Solar cell manufacturing method

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for manufacturing a solar cell, which comprises the following steps of: mounting a cell formed by a plurality of thin film layers in a processing space for manufacturing the solar cell; a scribing process of emitting a laser onto the battery to form 'N-1' battery dividing portions for dividing the battery into N unit batteries, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3; a coating process, wherein a conductor material is coated on the battery; a cutting process, wherein the battery is divided into two unit batteries; and a bonding process which is sequentially and immediately performed after the cutting process and is used for bonding the two divided unit cells, in which the cutting process and the bonding process are repeatedly performed.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of the invention patent application with the application date of April 7, 2020, the application number of 202080027772.8, and the invention name of "Method for manufacturing a solar cell". Technical Field

[0002] The present invention relates to a solar cell, and to a solar cell that combines a wafer-type solar cell and a thin-film solar cell. Background Art

[0003] A solar cell is a device that converts light energy into electrical energy based on the characteristics of a semiconductor.

[0004] A solar cell has a PN junction structure, in which a positive (P)-type semiconductor and a negative (N)-type semiconductor are joined to each other in the PN junction structure. When sunlight is incident on the solar cell having the PN junction structure, holes and electrons are generated in the semiconductor by the energy of the incident sunlight. At this time, due to the electric field generated in the PN junction, holes (+) move to the P-type semiconductor, and electrons (-) move to the N-type semiconductor, thereby generating an electric potential to generate energy.

[0005] Solar cells can be classified into thin-film solar cells and wafer-type solar cells.

[0006] A wafer-type solar cell is a solar cell made as a substrate using a semiconductor material such as a silicon wafer, while a thin-film solar cell is a solar cell made as a thin-film type by forming a semiconductor on a substrate such as glass.

[0007] The efficiency of a wafer-type solar cell is superior to that of a thin-film solar cell, but the manufacturing cost of a thin-film solar cell is lower than that of a wafer-type solar cell.

[0008] Therefore, a solar cell that combines a wafer-type solar cell and a thin-film solar cell is provided. Hereinafter, the solar cell in the known art will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0009] Figures 1a to 1d A side schematic view for illustrating a method of manufacturing a solar cell according to the known art.

[0010] First, an installation process of installing the battery 100 is performed in a processing space (not shown) for manufacturing a solar cell, and a plurality of thin film layers are formed on the battery 100. The processing space can be implemented as a whole as a chamber.

[0011] Subsequently, as Figure 1aAs shown, a scribing process of irradiating a laser toward the battery 100 is performed. When the scribing process is performed, a battery dividing portion 200 for dividing the battery 100 into a plurality of battery cells 100a may be formed. The scribing process may be performed by a scribing device 200a that emits a laser to the battery 100.

[0012] Next, as Figure 1b shown, a printing process of printing a conductor material 300 onto the battery 100 is performed. When the printing process is performed, the conductor material 300 may be printed onto the battery 100. The printing process may be performed by a conductor material printer 300a that prints the conductor material 300 onto the battery 100.

[0013] Next, as Figure 1c shown, a cutting process of dividing the battery 100 into a plurality of battery cells 100a is performed. When the cutting process is performed, the battery 100 may be divided into these battery cells 100a via the battery dividing portion 200. As Figure 1c shown, in a case where the battery 100 needs to be divided into five battery cells 100a, 100a', 100a'', 100a''', 100a'''', four cutting processes may be performed.

[0014] Subsequently, as Figure 1d shown, an assembling process of assembling the divided battery cells 100a, 100a', 100a'', 100a''', 100a''''' is performed. The assembling process may be performed by assembling the divided battery cells 100a by using the conductor material 300.

[0015] Subsequently, a curing process of curing the assembled battery cells 100a, 100a', 100a'', 100a''', 100a''''' is performed. Accordingly, a solar cell 1000 of a module type in which the battery cells 100a are connected to each other can be manufactured.

[0016] In this method for manufacturing a solar cell, there is an urgent need to develop a technology that can improve the quality of the solar cell, the manufacturing time of the solar cell, and the manufacturing cost of the solar cell. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0017]

Technical Problem

[0018] The present invention aims to solve the above problems and provide a method for manufacturing a solar cell, which can improve the quality of the solar cell, the manufacturing time of the solar cell, and the manufacturing cost of the solar cell.

