Apparatus and method for manufacturing a solar cell arrangement

An apparatus, comprising:

• a storing unit adapted for storing a plurality of solar cell pieces;
• a first processing line, comprising:
• a first cleaving unit adapted for separating a first solar cell into solar cell pieces;
• and
• a first transportation system adapted for transporting a solar cell piece from the first cleaving unit to a first transfer area of the first processing line;
• a second processing line, comprising:
• a second cleaving unit adapted for separating a second solar cell into solar cell pieces;
• an assembling unit adapted for assembling a solar cell arrangement comprising a plurality of overlapping solar cell pieces;
• and
• a second transportation system at least adapted for transporting a solar cell piece from a second transfer area of the second processing line to the assembling unit,
• the apparatus being adapted for transferring a solar cell piece from the first transfer area of the first processing line to the storing unit and for transferring the solar cell piece from the storing unit to the second transfer area of the second processing line.

A method, comprising:

• separating a first solar cell into a first plurality of solar cell pieces using a first cleaving unit, the first plurality of solar cell pieces comprising a first solar cell piece;
• storing the first solar cell piece in a storing unit;
• transporting the first solar cell piece from the storing unit to an assembling unit;
• separating a second solar cell into a second plurality of solar cell pieces using a second cleaving unit, the second plurality of solar cell pieces comprising a second solar cell piece;
• transporting the second solar cell piece to the assembling unit;
• assembling a solar cell arrangement using the assembling unit, the solar cell arrangement comprising a plurality of overlapping solar cell pieces, the solar cell arrangement comprising the first solar cell piece and the second solar cell piece.