JP5626012B2 - SOLAR CELL MODULE AND METHOD OF CONNECTING SOLAR CELL MODULE - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a technology for connecting solar cell modules.

  A thin film solar cell has advantages such as a small amount of semiconductor material used, flexibility depending on the substrate selection, and light weight, and is advantageous for installation on the roof of a house or vehicle.

  Since such a solar cell is installed outdoors, it is configured as a solar cell module sealed with a protective film, an adhesive layer, or the like for the purpose of ensuring weather resistance and preventing damage.

  FIG. 26 is an explanatory diagram of a connection method in the case where a lead wire is connected to extract electric power from a solar cell in a conventional solar cell module. 26A is a cross-sectional view before the lead wire is attached, FIG. 26B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line XX after the lead wire is attached, and FIG. 26C is a plan view after the lead wire is attached.

  In the solar cell module 100 shown in FIGS. 26A to 26C, the solar cell 110 is sealed with the protective film 101 and the adhesive layer 102, and the lead wires 117 and 118 are connected to the solar cell 110 to extract power. It is configured as follows.

  In the solar cell 110, a photoelectric conversion layer 112 and electrode patterns 113 and 114 are provided on a flexible substrate 111. Note that the photoelectric conversion layer 112 is generally configured to be divided into a plurality of cells and electrically connected in series to obtain a desired voltage. However, in FIG. 26, for the sake of simplicity, this internal structure is omitted, and only the positive electrode layer 113 and the negative electrode layer 113 that draw the power from the photoelectric conversion layer 112 to the outside are shown. A current collector 115 is connected to the electrode layer 113, a current collector 116 is connected to the electrode layer 114, and external lead wires 117 and 118 are soldered to the current collectors 115 and 116.

Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 11-17206

  When soldering the lead wires 117 and 118 described above, first, as shown in FIG. 26 (A), the lead wires 117 and 118 are encircled by a part on the current collectors 115 and 116 of the sealed solar cell module 100, for example, dotted lines. The protective film 101 and the adhesive layer 102 in the left part are removed with a cutter or the like, and the internal collectors 115 and 116 are exposed.

  Next, the end portions of external lead wires 117 and 118 are connected to the exposed portions by soldering. Furthermore, the connecting portions of the current collecting lines 115 and 116 and the lead wires 117 and 118 and the peripheral portions thereof are sealed with a fluorine-based resin.

  In such a connection process, when the protective film 101 and the adhesive layer 102 are removed, there is a possibility that the current collectors 115 and 116, the electrode layers 113 and 114, and the like are damaged.

Further, the adhesive layer 102 is sufficient to ensure weather resistance, and it is difficult to remove it with a cutter or the like, and the working efficiency is very poor.

  Then, an object of this invention is to provide the technique which makes easy the connection for taking out electric power from a solar cell module.

In order to solve the above problems, the solar cell module of the present invention is
A photoelectric conversion layer that converts received light into electric power;
An electrode layer connected to the photoelectric conversion layer;
A sealing layer for sealing the photoelectric conversion layer and the electrode layer;
A fitting portion that is provided on the outer surface of the sealing layer and is electrically connected to the other solar cell module by fitting with a fitting portion of the other solar cell module, and at least the outer surface of the sealing layer An electrode fitting portion that is inserted over the electrode layer and has an insertion portion that electrically connects the electrode layer and the fitting portion;
A seal portion for liquid-tightly sealing between the fitting portion and the outer surface of the sealing layer;
Is provided.

  The solar cell module is a configuration in which a fitting portion provided on the outer surface of the sealing layer and a fitting portion provided on the outer surface of the sealing layer of another solar cell module are fitted. The electrode fitting portion having a portion may be any one of a snap button, a socket, a connector, a plug, and a jack.

  The electrode fitting portion is configured so that a female fitting portion and a male fitting portion are male and female fitted, and a fitting portion that is connected to the electrode layer of the positive electrode through the insertion portion. When one of the female type and the male type is used, the fitting part connected to the electrode layer of the negative electrode through the insertion part may be used as the other type.

  The sheet-like seal portion is interposed between the fitting portion and the outer surface of the sealing layer, the insertion portion inserted from the outer surface of the sealing layer penetrates the solar cell module, and The end of the insertion part protruding to the opposite side of the fitting part may be caulked, and the fitting part may be stopped in a state of being pressed to the outer surface side of the sealing layer via the seal part.

Further, the method for connecting the solar cell modules of the present invention is as follows.
At least the sealing of a solar cell module having a photoelectric conversion layer that converts received light into electric power, an electrode layer connected to the photoelectric conversion layer, and a sealing layer that seals the photoelectric conversion layer and the electrode layer Providing a hole from the outer surface of the layer to the electrode layer;
For an electrode having a fitting portion that is electrically connected to the other solar cell module by fitting with a fitting portion of another solar cell module, and an insertion portion that electrically connects the electrode layer and the fitting portion. The insertion portion of the fitting portion is inserted into a hole provided from the outer surface of the sealing layer to at least the electrode layer, and the fitting portion is provided on the outer surface of the sealing layer,
A liquid-tight seal is formed between the fitting portion and the outer surface of the sealing layer.

  INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can provide a technique that facilitates connection for extracting power from a solar cell module.

