JP2009260202A - Connection method and connection device of solar battery element, and solar battery element - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a connection method and a connection device 1 of a solar battery element by which adhesiveness of the solar battery element and tab lead wire is enhanced and neither curvature nor crack is generated in the solar battery element S by correcting a winding habit of the tab lead wire T without hardening copper foil. <P>SOLUTION: In the connection method and the connection device 1 of the solar battery element which connect a plurality of solar battery elements S by soldering the tab lead wire T on the front surface or the rear surface of the solar battery element S, the tab lead wire T is held at one front of the solar battery element S, and pulled to the rear side of the tab lead wire T by a backward tension imparting means 3 provided in the behind the solar battery element, its tractive force is large enough to elastically and approximately linearly deform the tab lead wire T and smaller than an elastic limit of the tab lead wire. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solar cell element connection method and connection device for connecting solar cell elements continuously or intermittently with tab lead wires, and a solar cell element. When connecting the tab lead wire, the curl is corrected without curing the solar cell element so that the solar cell element is not warped or cracked. For example, even when the tab lead wire is joined to the solar cell element by soldering. A solar cell element connection method capable of absorbing thermal expansion caused by heating above the melting temperature of the solder to prevent floating and bending of the joint portion of the tab lead wire, and ensuring the joint connection between the element electrode and the tab lead wire And a connection device and a solar cell element.

  A solar cell is a power generation system that directly converts sunlight, which is inexhaustible and free from environmental pollution, into electrical energy, and is rapidly expanding its usage range from residential use to large-scale power generation.

  In particular, among solar cells for residential use and large-scale power generation, the crystal system is a step of forming a module by electrically connecting a plurality of solar cell elements with tab lead wires after passing through the manufacturing process of the solar cell element, It is manufactured through a process of laminating a module between a transparent cover material and a protective material. Among various types of solar cells, especially amorphous thin film solar cells and crystalline silicon solar cells can be manufactured in a large area and are inexpensive to manufacture. In the meantime, development of production technology for module formation and system formation has been further promoted, and a large power generator of several hundred KW has been put into practical use from a small power generator of about 3 KW.

  On the other hand, under such a background, coupled with an increase in market demand, there is a demand for a significant cost reduction from the market. As one means, the thickness of the element substrate constituting the solar cell is 200 to 250 so far. The target is about 150 microns, which is thinner than micron, and in the near future, there is a possibility that the target will be extremely thinner than 100 microns. Also, three tab lead wire elements and back electrode elements are being put into practical use in order to increase the power generation efficiency of the elements.

A solar cell module forming such a power generating device is formed by connecting a plurality of the elements in series and in parallel by joining tab lead wires to the solar cell elements. And bonding by a conductive adhesive (for example, an epoxy resin mixed with 70% by weight or more of fine silver particles).
In the present invention, the term joining includes both welding by soldering and adhesion by a conductive adhesive.
In the case of soldering, usually, the collector electrode of one solar cell element having a solder flux applied to the front surface side, and the back surface of another element adjacent to the one element, the solder flux being applied to the back surface side The tab lead wire to which the solder is attached is brought into close contact with the electrode, and the tab lead wire is connected through heating (welding) and cooling processes. At this time, the coefficient of thermal expansion between the element substrate and the tab lead wire Due to this difference, thermal stress (stress) is applied to the substrate side. In some cases, the element substrate may be warped and cracked, which may reduce the yield rate. In addition, this tendency is more likely to appear as the substrate is thinner, and it is required to solve these problems.

  In response to the above request, the tab lead wire may be composed of a tape-shaped main body formed by annealing electrolytic copper foil and a solder plating layer provided on the surface of the main body. Yes (see, for example, Patent Document 1), attempts have been made to eliminate thermal stress by weakening the tensile strength of the tab lead wire welded to the solar cell element.

  The tab lead wire is generally supplied in a state of being wound around a bobbin, and is used by being fed out from the bobbin as necessary. Therefore, the tab lead wire has a winding flaw and causes planar bending and twisting. As it is, the solar cell elements are not in close contact with each other, or they stick out of the line of electrodes arranged in a straight line, so that the solar cell elements cannot be suitably connected. In order to eliminate such drawbacks, before joining to the solar cell element, the tab lead wire fed out from the bobbin is subjected to a plastic deformation of the tab lead wire by applying a tension exceeding the elastic limit, thereby correcting the curl and substantially straight. And a method and apparatus are disclosed (for example, see Patent Document 2).

  However, if the curl is corrected by stretching the tab lead wire with a tension larger than the elastic limit, the copper foil in the tab lead wire is hardened, and as a result, the tension due to the shrinkage at the time of cooling also increases, thus warping the solar cell element. May occur and cracks may occur. This defect is particularly noticeable when a normal tab lead wire is used. However, even when an attempt is made to weaken the tensile strength by using a tab lead wire that has been subjected to electrolytic copper foil annealing as described in Patent Document 1 above, the effect thereof is obtained. Can not fully demonstrate.

A method of using a ribbon wound tab lead wire (interconnector wire) with a winding trajectory in a row is also provided in order to prevent the winding of the tab lead wire from being bent or twisted (for example, patent). Reference 3). However, in this method, a tab lead wire wound around an ordinary bobbin, in which flanges for preventing deviation of the tab lead wire T are provided at both ends of a medium-high columnar (barrel-shaped) core, which is generally used in this method, is used. Since it cannot be used and a custom-made tab lead wire is used, the cost increases.
JP 2007-141621 A JP 2003-298096 A JP 2007-173618 A

  Therefore, the present inventor continued earnestly researching a method for correcting the curl of the tab lead wire without curing the copper foil while using the tab lead wire wound around the normal bobbin, and did not plastically deform the tab lead wire. If the tab lead wire is joined while applying a certain amount of tension and stretched substantially linearly due to elastic deformation, the copper foil of the tab lead wire will not harden, and even when the tab lead wire is joined by soldering, the heat generated by the heating at the time of joining The present inventors completed the present invention by discovering that the slack due to expansion can be absorbed and solder and the element electrode can be surely welded, and that the solar cell element is not warped or cracked due to the tensile strength.