[0019]

Technical Solution

[0020] To solve the above technical problems, the present invention may include the following elements.

[0021] The method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention may include a mounting process, a coating process, and a scribing process. The mounting process is used to mount a cell for forming a plurality of thin film layers in a processing space for manufacturing a solar cell. The coating process coats a conductor material on the cell. The scribing process emits a laser toward the cell to form a cell dividing portion for dividing the cell into a plurality of unit cells.

[0022] In the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention, the coating process may be performed before the scribing process.

[0023] In the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention, the coating process and the scribing process may be performed simultaneously.

[0024] The method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention may include a mounting process, a scribing process, a coating process, a cutting process, and a bonding process. The mounting process mounts a cell for forming a plurality of thin film layers in a processing space for manufacturing a solar cell. The scribing process emits a laser onto the cell to form "N - 1" (where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3) cell dividing portions for dividing the cell into N unit cells. The coating process coats a conductor material onto the cell. The cutting process divides the cell into two unit cells. The bonding process is immediately performed in sequence after the cutting process and is used to bond two separated unit cells. The cutting process and the bonding process may be repeatedly performed.

[0025] The method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention may include a cutting process and a bonding process. The cutting process divides a substrate into two blocks along one of the "N - 1" (where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3) cell dividing portions to divide the substrate into N unit blocks. The bonding process bonds the two separated blocks. Each cutting process and bonding process may be repeatedly performed "N - 1" times.

[0026]

Advantageous Effects

[0027] According to the present invention, the following effects can be obtained.

[0028] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the bonding force of the conductor material can be increased, thereby improving the integrity of the bonding process. And, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the probability of cracks occurring in the cell can be reduced, thereby improving the quality of the finished solar cell.

[0029] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the manufacturing time of the solar cell can be reduced, and thus the production yield of the solar cell can be increased. Also, according to an embodiment of the present invention, the equipment cost required for manufacturing the solar cell can be reduced, and thus the manufacturing cost of the solar cell can be decreased.

[0030] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the time taken for the bonding process can be reduced, and thus the production yield of the solar cell can be increased. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] Figures 1a to 1d FIG. is a schematic process side view showing a method of manufacturing a solar cell according to the prior art.

[0032] Figure 2 FIG. is a schematic flow chart of a method of manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention.

[0033] Figure 3a and Figure 3b FIG. is a schematic process side view showing a coating process and a scribing process in a method of manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention.

[0034] Figure 4 FIG. is a schematic process side view showing an exemplary method of manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention using a plurality of conductor material coaters and a plurality of scribing devices.

[0035] Figure 5 FIG. is a schematic process side view showing a cutting process in a method of manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention.

[0036] Figure 6 FIG. is a side view showing a solar cell after a bonding process and a curing process in a method of manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention.

[0037] Figure 7 FIG. is a schematic flow chart of a method of manufacturing a solar cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] Figure 8a and Figure 8b FIG. is a schematic process side view showing an embodiment of a method of manufacturing a solar cell according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Figure 9 FIG. is a schematic flow chart of a method of manufacturing a solar cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] Figure 10 FIG. is a schematic block diagram of a bonding process in a method of manufacturing a solar cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] Figure 11A process side view of a scribing process in a method for manufacturing a solar cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Figure 12 A process side view of a coating process in a method for manufacturing a solar cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0043] Figures 13a to 13e A process side view of a cutting process and a bonding process in a method for manufacturing a solar cell according to a known technique.

[0044] Figures 14a to 14h A process side view of a cutting process and a bonding process in a method for manufacturing a solar cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

[0045] Figures 15a to 15e A process side view of a modular process in a method for manufacturing a solar cell according to a third embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Description of the Invention

[0046] The features of various embodiments of the present invention may be partially or entirely coupled or combined with each other, and may operate differently from each other, and are used (driven) as fully understood by those skilled in the art technically. The embodiments of the present invention may be carried out independently of each other or in a mutually dependent relationship. When describing a positional relationship, for example, when the positional relationship between two components is described as "above", "on top of", "below", and "next to", one or more other components may be placed between these two components unless "only" or "directly" is used. When describing a temporal relationship, for example, when a temporal order is described as "after", "subsequently", "next", and "before", discontinuous cases may be included unless "only" or "directly" is used.