It is a top view of the solar cell module which concerns on this invention. It is sectional drawing of a solar cell module. Perspective view of solar cell module It is a top view of the fitting part for male type electrodes. It is XX sectional drawing of FIG. Plan view of female electrode fitting part It is XX sectional drawing of FIG. It is sectional drawing which shows the fitting state of the fitting part for electrodes. It is a top view of a termination | terminus member. It is XX sectional drawing of FIG. 9 (A). It is XX sectional drawing of FIG.9 (B). It is a top view which shows the example which connected the termination | terminus member to the both ends of one solar cell module. It is a top view which shows the example which connected the termination | terminus member to the both ends of several solar cell modules. It is a figure which shows the example which connected the row | line | column of the several solar cell module connected in series in parallel. It is a figure which shows the example of the seal | sticker using a caulking material. It is a figure which shows the example which put the cap on the fitting part for electrodes. It is a model perspective view which shows the modification 1 using the connector as a fitting part for electrodes. It is an exploded view of the attachment part of a male connector and a female connector. It is sectional drawing of the part which attached the male connector and the female connector. It is a figure which shows the state which made the male connector and the female connector fit. It is a model perspective view which shows the modification 2 using a plug and a jack as an electrode fitting part. It is an exploded view of the attachment part of a plug and a jack. It is sectional drawing of the state which connected the plug and the jack. It is a figure which shows the example of the installation surface which provided the fitting part for electrodes. It is a figure which shows the example of a connection of a solar cell module. It is explanatory drawing of a prior art example.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. The configuration of the following embodiment is an exemplification, and the present invention is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment.

<Embodiment 1>
FIG. 1 is a plan view of a solar cell module according to the present invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the solar cell module, and FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the solar cell module. In the solar cell module of Embodiment 1, the photoelectric conversion layer, the electrode layer, and the like are very thin layers. If the ratio of the thickness and the like is faithfully reproduced, the layer configuration becomes difficult to understand. -Figure 3 shows schematically.

(1) Configuration of Solar Cell Module As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the solar cell module 1 of the present embodiment includes a solar cell element 11, an adhesive layer 12, a weather resistant layer 13, a back surface protective layer 14, and electrode fittings. A joint 15 is provided.

(1-1) Solar cell element 11
The solar cell element 11 includes a semiconductor layer (power generation layer) 1s that converts light energy into electric power by the photovoltaic effect, an upper electrode 1f provided on the light receiving surface side of the power generation layer 1s, and a non-light receiving surface of the power generation layer 1s. A collector electrode 1h connected to the lower electrode 1b, the upper electrode 1f or the lower electrode 1b provided on the side is provided on a solar cell element substrate (resin film) 1g.

The upper electrode 1f, the power generation layer 1s, and the lower electrode 1b are divided into a plurality of cells by sputtering or physical scribing, and the upper electrode 1f of each cell is adjacent to each other as shown in FIGS. Connected to the lower electrode 1b of the cell. That is, a plurality of cells are electrically connected in series, and a predetermined voltage is obtained between the upper electrode 1f and the lower electrode 1b at the end of the cells connected in series. The upper electrode 1f and the lower electrode 1b located at the ends of the cells connected in series are connected to a collecting wire 1h having high electrical conductivity so that the electric power generated in each cell can be taken out efficiently. The collector line 1h may be any one having higher electrical conductivity than the upper electrode 1f and the lower electrode 1b to be connected. For example, a foil, a flat wire, or a flat plate such as copper, aluminum, or nickel is used. In the present embodiment, a rectangular copper wire having a thickness of 0.1 mm is employed because it has good connectivity with the upper electrode 1f and the lower electrode 1b and does not affect the bendability of the module.

  Moreover, various things can be employ | adopted as the electric power generation layer 1s. However, the power generation layer 1s is composed of silicon semiconductor materials such as thin film single crystal silicon, thin film polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, microcrystalline silicon, and spherical silicon, compound semiconductor materials such as CIS, CIGS, and GaAs, and organic dye materials. It is preferable to use a layer made of an organic semiconductor material or the like. This is because when these materials are used, a thin-film solar cell having relatively high power generation efficiency, a thin thickness, and a light weight can be realized. Furthermore, from the viewpoint of increasing efficiency, a HIT type or a tandem type in which these are laminated may be used.

  The solar cell element substrate 1g has various resin films and sheets, metal materials as long as it has sufficient mechanical strength to support the solar cell element 11 and physical properties necessary to form the power generation layer 1s and the electrodes 1f and 1b. A sheet made of a composite material of resin and metal, a sheet made of a composite material in which paper or glass fiber is impregnated with a resin, or the like can be used.

  Examples of the resin sheet used for the solar cell element substrate 1g include polyethylene resin, polypropylene resin, cyclic polyolefin resin, polystyrene resin, acrylonitrile-styrene copolymer (AS resin), acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer. Polymer (ABS resin), polyvinyl chloride resin, fluorine resin, poly (meth) acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate or polyethylene naphthalate, polyamide resins such as various nylons, Polyimide resin, polyamideimide resin, polyaryl phthalate resin, silicone resin, polysulfone resin, polyphenylene sulfide resin, polyethersulfone resin, polyurethane resin, acetal tree , Cellulose resins, various kinds of resin materials other and the like.

  Among these resin sheets, fluorine-based resins such as polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), tetrafluoroethylene and ethylene or propylene copolymer (ETFE), polyethylene It is preferable to use a resin-based resin, a polypropylene resin, a cyclic polyolefin resin, a polyvinyl chloride resin, a polycarbonate resin, a poly (meth) acrylic resin, a polyamide resin, or a polyester resin sheet. In addition, these may use 1 type and may use 2 or more types together by arbitrary combinations and a ratio.

  As a sheet | seat which consists of a metal material used for the solar cell element base material 1g, an aluminum foil and a board, a stainless steel thin film and board, a steel plate etc. are mentioned, for example. Such a metal material is preferably provided with an insulating layer. In addition, the said metal may use 1 type and may use 2 or more types together by arbitrary combinations and a ratio.

