Method for producing a thin film cell arrangement

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method for the production of a thin-film solar cell array in which a plurality of individual thin-film solar cells are applied on a substrate. The individual thin-film solar cells are thereby deposited one above the other in regions so that an overlapping region is produced from respectively one pair of two individual thin-film solar cells; in this region, a series connection of the two thin-film solar cells forming the pair is present. In addition, the thin-film solar cell array has a transition region in which the thin-film solar cell applied on the first solar cell is converted into a layer situated below.

Claims

1. A method for the production of a thin-film solar cell array, comprising a plurality of thin-film solar cells (I, II, III, . . . ) applied on a substrate (S), which comprise respectively at least one first rear-side electrode (1.sup.I, 1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ) disposed on top of the substrate (S), and at least one second electrode and/or a conversion layer (3.sup.I, 3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ) and also at least one photoactive layer (2.sup.I, 2.sup.II, 2.sup.III, . . . ) disposed between the rear-side electrode (1.sup.I, 1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ) and the second electrode and/or the conversion layer (3.sup.I, 3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ), the thin-film solar cell array a) having at least one overlapping region (B) in which respectively one first (I, II, . . . ) and one second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) are disposed in two layers (n, n+1, . . . ) and in pairs (I-II, II-III, . . . ) situated one above the other, one region of the respectively first thin-film solar cell (I, II, . . . ) in a first layer (n, . . . ) and one region of the respectively second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ), which is disposed to a side of the respectively first thin-film solar cell (I, II, . . . ) orientated away from the substrate (S) in a layer (n+1, . . . ) situated above the respectively first thin-film solar cell (I, II, . . . ), being connected to each other and connected electrically in series, and b) having at least one transition region (A) in which only the respectively second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) of the pair of respectively first and respectively second thin-film solar cell (I-II, II-III, . . . ) is configured, and the rear-side electrode (1.sup.II.sub.n+1, 1.sup.III.sub.n+1, . . . ), the photoactive layer (2.sup.II.sub.n+1, 2.sup.III.sub.n+1, . . . ), and the second electrode and/or the conversion layer (3.sup.II.sub.n+1, 3.sup.III.sub.n+1, . . . ) of the respectively second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) configured in the layer (n+1, . . . ) also forming the rear-side electrode (1.sup.II.sub.n, 1.sup.III.sub.n, . . . ), the photoactive layer (2.sup.II.sub.n, 2.sup.III.sub.n, . . . ) and the second electrode and/or conversion layer (3.sup.II.sub.n, 3.sup.III.sub.n, . . . ) in the layer (n), simultaneously or successively depositing at least one first rear-side electrode (1.sup.I, 1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ) disposed on top of the substrate (S), and one photoactive layer (2.sup.I, 2.sup.II, 2.sup.III, . . . ) disposed above and also one second electrode and/or one conversion layer (3.sup.I, 3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ) also disposed on top of the substrate (S), producing the at least two thin film solar cells (I, II, III, . . . ) in at least one overlapping region (B) in pairs (I-II, II-III, . . . ) in at least two layers (n, n+1, . . . ) situated one above the other, by the respectively second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) of each pair (I-II, II-III, . . . ) of first (I, II, . . . ) and second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) being deposited in regions in a layer (n+1, n+2, . . . ) situated above the respectively first thin-film solar cell, and the respectively first (I, II, . . . ) and second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) in this region (B) being connected electrically in series, and wherein the respectively second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) of each pair (I-II, II-III) of first (I, II, . . . ) and second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) is deposited offset relative to the respectively first thin-film solar cell (I, II, . . . ) of each pair (I-II, II-III, . . . ) of first (I, II, . . . ) and second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) so that a transition region (A) is configured, in which the rear-side electrode (1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ), the photoactive layer (2.sup.II, 2.sup.III, . . . ), and also the second electrode and/or the conversion layer (3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ) of the respectively second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) of each pair (I-II, II-III, . . . ) of first (I, II, . . . ) and second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) associated with layer (n+1, n+2, . . . ) situated above the respectively first thin-film solar cell also forming the rear-side electrode (1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ), the photoactive layer (2.sup.II, 2.sup.III, . . . ), and the second electrode and/or the conversion layer (3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ) in a layer (n, n+1) situated below; wherein the deposition of: (1) the thin-film solar cells and/or of the rear-side electrode orientated towards the substrate (S), (2) the second electrodes and/or conversion layers, and (3) the photoactive layer of the thin-film solar cells is done either in a liquid phase or a vapour phase; or wherein in the first layer (n, . . . ), at least two partial thin-film solar cells (I.sub.n, II.sub.n, . . . ), which comprise respectively the rear-side electrode disposed on top of the substrate (S), and the second electrode and/or a conversion layer and also the photoactive layer disposed between the rear-side electrode and the second electrode and/or the conversion layer, are disposed or premanufactured and at least one further partial thin-film solar cell (II.sub.n+1, III.sub.n+1, . . . ), which comprises respectively the rear-side electrode disposed on top of the substrate (S), and the second electrode and/or the conversion layer and also the photoactive layer disposed between the rear-side electrode and the second electrode and/or the conversion layer, are deposited in the second layer (n+1) offset on the at least two partial thin-film solar cells (I.sub.n, II.sub.n, . . . ) disposed in the first layer (n, . . . ), at least one overlapping region (B) being configured between at least one partial thin-film solar cell (I.sub.n) disposed in the first layer (n, . . . ) and one partial thin-film solar cell (II.sub.n+1) deposited in the second layer (n+1, . . . ) and also at least one transition region (A) by contacting the rear-side electrode, the photoactive layer and also the second electrode and/or the conversion layer of the partial thin-film solar cell (II.sub.n+1) deposited in the second layer (n+1, . . . ) with the rear-side electrode, the photoactive layer and also the second electrode and/or the conversion layer of the partial thin-film solar cell (II.sub.n) disposed in the first layer (n, . . . ) wherein the deposition of the partial thin-film solar cells is done either in a liquid phase or in a vapour phase.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein in that, during premanufacture or deposition of the at least two partial thin-film solar cells (I.sub.n, II.sub.n, . . . ) and/or the deposition of the at least one further partial thin-film solar cell (II.sub.n+1, III.sub.n+1, . . . ), the rear-side electrode, which is orientated towards the substrate (S), and the second electrode and/or the conversion layer and also the photoactive layer, disposed between the rear-side electrode and the second electrode and/or the conversion layer, for each partial thin-film solar cell (I.sub.n, II.sub.n, . . . or II.sub.n+1, III.sub.n+1, . . . ) are deposited successively and, for the respective partial thin-film solar cells (I.sub.n, II.sub.n, . . . or II.sub.n+1, III.sub.n+1, . . . ), simultaneously.

