Electrochromic devices having improved structure for reducing current leakage across lower transparent conductor layers

An electrochromic device comprising:

• a lower transparent conductive layer, a first portion of said lower transparent conductive layer coupled to a first conductive element and a second portion, physically separate from the first portion, of said lower transparent conductive layer coupled to a second conductive element;
• a upper transparent conductive layer, a first portion of said upper transparent conductive layer coupled to the first conductive element and a second portion, physically separate from the first portion, of said upper transparent conductive layer coupled to the second conductive element;
• a first electrode layer comprising one of a counter electrode layer and an electrochromic layer, between said lower transparent conductive layer and said upper transparent conductive layer and in contact with each of the first portion and the second portion of said lower transparent conductive layer;
• a second electrode layer comprising the other of the counter electrode layer and the electrochromic electrode layer, between said lower transparent conductive layer and said upper transparent conductive layer;
• an ion-conductor layer for conducting ions between and in communication with said first electrode layer and said second electrode layer,
• wherein the first portion and second portion of the lower transparent conductive layer are spaced apart more than the migration length of a charge compensating ion occupying the first electrode layer.