Patent ID: 7019207

Claim:
A method of fabricating a solar module with structured and integrated series-connected thin-film solar cells on a substrate; comprising the sequence of the following steps: ( 1 . 1 ) providing a thin-film mask according to a predetermined geometric pattern of filled surfaces with integrated blank surfaces of uniform size; ( 1 . 2 ) releasably fixing the mask on a substrate as support layer; ( 1 . 3 ) applying a metal layer for structuring a rear electrode in the shape of the blank surfaces in the geometric pattern of the mask; ( 1 . 4 ) laterally shifting the mask across the structured rear electrode for forming narrow upper cover ribs in the direction of the shift and lower cover ribs in a direction opposite the shift; ( 1 . 5 ) applying a photovoltaically active thin semiconductor layer of amorphous or poly or microcrystalline semiconductor material for forming a structured absorber layer; ( 1 . 6 ) releasing and removing the mask; ( 1 . 7 ) applying a transparent conductive front layer of at least one layer for forming a front electrode; and ( 1 . 8 ) structuring the front layer in separation areas of the upper cover ribs with short circuit eliminating separation gaps down to the metal layer of the rear electrode.