FR2990300A1 - PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE AND METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE SAME - Google Patents

Abstract

The module (1) comprises a substrate and a plurality of juxtaposed cells, connected by electrical connections (7) in layers with a series connection scheme constituting a macrocell and / or in parallel, a cell comprising at least one active layer, the modulus (1) having a delimited active surface having a visual effect defined by the contour and the area of the delimited surface area, some of the cells having absorption spectrum material and / or contours (16a) and / or different surface areas (16), the constituent materials, the contours and surface areas of the cells, the electrical connection diagram (7) and the electrical connection materials, are determined such that the electrical performance of cells is identical or little different, the contours (16a) and surface areas (16) of the cells are determined so that the juxtaposed cells smooth the defined active surface, at least a portion of the layers of the cells, whose active layer are deposited by the inkjet printing technique, and the constituent materials of these layers have a composition suitable for inkjet printing , so that the energy performance of the photovoltaic module (1) is not affected.

Description

The invention relates to photovoltaic modules and more particularly to its object, on the one hand, a photovoltaic module and, on the other hand, a method of producing such a photovoltaic module.

Photovoltaic modules are well known and comprise a transparent or translucent substrate supporting a plurality of photovoltaic cells juxtaposed and electrically arranged in series and / or in parallel. It is known from the prior art different solutions to optimize the energy efficiency of a photovoltaic module, especially when it comprises photovoltaic cells with electrical performance and / or different dimensions from each other. According to the document WO-A1-2008 / 103293, to overcome the drawback that the performance of the active layers may vary according to their positioning within the sheets of semiconductor materials, it is proposed to measure these performances, upstream, in order to adapt the dimensioning and the positioning of the photovoltaic cells according to this parameter. Thus, the photovoltaic cells have a predetermined width and a length adjusted according to their performance so that the output current is optimized. US 6,265,242 relates to the manufacture of a photovoltaic module composed of several groups of different photovoltaic cells, due to a lack of homogeneity in their manufacturing processes and proposes to minimize the disparities between the different groups of photovoltaic cells. photovoltaic cells so as to improve its efficiency. These achievements make it necessary to make an inventory of the differences between the photovoltaic cells, which can be long and complex. They are therefore also of a complex implementation in the context of an industrial process. Most often, the photovoltaic module has an active surface of generally square or rectangular outer shape having a visual appearance of monochromatic matrix of rows and columns of cells.

But it is also known from the prior art photovoltaic modules comprising several photovoltaic cells of different colors or shapes. Reference can be made to WO 2010/003102, JPA-2002/198553 and JP-A-6037343. However, these documents do not provide a solution to improve the performance of these modules despite the variety of photovoltaic cells used.

It is also known from the prior art, and more particularly from EP-A-1672653, a photovoltaic cell having a visual appearance allowing it to blend into its environment, for example when the photovoltaic cell is arranged on a camouflage garment. military. To do this, it is proposed to produce a photovoltaic cell having an active layer disposed between two electrodes, formed from several distinct compositions of polymers and arranged to form a specific pattern, in this case a camouflage pattern. Such an embodiment has the disadvantage, again, of being complex to achieve since it is appropriate to arrange, within a single and only active layer and according to a specific pattern, a plurality of different compositions. In addition, the electrical performance of such a photovoltaic cell is not optimized. It is also known from the prior art photovoltaic cells having specific and predetermined patterns. Reference can be made to EP-A-0855726, WO2010 / 067366, JP-A-58063180, JP-A63213977, KR-A-2011/048724, WO-A2-2010 / 008603 and JP-A-2001 / 168,357. However, for similar reasons, these achievements are complex to achieve and do not provide optimal performance.

It is also known from WO2010 / 010254 the production of a photovoltaic module having photovoltaic cells having the shape of isosceles triangles and photovoltaic cells having the shape of right triangles. These different photovoltaic cells, chosen for their elementary electrical performance, are arranged relative to each other in order to produce a photovoltaic module of rectangular shape, limiting space losses. However, such an embodiment has the disadvantage of using two types of photovoltaic cells whose electrical performance is disparate. Therefore, the overall efficiency of the photovoltaic module is not optimum. It is also known from the state of the art to apply the technique of inkjet printing in the context of photovoltaic modules or analogous products. Reference can be made to US-A-2009/162968 which provides for applying an ablation coating with an inkjet printer to form translucent areas and translucent dividing lines. As for document KR-A-2007/0015586, it relates to formulations for electro-optical or electronic devices, in particular photovoltaic devices by inkjet printing.

The object of the invention is to provide a delimited surface photovoltaic module having a desired final visual effect other than a monochrome matrix of rows and columns without its energy performance being affected. Such a photovoltaic module, whose delimited surface may be arbitrary, offers a desired final visual effect that is varied, attractive, decorative or utilitarian. For this purpose, and according to a first aspect, the subject of the invention is a photovoltaic module comprising a transparent or translucent substrate, supporting a plurality of photovoltaic cells juxtaposed according to an arrangement, a photovoltaic cell comprising at least one active layer interposed between two layers. electrode arrangement with interface layers, electrically connected by layered electrical connections, formed from electrical connection materials, with a series connection scheme constituting a macrocell and / or in parallel, in which, in combination: the photovoltaic module having a delimited active surface has a desired final visual effect other than a monochromatic matrix of rows and columns which is defined by: o the contour and the area of said defined active surface, o the arrangement of the cells photovoltaics vis-à-vis each other in a visual aspect which, on the one hand, is than a matrix of rows and columns and, on the other hand, is analogous to said desired final visual effect, o some of the photovoltaic cells having materials constituting absorption spectra different from those of other cells and / or having different contours from those of other cells and / or having different surface ranges from those of other cells, - the constituent materials, the contours and surface areas of the cells of the said plurality of cells, the electrical connection diagram and the electrical connection materials, are determined so that the electrical performance - intensity - of cells in series in a macrocell are ultimately identical or slightly different and the electrical performance - voltage - cells or macrocells arranged in parallel are ultimately identical or little different, - the contours and surface areas of the cells of said plurality of cells are determined so that the juxtaposed cells of said plurality of cells fill said delimited active surface and said active surface is delimited by cells of said plurality of cells, - at least a portion of the constituent layers of at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells of the plurality of cells and, if appropriate, layers of electrical connections are deposited by the ink-jet printing technique, and the constituent materials of said layers deposited by the ink-jet printing technique have a selected composition suitable for to printing by means of a digital inkjet printer.

