METHOD OF MANUFACTURING A THIN-FILM PHOTOVOLTAIC PRODUCT

A method of manufacturing a photovoltaic product (1) with a plurality of serially interconnected photovoltaic cells (1A, 1B) is disclosed that comprises depositing (S1) a stack with a bottom electrode layer (12), a top electrode layer (16) and a photovoltaic layer (14) arranged between said first and said top electrode layer, the bottom electrode layer (12) and the photovoltaic layer (14) having an interface layer (13). The method further comprises partitioning (S2) said stack into respective lateral portions associated with respective photovoltaic cells (1A, 1B), with a boundary region (1AB) between each photovoltaic cell (1A) and a subsequent photovoltaic cell (1B), and serially interconnecting (S3) mutually subsequent photovoltaic cells (1A, 1B) in a boundary region (1AB). Partitioning (S2) includes forming one or more trenches (20; 22; 23) extending through the top electrode layer (16) and the photovoltaic layer (14) to expose the bottom electrode layer (12), with at least an irradiation sub-step (S23A) and subsequent thereto a mechanical fragment removal sub-step (S23B). Therewith a partitioning is achieved with relatively low energy load.