  In order to achieve the above object, claim 1 of the present invention is a solar cell element connection method for connecting a plurality of solar cell elements to each other by bonding tab lead wires to the front surface and / or back surface of the solar cell element. The tab lead wire is held by the holding means on one end side of the solar cell element, and is arranged in the length direction of the tab lead wire by the rear tension applying means provided on the other end side of the solar cell element. The solar cell element connection method is characterized in that the tensile force is large enough to elastically deform the tab lead wire in a substantially straight line and smaller than the elastic limit of the tab lead wire. .

  Claim 2 of the present invention is a tab lead wire feed roll in which the rear tension applying means feeds the tab lead wire to the solar cell element side, and the rotational speed of the tab lead wire feed roll is slowed or reversely rotated during the joining operation. 2. A method of connecting solar cell elements according to claim 1, wherein a backward tensile force is applied to the tab lead wire.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, the rear tension applying means is a vacuum suction table for sucking the tab lead wire by vacuum, and the work composed of the solar cell element and the tab lead wire is arranged in the length direction of the tab lead wire and at one end side of the solar cell element. The solar cell element connecting method for continuously joining the tab lead wires by moving the tab lead wires to the vacuum suction table during the movement and / or joining operation of the workpieces. The method includes connecting the solar cell elements described.

  According to claim 4 of the present invention, after connecting solar cell elements by continuous tab lead wires, a part of the tab lead wire extending between one solar cell element and another solar cell element is interposed between the elements. 4. The method of connecting solar cell elements according to claim 1, wherein the solar cell elements are connected in series by cutting every other one. .

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the tab lead wire is formed in the same tact by the at least two joining heads arranged at intervals equivalent to the arrangement interval of the solar cell elements. The method of connecting solar cell elements according to claim 4, characterized in that:

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the number of bonding heads installed and the number of solar cell elements arranged in the same tact by the supply device and the number of cutting means installed are all the same, and are evenly arranged. The solar cell elements are rotated 180 ° with respect to each other, and the + and − electrodes of adjacent solar cell elements are arranged in a straight line and in a staggered manner, and then tab lead wires are joined, and the arrangement interval of the solar cell elements 6. The method for connecting solar cell elements according to claim 5, wherein an unnecessary part of the tab lead wire between the solar cell elements is excised within the same tact by an excision device arranged at intervals equivalent to Is the content.

  Claim 7 of the present invention is a method for connecting solar cell elements, in which when the tab lead wire is joined to the solar cell element, the hook element pressing means for holding the tab lead wire is placed on the work, The means has a structure in which linear members arranged at intervals are connected by a connecting member, and the hook-like pressing means moves from above the work to which the tab lead wire is joined onto the work before joining. Thus, the solar cell element connection method according to any one of claims 1 to 6 is used.

  Claim 8 of the present invention is a solar cell element suitable for connecting two solar cell elements by a pair of continuous tab lead wires, wherein both the + electrode and the − electrode are on one surface of a substantially rectangular substrate. Each electrode is arranged in one or more rows parallel to each other, and these electrode rows are parallel to two sides of the substrate, and one + electrode row and one substrate The distance between the sides is equal to the distance between the − electrode row corresponding to the + electrode row and the side facing the side of the one substrate when the substrate is rotated 180 ° in a plane. The distance between the electrode rows closest to this is a solar cell element characterized in that the insulation necessary for the module is secured between the pair of tab lead wires joined to them.

  Claim 9 of the present invention is a solar cell element suitable for connecting two solar cell elements by a pair of continuous tab lead wires, and the + electrode is disposed on one surface of a substantially rectangular substrate, The electrodes are arranged on the other side of the substrate, each electrode being arranged in one or more rows parallel to each other, the rows of these electrodes being parallel to the two sides of the substrate, The distance between the + electrode row and the side of the one substrate is the distance between the − electrode row corresponding to the + electrode row and the side facing the side of the one substrate when the substrate is rotated 180 ° in a plane. The distance between one + electrode row and the closest-electrode row is equal to the distance, and the distance between the pair of tab lead wires joined to these is more than the degree required for insulation as a module. The content is a solar cell element.

  Claim 10 of the present invention is a solar cell element connection device for connecting a plurality of solar cell elements to each other by joining tab lead wires to the front or back surface of the solar cell element, wherein the tab lead wires are connected to the solar cell elements. The holding means for holding at one end side and a tensile force that is large enough to elastically deform the tab lead wire and smaller than the elastic limit of the tab lead wire in the length direction of the tab lead wire and the other end of the solar cell element The solar cell element connecting device includes a rear tension applying means applied to the side.

  According to the eleventh aspect of the present invention, continuous long tab lead wires are continuously joined to the arranged solar cell elements, and then unnecessary portions of the tab lead wires are cut off to connect the solar cell elements electrically in series. A connecting device for a solar cell element, a moving means for moving a work composed of the solar cell element and a tab lead wire, a supply device for supplying the solar cell element according to claim 8 on the moving means, A tab lead wire feed roll for supplying two or more pairs of continuous tab lead wires on the battery element, a joining head for joining the solar cell element and the tab lead wire by heating, one solar cell element and another solar cell element 11. The solar cell element connection device according to claim 10, further comprising a cutting means for cutting a part of the tab lead wire extending between the elements, every other one of the elements. And capacity.

  According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, at least two joining heads are arranged at intervals equivalent to the arrangement interval of the solar cell elements, and the tab lead wires are joined to the same number of solar cell elements as the joining heads in the same tact. A solar cell element connection device according to claim 11, characterized in that:

  According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the number of bonding heads installed, the number of solar cell elements arranged in the same tact by the supply device, and the number of installation of the cutting means are the same and even, and the suns arranged adjacent to each other The battery elements are rotated 180 ° with respect to each other, and the positive electrode and the negative electrode of adjacent solar cell elements are arranged in parallel and in a staggered manner, and the cutting means has an interval equivalent to the arrangement interval of the solar cell elements. The solar cell element connection device according to claim 12, wherein the solar cell element connection device is arranged in a row.

In the solar cell element connection method and connection device according to the present invention, the tab lead wire with the curl is pulled between the holding means and the rear tension applying means to return to a substantially linear shape, so that the tab lead wire deviates from the width of the electrode. The tab lead wire can be suitably joined. In addition, the tensile force is made smaller than the elastic limit to prevent the tab lead wire (copper foil) from hardening due to plastic deformation, and the tensile strength is prevented from increasing, so the warpage and cracking of the solar cell element due to this tensile strength is reduced. The
Also, even if tab lead wires are joined by soldering and slack due to thermal expansion occurs in the tab lead wires, this slack is eliminated by the rear tension applying means, so the tab lead wires do not float and are in close contact with the solar electronic device Therefore, the certainty (reliability) of the junction between the tab lead wire and the solar cell element electrode is increased.