Thus, the photovoltaic module, delimited surface, has a desired final visual effect other than a monochrome matrix of rows and columns without its energy performance is affected. In one embodiment, the photovoltaic cells of said plurality of cells have a simple or multiple architecture, such as with tandem cells, or partly comprising a simple architecture and partly a multiple architecture. According to one embodiment, said defined active surface is simple or complex, continuous or discontinuous, solid or annular, massive or untied, regular or irregular, with limits that can be rectilinear and / or curvilinear, irregular and even tormented. In one embodiment, the material constituting the active layer of a photovoltaic cell is colored, and / or a pigment is added in one of the other layers of the cell, or an optically filtering layer is added to the cell, so that some photovoltaic cells have constituent materials of absorption spectra different from those of other cells. According to one embodiment, the outline of a photovoltaic cell is chosen from a bank of contours comprising square, rectangular, triangular, circular, ellipsoidal, straight or curvilinear polygonal shapes and rounded more or less simple or tormented contour, so that certain photovoltaic cells have contours different from those of other cells. According to the embodiments, for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells of the plurality of cells, at least the active layer and / or at least the distal interface layer and / or at least the distal electrode layer is deposited by the technique inkjet printing. According to the embodiments, for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells of the plurality of cells, the active layer, the distal interface layer and the distal electrode layer are all deposited by the inkjet printing technique. According to the embodiments, for all the photovoltaic cells of the plurality of cells, at least the active layer 40 and / or at least the distal interface layer and / or at least the distal electrode layer is deposited by the technique of In particular, the active layer, the distal interface layer and the distal electrode layer are all deposited by the inkjet printing technique. According to the embodiments, for at least a part of the photovoltaic cells of the plurality of cells, in particular for all the photovoltaic cells, at least the proximal interface layer and / or at least the proximal electrode layer is deposited. by the inkjet printing technique, in particular, the proximal interface layer and the proximal electrode layer are all deposited by the inkjet printing technique.

According to the embodiments, for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells of the plurality of cells, in particular for all the photovoltaic cells, at least the layers of electrical connections are deposited by the inkjet printing technique. According to one embodiment, for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells of the plurality of cells, all the constituent layers, and if necessary all the layers of electrical connections are deposited by the inkjet printing technique. In particular for all the photovoltaic cells, all the constituent layers, and if necessary all the layers of electrical connections are deposited by the inkjet printing technique.

In one embodiment, the constituent materials of the layers deposited by the inkjet printing technique are formulated in ink with the presence of a solvent. According to one embodiment, the photovoltaic module is disposed inside, externally protected by, or encapsulated in a moisture, oxygen and ultraviolet resistant envelope, in particular by or comprising a barrier material. resistant to moisture, oxygen and ultraviolet rays. In particular, this barrier material is chosen from the group comprising monolayer or multilayer barrier materials, organic or inorganic, in particular materials of the varnish or polymer type. According to one embodiment, the arrangement of the photovoltaic cells, the electrical connection diagram of the cells and the electrical connection materials, the constituent materials of the cells, their contours and their surface areas are chosen from existing libraries thereof by software optimization from the defined active surface, the desired final visual effect fixed, fixed electrical characteristics and the requirement that the electrical performance - intensity - of cells in series in a macrocell are ultimately identical or slightly different and the electrical performance - voltage - of cells or macrocells arranged in parallel are ultimately identical or slightly different. According to one embodiment, the photovoltaic cell bank comprises photovoltaic cells whose surface area is between 0.1 cm 2 and 500 cm 2.

According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a photovoltaic module as just described. According to the method: - a digital inkjet printer is available, - the information relating to the defined active surface, the desired final visual effect and the electrical performance of the module is available; optimization software so as to choose the arrangement of the cells, the electrical connection diagram of the cells and the electrical connection materials, the constituent materials of the cells, the contours and the surface areas of the cells in existing banks thereof a transparent or translucent substrate is available; the materials constituting the cells of the material bank and the electrical connection materials are available, of which at least a part has a composition chosen suitable for printing by means of a digital ink jet printer, the digital ink jet printer is adjusted according to the previously determined print parameters, at least a portion of the constituent layers of at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells of the plurality of cells and, if appropriate, layers of electrical connections, are printed on the substrate by the inkjet printing technique, in materials having a selected composition suitable for printing by means of a digital inkjet printer According to the embodiments, for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells of the plurality of cells, printing is by the inkjet printing technique at least the active layer and / or at least the distal interface layer and / or at least the distal electrode layer.

According to the embodiments, for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells of the plurality of cells, the active layer, the distal interface layer and the distal electrode layer are printed by the inkjet printing technique. According to the embodiments, all the photovoltaic cells of the plurality of cells print, by the inkjet printing technique, at least the active layer and / or at least the distal interface layer and / or at least the In particular, the active layer, the distal interface layer and the distal electrode layer are printed by the ink jet printing technique. According to the embodiments, at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells of the plurality of cells are printed by the inkjet printing technique, in particular for all the photovoltaic cells, at least the proximal interface layer and / or at least the proximal electrode layer, and in particular the proximal interface layer and the proximal electrode layer. According to the embodiments, at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells of the plurality of cells, in particular for all the photovoltaic cells, are printed by the inkjet printing technique, at least the layers of electrical connections. According to the embodiments, at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells of the plurality of cells are printed by the inkjet printing technique, in particular for all the photovoltaic cells, all the constituent layers, and, if appropriate, all the layers of electrical connections. According to one embodiment, the method comprises a final step of arranging the photovoltaic module inside, protecting the photovoltaic module externally by, or encapsulating the photovoltaic module in a moisture-resistant envelope, at a distance of oxygen and ultraviolet light, in particular by or comprising a barrier material resistant to moisture, oxygen and ultraviolet rays. In particular, this final step is carried out by a technique such as ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition), printing and in particular screen printing, CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition), PVD (Physic, a1 Vapor Deposition), lamination, or the like.