3. The method according claim 1, wherein in that, after deposition of the first rear-side electrode disposed on top of the substrate (S), of the photoactive layer and also of the second electrode of a respective partial thin-film solar cell (I.sub.n, II.sub.n, . . . ) in the first layer (n, . . . ), the first rear-side electrode disposed on top of the substrate (S), and the photoactive layer and/or the second electrode of the respective partial thin-film solar cell (I.sub.n, II.sub.n, . . . ) is terminated, in particular by deposition of an electrical insulator (4), and subsequently the conversion layer is deposited for electrical contacting of the second electrode of a first partial thin-film solar cell (I.sub.n, . . . ) with the first electrode of an adjacent second partial thin-film solar cell (II.sub.n, . . . ) and for formation of the overlapping region (A).

4. The method according claim 1, wherein in that the deposition, produced simultaneously or successively, of the at least one first rear-side electrode (1.sup.I, 1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ), of the photoactive layer (2.sup.I, 2.sup.II, 2.sup.III, . . . ) disposed above and also of the second electrode and/or conversion layer (3.sup.I, 3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ) disposed above is produced by film casting in which the precursor materials are cast and/or pressed by means of a casting head (G) which has a plurality of casting slots (a, b, . . . ) onto the substrate (S), the casting slots (a, b, . . . ) respectively being subdivided into a plurality of compartments (a2, a2, a3, a4, . . . ; b1, b2, b3, b4, b5, b6, b7, . . . ), through which respectively the precursor materials of the respective rear-side electrode (1.sup.I, 1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ), the photoactive layer (2.sup.I, 2.sup.II, 2.sup.III, . . . ) and also the second electrode and/or conversion layer (3.sup.I, 3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ) of the individual thin-film solar cells (I, II, III, . . . ) are cast and/or pressed, the compartments (a2, a2, a3, a4, . . . ; b1, b2, b3, b4, b5, b6, b7, . . . ) being disposed relative to each other such that the rear-side electrode (1.sup.I, 1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ), the photoactive layer (2.sup.I, 2.sup.II, 2.sup.III, . . . ) and also the second electrode and/or conversion layer (3.sup.I, 3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ) of a respective individual thin-film solar cell (I, II, III . . . ) being cast situated one above the other at least in regions and, for respectively one pair (I-II, II-III, . . . ) of first (I, II, . . . ) and second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ), the respective rear-side electrode (1.sup.I, 1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ), the photoactive layer (2.sup.I, 2.sup.II, 2.sup.III, . . . ) and also the second electrode and/or conversion layer (3.sup.I, 3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ) being cast offset relative to each other so that an overlapping region (B) and a transition region (A) are produced.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein in that the deposition, produced simultaneously or successively, of the at least one first rear-side electrode (1.sup.I, 1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ), of the photoactive layer (2.sup.I, 2.sup.II, 2.sup.III, . . . ) disposed above and also of the second electrode and/or conversion layer (3.sup.I, 3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ) disposed above is produced by film casting, in which the precursor materials are cast and/or pressed onto the substrate (S) by means of a casting head (G) which has a plurality of casting slots (X.sup.I.sub.1, X.sup.I.sub.2, X.sup.I.sub.3, X.sup.II.sub.1, X.sup.II.sub.2, X.sup.II.sub.3, X.sup.III.sub.1, X.sup.III.sub.2, X.sup.III.sub.3, . . . ), the casting slots (X.sup.I.sub.1, X.sup.I.sub.2, X.sup.I.sub.3, X.sup.II.sub.1, X.sup.II.sub.2, X.sup.II.sub.3, X.sup.III.sub.1, X.sup.III.sub.2, X.sup.III.sub.3, . . . ), respectively of one rear-side electrode (1.sup.I, 1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ), of a photoactive layer (2.sup.I, 2.sup.II, 2.sup.III, . . . ) and also of a second electrode and/or conversion layer (3.sup.I, 3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ) being assigned to a respective thin-film solar cell (I, II, III, . . . ), being configured continuously over the entire width of the respective rear-side electrode (1.sup.I, 1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ), of the photoactive layer (2.sup.I, 2.sup.II, 2.sup.III, . . . ) and also of the second electrode and/or conversion layer (3.sup.I, 3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ) of the respective thin-film solar cell (I, II, III, . . . ) and being disposed such in the casting head (G) that the rear-side electrode (1.sup.I, 1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ), the photoactive layer (2.sup.I, 2.sup.II, 2.sup.III, . . . ) and also the second electrode and/or conversion layer (3.sup.I, 3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ) of a respective individual thin-film solar cell (I, II, III, . . . ) are cast one above the other at least in regions and, for respectively one pair (I-II, II-III, . . . ) of first (I, II, . . . ) and second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ), the respective rear-side electrode (1.sup.I, 1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ), the photoactive layer (2.sup.I, 2.sup.II, 2.sup.III, . . . ) and also the second electrode and/or conversion layer (3.sup.I, 3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ) being cast offset relative to each other so that the overlapping region (B) and the transition region (A) are produced.

6. The method according to claim 1, wherein in that the deposition, produced simultaneously or successively, of the at least one first rear-side electrode (1.sup.I, 1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ), of the photoactive layer (2.sup.I, 2.sup.II, 2.sup.III, . . . ) disposed above and also of the second electrode and/or conversion layer (3.sup.I, 3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ) disposed above is produced by inkjet- and/or aerosol printing on the substrate (S), the rear-side electrode (1.sup.I, 1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ), the photoactive layer (2.sup.I, 2.sup.II, 2.sup.III, . . . ) and also the second electrode and/or conversion layer (3.sup.I, 3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ) of one respective individual thin-film solar cell (I, II, III, . . . ) being printed situated one above the other at least in regions and, for respectively one pair (I-II, II-III, . . . ) of first (I, II, . . . ) and second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ), the respective rear-side electrode (1.sup.I, 1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ), the photoactive layer (2.sup.I, 2.sup.II, 2.sup.III, . . . ) and also the second electrode and/or conversion layer (3.sup.I, 3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ) being printed offset relative to each so that the overlapping region (B) and the transition region (A) are produced.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein in that, on the substrate (S), a plurality of thin-film solar cells, which comprise respectively at least one first rear-side electrode disposed on top of the substrate (S), and the second electrode and/or the conversion layer and also the photoactive layer disposed between the rear-side electrode and the second electrode and/or the conversion layer, are deposited in succession partially overlapping.

