KR102658363B1 - Transparent tandem photovoltaic module and manufacturing method thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The light-transmitting tandem solar cell module includes a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate facing each other; a thin film substrate including a plurality of first solar cells and a plurality of light transmitting units interposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate and arranged alternately; a plurality of second solar cells interposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, disposed corresponding to the light-transmitting portion of the thin film substrate, and perpendicular to or inclined with respect to the thin film substrate; and a sealing member interposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate and sealing between the first plurality of solar cells and the plurality of second solar cells.

Description

Transmissive tandem solar cell module and method of manufacturing the same {TRANSPARENT TANDEM PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULE AND MANUFACTURING METHOD THEREOF}

The present invention relates to the manufacture of a light-transmitting solar cell module, and more specifically, to the manufacture of a see-through type solar cell power generation module that increases light transmittance.

Recently, interest in new and renewable energy is increasing due to global environmental issues, depletion of fossil energy such as oil, natural gas, and coal, waste disposal from nuclear power generation, and location selection for new power plant construction. In particular, solar power generation has low environmental pollution, low noise, and does not require many mechanical facilities, making it eco-friendly and sustainable clean energy. Therefore, research and development of solar cells using solar power is actively underway both domestically and internationally.

These solar cells can be installed in agricultural fields, etc. to produce electricity and grow crops at the same time, and can be installed on top of soundproof tunnels.

However, solar power generation still requires a large area due to low energy conversion efficiency, and due to the nature of solar cells that block light, shading is generated and plants cannot survive, raising spatial issues.

As a result, research on transparent solar cells is actively underway, but is still at the research and development level due to low energy conversion efficiency. Accordingly, research is in progress on see-through solar cells by adjusting the spacing of solar cells so that they can produce electricity without completely blocking the light from the solar cells. However, increasing the amount of light passing through is in progress. There is a trade-off problem in which conversion efficiency decreases. In other words, see-thru type solar panels have the problem that when the spacing between cells is increased, the amount of light increases but energy conversion efficiency decreases.

Therefore, there is a need to develop solar cells that can allow appropriate light to pass through while maximizing energy conversion efficiency.

Meanwhile, tandem solar cells have recently been developed to increase solar cell efficiency. A tandem solar cell is formed by sequentially stacking two or more solar cell layers made of materials with different optical bandgaps. A tandem solar cell is equipped with a semiconductor layer (Top Cell) made of a material with a wide band gap in the part close to the light incident surface, and a semiconductor layer made of a material with a relatively narrow band gap in the part far from the light incident surface. It has a structure with (Bottom Cell) inserted. In general, tandem solar cells are implemented through stacking of similar types of semiconductor materials with different band gaps, that is, stacking between inorganic materials or stacking between organic materials, but in some cases, they can also be implemented through stacking between different types of semiconductor materials. These tandem solar cells have the advantage of improving the light conversion efficiency of solar cells by complementing each other's shortcomings.

The present invention was created to solve the above-mentioned problem, and its purpose is to provide a translucent tandem solar cell module that allows appropriate light to pass through while maximizing energy conversion efficiency, and a method of manufacturing the same.

In order to solve the above-described problem, a light-transmitting tandem solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate facing each other; a thin film substrate including a plurality of first solar cells and a plurality of light transmitting units interposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate and arranged alternately; a plurality of second solar cells interposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate, disposed corresponding to the light-transmitting portion of the thin film substrate, and perpendicular to or inclined with respect to the thin film substrate; and a sealing member interposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate and sealing between the first plurality of solar cells and the plurality of second solar cells.

The transmissive tandem solar cell module may further include a diffusion lens formed on the first transparent substrate and diffusing light incident to the transmissive tandem solar cell module downward.

The light-transmitting tandem solar cell module may further include a plurality of connection members connecting the second solar cells to each other.

The area of the light transmitting portion may be 40% of the total area of the second transparent substrate.