The invention is now described with reference to a number of particular examples and the following appended figures, to which reference is expressly made as needed, especially in relation to shape features: FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view, in elevation; , a possible embodiment given purely by way of indication, of a photovoltaic module according to the invention having a complex active surface in the general form of a pseudo-ring, with a partially rectilinear and partially curvilinear external boundary and an ellipsoidal internal boundary, comprising here thirteen juxtaposed photovoltaic cells having a desired final visual effect different from that of a matrix of rows and columns, some of the photovoltaic cells having contours different from those of others and some of the photovoltaic cells having surface areas different from those of other, contours and surface areas of thirteen photovoltaic cells being such that they fill the active surface and that the active surface is delimited by these thirteen cells, while the electrical performance of the photovoltaic cells are identical or slightly different. FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view, in elevation, of another possible embodiment given purely by way of indication, of a photovoltaic module according to the invention having a rectangular active surface having a desired final visual effect of a combination of a large rectangle and a small rectangle juxtaposed in two different colors (conventionally represented in dark gray and light gray), the photovoltaic cells forming the large rectangle and the small rectangle respectively having constituent materials according to two different absorption spectra in correspondence with the two colors. FIG. 3 is a schematic view in elevation of the photovoltaic module of FIG. 2, illustrating the photovoltaic cells forming the large rectangle and the small rectangle of two different colors, namely twenty photovoltaic cells arranged according to an electrical connection diagram in FIG. series for the large rectangle so as to form a photovoltaic macrocell, twenty-four photovoltaic cells arranged according to an electrical connection diagram in series for the small rectangle so as to form another photovoltaic macrocell, and the two photovoltaic macrocells being arranged according to a diagram electrical connection in parallel, the photovoltaic cells for the large rectangle having different surface areas from those of the photovoltaic cells for the small rectangle, so that the electrical performance of the photovoltaic cells in series, in terms of intensity, are identical or little different and that the electrical performance of the photovoltaic cells in parallel, in terms of voltage, are identical or slightly different. - Figure 4 illustrates the interest of the invention in terms of obtaining a desired final visual effect attractive, decorative or utility. Here, according to a possible embodiment given purely by way of indication, the photovoltaic module according to the invention has an active surface which schematically represents a motor vehicle and comprises three colors (conventionally represented in dark gray, medium gray and light gray). FIGS. 5A and 5B are two analogous cross-sectional views, schematically representing, respectively, a photovoltaic cell of simple architecture and a photovoltaic cell of multiple architecture, here a tandem cell. - Figure 6 is a schematic elevational view illustrating the structure of a macrocell here comprising eight cells in series. - Figure 7 is a schematic view, in partial cross section, of Figure 6 along the line VI-VI. - Figure 8 is a schematic elevational view illustrating a photovoltaic module comprising six macrocells, each of eight photovoltaic cells. - Figure 9 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating the encapsulation of a photovoltaic module.

A photovoltaic module 1 according to the invention is, like any photovoltaic module, a DC electric generator when exposed to light, comprising two electrical output terminals 2a, 2b. But, unlike known photovoltaic modules, the photovoltaic module 1 according to the invention has a delimited active surface 3 which has a desired final visual effect other than a simple monochrome matrix of rows and columns. And, not only the delimited active surface 3 may be of any shape, but it may, in combination, offer a desired final visual effect varied, attractive, decorative or utilitarian, for example for an ornamental, informative, communication purpose, or in the goal of integrating into the environment in which it is located (including its support) so as to blend in visually or otherwise visually.

By "active surface" is meant the extent 3a of the photovoltaic module 1 where it participates in the function of the electric generator of direct current. This active surface is "delimited" in the sense that it is determined by one or more lines 3b, defined, closed on themselves, and which constitute its limits. This is the meaning of the term "active surface delimited", referenced 3.

Of course, the photovoltaic module 1 may extend beyond the defined active surface 3, for example for constructive reasons or to allow its attachment, or for the reason that the active surface delimited 3 is discontinuous or has a general shape annular (or pseudo annular) leaving a medial zone not active in the sense that it was previously defined.

The delimited active surface 3, of extent 3a, may be simple or complex, continuous or discontinuous, solid or annular (or pseudo-annular), massive or untied, regular or irregular. The boundaries 3b of the defined active surface 3 may be rectilinear and / or curvilinear, possibly irregular and even tormented. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, the delimited active surface 3 has a general pseudo-ring shape, between an outer limit 3ba and an inner limit 3bb. The outer limit 3ba comprises three rectilinear segments 4a forming a U and a curvilinear segment 4b with point of inflection, closing the U. The inner limit 3bb has an ellipsoidal shape. Of course, this embodiment is given purely by way of indication and is intended to illustrate that the defined active surface 3 may have a complex shape, very different from the square or rectangular shape of most of the photovoltaic modules of the state of the art. the known technique.