As a sheet | seat which consists of resin and a metal composite material used as the solar cell element base material 1g, the highly waterproof sheet | seat which adhere | attached the fluorine resin film on both surfaces of the aluminum foil, for example is mentioned. Examples of the fluorine resin include ethylene monofluoride (trade name: Tedlar, manufactured by DuPont), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), a copolymer of tetrafluoroethylene and ethylene or propylene (ETFE), and vinylidene fluoride resin. (PVDF), vinyl fluoride resin (PVF) and the like. In addition, 1 type may be used for fluororesin and it may use 2 or more types together by arbitrary combinations and a ratio.

  As a substrate made of a composite material obtained by impregnating a resin into paper or glass fiber used as the solar cell element base material 1g, for example, a bakelite substrate (baked substrate) in which paper is impregnated with a phenol resin, or impregnated in paper with an epoxy resin A glass epoxy board impregnated with an epoxy resin may be mentioned as a laminated paper epoxy board, a glass composite board in which cut glass fibers are overlapped and impregnated with an epoxy resin, and a cloth (cloth) made of glass fiber superimposed on each other. .

  The film thickness of 1 g of the solar cell element substrate is usually 5 μm or more, preferably 10 μm or more. Moreover, it is 2 mm or less normally, Preferably it is 1 mm or less, More preferably, it is 0.2 mm or less. If the thickness is less than the above range, the mechanical strength of the substrate may be lowered, and if it is thick, problems such as an increase in weight, a decrease in flexibility, a raw material cost, and an increase in manufacturing cost may occur.

Since the upper electrode 1f is provided on the light receiving surface side of the power generation layer 1s, a transparent material that transmits a light beam is employed. For example, indium oxide (In ₂ O ₃ ), tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), zinc oxide (ZnO), or indium tin oxide (ITO) is used.

  The lower electrode 1b may be any conductive material, but since it has a configuration in which a plurality of cells are connected in series, the material having high connectivity with the power generation layer 1s and the upper electrode 1f, and workability by sputtering and scribing. It is good to adopt a high material.

(1-2) Sealing layer In this embodiment, the adhesive layer 12, the weather resistant layer 13, and the back surface protective layer 14 seal the solar cell element 11 and function as a sealing layer.

  The weather-resistant layer 13 and the back surface protective layer 14 are sheet-like members for protecting the solar cell element 11 from temperature change, humidity change, wind and rain, etc. by sealing the solar cell element 11. Therefore, the weather resistant layer 13 and the back surface protective layer 14 have performances suitable as a surface coating material such as weather resistance, heat resistance, transparency, water repellency, stain resistance, and mechanical strength, and the performances are exposed to the outdoors. It is preferable to have the property of being maintained for a long time.

  The weather resistant layer 13 and the back surface protective layer 14 need only be capable of protecting the solar cell element 11 in some form. Therefore, as the weather resistant layer 13, for example, glass such as soda lime glass, white plate glass, alkali-free glass and the like, tempered glass thereof, acrylic resin such as polymethyl methacrylate and cross-linked acrylate, and aromatic polycarbonate such as bisphenol A polycarbonate Resin, Polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate and polyethylene naphthalate, Amorphous polyolefin resin such as polycycloolefin, Epoxy resin, Styrene resin such as polystyrene, Polysulfone resin such as polyethersulfone, Polyetherimide resin, 4-Fluoride Synthetic resins such as fluororesins such as ethylene-perchloroalkoxy copolymer (PFA), 2-ethylene-4-fluorinated ethylene copolymer (ETFE), poly-3-fluoroethylene chloride (PCTFE); Tsu transparent material can be employed. However, since it is desirable to have flexibility in order to follow the unevenness of the installation surface, a resin material is preferable, and it is more preferable to use a fluororesin from the viewpoint of weather resistance.

As the back surface protective layer 14, the same material as the above-mentioned weather resistant layer 13 can be adopted, and an opaque material can be adopted as long as the same weather resistance, heat resistance, mechanical strength and the like are satisfied. In addition, the weather resistant layer 13 and the back surface protective layer 14 consider the adhesiveness by the adhesive layer 12,
The weather resistance layer 13 and the back surface protective layer 14 are bonded together with the adhesive layer 12 to evaluate the performance such as weather resistance and mechanical strength in a state where the solar cell element 11 is sealed, and a material satisfying these performances is selected. You may do it.

  Furthermore, since the solar cell module 1 is exposed to sunlight, it is preferable that the weather resistant layer 13 and the back surface protective layer 14 have heat resistance. Therefore, as a constituent material of the weather resistant layer 13 and the back surface protective layer 14, the melting point is usually 100 ° C. or higher, preferably 120 ° C. or higher, more preferably 130 ° C. or higher, and usually 350 ° C. or lower, preferably A material of 320 ° C. or lower, more preferably 300 ° C. or lower should be used.

  Although the thickness of the weather resistant layer 13 and the back surface protective layer 14 is not particularly defined, in the case of a resin material, it is usually 10 μm or more, preferably 15 μm or more, more preferably 20 μm or more, and usually 200 μm or less, preferably 180 μm or less, More preferably, it is 150 μm or less. Increasing the thickness tends to increase mechanical strength, and decreasing the thickness tends to increase flexibility.

  In addition, the weather-resistant layer 13 and the back surface protective layer 14 have ultraviolet blocking, heat ray blocking, antifouling, antifogging, abrasion resistance, conductivity, antireflection, antiglare, light diffusion, light scattering, wavelength conversion, Functions such as gas barrier properties may be imparted.

