Methods for manufacturing solar cells

Abstract

A solar cell assembly comprising a plurality of elongated solar cells is provided. Each solar cell in the plurality of cells comprises a conductive core configured as a first electrode, a semiconductor junction circumferentially disposed on the conductive core, and a TCO layer disposed on the semiconductor junction. The plurality of solar cells is arranged in a parallel manner in pairs on a transparent insulating substrate such that (i) the solar cells in each respective pair are joined together lengthwise by a corresponding counter-electrode, and (ii) solar cells adjacent pairs of solar cells do not touch each other. Each solar cell pair is affixed to the transparent insulating substrate. A first and second solar cell pair is electrically connected in series by an electrical contact that electrically connects the first electrode of each cell in the first pair to the corresponding counter-electrode of the second pair.

1 - 114 . (canceled)  
     
     
         115 . A method of manufacturing a solar cell comprising: 
 depositing an absorber layer on a face of a metallic web or a conducting foil;    depositing a window layer on said absorber layer;    depositing a transparent conductive oxide layer on said window layer; and    rolling said metallic web or conducting foil around an elongated core, thereby forming an elongated solar cell.    
     
     
         116 . The method of  claim 115 , wherein said absorber layer is copper-indium-gallium-diselenide (Cu(InGa)Se 2 ) and said window layer is cadmium sulfide.  
     
     
         117 . The method of  claim 115 , wherein the metallic web is a polyimide/molybdenum web.  
     
     
         118 . The method of  claim 115 , wherein the conducting foil is steel foil or aluminum foil.  
     
     
         119 . The method of  claim 115 , wherein the conducting foil is a transparent conducting material.  
     
     
         120 . The method of  claim 115 , wherein the elongated core is wire-shaped or tube-shaped.  
     
     
         121 . The method of  claim 115 , wherein the elongated core is made of a nonconductive material.  
     
     
         122 . The method of  claim 121 , wherein the nonconductive material is plastic or glass.  
     
     
         123 . The method of  claim 115 , wherein the elongated core is made of a conductive metal, a metal-filled epoxy, a metal-filled glass, a metal-filled resin, or a conductive plastic.  
     
     
         124 . The method of  claim 115 , wherein an i-layer is deposited on the window layer prior to depositing the transparent conductive oxide layer.  
     
     
         125 . The method of  claim 115 , wherein said rolling step further comprises gluing said metallic web or conducting foil around said elongated core.  
     
     
         126 - 130 . (canceled)  
     
     
         131 . The method of  claim 115 , wherein the elongated core is a plastic rod, a glass rod, a glass tube, a plastic tube, or a metal tube.  
     
     
         132 . The method of  claim 115 , wherein the elongated core is hollowed.  
     
     
         133 . The method of  claim 115 , wherein the solar cell is rod-shaped.  
     
     
         134 . The method of  claim 115 , the method further comprising: 
 circumferentially depositing an antireflective coating on said transparent conductive oxide layer.    
     
     
         135 . The method of  claim 134 , wherein said antireflective coating is made of MgF 2 .  
     
     
         136 . The method of  claim 115 , wherein said elongated core is made of polybenzamidazole, polyimide, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyetheretherketone, polyamide-imide, glass-based phenolic, polystryrene, cross-linked polystyrene, polyester, polycarbonate, polyethylene, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polytetrafluoro-ethylen, polymethacrylate, nylon 6,6, cellulose acetate butyrate, cellulose acetate, rigid vinyl, plasticized vinyl, or polypropylene.  
     
     
         137 . The method of  claim 115 , wherein the solar cell is between 1 cm and 50,000 cm in length.  
     
     
         138 . The method of  claim 115 , wherein the solar cell is between 1 cm and 50,000 cm in width.