Patent ID: 7638353

Claim:
A method for malting a photovoltaic device, said method comprising the steps of: providing a substrate; depositing a layer of an electrically conductive bottom electrode material on the substrate so as to form a bottom electrode; depositing a photovoltaic body in electrical communication with the bottom electrode; depositing a layer of a top electrode material in electrical communication with the photovoltaic body so as to form a top electrode; wherein said bottom electrode, top electrode and photovoltaic body cooperate to provide a photovoltaic cell; removing a portion of said top electrode and said photovoltaic body so as to form an opening therethrough having a portion of said bottom electrode exposed therein; providing an electrically conductive bus bar having a tab portion defined thereupon; affixing the first bus bar in electrical communication with said exposed portion of said bottom electrode so that said tab portion is not affixed thereto; disposing a body of an electrically insulating material so as to cover said first bus bar; disposing a plurality of grid members in electrical communication with said top electrode, said grid members extending onto said insulating body; and disposing a second, electrically conductive bus bar upon said insulating body, in electrical communication with said grid members, whereby said second bus bar establishes electrical communication with said top electrode.