The light transmitting portion may be formed through a scribing process.

The diffusion lens may have one of a concave lens shape, a spherical shape, and a prism shape.

The area of the diffusion lens may be the same as the area of the light transmitting portion or may be larger than the area of the light transmitting portion.

A method of manufacturing a translucent tandem solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention includes forming a solar cell thin film on a thin film substrate; scribing the thin film substrate in a predetermined pattern to form a plurality of light transmitting portions and a plurality of first solar cells on the thin film substrate; Arranging a plurality of second solar cells vertically or at an angle corresponding to the plurality of light transmitting units; Bonding a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate to the upper and lower portions of the first solar cells and the second solar cells; and sealing between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate using a sealing member.

The scribing can be performed through laser or mechanical processing.

The first transparent substrate may include a diffusion lens at a position corresponding to the light transmitting unit.

The area of the diffusion lens may be the same as the area of the light transmitting portion or may be larger than the area of the light transmitting portion.

The transmissive tandem solar cell module according to the present invention improves the light conversion efficiency and service life of solar cells by implementing two or more layers of different types of solar cells, and at the same time uses a transmissive diffusion lens to minimize shading. By installing it at the bottom of a tandem solar cell module, the light incident through the light transmitting part of the transmission type solar cell module can be diffused to the bottom by a diffusion lens formed at the bottom. Accordingly, the light-transmitting tandem solar cell module of the present invention can be installed in agricultural fields, etc. to simultaneously produce electricity and grow crops. In addition, the light-transmitting tandem solar cell module of the present invention can be applied to the top of a soundproof tunnel, etc.

Figure 1 is a front view of a light-transmitting tandem solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the light-transmitting tandem solar cell module of Figure 1.
Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of a light-transmitting tandem solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a light-transmitting tandem solar cell module according to another embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 5 shows the manufacturing process of a translucent tandem solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 shows a photograph of a translucent tandem solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings. However, in describing the embodiments, if it is determined that specific descriptions of related known functions or configurations may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, detailed descriptions thereof will be omitted. Additionally, the size of each component in the drawings may be exaggerated for explanation and does not mean the actual size.

Hereinafter, a light-transmitting tandem solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3.

Figure 1 is a front view of a light-transmitting tandem solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the light-transmitting tandem solar cell module of Figure 1, and Figure 3 is a light-transmitting tandem solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention. This is a cross-sectional view of a tandem solar cell module.

A light-transmitting solar cell module 1000 according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a first transparent substrate 100 and a second transparent substrate 200 facing each other, interposed between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate. and a thin film substrate 400 including a plurality of first solar cells 410 and a plurality of light transmitting parts 420 arranged alternately, between the first transparent substrate 100 and the second transparent substrate 200. A plurality of second solar cells 300 are disposed corresponding to the light transmitting portion 420 of the thin film substrate 400 and are perpendicular or inclined with respect to the thin film substrate 400, and the first transparent substrate. It is interposed between 100 and the second transparent substrate 200 and includes a sealing member 500 that seals between the plurality of first solar cells 410 and the plurality of second solar cells 300.

The first transparent substrate 100 is transparent and has a plate shape. The first transparent substrate 100 is an insulator. The first transparent substrate 100 may be, for example, a glass substrate or a plastic substrate. More specifically, examples of materials used as the first transparent substrate 100 include glass, tempered glass, or transparent polymer. More specifically, examples of materials used as the first transparent substrate include polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylonitrile styrene (AS), polystyrene (PS), and polycarbonate (polycarbonate). PC), polyethersulfone (PES), polyamide (PA), polyesterimide (PEI), and polymethylpentene (PMP).

The second transparent substrate 200 is disposed on one side of the first transparent substrate 100. The second transparent substrate 200 is spaced apart from the first transparent substrate 100 and faces the first transparent substrate 100 .