In the embodiment of Figure 2, the defined active surface 3 has a generally rectangular shape, the outer boundary 3bc being formed of four straight segments 4c. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the defined active surface 3 has a shape that schematically represents a motor vehicle. It has an outer limit 3bd schematically the outer contour of the vehicle and an inner limit 3be which schematizes the glass parts of the vehicle. Here, the outer limit 3bd comprises rectilinear segments 4d and curvilinear segments 4e, while the inner limit 3b has a generally rectangular shape and comprises rectilinear segments 4f. Of course, this embodiment is given purely for illustrative purposes and is intended to illustrate that the delimited active surface 3 may have a shape providing a desired final visual effect sought, here the representation of a motor vehicle. The size of the active surface delimited 3 may be any, depending on the needs and constraints.

According to the invention, the desired final visual effect other than a simple monochrome matrix of rows and columns previously discussed, is obtained while the energy performance of the photovoltaic module 1 is not affected.

The photovoltaic module 1 comprises, as is generally known to those skilled in the art, a substrate 5, transparent or translucent, typically in the form of a layer or plate. According to the embodiments, the substrate 5 is rigid or flexible. It is flat or curved. According to the embodiments, the substrate 5 is self-supporting or fixedly or removably associated with a load-bearing structure of a fixed construction (such as a permanent installation or a building) or a movable construction (such as a vehicle or a device in motion) or objects, devices, devices, machines for personal or collective use (clothing, tents, communication equipment ...) or portable structures. For example, a bearing structure may be a profile, a frame, a wall, pads, a housing, this list, non-limiting, being given for illustrative purposes.

As is generally known to those skilled in the art, on one of its faces 5a, the substrate 5 rigidly and rigidly supports a certain given plurality of photovoltaic cells 6 in superimposed layers formed from appropriate constituent materials. By "rigidly and rigidly supporting", it should be understood that the photovoltaic cells 6 are integrally and irremovably associated with the face 5a of the substrate 5.

On the face 5a of the substrate 5, the photovoltaic cells 6 are juxtaposed to each other in a certain arrangement. By this is meant that the photovoltaic cells 6 are arranged relative to each other in a certain order or arrangement.

As is generally known to those skilled in the art, the photovoltaic cells 6 are moreover electrically connected to each other by electrical connections 7 in layers formed from electrical connection materials. Two or more photovoltaic cells 6 may be electrically connected by electrical connections 7a with a serial electrical connection scheme. Together they constitute what is called a photovoltaic macrocell 6a. Thus, for example, FIG. 6 illustrates a photovoltaic macrocell embodiment 6a comprising eight photovoltaic cells 6 connected electrically in series. Two or more photovoltaic cells 6 (possibly including photovoltaic macrocells 6a) may be electrically connected by electrical connections 7b with an electrical connection scheme in parallel. Thus, for example, FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment with six photovoltaic macrocells 6a connected electrically in parallel, each of the six photovoltaic macrocells 6a being in accordance with the embodiment of FIG. 6.

Of course, these achievements are given only as a limitation. In no way are they limiting. In any event, the photovoltaic cells 6 (possibly including macrocells 6a) of the plurality of photovoltaic cells 6 are all connected by electrical connections 7a and / or 7b, with a connection diagram respectively in series and / or in parallel .

By "connection diagram" is meant connection or electrical connection. This notion is part of the general knowledge of the skilled person. Photovoltaic cells 6 in series are placed one after the other and are traversed by the same electric current. They then form a photovoltaic macrocell 6a, as already indicated. For photovoltaic cells 6 in parallel, they have the same voltage across the terminals. The photovoltaic module 1 represented in FIG. 3 comprises two photovoltaic macrocells 6aa and 6ab with a parallel electrical connection 7b, the photovoltaic macrocell 6aa comprising twenty photovoltaic cells 6c arranged according to an electrical connection diagram in series and the photovoltaic macrocell 6ab comprising twenty four photovoltaic cells 6d arranged according to a series electrical connection diagram. Of course, this embodiment is given only by way of limitation. In no way is it limiting.

According to the embodiments, a photovoltaic cell 6 is of simple architecture (see FIG. 5A) or is of multiple architecture, as is the case with a tandem cell 6b (see FIG. 58). Thus, the photovoltaic cells 6 of the plurality of photovoltaic cells 6 have a simple architecture, or multiple, or for a simple part and for a multiple part.

As is generally known to those skilled in the art, and as it is illustrated purely schematically in FIG. 5A, a photovoltaic cell 6, here of simple architecture, and the associated electrical connections 7, are formed or consist of several superimposed thin layers formed from suitable constituent materials, namely constituent materials of photovoltaic cells 6 and materials constituting electrical connections 7, all of these layers being fixedly and rigidly supported by the substrate 5 on the side of its face 5a and extending parallel to this face 5a, at least. On the face 5a of the substrate 5 is fixedly and rigidly supported a layer 8 forming a first electrode or electrode electrode, electrically conductive.

On the face of the layer 8 opposite the substrate 5 is fixedly and rigidly supported a layer 9 forming a first interface or proximal interface. On the face of the layer 9 opposite the layer 8 is fixedly and rigidly supported an active layer.

On the face of the layer 10 opposite the layer 9 is fixedly and rigidly supported a layer 11 forming a second interface or distal interface. On the face of the layer 11 opposite the layer 10 is fixedly and rigidly supported a layer 12 forming a second electrode or distal electrode, electrically conductive.

The layer 8 forming the first electrode or proximal electrode and the layer 12 forming the second electrode or distal electrode, are organized structurally according to the electrical connection diagram. For example, in the embodiment of FIG. 7, where the photovoltaic cell 6 is electrically connected to an adjacent photovoltaic cell in series, the layer 12 forming the second electrode or distal electrode has a layer extension 13 disposed transversely with respect to the substrate 5. directed to the substrate face 5a, and extending therethrough, so that an extension of this layer extension 13 forms the first or proximal electrode of said series-adjacent photovoltaic cell, while being separated from the first electrode or proximal electrode of said photovoltaic cell 6 by the first interface or proximal interface 9.

