Semitransparent photovoltaic module and method of making the same

A method of making a semitransparent photovoltaic module, the method comprising:

• providing at least one semitransparent submodule having a visible light transmission of about 7% to about 70% having an outer surface and an inner surface, the semitransparent submodule comprising:
• a first glass layer, a transparent conducting oxide layer, a semiconductor layer, and a metal back contact layer,
• wherein the submodule further comprises a plurality of interconnection scribes extending in a first direction across the submodule and a plurality of light transmission scribes disposed perpendicularly to the plurality of interconnection scribes in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction;
• wherein at least one of the plurality of interconnection scribes is disposed through the transparent conducting oxide layer and the semiconductor layer, but not the first glass layer or the back contact layer;
• and
• wherein the plurality of light transmission scribes are created using a pulsed laser ablation process with a wavelength of about 1064 nm;
• and
• wherein the plurality of light transmission scribes are disposed through at least part of the semiconductor layer.

A method of preventing power loss in a photovoltaic module due to an isolated electrical shunt, the method comprising:

• providing a semitransparent photovoltaic module comprising:
• at least one submodule having an outer surface and an inner surface and comprising a first glass layer, a transparent conducting oxide layer, a semiconductor layer, and a metal back contact layer,
• wherein the submodule further comprises a plurality of interconnection scribes extending in a first direction across the submodule and a plurality of light transmission scribes disposed perpendicularly to the plurality of interconnection scribes in a second direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction;
• and
• wherein at least one of the plurality of interconnection scribes is disposed through the transparent conducting oxide layer and the semiconductor layer, but not the first glass layer or the back contact layer and at least one of the plurality of light transmission scribes is disposed through at least part of the semiconductor layer;
• and
• wherein the interconnection scribes and light transmission scribes lines of laser ablation are disposed on the submodule in a pattern that prevents or inhibits electrical current from flowing from one line to adjacent lines.