The second transparent substrate 200 is transparent and has a plate shape. The second transparent substrate 200 is an insulator. The second transparent substrate 200 may be, for example, a glass substrate or a plastic substrate. More specifically, examples of materials used as the second transparent substrate 200 include glass, tempered glass, or transparent polymer. More specifically, examples of materials used as the second transparent substrate include polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), acrylonitrile styrene (AS), polystyrene (PS), and polycarbonate (polycarbonate). PC), polyethersulfone (PES), polyamide (PA), polyesterimide (PEI), and polymethylpentene (PMP).

The thin film substrate 400 is interposed between the first transparent substrate 100 and the second transparent substrate 200 and includes a plurality of first solar cells 410 and a plurality of light transmitting parts 420 arranged alternately. Includes.

In FIG. 3, the thin film substrate 400 is disposed on the second transparent substrate 200. In another embodiment, the thin film substrate 400 may be disposed on the first transparent substrate 100.

A plurality of first solar cells 410 may be formed from a thin film formed on the thin film substrate 400. The thin film may be formed by depositing a back reflective electrode layer, a light absorption layer, and a front transparent electrode layer on the thin film substrate 400 in that order. In this structure, sunlight passes through the front transparent electrode layer and is absorbed in the light absorption layer, and light that passes through the light absorption layer without being absorbed is reflected by the rear reflection electrode layer and is absorbed again.

At this time, the front transparent electrode layer forms a light-receiving surface on which light is incident, so a transparent conductive material such as ZnO is used. As the substrate area becomes larger, a problem occurs in which power loss increases due to the resistance of the transparent conductive material. .

Accordingly, a method has been developed to minimize power loss due to the resistance of a transparent conductor by dividing the thin film into a plurality of unit cells and forming a structure in which the plurality of unit cells are connected in series (monolithic integration).

That is, the plurality of first solar cells 410 correspond to a plurality of unit cells. A plurality of unit cells may be created through a scribing process in which a thin film deposited on the thin film substrate 400 is scribed according to a predetermined pattern. The scribing process can be performed by a laser or mechanical scribing device.

Additionally, according to the present invention, a plurality of light transmitting portions 420 are formed between the plurality of first solar cells 410. The distance or spacing between the plurality of light transmitting portions 420 is different from the plurality of first solar cells 410 . The plurality of light transmitting portions 420 are formed to be larger than the spacing between the plurality of unit cells. A plurality of light transmitting portions 420 may be formed through a scribing process.

The plurality of light transmitting portions 420 may be formed through a scribing process in which a thin film formed on the thin film substrate 400 is scribed according to a predetermined pattern to form a plurality of unit cells.

According to another embodiment, the plurality of light transmitting portions 420 may be formed through a scribing process different from the above scribing process. For example, the plurality of light transmitting parts 420 are created by scribing the thin film formed on the thin film substrate 400 according to a predetermined pattern and then through a separate scribing process to form the plurality of light transmitting parts 420. can be formed.

The number of light transmitting parts 420 is preferably approximately 40% of the total area of the thin film substrate 400 (a level at which crops can grow), and the area of the multiple light transmitting parts 420 is equal to the area of the scribing area. It can be adjusted through Accordingly, the area of the light transmitting portion and the area of the plurality of first solar cells 410 may be approximately 4:6 in the entire area of the thin film substrate 400.

The scribing process can be processed on the back or front of the thin film substrate using a laser, and can also be performed by mechanical processing.

A plurality of second solar cells 300 are interposed between the first transparent substrate 100 and the second transparent substrate 200, and are disposed corresponding to the light transmitting portion 420 of the thin film substrate 400. It is positioned perpendicular or inclined to the thin film substrate 400.

The second solar cells 300 are disposed on the first transparent substrate 100. In more detail, the second solar cells 300 are interposed between the first transparent substrate 100 and the second transparent substrate 200. The second solar cells 300 face each other and are spaced apart from each other. The second solar cells 300 may be arranged parallel to each other.

