Method and system for manufacturing solar panels using an integrated solar cell using a plurality of photovoltaic regions
A solar panel apparatus and method. The apparatus has an optically transparent member comprising a predetermined thickness and an aperture surface region. The apparatus has a solar cell coupled to a portion of the optically transparent member. In a specific embodiment, the solar cell includes a transparent polymeric member and a plurality of photovoltaic regions provided within a portion of the transparent polymeric member. In a specific embodiment, the plurality of photovoltaic regions occupies at least about 10 percent of the aperture surface region of the transparent polymeric member and less than about 80% of the aperture surface region of the transparent polymeric member.
1 - 49 . (canceled)
50 . A method for manufacturing a solar panel using a low temperature thermal treatment process, the low temperature treatment process having a temperature characteristic of less than 150 Degrees Celsius, the method comprising:
providing a solar cell, the solar cell comprising a transparent polymeric member, the transparent polymeric member comprising a plurality of photovoltaic regions coupled to the transparent polymeric member, the plurality of photovoltaic regions occupying at least about 10% of an aperture surface region of the transparent polymeric member and up to about 100% of the aperture surface region of the transparent polymeric member, the transparent polymeric member comprising a surface region, the surface region being substantially flat and uniform;
aligning the surface region of the transparent polymeric member of the solar cell to an optically transparent glass member to form an interface region between the surface region and a glass surface region of the transparent glass member, the optically transparent member having a predetermined thickness and surface region, the predetermined thickness providing a mechanical structure to support the solar cell thereon;
applying force on either or both the transparent glass member and the transparent polymeric member to cause an increase in pressure at the interface region to change from a first state to a second state;
processing at least the interface region using a thermal process to form a laminated sandwiched structure including the transparent glass member and the transparent polymeric member and cause interface region to change from the second state to a third state; and
maintaining the thermal process at a temperature below about 150 Degrees Celsius to cause formation of the laminated structure and cause the interface region to be substantially free from one or more substantial voids in the third state.
51 . The method of claim 50 wherein the thermal process causes a temperature gradient from the surface region to an outer region of the transparent polymeric member.
52 . The method of claim 50 further comprising applying a vacuum on at least the interface region to cause the interface region to be substantially free from voids.
53 . The method of claim 50 wherein the interface region comprises an optical coupling material.
54 - 78 . (canceled)