Provided are a solar cell, a method for preparing a solar cell, a tandem solar cell, and a photovoltaic module. The solar cell includes a substrate, a doped conductive layer, and a dielectric layer. The substrate has a first surface, where the first surface includes electrode regions and non-electrode regions that are alternatingly arranged along a first direction. The doped conductive layer is formed over the first surface of the substrate. The doped conductive layer includes first conductive portions and at least one second conductive portion. Each respective first conductive portion of the first conductive portions is formed over a respective electrode region of the electrode regions, and each respective second conductive portion of the at least one second conductive portion is formed over a part of a non-electrode region of the non-electrode regions. The dielectric layer is between the first surface and the doped conductive layer.

Provided are a solar cell, a method for preparing a solar cell, a tandem solar cell, and a photovoltaic module. The solar cell includes a substrate, a doped conductive layer, and a dielectric layer. The substrate has a first surface, where the first surface includes electrode regions and non-electrode regions that are alternatingly arranged along a first direction. The doped conductive layer is formed over the first surface of the substrate. The doped conductive layer includes first conductive portions and at least one second conductive portion. Each respective first conductive portion of the first conductive portions is formed over a respective electrode region of the electrode regions, and each respective second conductive portion of the at least one second conductive portion is formed over a part of a non-electrode region of the non-electrode regions. The dielectric layer is between the first surface and the doped conductive layer.

A multi-layer device and its method of manufacture are disclosed. The multi-layer device comprises a first electrode layer, a first repair layer, a functional layer, and a second electrode layer. The first repair layer comprises a conductive hydrogel film or conductive hydrogel beads, the conductive hydrogel film or the conductive hydrogel beads comprising conductive filler particles dispersed in a cross-linked polymer. The repair layer protects the multi-layer device from electrical short circuits. A multi-layer device is also disclosed including a light-transmissive electrode layer comprising a porous mesh or porous spheres.

A multi-layer device and its method of manufacture are disclosed. The multi-layer device comprises a first electrode layer, a first repair layer, a functional layer, and a second electrode layer. The first repair layer comprises a conductive hydrogel film or conductive hydrogel beads, the conductive hydrogel film or the conductive hydrogel beads comprising conductive filler particles dispersed in a cross-linked polymer. The repair layer protects the multi-layer device from electrical short circuits. A multi-layer device is also disclosed including a light-transmissive electrode layer comprising a porous mesh or porous spheres.

A substrate for solar cells is fabricated such that an area of the substrate remains exposed when at least one solar cell having at least one cropped corner that defines a corner region is attached to the substrate; the area of the substrate that remains exposed includes one or more conductors printed on the substrate; and electrical connections between the solar cell and the conductors are made in the corner region resulting from the cropped corner of the solar cell. The substrate may also include buried conductors for making series connections that determine a flow of power through a plurality of solar cells, including corner-to-corner and column-to-column connections for the plurality of solar cells that are attached to the substrate in a two-dimensional (2-D) grid of an array. The substrate may also be covered by a polyimide overlay for preventing electrostatic discharge (ESD).

A substrate for solar cells is fabricated such that an area of the substrate remains exposed when at least one solar cell having at least one cropped corner that defines a corner region is attached to the substrate; the area of the substrate that remains exposed includes one or more conductors printed on the substrate; and electrical connections between the solar cell and the conductors are made in the corner region resulting from the cropped corner of the solar cell. The substrate may also include buried conductors for making series connections that determine a flow of power through a plurality of solar cells, including corner-to-corner and column-to-column connections for the plurality of solar cells that are attached to the substrate in a two-dimensional (2-D) grid of an array. The substrate may also be covered by a polyimide overlay for preventing electrostatic discharge (ESD).