JP2002359382A - Solar battery module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a thin high-reliability solar battery module which can have its reverse surface made flat and is in simple structure and easy to manufacture. SOLUTION: The solar battery module 1 has unit cells 2 and 2 arranged side by side, performs output from output lead lines 13 and 14 by connecting cell output terminals 8 and 9 of the unit cells 2, and has connection lines 12 connecting the cell output terminals of the unit cells 2 and 2 on the same plane between the output lead lines 13 and 14. The unit cells 2 and 2 are arranged in the same direction at both ends of the cell output terminals 8 and 9 having the same polarity, and a different-polarity cell output terminal 9 of the other unit cell 2 adjacent to the cell output terminal of one unit cell 2 is connected in series by the connection line 12 in series from one end side to the other end side across the cell center.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solar cell module installed on the roof of a building or the like, and more particularly to a solar cell module having a simple structure, a thin structure, a flat back surface, and easy installation. .

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as this type of solar cell module, there is a solar cell module integrated with a building material described in JP-A-2001-68715. As shown in FIG. 6, the solar cell module includes a solar cell panel 40, an output lead 41 for leading the solar cell output to the outside, a metal plate 42 as a back surface protection material, a solar cell panel and a metal plate. An adhesive layer 43 is provided for bonding, between the back side of the solar cell panel 40 and the output lead 41, and between the output lead 41
Insulating films 44 and 45 between the
Is provided. As a result, workability can be improved, cost can be reduced, and reliability can be improved. Further, the insulation performance can be improved.

[0003]

By the way, in the solar cell module having the above structure, the output lead 41 from the solar cell panel is composed of three output leads 41a, 41b and 41c made of copper foil or the like. Then, there is a place where an output lead wire 41a derived from one end and connected to the positive lead electrode of the unit cell crosses on the output lead wire 41b connecting the unit cells in series. The insulation process is performed using the tape 41d. As described above, there is the insulating tape 41d between the portions where the output lead wires cross each other, and as a result, the output lead wire 41a, the insulating tape 41d and the output lead wire 41b have a three-layer structure, and the thickness increases. There is. In addition, there is a problem that the back side is not flattened due to an increase in a part of the thickness, and it is difficult to perform the construction.

The present invention has been made in view of such a problem, and has as its object to provide a connection line for connecting cell output terminals of a unit cell and an output lead for outputting a voltage to the outside. An object of the present invention is to provide a solar cell module having a flat back surface and good workability without increasing the thickness because the lines do not intersect. Another object of the present invention is to provide a solar cell module which has a simple configuration and can be easily manufactured because the connection wire does not intersect with the output lead wire, thereby eliminating the need for an insulating sheet.

[0005]

In order to achieve the above object,
The solar cell module according to the present invention has a plurality of unit cells arranged side by side, connects the cell output terminals of each unit cell, and outputs from the output lead terminal, and connects the cell output terminals of the unit cells to each other. The wires are located on the same plane between the output leads. The connection line connects the cell output terminal on the plus side and the cell output terminal on the minus side of the unit cell, for example, in series to obtain a high voltage output from the output lead wire.

In a preferred specific embodiment of the solar cell module according to the present invention, the plurality of unit cells have cell output terminals of the same polarity arranged at both ends in the same direction, and a cell of one unit cell is provided. Cell output terminals having different polarities of unit cells adjacent to the output terminal are connected in series from one end to the other end by a connection line across the cell center. Further, as another preferable specific embodiment of the solar cell module according to the present invention, a plurality of unit cells are formed by forming a unit cell portion on a single substrate by film formation, and a cell dividing line formed by patterning. Is characterized by being formed by dividing into a plurality.

In the solar cell module of the present invention configured as described above, the connection lines connecting the cell output terminals of each unit cell are located between the output leads and do not intersect with the output leads. It can be. Therefore, an insulating sheet for insulating the intersection can be omitted, the configuration can be simplified, and the manufacturing can be facilitated. When a plurality of battery cells are continuously formed by film formation and divided into a plurality of unit cells by cell dividing lines, cell output terminals of the same polarity are arranged in the same direction, and when these cell output terminals are connected in series,
The connection wire is connected from one end to the other end and crosses the cell center. The structure is simple and the manufacture is easy.