  In particular, from the viewpoint that the solar cell module 1 is exposed to strong ultraviolet rays from sunlight, it is preferable that the weather resistant layer 13 and the back surface protective layer 14 have an ultraviolet blocking function. In addition, the provision of the ultraviolet blocking function to the weather resistant layer 13 and the back surface protective layer 14 is performed by laminating a layer having an ultraviolet blocking function on the weather resistant layer by a coating film or the like, or a material that exhibits the ultraviolet blocking function. Can be carried out by dissolving and dispersing in the weather resistant layer 13 and the back surface protective layer 14.

  In addition, since the weather resistant layer 13 is provided on the light receiving surface side of the solar cell element 11, it is preferable to employ a material having high light transmittance, for example, ETFE. Therefore, the weather-resistant layer 13 has a solar transmittance of usually 75% or more, preferably 80% or more, more preferably 85% or more, and further preferably 90% or more.

(1-3) Adhesive layer 12
The adhesive layer 12 is usually provided for the purpose of sealing the solar cell element 11 and adhering the weather resistant layer 13 and the back surface protective layer 14, but also contributes to improvement in mechanical strength, weather resistance, gas barrier properties, and the like. Yes. Further, at least the adhesive layer 12 on the light-receiving surface side of the solar cell element 11, like the weather-resistant layer 13, preferably transmits visible light and has high heat resistance.

  The material of the adhesive layer 12 can be selected in consideration of the characteristics, and is not particularly limited. For example, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) resin, polyolefin resin, AS (acrylonitrile-styrene) resin, ABS (Acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene) resin, polyvinyl chloride resin, fluorine resin, polyester resin such as polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, phenol resin, polyacrylic resin, (hydrogenated) epoxy resin, polyamides such as various nylons Examples thereof include resins, polyimide resins, polyamide-imide resins, polyurethane resins, cellulose resins, silicone resins, and polycarbonate resins.

Among them, an ethylene copolymer resin is preferable, and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) resin or a polyolefin resin made of a copolymer of ethylene and another olefin is more preferable. For example, a resin made of propylene / ethylene / α-olefin copolymer, ethylene / α-olefin copolymer, or the like.

  An ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) resin composition is usually made into an EVA resin by blending a crosslinking agent in order to improve weather resistance to form a crosslinked structure. As the crosslinking agent, an organic peroxide that generates radicals at 100 ° C. or higher is generally used. For example, 2,5-dimethylhexane; 2,5-dihydroperoxide; 2,5-dimethyl-2,5-di (t-butylperoxy) hexane; 3-di-t-butylperoxide It is done. The compounding quantity of an organic peroxide is 1-5 weight part normally with respect to 100 weight part of EVA resin. Moreover, you may contain a crosslinking aid, a silane coupling agent for the purpose of an adhesive improvement, hydroquinone etc. for the purpose of improving stability.

  As the propylene / ethylene / α-olefin copolymer, a thermoplastic resin composition in which a propylene polymer and a soft propylene copolymer are blended in an appropriate composition is usually used.

  The adhesive layer 12 may be formed of two or more kinds of materials, and the adhesive layer 12 may be a single layer or a laminate composed of two or more layers.

  The thickness of the adhesive layer 12 is not particularly limited, but is usually 10 μm or more, preferably 30 μm or more, more preferably 50 μm or more, and usually 1 mm or less, preferably 0.2 mm or less, more preferably 0.1 mm or less. . Increasing the thickness tends to improve the mechanical strength of the solar cell panel and the adhesion strength between the weather resistant layer 13 and the solar cell element 11 or the back surface protective layer 14 and the substrate. The transmittance tends to improve and the amount of water and oxygen entering from the end of the module tends to decrease.

(1-4) Electrode fitting part 15
The electrode fitting portion 15 is an electrode for taking out the electric power generated by the solar cell element 11, and can be attached to the electrode fitting portion 15 of the other solar cell module 1 so that the other can be attached. It is electrically and physically connected to the solar cell module 1 or a termination member 17 described later.

  The fitting portions for electrodes 15 may be the same shape, but in this embodiment, the male-type electrode fitting portion 15A and the female-type electrode fitting portion 15B are male-female-fitted. The shape is matched.

  4 is a plan view of the male electrode fitting portion 15A, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line XX of FIG. 4, FIG. 6 is a plan view of the female electrode fitting portion 15B, and FIG. It is XX sectional drawing.

  As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the male electrode fitting portion 15 </ b> A has a fitting convex portion (stud) 51 </ b> A as a fitting portion and the fitting convex portion 51 </ b> A at the end of the solar cell module 1. A locking portion (post) 52A to be locked, a sealing member 53A interposed between the fitting convex portion 51A and the surface of the solar cell module 1, and a sealing member interposed between the locking portion 52A and the back surface of the solar cell module 1 54A.

  The fitting convex portion 51A is provided on the surface of the solar cell module 1, that is, the weather resistant layer 13 via the seal member 53A, and the cylindrical convex portion 512 is erected on the disc-shaped base portion 511. Yes.

  The distal end portion 5121 of the convex portion 512 is formed to have a larger outer diameter R5 as compared with a portion (hereinafter referred to as a throttle portion) 5122 on the base portion 511 side. That is, the outer surface of the convex portion 512 is throttled so that the cross section shown in FIG. 5 is arcuate, and the outer diameter of the throttle portion 5122 is smaller than the outer diameter of the tip portion 5121.

  Further, the inside of the cylindrical convex portion 512 is a through hole 5123.

  The locking portion 52A includes a disc-shaped base portion 521 and an insertion portion 522 that rises in a cylindrical shape from the center portion of the base portion 521.