8. The method according to claim 1, wherein in that a plurality of pairs (I-II, II-III . . . ) of first (I, II, . . . ) and second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) is disposed iteratively, a plurality of first transition regions (B.sup.I-II, B.sup.II-III, . . . ) being configured with thin-film solar cells (I-II, II-III, . . . ), connected in pairs, and also a plurality of second transition regions (A.sup.I, A.sup.II, . . . ) of the respectively second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) of the plurality of pairs (I-II, II-III, . . . ) of first (I, II, . . . ) and second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ).

9. The method according to claim 1, wherein in that the plurality of thin-film solar cells (I, II, III, . . . ) a) is disposed in two layers (n, n+1), respectively the second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) of a pair of respectively first and respectively second thin-film solar cell (I-II, II-III, . . . ) having a first plurality of transition region (A.sup.I, A.sup.II, . . . ) in which, configured in the second layer (n+1), the rear-side electrode (1.sup.II.sub.n+1, 1.sup.III.sub.n+1, . . . ), the photoactive layer (2.sup.II.sub.n+1, 2.sup.III.sub.n+1, . . . ) and the second electrode and/or the conversion layer (3.sup.II.sub.n+1, 3.sup.III.sub.n+1, . . . ) of the respectively second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) is converted, configured in the first layer (n, . . . ), into respectively a rear-side electrode (1.sup.II.sub.n, 1.sup.III.sub.n, . . . ), a photoactive layer (2.sup.II.sub.n, 2.sup.III.sub.n, . . . ) and a second electrode and/or a conversion layer (3.sup.II.sub.n, 3.sup.III.sub.n, . . . ), or b) is disposed in three layers (n, n+1, n+2), respectively the second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) of a pair of respectively first and respectively second thin-film solar cell (I-II, II-III, . . . ) having two transition regions disposed in steps, configured in a third layer (n+2), the rear-side electrode, the photoactive layer and the second electrode and/or the conversion layer of the respectively second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ), in the first transition region, converted, configured in the second layer (n+1), into respectively the rear-side electrode, the photoactive layer and the second electrode and/or the conversion layer and, in the second transition region, into one thereof configured in the first layer (n), or c) is disposed in four layers (n, n+1, n+2, n+3), respectively the second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) of a pair of respectively first and respectively second thin-film solar cell (I-II, II-III, . . . ) having three transition regions disposed in steps, configured in a fourth layer (n+3), the rear-side electrode, the photoactive layer and the second electrode and/or the conversion layer of the respectively second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ), in the first transition region, converted, configured in the third layer (n+2), into respectively the rear-side electrode, the photoactive layer and the second electrode and/or the conversion layer, in the second transition region, into one thereof configured in the second layer (n+1) and, in the third transition region, into one thereof configured in the first layer (n).

10. The method according to claim 1, wherein in that width of each overlapping region (B) of each pair of respectively first and respectively second thin-film solar cell (I-II, II-III, . . . ) is between 0.01 and 0.99 times the length of the respective second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ).

11. The method according to claim 1, wherein in that connection of region of the respectively first thin-film solar cell (I, II, . . . ) and of region of the respectively second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) is produced in the at least one overlapping region (B) a) by direct connection of the second electrode and/or of the conversion layer (3.sup.I.sub.n, 3.sup.II.sub.n, . . . ) of the respectively first thin-film solar cell (I, II . . . ) to the rear-side electrode (1.sup.II.sub.n+1, 1.sup.III.sub.n+1, . . . ) of the respectively second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) of the pair of respectively first and respectively second thin-film solar cell (I-II, II-III), b) by an electrically conducting bond of the second electrode and/or of the conversion layer (3.sup.I.sub.n, 3.sup.II.sub.n, . . . ) of the respectively first thin-film solar cell (I, II, . . . ) to the rear-side electrode (1.sup.II.sub.n+1, 1.sup.III.sub.n+1, . . . ) of the respectively second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) of the pair of respectively first and respectively second thin-film solar cell (I-II, II-III, . . . ) by means of an electrically conductive adhesive layer (K), or c) by an electrically insulating bond of the second electrode and/or of the conversion layer (3.sup.I.sub.n, 3.sup.II.sub.n, . . . ) of the respectively first thin-film solar cell (I, II, . . . ) to the rear-side electrode (1.sup.II.sub.n+1, 1.sup.III.sub.n+1, . . . ) of the respectively second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) of the pair of respectively first and respectively second thin-film solar cell (I-II, II-III, . . . ) by means of an electrically insulating adhesive layer (K), the electrical contacting of the second electrode and/or of the conversion layer (3.sup.I.sub.n, 3.sup.II.sub.n, . . . ) of the respectively first thin-film solar cell (I, II, . . . ) to the rear-side electrode (1.sup.II.sub.n+1, 1.sup.III.sub.n+1, . . . ) of the respectively second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) being produced by an electrically conducting connection (7).

12. The method according to claim 1, wherein in that, in the transition region (A), a) the respectively first thin-film solar cell (I, II, . . . ) of the pair of respectively first and respectively second thin-film solar cell (I-II, II-III, . . . ) is connected monolithically to the respectively second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ), or b) the rear-side electrode (1.sup.I, 1.sup.II, . . . ), the photoactive layer (2.sup.I, 2.sup.II, . . . ) and the second electrode and/or the conversion layer (3.sup.I, 3.sup.II, . . . ) of the respectively first thin-film solar cell (I, II, . . . ) of the pair of respectively first and respectively second thin-film solar cell (I-II, II-III, . . . ) are terminated and insulated electrically from the second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ), termination being achieved preferably by an electrical insulator (4).

13. The method according to claim 1, wherein in that, in the transition region (A), the rear-side electrode (1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ), the photoactive layer (2.sup.II, 2.sup.III, . . . ) and the second electrode and/or the conversion layer (3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ) of the respectively second thin-film solar cell (II, III, . . . ) of the pair of respectively first and respectively second thin-film solar cell (I-II, II-III, . . . ) are converted in an S-shape or linearly into the first layer (n, . . . ) at least in regions perpendicularly to the substrate (S).