As is illustrated purely schematically in FIG. 5B, a tandem photovoltaic cell 6a and the associated electrical connections 7 have a structure derived from that described with reference to FIG. 5A for a simple photovoltaic cell 6. A layer is provided. 8 forming a first electrode or proximal electrode, a layer 9 forming a first interface or a proximal interface, a first active layer 10a, a layer 14 forming a second interface or intermediate interface, a second active layer 10b, a layer 15 forming a third interface or distal interface and finally a layer 12 forming a second electrode or distal electrode. The photovoltaic cell technology is part of the general knowledge of the person skilled in the art or is easily accessible to him, and for this reason, there is no need to describe it further. Thus, a cell comprises at least one active layer 10, 10a, 10b, interposed between two electrode layers 8, 12, with interface layers 9, 11, 14, 15, as just described. Each photovoltaic cell 6, 6a has a certain surface 16 extending parallel to the face 5a of the substrate 5. This surface is of a certain extent (area) and it is delimited, that is to say determined by one or several lines, defined, closed on themselves, and which constitute its limits 16a. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, seven photovoltaic cells 17a located towards the outer limit 3ba of the photovoltaic module 1 are of rectangular shape, their limits 16a being rectangles. Four photovoltaic cells 17b located towards the inner limit 3bb of the photovoltaic module 1 are of curvilinear triangular shape, their boundaries 16a being curvilinear right triangles. Two photovoltaic cells 17c located towards the outer limit 3ba of the photovoltaic module 1 are of pseudo rectangular shape, their boundaries 16a being pseudos rectangles with a curved edge.

In the embodiment of FIG. 2, each of the twenty photovoltaic cells 6c of the photovoltaic macrocell 6aa and each of the twenty-four photovoltaic cells 6d of the photovoltaic macrocell 6ab is of rectangular shape, its limits 16a being a rectangle. But, each of the photovoltaic cells 6c, identical to each other, is longer and wider than each of the twenty-four photovoltaic cells 6d identical to each other.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, twenty-two photovoltaic cells 18a of square shape, four photovoltaic cells 18b of rectangular triangular shape, two photovoltaic cells 18c of semi-circular shape and four photovoltaic cells 18d in the form of a quarter circle are provided. .

Of course, these achievements are given only as a limitation. In no way are they limiting. They aim to show that the photovoltaic cells 6 of a photovoltaic module 1 according to the invention can have surfaces 16 of simple or complex, massive or untied, regular or irregular shape, the extent (area) of which is greater or less for example, may be between 0.1 cm2 and 500 cm2, and whose contours 16a, which condition their shapes, may be rectilinear and / or curvilinear, if any irregular and even tormented.

The photovoltaic module 1 according to the invention is such that, in the first place, it has a delimited active surface 3 having a desired specific defined visual effect which is other than a monochromatic matrix of rows and columns, as already indicated. . This specific defined visual effect is one that is in line with the desired goal of being ornamental, informative, communicative, or in order to integrate with the environment or, on the contrary, to distinguish it visually. This visual effect is referred to as a "desired final visual effect". The desired final visual effect is defined firstly by the contour, that is to say the limits 3b, and the surface area 3a of said defined active surface 3. This is what has been exposed for example in relationship with the photovoltaic modules 1 of FIGS. 1, 2 and 4. The final desired visual effect is defined secondly by the arrangement of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, with respect to one another. This arrangement corresponds to or provides a visual appearance which is at the same time different from a matrix of rows and columns and, precisely, is analogous to the desired final visual effect. The final desired visual effect is defined in the third place by the fact that some of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a have constituent materials of absorption spectra layers different from those of other photovoltaic cells 6, 6a. For example, the constituent material of the active layer 10, 10a, 10b of a photovoltaic cell 6, 6a is colored, and / or a pigment is added in one (or more) of the other layers 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15 of the cell 6, 6a, or an optically filtering layer is added to the cell 6, 6a. Alternatively or cumulatively, some of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a have contours 16a different from those of other photovoltaic cells 6, 6a and / or have surface areas 16 different from those of other photovoltaic cells 6, 6a. Thus, if it is sought, as in the embodiment of FIG. 4, for the photovoltaic module 1 to provide the desired final visual effect of a motor vehicle, the defined active surface 3 has a shape which schematically represents a such a motor vehicle. This form is obtained by combining several forms, namely, in this case, twenty-two square shapes corresponding to the photovoltaic cells 18a, four right triangular shapes corresponding to the photovoltaic cells 18b, two semicircular shapes 35 corresponding to the photovoltaic cells 18c, and four quadrant shapes corresponding to the photovoltaic cells 18d. These shapes (and cells 18a, 18b, 18c and 18d) and the arrangement of their juxtaposition are such that the delimited active surface 3 has an outer limit 3bd which schematizes the outer contour of the motor vehicle, with both the bodywork and the wheels (cells 18c and 18d), an inner limit 3be which schematizes the glass parts of the motor vehicle. In addition, it is possible to ensure that the body 40 of the motor vehicle is of a certain color (or more colors), while the wheels are of another color. The photovoltaic module 1 according to the invention is such that, secondly, the constituent materials, the contours 16a and the surface areas 16 of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, the electrical connection diagram of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a and finally the the electrical connection materials of the electrical connections 7, are -5 determined so that the electrical performance - namely the intensity - of cells 6 in series in a macrocell 6a are ultimately identical or slightly different and that the electrical performance - namely the voltage - 6 cells or macrocells 6a arranged in parallel are ultimately identical or slightly different.

The photovoltaic module 1 according to the invention is such that, thirdly, the constituent materials, the contours 16a and the surface areas 16 of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a are determined so that the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a juxtaposed with the photovoltaic module 1 fill its active surface delimited 3 and that this active surface delimited 3 is precisely delimited by cells 6, 6a of said plurality of photovoltaic cells 6, 6a of the photovoltaic module 1.

