System and method of providing a photovoltaic (PV) cell with a complex via structure in the substrate that has a primary via for containing a conductive material and an overflow capture region for capturing an overflow of the conductive material from the primary via. The conductive filling in the primary via may serve as an electrical contact between the PV cell and another PV cell. The overflow capture region includes one or more recesses formed on the substrate back surface. When the conductive material overflows from the primary via, the one or more recesses can capture and confine the overflow within the boundary of the complex via structure. A recess may be a rectangular or circular trench proximate to or overlaying the primary via. The recesses may also be depressions formed by roughening the substrate back surface.

Disclosed are a solar cell module and a method of fabricating the same. The solar cell module includes a back electrode layer disposed on a support substrate and having a first separation pattern, a light absorbing layer disposed on the back electrode layer and having a second separation pattern, and a plurality of solar cells disposed on the light absorbing layer and formed with a front electrode layer including an insulator.

A solar cell panel and a method for manufacturing the same are discussed. The solar cell panel includes a plurality of solar cells each including a substrate and a plurality of electrode parts positioned on a surface of the substrate, an interconnector electrically connecting the electrode parts of adjacent ones of the plurality of solar cells to one another, and conductive adhesive films including a resin and a plurality of conductive particles dispersed in the resin. The conductive adhesive films is pressed between the electrode parts and the interconnector to electrically connect the electrode parts to the interconnector. A plurality of uneven portions are positioned on at least one of an upper surface and a lower surface of the interconnector.

Photovoltaic systems and methods for optimizing the harvesting of solar energy are disclosed. A photovoltaic (PV) system includes: a solar panel module. The solar panel module comprises: a plurality of solar cell arrays, wherein each array comprises a grouping of solar cells; and a tubular panel. The plurality of solar cell arrays are arranged along an inside surface of the panel. At least an upper portion of the panel slopes inward such that the panel has a substantially funnel-shaped geometry. The solar cell arrays are arranged in a C-ring pattern. A first solar cell array is separated from a second solar cell array by a predetermined distance. The area between the solar cell arrays is coated with a reflective material to facilitate optimal reflection of incident sunlight back to the solar cells. Recycling of incident light is facilitated within the tube. The light can be intermittently or continuously recycled.

A masonry unit including a photovoltaic cell for generation of electricity is described herein. More particularly a photovoltaic-clad concrete block that combines the structural attributes of concrete block (or other masonry unit) and the energy production of solar photovoltaics is described herein. Methods for manufacturing, installing, and electrically connecting such photovoltaic-clad concrete blocks are also described herein.

In a solar cell module, a first encapsulant and a second encapsulant are provided between a first protective member and a second protective member, and solar cells are provided between the first encapsulant and the second encapsulant. A connecting tab wire cover is laminated on the first encapsulant. A connecting tab wire encapsulant is laminated on the connecting tab wire cover. The multiple solar cells are laminated on the first encapsulant. Through a slit formed on the connecting tab wire encapsulant, fixing members fix a connecting tab wire, which connects multiple solar cells, and the connecting tab wire cover.

A solar cell module includes: two solar cells, each including: a first main face and a second main face; a first electrode on the first main face, comprising a bus-bar electrode having at least one of an opening portion, notch portion, and gap portion; and a second electrode on the first or second main face having a polarity opposite to that of the first electrode; a wiring member that electrically connects the first electrode of one solar cell to the second electrode of another solar cell; and an electrically conductive connection layer that contacts the wiring member and the first main face.

A stringing device and stringing method usable for manufacturing photovoltaic modules efficiently with an easy configuration, and a photovoltaic module manufacturing device and manufacturing method. A stringing device for electrically connecting electrodes formed respectively in adjacent photovoltaic cells via a conductive member includes: number one joining unit which joins the photovoltaic cell supplied with its light receiving surface facing up and the conductive member to each other; and number two joining unit which joins the photovoltaic cell supplied with its light receiving surface facing down and the conductive member to each other.

A method includes: a first collector electrodes forming step P1; a second collector electrodes forming step P2 of forming a plurality of second collector electrodes by applying a pasty second collector electrode material; a dividing guidelines forming step P3 of forming on the solar cell a plurality of dividing guidelines, each of which is formed between each two adjacent first collector electrodes and between each two adjacent second collector electrodes; a dividing step P4 of cutting the solar cell along the plurality of dividing guidelines to divide the solar cell into the plurality of small cell pieces; an overlapping step P5 of overlapping the plurality of small cell pieces so as to bring the first collector electrodes and the second collector electrodes cell pieces into abutting contact with each other; and a curing step P6 of curing the second collector electrode material.

A photovoltaic module incorporates a lamination including a back-sheet, an array of solar cells supported on the back-sheet, and a transparent protective covering over the array of solar cells. The solar cells are arranged in offset or staggered patterns on the back-sheet to present a more random and less rigid industrial appearance to an observer. In some cases, cleaved solar cell segments are arranged into groups that are staggered on the back-sheet. This allows for finer control of the net voltage produced by a module. In other embodiments, full single wafer solar cells are arranged into larger groups, which themselves are staggered on the back-sheet. In either case, the result is a photovoltaic module with an appearance that is more organic and acceptable to homeowners and architects than traditional modules having cells arranged in rigid aligned rows and columns.