14. The method according to claim 1, wherein in that, in the at least one overlapping region (B), respectively the rear-side electrode (1.sup.I, 1.sup.I.sub.n, 1.sup.II.sub.n, 1.sup.III.sub.n, . . . ), configured in a lowermost layer (n), of the thin-film solar cells (I, II, III, . . . ) is connected to the substrate (S) over the entire surface.

15. The method according to claim 1, wherein in that a composite is produced by direct deposition of the rear-side electrode (1.sup.I, 1.sup.I.sub.n, 1.sup.II.sub.n, 1.sup.III.sub.n, . . . ) on the substrate (S) by an electrically conductive adhesive layer (K) or an electrically insulating adhesive layer (K).

16. The method according to claim 1, wherein in that the thin-film solar cells (I, II, III, . . . ) are inorganic or organic thin-film solar cells.

17. The method according to claim 1, wherein in that the layer thicknesses, respectively independently of each other, of the rear-side electrode (1.sup.I, 1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ) are between 1 nm and 5 ?m of the second electrode and/or of the conversion layer (3.sup.I, 3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ) are between 1 nm and 5 ?m, and/or of the photoactive layer (2.sup.I, 2.sup.II, 2.sup.III, . . . ) are between 1 nm and 5 ?m.

18. The method according to claim 1, wherein in that precursor materials or coating materials/media are, for the production of the a) rear-side electrode and/or conversion layer (1.sup.I, 1.sup.II, 1.sup.III, . . . ) and/or the second electrode and/or conversion layer (3.sup.I, 3.sup.II, 3.sup.III, . . . ), solutions, emulsions or suspensions of poly(ethylenedioxythiophene):poly(styrene sulphonic acid) in water and solvents, such as isopropanol, ethanol and others, ZnO nanoparticles in chloroform or acetone from zinc acetate dihydrate, ZnO nanoparticles in chloroform from diethylzinc, zinc acetylacetonate hydrate in ethanol, titanium isopropoxide in alcohol (methanol, isopropanol, ethanol), TiO.sub.xNPs from titanium (IV) isopropoxide in isopropanol, MoO.sub.3NPs from ammonium molybdate in aqueous solution, molybdenum-(V)-isopropoxide in butanol, molybdenum tricarbonyl trispropionitrile in acetonitrile, bis(2,4-pentanedionato)molybdenum dioxide in isopropanol, V.sub.2O.sub.5NPs in isopropanol, vanadium(V) oxiisopropoxide in isopropanol, aluminium-doped zinc oxide from zinc acetate and aluminium hydroxite acetate in ethanol and monoethanolamine, and/or b) the photoactive layer (2.sup.I, 2.sup.II, 2.sup.III, . . . ), solutions, suspensions, emulsions of inorganic semiconductors, such as for example Si, a-Si:H, CuZnSnS, CuZnSnSe, GaAs, CuInS, CuInSe, CuInGeS, CuInGeSe, Ge, CdTe, metal oxides, such as TiO.sub.2, ZnO, or organic semiconductors such as poly(3-hexylthiophene), metal phthalocyanines, dicyanovinyl (DCV)-substituted quaterthiophenes, fullerene derivatives and nanoparticles of the various materials and also combinations hereof and/or semiconducting polymers and fullerene derivatives and/or inorganic metal- or semiconductor nanoparticles (Au, Ag, Al, Al.sub.2O.sub.3, ZnO, TiO.sub.2, MoO.sub.3, V.sub.2O.sub.5, CdS, CdSe, PbS, PbSe, CuInS, CuInSe, CuInGeS, CuInGeSe, CuZnSnS, CuZnSnSe) and/or hybrid semiconductors, such as perovskites, for example CH.sub.3NH.sub.3PbI.sub.3 or precursors of organic and inorganic semiconductors in solvents, such as chlorobenzene, dichlorobenzene, xylene, toluene, alcohols, water and mixtures hereof.

19. A method according to claim 1, wherein the deposition from the liquid phase or the vapour phase is produced by means of aerosol printing, vacuum deposition, inkjet printing and/or film casting.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The Figures show:

(2) FIG. 1: a normal monolithic series connection of two thin-film solar cells, deposited adjacently, according to the state of the art,

(3) FIG. 2: a first thin-film solar cell array which can be produced with the method according to the invention,

(4) FIG. 3: a second thin-film solar cell array with monolithic connection in the transition region (A) which can be produced with the method according to the invention,

(5) FIG. 4: a third thin-film solar cell array with optimised monolithic connections in the transition region (A) which can be produced with the method according to the invention,

(6) FIG. 5: a macroscopic perspective of a thin-film solar cell array produced according to the invention,

(7) FIGS. 6A-6C: various width ratios of the transition regions (B) relative to the individual thin-film solar cells of a thin-film solar cell array which can be produced with the method according to the invention,

(8) FIG. 7: a thin-film solar cell array with in total four layers of thin-film solar cells which can be produced with the method according to the invention,

(9) FIG. sequence 8: a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention for the production of a thin-film solar cell array, the openings can be produced by direct structured deposition or large-area deposition with subsequent selective or partially selective removal and also combinations hereof.

(10) FIG. sequence 8A-8F: a preferred embodiment of a method according to the invention for the production of a thin-film solar cell array, the openings can be produced by direct structured deposition or large-area deposition with subsequent selective or partially selective removal and also combinations hereof.

(11) FIG. sequence 9: a variant of the method illustrated in FIG. 8,

(12) FIG. sequence 9A-9G: a variant of the method illustrated in FIG. 8,

(13) FIG. 10: a casting head for the production of a thin-film solar cell array according to the invention,

(14) FIG. 11: a thin-film solar cell array which can be produced by means of a method which makes use of a casting head illustrated in FIG. 10,

(15) FIG. 12: a first method variant for the production of a thin-film solar cell array according to the invention by means of film casting,

(16) FIG. 13: a variant of a method according to the invention illustrated in FIG. 12,

(17) FIG. 14: a method according to the invention for the production of the thin-film solar cell array by means of inkjet- or aerosol printing,

(18) FIG. 15: a further thin-film solar cell array which can be produced with the method according to the invention,

(19) FIG. 16: a further preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention in which lamination of the respective solar cells is effected,

(20) FIG. 17: a variant of the method illustrated in FIG. 16,

(21) FIG. 18: a further embodiment of a method according to the invention by means of lamination of various solar cells, and also

