Patent ID: 7989692

Claim:
A method of manufacturing an intermediate article in the production of an interconnected array of photovoltaic cells, said intermediate article comprising current collector structure satisfactory for collecting current from a light incident surface of a photovoltaic cell, said method comprising the steps of, providing a sheet like substrate having one or more layers and wherein said substrate is flexible such that said substrate is capable of being accumulated onto a roll, said substrate further comprising a transparent or translucent region and wherein said region has a first surface formed by a polymeric adhesive having polymeric adhesive characteristics and affinity for a light incident surface of a photovoltaic cell, subjecting said substrate to a fully additive process of forming current collector structure comprising a pattern of electrically conductive material positioned on said first surface, said process being such that following said process the material forming the first surface in areas not overlayed by said pattern retains adhesive characteristics and affinity for a light incident surface of a photovoltaic cell, and wherein said current collector structure produced is flexible, such that said current collector structure is capable of being accumulated onto a roll said method being accomplished absent a photovoltaic cell.