Interconnect assembly

Abstract

An interconnect assembly. The interconnect assembly includes a trace that includes a plurality of electrically conductive portions. The plurality of electrically conductive portions is configured both to collect current from a first solar cell and to interconnect electrically to a second solar cell. In addition, the plurality of electrically conductive portions is configured such that solar-cell efficiency is substantially undiminished in an event that any one of the plurality of electrically conductive portions is conductively impaired.

1 . An interconnect assembly comprising:
 a trace comprising a plurality of electrically conductive portions, said plurality of electrically conductive portions configured both to collect current from a first solar cell and to interconnect electrically to a second solar cell;   a top carrier film, wherein said top carrier film comprises a first substantially transparent, electrically insulating layer coupled to said trace and disposed above a top portion of said trace; and   a bottom carrier film, wherein said bottom carrier film comprises a carrier film selected from a group consisting of a second electrically insulating layer, a structural plastic layer, and a metallic layer, said bottom carrier film coupled to said trace and disposed below a bottom portion of said trace; and   wherein said plurality of electrically conductive portions is configured such that solar-cell efficiency is substantially undiminished in an event that any one of said plurality of electrically conductive portions is conductively impaired.   
     
     
         2 . The interconnect assembly of  claim 1 , wherein
 said plurality of electrically conductive portions further comprises:
 a first portion of said plurality of electrically conductive portions configured both to collect current from said first solar cell and to interconnect electrically to said second solar cell, said first portion comprising a first end distal from said second solar cell; and 
 a second portion of said plurality of electrically conductive portions configured both to collect current from said first solar cell and to interconnect electrically to said second solar cell, said second portion comprising a second end distal from said second solar cell; 
 wherein said second portion is disposed proximately to said first portion and electrically connected to said first portion such that said first distal end is electrically connected to said second distal end such that said second portion is configured electrically in parallel to said first portion when configured to interconnect to said second solar cell. 
   
     
     
         3 . The interconnect assembly of  claim 2 , wherein
 said plurality of electrically conductive portions further comprises:
 said second portion comprising a third end distal from said first solar cell; and 
 a third portion of said plurality of electrically conductive portions configured both to collect current from said first solar cell and to interconnect electrically to said second solar cell, said third portion comprising a fourth end distal from said first solar cell; 
 wherein said third portion is disposed proximately to said second portion and electrically connected to said second portion such that said third distal end is electrically connected to said fourth distal end such that said third portion is configured electrically in parallel to said second portion when configured to interconnect with said first solar cell. 
   
     
     
         4 . The interconnect assembly of  claim 1 , wherein
 said plurality of electrically conductive portions further comprises:
 a second portion of said plurality of electrically conductive portions configured both to collect current from said first solar cell and to interconnect electrically to said second solar cell, said second portion comprising a third end distal from said first solar cell; and 
 a third portion of said plurality of electrically conductive portions configured both to collect current from said first solar cell and to interconnect electrically to said second solar cell, said third portion comprising a fourth end distal from said first solar cell; 
 wherein said third portion is disposed proximately to said second portion and electrically connected to said second portion such that said third distal end is electrically connected to said fourth distal end such that said third portion is configured electrically in parallel to said second portion when configured to interconnect with said first solar cell. 
   
     
     
         5 . The interconnect assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said top carrier film further comprises a first adhesive medium coupling said trace to said first substantially transparent, electrically insulating layer, and wherein said first adhesive medium allows for coupling said trace to said first solar cell without requiring solder. 
     
     
         6 . The interconnect assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the top carrier film is configured to terminate short of an edge of the first solar cell closest to the second solar cell. 
     
     
         7 . The interconnect assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the top carrier film is configured such that it does not form part of a portion of the interconnect bridging a gap between closest edges of the first and second solar cells. 
     
     
         8 . The interconnect assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said bottom carrier film further comprises a second adhesive medium coupling said trace to said second electrically insulating layer, and wherein said second adhesive medium allows for coupling said trace to said second solar cell without requiring solder. 
     
     
         9 . The interconnect assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said plurality of electrically conductive portions is connected electrically in series to form a single continuous electrically conductive line. 
     
     
         10 . The interconnect assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said trace is disposed in a serpentine pattern such that said interconnect assembly is configured to collect current from said first solar cell and to interconnect electrically to said second solar cell. 
     
     
         11 . A combined solar-cell, interconnect assembly comprising:
 a first solar cell; and   an interconnect assembly comprising:
 a trace disposed above a light-facing side of said first solar cell, said trace further comprising:
 a plurality of electrically conductive portions, all electrically conductive portions of said plurality of electrically conductive portions configured to collect current from said first solar cell and to interconnect electrically to a second solar cell; 
 wherein said plurality of electrically conductive portions is configured such that solar-cell efficiency is substantially undiminished in an event that any one of said plurality of electrically conductive portions is conductively impaired; 
 
 a top carrier film, wherein said top carrier film comprises a first substantially transparent, electrically insulating layer coupled to said trace and disposed above a top portion of said trace; and 
 a bottom carrier film, wherein said bottom carrier film comprises a carrier film selected from a group consisting of a second electrically insulating layer, a structural plastic layer, and a metallic layer, said bottom carrier film coupled to said trace and disposed below a bottom portion of said trace. 
   
     
     
         12 . The combined solar-cell, interconnect assembly of  claim 11 , further comprising a second solar cell. 
     
     
         13 . The combined solar-cell, interconnect assembly of  claim 12 , wherein a gap between closest edges of the first and second solar cells is no more than about 2 mm. 
     
     
         14 . The combined solar-cell, interconnect assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the top carrier film is configured to terminate short of the edge of the first solar cell closest to the second solar cell. 
     
     
         15 . The combined solar-cell, interconnect assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the top carrier film is configured such that it does not form part of a portion of the interconnect bridging the gap between closest edges of the first and second solar cells. 
     
     
         16 . The combined solar-cell, interconnect assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the top carrier film is configured such that it does not form part of a portion of the interconnect bridging the gap between closest edges of the first and second solar cells. 
     
     
         17 . A solar-cell module, comprising:
 a first solar cell;   at least a second solar cell; and   an interconnect assembly disposed above a light-facing side of an absorber layer of said first solar cell comprising:   a trace comprising a plurality of electrically conductive portions, said plurality of electrically conductive portions configured both to collect current from said first solar cell and to interconnect electrically to said second solar cell;   a top carrier film, wherein said top carrier film comprises a first substantially transparent, electrically insulating layer coupled to said trace and disposed above a top portion of said trace; and   a bottom carrier film, wherein said bottom carrier film comprises a carrier film selected from a group consisting of a second electrically insulating layer, a structural plastic layer, and a metallic layer, said bottom carrier film coupled to said trace and disposed below a bottom portion of said trace; and   wherein said plurality of electrically conductive portions is configured such that solar-cell efficiency is substantially undiminished in an event that any one of said plurality of electrically conductive portions is conductively impaired.   
     
     
         18 . The solar-cell module of  claim 17 , wherein the top carrier film is configured to terminate short of an edge of the first solar cell closest to the second solar cell. 
     
     
         19 . The solar-cell module of  claim 17 , wherein the top carrier film is configured such that it does not form part of a portion of the interconnect bridging a gap between closest edges of the first and second solar cells. 
     
     
         20 . The solar-cell module of  claim 18 , wherein the top carrier film is configured such that it does not form part of a portion of the interconnect bridging a gap between closest edges of the first and second solar cells.