(22) FIG. 19: a variant of the method illustrated in FIG. 18.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(23) FIG. 1 shows a thin-film solar cell array which was already described at the beginning as is known from the state of the art. In FIG. 1, two individual solar cells (I, II) are thereby deposited adjacently in x-direction on a substrate, not illustrated. The solar cells (I, II) are thereby formed respectively by a rear-side electrode (1), a photoactive layer (2) and also an electrode (3) applied at the top. The colour design of the active layers (1, 2, 3) is also chosen to be the same in the following Figures so that the corresponding layers can also be identified via the colour design of the respective layers without the corresponding reference numbers. The individual active layers (1, 2, 3) are thereby deposited in z-direction one above the other, the connection to the substrate, not illustrated, is effected on the side on which the rear-side electrodes 1 are applied. A corresponding deposition or application on the substrate of the respective solar cells (I, II) is thereby direct but also possible via insulating or conducting adhesive compounds. The respective layers of a respective solar cell are thereby annotated for characterisation with the number of the respective solar cell so that the rear-side electrode (1) of the first solar cell (I) is indicated with 1 etc. In the case of an array of solar cells known from the state of the art, only that region in which all of the active layers of a solar cell (I, II, II) are present simultaneously can be used for current production. The region (L) used for the monolithic connection of the solar cells (I, II) hence does not serve for current production so that this region impairs the efficiency of such a thin-film solar cell array. In y-direction, the length of the respective active layers (1, 2, 3) of the respective thin-film solar cells can be chosen arbitrarily, this embodiment also applies for all of the thin-film solar cell arrays according to the invention which are in particular subsequently illustrated.

(24) FIG. 2 showed a first embodiment of a thin-film solar cell array produced with the method according to the invention, which array is formed from a plurality of individual thin-film solar cells (I, II, III). Each of the illustrated solar cells (I, II, III) is thereby configured both in a first layer (n) and also in a layer (n+1) situated above. The layer (n) can be deposited directly or by means of an insulating or conductive adhesive layer on a substrate (S), not illustrated. Each of the solar cells (I, II, III) thereby has a rear-side electrode (1), a photoactive layer (2) and also a second electrode and/or conversion layer (3). The respective active layers (1, 2, 3) of the respective thin-film solar cells are thereby assigned in FIG. 2 (and also in all further Figures) to the respective solar cell and to the respective layer. For example, the rear-side electrode (1) of the second solar cell (II), which is present in the second layer (n+1), is designated with 1.sup.II.sub.n+1. The rear-side electrode (1) present in the first layer (n) of the second solar cell (II) is, in contrast, designated with 1.sup.II.sub.n. Via the chosen nomenclature, an unequivocal assignment of the respective regions of the active layers relative to the individual solar cells and also the layers in which the solar cells are configured can be undertaken. The respective solar cells are thereby connected in pairs electrically in series, in FIG. 2 for example the solar cell (I) with the solar cell (II) forms a series-connected pair of thin-film solar cells, likewise the illustrated solar cell (II) with the solar cell (III) forms a series-connected pair of solar cells. The series connection is thereby effected in an overlapping region (B) which is indicated explicitly in FIG. 2 for the two pairs of solar cells (I-II) and (II-III) which are present with B.sup.I-II or B.sup.II-III. In the enlarged section illustrated in FIG. 2 at the top on the right of this series connection designated overlapping region B, the individual layers of the respective solar cells (II, III) are illustrated. The series connection is effected by electrical contacting in the second electrode and/or conversion layer 3.sup.II.sub.n of the second solar cell (II) with the rear-side electrode 1.sup.III.sub.n+1 of the third solar cell (III). The respective individual solar cells (I, II, III) thereby have respectively a transition region (A) which is illustrated explicitly in FIG. 2 for the first solar cell (I) as transition region (A.sup.I) and also for the second solar cell (II) as transition region (A.sup.II). In FIG. 2 on the left at the top, an enlarged section of a transition region (A) is illustrated. It is detectable that the individual active layers of the respective solar cell (in the case of the example for the solar cell (II)) are converted from the second layer (n+1) into the first layer (n). A parallel connection of the individual active layers hereby takes place. The arrangement according to the invention of the individual solar cells (I, II, III) hence provides that the solar cells are configured to be overlapping in regions in an overlapping region (B), likewise transition regions (A) are present, in which respectively only one solar cell is guided from a second layer (n+1) into a first layer (n). Over the entire width (in x-direction) of the thin-film solar cell array, at least one continuously configured thin-film solar cell is hence present at every position, hence the entire thin-film solar cell array according to the invention, illustrated in FIG. 2, can be used in its entire width (i.e. in x-direction) for current production. The current produced by the series-connected thin-film solar cell array can be tapped for example by means of two electrodes (E) of the respective rear-side electrode (1) of the first solar cell (I) or of the second electrode or conversion layer (3) of the third solar cell (III).

(25) The respective conversion of the individual active layers (1, 2, 3) from a higher layer (n+1) to a layer (n) situated below is effected, according to the example of FIG. 2, by respective offset arrangement of the individual active layers in the respective layers (n) or (n+1). As is evident from the enlarged section of the overlapping region (A) of FIG. 2, the active layers (1, 2, 3) of the second solar cell (II) in the layer (n+1) situated above are configured in steps, in which for example respectively the photoactive layer (2) which is deposited on the rear-side electrode or the second electrode and/or conversion layer (3), which is deposited in z-direction on the photoactive layer (2), the respective layers situated below protrude in x-direction. As a result of a mirror-inverted arrangement of the same layers in the layer situated below, contacting by layering the respective active layers (1, 2, 3) one above the other is hence possible.

(26) FIG. 3 shows an alternative embodiment of a thin-film solar cell array produced with the method according to the invention. As already in FIG. 2, the respectively illustrated thin-film solar cells (I, II, III) thereby consist of the corresponding active layers (1, 2, 3). In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3, the solar cell (II) has a transition region (A) in which the respective layers of this second solar cell (II) are converted from a layer (n+1), situated above, into a lower layer (n). In the overlapping regions (B), respectively two solar cells are configured in pairs, i.e. in the overlapping region illustrated on the left in FIG. 3, a pair of the thin-film solar cell (I) with (II) and also in the right-hand overlapping region of solar cell (II) and solar cell (III). The conversion of the active layers of the thin-film solar cell (II) in the transition region (A) is thereby effected by guiding the respective layers in z-direction. Here also, the respective active layers (1, 2, 3) of the layer (n), situated below, of the second solar cell (II) are configured offset in x-direction so that a correspondingly offset contacting of the active layers (1, 2, 3) of the upper layer (n+1) of the second solar cell (II) with the corresponding active layers (1, 2, 3) disposed in layer (n) is possible. During contacting, the active layers (1, 2, 3) are configured in z-direction in the case of the example of FIG. 3.

