KR101273106B1

KR101273106B1 - Solar cell apparatus

Info

Publication number: KR101273106B1
Application number: KR1020110094909A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 고정환
Original assignee: 엘지이노텍 주식회사
Priority date: 2011-09-20
Filing date: 2011-09-20
Publication date: 2013-06-13
Also published as: WO2013042935A2; WO2013042935A3; KR20130031153A

Abstract

A photovoltaic device is disclosed. A photovoltaic device comprising: a substrate; A plurality of solar cells disposed on the substrate; And a prism portion disposed next to the solar cells.

Description

SOLAR CELL APPARATUS {SOLAR CELL APPARATUS}

An embodiment relates to a photovoltaic device.

Photovoltaic devices for converting sunlight into electrical energy include solar panels, diodes and frames.

The solar cell panel has a plate shape. For example, the solar cell panel has a rectangular plate shape. The solar cell panel is disposed inside the frame. Four side surfaces of the solar cell panel are disposed inside the frame.

The solar cell panel receives sunlight and converts it into electrical energy. The solar panel includes a plurality of solar cells. In addition, the solar cell panel may further include a substrate, a film or a protective glass for protecting the solar cells.

The solar panel also includes a bus bar connected to the solar cells. The bus bars extend from upper surfaces of the outermost solar cells and are connected to the wiring.

The diode is connected in parallel with the solar cell panel. Selective current flows through the diode. That is, when the performance of the solar cell panel is degraded, current flows through the diode. Accordingly, the short circuit of the photovoltaic device itself according to the embodiment is prevented. In addition, the photovoltaic device may further include a wire connected to the diode and the solar cell panel. The wiring connects adjacent solar cell panels.

The frame accommodates the solar cell panel. The frame is made of metal. The frame is disposed on the side of the solar cell panel. The frame accommodates side surfaces of the solar cell panel. In addition, the frame may include a plurality of subframes. In this case, the subframes may be connected to each other.

Such a photovoltaic device is mounted outdoors to convert sunlight into electrical energy. At this time, the photovoltaic device may be exposed to an external physical shock, an electric shock, and a chemical shock.

The technology related to such a photovoltaic device is described in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2009-0059529.

Embodiments provide a photovoltaic device having improved efficiency and appearance.

The solar cell apparatus according to the embodiment includes a substrate; A plurality of solar cells disposed on the substrate; And a prism portion disposed next to the solar cells.

In particular, the prism portion may include a prism pattern, and the prism pattern may include an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to an upper surface of the substrate.

In addition, the solar cell apparatus according to the embodiment may further include a capping substrate covering the solar cells and the prism portion.

The photovoltaic device according to the embodiment may spectroscopic light incident to the solar cells by using the prism portion. Accordingly, light incident on the prism portion may be emitted back to light of various colors.

Accordingly, the prism unit may implement various colors, and the solar cell apparatus according to the embodiment may have an improved appearance.

In addition, the path of the light incident on the prism portion may be changed laterally. In addition, light reflected laterally by the prism portion may be totally reflected in the capping substrate and may be incident to the solar cells.

Therefore, light incident to the solar cells may be incident to the solar cells by the prism portion. Therefore, the photovoltaic device according to the embodiment can have an improved light-to-electricity conversion efficiency.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a photovoltaic device according to a first embodiment.
2 is a plan view of the solar cell apparatus according to the first embodiment.
3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the solar cell apparatus according to the first embodiment.
4 is a view illustrating a process in which sunlight is incident on the photovoltaic device according to the first embodiment.
5 is an exploded perspective view showing a photovoltaic device according to a second embodiment.
6 is a plan view of the solar cell apparatus according to the second embodiment.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of FIG. 6.
8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a cross section of the solar cell apparatus according to the second embodiment.

In the description of the embodiments, each panel, bar, frame, substrate, groove, or film is formed on or under the "on" of each panel, bar, substrate, groove, or film. In the case described, "on" and "under" include both those that are formed "directly" or "indirectly" through other components. In addition, the upper or lower reference of each component is described with reference to the drawings. The size of each component in the drawings may be exaggerated for the sake of explanation and does not mean the size actually applied.

1 is an exploded perspective view showing a photovoltaic device according to a first embodiment. 2 is a plan view of the solar cell apparatus according to the first embodiment. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a cross section of the solar cell apparatus according to the first embodiment. 4 is a view illustrating a process in which sunlight is incident on the photovoltaic device according to the first embodiment.

1 to 4, the photovoltaic device according to the present embodiment includes a lower substrate 10, a plurality of solar cells C, a prism portion 20, and an upper substrate 30.

The lower substrate 10 supports the solar cells C, the prism portion 20, and the upper substrate 30. The lower substrate 10 may seal the solar cells C together with the upper substrate 30. The lower substrate 10 may be flexible. Examples of the material used as the lower substrate 10 include polymers such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).