  The locking portion 52A is attached to the back surface of the end portion of the solar cell module 1, that is, on the back surface protective layer 14 side with a seal member 54A interposed. The engaging part 52A inserts the insertion part 522 into a hole penetrating the collector wire 1h provided at the end part of the solar cell module 1 and a through hole 5123 of the fitting convex part 51A, and a tip 5221 of the insertion part 522 is inserted. Is engaged so as to spread outward, thereby locking the fitting convex portion 51A. Here, the insertion portion distal end 5221 is crimped in a state where the sealing members 53A, 54A and the sealing layers 12, 13, 14 are crushed by the base portion 511 of the fitting convex portion 51A and the base portion 521 of the locking portion 52A. Thus, the base portion 511 and the sealing member 53A, the sealing member 53A and the solar cell module surface (the weather resistant layer 13 surface), the solar cell module back surface (the outer surface of the back surface protective layer 14), the sealing member 54A, the sealing member 54A and the base portion 521 is brought into close contact, and the attachment portion of the electrode fitting portion 15A is kept liquid-tight.

  In addition, the insertion part 522 of the locking part 52A is in contact with the power collecting line 1h, and the insertion part tip 5221 is in contact with the fitting convex part 51A, whereby the lower electrode 1b and the fitting convex part 51A are electrically connected.

  As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the female electrode fitting portion 15 </ b> B is engaged with a fitting recess (socket) 51 </ b> B serving as a fitting portion or the end of the solar cell module 1. And a sealing member 53B interposed between the engaging recess 51B and the surface of the solar cell module 1, and a seal member 54B interposed between the locking portion 52B and the back surface of the solar cell module 1. .

  The fitting recess 51 </ b> B is provided on the back surface of the solar cell module 1, i.e., the outer surface of the back surface protective layer 14 via a seal member 53 </ b> B, and has a cylindrical insertion portion 513 and a recess 514.

  As shown in FIG. 7, the recess 514 has a U-shaped cross section and holds a spring 515 inside thereof. The spring 515 has a C shape with a cut in a part of a circle, and has an inner diameter 55R smaller than the fitting convex portion 51A.

  The insertion portion 513 is a member connected to the recess 514 and has a bottom portion 5131 on the end surface opposite to the recess 514. A through hole 5132 is provided at the center of the bottom portion 5131.

  The locking portion 52 </ b> B includes a disk-shaped base portion 524 and a cylindrical protrusion 525 provided concentrically with the base portion 524.

The fitting recess 51 </ b> B is attached to the back surface of the end portion of the solar cell module 1, i.e., the back surface protective layer 14 side with a seal member 53 </ b> B interposed. Here, the fitting recess 51 </ b> B inserts the insertion portion 513 into a hole penetrating the collector wire 1 h provided at the end of the solar cell module 1. Then, the locking portion 52B is provided on the surface of the solar cell module (surface of the weathering layer 13) with the seal member 54B interposed therebetween, and the cylindrical protrusion 525 is passed through the hole 5132 provided in the bottom portion 5131 of the fitting recess 51B. The fitting recess 51 </ b> B is locked by caulking the cylindrical protrusion 525 so as to spread outward. Here, the cylindrical protrusion 525 is caulked in a state where the sealing members 53B and 54B and the sealing layers 12, 13, and 14 are crushed by the concave portion 514 of the fitting concave portion 51B and the base portion 524 of the locking portion 52B. The fitting recess 51B and the sealing member 53B, the sealing member 53B and the solar cell module surface (surface of the weathering layer 13), the solar cell module back surface (outer surface of the back surface protective layer 14), the sealing member 54B, the sealing member 54B and the base portion 524 The attachment portion of the electrode fitting portion 15B is kept in a liquid-tight state by being in close contact.

  In addition, when the insertion part 513 of the fitting recess 51B is in contact with the power collection line 1h, the upper electrode 1f and the fitting recess 51B are electrically connected.

  In the female electrode fitting portion 15B of the present embodiment, the insertion portion 513 is provided in the fitting recess 51B, but may be provided on the locking portion 52B side.

(2) Connection form of solar cell modules (2-1) Connection between solar cell modules FIG. 8 shows electrode fitting portions 15A when two solar cell modules 1 are connected by electrode fitting portions 15A, 15B. FIG. 9 is a plan view of the termination members 17A and 17B, FIG. 10 is an XX sectional view of FIG. 9A, and FIG. 11 is an XX sectional view of FIG. 9B.

  As shown in FIG. 8, a plurality of solar cell modules 1 are connected in series by fitting a female fitting portion 15B of another solar cell module 1 into a male fitting portion 15A of the solar cell module 1. can do. When connecting the male fitting part 15A and the female fitting part 15B, the fitting convex part 51A of the male fitting part 15A is fitted into the fitting concave part 51B of the female fitting part 15B. When the fitting projection tip 5121 pushes the spring 515 of the fitting recess 51B and spreads, and when the fitting projection tip 5121 exceeds the spring 515 and the throttle portion 5122 reaches the position of the spring 515, the spring 515 is squeezed, and the spring Since 515 restricts the movement of the fitting convex portion 512 in the removal direction, the fitting of the male fitting portion 15A and the female fitting portion 15B is maintained.

  In the present embodiment, the electrode fitting portion 15 is configured so that a female fitting portion 51B and a male fitting portion 51A are fitted to each other, and the positive electrode is inserted through the insertion portions 522 and 513. When the fitting part connected to the electrode layer is one of a female type and a male type, the fitting part connected to the electrode layer of the negative electrode is unified to the other type via the insertion part. Yes. In the example of FIG. 5, the fitting portion connected to the lower electrode (positive electrode) 1b is male (convex), and in the example of FIG. 7, the fitting portion connected to the upper electrode (negative electrode) 1a is female (concave). It is said. Thereby, the solar cell module 1 can be connected without making a mistake in polarity.

(2-2) Termination Member By connecting the termination member 17 to the solar cell module 1, the power generated by the solar cell module 1 is supplied to other devices.