The second solar cells 300 are disposed between the first transparent substrate 100 and the second transparent substrate 200 at a position corresponding to the light transmitting portion 420 of the thin film substrate 400. In other words, the second solar cells 300 are connected to the thin film substrate 400 or the first transparent substrate 100 or the second transparent substrate 200 at the location of the light transmitting portion 420 of the thin film substrate 400. It is positioned perpendicularly or obliquely with respect to.

At this time, since the second solar cells 300 are perpendicular to or inclined to the first transparent substrate 100 and the second transparent substrate 200, the transmissive tandem solar cell module according to the embodiment has a wide transmission area. has That is, the transmissive tandem solar cell module according to the embodiment has a wider transmission area than when the second solar cells 300 are horizontal to the transparent substrate.

In more detail, when the second solar cells 300 are perpendicular to the first transparent substrate 100 or the thin film substrate 400, except for the portion corresponding to the side surface of the second solar cells 300 , the remaining portion may be a transmission area.

Additionally, when the light-transmitting tandem solar cell module according to the embodiment is used as a window, sunlight incident from the outside can be efficiently incident on the second solar cells 300. That is, the angle of incidence of sunlight on the second solar cells 300 can be improved.

The translucent tandem solar cell module according to one embodiment improves the angle of incidence of sunlight on the second solar cells 300 compared to the case where the second solar cells 300 are horizontal to the first transparent substrate. You can do it.

For example, the angle between the first and second transparent substrates 200 and the second solar cells 300 may be approximately 90°. The angle between the first and second transparent substrates 200 and the second solar cells 300 may be about 45° to about 85°.

By appropriately adjusting the distance between the second solar cells 300 and the degree of inclination of the second solar cells 300, the light incident on the second solar cells 300 can be adjusted. By adjusting the spacing between the second solar cells 300 and the tilt angle of the second solar cells 300, the photo-electric conversion efficiency of the solar power generation device according to the embodiment can be maximized.

The second solar cells 300 receive incident sunlight and convert it into electrical energy. The second solar cells 300 may be, for example, a CIGS-based solar cell, a silicon-based solar cell, a dye-sensitized solar cell, a II-VI compound semiconductor solar cell, or a III-V compound semiconductor solar cell. .

For example, the second solar cells 300 may include a first electrode, a photoelectric conversion layer disposed on the first electrode, and a second electrode disposed on the photoelectric conversion layer. .

Connecting members (not shown) connect the second solar cells 300 to each other. The connection members may connect the second solar cells 300 in series, parallel, or series-parallel. The connecting members may be conductive tapes or conductive wires.

The connection members may be disposed on the side of the first transparent substrate 100. That is, the second solar cells 300 protrude from the side of the transparent substrate, and the connecting members may be connected to the protruding portion of the solar cell.

Alternatively, the connecting members may be interposed between the first transparent substrate 100 and the second transparent substrate 200.

The sealing member 500 is interposed between the first transparent substrate 100 and the second transparent substrate 200, and connects the plurality of first solar cells 410 and the plurality of second solar cells ( 300) seal the space.

The sealing member 500 is a filler filled between the first transparent substrate 100 and the second transparent substrate 200. Additionally, the sealing member 500 is adhered to the first transparent substrate 100 and the thin film substrate 400. Therefore, the sealing member 500 is an adhesive that bonds the first transparent substrate 100 and the thin film substrate 400.

The sealing member 500 surrounds each of the second solar cells 300. The sealing member 500 seals the second solar cells 300. That is, the sealing member 500 is in close contact with the second solar cells 300. The sealing member 500 prevents foreign substances such as moisture from penetrating into the second solar cells 300.

Additionally, the sealing member 500 may surround connection members (not shown). That is, the sealing member 500 can be in close contact with the connecting members. The sealing member 500 seals the second solar cells 300 and the connecting members to prevent corrosion caused by foreign substances such as moisture.