The solar cells C are disposed on the lower substrate 10. The solar cells C may be spaced apart from each other. In addition, the solar cells C may be electrically connected to each other through a connection member.

The solar cells C may convert incident sunlight into electrical energy. The solar cells C may be silicon based solar cells. In more detail, the solar cells C may include a silicon substrate doped with p-type impurities. In particular, the p-type silicon substrate may include an n + layer doped with a high concentration of n-type impurities. In addition, a lower electrode may be disposed under the silicon substrate, and an n + layer formed by diffusing a p-type metal included in the lower electrode may be formed under the silicon substrate.

The prism portion 20 is disposed on the lower substrate 10. In addition, the prism portion 20 is disposed next to the solar cells (C). The prism portion 20 may be disposed between the solar cells C. In addition, the prism portion 20 may surround the solar cells (C).

The prism part 20 includes a plurality of open parts OP exposing the top surface of the lower substrate 10. In this case, the solar cells C may be disposed in the open parts OP, respectively. That is, the prism portion 20 may surround the solar cells C, respectively.

The prism portion 20 may be disposed on the same plane as the solar cells C. That is, the prism portion 20 and the solar cells C are disposed on the upper surface of the lower substrate 10. In more detail, the prism portion 20 and the solar cells C may be directly disposed on an upper surface of the lower substrate 10.

The prism portion 20 includes a prism pattern 21. The prism portion 20 may include a prism sheet. That is, the prism portion 20 may be attached to the upper surface of the lower substrate 10 in the form of a prism sheet.

As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the prism pattern 21 may include an inclined surface. In more detail, the prism pattern 21 may include a first inclined surface 22 and a second inclined surface 23 which are inclined with respect to the upper surface of the lower substrate 10. The first inclined surface 22 and the second inclined surface 23 may cross each other.

The prism pattern 21 may spectroscopic incident light. That is, the light may be incident to the first inclined surface 22 or the second inclined surface 23, may be refracted, and may be spectroscopically determined for each wavelength band. That is, the prism pattern 21 may perform a prism function. Accordingly, the solar cell apparatus according to the embodiment may have various colors. Therefore, the solar cell apparatus according to the embodiment may have an improved appearance.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 4, the first inclined surface 22 and / or the second inclined surface 23 may perform a reflective surface function. Accordingly, light incident to the solar cells C may be reflected on the first inclined surface 22 and the second inclined surface 23. In particular, the prism portion 20 may reflect incident light to the side upwards. That is, the prism unit 20 may change the path of incident sunlight. Accordingly, light incident on the prism portion 20 may be totally reflected by the upper substrate 30 and then incident on the solar cells C. Therefore, the photovoltaic device according to the embodiment can have an improved light-to-electricity conversion efficiency.

The upper substrate 30 covers the solar cells C. The upper substrate 30 protects the solar cells C. The upper substrate 30 is transparent. The upper substrate 30 may be flexible. Examples of the material used as the upper substrate 30 include ethylene vinyl acetate or tempered glass.

As described above, by the prism unit, the solar cell apparatus according to the embodiment may have improved appearance and improved efficiency.

5 is an exploded perspective view showing a photovoltaic device according to a second embodiment. 6 is a plan view of the solar cell apparatus according to the second embodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a cross section taken along line AA ′ in FIG. 6. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a cross section of the solar cell apparatus according to the second embodiment. In the description of the solar cell apparatus according to the present embodiment, reference is made to the description of the solar cell apparatus according to the previous embodiment. That is, the foregoing description of the photovoltaic device may be essentially combined with the description of the present embodiment, except for the changed part.

5 to 8, the solar cell apparatus according to the present exemplary embodiment includes a solar cell panel 11, a prism portion 20, a buffer sheet 41, and a protective substrate 40.

The solar cell panel 11 is disposed under the protective substrate 40. The solar cell panel 11 has a plate shape. The solar cell panel 11 receives sunlight and converts it into electrical energy.

6 to 7, the solar cell panel 11 includes a support substrate 100, a back electrode layer 200, a light absorbing layer 300, a buffer layer 400, a high resistance buffer layer 500, and a window. Layer 600 and a plurality of connections 700.

The support substrate 100 has a plate shape, and the back electrode layer 200, the light absorbing layer 300, the buffer layer 400, the high resistance buffer layer 500, the window layer 600, and the connection portion ( 700).

The support substrate 100 may be an insulator. The support substrate 100 may be a glass substrate, a plastic substrate, or a metal substrate. In more detail, the support substrate 100 may be a soda lime glass substrate. The supporting substrate 100 may be transparent. The support substrate 100 may be rigid or flexible.