[0008]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, an embodiment of a solar cell module according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a front view of the solar cell module according to the embodiment,
2 is a rear view of the solar cell module of FIG. 1, FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing a unit cell used for the solar cell module of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a manufacturing process of the solar cell module of FIG. FIG. 1 to 4, a solar cell module 1 has a plurality of unit cells 2 arranged side by side, connects cell output terminals of each unit cell, and outputs from an output lead wire. In this example, two unit cells are provided. 2, 2 are connected in series to obtain a high voltage output.

Here, the unit cell 2 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the unit cell 2, a transparent electrode film is formed on a transparent glass substrate 3, and is patterned into strips to be divided into a number of transparent electrodes 4. The patterning is performed by, for example, laser beam irradiation. The transparent electrode film is formed of tin oxide, zinc oxide, ITO, or the like, and is formed by sputtering, CVD, or the like. An amorphous semiconductor layer made of, for example, an a-Si semiconductor is formed thereon, and a large number of amorphous semiconductor films 5 are formed by patterning into strips at the same pitch and shifted from the patterning of the transparent electrode 4.

Further, a back electrode layer made of a metal such as aluminum is formed on the amorphous semiconductor film 5 and is divided by patterning into strips at the same pitch and shifted from the amorphous semiconductor film 5 in the same direction. Back electrode 6 is formed. As a result, a unit cell 2 is obtained in which a large number of strip-shaped battery cells 7 (see FIG. 3) composed of the transparent electrode 4, the amorphous semiconductor film 5 and the back electrode 6 are connected in series on the glass substrate 3. The back electrode 6 electrically connected to the transparent electrode 4 at one end of the lower layer becomes one cell output terminal 8, and the back electrode 6 at the other end of the upper layer becomes the other cell output terminal 9.

The unit cell 2 thus formed
In this example, as shown in FIG. 4 (a), two are arranged side by side, and bonded and fixed on a glass support substrate 10 serving as a support. In the two unit cells 2 and 2, cell output terminals having the same polarity are arranged in the same direction. For example, in FIG. 4A, the lower terminal is a plus-side cell output terminal 8, and the upper terminal is a minus terminal. Side cell output terminals 9 and 9.

As shown in FIG. 4B, an insulating sheet 11 in which four window portions 11a corresponding to the cell output terminals 8 and 9 of each unit cell are formed above the two unit cells 2 and 2, respectively. Affix. Thereby, many back electrodes 6 on the upper surfaces of the unit cells 2 and 2 are covered and insulated by the insulating sheet 11 except for the cell output terminals 8 and 9. Note that, instead of the insulating sheet, the cell output terminal portion may be covered with a resin coat except for the cell output terminal to insulate.

As shown in FIG. 4C, the insulating sheet 11
On the upper surface of the cell, the plus-side cell output terminal 8 of the left-side unit cell 2 and the minus-side cell output terminal 9 of the right-side unit cell 2 are connected with copper foil or the like from one end to the other end across the cell center. They are connected in series by the formed connection line 12. That is, one end of the connection line 12 is connected to the plus cell output terminal 8 by soldering or the like, and the other end of the connection line 12 is connected to the minus cell output terminal 9.

Further, on the upper surface of the insulating sheet 11, the negative cell output terminal 9 at the upper end of the unit cell 2 on the left side.
One end of the output lead wire 13 is connected by soldering or the like, and the other end is left floating without being connected. One end of the output lead wire 14 is connected to the plus side cell output terminal 8 of the unit cell 2 on the right side by soldering or the like, and the other end is left floating without being connected. The connection line 12 is wired obliquely across the center of the cell, and each output lead 13, 14 is connected to the connection line 12.
Is connected to the cell output terminals 8 and 9 inward at right angles in a direction of about half of the length of the connection line 12, so that the connection line 12 and both output leads 13 and 14 do not intersect, and the connection line 12 is on the same plane. And is arranged between the output lead wires 13 and 14.

