Comprehensive Analysis of Deep Structured Ribbons in PV Modules

29th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference and Exhibition; 161-164
One way to increase module efficiency is to use deep structured ribbons as cell connectors in photovoltaic modules. The conventional soldered, flat ribbon connector is replaced with a glued, deep structured ribbon. When light strikes a cell it is reflected at the ribbons and, in a conventional cell, lost. The structured ribbons and the glass/air interface redirect some of this light back to the cell. In this paper we compare the yield of conventional photovoltaic modules with soldered flat and glued flat connector ribbons to glued deep structured ribbons, both under laboratory conditions and in field. We found that the new design increases short circuit current by 2 % and yield by 1.5 %. To analyse this effect in detail, simulations are conducted that confirm the experimental findings.