(ZA9704261-A)      The photovoltaic device includes a photovoltaic element comprising a substrate having an electrically conductive surface, a semiconductor layer formed on the electrically conductive surface, a transparent and electrically conductive electrode layer formed on the semiconductor layer, a power generation region having a metallic wire arranged over the electrode layer and a fixing region for fixing an end portion of the metallic wire, where the metallic wire is fixed to a polymer film through an adhesive material.    Also claimed are (i) a photovoltaic device including a photovoltaic device as above where the metallic wire is positioned between a bus bar and the adhesive material while electrically connecting with the bus bar, (ii) producing a photovoltaic device as above comprising arranging an adhesive body comprising an adhesive material and a polymer film layer at the fixing region; arranging the metallic wire on both the adhesive body and the electrode layer; arranging a bus bar on both the adhesive body and the metallic wire; and bonding the metallic wire with the bus bar by means of an electrically conductive adhesive and by way of heat and/or pressure, (iii) a solar cell module comprising a photovoltaic device as above resin-sealed on a reinforcing material and a protective film which covers the device, (iv) a construction member comprising a photovoltaic device as above resin-sealed on a reinforcing material and a protective film covering the device, a part of the reinforcing material being bent and (v) a power conversion apparatus comprising a solar cell module as above and a controller for controlling a power outputted from the solar cell module.    USE -   The photovoltaic device can be used in a solar cell module, a construction member or a power generation apparatus (all claimed).    ADVANTAGE -   The photovoltaic device has a highly reliable electrode structure which can be formed at an adequate working efficiency. When a high temperature is used to connect the metallic wire with the bus bar, the photovoltaic element is protected from damage and thus has an improved yield. The element is also protected from bur of fracture of the metal body used as the bus bar. The current collecting property of the metallic wire is improved. The adhesive material gives a resin seal with a good external appearance. There is a good connection between the metal wire and the bus bar. By coating the metallic wire with an electrically conductive paste, the migration of metal ions from the metallic wire in the power generation active area is prevented.    (JP10065192-A)      The photovoltaic device (100) consists of an adapter (105) to arrange an electrically conductive member on one side of light receiving surface of a photovoltaic cell (102). The adapter consists of one or more kinds of adhesion layers and one or more kinds of thermally stable polymers. The electrically conductive member consists of a metal wire fixed in an edge area.    The fixation of the metal wire is done by the high polymer through the adhesion material. Bonding of the metal wire and a bus bar (104) are done simultaneously by electroconductive glue on applying heat.    ADVANTAGE -   Protects photovoltaic cell from heat by adapter. Reduces shadow loss due to reliability of electrode structure using high metal wire.    (US6121542-A)      The photovoltaic device includes a photovoltaic element comprising a substrate having an electrically conductive surface, a semiconductor layer formed on the electrically conductive surface, a transparent and electrically conductive electrode layer formed on the semiconductor layer, a power generation region having a metallic wire arranged over the electrode layer and a fixing region for fixing an end portion of the metallic wire, where the metallic wire is fixed to a polymer film through an adhesive material.    Also claimed are (i) a photovoltaic device including a photovoltaic device as above where the metallic wire is positioned between a bus bar and the adhesive material while electrically connecting with the bus bar, (ii) producing a photovoltaic device as above comprising arranging an adhesive body comprising an adhesive material and a polymer film layer at the fixing region; arranging the metallic wire on both the adhesive body and the electrode layer; arranging a bus bar on both the adhesive body and the metallic wire; and bonding the metallic wire with the bus bar by means of an electrically conductive adhesive and by way of heat and/or pressure, (iii) a solar cell module comprising a photovoltaic device as above resin-sealed on a reinforcing material and a protective film which covers the device, (iv) a construction member comprising a photovoltaic device as above resin-sealed on a reinforcing material and a protective film covering the device, a part of the reinforcing material being bent and (v) a power conversion apparatus comprising a solar cell module as above and a controller for controlling a power outputted from the solar cell module.    USE -   The photovoltaic device can be used in a solar cell module, a construction member or a power generation apparatus (all claimed).    ADVANTAGE -   The photovoltaic device has a highly reliable electrode structure which can be formed at an adequate working efficiency. When a high temperature is used to connect the metallic wire with the bus bar, the photovoltaic element is protected from damage and thus has an improved yield. The element is also protected from bur of fracture of the metal body used as the bus bar. The current collecting property of the metallic wire is improved. The adhesive material gives a resin seal with a good external appearance. There is a good connection between the metal wire and the bus bar. By coating the metallic wire with an electrically conductive paste, the migration of metal ions from the metallic wire in the power generation active area is prevented.