This feature is especially illustrated in the embodiment of FIG. 4, in which the twenty-two photovoltaic cells 18a, the four photovoltaic cells 18b, the two photovoltaic cells 18c, and the four photovoltaic cells 18d fill the entire delimited active area 3 On the other hand, the defined active surface 3 is limited by cells, more precisely by contour portions 16a of cells 6, 6a adjacent to the outer boundary 3bd and the inner boundary 3b. Thus, while the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a are different so as to obtain the desired final visual effect, their dimensions, their geometries, their architectures and their constituent materials, as well as their electrical connection diagrams and the electrical connection materials are chosen and determined so that the electrical performance of the different photovoltaic cells 6, 6a are ultimately identical or slightly different, which has the effect that the energy performance of the photovoltaic module is not affected by the fact that the cells are different, which would be the case if the electrical performance of the different photovoltaic cells were disparate, intensity for photovoltaic cells 6, 6a in series and voltage for the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a in parallel.

The photovoltaic module 1 according to the invention is such that, fourthly, at least a portion of the constituent layers of at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a and, if appropriate, layers of electrical connections 7 are deposited by the technique inkjet printing.

In combination, the constituent materials of the layers deposited by the inkjet printing technique are chosen so as to have a composition which is specifically capable of printing by means of a digital ink jet printer. In particular, these materials intended to be deposited by the inkjet printing technique are formulated in ink with the presence of a solvent.

The use of the inkjet printing technique makes it possible to produce with very great precision impressions of shape, extent and contours or limits very different from each other, and, as already expressed, shapes, Contours and limits, as simple as they are complex, as massive as they are loose, regular as well as irregular, as well as expanses (areas) are more or less great.

The technique of inkjet printing is part of the general knowledge of the person skilled in the art or is easily accessible to him, and for this reason, there is no need to describe it further. The implementation of the inkjet printing technique in the context of the invention may be the subject of different embodiments. In one embodiment, for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a of the photovoltaic module 1 at least the active layer 10, 10a, 10b, and / or at least the distal interface layer 11 (or the intermediate interface layer 14) and / or at least the distal electrode layer 12 is deposited by the inkjet printing technique. More specifically, and in a particular embodiment, for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, the active layer 10, the distal interface layer 11 (or intermediate 14) and the distal electrode layer 12 are all deposited by the technique of inkjet printing. According to another embodiment, for all the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a of the photovoltaic module 1, at least the active layer 10, 10a, 10b, and / or at least the distal interface layer 15 (or the intermediate interface layer 14 and / or at least the distal electrode layer 12 is deposited by the inkjet printing technique. More specifically, and in a particular embodiment, for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, the active layer 10, 10a, 10b 'the distal interface layer 15 (or intermediate 14) and the distal electrode layer 12 are all filed by the inkjet printing technique.

According to another embodiment, for at least part of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a of the photovoltaic module 1, at least the proximal interface layer 9 and / or at least the proximal electrode layer 8 is deposited by the printing technique inkjet. More specifically, and in a particular embodiment, the proximal interface layer 9 and the proximal electrode layer 8 are all deposited by the inkjet printing technique. More generally, according to another embodiment, for all the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a of the photovoltaic module 1, at least the proximal interface layer 9 and / or at least the proximal electrode layer 8 is deposited by the printing technique. inkjet. more specifically, and in a particular embodiment, the proximal interface layer 9 and the proximal electrode layer 8 are all deposited by the inkjet printing technique. Also, according to one embodiment, for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a of the photovoltaic module 1, and in particular for all the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, at least the layers of electrical connections 7 are deposited by the printing technique inkjet.

According to one possibility, for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a of the photovoltaic module 1, all the constituent layers, and if necessary all the layers of electrical connections 7 are deposited by the inkjet printing technique.

Finally, in an ultimate embodiment, for all the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a of the photovoltaic module 1, all the constituent layers, and if necessary all the layers of electrical connections 7 are deposited by the inkjet printing technique. According to an alternative embodiment illustrated schematically in FIG. 9, the photovoltaic module 1 according to the invention is disposed inside, protected externally by, or encapsulated in a humidity-resistant envelope 19, oxygen and ultraviolet light, in particular by or comprising a barrier material resistant to moisture, oxygen and ultraviolet rays, without impeding the operation of the cell. Such a barrier material may be chosen from the group comprising monolayer or multilayer barrier materials, organic or inorganic, in particular materials of the varnish or polymer type. Where appropriate, the envelope may be made of several parts secured to each other, for example by means of a suitable adhesive. Such an envelope 19 allows, of course, the passage of the electrical connections and the mounting of the output terminals 2a, 2b, accessible outside the envelope 19. The definition of the arrangement of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a of the module photovoltaic 1 according to the invention, the electrical connection diagram of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, electrical connection materials, constituent materials photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, their contours and their surface areas are determined on a case by case basis. a function of the general characteristics of the photovoltaic module 1 and the characteristics of the final visual effect desired, by implementing an optimization software.