The sealing member 500 is transparent and an insulator. Examples of materials used as the sealing member 500 include transparent resins such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). Additionally, examples of materials used as the sealing member 500 include thermosetting resin or photo-curing resin.

The sealing member 500 may have a higher refractive index than the first transparent substrate 100 and the second transparent substrate 200. Differently, the sealing member 500 may have a refractive index corresponding to the first transparent substrate 100 and the second transparent substrate 200.

In addition, the light-transmitting tandem solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention, although not shown, may further include a frame that is coupled to the edge of the light-transmitting tandem solar cell module to support and protect the light-transmitting tandem solar cell module. The frame can be of any shape that can maintain the shape of the transmissive tandem solar cell module and protect it from external shocks, and can be made of aluminum or any other material to support the transmissive tandem solar cell module.

Meanwhile, the first transparent substrate 100 diffuses light incident on the transmissive tandem solar cell module.

Specifically, the first transparent substrate 100 has a diffusion lens structure that diffuses light incident through the light transmitting portion 420 located between the first solar cells 410 of the light transmitting tandem solar cell module. The structure of the first transparent substrate 100 will be described with reference to FIG. 4.

Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of a light-transmitting tandem solar cell module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, as described above, the first transparent substrate 100 is provided with a diffusion lens 110 at a position corresponding to the light transmitting portion 420 or the second solar cells 300 of the thin film substrate 400. It can be included. The diffusion lens may have a concave lens shape that facilitates light diffusion corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the light transmitting portion 420. Accordingly, when the light incident on the light-transmitting tandem solar cell module reaches the diffusion lens 110 of the first transparent substrate 100, the diffusion lens 110 can diffuse the light downward of the light-transmitting tandem solar cell module. there is.

The concave lens 110 may extend in the longitudinal direction of the light transmitting portion 420. For example, the concave lens 110 may be extended to correspond to the light transmitting portion 420 at a position corresponding to the light transmitting portion 420 of the thin film substrate 400. In this case, the concave lens 110 may have a bar-shaped side cross section.

If the light transmitting portion 420 is formed in the horizontal direction of the thin film substrate 400, that is, in the width direction of the thin film substrate 400, the concave lens 110 also extends in the horizontal direction of the first transparent substrate 100, When the light portion 420 is formed in the longitudinal direction of the thin film substrate 400, that is, in the longitudinal direction of the thin film substrate 400, the concave lens 110 may also extend in the vertical direction of the first transparent substrate 100.

According to another embodiment, a plurality of concave lenses 110 may be disposed to correspond to the light transmitting portion 420. For example, a plurality of concave lenses 110 may be arranged in a row or regularly (eg, in a grid shape) corresponding to the position of the light transmitting unit 420.

The diffusion lens 110 may have the shape of a prism lens that facilitates light diffusion corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the light transmitting portion 420. Accordingly, when the light incident on the light-transmitting tandem solar cell module reaches the diffusion lens 110 of the first transparent substrate 100, the diffusion lens 110 can diffuse the light downward of the light-transmitting tandem solar cell module. there is.

According to another embodiment of the present invention, the diffusion lens 110 may have a hemispherical lens shape that facilitates light diffusion corresponding to the longitudinal direction of the light transmitting portion 420. Accordingly, when the light incident on the light-transmitting tandem solar cell module reaches the diffusion lens 110 of the first transparent substrate 100, the diffusion lens 110 can diffuse the light downward of the light-transmitting tandem solar cell module. there is.

Meanwhile, the diffusion lens may be formed on the first transparent substrate 100 by injection molding. Alternatively, the diffusion lens may be attached to the first transparent substrate 100.

Figure 5 shows the manufacturing process of a translucent tandem solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, first, first solar cells 410 are formed on the thin film substrate 400 (S110). In this case, the first solar cells 410 may correspond to a plurality of unit cells formed on the thin film substrate 400. A plurality of unit cells may be created through a scribing process in which a thin film deposited on the thin film substrate 400 is scribed according to a predetermined pattern. The scribing process may be performed by a laser scribing device.