  As the rear tension applying means, a tab lead wire feeding roll for feeding the tab lead wire to the solar cell element side or a vacuum suction device for vacuum sucking the tab lead wire is suitable. When using a tab lead wire feed roll, a tensile force is generated by slowing the rotation speed or rotating the roll as necessary. When using a vacuum suction device that vacuums the tab lead wire, the workpiece is moved while the tab lead wire is attracted by the vacuum suction device, thereby generating a frictional force between the tab lead wire and the vacuum suction device. Power.

After the solar cell elements are connected by continuous tab lead wires, tab lead wires extending between one solar cell element and another solar cell element are cut out every other one between the elements. Since the wire can be continuously connected to the solar cell element and the alignment of the tab lead wire and the solar cell element is only required once for each series of strings, the manufacturing efficiency is dramatically increased. This effect is very remarkable when a back electrode type solar cell element is connected, but is also effective for a solar cell element in which a negative electrode is arranged on the front surface side and a positive electrode is arranged on the rear surface side.
Further, the complicated tab lead wire drawing / cutting / transferring / pressing mechanism required conventionally is not required, and the structure of the apparatus becomes simple and compact.

  By using a hook-like pressing means in which linear members arranged at intervals are connected by a connecting member, and pressing the tab lead wire with the hook-like pressing means, the tab lead wire and the solar cell element are brought into close contact with each other. Therefore, soldering can be suitably performed. Even when the tab lead wires are joined by soldering, the heat necessary to melt the solder is transmitted to the tab lead wires from the scissors-like gaps. The same applies to the heat necessary to cure the conductive adhesive.

If at least two joining heads arranged at intervals equivalent to the arrangement interval of solar cell elements are used, and tab lead wires are joined within the same tact to the same number of solar cell elements as this joining head, The joining time is shortened and the joining efficiency is dramatically increased.
Further, not only the joining head but also the excision device are arranged with an interval equivalent to the arrangement interval of the solar cell elements, and the number of the joining heads installed and the number of solar cell elements arranged in the same tact by the supply device. The number of excision means is the same and even, the solar cell elements arranged adjacent to each other are rotated by 180 °, and the + and-electrodes of the adjacent solar cell elements are linear and staggered. If they are arranged in parallel, the joining efficiency can be further increased by synchronously operating the joining head, the supply device and the cutting means.

  When the scissor-like pressing means is used cyclically by moving the scissor-like pressing means from above the work after the joining of the tab lead wires is finished onto the work before joining, a large number of solar cell elements are continuously used. Also when connecting to a workpiece | work, a workpiece | work can be suitably hold | suppressed with a small hook-like pressing means.

With respect to the so-called back electrode type solar cell element in which both the + electrode and the − electrode are arranged on one surface of a substantially rectangular substrate, the respective electrodes are arranged in one or more rows parallel to each other. The column is parallel to the two sides of the substrate, and the distance between the one + electrode row and the one substrate side is set to the-electrode row and the electrode corresponding to the + electrode row when the substrate is rotated by 180 ° in a plane. It is equal to the distance between the side opposite to the side of one substrate, and the distance between the one + electrode row and the nearest-electrode row is the insulation required as a module between a pair of tab lead wires joined to them. When the solar cell elements are arranged to be rotated by 180 ° every other plane, the positive electrode row of one solar cell element and the negative electrode of the adjacent solar cell element are arranged. 1 string because the rows are linear and staggered Each electrode can be suitably connected only by aligning each time and joining the tab lead wires linearly.
Even if it is a solar cell element in which a negative electrode is provided on the front surface and a positive electrode is provided on the rear surface, the tab lead wire is bent on the surface of the solar cell element by bending the tab lead wire. Make contact with the back surface alternately.

A moving means for moving a workpiece; a supply device for supplying a solar cell element on the moving means; a tab lead wire feed roll for supplying a tab lead wire on the solar cell element; and a bonding head for bonding the solar cell element and the tab lead wire; When a connecting device having a cutting means for cutting every other tab lead wire between the elements is used, the tab lead wire can be continuously and efficiently joined to the solar cell element within the same tact.
Further, if a solar cell element connecting device in which at least two joining heads are arranged at an interval equal to the arrangement interval of the solar cell elements is used, the same number of solar cell elements as the joining heads are within the same tact. Tab lead wires can be joined, and the joining efficiency is dramatically increased.
Further, the number of bonding heads installed and the number of solar cell elements arranged in the same tact by the supply device and the number of cutting means installed are the same and even, and the adjacent solar cell elements are 180 ° to each other. It is provided with means for rotating the + and-electrodes of adjacent solar cell elements in parallel and in a staggered manner, and the cutting means are arranged at intervals equal to the array interval of the solar cell elements. For example, a plurality of solar cell elements can be processed in the same tact, and the bonding time per string is shortened.

  The solar cell element connection method and the connection device 1 according to the present invention, as representatively shown in Example 1 described in FIG. 1, by joining the tab lead wire T to the front surface and / or back surface of the solar cell element S, A plurality of solar cell elements S are connected to each other, and the tab lead wire T is held by the holding means 4 on one end side (hereinafter sometimes referred to as the front) of the solar cell element S, and the solar cell element It is pulled rearward by a rear tension applying means 3 (which uses a tab lead wire feed roll 3a in FIG. 1) provided on the other end side of S (hereinafter sometimes referred to as rear). Is large enough to elastically deform the tab lead wire T into a substantially linear shape, and is smaller than the elastic limit of the tab lead wire T. In addition, Example 1 is the connection method and the connection apparatus 1 suitable for connecting the back electrode type solar cell element T in which all of the + electrode and the − electrode shown in FIG. 3 are formed on the back surface.

As the solar cell element S connected by the solar cell element connection method and the connection device 1 of the present invention, all of the conventionally used single crystal silicon solar cell elements and polycrystalline silicon solar cell elements can be used. The thickness may be not less than 200 to 250 microns, which is conventionally used, but may be as thin as 150 microns, and it can also be applied to a thickness of 100 microns or less which is expected to be used in the future.
Moreover, it can respond also to the 3-6 tab lead wires required for the three tab lead elements, the back electrode element, and the back electrode element.