The optimization software is associated with existing banks concerning the arrangement of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, the electrical connection diagram, the electrical connection materials, the constituent materials of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, their contours and their surface areas. . For example, there is provided an edge bank comprising square, rectangular, triangular, circular, ellipsoid, straight polygonal or curvilinear shapes and rounded contour more or less simple or tormented. And there is provided a bank of photovoltaic cells 6 comprising photovoltaic cells 6 whose surface area 16 is between 0.1 cm2 and 500 cm2. On the other hand, the implementation of the optimization software involves setting the desired delimited active surface 3, the desired final visual effect, the fixed electrical characteristics. The software takes into account the constraint that the electrical performance - intensity - of photovoltaic cells in series in a macrocell must ultimately be identical or slightly different and that the electrical performance - voltage - of cells or macrocells arranged in parallel must be in parallel. identical or slightly different. The invention aims at both the photovoltaic module 1 as it has been described and its method of production. In this method: - a digital inkjet printer is available, - the information relating to the defined active surface 3, the desired final visual effect and the electrical performance of the photovoltaic module 1 are available, implementing the optimization software that has been previously presented, so as to determine the print parameters, namely the arrangement of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, the electrical connection diagram 7 of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a and the materials 7, the constituent materials of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, the contours and the surface areas of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a in the existing banks thereof, there is available a transparent or translucent substrate, at the disposal of the constituent materials of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a of the material bank and the electrical connection materials 7, at least one of which The digital ink jet printer is set according to the previously determined print parameters, and the substrate 5 is printed on the substrate 5, which is suitable for printing by means of a digital ink jet printer. by the ink-jet printing technique, at least part of the constituent layers of at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a of the photovoltaic module 1 and, if appropriate, layers of electrical connections 7, made of materials having a selected composition suitable for printing by means of a digital inkjet printer. As has been explained above, the implementation of the inkjet printing technique in the context of the invention can be the subject of different embodiments. And, of course, the process is adapted accordingly: For at least part of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, at least the active layer 10 and / or at least the layer is printed by the inkjet printing technique. distal interface 15 (or the intermediate interface layer 14) and / or at least the distal electrode layer 12.

For at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, the active layer 10, the distal interface layer 15 (or intermediate 14) and the distal electrode layer 12 are printed by the inkjet printing technique. For all the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, at least the active layer 10 and / or at least the distal interface layer 15 (or the intermediate interface layer 14) is printed by the inkjet printing technique. ) and / or at least the distal electrode layer 12. For all the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, the active layer 10, the distal interface layer 15 (or intermediate 14) and the distal electrode layer 12. For at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, at least the proximal interface layer 9 and / or minus the proximal electrode layer 8. For at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, expressed by the ink-jet printing technique, the proximal interface layer 9 and the proximal electrode layer 8. For all the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, the inkjet printing technique is used. at least the proximal interface layer 9 and / or at least the proximal electrode layer 8. For all the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, the proximal interface layer is printed by the inkjet printing technique. 9 and the proximal electrode layer 8. At least a portion of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, and in particular for all the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, is printed by the inkjet printing technique, at least In particular, according to one possibility, for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a, all the constituent layers and, where appropriate, all the layers of the ink jet are printed by the inkjet printing technique. electrical connections 7.

Finally, in an ultimate embodiment, for all the photovoltaic cells 6, 6a is printed by the inkjet printing technique, all the constituent layers, and if necessary all layers of electrical connections 7.

According to an alternative embodiment, the method comprises a final step of disposing the photovoltaic module 1 inside, to protect the photovoltaic module 1 outside by, or to encapsulate the photovoltaic module 1 in a shell 19 resistant to moisture, oxygen and ultraviolet radiation, in particular by or comprising a barrier material resistant to moisture, oxygen and ultraviolet rays. In particular, this final step is carried out by a technique such as ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition), printing and in particular screen printing, CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition), PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition), lamination, or the like.5

Claims (24)

