The present invention provides a solar tile and method for fabricating the same.
The solar tile includes a flexible circuit having at least one electrically conductive
path laminated between two insulating sheets. The flexible circuit includes a plurality
of openings that are completely through the flexible circuit and define contact
locations with the electrically conductive path. The solar tile also includes a
plurality of coplanar photovoltaic solar cells that are secured to the flexible
circuit so that the contacts are aligned with the openings in the flexible circuit.
Further, the solar tile includes a plurality of electrically conductive solder
connections located within the openings in the flexible circuit to electrically
connect the solar cell contacts and the electrically conductive path. Additionally,
in a preferred embodiment, the solar tile includes a single coverslide situated
adjacent and covering the plurality of solar cells opposite the flexible circuit.
