WO2009157368A1

WO2009157368A1 - Apparatus and method for inspecting solar cell module

Info

Publication number: WO2009157368A1
Application number: PCT/JP2009/061147
Authority: WO
Inventors: 俊緒渋谷; 博宣西牟田
Original assignee: 日清紡ホールディングス株式会社
Priority date: 2008-06-26
Filing date: 2009-06-12
Publication date: 2009-12-30
Also published as: JP2010010327A

Abstract

Provided are a method for easily and surely checking disconnection in a solar cell module, and an inspecting apparatus used in the method. The disconnection checking method and the inspecting apparatus includes: a solar cell module (2); a DC power supply (1) which is connected to the positive electrode terminal and the negative electrode terminal of the solar cell module so as to form a predetermined circuit; and a current measuring instrument (3) for measuring a current flowing in the circuit. The solar cell module is judged as a conforming product when a current set by the DC power supply and a current measured by the current measuring instrument are compared with each other and the both currents are substantially the same.

Description

Specification

Solar cell module inspection apparatus and inspection method

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for easily and reliably inspecting disconnection of a solar cell module. Background art

Conventionally, disconnection confirmation (hereinafter also referred to as energization confirmation) in a solar cell module has been performed with a crystalline solar cell module and a thin film solar cell module as follows. Both are done before laminating and after laminating. The inspection environment is generally a factory room where normal illumination light is irradiated.

1. How to check disconnection before laminating crystalline solar cell module.

Solar cell panel, which is a member of the solar cell module (a plurality of solar cells connected in series with tab leads and connected in multiple rows of strings) The tester or multimeter terminal was brought into contact with the positive and negative electrodes, the resistance value was measured, and the disconnection was confirmed.

Figure 7 shows a conventional method for confirming the energization of a solar cell module ^^. With reference to FIG. 7, a conventional method for confirming energization of a solar cell module will be described. The conventional method of confirming the energization of a solar cell module is performed by connecting a digital multimeter B to the solar cell module A as shown in the figure. Here, the resistance value is measured with a digital multimeter B or the like to determine whether the solar cell module A is disconnected. For example, it was judged on the basis of judgment criteria such as determining that the measured resistance value exceeded a certain level and that it was a disconnection.

2. Confirmation of disconnection after laminating of crystalline solar cell module ₉

A solar cell module manufactured by laminating and laminating members constituting the solar cell module is disposed with the glass surface through which light is transmitted facing downward and the back material side that does not transmit light is disposed at the upper side. In this state, the resistance value is measured by bringing the terminals of the tester and digital multimeter into contact with the positive and negative electrodes of the solar cell module.

3. Method for confirming disconnection of thin film solar cell module before laminating.

After attaching the power generation element to the glass plate and attaching the electrodes, the glass plate is turned downward, and the rest is performed in the same manner as for the crystalline solar cell module.

4. Method for checking disconnection after lamination of thin film solar cell module.

The method is the same as the method after laminating the crystalline solar cell module.

In addition, there is no patent document that discloses related technology for confirming disconnection in the manufacturing process of such a solar cell module. As a similar technology, the current generated during power generation in solar cell modules A technique to be viewed is disclosed in Patent Document 1. However, this technology monitors the current value of each string in the solar cell module in order to prevent an electric shock accident when a person touches the solar cell module due to poor insulation of the solar cell module 內 installed on the roof. Therefore, it is different from the technical field of disconnection confirmation (conduction check) in the manufacturing process of solar cell modules.

[Patent Document 1] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2 0 0 1-8 5 7 1 6 Disclosure of the Invention Problems to be Solved by the Invention

However, the conventional method for confirming the energization of the solar cell module and the inspection device have the power generation surface of the solar cell module or solar cell panel facing downward so that light is not directly irradiated to the power generation surface side. Again, since the reflected light is irradiated to the power generation surface side, the solar cell module generates power and generates electromotive force, which causes the following problems.

Even if the tester or digital multimeter terminal is brought into contact with the electrode of the solar cell module or solar cell panel and the resistance value is measured from the flowing current value by applying voltage, the voltage by the tester or digital multimeter is Since the electromotive force generated on the solar cell module side or the solar cell panel side is about 6 to 7 V, for example, the resistance value of the measurement results fluctuates greatly.

In addition, due to large variations due to temporal fluctuations in the amount of light from the surroundings, accurate disconnection confirmation cannot be performed.

Due to the problems described above, it may be judged that the wire is disconnected (defective product) even though it is normal (good product) without being disconnected. In addition, a defective product may be judged as a non-defective product. If such a defective product flows into a subsequent process and is laminated, the solar cell cannot be regenerated. Furthermore, the solar cell is made of silicon and is expensive, and the solar cell module itself in which a plurality of such cells are used becomes a defective product, so the yield deteriorates.

