Abstract

This work demonstrates the possibility of process optimization for laser monolithic interconnection in thin film amorphous silicon photovoltaic modules working in single cells. Being the laser interconnection process a key step in thin film module fabrication for PV industry, the optimization of this process is usually made at module level being difficult to evaluate separetely the effect of the laser processes in each of the differents scribe steps involved. Additionally the standard size of these modules (in the range of one square meter) and the intrinsic sequence of module fabrication (involving material deposition and laser scribing steps alternativaly) makes quite difficult the feedback for process optimization from research labotatories. Taking this into account, and bearing in mind that unsatisfactory connection conditions of different subcells could spoil completely the device generating, for instance, block parasitic currents due to short circuits generated mainly by the third interconnection process, P3, harmful or incomplete interconnection through the second laser scribe, P2, or poor levels of isolation in the case to first laser processes P1, this work presents a simple approach to process optimization at laboratory level working on single cells and not in complete modules.

© 2011 Optical Society of America