Solar cell module

Abstract

A solar cell module includes a substrate, a photo-electricity generating device (i.e., a solar cell or a block of solar cells), a filler resin sealing the photo-electricity generating device on the substrate, and a surface film covering the filler resin. An insulating film is inserted between the photo-electricity generating device and the substrate so as to be inside the substrate, and an inorganic fibrous sheet is inserted between the photo-electricity generating device and the surface film so as to be disposed inside the insulating film. The substrate is bent at a portion thereof free from the insulating film. The solar cell member thus provided can exhibit a long-term reliability for outdoor use because of effective suppression of intrusion of moisture thereinto.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART[0001] The present invention relates to a solar cell module including a photo-electricity generating device (i.e., a solar cell or a block of solar cells) fixed with a resin onto a substrate and covered with a surface film. More specifically, the present invention relates to a solar cell module having an excellent inflammability and an excellent moisture resistance and also a bent structure suitable for assembly.[0002] Hitherto, a type of solar cell module including a photo-electricity generating device fixed onto a substrate with a resin and covered with a surface film has been known. As the resin, EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) has been widely used. As the surface film, it has been known to use a film of a fluorine-containing resin, such as tetrafluoroethylene-ethylene copolymer or polyvinyl fluoride, or a transparent fluorine-containing polymer film formed by coating with a fluorine-containing resin paint.[0003] Such a solar cell modu...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

Such a solar cell module having a fluorine-containing polymer as a light-incidence side surfacemost coating material has an inferior scratch resistance than a solar cell module comprising a glass substrate as a light-incidence side surface material.

However, in case where the inorganic fibrous sheet such as glass fiber is exposed to an edge of the solar cell module, external moisture is liable to intrude to lower the electrical insulation or cause a peeling of the laminated module and provide an inferior appearance.

However, the insulating film is disposed to protrude out of the module substrate, and no consideration has been paid to bending of the module substrate.

In a conventional solar cell module having such a structure, a lowering in electrical insulation is inevitably caused when used outdoors for a long period even if the end portion of the glass fiber is prevented from being exposed at the edge of the module and a silane coupling agent is applied to the glass fiber and the surface film.

If it is smaller than the photo-electricity generating device, the cell cannot be sufficiently prevented from an external impact, and the degassing from the module at the time of lamination is liable to be insufficient to leave bubbles within the module.

Hitherto, the surface film 104 and the filler resin 103 can have caused a remarkable degree of buckling after the bending to result in a peeling or a crack at the bend, thereby causing moisture intrusion therethrough.

However, the effect of the treatment has a certain limit, and the surface-treating effect can be deteriorated to result in a lower adhesion after a long-term outdoor exposure or a temperature-humidity cycle test corresponding thereto.

In case where a coated galvanized sheet steel coated with an organic polymer and having excellent weatherability and rust resistance is used as a substrate 107, it particularly shows a weak adhesion and leaves a problem regarding long-term reliability.

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