In order to solve such a problem, an object of the present invention is to provide an inspection device for easily and reliably inspecting disconnection of a solar cell module and a method for confirming disconnection thereof.

Means for solving the problem

In order to achieve the above object, a solar cell module inspection apparatus according to a first aspect of the present invention includes a solar cell module, a DC power source connected to a positive terminal and a negative terminal of the solar cell module, and forming a predetermined circuit. And a current measuring device for measuring a current flowing through the circuit.

The inspection apparatus for a solar cell module according to the second aspect of the present invention is the inspection apparatus according to the first aspect, wherein the current value measured from the current measuring instrument, the current value measured from the current measuring instrument, and the current of the DC power source It further includes a display for displaying at least one of the presence or absence of disconnection of the solar cell module determined by comparing the set values.

The inspection apparatus for a solar cell module according to the third aspect of the present invention is the inspection apparatus according to the first aspect or the second aspect of the present invention, further comprising a computer connected to at least one of the current measuring instrument and the display. It is characterized by including.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided the solar cell module inspection apparatus according to any one of the first aspect to the third aspect of the present invention, wherein the inspection apparatus is connected to the computer, The apparatus further includes a marking device that marks all or part of the data transferred to the solar cell module.

The disconnection confirmation method for a solar cell module of the fifth aspect of the present invention includes a step of forming a circuit of a solar cell module and a DC power source, a step of applying a current to the solar cell module by the DC power source, The method includes a determination step of comparing the applied current setting value with the current flowing through the circuit and determining whether the solar cell module is disconnected based on the difference. Here, if the difference is 5% or less, it is determined that there is no disconnection (non-defective product). Furthermore, the determination step displays at least one of a current value flowing through the circuit and a disconnection quality. The invention's effect

According to the solar cell module inspection apparatus and disconnection confirmation method of the present invention, energization confirmation (disconnection confirmation) can be accurately performed without shading the solar cell module in a dark room or the like. Therefore, the inspection apparatus for confirming energization does not require the solar cell module to be shielded from light in a dark room or the like, so the structure is simple and inexpensive.

Brief Description of Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a solar cell module inspection apparatus (disconnection confirmation method) according to the first embodiment.

Fig. 2 is a diagram for explaining the connection of a solar cell module, a DC power source, and a current measuring device.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a solar cell module inspection apparatus (disconnection confirmation method) according to the second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a solar cell module inspection apparatus (disconnection confirmation method) according to the third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a solar cell module inspection apparatus (disconnection confirmation method) according to the fourth embodiment.

6A and 6B are diagrams for explaining the constituent members of the crystalline solar cell module. FIG. 6A is a plan view illustrating the solar cells inside the solar cell, and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view thereof.

Fig. 7 shows a conventional method for confirming the energization of a solar cell module. Explanation of symbols

DC power supply

Solar cell module

Current measuring instrument

display

Computer

Marking device

Back material

Filler

A string

Electrode

Solar cells

Lead

Solar panel

Solar cell module

Digital Multimer Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

Hereinafter, a solar cell module inspection device (disconnection confirmation method) according to the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. .

[Example 1],

Referring to FIG. 1, the inspection apparatus (disconnection confirmation method) of the present invention includes a DC power source 1 that applies a constant current, a solar cell module 2, and a current measuring device 3 such as a digital multimeter. Here, the DC power source is connected to the positive terminal and the negative terminal of the solar cell module to form a predetermined circuit, and the current measuring device is installed to measure the current flowing through the circuit.

Here, the structure of the crystalline solar cell module as the object to be measured will be schematically described.

Fig. 6 is a diagram for explaining the configuration of the crystalline solar cell module. Fig. 6 (a) is a plan view showing the solar cells inside the solar cell, and Fig. 6 (b) is a cross-sectional view thereof. is there.

As shown in the plan view of FIG. 6 (a), the solar cell as the solar cell module 2 forms a string 25 in which a plurality of square solar cell cells 28 are connected in series by lead wires 29. Further, the solar cell panel 30 is formed by connecting the strings with a plurality of lead wires 29.

The cross-sectional structure of the solar cell module is as shown in Fig. 6 (b). In this configuration, a plurality of strings 25 are sandwiched between fillers 2 3 and 2 4 between 2 2 and a transparent cover glass 21 disposed on the lower side. Here, the back material 22 is made of, for example, PET or a fluorine resin, and the fillers 23, 24 are made of, for example, EVA resin (polyethylene butyl acetate resin). The string 25 has a configuration in which the solar cells 28 are connected via the lead wires 29 between the electrodes 26 and 27 as described above.

