Series connected photovoltaic module and method for its manufacture

A photovoltaic module comprising:

• a first and a second photovoltaic cell, each cell being disposed on a respective substrate, and each cell comprising a substrate electrode, a top electrode, and a photovoltaic semiconductor body disposed therebetween in electrical communication with said substrate electrode and said top electrode, each cell further including a plurality of current collecting grid wires disposed atop said top electrode, in electrical contact therewith;
• wherein, the grid wires of said first cell are in electrical communication with a current collecting bus bar;
• the grid wires of said second cell extend beyond said second solar cell onto said first cell so as to establish an unbroken current path therebetween;
• and
• said first and second cells are disposed in a shingled relationship so that a portion of the substrate of one of said first and second cells overlies a portion of the other of said first and second cells.

A method of making a photovoltaic module comprising:

• providing a first and a second photovoltaic cell, each cell being disposed on a respective substrate, and each cell comprising a substrate electrode, a top electrode, and a photovoltaic semiconductor body disposed therebetween in electrical communication with said substrate electrode and said top electrode, each cell further including a plurality of current collecting grid wires disposed atop said top electrode, in electrical contact therewith;
• wherein, the grid wires of said first cell are in electrical communication with a current collecting bus bar;
• disposing said first and second cells in a shingled relationship so that a portion of the substrate of one of said first and second cells overlies a portion of the other of said first and second cells;
• and
• extending the grid wires of said second cell beyond said second solar cell onto the substrate electrode of said first cell so as to establish an unbroken current path therebetween;
• whereby, a series electrical connection is established between said first cell and said second cell.