A process for producing a solar module with series-connected integrated solar cells and thin film solar module manufactured by the method, in particular using concentrator

Known methods for producing large-surface, integrated thin-film solar modules with an amorphous, poly- or microcrystalline absorber layer always comprise division and conversion structuring processes which can cause instabilities in the structuring and which are relatively expensive. According to the inventive methods, which can be used to produce substrate solar cells (116) and superstrate solar cells, the mask (100) that is used provides for structuring itself during the deposition of layers for the back electrode (106) and the absorber layer (110) through its geometrical form. The use of a mask (110) that can be reused as an independent element after use in this method allows for a relatively free range of possible geometrical forms. This also enables applications inside and outside buildings from an aesthetic and informal point of view, including in the area of a window. These types of applications are also supported by the possibility of a structural connection between the solar modules produced according to the inventive method and light-collecting concentrator modules, in order to considerably increase their average and total energy conversion efficiency.