Method of continuously forming an array of photovoltaic cells electrically connected in series
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of continuously electrically interconnecting in series a continually moving array of discrete photovoltaic cells formed from a single large area photovoltaic cell, said method including the steps of:
- providing an elongated, continuous web of photovoltaic cell material, said continuous web comprising a continuous substrate upon which a plurality of continuous thin film layers of semiconductor alloy material are disposed;
continuously moving said photovoltaic cell material to a take-up station;
forming n slits, where n is an integer equal to or greater than 1, photovoltaic cell material for dividing said material into n+1 smaller area cells;
each said slit extending through the semiconductor alloy material and the substrate and being of a length selected to include a non-slitted connector between each terminus of said slit and the edge of said cell proximate thereto so that said connectors are adapted to maintain the structural integrity of said elongated web;
establishing electrical series communication between adjacent smaller area cells disposed on opposite sides of said slit; and
severing said connectors, whereby said continuous web of photovoltaic cell material is converted into an array of discrete photovoltaic cells electrically interconnected in series.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A method of continuously electrically interconnecting in series a plurality of smaller area photovoltaic cells from a continuous, elongated web of photovoltaic cell material which is maintained in continual motion.
148 Citations
15 Claims
-
1. A method of continuously electrically interconnecting in series a continually moving array of discrete photovoltaic cells formed from a single large area photovoltaic cell, said method including the steps of:
-
providing an elongated, continuous web of photovoltaic cell material, said continuous web comprising a continuous substrate upon which a plurality of continuous thin film layers of semiconductor alloy material are disposed; continuously moving said photovoltaic cell material to a take-up station; forming n slits, where n is an integer equal to or greater than 1, photovoltaic cell material for dividing said material into n+1 smaller area cells;
each said slit extending through the semiconductor alloy material and the substrate and being of a length selected to include a non-slitted connector between each terminus of said slit and the edge of said cell proximate thereto so that said connectors are adapted to maintain the structural integrity of said elongated web;establishing electrical series communication between adjacent smaller area cells disposed on opposite sides of said slit; and severing said connectors, whereby said continuous web of photovoltaic cell material is converted into an array of discrete photovoltaic cells electrically interconnected in series. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
-
-
12. An improved method of electrically connecting in series an array of smaller area photovoltaic cells formed from a continuous elongated web of photovoltaic cell material, said web formed from continuous layers of semiconductor alloy material deposited onto an elongated web of substrate material;
- said method including the steps of;
forming a plurality of discrete smaller area photovoltaic cells from said web of cell material; and electrically interconnecting said discrete cells in series while maintaining said web in continuous motion. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
- said method including the steps of;
Specification