KR101632442B1

KR101632442B1 - Solar cell module

Info

Publication number: KR101632442B1
Application number: KR1020090095218A
Authority: KR
Inventors: 이승준; 이헌민; 문태호; 윤원기; 안세원; 어영주
Original assignee: 엘지전자 주식회사
Priority date: 2009-10-07
Filing date: 2009-10-07
Publication date: 2016-06-21
Also published as: KR20110037679A

Abstract

The present invention relates to a solar cell module. A solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of solar cells; A first current collector for collecting positive or negative power generated by the plurality of solar cells; A second current collector for collecting a power source having a polarity different from that of the first current collector; A module frame having a storage space for storing the plurality of solar cells, the module frame including a rear plate and a side plate; And a first terminal block electrically connected to the first current collector, the first current collector installed in the module frame; And a second current collecting box having a second terminal part electrically connected to the second current collecting part and installed in the module frame in a state separated from the first current collecting box.

Solar cell, plug, socket, module frame, collecting box, ribbon

Description

Solar cell module {SOLAR CELL MODULE}

The present invention relates to a solar cell module, and more particularly, to a solar cell module having two current collecting bases.

Recently, as energy resources such as petroleum and coal are expected to be depleted, interest in alternative energy to replace them is increasing, and solar cells that produce electric energy from solar energy are attracting attention.

Silicon wafers and other single-crystal bulk silicon are currently commercially available, but they are not actively utilized because of high manufacturing costs.

In order to solve these problems, researches on thin film solar cells have been actively carried out in recent years. In particular, thin film solar cells using amorphous silicon (a-Si: H) attract a lot of attention as a technology capable of manufacturing a large-area solar cell module at low cost.

The thin film solar cell using amorphous silicon is composed of a glass or SUS substrate, a transparent electrode (TCO) located on the substrate, a silicon power generation layer located on the transparent electrode and used as a PV (photovoltaic) layer, And a back electrode.

A thin film solar cell module having a plurality of thin film solar cells having such a configuration is typically housed inside a module frame, and a current collecting box for collecting electric power generated from the thin film solar cells is installed outside the module frame.

In order to supply the power produced by the thin film solar cell module to the current collecting box, the thin film solar cell module has two ribbons and the two ribbons are formed on the left and right sides of the thin film solar cell module, respectively. At this time, the ribbon formed on the left side can be used to pull out the positive power produced by the thin film solar cell module, and the ribbon formed on the right side can be used to pull out the negative power.

The first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are electrically connected to each other by a connection ribbon or wire (wire or cable), and a positive (+) power source ribbon formed on the left side is electrically connected to the second terminal portion. A minus (-) power source ribbon formed on the right side is electrically connected by a connection ribbon or a wire.

As described above, since the conventional thin film solar cell module has both the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion in one current collecting box, the length of the connecting ribbon or the wire for connecting the terminal portions of the current collecting box to the ribbons is set to be minus The power collecting box is usually located at the middle position of the module frame to form the same or similar from the power source side.

The thin film solar cell module having such a configuration is used as a power generation facility in a state where a plurality of thin film solar cell modules are arranged horizontally or vertically in a support frame. At this time, the current collecting boxes provided respectively in the plurality of thin-film solar cell modules are connected in series or in parallel with the current collecting box outside the module frame by electric wires.

Though the thin film solar cell module has been described above as an example, the conventional solar cell module is configured to be the same as or similar to the structure described above.

However, in the conventional solar cell module, since the current collecting box is located outside the module frame for electrical connection with the neighboring solar cell module, the current collecting box can not be protected from the external environment.

In addition, since the adjacent collecting boxes are connected to each other by electric wires, there is a problem that the wiring work and the electric wire cleaning work are complicated, the electric wires are exposed to the outside and the appearance is not good.

Since the collecting box is located at an intermediate position of the module frame, it is possible to further use a wire or a connecting ribbon to electrically connect the positive power source ribbon and the negative power source ribbon to the corresponding terminal of the power source box, There is a problem that the resistance increases due to the use of the electric wires or the connecting ribbons to reduce the amount of electric current and thereby the power generation amount is reduced.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a solar cell module in which the above problems are eliminated.

A solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a plurality of solar cells; A first current collector for collecting positive or negative power generated by the plurality of solar cells; A second current collector for collecting a power source having a polarity different from that of the first current collector; A module frame having a storage space for storing the plurality of solar cells, the module frame including a rear plate and a side plate; And a first terminal block electrically connected to the first current collector, the first current collector installed in the module frame; And a second current collecting box having a second terminal part electrically connected to the second current collecting part and installed in the module frame in a state separated from the first current collecting box.