The tab lead wire T used in the present invention may be a normal one. For example, a commercially available standard product (a flat rectangular shape having a width of about 2 mm and a thickness of about 0.16 mm on both sides of a copper foil with a thickness of about 40 μm is used. Coated). Further, the tab lead wire T made of a copper foil to which no solder is attached can be adhered with a conductive adhesive.
The conductive adhesive is a new type of adhesive that has been put into practical use in recent years, for example, in which an epoxy resin is mixed with 70% by weight or more of fine silver particles. In order to bond the tab lead wire T and the solar cell element S with this conductive adhesive, a conductive adhesive is applied to one or both of them, and this is heated and cured. The temperature at which the conductive adhesive is cured is about 120 ° C. to 160 ° C., which is significantly lower than the temperature required for soldering (about 250 ° C.). Although the conductivity of the conductive adhesive is inferior to that of solder, there is an advantage that not only the solar cell element S is hardly damaged due to thermal stress during bonding, but also the slack due to thermal expansion of the tab lead wire T is less likely to occur. Therefore, the conductive adhesive has been put into practical use by increasing the width of the tab lead wire.
Note that it is more preferable to use the tab lead wire T in which the metallic copper is annealed to reduce the tensile strength because the solar cell element S is less likely to be warped or cracked.
Hereinafter, a case where a plurality of solar cell elements are connected by joining (welding) tab lead wires mainly coated with solder will be described as an example.

  In the present invention, the tab lead wire T is joined to the solar cell element S without being plastically deformed, that is, while maintaining the state in which the tab lead wire is linearly extended within the range of elastic deformation. More specifically, the tab lead wire T is held by the holding means 4 in front of the solar cell elements S to be joined, pulled backward by the rear tension applying means 3 provided behind the solar cell elements S, and pressed as necessary. By pressing by means, the solar cell element S is brought into close contact over the entire length, and in this state, the joining head 2 heats and joins.

The tensile force applied by the rear tension applying means 3 needs to be large enough to elastically deform the tab lead wire T and small enough not to plastically deform. If the tab lead wire T is not elastically deformed, the tab lead wire T does not adhere to the solar cell element S at the time of soldering, so that it cannot be suitably soldered, and if the tab lead wire T is plastically deformed, the copper foil in the tab lead wire T will be Curing and cracking may occur in the solar cell element S because the tensile strength is increased by curing.
Although the magnitude of the tensile force differs depending on the cross-sectional area and crystal structure of the copper foil in the tab lead wire T, it cannot be said to be one, but the extent that the tab lead wire T is approximately linear is extended by about 1%. It is suitable to the extent that it is extended about 0.2%. Specifically, for a tab lead wire in which a copper foil annealed with a width of 2 mm and a thickness of 160 μm is coated with solder, about 300 g to 500 g per piece is preferable.

  When the tab lead wire T is welded by soldering, the copper foil in the tab lead wire T is slackened due to thermal expansion, and is lifted from the solar cell element S between lead holding mechanisms (not shown) and welded. If a tensile force is applied to the tab lead wire T by the rear tension applying means 3, the sag from the tab lead wire T is eliminated, and the tab lead wire T is returned to a straight line again by heating at the time of soldering. Therefore, the reliability of welding between the tab lead wire T and the solar cell element S is increased.

The rear tension applying means 3 is not particularly limited as long as it can obtain an appropriate tensile force, but the tab lead wire T drawn out from the bobbin B is joined to the solar cell element S with a long length, and then the appropriate length is obtained. For example, a method using a tab lead wire feed roll 3a as shown in FIG. 2A is simple, and this method is also adopted in the embodiment 1 shown in FIG. Yes. Further, as shown in FIG. 2 (b), a tension controller 3b may be provided between the bobbin B and the tab lead wire feed roll 3a to generate a tensile force, and a tension detector (not shown) may be used. The tension of the tab lead wire can be measured and adjusted so that the tensile force is constant. The bobbin B used in these cases is an ordinary one in which flanges for preventing deviation of the tab lead wire T are provided at both ends of a medium-high columnar (barrel-shaped) core.
When the tab lead wire T is first cut to an appropriate length and then soldered after being placed at an appropriate position, the vacuum suction table 3c equipped with a vacuum suction device is moved backward as described later. It can be used as the tension applying means 3.

In order to use the tab lead wire feed roll 3a as the rear tension applying means 3, when the solar cell element S is continuously moved by the moving means 9 described later, the tab lead wire feed roll 3a is braked and rotated. The speed is slowed, the feeding speed is made slightly slower than the moving speed of the solar cell element S, so that the tensile force applied to the tab lead wire T becomes an appropriate magnitude.
When soldering in a state where the movement of the solar cell element S is stopped, the tab lead wire feed roll 3a designed to have a torque so that the tensile force applied to the tab lead wire T has an appropriate magnitude is used immediately before soldering. The tab lead wire feed roll 3a is reversely rotated to maintain the tensile force.

  In the present invention, the tab lead wire T is applied with a rearward pulling force during soldering, so that the tab lead wire T and the element S do not shift backward until the soldering is completed. It is necessary to hold on the solar cell element S by the holding means 4. The holding means 4 is not particularly limited, but in the first embodiment, only the first one is held by the chuck device 4 that clamps the tip of the tab lead wire T, and the subsequent one is soldered to the solar cell element T behind. Until the process is completed, the tab lead wire T extending from the front solar cell element to the rear solar cell element S is kept connected, and this is used as the holding means 4. In addition, a method for fixing only the front edge of the solar cell element S, which will be described later, to the belt of the moving means 9, which will be described later, and a vacuum suction table provided with a vacuum suction device capable of resisting the tensile force of the rear tension applying means 3 3c, a method of pressing the tab lead wire T with a pressing means formed in the shape of a spider (hereinafter simply referred to as a scissors-shaped pressing means 6), etc.

  When the method of keeping the tab lead wire T connected until the joining to the rear solar cell element S is completed, the tab lead wire T is held by the front solar cell element S except for the first one. Therefore, it is not necessary to use other holding means 4.