[0047] Hereinafter, an embodiment of a method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0048] The method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention is for manufacturing a solar cell that converts the light energy of sunlight into electrical energy. The method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention can be used to manufacture wafer-type solar cells and thin-film solar cells. Hereinafter, an embodiment of a wafer-type solar cell manufactured by the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention will be described, but it is obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art that thin-film solar cells are manufactured by the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention.

[0049] Please refer to Figures 2 to 4, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention may include a mounting process S100, a coating process S200, and a scribing process S300. The mounting process S100 mounts the cell 1 in a processing space for manufacturing a solar cell, where a plurality of thin film layers are formed on the cell 1. The coating process S200 coats the conductor material 20 onto the cell 1. The scribing process S300 emits a laser from a cell dividing portion 30 towards the cell 1 to divide the cell 1 into a plurality of unit cells 10.

[0050] Before performing the mounting process S100, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention may include a cell manufacturing process of forming these thin film layers on a substrate. Before describing the mounting process S100, the coating process S200, and the scribing process S300, the cell manufacturing process will be described in detail with reference to the related drawings.

[0051] The cell manufacturing process is a process of forming these thin film layers on a substrate having a conductive polarity. The cell 1 represents these thin film layers stacked on the substrate. When sunlight is incident on the cell 1, holes and electrons are generated in the cell 1 by the energy of the incident sunlight. When a potential difference occurs in the cell 1 based on the activities of the holes and electrons, the solar cell manufactured by the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention can generate energy. Because the cell manufacturing process is performed, these thin film layers can be stacked on the substrate.

[0052] The cell manufacturing process may include the following processes.

[0053] First, a substrate is prepared. The substrate may include a silicon wafer, and specifically may include an N-type silicon wafer or a P-type silicon wafer. Although not shown, the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate may have an uneven structure, and in this case, each layer formed on the top and bottom surfaces of the substrate is formed in an uneven structure in the following processes.

[0054] Subsequently, a first thin film layer is formed on the substrate. The first thin film layer may be a semiconductor layer formed on the substrate in the form of a thin film. The first thin film layer may form a PN junction together with the substrate. Thus, when the substrate includes an N-type silicon wafer, the first thin film layer may be formed of a P-type semiconductor layer. The first thin film layer may be formed by using a chemical vapor deposition (CVD) process or a similar process. The first thin film layer may be formed in a PIN structure in which a P-type semiconductor material, an I-type semiconductor material, and an N-type semiconductor material are stacked in sequence. When the first thin film layer is formed in the PIN structure in such a manner, the I-type semiconductor material is depleted by the P-type semiconductor material and the N-type semiconductor material, thereby generating an electric field therein, and further causing holes and electrons generated by sunlight to be deflected via the electric field and collected in the P-type semiconductor material and the N-type semiconductor material, respectively. In the case where the first thin film layer is formed in the PIN structure, preferably, the P-type semiconductor material is formed on the first thin film, and then the I-type semiconductor material and the N-type semiconductor material are formed. Since the deflection ability of holes is generally lower than that of electrons, the reason for doing so is to form the P-type semiconductor material at a position close to the light receiving surface to maximize the collection efficiency based on the incident light. The method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention may form the first thin film layer to have a stacked structure. For example, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention may form the first thin film layer to have a stacked structure of a tandem type [tandem (PIN / PIN)] or a triple layer [triple layer (PIN / PIN / PIN)] type. The first thin film layer may be formed on the top surface of the substrate. The first thin film layer may be formed on each of the top surface and the bottom surface of the substrate.

[0055] Subsequently, a second thin film layer is formed on the first thin film layer. The second thin film layer may be a transparent conductor layer formed on the first thin film layer. The second thin film layer may protect the first thin film layer, collect carriers (e.g., holes (+)) generated in the substrate, and move the collected carriers upward. The second thin film layer may include a transparent conductor material such as indium tin oxide (ITO), ZnOH, ZnO:B, ZnO:Al, SnO2, or SnO2:F. The second thin film layer may be formed by using a sputtering process or a metalorganic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) process with a transparent conductor material such as ZnO, ZnO:B, ZnO:Al, or Ag. The second thin film layer has a function of scattering sunlight so that the sunlight can be transmitted at various angles to increase the proportion of light that is incident on the first thin film layer again. The method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention may not form the second thin film layer and may only form the first thin film layer. That is, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the present invention may selectively form the second thin film layer.