  The termination member 17 of the present embodiment is fitted to the male termination member 17A that fits with the female electrode fitting portion 15B of the solar cell module 1 and the male electrode fitting portion 15A of the solar cell module 1. There is a female end member 17B.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the male terminal member 17 </ b> A is a male fitting portion in which a current collecting line 72 connected to the power line 71 is sealed with a sealing material 73 and electrically connected to the current collecting line 72. 15A. The male fitting portion 15A has the same shape as the electrode fitting portion 15A shown in FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 9 and 11, the female terminal member 17 </ b> B is a female fitting portion in which a collecting wire 75 connected to the power line 74 is sealed with a sealing material 73 and electrically connected to the collecting wire 75. 15B. Since the female fitting portion 15B has the same shape as that shown in FIGS.

  FIG. 12 is a plan view showing an example in which termination members are connected to both ends of one solar cell module 1. The male fitting part 15A of the termination member 17A and the female electrode fitting part 15B of the solar cell module 1 are fitted, and the male fitting part 15A at the other end of the solar cell module 1 and the female of the termination member 17B. The mold electrode fitting portion 15B is fitted.

  Thereby, the solar cell module 1 and the termination members 17A and 17B are electrically connected, and the power generated by the solar cell module 1 can be supplied to other devices via the power lines 71 and 74.

  FIG. 13 is a plan view showing an example in which termination members are connected to both ends of the plurality of solar cell modules 1. The male fitting portion 15A of the termination member 17A and the female electrode fitting portion 15B of the solar cell module 1 are fitted, and the male fitting portion 15A at the other end of the solar cell module 1 and another solar cell module. One female electrode fitting portion 15B is fitted, and the connection of the solar cell modules 1 is repeated a desired number (three in the example of FIG. 13). And the male type fitting part 15A of the solar cell module 1 of the endmost part connected in series and the female type fitting part 15B of the termination | terminus member 17B are fitted.

  Thus, the plurality of solar cell modules 1 connected in series and the termination members 17A and 17B are electrically connected, and the power generated by the plurality of solar cell modules 1 can be supplied to other devices via the power lines 71 and 74. .

  FIG. 14 is a diagram illustrating an example in which a plurality of columns of solar cell modules 1 connected in series are connected in parallel.

  In the example of FIG. 14, the termination members 17A and 17B are provided with fitting portions 15A and 15B for a plurality of rows (four rows and eight in the example of FIG. 14), respectively. In addition, in FIG. 14, since the fitting part 15A is located under the fitting part 15B, it is not shown in the figure, but the fitting parts 15A to be fitted to the fitting parts 15B are provided at the opposing positions, respectively. Yes.

  In the example of FIG. 14, a plurality (four in the example of FIG. 14) of solar cell modules 1 are connected in series as in FIG. 13, and four rows of the solar cell modules 1 are connected to the termination members 17 </ b> A and 17 </ b> B. doing.

  As a result, a plurality of columns of solar cell modules 1 connected in series are connected in parallel, the electric power generated by these solar cell modules 1 is set to a desired voltage and current, and other devices are connected via power lines 71 and 74. Can supply.

  As described above, according to the present embodiment, by providing the electrode fitting portion 15, a so-called snap button, as the electrode of the solar cell module 1, the solar cell module 1 can be easily attached and detached, and the electrode fitting is provided. By sealing between the joint part 15 and the sealing layers 13 and 14, the attachment part of the electrode fitting part 15 can be kept liquid-tight, and reliability and weather resistance can be improved.

In the present embodiment, sealing is performed with the sealing members 53A, 54A, 53B, and 54B interposed between the electrode fitting portion 15 and the sealing layers 13 and 14. A caulking material 71 may cover and seal at least between the electrode fitting portion 15 and the sealing layers 13 and 14. FIG. 15 shows an example using a caulking material 77. In the example of FIG. 15, sealing is performed by filling the boundary portion between the fitting convex portion (stud) 51 </ b> A of the male electrode fitting portion 15 </ b> A and the weathering layer 13 with a caulking material 77. Further, in the example of FIG. 15, the locking portion (post) 52 </ b> A of the male electrode fitting portion 15 </ b> A is covered with a caulking material 77 for sealing. The sealing of the locking portion 52A may be performed by filling the boundary portion between the locking portion 52A and the weather resistant layer 13 with a caulking material 77, like the fitting convex portion 51A.

  Similarly, in the example of FIG. 15, sealing is performed by filling the boundary portion between the fitting recess (socket) 51 </ b> B of the female electrode fitting portion 15 </ b> B and the back surface protective layer 14 with a caulking material 77. In the example of FIG. 15, the locking portion (head) 52 </ b> B of the female electrode fitting portion 15 </ b> B is covered with a caulking material 77 for sealing. Note that the sealing of the locking portion 52B may be performed by filling the boundary portion between the locking portion 52B and the weather-resistant layer 13 with a caulking material 77, similarly to the fitting recess 51B.

  FIG. 16 shows an example in which a cap is placed on the electrode fitting portion 15. In the example of FIG. 16, an insulating cap 61 is placed on the locking portion 52A of the male electrode fitting portion 15A and the locking portion 52B of the female electrode fitting portion 15B, and the weather resistant layer 13 or the back surface. Adhesion with the protective layer 14 is performed. Thereby, while attaching the latching | locking part 52A, 52B liquid-tightly, covering the latching | locking part 52A, 52B currently connected with the electrical power collector 1h with an insulator prevents an electrical leakage.

<Modification 1>
In the first embodiment described above, an example in which a so-called snap button is used as the electrode fitting portion 15 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited thereto, and other connection mechanisms such as a socket, a connector, a plug, and a jack may be employed. .