  The method of electrically connecting the solar cell elements S in series differs depending on the arrangement of the electrodes in the solar cell element S and the like, but cannot be generally described. For example, both the positive electrode and the negative electrode shown in FIG. In the case of connecting back electrode type solar cell elements S provided on the back surface, every other solar cell element S is rotated by 180 ° in a plane, and the positive electrode of one solar cell element S and this After the negative poles of the adjacent solar cell elements S are arranged linearly and in a staggered manner, the tab lead wire T is continuously soldered thereon (see FIG. 1B), and then the cutting means 7 is provided. The tab lead wire T extending from the positive electrode to the negative electrode is left, and only a part of the tab lead wire T extending from the negative electrode to the positive electrode is cut between the adjacent solar cell elements S. (See FIG. 1C). In the present specification, the excision means that the tab lead wire is cut by a certain length in order to be electrically insulated.

The method of rotating every other solar cell element S in a plane by 180 ° is not particularly limited. For example, a method of providing a turntable in the supply device U of the solar cell element S, a sun rotated in advance every other 180 ° Examples include a method of supplying a bundle of battery elements S from a normal supply device U, a method of providing an even number of supply devices U, and supplying solar cell elements S having different directions from the respective supply devices U.
In the present specification, it is described that one solar cell element S is supplied from one supply device U to one tact. Of course, two or more solar cell elements S are provided in the same tact. A supply device U that can supply can also be used.

  In this embodiment, examples of the moving means 9 used for moving the workpiece include those shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The moving means 9 is a drive chain for moving the work conveying belt 9c, the side belt 9d, the chuck device 4 and the like for placing the solar cell element S and the tab lead wire T and moving the same forward with the work. 9a, a steel belt pulley 9e for driving these belts, and a chain sprocket 9b for driving the chain.

  In order to fix the chuck device 4 to the moving means 9, for example, as shown in FIG. 5, the end portion of the chuck device 4 may be held between side clips 9f. Thereby, the chuck device 4 is fixed to the driving chain 9a and moves forward at the same speed as the solar cell element S.

  When performing welding by soldering, the structure of the joining head 2 that can be used in the present invention is not particularly limited, and any conventionally used one can be suitably used. Specifically, a spot heater is connected to each tab lead wire T. The one arranged above, the line heater arranged along each tab lead wire T so as to be parallel to the length direction, the line heater arranged perpendicular to the tab lead wire T, the tab lead wire T and the sun Examples include those in which the battery element S is heated at the same time. Of these, the non-contact type bonding head 2 in which the bonding head 2 does not come into contact with the tab lead wire is preferable, and one that can perform local continuous melting and solidification is preferable. For example, as the joining head 2, a preheating unit, a heating unit, and a cooling unit that are close to each other and capable of unit operation are adopted and moved, or a workpiece composed of the solar cell element S and the tab lead wire T is moved. Then, when the solder coated on the tab lead wire T is continuously or intermittently connected while preheating, heating and melting and cooling and solidifying, the solar cell element S can be connected quickly and efficiently. Cracking is further reduced.

  In order to connect the solar cell elements S using the solar cell element connection device 1 of the present invention, for example, a joint in which a line heater is arranged along each tab lead wire T so as to be parallel to the length direction thereof. When the head 2 is used, heat is emitted from the bonding head 2 with the solar cell element S stationary under the bonding head 2, and the moving means 9 is operated after heating to complete the heated solar cell element S. Is moved close to the cutting means 7 described later, and the solar cell element S before heating may be moved below the bonding head 2. Also, a spot heater is disposed on each tab lead wire T as the joining head 2, and a line heater is disposed at right angles to the tab lead wire T so that the tab lead wire T and the solar cell element S are heated simultaneously. Is used, the moving means 9 is stopped and the joining head 2 is moved in the length direction of the tab lead wire T, or the joining head 2 is stopped and the work composed of the solar cell element S and the tab lead wire T is moved to the tab lead wire T. The tab lead wire T may be heated in order from the end by moving in the length direction, and the solar cell elements S are thereby connected continuously or intermittently.

An example of a solar cell element T that can be suitably connected by the above method is shown in FIG. This belongs to a so-called back electrode type solar cell element in which both the + electrode and the − electrode are arranged on one surface (back surface) of a substantially rectangular substrate.
In this solar cell element T, the + electrode E and the − electrode E are arranged in one or more rows parallel to each other (3 rows in the example of FIG. 3, 6 rows in total), and these electrode rows E Are parallel to the two sides of the substrate, and the distances L1 to L3 between one + electrode row and one substrate side correspond to the − electrode corresponding to the + electrode row when the substrate is rotated 180 ° in a plane. It is equal to the distances L1 ′ to L3 ′ between the row and the side facing the side of the one substrate. When such solar cell elements T are arranged so that every other solar cell element T is rotated by 180 ° in a plane, the + electrode row E in one solar cell element T and the solar cell element T adjacent thereto are arranged. Since the-electrode rows E are arranged in series and in a staggered manner, one long tab lead wire can be straightened and soldered along the electrode rows E arranged in series.
Further, since the distance L ″ between one + electrode row and the nearest −electrode row is more than a level that ensures insulation necessary as a module between a pair of tab lead wires joined to these + electrode rows, this + electrode row No short circuit occurs between the tab lead wire T connected to E and the tab lead wire T connected to the negative electrode array E.

  In the present invention, the tab lead wire T is usually cut into one string for each number of solar cell elements S determined based on the size of the solar cell panel as the final product and the size of the solar cell element S. However, in this case, the tab lead wire T is held by the holding means 4 with a margin at the front end of the strings, and is also supplied with a margin at the rear end of the strings, and is cut after the joining is completed. For this reason, a tab lead wire T of about several centimeters to several tens of centimeters protrudes before and after the strings, and this is used when the strings are electrically connected when modularized.

A second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.
In this example, as in Example 1, the tab lead wire T drawn out from the bobbin B is joined to the back electrode type solar cell element S while being long, and then an unnecessary portion is removed from the tab lead wire T so as to be electrically in series. Although the cutting method is adopted, two solar cell element S supply devices U are provided, and the joining head 2 and the cutting means 7 are the same as the number of the solar cell element S supply devices U. The difference is that they are arranged at an interval equal to the arrangement interval. The arrangement interval of the solar cell elements S may be rephrased as a period in which the solar cell elements S are arranged. For example, the length from the front end of one solar cell element S to the front end of the subsequent solar cell element S ( In FIG. 6).