Next, a scribing process to form the light transmitting portion 420 on the thin film substrate 400 is performed (S120). Accordingly, a light transmitting portion 420 may be formed between the plurality of unit cells. The light transmitting portion 420 may be formed to be larger than the spacing between the plurality of unit cells.

The scribing process can be performed using a laser, and can also be performed by mechanical processing.

Next, the second solar cells 300 may be arranged vertically or inclinedly in response to the light transmitting portion 420 of the thin film substrate 400 (S130).

At this time, the aperture ratio (area of transmittance) of the thin film solar cell through the scribing process can be adjusted through the area of the scribing area. Light can be transmitted through the opening by vertically arranging the second solar cells where the light transmitting part is formed by scribing.

Additionally, when vertically arranged, the spacing can be adjusted to prevent shading from light. The vertically arranged second solar cells can be connected in series or parallel depending on the purpose.

Next, the first transparent substrate 100 and the second transparent substrate 200 are bonded to the upper and lower parts of the first solar cells 410 and the second solar cells 300 to form a transmissive tandem solar cell module. Do it (S140). At this time, the sealing member 500 is used to seal between the first transparent substrate 100 and the second transparent substrate 200.

In this case, a diffusion lens is formed on the lower part of the first transparent substrate 100 so that light from the light transmitting portion 420 can be diffused and shadows can be minimized. According to another embodiment, a diffusion lens may be attached to the lower part of the first transparent substrate 100.

The light-transmitting tandem solar cell module manufactured in the present invention is shown in Figure 7.

Figure 6 shows a photograph of a translucent tandem solar cell module according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, light may pass through the light transmitting portion 420 formed on the thin film substrate 400 of the light transmitting tandem solar cell module. Light incident through the light transmitting portion of the transmissive tandem solar cell module may be diffused downward by the diffusion lens of the first transparent substrate 100 formed at the lower portion.

According to the present invention, a diffusion lens is installed at the bottom of the light-transmitting tandem solar cell module to maximize the area of the solar cell and minimize shading, so that the light incident through the light transmitting part of the light-transmitting tandem solar cell module is directed to the lower part. Since it can diffuse downward by the formed diffusion lens, the light-transmitting tandem solar cell module of the present invention can be installed in agricultural fields, etc. to simultaneously produce electricity and grow crops. In addition, the light-transmitting tandem solar cell module of the present invention can be applied to the top of a soundproof tunnel, etc.

In the detailed description of the present invention as described above, specific embodiments have been described. However, various modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the present invention. The technical idea of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments of the present invention, but should be determined not only by the claims but also by equivalents to the claims.

100: first transparent substrate
200: Second transparent substrate
300: Second solar cell
400: thin film substrate
410: first solar cell
420: Light transmitting part
500: Molding member

Claims (11)

delete delete delete delete delete delete delete Forming a solar cell thin film on a thin film substrate;
scribing the thin film substrate in a predetermined pattern to form a plurality of light transmitting portions and a plurality of first solar cells on the thin film substrate; and
Arranging a plurality of second solar cells vertically or at an angle corresponding to the plurality of light transmitting units;
Bonding a first transparent substrate and a second transparent substrate to the upper and lower portions of the first solar cells and the second solar cells; and
A method of manufacturing a light-transmitting tandem solar cell module comprising the step of sealing between the first transparent substrate and the second transparent substrate using a sealing member. In claim 8,
A method of manufacturing a translucent tandem solar cell module in which the scribing is performed through laser or mechanical processing. In claim 8,
The first transparent substrate includes a diffusion lens at a position corresponding to the light transmitting portion. In claim 10,
A method of manufacturing a light-transmitting tandem solar cell module in which the area of the diffusion lens is the same as the area of the light transmitting part or is larger than the area of the light transmitting part.