Photovoltaic apparatus

Abstract

A photovoltaic apparatus includes a first photoelectric conversion portion so formed on an insulating surface of a substrate as to cover a first substrate electrode and a second substrate electrode isolated from each other by a first groove, a second photoelectric conversion portion formed on the surface of the first photoelectric conversion portion through a conductive intermediate layer, a first back electrode and a second back electrode formed on the surface of said second photoelectric conversion portion and a connecting passage portion for electrically connecting the first substrate electrode and the second back electrode, provided at a prescribed interval from the side surface of said intermediate layer.

1 . A photovoltaic apparatus comprising:
 a substrate having an insulating surface;   a first substrate electrode and a second substrate electrode formed on said insulating surface of said substrate and isolated from each other by a first groove;   a first photoelectric conversion portion so formed as to cover said first substrate electrode and said second substrate electrode;   a second photoelectric conversion portion formed on the surface of said first photoelectric conversion portion through a conductive intermediate layer;   a first back electrode and a second back electrode, formed on the surface of said second photoelectric conversion portion, corresponding to said first substrate electrode and said second substrate electrode respectively; and   a connecting passage portion for electrically connecting said first substrate electrode and said second back electrode, provided at a prescribed interval from the side surface of said intermediate layer.   
     
     
         2 . The photovoltaic apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a fifth groove so formed as to electrically isolate said first back electrode and said second back electrode from each other and pass through said second photoelectric conversion portion, said intermediate layer and said first photoelectric conversion portion, and including said connecting passage portion;   an insulating member so formed as to cover at least said intermediate layer of the inner side surface on the side of said second back electrode of said fifth groove; and   a conductive member electrically connected to said first substrate electrode with a surface exposed and electrically connected to said second back electrode across said insulating member in said connecting passage portion located at a prescribed interval through said insulating member from the inner side surface on the side of said second back electrode of said fifth groove.   
     
     
         3 . The photovoltaic apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein,
 said insulating member is so formed as to cover the overall inner side surface on the side of said second back electrode of said fifth groove.   
     
     
         4 . The photovoltaic apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 the upper surface of said insulating member is so formed as to project upward beyond the upper surface of said second back electrode.   
     
     
         5 . The photovoltaic apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein
 said fifth groove includes a sixth groove for electrically isolating said first back electrode and said conductive member in a region closer to said first back electrode in said fifth groove, and forming a prescribed interval between said conductive member formed in said connecting passage portion and the inner side surface on the side of said first back electrode of said intermediate layer.   
     
     
         6 . The photovoltaic apparatus according to  claim 5 , wherein
 said sixth groove is so formed as to pass through said first back electrode, said second photoelectric conversion portion, said intermediate layer and said first photoelectric conversion portion and expose the surface of said first substrate electrode.