(27) FIG. 4 illustrates a further variant of a thin-film solar cell array according to the invention. This embodiment corresponds essentially to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3. In contrast to the embodiment according to FIG. 3, the active layers (1, 2, 3) of the solar cell (I, II) configured in the layer (n) are however disposed not offset relative to each other at the right-hand end (in x-direction) illustrated in FIG. 4 but end and/or are removed at the same position (in x-direction). These ends of the layers (1, 2, 3) can thereby be terminated with an electrically insulating material (4). Consequently, short circuits of the respective solar cells can effectively be prevented. The series connection is hereby effected for example by contacting the rear-side electrode (1) of the second solar cell (II) in the layer (n+1), situated above, with the second electrode and/or conversion layer (3) of the first solar cell (I) which is disposed in the first layer (n).

(28) In all of the previously described embodiments according to FIGS. 2 and 4, the thin-film solar cell array can be extended by iterative arrangement of further solar cells in x-direction.

(29) FIG. 5 shows a macroscopic illustration of a thin-film solar cell array produced according to the present invention, in which a plurality of overlapping regions between respectively pairs of solar cells (I, II) or (II, III) is illustrated. The individual solar cells thereby have respectively a transition region in which the active layers, situated above, of the respective solar cell are converted into the layer situated below. In the transition region, an S-shaped guidance of the active layers of the respective solar cell is thereby effected.

(30) FIG. 6 shows further embodiments of the thin-film solar cell array produced according to the invention, in which the width of the overlapping region (B) is varied. According to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6a), the overlapping region (B), relative to the total width (in x-direction) of the respective thin-film solar cell (I) or (II), is relatively small. In such a thin-film solar cell array, first and foremost only a single layer of a thin-film solar cell is hence configured. The overlapping region can be increased however, as illustrated in FIG. 6b) or FIG. 6c), so that a thin-film solar cell array results, in which almost the complete width (in x-direction) of the entire thin-film solar cell array is characterised by the presence of two thin-film solar cells.

(31) FIG. 7 shows an embodiment of a thin-film solar cell array which is produced with the method according to the invention and in which a plurality of individual thin-film solar cells (I, II, III, IV, V, VI) is disposed in total four layers (n, n+1, n+2, n+3). Each solar cell thereby has three transition regions which, corresponding to the embodiments in FIGS. 5 and 6, are characterised with an S-shaped region of the respective active layers of the thin-film solar cells. For the sake of clarity, the overlapping regions (8) and the transition region (A) are not characterised in more detail in FIG. 7 but correspond to the embodiments as were chosen also in FIGS. 5 and 6. By means of the respective transition region (A), a conversion of the respective active layers of one thin-film solar cell is effected from a specific layer into a layer disposed below this layer. This embodiment is not however restricted to the illustrated four layers, rather any number of thin-film solar cells can be deposited one above the other according to the constructive concept which is presented, n+x layers (with x>3) then resulting.

(32) FIG. 8 shows a further method variant for the production of the thin-film solar cell array according to the invention. Partial solar cells (I.sub.n, II.sub.n) are thereby deposited and connected in series in a first layer (n). The thereby produced solar cell array with a monolithic series connection illustrated in FIG. 8 corresponds to that of FIG. 1. On this layer of partial solar cells (I.sub.n, II.sub.n), a further layer of partial solar cells (II.sub.n+1, III.sub.n+1) is deposited in a second layer (n+1) situated above the first layer (n). During deposition, a parallel connection of the partial solar cells (II.sub.n+1) is effected in the second layer (n+1) with the partial solar cell (II.sub.n) already deposited in the first layer (n) so that an overall thin-film solar cell array is thereby produced, as illustrated in FIG. 8 at the bottom. The thin-film solar cell array illustrated there corresponds to that of FIG. 3. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the deposition of the partial solar cell II.sub.n+1 can be effected with a certain overlap relative to the partial solar cell II.sub.n. A particular advantage of this method is that the process can take place with very large tolerances.

(33) As illustrated in FIG. 8, the second layer n+1 (or each further additional layer) of partial thin-film solar cells can be deposited already as a premanufactured composite of the first electrode, photoactive layer and also second electrode. This possibility is illustrated in FIG. 8.

(34) However, it is preferred that the individual components of the partial thin-film solar cells are deposited separately on the substrate or one above the other. A corresponding sequence is illustrated in FIGS. 8a to 8f. The colour characterisation of the materials used is orientated thereby towards the definitions already used in FIG. 1 or 3.

(35) As illustrated in FIG. 8a, the first electrode of two partial thin-film solar cells 1.sup.I.sub.n or 1.sup.II.sub.n, which are disposed in the first layer n are deposited on a substrate. In FIG. 8a at the top, the process step is illustrated, at the bottom in FIG. 8a the obtained result is illustrated. The two first electrodes are thereby deposited offset relative to each other in x-direction and are spatially separated from each other.

(36) As next step, as illustrated in FIG. 8b, the photoactive layer is applied offset relative to the electrodes deposited in the first step. The photoactive layer of the first partial solar cell 2.sup.I.sub.n is hereby not contacted with the first electrode of the second partial solar cell 1.sup.II.sub.n.

(37) In the third step, as illustrated in FIG. 8c, the second electrode 3 is deposited so that, after this step, both partial thin-film solar cells I.sub.n or II.sub.n are completed. The second electrode of the left-hand partial thin-film solar cell I.sub.n thereby contacts the first electrode of the right-hand partial-thin-film solar cell II.sub.n.

(38) In the next step sequences, the further thin-film solar cells which are disposed in a layer n+1 situated above are deposited. This takes place in turn by a first electrode, photoactive material or second electrode being deposited offset relative to each other in an iterative manner. The sequence is illustrated in FIGS. 8d to 8f. By means of respective overlapping of the individual layers of electrodes or photoactive layers and conversion into the layer situated below, a parallel connection and hence the formation of the transition region A is thereby effected (not illustrated in FIG. 8). The result which is obtained in FIG. 8f corresponds to the thin-film solar cell array already illustrated in detail in FIG. 3.

