Shaped tab conductors for a photovoltaic cell

Abstract

A shaped tab conductor configured to allow more incident light to strike a cell substrate, improving the photovoltaic efficiency of the cell. The shaped tab conductor is configured to reduce the amount of incident light that is blocked by the tab from reaching the surface of the cell substrate. The tab may also be configured to redirect light reflected from the cell surface back to the cell surface. The cross-section of the tab conductor may be polygonal, such as a rhombus, with at least one generally planar surface that forms an acute angle with the substrate.

1 . A method of forming a photovoltaic cell having a substrate, the method comprising:
 providing a tab conductor having at least one generally planar surface; and   securing the tab conductor to the substrate so that the generally planar surface forms an acute angle with the substrate.   
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , wherein securing comprises applying solder to specific points of the substrate and the tab conductor. 
     
     
         3 . The method according to  claim 2 , wherein securing comprises completely encapsulating the tab conductor at the specific points with solder.