  FIG. 17 is a schematic perspective view showing Modification 1 in which a connector is used as the electrode fitting portion 15. In the first modification, a male connector (electrode fitting portion) 15C is provided at one end portion of the solar cell module 1, and a female connector (electrode fitting portion) 15D is provided at the other end portion. Connect electrically.

  And the solar cell modules 1 are electrically connected by fitting the fitting convex part 51C of the male connector 15C into the fitting concave part 51D of the female connector 15D.

  FIG. 18 is an exploded view of a portion where the male connector 15C and the female connector 15D are attached, and FIG. 19 is a cross-sectional view of a portion where the male connector 15C and the female connector 15D are attached.

  The male connector 15C includes a conductive fitting convex portion 51C, a rivet portion 56C electrically connected to the fitting convex portion 51C, and a connector housing 52C that holds the fitting convex portion 51C and the rivet portion 56C. Have.

  In the first modification, the rivet portion 56C is an insertion portion of the male connector 15C. The rivet portion 56C is inserted into a hole HC3 provided in the seal member 53C, a hole H1 provided in the portion of the collector line 1h of the solar cell module 1, and a hole HC4 provided in the seal member 54C. That is, as shown in FIG. 19, the male connector 15C is attached to the light receiving surface side of the solar cell module 1 via the seal member 53C, and the seal member 54C is disposed on the back surface side. The male connector 15C is fixed to the solar cell module 1 by crimping the tip of the rivet portion 56C penetrating the module 1 and the seal member 54C.

  Further, the female connector 15D is provided with a fitting recess 51D in the housing 52D, and includes an electrode 511D having a spring property inside the fitting recess 51D, and a rivet portion 56D is electrically connected to the electrode 511D. It is connected. The electrode 511D and the rivet portion 56D are fixed with respect to the housing 52D.

  In the first modification, the rivet portion 56D is an insertion portion of the female connector 15D, the hole HD3 provided in the seal member 53D, the hole H1 provided in the portion of the collector wire 1h of the solar cell module 1, It is inserted into the hole HD4 provided in the seal member 54D. That is, as shown in FIG. 19, the female connector 15D is attached to the light receiving surface side of the solar cell module 1 via the seal member 53D, and the seal member 54D is arranged on the back surface side. The female connector 15D is fixed by caulking the tip of the rivet portion 56D penetrating the module 1 and the seal member 54D.

  In this way, the rivet portion 56C, which is an insertion portion of the male connector 15C, penetrates the collector wire 1h, thereby connecting the collector wire 1h and the fitting convex portion 51C. Moreover, the rivet part 56D which is the insertion part of the female connector 15D penetrates the collector line 1h, thereby connecting the collector line 1h and the fitting convex part 51C. When the fitting convex portion 51C is inserted into the fitting concave portion 51D, the tip of the fitting convex portion advances while pushing down the electrode 511D, and as shown in FIG. 20, the housing 52C of the male connector 15C and the housing of the female connector 15D. With the 52D in contact, the convex portion 512D at the tip of the electrode engages with the hole HC5 of the fitting convex portion 51C. As a result, the male connector 15C and the female connector 15D are electrically connected, and are physically connected and prevented from coming off.

<Modification 2>
FIG. 21 is a schematic perspective view showing a second modification using a plug and a jack as the electrode fitting portion 15. In the second modification, a plug (electrode fitting portion) 15E is provided at one end of the solar cell module 1, and a jack (electrode fitting portion) 15F is provided at the other end, which is electrically connected to the current collector 1h. Connecting.

  And the solar cell modules 1 are electrically connected by fitting the fitting convex part 51E of the plug 15E into the fitting concave part 51F of the jack 15F.

  FIG. 22 is an exploded view of a portion where the plug 15E and the jack 15F are attached, and FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of the state where the plug 15E and the jack 15F are connected.

  The plug 15E includes a conductive fitting convex portion 51E, a rivet portion 56E electrically connected to the fitting convex portion 51E, and a plug housing 52E that holds the fitting convex portion 51E and the rivet portion 56E. The fitting convex portion 51E has a small-diameter portion 512E that is slightly smaller in diameter than the diameter of the tip portion.

  In the second modification, the rivet portion 56E is an insertion portion of the plug 15E. The rivet portion 56E is inserted into a hole HE3 provided in the seal member 53E, a hole H1 provided in the collector line 1h portion of the solar cell module 1, and a hole HE4 provided in the seal member 54E. That is, as shown in FIG. 23, the plug 15E is attached to the light receiving surface side of the solar cell module 1 via the seal member 53E, and the seal member 54E is arranged on the back surface side. The plug 15E is fixed to the solar cell module 1 by caulking the tip of the rivet portion 56E penetrating the seal member 54E.

  Further, the jack 15F is provided with a fitting recess 51F in the housing 52F, and includes a cylindrical electrode 511F having a spring property inside the fitting recess 51F, and a rivet portion 56F is electrically connected to the electrode 511F. It is connected to the. The electrode 511F and the rivet portion 56F are fixed to the housing 52F.

In the second modification, the rivet portion 56F is an insertion portion of the jack 15F, the hole HF3 provided in the seal member 53F, the hole H1 provided in the collector line 1h portion of the solar cell module 1, and the seal member It is inserted into a hole HF4 provided in 54F. That is, as shown in FIG. 23, the jack 15F is attached to the light receiving surface side of the solar cell module 1 via the seal member 53F, and the seal member 54F is arranged on the back surface side. The jack 15F is fixed by caulking the tip of the rivet portion 56F penetrating the seal member 54F.