The first collecting box and the second collecting box are installed on a side plate or a rear plate of the module frame in a space formed between the solar cell and the module frame, and are located adjacent to the first collecting part and the second collecting part, respectively.

For example, the first current collector and the first current collector may be housed in the left space of the module frame, and the second current collector and the second current collector may be housed in the right space of the module frame.

One of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion has a plug type end and the other terminal portion has a socket type end. Accordingly, the first terminal and the second terminal are coupled to the second terminal and the first terminal of the neighboring module frame by a plug-and-socket method, respectively.

The first current collecting portion and the first terminal portion, the second current collecting portion and the second terminal portion are electrically connected to each other by a connecting ribbon or a wire, and the first current collecting portion and the second current collecting portion are respectively composed of ribbons.

The first terminal portion includes a first fixed terminal to which one end of the connecting ribbon or electric wire is fixed, and a first output terminal whose one end is fixed to the first fixed terminal. The first output terminal includes a metal portion having a bolt fastening hole A bar type connection tab made of metal to be electrically connected with the metal part, an inner tube part surrounding the inner part of the bar type connection tab and an inner tube part surrounding the inner part of the metal part, and an outer tube incorporated to surround part of the inner tube.

The second terminal portion includes a second fixed terminal to which one end of the connecting ribbon or wire is fixed, and a second output terminal having one end fixed to the second fixed terminal, and the second output terminal includes a metal portion having a bolt fastening hole An outer tube surrounding a part of the metal part, a built-in tube fixed inside the outer tube, and a ring-shaped connection tab provided inside the inner tube.

According to this feature, since the current collecting box is located inside the module frame, the current collecting box can be protected from the external environment. Since the electric connection between the adjacent collecting boxes is performed by the plug-and-socket method, the wiring work and the electric wire straightening work are simple, and the time for constructing the electric power generating facility can be shortened.

In addition, since the two current collecting boxes are located on the side portions of the module frame, it is possible to reduce the length of the wires or the connecting ribbons for electrically connecting the positive power source ribbon and the negative power source ribbon to the corresponding terminal portion of the current collector, The cost can be lowered, and the resistance decreases and the amount of current increases due to the reduction of the length of the electric wire or the connecting ribbon. Therefore, the power generation amount can be increased.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention. The present invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. In order to clearly illustrate the present invention in the drawings, portions not related to the description are omitted, and like reference numerals are given to similar portions throughout the specification.

In the drawings, the thickness is enlarged to clearly represent the layers and regions. When a layer, film, region, plate, or the like is referred to as being "on" another portion, it includes not only the case directly above another portion but also the case where there is another portion in between. Conversely, when a part is "directly over" another part, it means that there is no other part in the middle.

Hereinafter, a thin film solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention and a method of manufacturing the same will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view showing a schematic configuration of a solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing the internal configuration of the first current collector box shown in FIG. 1, Fig. 2 is a schematic view showing an internal configuration of a second collecting box shown in Fig. And FIG. 4 is a view illustrating a method of electrically connecting solar cell modules according to an embodiment of the present invention.

First, a thin film solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

The thin film solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a plurality of solar cells 110, a first current collector 120 for collecting positive or negative power generated from the solar cell 110, A second current collector 130 for collecting a power source having a polarity different from that of the solar cell 120, a module including a rear plate 142 and a side plate 144, A frame 140 and a first terminal block 150 electrically connected to the first current collector 120 and electrically connected to the first current collector 160 and the second current collector 130, And a second current collector 180 having a second terminal 170 connected to the module frame 140 and spaced apart from the first current collector 160.

The solar cell 110 may be any one of a silicon solar cell, a thin film solar cell, a fuel-responsive solar cell, and an organic polymer solar cell.

As an example of a thin film solar cell, the solar cell 110 includes a transparent electrode, a silicon generation layer, a back reflection layer, and a rear electrode sequentially stacked on a substrate. Here, the rear reflective layer may be removed as needed.

The transparent electrode may be made of at least one material selected from metal oxides such as tin oxide (SnO ₂ ), zinc oxide (ZnO), and indium tin oxide (ITO). Further, it may be made of a mixed material in which one or more impurities are mixed with the metal oxide.

The silicon generating layer may be formed of an amorphous silicon (p / i / n) thin film or a tandem type silicon thin film layer formed by stacking an amorphous silicon thin film and a microcrystalline silicon thin film.

When the silicon power generation layer is formed of a tandem type silicon based thin film layer, an intermediate transparent conductive layer may be further formed between the amorphous silicon based thin film and the microcrystalline silicon based thin film.