The back electrode layer 200 is disposed on the support substrate 100. The back electrode layer 200 is a conductive layer. Examples of the material used for the back electrode layer 200 include a metal such as molybdenum.

In addition, the back electrode layer 200 may include two or more layers. In this case, each of the layers may be formed of the same metal, or may be formed of different metals.

First through holes TH1 are formed in the back electrode layer 200. The first through holes TH1 are open regions that expose the top surface of the support substrate 100. The first through grooves TH1 may have a shape extending in a first direction when viewed from a plane.

The width of the first through holes TH1 may be about 80 μm to 200 μm.

The back electrode layer 200 is divided into a plurality of back electrodes by the first through holes TH1. That is, the back electrodes are defined by the first through holes TH1.

The back electrodes are spaced apart from each other by the first through holes TH1. The back electrodes are arranged in a stripe shape.

Alternatively, the back electrodes may be arranged in a matrix form. At this time, the first through grooves TH1 may be formed in a lattice form when viewed from a plane.

The light absorbing layer 300 is disposed on the back electrode layer 200. In addition, the material included in the light absorbing layer 300 is filled in the first through holes TH1.

The light absorbing layer 300 includes a group I-III-VI compound. For example, the light absorbing layer 300 is copper-indium-gallium-selenide-based (Cu (In, Ga) Se _2; CIGS-based) crystal structure, a copper-indium-selenide-based or copper-gallium-selenide Crystal structure.

The energy band gap of the light absorption layer 300 may be about 1 eV to 1.8 eV.

The buffer layer 400 is disposed on the light absorbing layer 300. The buffer layer 400 includes cadmium sulfide (CdS), and an energy band gap of the buffer layer 400 is about 2.2 eV to 2.4 eV.

The high resistance buffer layer 500 is disposed on the buffer layer 400. The high resistance buffer layer 500 includes zinc oxide (i-ZnO) that is not doped with impurities. The energy bandgap of the high resistance buffer layer 500 is about 3.1 eV to 3.3 eV.

Second through holes (TH2) are formed in the light absorbing layer (300), the buffer layer (400), and the high resistance buffer layer (500). The second through holes (TH2) penetrate the light absorbing layer (300). In addition, the second through holes TH2 are open regions exposing the top surface of the back electrode layer 200.

The second through grooves TH2 are formed adjacent to the first through grooves TH1. That is, a part of the second through grooves TH2 is formed on the side of the first through grooves TH1 when viewed in plan. The second through grooves TH2 extend in the first direction.

The width of the second through holes TH2 may be about 80 μm to about 200 μm.

In addition, the light absorbing layer 300 defines a plurality of light absorbing portions by the second through holes TH2. That is, the light absorbing layer 300 is divided into the light absorbing portions by the second through holes TH2.

The buffer layer 400 is defined as a plurality of buffers by the second through holes TH2. That is, the buffer layer 400 is divided into the buffers by the second through holes TH2.

The high resistance buffer layer 500 is defined as a plurality of high resistance buffers by the second through holes TH2. That is, the high resistance buffer layer 500 is divided into the high resistance buffers by the second through holes TH2.

The window layer 600 is disposed on the high resistance buffer layer 500. The window layer 600 is transparent and is a conductive layer. In addition, the resistance of the window layer 600 is higher than the resistance of the back electrode layer 200.

The window layer 600 includes an oxide. For example, an example of a material used as the window layer 600 may include aluminum doped zinc oxide (AZO) or gallium doped zinc oxide (GZO).

Third through holes TH3 are formed in the buffer layer 400, the high resistance buffer layer 500, and the window layer 600. The third through holes TH3 may pass through part or all of the buffer layer 400, the high resistance buffer layer 500, and the window layer 600. That is, the third through holes TH3 may expose the top surface of the light absorbing layer 300.

The third through grooves TH3 are formed at positions adjacent to the second through grooves TH2. More specifically, the third through-holes TH3 are disposed beside the second through-holes TH2. That is, when viewed in plan, the third through grooves TH3 are arranged next to the second through grooves TH2. The third through grooves TH3 may have a shape extending in the first direction.

The third through holes TH3 pass through the window layer 600. In more detail, the third through holes TH3 may partially or completely pass through the light absorbing layer, the buffer layer 400, and the high resistance buffer layer 500.

The window layer 600 is divided into a plurality of windows by the third through holes TH3. That is, the windows are defined by the third through holes TH3.

The windows have a shape corresponding to the back electrodes. That is, the windows are arranged in a stripe shape. Alternatively, the windows may be arranged in a matrix form.

Further, a plurality of solar cells C1, C2, ... are defined by the third through-holes TH3. More specifically, the solar cells (C1, C2, ...) are defined by the second through-holes (TH2) and the third through-holes (TH3). That is, the photovoltaic device according to the embodiment is divided into the solar cells C1, C2... By the second through holes TH2 and the third through holes TH3. The solar cells C1, C2, ... are connected to each other in a second direction intersecting with the first direction. That is, current can flow in the second direction through the solar cells C1, C2, ....