  Thus, the rivet part 56E which is the insertion part of the plug 15E penetrates the collector line 1h, thereby connecting the collector line 1h and the fitting convex part 51E. Moreover, the rivet part 56F which is the insertion part of the jack 15F penetrates the collector line 1h, thereby connecting the collector line 1h and the fitting convex part 51E. When the fitting projection 51E is inserted into the fitting recess 51F, the tip of the fitting projection advances while expanding the electrode 511F, and the casing 52E of the plug 15E and the casing 52F of the jack 15F are brought into contact as shown in FIG. In the state of contact, the cylindrical portion 512F at the tip of the electrode engages with the small diameter portion 512B of the fitting convex portion 51E. As a result, the plug 15E and the jack 15F are electrically connected and physically connected to prevent the plug 15E from coming off.

<Modification 3>
In the above-described example, the solar cell modules 1 are connected to each other by the electrode fitting portion 15. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the electrode fitting portion 15 is provided on the installation surface. The electrode fitting portion 15 may be connected.

  FIG. 24 shows an example of an installation surface provided with the electrode fitting portion 15. The installation surface 57 may be an installation surface itself such as a roof, or may be a plate-like member for installation on the roof or the like. In the example of FIG. 24, an example of a flat plate member configured integrally with the termination members 17A and 17B is shown. In FIG. 24, the electrode fitting portion 15 is indicated by a double circle. The electrode fitting portion 15 may be a male electrode fitting portion 15A or a female electrode fitting portion 15B as long as it can be connected to the solar cell module 1. For example, the electrode fitting portion 15 may be installed. Only the female electrode fitting portion 15B may be provided on the surface 57, and only the male electrode fitting portion 15A may be provided on the solar cell module side, or vice versa. Moreover, you may arrange | position the male or female type electrode fitting part 15 according to the polarity of the solar cell module 1 similarly to the above-mentioned embodiment.

  In FIG. 24, reference numeral 59 denotes a connection pattern for electrically connecting the electrode fitting portions 15. For example, the electrode fitting portions 15-1, 15-2, 15-3, and 15-4 are electrically connected by a single connection pattern 59.

  And the example which connected the solar cell module with respect to the installation surface of FIG. 24 is shown in FIG. Thus, by fitting the electrode fitting portion 15 on the solar cell module 1 side with the electrode fitting portion 15 on the installation surface 57 side, the electrode fitting portion 15 on the solar cell module 1 side becomes the installation surface. It electrically connects with 57 electrode fitting parts, and is electrically connected with the other solar cell module 1 through the connection pattern 59. For example, the upper electrode 1f of the solar cell module 1 is electrically connected to the electrode fitting portion 15-2 of the installation surface 57, and the lower electrode 1b of the other solar cell module 1 is fitted to the electrode of the installation surface 57. When electrically connected to the part 15-1, the upper electrode 1f and the lower electrode 1b of these solar cell modules 1 are conducted through the connection pattern 59 of the installation surface 57, and these solar cell modules 1 are connected in series. Is done. In the example of FIG. 25, the four solar cell modules 1 are connected in series from the termination member 17A to the termination member 17B, and there are four rows in parallel. Also in the third modification, the electrical connection and the physical connection can be performed by the fitting portion such as the snap button, so that the solar cell module 1 can be easily attached.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Solar cell module 1s Electric power generation layer 1b Lower electrode 1f Upper electrode 1g Solar cell element base material 1h Current collector 11 Solar cell element 15 Electrode fitting part 17 Termination member

Claims (5)

A photoelectric conversion layer that converts received light into electric power;
An electrode layer connected to the photoelectric conversion layer;
A sealing layer for sealing the photoelectric conversion layer and the electrode layer;
A fitting portion that is provided on the outer surface of the sealing layer and is electrically connected to the other solar cell module by fitting with a fitting portion of the other solar cell module, and at least the outer surface of the sealing layer An electrode fitting portion that is inserted over the electrode layer and has an insertion portion that electrically connects the electrode layer and the fitting portion;
A seal portion for liquid-tightly sealing between the fitting portion and the outer surface of the sealing layer;
A solar cell module comprising:   The fitting portion provided on the outer surface of the sealing layer and the fitting portion provided on the outer surface of the sealing layer of another solar cell module are fitted, and the electrode having the fitting portion The solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the fitting portion is any one of a snap button, a socket, a connector, a plug, and a jack.   The electrode fitting portion is configured so that a female fitting portion and a male fitting portion are male and female fitted, and a fitting portion that is connected to the electrode layer of the positive electrode through the insertion portion. 3. The solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein when one of a female type and a male type is used, a fitting part connected to the electrode layer of the negative electrode through the insertion part is the other type.   The sheet-like seal portion is interposed between the fitting portion and the outer surface of the sealing layer, the insertion portion inserted from the outer surface of the sealing layer penetrates the solar cell module, and The end of the insertion part protruding to the opposite side to the fitting part is caulked, and the fitting part is stopped in a state of being pressed to the outer surface side of the sealing layer via the seal part. The solar cell module according to claim 1. At least the sealing of a solar cell module having a photoelectric conversion layer that converts received light into electric power, an electrode layer connected to the photoelectric conversion layer, and a sealing layer that seals the photoelectric conversion layer and the electrode layer Providing a hole from the outer surface of the layer to the electrode layer;
For an electrode having a fitting portion that is electrically connected to the other solar cell module by fitting with a fitting portion of another solar cell module, and an insertion portion that electrically connects the electrode layer and the fitting portion. The insertion portion of the fitting portion is inserted into a hole provided from the outer surface of the sealing layer to at least the electrode layer, and the fitting portion is provided on the outer surface of the sealing layer,
A solar cell module connection method for liquid-tightly sealing between the fitting portion and the outer surface of the sealing layer.

Images