Patent ID: 8237049

Claim:
A photovoltaic cell, comprising: a semiconductor wafer that converts sunlight into electricity having a sunward surface; a network of gridlines on the sunward surface, the network of gridlines comprising a plurality of spaced gridlines in direct contact with the sunward surface; and a selectively patterned, transparent, conductive coating (TCC) in direct contact with the sunward surface, the selectively patterned TCC defining a plurality of TCC portions, TCC portions of the plurality of TCC portions being contiguous with and extending outwardly from sides of gridlines of the plurality of spaced gridlines and covering areas of the sunward surface between the gridlines of the plurality of spaced gridlines, and leaving an exposed area of the sunward surface that is uncovered by both the plurality of spaced gridlines and the plurality of TCC portions between each gridline of the plurality of spaced gridlines.