells, which each include a bottom electrode having an inverse diode structure formed by sequentially stacking a first electrode, a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, and a second electrode on a substrate, a light absorption layer formed on the bottom electrode, and a top electrode formed on the light absorption layer, thereby eliminating the need for photocurrent matching, implementing a color without a separate color filter, and improving efficiency.

In embodiments, a photovoltaic cell has an expanded metal article configured as a mesh, a semiconductor material, and a front metallic article. The expanded metal article has a plurality of first segments intersecting a plurality of second segments thereby forming a plurality of openings, and has a plurality of cuts in the mesh. The expanded metal article is electrically coupled to a back surface of the semiconductor material. The front metallic article has a plurality of electroformed elements interconnected to form a unitary, free-standing piece comprising a continuous grid. The continuous grid of the front metallic article is electrically coupled to a front surface of the semiconductor material. The plurality of cuts of the expanded metal article is arranged on the photovoltaic cell to relieve stresses induced by the front metallic article on the front surface of the semiconductor material.

In embodiments, a photovoltaic cell has an expanded metal article configured as a mesh, a semiconductor material, and a front metallic article. The expanded metal article has a plurality of first segments intersecting a plurality of second segments thereby forming a plurality of openings, and has a plurality of cuts in the mesh. The expanded metal article is electrically coupled to a back surface of the semiconductor material. The front metallic article has a plurality of electroformed elements interconnected to form a unitary, free-standing piece comprising a continuous grid. The continuous grid of the front metallic article is electrically coupled to a front surface of the semiconductor material. The plurality of cuts of the expanded metal article is arranged on the photovoltaic cell to relieve stresses induced by the front metallic article on the front surface of the semiconductor material.

To provide a solar cell capable of being connected to a substrate using an FPC connector. A solar cell includes: a power generation layer formed on a surface of a base film; a sealing resin layer covering the power generation layer; a protective insulating layer covering an invalid area of the power generation layer; and terminal electrodes provided at positions overlapping the invalid area and at which voltage generated by a valid area of the power generation layer appears. With this configuration, even if cracks occur in the power generation layer upon connection to an FPC connector, the valid area will not be broken. In addition, the invalid area is covered with the protective insulating layer having an elasticity higher than that of the sealing resin layer, so that shock upon connection to the FPC connector is mitigated.

To provide a solar cell capable of being connected to a substrate using an FPC connector. A solar cell includes: a power generation layer formed on a surface of a base film; a sealing resin layer covering the power generation layer; a protective insulating layer covering an invalid area of the power generation layer; and terminal electrodes provided at positions overlapping the invalid area and at which voltage generated by a valid area of the power generation layer appears. With this configuration, even if cracks occur in the power generation layer upon connection to an FPC connector, the valid area will not be broken. In addition, the invalid area is covered with the protective insulating layer having an elasticity higher than that of the sealing resin layer, so that shock upon connection to the FPC connector is mitigated.

Visually undistorted thin film electronic devices are provided. In one embodiment, a method for producing a thin-film electronic device comprises: opening a scribe in a stack of thin film material layers deposited on a substrate to define an active region and an inactive region of the thin-film electronic device, the stack comprising at least one active semiconductor layer. The active region comprises a non-scribed area of the stack and the inactive region comprises a region of the stack where thin film material was removed by the scribe. The method further comprises depositing at least one scribe fill material into a gap opened by the scribe. The scribe fill material has embedded therein one or more coloring elements that alter an optical characteristics spectrum of the inactive region to obtain an optical characteristics spectrum of the active region within a minimum perceptible difference for an industry defined standard observer.

Visually undistorted thin film electronic devices are provided. In one embodiment, a method for producing a thin-film electronic device comprises: opening a scribe in a stack of thin film material layers deposited on a substrate to define an active region and an inactive region of the thin-film electronic device, the stack comprising at least one active semiconductor layer. The active region comprises a non-scribed area of the stack and the inactive region comprises a region of the stack where thin film material was removed by the scribe. The method further comprises depositing at least one scribe fill material into a gap opened by the scribe. The scribe fill material has embedded therein one or more coloring elements that alter an optical characteristics spectrum of the inactive region to obtain an optical characteristics spectrum of the active region within a minimum perceptible difference for an industry defined standard observer.

The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing a solar cell, comprising: a seating process of seating, in a processing space for manufacturing a solar cell, a cell in which a plurality of thin film layers are formed; a coating process of spraying a conductive material onto the cell; and a scribing process of irradiating a laser toward the cell to form a cell separation unit for separating the cell into a plurality of unit cells.