(39) FIG. 9 shows a method variant of the method illustrated in FIG. 8. Before applying the second layer (n+1) of partial thin-film solar cells, an insulating termination of the partial thin-film solar cells applied in the first layer (n) is thereby effected. By corresponding parallel connection of the partial thin-film solar cells (II.sub.n+1, II.sub.n), an overall thin-film solar cell array thereby results (see FIG. 9 at the bottom) which corresponds to the thin-film solar cell array illustrated in FIG. 4.

(40) As already discussed in the case of FIG. 8, it is possible to deposit a composite of further layers, i.e. first electrode, photoactive layer and second electrode, on premanufactured partial thin-film solar cells which are situated in a layer n, as is illustrated in FIG. 9.

(41) However, a successive deposition of the individual layers is preferred, as is illustrated in the FIG. sequence 9a to 9g.

(42) Deposition of the individual layers, i.e. first electrode etc., is thereby effected analogously, as illustrated in FIGS. 8a to 8f.

(43) As the most substantial difference from the method process according to FIG. sequence 8, the individual components of the respective partial thin-film solar cell, i.e. first electrode, photoactive layer and second electrode, are however hereby configured to be of equal length on one side (in FIG. 9 the respective right-hand side of a partial thin-film solar cell) and not overlapping. This is evident in particular in FIGS. 9b and 9c, the photoactive layer or the second electrode is hereby always configured to be of equal length on the right-hand side, like the first electrode situated below, so that a terminating edge of the respective partial thin-film solar cell is produced. In order to avoid short circuits, this side is terminated by for example an electrically insulating material being deposited for termination of the individual layers (see FIG. 9d).

(44) The series connection of the individual partial thin-film solar cells I.sub.n and II.sub.n is effected by deposition of a further layer which here represents, at the same time, the first electrode of the partial thin-film solar cells of the second layer n+1 (see FIG. 9e). This deposited electrode is contacted, on the one hand, with the second electrode or conversion layer of the first partial thin-film solar cell I.sub.n, on the other hand is guided so far to the right in x-direction that contacting is made possible there and hence series connection with the first electrode of the second partial thin-film solar cell IL. In FIGS. 9f and 9g, deposition of the further components of the partial thin-film solar cells (II.sub.n+1 and III.sub.n+1) which are disposed in the layer n+1 is illustrated. By respective overlapping, contacting with the partial thin-film solar cell in the layer situated below is hereby made possible and hence a parallel connection of the thin-film solar cell from the first layer n+1 and a partial thin-film solar cell in a layer n situated below. A thin-film solar cell array, as described already in FIG. 4 in detail, results.

(45) Both in the method process according to FIG. 8 and FIGS. 8a to 8f or FIGS. 9a to 9g, it is possible and preferred that the respective partial thin-film solar cells are deposited simultaneously in one layer, i.e. the respective layers forming them (first electrode, photoactive layer, second electrode or conversion layer) are deposited respectively simultaneously for all partial thin-film solar cells. However, it is likewise possible to deposit each individual partial thin-film solar cell or groups hereof separately.

(46) In FIG. 10, a casting head (G) is illustrated with which for example the above-described preferred embodiment of the method according to the invention can be effected by film casting of the respective thin-film solar cells. The casting head thereby has a large number of casting slots (a, b . . . ), only two casting slots (a, b) of which are illustrated in FIG. 10. The respective casting slots (a, b) are thereby subdivided into a plurality of separate compartments (a1, a2, a3, a4) or (b1, b2, . . . b7). The respective compartments are thereby supplied with different precursor materials, from which the corresponding active layers (1, 2, 3) of one respective solar cell are formed.

(47) FIG. 11 shows a result of a film-casting method effected with a casting head (G): a thin-film solar cell array in which the thin-film solar cells are disposed in two layers (n) and in (n+1) is illustrated. The respective thin-film solar cells in one layer (n) are thereby formed from the individual laminated layers (a, b, c) or (d, e, f for layer n+1). The respective laminated layers thereby correspond to the casting slots present in the casting head (G). By choice of geometry of the arrangement of the casting slots and also of the individual compartments, the geometry of the respective active layers of one respective solar cell can be predefined. This is made clear for example with reference to the laminated layer (b): with the compartment (b1) of the casting head (G), for example a material for a rear-side electrode (1) is deposited, via the compartment (b2) an insulating stop layer can be deposited. In compartment (b3), a material for a photoactive layer is deposited. With a correspondingly equipped casting head (G), the entire thin-film solar cell array can hence be produced in one step.

(48) FIG. 12 presents a second variant of a method according to the invention for the production of a thin-film solar cell array according to the invention. According to the method illustrated in FIG. 12, the production of the respective active (1, 2, 3) films or layers of the respective thin-film solar cells (I, II, III) is effected by means of film casting, a casting head (G) being used. The casting head (G) has a large number of casting slots (X), each casting slot being assigned to one active layer (1, 2, 3) of one respective thin-film solar cell (I, II, III). In the case of the example of FIG. 12, the thin-film solar cells thereby have respectively three active layers, correspondingly the casting head (G) has respectively three casting slots for the production respectively of one individual thin-film solar cell. The casting slots are thereby disposed offset relative to each other respectively for the individual active layers (1, 2, 3) of each thin-film solar cell so that the individual layers can be deposited with a small offset relative to each other in x-direction. In addition, the casting slots for the corresponding active layers (1, 2, 3) of each further solar cell are disposed offset relative to the casting slots for the active layers (1, 2, 3) of the preceding thin-film solar cell so that a partial overlap is ensured. As illustrated with (*) in FIG. 12, also further casting slots can be present. The method according to the invention now provides that each casting slot is supplied with a corresponding material for the corresponding active layer of each thin-film solar cell, in which the corresponding material is cast or pressed through the corresponding casting slot. As a result, a liquid curtain which can be deposited on a substrate (not illustrated) is produced, in which for example the casting head is guided through in y-direction above the substrate or the substrate in y-direction below the casting head. With such a method according to the invention, in particular thin-film solar cell arrays as are illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 can be produced.