Such a solar cell module is obtained by laminating components by laminating constituent members as described above, applying a pressure under a vacuum heating condition by using a laminating apparatus, etc., and subjecting EVA to a crosslinking reaction. EVA is usually translucent, but becomes transparent during the laminating process or subsequent cross-linking reaction.

Next, the structure of the thin film solar cell module as the object to be measured will be schematically described.

'In a typical thin-film structure example, a power generating element consisting of a transparent electrode, a semiconductor, and a back electrode is pre-deposited on the transparent power per glass arranged on the lower side. Such a thin-film solar cell module has a structure in which a transparent cover glass is arranged downward, a filler is covered on the solar cell element on the glass, and a back material is covered on the filler. It can be obtained by laminating in the same manner as described above.

As described above, the thin-film solar cell as the solar cell module 2 is simply changed to a power generation element on which a crystal cell is deposited, and the basic sealing structure is the same as that of the crystal cell described above. 'An example in which the above solar cell module is connected to a DC power source will be described with reference to FIG. Connect the positive electrode 26 of the solar cell module 2 to one terminal of the current measuring device 3, and connect the other terminal of the current measuring device 3 to the positive electrode of the DC power source 1. Furthermore, the negative electrode 27 of the solar cell module 2 and the negative terminal of the DC power source 1 are connected. In this way, a measurement circuit is formed.

According to the disconnection confirmation method for a solar cell module of the present invention, when a circuit is formed as described above, when a constant current is supplied from the DC power source 1 and the energization of the solar cell module 2 is confirmed, the current measuring device 3 Measure the current value. At this time, if almost the same current value is measured with respect to the current setting value applied to the solar cell module 2 from the DC power source 1, this can be determined as a non-defective product.

For example, the set current applied from the DC power supply is compared with the current flowing through the circuit, and if the difference is 5% or less, it can be judged as a non-defective product.

The results have been verified by various experiments such as the following. Here, a digital multimeter 3 2 3 8 (manufactured by Hioki Electric) was used as the current measuring device, and a PWR 400 M (manufactured by Kikusui Electronics) was used as the DC power source. In addition, the solar cell module used in the experiment was assumed not to be disconnected in both the experimental example and the comparative experimental example.

[Experiment 1]

With the thin film module placed under the fluorescent lamp 1? With the cover glass facing down, the current setting and current value of the digital multimeter were measured while changing the current setting of the DC power supply. The results are shown in Table 1. The description in the remarks column in the table indicates how many times the current setting current is I sc (short-circuit current) of the measurement solar cell module. [table 1 ]

Down, under fluorescent light

[Experiment 2]

The current value and voltage value of the digital multimeter were measured in the same manner as in Experimental Example 1 except that the cover glass surface was facing upward. The results are shown in Table 2. The description in the remarks column in the table indicates how many times the current setting current is I s c (short-circuit current) of the measurement solar cell module.

[Table 2]

Upward, under fluorescent light

[Experiment 3]

The current value and voltage value of the digital multimeter were measured in the same manner as in Experimental Example 1 except that the entire thin film module was shielded from light. The results are shown in Table 3. The description in the remarks column in the table indicates how many times the current setting current is I s c (short circuit current) of the measurement solar cell module.

[Table 3]

Shading

[Experiment 4]

Except for changing the solar cell module from a thin film module to a single module, the current and voltage values of the digital multimeter were measured in the same manner as in Experimental Example 1. Table 4 shows the results. In the remarks column in the table, the current setting current is I sc (short-circuit current) of the measurement solar cell module. It shows how many times.

[Table 4]

Down, under fluorescent light

[Experiment 5]

The current value and voltage value of the digital multimeter were measured in the same manner as in Experimental Example 2 except that the solar cell module was changed from the thin film module to the single crystal module. The results are shown in Table 5. The description in the remarks column in the table shows how many times the current setting current is I s c (short circuit current) of the measurement solar cell module.

[Table 5]

Upward, under fluorescent light

[Experiment 6]

The current value and value of the digital multimeter were measured in the same manner as in Experimental Example 3 except that the solar cell module was changed from the thin film module to the single crystal module. The results are shown in Table 6. The description in the remarks column in the table indicates how many times the current setting current is I sc (short-circuit current) of the measurement solar cell module. [Table 6] Shading condition

[Comparative Experiment Example 1]

The resistance of the thin film module was measured with a digital multimeter as shown in Fig. 7 under the fluorescent lamp with the cover glass facing downward under the fluorescent lamp as in Experimental Example 1, and the entire thin film module was measured as in Experimental Example 3. The resistance value was measured with a digital multimeter in a light-shielded state. The results are shown in Table 7. When the solar cell module is oriented downward under a fluorescent lamp, the measured resistance value is infinite and exceeds the measurement limit (100 Mohm) of the digital multimeter.