[0056] As described above, the battery 1 having two thin film layers formed on a substrate has been mainly described, but this is merely exemplary, and three or more thin film layers may be formed on the substrate.

[0057] The battery manufacturing process may include a process of forming electrodes on a substrate. The electrodes may be separated from the substrate at a specific interval. The process of forming electrodes may be performed before forming the thin film layers on the substrate. The electrodes may be formed on the substrate. For example, the electrodes may be formed on each top surface and bottom surface of the substrate. The electrodes may be formed on the thin film layers. For example, the electrodes may be formed on each top surface and bottom surface of the thin film layers.

[0058] After performing the battery manufacturing process, an installation process S100, a coating process S200, and a scribing process S300 may be performed. Herein, the solar cell manufacturing method according to the present invention is implemented according to multiple embodiments, and thus multiple embodiments of the solar cell manufacturing method according to the present invention will be sequentially described with reference to the relevant drawings below.

[0059] <First Embodiment>

[0060] Please refer to Figures 2 to 6 , the solar cell manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention is implemented as: the coating process S200 is performed before performing the scribing process S300. Therefore, the solar cell manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention can achieve the following effects.

[0061] First, when performing the scribing process S300, fine particles will be formed on the battery 1, and in the solar cell manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention, since the coating process S200 is formed before the scribing process S300, the coating process S200 can be performed in a state where the fine particles generated by the scribing process S300 are not located on the battery 1. Therefore, the solar cell manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention can increase the bonding force of the conductor material 20. Therefore, the solar cell manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention can improve the integrity of the process of bonding the unit cells 10 by using the conductor material 20.

[0062] Second, in the solar cell manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the conductor material 20 can be pre-coated on the area where the scribing process S300 is performed, and then a restraint force is applied via the conductor material 20 to suppress the probability of cracks being generated in the battery 1. Therefore, the solar cell manufacturing method according to the first embodiment of the present invention can improve the quality of the finished solar cells.

[0063] Based on the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the mounting process S100, the coating process S200, and the scribing process S300 can be implemented in the following manner.

[0064] Please refer to Figure 2 , the mounting process S100 can be a process of mounting a battery in a processing space for manufacturing a solar cell. The mounting process can be performed by a loading apparatus (not shown) that loads the battery into the processing space. The processing space can accommodate processing equipment (not shown) required to manufacture a solar cell therein and can be implemented as a cavity as a whole.

[0065] Please refer to Figures 2 to 4 , the coating process S200 can be a process of coating a conductor material 20 onto the battery 1. The coating process S200 can be performed after the mounting process S100. The coating process S200 can be performed by a conductor material coater 2 that coats the conductor material 20. The conductor material coater 2 can coat the conductor material 20 onto a coating area, where the coating area is one of the areas in the battery 1. The conductor material 20 can be implemented as a conductive material. Figure 3a and Figure 3b Schematically shows an example in which a conductor material 20 is coated on the battery 1. In Figures 3a to 4 , the coating process S200 is shown as being performed on the top surface 1a of the battery 1, but this is only an example, and the coating process S200 can be performed on the bottom surface 1b of the battery 1.

[0066] The coating process S200 can include a process of coating a plurality of conductor materials 20 onto the battery 1. In this case, the process of coating a plurality of conductor materials 20 can be performed by a plurality of conductor material coaters 2. For example, as Figure 4As shown, in a case where four conductor materials 20 need to be coated onto the battery 1 simultaneously, the coating process S200 can be performed by four conductor material coaters 2, 2', 2'', 2'''. Thus, when the first conductor material coater 2 coats the conductor material 20 onto the first coating area of the battery 1, the second conductor material coater 2' can coat the conductor material 20 onto a second coating area separated from the first coating area, the third conductor material coater 2'' can coat the conductor material 20 onto a third coating area separated from each of the first coating area and the second coating area, and the fourth conductor material coater 2''' can coat the conductor material 20 onto a fourth coating area separated from each of the first coating area, the second coating area, and the third coating area. In this case, the conductor material coaters 2, 2', 2'', 2''' can be separated from each other at specific intervals. Therefore, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention can be implemented such that the coating process S200 is performed on the entire surface of the battery 1. Therefore, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention can reduce the time taken for the coating process S200. The first coating area, the second coating area, the third coating area, and the fourth coating area can be areas on the top surface 1a of the battery 1.