That is, the solar cell panel 11 includes the support substrate 100 and the solar cells C1, C2... The solar cells C1, C2, ... are disposed on the support substrate 100 and are spaced apart from each other. Further, the solar cells C1, C2, ... are connected in series with each other by the connection portions 700.

The connection parts 700 are disposed inside the second through holes TH2. The connection parts 700 extend downward from the window layer 600 and are connected to the back electrode layer 200. For example, the connection parts 700 extend from the window of the first cell C1 and are connected to the back electrode of the second cell C2.

Therefore, the connection parts 700 connect solar cells C1, C2... Adjacent to each other. In more detail, the connection parts 700 connect the windows and the back electrodes included in the solar cells C1 and C2... Adjacent to each other.

The connection part 700 is formed integrally with the window layer 600. That is, the material used as the connection part 700 is the same as the material used as the window layer 600.

The solar cell panel 11 includes a center region CR (AR) and an outer region OR (NAR).

The central region CR is a region where the solar cells C1, C2... Accordingly, the central region CR is a region for converting incident sunlight into electrical energy.

The outer region OR surrounds the periphery of the central region CR. The outer region OR may be an area other than a portion where the solar cells C1, C2... The outer area OR is an area in which incident sunlight cannot be converted into electrical energy.

The prism portion 20 is disposed around the solar cells C1, C2... The prism portion 20 may surround the solar cells C1, C2... The prism portion 20 is disposed in the outer region OR. The prism portion 20 may have a closed loop shape.

The prism portion 20 may have substantially the same configuration and characteristics as the prism portion 20 in the foregoing embodiment.

The protective substrate 40 is disposed on the solar cell panel 11. The protective substrate 40 is opposite to the solar cell panel 11. The protective substrate 40 may be transparent and have a plate shape. The protective substrate 40 may protect the solar cell panel 11 from external physical shocks and chemical shocks.

The protective substrate 40 may have substantially the same planar shape as the solar cell panel 11. Tempered glass or the like may be used as the protective substrate 40. That is, the protective substrate 40 may be a tempered glass substrate.

The buffer sheet 41 may be disposed between the protective substrate 40 and the solar cell panel 11. The buffer sheet 41 is transparent and may have elasticity. Examples of the material used as the buffer sheet 41 include ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and the like.

In addition, the solar cell apparatus according to the embodiment may further include a frame accommodating the protective substrate 40 and the solar cell panel 11. In particular, the frame may accommodate outer portions of the protective substrate 40 and the solar cell panel 11. An aluminum alloy or the like may be used as the frame.

By the prism portion 20, the incident sunlight may be spectroscopically into light of various colors. Accordingly, the solar cell apparatus according to the embodiment may have various colors and have an improved appearance.

In addition, the prism unit 20 may reflect the incident sunlight and enter the solar cells C1, C2... Accordingly, by the prism unit 20, the photovoltaic device according to the present embodiment may have improved efficiency.

In addition, the features, structures, effects and the like described in the embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of the present invention, and are not necessarily limited to only one embodiment. Furthermore, the features, structures, effects, and the like illustrated in each embodiment may be combined or modified with respect to other embodiments by those skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong. Therefore, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to these combinations and modifications.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed exemplary embodiments, but, on the contrary, It will be understood that various modifications and applications are possible. For example, each component specifically shown in the embodiments can be modified and implemented. It is to be understood that all changes and modifications that come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.

Claims

Board;
A plurality of solar cells disposed on the substrate; And
A prism unit disposed next to the solar cells,
And a top surface of the solar cells and a top surface of the prism portion are disposed on the same plane.

The solar cell apparatus of claim 1, wherein the prism portion and the solar cells are disposed on an upper surface of the substrate.

The method of claim 1, wherein the prism portion comprises a first inclined surface and a second inclined surface inclined with respect to the upper surface of the substrate,
The first inclined surface and the second inclined surface of the solar cell apparatus cross each other.

The method of claim 1, wherein the prism portion comprises an open portion for exposing the upper surface of the substrate,
The solar cells are disposed in the open portion.

The solar cell apparatus of claim 1, wherein the prism unit is disposed between the solar cells.

The solar cell apparatus of claim 1, wherein the prism unit changes a path of incident light.

The method of claim 1, wherein the prism portion comprises a prism pattern,
The prism pattern includes a sloped surface inclined with respect to the upper surface of the substrate.

The solar cell apparatus of claim 1, wherein the prism portion surrounds the solar cells.

The solar cell apparatus of claim 1, wherein the prism portion has a thickness of 0.1 mm to 0.4 mm.