From this result, it can be seen that the measured resistance varies greatly depending on the attitude of the solar cell module. When facing downward under a fluorescent lamp, the solar cell module being measured is a good product without disconnection, but cannot be distinguished from a defective product with disconnection.

7]

[Comparative Experiment 2]

The resistance value was measured with a digital multimeter as shown in Fig. 7 in the same manner as in Comparative Experimental Example 1 except that the solar cell module was changed from the thin film module to the single crystal module. The results are shown in Table 8.

As a result, it can be seen that, as in Table 7, the measured resistance varies greatly depending on the orientation of the solar cell module. When facing downward under a fluorescent lamp, the solar cell module being measured is a good product without disconnection, but cannot be distinguished from a defective product with disconnection.

[Table 8] Solar cell module attitude measurement resistance (Ω)

Downward, under fluorescent light 57M

Shading condition 1120 The results of the experiment are summarized as follows.

From the results of Experimental Example 1 to Experimental Example 6, the disconnection confirmation method of the present invention has almost the same current value with respect to the current setting value applied from the DC power source 1 to the solar cell module 2 regardless of the attitude of the solar cell module 2. It has been measured. Although not described in the experimental example, if a similar test is performed on a solar cell module with poor electrical conductivity, the current value displayed on the current measuring device 3 is almost zero.

On the other hand, the results measured by the conventional method in Comparative Experimental Examples 1 and 2 show that the solar cell module has good electrical conductivity without disconnection, but the resistance value displayed on the digital multimeter depends on the attitude of the solar cell module. Is not stable. Therefore, it can be seen that the conventional energization confirmation method cannot distinguish between poorly energized products and non-energized products.

Further, according to the result of the experimental example and the result of the comparative experimental example, it is understood that the disconnection confirmation method of the present invention is an effective method for accurately determining the distinction between the poorly energized product and the non-energized product.

[Example 2]

In the second embodiment, the display 4 is added to the first embodiment.

The second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The display 4 has the following functions. It has a function to display the current value measured by the current measuring device 3 numerically with L E D etc. In addition, the current value measured from the current measuring device 3 is compared with a preset current set value, and a function of displaying “OK”, “NG”, etc., indicating whether the solar cell module 2 is disconnected or not is provided. ing. These indications such as “OK” and “NG” can be displayed visually or auditorily. It can also be output to external devices as electronic information or electrical signals.

[Example 3]

In the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the operator always needs to monitor the display of the current measuring device 3 and the display result of the display device 4. In the third embodiment, a computer 5 is added.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a solar cell module inspection device (disconnection confirmation method) according to the third embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 4, the computer 5 is connected to the current measuring device 3, and when the solar cell module is inspected one by one, the history data of pass / fail is recorded and stored. By doing so, product quality control becomes easier. Although not shown, the computer 5 can be connected to the display 4 in FIG.

[Example 4]

In the fourth embodiment, the marking device 6 is used in comparison with the third embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the marking device 6 receives the inspection result from the computer 5 and laser-marks the measured current value on the back material of the solar cell module 2. This As a result, the data stored in the computer 5 and the information on the product (solar cell module 2) are linked, making history management and the like more convenient.

Claims

The scope of the claims

1. With solar cell module,

• Connected to the positive and negative terminals of the solar cell module to form a predetermined circuit

DC power supply,

An apparatus for inspecting a solar cell module, comprising: a current measuring device that measures a current flowing through the circuit.

2. a current value measured from the current measuring instrument;

And a display for displaying at least either power of the presence or absence of disconnection of the solar cell module determined by comparing the current value measured from the current measuring instrument and the current set value of the DC power source. The solar cell module inspection device according to claim 1.

3. The solar cell module inspection apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a computer connected to at least one of the current measuring device and the display device.

4. a marking device connected to the computer and marking all or part of the data transferred to the computer from the difference between the current measuring device and the display device on the solar cell module; The solar cell module inspection apparatus according to any one of claims 1 to 3, which is a special feature.

5. Forming a circuit between the solar cell module and the DC power source;

The step of applying a current to the solar cell module by the D crn, comparing the applied current setting value with the current flowing through the circuit, and determining whether the solar cell module is disconnected or not based on the difference A method for confirming disconnection of a solar cell module, comprising:

6. The method for confirming disconnection of a solar cell module according to claim 5, wherein if the difference is within 5%, it is determined that there is no disconnection (good product).

7. The method for confirming disconnection of a solar cell module according to claim 5, wherein the determination step displays at least one of a current value flowing through the circuit and whether the disconnection is good or bad.