In the present embodiment, since two supply devices U for the solar cell elements S are provided, two solar cell elements S are rotated 180 ° every other sheet without providing a turntable or the like. The solar cell element S can be supplied, and the + electrode and the − electrode of the adjacent solar cell elements S can be arranged in parallel and in a staggered manner. When the number of solar cell elements S per string is an odd number, the function of the supply device U is partially limited at the end so that only one solar cell element is supplied.
In addition, although the solar cell element S supply device U may arrange an even number of four or more solar cell elements S, if the number is too large, the rear tension applied by the rear tension applying means 3 is reduced by the solar cell element S. Is partially canceled by the frictional force between the lead wire T and the tab lead wire T, so that it is necessary to apply a strong rearward tension. Although it is possible to arrange an odd number of solar cell elements S, in that case, it is necessary to rotate the solar cell elements S 180 ° horizontally every other sheet by a method such as providing a turntable.

In the present embodiment, since the joining head 2 and the cutting means 7 are also arranged in the same number as the supply device U, that is, two each, with an interval equivalent to the arrangement interval of the solar cell elements, two solar electronic elements S can be processed at the same time, and not only the manufacturing time per string is reduced to about ½, but also the operation of the cutting means 7 and the supply device U can be simplified, and failures and malfunctions are reduced.
The solar cell element connection method according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7. When the joining head 2 of the type that stops the moving means 9 at the time of joining is used (FIG. 7A), first the moving means. Is moved by the distance of two solar cell elements S to bring the unbonded solar cell element S and the tab lead wire T under the bonding head 2 (t1), and then the bonding head 2 with the moving means 9 stopped. Then, the solar cell element S and the tab lead wire T are heated and joined (t2), the solar cell element S is further supplied from the supply device U (t3), and finally some unnecessary tab lead wires are cut by the cutting means 7. Are removed so that they are electrically in series (t4). However, in this case, the joining of the solar cell element S and the tab lead wire (t2), the supply of the solar cell element S (t3), and the cutting of some unnecessary tab lead wires (t4) are performed simultaneously while the moving means 9 is stopped. It can be carried out.
In the process of moving the moving means 9, when four supply devices U and the like are provided, the moving distance is four. That is, if the supply devices U, the joining heads 2, and the cutting means 7 are the same number, the moving distance is the distance of the solar cell element S1 × the supply device U.
When using the joining head 2 of a type that moves the moving means 9 during joining (FIG. 7 (b)), the solar cell element is first moved by the welding head 2 by moving the moving means 9 by a distance corresponding to one solar cell element S1. The tab lead wire T is joined onto S (t1), and then the moving means 9 is rapidly moved by the distance of one solar cell element S to adjust the position of the solar cell element S (t2), and finally from the supply device U. Two solar cell elements S are supplied, and unnecessary portions of the tab lead wires T are cut by the cutting means 7 so that the solar cell elements S are electrically connected in series (t3).
In the step of adjusting the position of the solar cell element S, the moving distance when four supply devices U and the like are provided is equal to three solar cell elements S. That is, in the case where the same number of supply devices U, bonding heads 2 and cutting means 7 are provided, the distance at which the moving means 9 can be rapidly moved is the distance of one solar cell element S × (number of supply devices U and the like−1 )

  In the present embodiment, the case where the number of the supply devices U, the joining heads 2, and the cutting means 7 is the same has been described. However, it is also possible in the present invention to make the number of these devices different. In that case, since it takes the longest time to join, it is preferable to maximize the number of the joining heads 2.

A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In the present embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the tab lead wire T drawn from the bobbin B is joined to the solar cell element S while being long, and then unnecessary portions are cut off from the tab lead wire T so as to be electrically connected in series. However, the difference is that the solar cell elements S to be connected are different, and the bending means 5 for bending the tab lead wire T into a predetermined shape is provided.

  In the solar cell element S to be connected in this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 10, the + electrode is disposed on one surface (back surface) of the substantially rectangular substrate, and the − electrode is disposed on the other surface (front surface) of the substrate. The solar cell element S of the type close to the conventional one, but as in the first embodiment, the + electrode E and the − electrode E are arranged in one or more rows parallel to each other (in the example of FIG. These electrode rows E are parallel to the two sides of the substrate, and the distances L1 to L3 between one + electrode row and one substrate side are It is equal to the distance L1 ′ to L3 ′ between the −electrode array corresponding to the + electrode array and the side facing the side of the one substrate when the substrate is rotated by 180 ° in a plane, and one + electrode array The distance L ″ between the electrode rows that is the closest to this is not more than the degree that insulation is ensured between the pair of tab lead wires joined thereto. 8B, when the solar cell elements S are rotated by 180 ° every other plane, the + and − poles are arranged in a straight line and a staggered pattern in plan view. It is configured.

  In this example, unlike the first embodiment, the tab lead wire T cannot be continuously soldered only on one surface side of the solar cell element S. Therefore, the tab lead wire T is bent in advance before the solar cell element S is arranged. 5 is formed into a space between a pair of tab lead wires T by bending the tab lead wire feed roll 3c up and down as needed, bent into a Z-shape or S-shape at predetermined intervals. By inserting the solar cell element S into the space, as shown in FIG. 9 (b), as shown in FIG. 9 (b), a positive electrode provided on the front surface side and a positive electrode provided on the back surface side of the solar cell elements SS arranged. Are in contact with each other.

  In the present embodiment, it is necessary to join the tab lead wires T in the same manner not only on the front surface but also on the back surface of the solar cell element S. A lower heating apparatus provided with hot air supply means and cold / hot air supply means as disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 59825 can also be used. Further, a temperature-controlled heating plate may be used. In addition, although you may connect separately the surface and the back surface of the solar cell element S, it is more preferable to connect simultaneously.

  After the tab lead wire T is joined to the solar cell element S, as shown in FIGS. 8C and 9C, for example, the tab lead wire T extending from the negative electrode to the positive electrode is left, and the positive electrode Only a part of the tab lead wire T extending from the pole to the pole is cut by the cutting means 7 so as to be electrically connected in series.

A fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.
In this embodiment, the solar cell elements S provided with the + electrode array E on the immediate back side of the − electrode array E as shown in FIG. 12 are connected simultaneously to the front and back surfaces. A method of soldering after being cut into lengths and then arranged at an appropriate position is adopted. As the rear tension applying means 3, a vacuum suction table 3c (see FIG. 13) equipped with a vacuum suction device is used.