The insulating sheets 15 provided with output holes 15a at which the other ends of the floating output leads 13 and 14 are exposed are laminated, and integrated by a hot press or the like. At this time, it is also possible to press the insulating sheet 15 below the insulating sheet 15 with an adhesive layer made of an EVA sheet interposed therebetween. In this manner, the unit cells 2 and 2 are connected in series by the connection line 12, but on the back electrode side, the connection line 12 and the output lead wires 13 and 14 are on the same plane as shown in FIG. Since they do not intersect, they can be thin and substantially flat, and the output leads 13 and 14
Output holes 15a, 15 of insulating sheet 15 whose ends are exposed.
The connection line 12 is arranged between the lines a.

As shown in FIG. 4E, a terminal box 20 is fixed to the center of the back surface of the glass supporting substrate 10 to which the unit cells 2 and 2 are fixed. The terminal box 20 is made of, for example, a synthetic resin and includes a container part 21 and a lid 22. The terminal box 20 is adhesively fixed in a waterproof state on the insulating sheet 15 on the back surface of the glass support substrate 10. The lid 22 is screwed to the container 21 with a waterproof packing (not shown) sandwiched therebetween. An output line 23 is drawn out of the container portion 21 in a waterproof state, a connector 24 is fixed to a tip of the output line 23, and a base end of the output line 23 is an output lead wire 1 of the unit cells 2 and 2.
3, 14 are connected. From the output line 23, a high voltage output in which a plurality of unit cells 2 and 2 are connected in series is obtained. For example, if the output voltage of one unit cell 2 is 100 volts, the output voltage from the output line 23 of the solar cell modules 1 connected in series becomes 200 volts and is output from the connector 24.

In the solar cell module 1 of the present embodiment configured as described above, the plurality of unit cells 2 and 2
Are arranged between the output lead wires 13 and 14 and do not cross on the same plane on the insulating sheet 11, so that the insulating sheet is not required. Therefore, the configuration is simplified, the manufacturing is facilitated, and the three-layer structure where the connecting wire, the insulating sheet, and the output lead wire intersect is eliminated as in the related art. The terminal box 20 can be easily fixed, and the reliability of the waterproof performance can be improved. Further, since an insulating sheet is not required between the connection wire and the output lead wire, a short circuit or the like due to a defective insulating sheet can be prevented, and insulation reliability can be improved.

Next, another embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a manufacturing process of another embodiment of the solar cell module according to the present invention. The solar cell module 30 of this embodiment is different from the above-described embodiment in that a unit cell portion 32 is formed directly on a single glass support substrate 31 by film formation, and is divided into a plurality of cells by cell division lines 33. Unit cell 32
A, 32B are formed. The same reference numerals are given to other substantially equivalent components, and detailed description is omitted.

A transparent electrode film is formed on the glass support substrate 31 in the same manner as in the above embodiment, and a large number of strip-shaped transparent electrodes are formed by patterning. An amorphous semiconductor layer is formed thereon, and a large number of strip-shaped amorphous semiconductor films are formed in a slightly shifted state by patterning. Further, a back electrode film is formed thereon, and a large number of strip-shaped back electrodes 6 are formed by patterning in a slightly shifted state. As a result, a unit cell portion 32 is formed in which a number of battery cells composed of a transparent electrode, a semiconductor film, and a back electrode are connected in series.

In this embodiment, a cell division line 33 is formed at the center of the glass support substrate 31 by irradiating a laser beam along a direction perpendicular to the patterning direction for dividing the transparent electrode and the like. The two unit cells 32 are placed on the glass support substrate 31 by the cell dividing lines 33.
A and 32B are arranged side by side. In each unit cell portion, for example, the lower end becomes the cell output terminal 8 on the plus side, the upper end becomes the cell output terminal 9 on the minus side, and the cell output terminals 8 and 9 of the same polarity are arranged in the same direction. It will be in a lined up state.

Then, as shown in FIG. 5A, after attaching the insulating sheet 11 having the four windows 11b formed thereon,
Cell output terminals 8 of the plurality of unit cells 32A, 32B,
A connection line 12 for connecting the 9 in series is arranged between output lead wires 13 and 14 on the same plane. That is, in FIG. 5B, the cell output terminal 8 at the lower end of the left unit cell 32A and the cell output terminal 9 at the upper end of the right unit cell 32B are exposed from the insulating sheet 11 and are connected in series by the connection line 12. are doing.