The back electrode may be made of one metal selected from gold (Au), silver (Ag), and aluminum (Al), and is electrically connected to the transparent electrode of the adjacent thin film solar cell.

Though the thin film solar cell has been described above as an example, the embodiment of the present invention is not particularly limited to the type and structure of the solar cell 110.

Accordingly, the plurality of solar cells 110 are connected in series with neighboring solar cells.

The solar cell module includes a first current collector 120 and a second current collector 130 for collecting currents generated in a plurality of solar cell cells electrically connected by the above-described method.

The first current collector 120 and the second current collector 130 are each formed of a conductive interconnector, for example, a strip-shaped ribbon. As shown in FIG. 1, Left and right, respectively.

When the first current collector 120 positioned on the left side is used for a positive (+) power source, the second current collector 130 located on the right side can be used for a minus (-) power source. Of course, the opposite is also possible.

The plurality of solar cells 110 are installed in a module frame 140 having a storage space. To form the storage space, the module frame 140 has a back plate 142 and a side plate 144.

The rear plate 142 may be manufactured integrally with the side plate 144, but may be detachably coupled to the side plate 144 to facilitate maintenance of the solar cell module.

The side plates 144 include an inner plate 144a and an outer plate 144b spaced apart at regular intervals. The inner plate 144a is formed with a hole (not shown) for installing the first current collector 160 or the second current collector 180. The first current collector 160 or the second current collector 180 is installed on the inner plate 144a of the side plates 144 facing each other.

Although not shown, the side plate 144 may be made of a single plate having a constant thickness, for example, a thickness corresponding to the distance between the inner plate 144a and the outer plate 144b. In this case, the side plate 144 may have a groove for receiving the first current collector 160 or the second current collector 180.

When the first current collector 160 and the second current collector 180 are installed on the rear plate 142, the side plate 144 may be formed of a single plate having a small thickness.

The first current collector 160 installed in the inner plate 144a adjacent to the first current collector 120 includes a first terminal unit 150 therein.

The first terminal unit 150 includes a first fixing terminal 152 whose one end is fixed by a soldering method and a second fixing terminal 152 whose one end is connected to the first fixing terminal 152 by a bolt 152 which are fixed to the first output terminal 154. [

At this time, one end of the first output terminal 154 is formed as a plug type. More specifically, the first output terminal 154 includes a metal portion 154b having a bolt fastening hole 154a, a bar-shaped connecting tab 154c made of metal and electrically connected to the metal portion 154b, An inner tube 154d that encloses an inner portion of the bar type connection tab 154c and an inner portion of the metal portion 154b and an outer tube 154e that surrounds a portion of the inner tube 154d.

A threaded portion (not shown) is formed on an outer surface of the external tube 154e to be screwed with the wall 162 of the first current collector 160. When the first output terminal 154 is screwed to a hole (not shown) formed in the wall body 162 and then the bolt is fastened to the bolt fastening hole 154a of the metal part 154b, The first fixed terminal 152 and the first fixed terminal 152 are electrically connected to each other.

The first current collecting box 160 having the first terminal portion 150 having the above-described configuration is connected to the side plate 144 such that the end of the external tube 154e of the first output terminal 154 coincides with the external plate member 144b . When the first housing housing 160 is installed in the side plate 144 in this state, a part of the built-in tube 154d and a part of the bar-shaped connecting tab 154c protrude to the outside of the outer plate member 144b.

The second current collector 180 installed in the inner plate 144a adjacent to the second current collector 130 includes a second terminal unit 170 therein.

The second terminal part 170 includes a second fixed terminal 172 to which one end of the connecting ribbon 190 is fixed by a soldering method and a second fixed terminal 172 whose one end is fixed to the second fixed terminal 172 by a bolt And a second output terminal 174 fixed to the first and second output terminals 172 and 172.

At this time, the first output terminal 154 of the first terminal unit 150 has a plug type end, while the second output terminal 174 of the second terminal unit 170 has a socket type end.

The second output terminal 174 of the second terminal portion 170 includes a metal portion 174b having a bolt fastening hole 174a and an external tube 174c surrounding a part of the metal portion 174b. A built-in tube 174d fixed to the inside of the external tube 174c and a ring-shaped connection tab 174e provided inside the internal tube 174d. Here, the ring-shaped connection tab 174e is formed of a metal material that can be energized as it contacts the connection tab 154c of the first output terminal 154 by utilizing the elasticity of the spring protrusion.

