Method of forming an electrically conductive member

An improved method of applying an electrically conductive metallic material in a preselected pattern directly onto the substantially transparent electrically conductive layer of a photovoltaic device which comprises:

• a first electrode;
• an active semiconductor body including an amorphous silicon alloy, said body having a first surface which is disposed in electrical communication with the first electrode, the semiconductor body adapted to provide for the flow of electrical current in response to the absorption of light incident thereon;
• a second electrode formed of a layer of substantially transparent electrically conductive material, a first surface of the second electrode disposed in electrical communication with a second surface of the semiconductor body;
• and an electrically conductive metallic pattern formed from a layer of electrically conductive metallic material disposed in electrical contact with the second surface of the second electrode;
• the method including the steps of:
• selecting said substantially transparent, electrically conductive layer of material from the group consisting essentially of:
• tin oxide, indium oxide, zinc oxide, and combinations thereof;
• cleaning the substantially transparent, electrically conductive layer;
• immersing the substantially transparent, electrically conductive layer in an electroplating bath;
• providing a counter electrode in the electroplating bath;
• providing a source of direct current;
• establishing electrical communication between (a) a first terminal of the source of direct current and the substantially transparent electrically conductive layer and (b) a second terminal of the source of direct current and the counter electrode;
• activating the source of direct current, and electroplating the metallic material onto the substantially transparent, electrically conductive layer.