(49) FIG. 13 shows a modification of the method illustrated in FIG. 12, an additional casting slot (X.sup.E) is hereby present, via which for example in addition an electrode can be deposited. In the case of the example of FIG. 13, the electrode is formed from the same material as the respective second electrode and/or conversion layer (3) of the respective solar cell. In addition, the width of the casting slot (X.sup.III.sub.3) is somewhat widened so that consequently contacting can likewise be produced at the protruding region.

(50) FIG. 14 shows a further method variant according to the invention in which the individual active layers (1, 2, 3) of the respective thin-film solar cells (I, II, III) are deposited by means of an inkjet printing method. A method variant in which a plurality of printing heads (1, 2, . . . 9) print, at the same time, three thin-film solar cells (I, II, III) with respective active layers (1, 2, 3) on a substrate (S) is illustrated. The substrate can thereby be drawn through in y-direction relatively below the printing tools, it is likewise possible to guide the printing tools in y-direction over the stationary substrate (S). As indicated with (*), also further printing tools can be present in order to print further solar cells at the same time.

(51) FIG. 15 shows a further basic embodiment of a thin-film solar cell array according to the invention, as can be produced in particular with the methods presented in FIGS. 12 to 14. These can be produced by the photoactive layer (2) or the second electrode and/or conversion layer (3) of the respective solar cells (I, II, III) being introduced continuously into the electrode material of the rear-side electrode (1), for example cast in the corresponding layers. The respective photoactive layers (2) or the second electrodes and/or conversion layers (3) thereby extend linearly and offset relative to each other. A series connection of the individual thin-film solar cells (I, II, III) is thereby effected by material removal at points (6), possibly insulating materials (4) being able to be separated from each other as insulating stop layer or locally isolated electrodes (5). The structuring at points (6) can be effected by removal of the respective layer or by destroying the conductivity, for example removed in the material by laser ablation. According to the basic embodiments relating to FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the respective active layers (1, 2, 3) of one respective solar cell (I, II, III) are disposed in two layers (n+1, n) in the case of the embodiment according to FIG. 8; this may be clarified with the example of the thin-film solar cell (II). Due to the diagonally extending arrangement in the zx-plane of the individual active layers (1, 2, 3) of the thin-film solar cell (II), the layers (1, 2, 3) of the thin-film solar cell (II), which are disposed in the left-hand region (in x-direction), are disposed in z-direction situated further up than the corresponding layers at the right-hand end of the thin-film solar cell (II). The corresponding active layers (1, 2, 3) are thereby disposed in addition above the corresponding active layers of the thin-film solar cell (I), i.e. in a layer (n+1) disposed above the solar cell (I). By iterative arrangement of all the active layers of the respective thin-film solar cells, in the previously described manner, a repetition of the overlap of the individual active layers (1, 2, 3) of the respective solar cells hence results so that a respective transition region (B) is configured. In the transition region (A), merely active layers of one solar cell are present in the case of the example of the thin-film solar cell (II) illustrated in FIG. 15, a conversion here of the respective active layers into a layer (n) situated below being effected. It should be referred to here that the linear course of the individual active layers, in particular of layers 2 and 3, is represented in an idealised form. The layers can extend linearly in the zx-plane, however also bent or curved courses which are produced for example from the production method by sedimentation processes are conceivable, or combinations of bent/curved and linear courses of these layers.

(52) A further method variant is illustrated in FIG. 16. In a first step a), lamination of a first thin-film solar cell on a substrate (S) is effected. In the embodiment according to FIG. 16, the solar cell is thereby applied on the substrate (S) via an insulating adhesive (K).

(53) In step b), a second thin-film solar cell is applied over this first thin-film solar cell which is already laminated on the substrate (S), in which a composite (V) made of a temporary carrier (T) with second thin-film solar cell laminated thereon with the respective active layers (1, 2, 3) and also an insulating adhesive layer (K) disposed thereunder is laminated-on over the thin-film solar cell already situated on the first substrate. In a step c), the removal of the temporary carrier (T) which can be for example a basic material film is effected. Since the individual layers have a thin and flexible configuration, likewise adhesion of the second thin-film solar cell, laminated in step b), is likewise effected on the substrate by means of the insulating adhesive layer (K) (indicated by the arrow). In a further step d), the temporary carrier (T) is removed in a further step c). In a step d), a series connection of the individual thin-film solar cells is effected via a conductive connection. The temporary carrier can also be a liquid.

(54) FIG. 17 shows a variant of the method illustrated in FIG. 16, lamination of a solar cell over a corresponding insulating adhesive layer (K) is likewise effected on a substrate (S). In FIG. 17, a method stage is illustrated, in which two thin-film solar cells are already deposited one above the other. The lamination of the third thin-film solar cell is thereby effected, in which firstly a separate adhesive layer (K) is deposited on the already present thin-film solar cells partially overlapping and is glued on the substrate. On this insulating adhesive layer (K), a composite of a carrier and also a further thin-film solar cell with corresponding active layers is applied c), in a further step d), the temporary carrier substrate (T) can be removed again. Finally, a series connection of the applied thin-film solar cells is effected via an electrical connection 7.

(55) FIG. 18 shows a further method variant according to the invention in which the thin-film solar cells are laminated onto a carrier substrate (S) by means of a conducting adhesive (K). In a first step a), a first thin-film solar cell is applied on a carrier substrate (S) via an electrically conductive adhesive connection (K). Finally, termination of the respective active layers of the applied thin-film solar cell can be effected by means of an electrical insulator (4). In a step b), lamination of a composite of a temporary carrier, on which a thin-film solar cell and also an electrically conducting adhesive connection (K) is applied, is effected, in which the composite is glued, partially overlapping, to the thin-film solar cell deposited already on the substrate. In step c) the carrier (T) is removed. Finally, the exposed ends of the respective active layers of the newly laminated thin-film solar cell can be terminated again by means of an electrical insulator (4). The electrically series connection is thereby effected by the electrically conductive adhesive (K). By iterative repetition of steps b) and c) and also possibly corresponding electrical termination (4) of the newly produced thin-film solar cells, an array of a plurality of thin-film solar cells, which are laminated adjacently in x-direction, can be produced.

(56) FIG. 19 shows a further variant of a method illustrated in FIG. 18. In contrast to FIG. 18, here the electrically conductive adhesive layer (K) is laminated on before lamination of a further thin-film solar cell (cf. the embodiments relating to FIG. 17).