In this embodiment, one end of a tab lead wire T cut and formed into an appropriate shape is adsorbed by an arm 4 (hereinafter simply referred to as an arm 4) provided with a vacuum adsorbing device at the tip, and the fixed length is removed from the bobbin. Pulled out and held by the hook-like pressing means 6 provided with the chuck device 4, carried to the front end of the solar cell element S, and then passed through the hook-like pressing means 6, that is, the heat radiated from above. The tab lead wire T is pressed using a pressing means having the above, and in this state, the work composed of the solar cell element S and the tab lead wire T is moved forward while adsorbing the back of the tab lead wire T with the vacuum suction table 3c. In this way, the tab lead wire T is pulled backward by the frictional force with the vacuum suction table 3c, and is made substantially linear by elastic deformation.
The rear tensile force can be adjusted to an appropriate magnitude by increasing or decreasing the suction force by the vacuum suction table 3c.

  Although the structure of the concrete scissor-like pressing means 6 is not particularly limited, the linear members 6a arranged at intervals as shown in FIGS. 11B and 11C are connected by the connecting member 6b. The structure can be exemplified. Examples of the linear member 6a include a piano wire and a stainless steel rod having a circular section with a diameter of about 1 to 2 mm. Further, it is preferable to attach the chuck device 4 for holding the tab lead wire T to the front side thereof.

In this embodiment, after the tab lead wire T is once arranged at a predetermined position, the tab lead wire T is pressed using the hook-like pressing means 6, and the hook-like pressing means 6 that has finished its role is connected to the next unconnected. Since it moves on the solar cell element S and is used cyclically, a large number of solar cell elements S can be connected continuously with a limited number of scissors-like pressing means 6, which is efficient.
In this embodiment, the tab lead wire T is welded by soldering. However, if the scissors-like pressing means 6 is used, the holding force to prevent the tab lead wire T from being displaced by the rearward pulling force before soldering. During the soldering, the heat radiated from the joining head 2 is passed downward, and even if the copper foil in the tab lead wire T is thermally expanded, the tab lead wire T and the solar cell element S are securely welded. After the attachment, even if the thermally expanded copper foil contracts during the cooling process, the solar cell element S is prevented from warping. Therefore, when the scissor-like pressing means 6 is used cyclically, the copper foil heated by the soldering is cooled to an appropriate temperature, and before the tensile force is applied from above the tab lead wire T in which the shrinkage stress is relaxed. It is preferable to move the tab lead wire T automatically or manually. Note that the scissors-like pressing means 6 as in the present embodiment can also be applied to the above-described first to third embodiments.

Also in this embodiment, the same moving means 9 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 as that usable in the first embodiment can be suitably used. In order to fix the scissor-like pressing means 6 to the moving means 9, as shown in FIG. 5, the end of the scissor-like pressing means 6 may be sandwiched between side clips 9f. Accordingly, the scissors-like pressing means 6 is fixed to the driving chain 9a, moves forward at the same speed as the solar cell element S, and does not move backward even when a rear tension is applied.
Further, as shown in FIG. 14, a hook-shaped pressing means 6 having pinions 6c provided in the vicinity of four corners is used, and instead of the driving chain 9a shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a timing belt 9g and A rack 9h can be provided, and the scissors-like pressing means 6 can be moved by the driving force of the timing belt 9g. A ratchet mechanism (not shown) is provided on the pinion 6c provided in the hook-like pressing means 6, and the ratchet mechanism also rotates freely when a tension is applied forward to the timing belt, but a rear tension is applied. Further, the hook-like pressing means 6 is prevented from moving backward.

  As mentioned above, although the preferable aspect of this invention was demonstrated based on Examples 1-4, this invention is not limited only to these Examples, A various variation is possible without deviating from the summary of this invention. It goes without saying that there is.

  As described above, according to the solar cell element connection method and connection device of the present invention, the tab lead wire is held in front of the solar cell element, and the tab lead wire is attached by the rear tension applying means provided behind the solar cell element. By pulling back to the extent that it is elastically deformed without being plastically deformed, the curl is corrected without hardening the tab lead wire so that the solar cell element is not warped or cracked, and solder It is possible to obtain a solar cell module that absorbs thermal expansion caused by being heated to a temperature higher than the melting temperature of the solder at the time of attachment to prevent the tab lead wire from being lifted or bent and has high reliability in joining the element electrode and the tab lead wire. These effects can also be obtained when the tab lead wire is bonded with a conductive adhesive. Therefore, the solar cell element connection method, connection device, and solar cell element of the present invention are particularly useful for connecting thin solar cell elements with tab lead wires.

(A) is a schematic plan view which shows the connection apparatus of the solar cell element of Example 1, (b) is a schematic plan view which shows the condition where the solar cell element is connected by the continuous tab lead wire, (c ) Is a schematic plan view showing a connection state after a part of the tab lead wire is appropriately cut off. (A) is a partial side view which shows the example which used the tab lead wire delivery roll as a back tension | tensile_strength provision means, (b) is a partial side view which shows the example which used the tension controller as a back tension | tensile_strength provision means. (A) is the back view of the solar cell element which can be used conveniently in Example 1, (b) is the side view. (A) is a side view of a moving means, (b) is the top view. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the structure of the belt of a moving means, and a drive chain. 5 is a schematic plan view showing a solar cell element connection device of Example 2. FIG. (A) is operation explanatory drawing in the case of joining a tab lead wire in the state which stopped the moving means, (b) is operation explanatory drawing in the case of joining a tab lead wire in the state where the moving means was moved. (A) is a schematic plan view which shows the connection apparatus of the solar cell element of Example 3, (b) is a schematic plan view which shows the condition where the solar cell element is connected with the continuous tab lead wire, (c ) Is a schematic plan view showing a connection state after the tab lead wire is appropriately cut off. (A) is a schematic side view which shows the connection apparatus of the solar cell element of Example 3, (b) is a schematic side view which shows the condition where the solar cell element is connected with the continuous tab lead wire, (c ) Is a schematic side view showing a connection state after the tab lead wire is appropriately cut off. (A) is the back view of the solar cell element which can be used conveniently in Example 3, (b) is the side view. (A) is a schematic side view which shows the connection apparatus of the solar cell element of Example 4, (b) is a top view which shows an example of a spider-like pressing means, (c) is another of the spider-like pressing means It is a top view which shows an example. (A) is a top view of the solar cell element used suitably in Example 4, (b) is the side view. It is a schematic perspective view which shows the vacuum suction stand used as a back tension | tensile_strength provision means. It is a schematic explanatory drawing which shows the structure of another moving means.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Connection apparatus of solar cell element 2 Joining head 3 Back tension | tensile_strength provision means 3a Tab lead wire delivery roll 3b Tension controller 3c Vacuum suction stand 4 Holding means (chuck apparatus)
5 Bending means 6 Scissor-like pressing means 6a Linear member 6b Connecting member 6c Pinion 7 Cutting means 8 Arm 9 Moving means 9a Drive chain 9b Chain sprocket 9c Work conveying belt 9d Side belt 9e Steel belt pulley 9f Side clip 9g Timing belt 9h Rack B Bobbin S Solar cell element E Electrode (row)
T Tab lead wire U Solar cell element supply device