REVENDICATIONS1. Photovoltaic module (1) comprising a substrate (5) transparent or translucent, supporting a plurality of photovoltaic cells (6) juxtaposed according to an arrangement, a photovoltaic cell (6) comprising at least one active layer (10, 10a, 10b) interposed between two electrode layers (8, 12) with interface layers (9, 11, 14, 15), electrically connected by layered electrical connections (7), formed from electrical connection materials, with circuit diagram serial connection constituting a macrocell (6a) and / or in parallel, in which, in combination: - the photovoltaic module (1) having a delimited active surface (3) has a desired final visual effect other than a monochrome line matrix and of columns which is defined by: o the contour and the area of said delimited active surface (3), o the arrangement of the photovoltaic cells (6) relative to one another in a visual aspect which p art, is other than a matrix of rows and columns and, secondly, is analogous to said desired final visual effect, o some of the photovoltaic cells (6) having materials constituting absorption spectra different from those of other cells and / or having contours (16a) different from those of other cells and / or having surface areas (16) different from those of other cells, - constituent materials, contours and surface areas of photovoltaic cells (6) of said plurality of photovoltaic cells, the electrical connection scheme (7) and the electrical connection materials are determined so that the electrical performance - intensity - of photovoltaic cells (6) in series in a macrocell (6a) are ultimately identical or slightly different and the electrical performance - voltage - photovoltaic cells (6) or macrocell (6a) arranged in parallel are ultimately identical the contours (16a) and surface areas (16) of the photovoltaic cells (6, 6a) of said plurality of photovoltaic cells are determined so that the photovoltaic cells (6, 6a) juxtaposed with said plurality of photovoltaic cells (6, 6a) photovoltaic cells fill said delimited active surface (3) and that said active surface is delimited by photovoltaic cells of said plurality of photovoltaic cells (6, 6a), - at least a part of the constituent layers of at least a part of the photovoltaic cells (6) of the plurality of cells and, if appropriate, layers of electrical connections (7) are deposited by the inkjet printing technique, and the constituent materials of said layers deposited by the jet printing technique. ink have a selected composition suitable for printing by means of a digital inkjet printer, so that said photovoltaic module (1) this active delimited (3), has a desired final visual effect other than a monochrome matrix of rows and columns without its energy performance is affected. Photovoltaic module (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the photovoltaic cells (6) of said plurality of cells have a single or multiple architecture, such as with tandem cells (6b), or comprising part a simple architecture and partly a multiple architecture. 3. Photovoltaic module (1) according to any one of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that said delimited active surface (3) is simple or complex, continuous or discontinuous, solid or annular, massive or untied, regular or irregular, with boundaries that may be rectilinear and / or curvilinear, irregular and even tormented.45 Photovoltaic module (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the constituent material of the active layer of a photovoltaic cell (6) is colored, and / or a pigment is added in a other layers of the cell (6), or an optically filtering layer is added to the cell (6), so that some of the photovoltaic cells (6) have different absorption spectra than other cells (6). 5. Photovoltaic module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the contour (16a) of a photovoltaic cell (6) is chosen from an edge bank comprising square, rectangular shapes, triangular, circular, ellipsoidal, straight or curvilinear polygonal and rounded contour more or less simple or tormented, so that some of the photovoltaic cells (6) have contours different from those of other cells (6). 6. Photovoltaic module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells (6) of the plurality of cells, at least the active layer (10, 10a, 10b) and / or at least the distal interface layer (11) and / or at least the distal electrode layer (12) is deposited by the inkjet printing technique. Photovoltaic module (1) according to claim 6, characterized in that for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells (6) of the plurality of cells, the active layer (10, 10a, 10b), the interface layer distal (11) and the distal electrode layer (12) are all deposited by the inkjet printing technique. Photovoltaic module (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that for all the photovoltaic cells (6) of the plurality of cells, at least the active layer (10, 10a, 10b) and or at least the distal interface layer (11) and / or at least the distal electrode layer (12) is deposited by the inkjet printing technique, in particular the active layer (10, 10a). , 10b), the distal interface layer (11) and the distal electrode layer (12) are all deposited by the inkjet printing technique. 9. Photovoltaic module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells (6) of the plurality of cells, in particular for all photovoltaic cells (6) at least the proximal interface layer (9) and / or at least the proximal electrode layer is deposited by the inkjet printing technique, in particular the proximal interface layer (9) and the Proximal electrode layers are all deposited by the inkjet printing technique. 10. Photovoltaic module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells (6) of the plurality of cells, in particular for all photovoltaic cells (6). at least the layers of electrical connections (7) are deposited by the inkjet printing technique. 11. Photovoltaic module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells (6) of the plurality of cells, in particular for all photovoltaic cells (6) all the constituent layers and, where appropriate, all layers of electrical connections (7) are deposited by the ink jet printing technique. 12. Photovoltaic module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the constituent materials of the layers deposited by the inkjet printing technique are formulated in ink with the presence of a solvent. 13. photovoltaic module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that it is disposed inside, protected externally by or encapsulated in a casing (19) resistant to moisture, oxygen and ultraviolet radiation, in particular by or comprising a barrier material resistant to moisture, oxygen and ultraviolet rays. Photovoltaic module (1) according to claim 13, characterized in that a barrier material resistant to moisture, oxygen and ultraviolet radiation is selected from the group consisting of monolayer or multilayer barrier materials, organic or inorganic materials, in particular materials of the varnish or polymer type. 15. Photovoltaic module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the photovoltaic cells (6) have a surface area (16) of between 0.1 cm2and 500 cm2. 16. A method of producing a photovoltaic module (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein: - there is available a digital inkjet printer, - the information relating to the surface is available. delimited active signal (3), the desired final visual effect and the electrical performance of the module, - optimization software is implemented so as to choose the arrangement of the cells, the electrical connection diagram of the cells and the materials. electrical connection, the constituent materials of the cells, the contours and surface areas of the cells in existing libraries thereof, - a transparent or translucent substrate (5) is available, - the materials constituting the cells of the material bank and the electrical connection materials, at least a portion of which has a selected composition suitable for printing by means of a digital inkjet printer, the inkjet digital printer according to the previously determined print parameters, - and the printing on the substrate (5), by the inkjet printing technique, at least a portion of the constituent layers of at least a part of the photovoltaic cells (6) of the plurality of cells and, if appropriate, layers of electrical connections (7), of materials having a selected composition suitable for printing by means of a digital ink jet printer 17. Method according to claim 16, characterized in that for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells (6) of the plurality of cells, at least the active layer (10) is printed by the inkjet printing technique. , 10a, 10b) and / or at least the distal interface layer (11) and / or at least the distal electrode layer (12). 18. Method according to claim 17, characterized in that for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells (6) of the plurality of cells, the active layer (10, 10a) is printed by the inkjet printing technique. , Wb), the distal interface layer (11) and the distal electrode layer (12). 19. Process according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that, for all the photovoltaic cells (6) of the plurality of cells, the ink jet printing technique is printed at least once. active layer (10, 10a, 10b) and / or at least the distal interface layer (11) and / or at least the distal electrode layer (12), in particular printed by the jet printing technique. the active layer (10, 10a, 10b), the distal interface layer (11) and the distal electrode layer (12). 20. Process according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized by the fact that, for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells (6) of the plurality of cells, the inkjet printing technique is printed, in particular for all the photovoltaic cells (6), at least the proximal interface layer (9) and / or at least the proximal electrode layer (8), and in particular the proximal interface layer (9) and the proximal electrode layer (8). 21. Method according to any one of claims 16 to 20, characterized by the fact that, for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells (6) of the plurality of cells, printing by inkjet printing is carried out. in particular for all the photovoltaic cells (6), at least the layers of electrical connections (7). 22. Process according to any one of Claims 16 to 21, characterized in that, for at least a portion of the photovoltaic cells (6) of the plurality of cells, printing by ink jet printing is carried out. in particular for all the photovoltaic cells (6), all the constituent layers, and possibly all the layers of electrical connections (7). 23. A method according to any one of claims 16 to 22, which comprises a final step of arranging the photovoltaic module (1) inside, to protect the photovoltaic module (1) externally by, or to encapsulating the photovoltaic module (1) in a humidity, oxygen and ultraviolet resistant envelope, in particular, or comprising a barrier material resistant to moisture, oxygen and ultraviolet rays. 24. The method of claim 23, wherein the final step of arranging the photovoltaic module (1) inside, to protect the photovoltaic module (1) externally by, or to encapsulate the photovoltaic module ( 1) in an envelope (19) resistant to moisture, oxygen and ultraviolet radiation, in particular or comprising a barrier material resistant to moisture, oxygen and ultraviolet radiation is carried out by a technique such as ALD (Atomic Layer Deposition), printing and in particular screen printing, CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition), PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition), lamination, or the like.