A threaded portion (not shown) is formed on the outer surface of the external tube 174c to be screwed with the wall 182 of the second current collector 180. The second output terminal 174 is screwed to a hole (not shown) formed in the wall 182 and then the bolt is fastened to the bolt fastening hole 174a of the metal part 174b, Is installed in the second current collector 180 while being electrically connected to the second fixed terminal 172.

The second current collector 180 having the second terminal portion 170 of the above-described configuration is connected to the side plate 144 so that the end of the external tube 174c of the second output terminal 174 coincides with the external plate member 144b .

4 shows a state in which the first output terminal 154 and the second output terminal 174 having electrically different polarities are electrically connected to each other when the module frames 140 are physically coupled to each other in such a manner that the side plates 144, As shown in Fig. That is, the bar type connection tab 154c of the first output terminal 154 of the module frame 140 disposed on the right side and the ring type connection tab 174e of the second output terminal 174 of the module frame 140 disposed on the left side Are electrically connected to each other on the same straight line.

When the electrical connecting operation is completed as described above, neighboring module frames can be fixed to each other by a fixing plate (not shown).

Although the first and second output terminals are fixed to the side plates of the module frame in the above description, the first and second output terminals are formed in the form of a wire, and plugs and socket type connections It is also possible to provide a terminal.

According to this configuration, in a state where the first output terminal is connected to the plug-type connection terminal and the second output terminal is connected to the socket-type connection terminal, the neighboring module frame is connected to the plug- Or the like.

In the above-described embodiment, only one terminal portion is provided in the current collecting box. However, two terminal portions are provided in each current collecting box, terminal portions of the same polarity in the same current collecting box are connected by a bypass diode, It is also possible to connect the terminals of the different current collectors by a bypass line.

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, It belongs to the scope of right.

1 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating a schematic configuration of a solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a schematic view showing the internal configuration of the first current collector box shown in Fig.

3 is a schematic view showing the internal configuration of the second current collector box shown in Fig.

4 is a view illustrating a method of electrically connecting solar cell modules according to an embodiment of the present invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

110: solar cell 120: first collector

130: SECOND VOLUME 140: MODULAR FRAME

150: first terminal part 160: first housing

170: second terminal part 180: second collecting box

Claims

A plurality of solar cells;

A first current collector for collecting positive or negative power generated by the plurality of solar cells;

A second current collector for collecting a power source having a polarity different from that of the first current collector;

A module frame having a storage space for storing the plurality of solar cells, the module frame including a rear plate and a side plate;

A first current collector installed in the module frame and having a first terminal portion electrically connected to the first current collector; And

And a second terminal block electrically connected to the second current collector, wherein the second current collector is separated from the first current collector box and separated from the first current collector box,

/ RTI >

Wherein the first housing is accommodated in the rear plate in a space on the left side of the module frame and the second housing is housed in the rear plate in a space on the right side of the module frame.

The method of claim 1,

Wherein the first and second collecting bases are installed on a side plate or a rear plate of the module frame in a space formed between the solar cell and the module frame.

3. The method of claim 2,

Wherein the first current collector and the second current collector are positioned adjacent to the first current collector and the second current collector, respectively.

3. The method of claim 2,

Wherein the first current collector is housed in a space on the left side of the module frame, and the second current collector is housed in a space on the right side of the module frame.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4,

Wherein one of the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion includes a plug type end portion and the other terminal portion has a socket type end portion.

The method of claim 5,

Wherein the first terminal portion and the second terminal portion are respectively coupled to the second terminal portion and the first terminal portion of the neighboring module frame by a plug-socket method.

The method of claim 6,

Wherein the first current collecting portion, the first terminal portion, the second current collecting portion, and the second terminal portion are electrically connected to each other by a connecting ribbon or a wire.

8. The method of claim 7,

Wherein the first terminal portion includes a first fixed terminal to which one end of the connecting ribbon or the electric wire is fixed, and a first output terminal having one end fixed to the first fixed terminal.

9. The method of claim 8,

The first output terminal includes a metal portion having a bolt fastening hole, a bar-shaped connection tab made of metal to be electrically connected to the metal portion, an inner portion of the bar-shaped connection tab and an inner tube surrounding an inner portion of the metal portion, The solar cell module comprising: an outer tube enclosing a part of the outer tube.

8. The method of claim 7,

Wherein the second terminal portion includes a second fixed terminal to which one end of the connecting ribbon or the electric wire is fixed, and a second output terminal having one end fixed to the second fixed terminal.

11. The method of claim 10,

The second output terminal includes a metal portion having a bolt fastening hole, an outer tube surrounding a part of the metal portion, a built-in tube fixed to the inside of the outer tube, and a ring- Solar module.