Claims (13)

A solar cell element connection method for joining a plurality of solar cell elements to each other by joining tab lead wires to the front surface and / or back surface of the solar cell element,
The tab lead wire is held by the holding means on one end side of the solar cell element, and in the length direction of the tab lead wire by the rear tension applying means provided on the other end side of the solar cell element. A method for connecting solar cell elements, wherein the solar cell element is pulled toward the end side, and the tensile force is large enough to elastically deform the tab lead wire in a substantially straight line and smaller than the elastic limit of the tab lead wire.   The rear tension applying means is a tab lead wire feeding roll that feeds the tab lead wire to the solar cell element side, and during the joining operation, the rotational speed of the tab lead wire feeding roll is slowed or reversely rotated to pull the tab lead wire backward. The method for connecting solar cell elements according to claim 1, wherein:   The back tension applying means is a vacuum suction stand that vacuum sucks the tab lead wire, and the tab lead wire is continuously moved by moving the work consisting of the solar cell element and the tab lead wire to the one end side of the solar cell element in the length direction of the tab lead wire. The solar cell element connection method according to claim 1, wherein the tab lead wire is sucked by a vacuum suction table during workpiece movement and / or bonding operation. .   After the solar cell elements are connected by continuous tab lead wires, a part of the tab lead wires extending between one solar cell element and the other solar cell element is cut every other between the solar cell elements to 4. The method for connecting solar cell elements according to claim 1, wherein the battery elements are electrically connected in series.   A tab lead wire is bonded within the same tact to the same number of solar cell elements to be bonded by at least two bonding heads arranged at intervals equivalent to the arrangement interval of the solar cell elements. The method for connecting solar cell elements according to claim 4.   The number of bonding heads installed and the number of solar cell elements arranged in the same tact by the supply device and the number of cutting means installed are all the same and are even, and the adjacent solar cell elements arranged 180 ° to each other. The tab lead wires are joined after the positive electrode and the negative electrode of the adjacent solar cell elements are arranged in a straight line and in a staggered manner, and are arranged at intervals equivalent to the arrangement interval of the solar cell elements. 6. The method for connecting solar cell elements according to claim 5, wherein an unnecessary part of the tab lead wire between the solar cell elements is excised within the same tact by the excising device provided.   When joining tab lead wires to solar cell elements, a method of connecting solar cell elements, in which a hook-like pressing means for holding tab lead wires is placed on a work, the hook-like pressing means being arranged at intervals. The linear member is connected by a connecting member, and the hook-like pressing means is used cyclically by moving from above the work to which the tab lead wire is joined onto the work before joining. The method for connecting solar cell elements according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein: A solar cell element suitable for connecting two solar cell elements by a pair of continuous tab lead wires, both of the + electrode and the-electrode are arranged on one surface of a substantially rectangular substrate,
Each electrode is arranged in one or more rows parallel to each other, and these electrode rows are parallel to two sides of the substrate, and the distance between one + electrode row and one substrate side is When the substrate is rotated by 180 ° in a plane, it corresponds to the + electrode row, is equal to the distance between the electrode row and the side facing the side of the one substrate, and is closest to the one + electrode row. The distance of an electrode row is more than the grade by which the insulation required as a module is ensured between a pair of tab lead wire joined to these, The solar cell element characterized by the above-mentioned. A solar cell element suitable for connecting two solar cell elements by a pair of continuous tab lead wires, wherein a + electrode is disposed on one surface of a substantially rectangular substrate and a-electrode is disposed on the other surface of the substrate Are located in
Each electrode is arranged in one or more rows parallel to each other, and these electrode rows are parallel to two sides of the substrate, and the distance between one + electrode row and one substrate side is When the substrate is rotated by 180 ° in a plane, it is equal to the distance between the − electrode row corresponding to the + electrode row and the side facing the side of the one substrate, and is closest to the one + electrode row. -The distance of an electrode row | line | column is more than the grade by which the insulation required as a module is ensured between a pair of tab lead wire joined to these, The solar cell element characterized by the above-mentioned. A solar cell element connection device for connecting a plurality of solar cell elements to each other by joining tab lead wires to the front or back surface of the solar cell element,
Holding means for holding the tab lead wire on one end side of the solar cell element;
A rear tension applying means for applying a tensile force which is large enough to elastically deform the tab lead wire and smaller than the elastic limit of the tab lead wire to the other end side of the solar cell element in the length direction of the tab lead wire; A solar cell element connection device comprising: Connection of solar cell elements in which continuous long tab lead wires are continuously joined to the arranged solar cell elements, and then unnecessary portions of the tab lead wires are cut off so that the connection of the solar cell elements is electrically in series. A device,
A moving means for moving a work composed of a solar cell element and a tab lead wire, a supply device for supplying the solar cell element according to claim 8 on the moving means, and two pairs of continuous tab lead wires on the solar cell element A tab lead wire feed roll for supplying one or more pairs, a joining head for joining a solar cell element and a tab lead wire by heating, and a part of a tab lead wire extending between one solar cell element and another solar cell element. 11. The solar cell element connection device according to claim 10, further comprising cutting means for cutting every other element.   The at least two joining heads are arranged at intervals equivalent to the arrangement interval of the solar cell elements, and tab lead wires are joined to the same number of solar cell elements as the joining heads in the same tact. The solar cell element connection device according to 11.   The number of bonding heads installed and the number of solar cell elements arranged in the same tact and the number of cutting means installed in the same tact by the supply device are the same and an even number, and the solar cell elements arranged adjacent to each other are rotated 180 ° relative to each other. A means for arranging the + and-electrodes of the adjacent solar cell elements in a straight line and a staggered pattern, and the cutting means are arranged at intervals equivalent to the arrangement intervals of the solar cell elements. The solar cell element connection device according to claim 12.

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