[0067] Please refer to Figures 2 to 4 , the scribing process S300 can be a process of forming a battery dividing portion 30 for dividing the battery 1 into a plurality of unit cells 10. The scribing process S300 can be performed after the coating process S200. The scribing process S300 can be performed by a scribing device 3 that emits a laser toward the battery 1. The scribing device 3 can emit the laser onto a scribing area, where the scribing area is an area of the battery 1. The scribing area and the coating area can be provided in different areas of the battery 1. Figure 3b and Figure 4 The arrows shown by one-dot-dashed lines in Figure 3b and Figure 4 schematically show the laser emitted by the scribing device 3. In

[0068] The scribing process S300 can be performed by emitting a laser toward the battery 1. Thus, by removing a specific area in the battery 1, the battery dividing portion 30 can be formed. The battery dividing portion 30 can be implemented as a groove, where the groove is recessed from the surface of the battery 1 by a specific depth. The battery dividing portion 30 can be formed to extend from one side of the battery 1 to the other side of the battery 1. Figure 3b Shows a battery dividing portion 30 formed on the battery 1.

[0069] The scribing process S300 may be a process of forming a plurality of cell dividing portions 30 on the battery 1. In this case, the process of forming these cell dividing portions 30 may be performed by a plurality of scribing apparatuses 3. For example, as Figure 4 shown, in the case where it is necessary to simultaneously form four cell dividing portions 30 on the battery 1, the scribing process S300 may be performed by four scribing apparatuses 3, 3', 3'', 3'''. Therefore, when the first scribing apparatus 3 emits laser light onto the first scribing area of the battery 1, the second scribing apparatus 3' may emit laser light onto a second scribing area separated from the first scribing area, the third scribing apparatus 3'' may emit laser light onto a third scribing area separated from each of the first scribing area and the second scribing area, and the fourth scribing apparatus 3''' may emit laser light onto a fourth scribing area separated from each of the first scribing area, the second scribing area, and the third scribing area. In this case, the scribing apparatuses 3, 3', 3'', 3''' may be arranged to be separated from each other at a specific interval. Therefore, the method of manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be implemented such that the scribing process S300 is performed on the entire surface of the battery 1. Therefore, the method of manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention may reduce the time taken for the scribing process S300. The first scribing area, the second scribing area, the third scribing area, and the fourth scribing area may be areas of the bottom surface 1b of the battery 1.

[0070] The scribing process S300 may be performed by emitting laser light onto the coating area. In this case, the scribing process S300 and the coating process S200 may be performed on the same surface of the battery 1. Therefore, the method of manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be implemented to emit laser light onto an area where a conductor material 20 has been previously coated, thereby reducing the probability of cracks generated due to the scribing process S300. Therefore, the method of manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention may improve the quality of the solar cell.

[0071] In the case where the scribing process S300 is performed and laser light is emitted onto the area where the conductor material 20 has been coated, the coating process S200 may be performed by using a transparent conductive film (TCF) such that the laser light is emitted onto the battery 1. Therefore, the method of manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention may reduce the probability of generating cracks and may achieve the transmissive force that allows the laser light to pass through the conductor material 20.

[0072] Please refer to Figures 3a to 4, the coating process S200 and the scribing process S300 can be performed at different positions on the battery 1. For example, in the case where the scribing process S300 is performed in the first scribing area, the coating process S200 can be performed in the first coating area separated from the first scribing area. Therefore, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention can separate the area where the coating process S200 is performed from the area where the scribing process S300 is performed, thereby applying a restraining force to suppress the curing of the conductor material 20 due to the laser temperature.

[0073] The coating process S200 and the scribing process S300 can be performed at a plurality of positions separated from each other with respect to the first axial direction. The first axial direction can be a direction parallel to the direction in which the scribing device 3 emits laser light. Therefore, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention can separate the area where the coating process S200 is performed from the area where the scribing process S300 is performed.