Further, one end of a short output lead wire 13 is connected to the minus side cell output terminal 9 of the left unit cell 32A by soldering or the like, and the other end is left floating without being connected. One end of the short output lead wire 14 is also connected to the plus-side cell output terminal 8 of 32B by soldering or the like, and the other end is left floating without being connected. As a result, since the connection wire 12 and the output lead wires 13 and 14 do not intersect on the same plane, there is no need to form a three-layer structure with an insulating sheet interposed therebetween as in the above-described embodiment, without increasing the thickness. The structure is simple, the manufacture is easy, and the back surface can be made substantially flat.

After connecting the connection wire 12 and the output lead wires 13 and 14, the output lead wire 1 shown in FIG.
The insulating sheets 15 provided with the output holes 15a at which the other ends of the layers 3 and 14 are exposed are laminated and integrated by a hot press or the like.
The state shown in FIG. In this state, since the connection line 12 and the output lead wires 13 and 14 do not intersect as described above, the state is substantially flat. Thereafter, as shown in FIG.
Although the terminal box 20 is adhesively fixed in a waterproof state, the rear surface is substantially flat and the fixing is easy, and the reliability of waterproofing is improved. The terminal box 20 is composed of a container 21 and a lid 22, an output line 23 is drawn out in a waterproof state, and a connector 24 is fixed to the end.

As described above, in the solar cell module 30, the unit cell portion 32 is formed on the glass support substrate 31 by film formation, and the plurality of unit cells 3 are formed by the cell dividing lines 33.
2A, 32B, and the divided unit cell 32
Assuming that the voltages of A and 32B are, for example, 100 volts, respectively, the unit cell sections 32 are connected in series by the connection line 12, and an output of 23 volts is obtained from the output line 23 as a whole. In this example, since the unit cells can be formed directly on the glass supporting substrate, the configuration is simplified and the manufacturing is facilitated.

In the above-described embodiment, an example is shown in which an insulating sheet is bonded to the back surface of the unit cell, and a terminal box is bonded and fixed on the insulating sheet. However, a metal plate is further fixed on the insulating sheet. The terminal box may be fixed on the metal plate. Further, although an example of two unit cells has been described as a plurality of unit cells, the present invention can be applied to three or more unit cells.

Furthermore, a glass substrate in which a large number of battery cells are formed continuously and divided by cell division lines to form a plurality of unit cells may be fixed to a glass support substrate. As the solar cell, an example of an amorphous solar cell has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a monocrystalline solar cell and a polycrystalline solar cell. is there.

[0027]

As can be understood from the above description, in the solar cell module of the present invention, the connection lead connecting the cell output terminals of the plurality of unit cells is located between the output lead terminals, and the output lead wire is provided. , And can be made thin without the need for an insulating sheet, thereby improving insulation reliability.
Further, the configuration can be simplified, and the manufacturing can be facilitated.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of one embodiment of a solar cell module according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the solar cell module of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a schematic perspective view schematically showing a unit cell used for the solar cell module of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a schematic perspective view showing a manufacturing process of the solar cell module of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view showing a manufacturing process of another embodiment of the solar cell module according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a conventional solar cell module.

[Explanation of symbols]

Reference Signs List 1 solar cell module, 2 unit cell, 3 glass substrate, 4 transparent electrode, 5 amorphous semiconductor film, 6 back electrode, 7 battery cell, 8,
9 cell output terminal, 10 glass support substrate, 12 connection line, 13, 14 output lead wire, 30 solar cell module, 31 glass support substrate, 32 unit cell section, 32A, 32B unit cell, 33 cell dividing line

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A solar cell module in which a plurality of unit cells are juxtaposed, a cell output terminal of each unit cell is connected, and an output is output from an output lead wire, wherein a connection line connects the cell output terminals of the unit cells. To
A solar cell module arranged between the output leads on the same plane. 2. The plurality of unit cells have cell output terminals of the same polarity arranged at both ends in the same direction, and a cell output terminal of one unit cell and a cell output terminal of a different polarity of an adjacent unit cell. 2. The solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the solar cell module is connected in series across the one end to the other end by the connection line. 3. The solar cell according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of unit cells form a unit cell portion by forming a film on a single substrate, and are divided into a plurality by a cell dividing line. Battery module.