[0074] Please refer to Figures 3a to 4 , the coating process S200 and the scribing process S300 can be performed on different surfaces of the battery 1. For example, the coating process S200 can be performed on the top surface 1a of the battery 1, and the scribing process S300 can be performed on the bottom surface 1b of the battery 1. Therefore, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention can separate the surface where the coating process S200 is performed from the surface where the scribing process S300 is performed, thereby applying a restraining force to suppress the curing of the conductor material 20 due to the laser temperature.

[0075] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 5 , the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention can include a cutting process S400 for dividing the battery 1 into a plurality of unit cells 10.

[0076] The cutting process S400 can be a process for dividing the battery 1 into these unit cells 10. The cutting process S400 can be performed after the scribing process S300. As Figure 5 shown, in the case where the battery 1 needs to be divided into five unit cells 10, 10', 10'', 10''', 10'''', the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention can include four cutting processes S400. That is, in the case where the battery 1 needs to be divided into L (where L is an integer of 2 or greater than 2) unit cells 10, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention can include (L - 1) cutting processes S400. When performing the cutting process S400, the battery 1 can be divided into these unit cells 10 with respect to the battery dividing unit 30. The cutting process S400 can be performed by a cutting robot (not shown) that divides the battery 1 into unit cells 10.

[0077] Please refer toFigure 2 and Figure 6 , the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a bonding process S500 for bonding the divided unit cells 10.

[0078] The bonding process S500 may be a process for bonding the divided unit cells 10. The bonding process S500 may be performed by bonding the divided unit cells 10 using a conductor material 20. The bonding process S500 may be performed after the cutting process S400. As Figure 6 shown, in the case where the battery 1 is divided into five unit cells 10, 10', 10'', 10''', 10'''' by the cutting process S400, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include four bonding processes S500. That is, in the case where L unit cells 10 need to be bonded, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include (L - 1) bonding processes S500. As Figure 6 shown, the bonding process S500 may include a process of bonding the top surface on one side of the first unit cell 10 to the bottom surface on one side of the second unit cell 10', a process of bonding the top surface on the other side of the second unit cell 10' to the bottom surface on one side of the third unit cell 10'', a process of bonding the top surface on the other side of the third unit cell 10'' to the bottom surface on one side of the fourth unit cell 10''', and a process of bonding the top surface on the other side of the fourth unit cell 10''' to the bottom surface on one side of the fifth unit cell 10''''. One side and the other side of each unit cell 10 may be disposed at positions opposite to each other with respect to the center point of the unit cell 10. The bonding process S500 may be performed by a transport robot (not shown) that moves the divided unit cells 10.

[0079] Please refer to Figure 2 and Figure 6 , the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention may include a curing process S600.

[0080] The curing process S600 is a process for curing the bonded unit cells 10. The curing process S600 may be performed after the bonding process S500. The curing process S600 may be performed by a heating device (not shown) that heats the bonded unit cells 10. When the curing process S600 is performed, a solar cell 10A having a module type may be manufactured, in which the unit cells 10 are connected to each other in the module type. In Figure 6 , the solar cell 10A is shown as being configured with five unit cells 10, but this is only exemplary, and the solar cell 10A may be configured with two or more and four or fewer unit cells 10, or may be configured with six or more unit cells 10.

[0081] <Second Embodiment>

[0082] Please refer to Figures 3b to 8b , the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the second embodiment of the present invention is implemented such that the coating process S200 and the scribing process S300 are executed simultaneously. Therefore, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the second embodiment of the present invention can achieve the following effects.

[0083] First, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be implemented such that the coating process S200 and the scribing process S300 are executed simultaneously, thereby reducing the time for manufacturing a solar cell. Therefore, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the second embodiment of the present invention can increase the productivity of the solar cell.

[0084] Second, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be implemented to omit a series of processes for transporting the battery 1 between the space for executing the scribing process S300 and the space for executing the coating process S200. Therefore, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the second embodiment of the present invention can reduce the installation cost of the battery transport device (not shown) for transporting the battery 1, thereby reducing the manufacturing cost of the solar cell.

[0085] Based on the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the installation process S100, the coating process S200, and the scribing process S300 can be implemented in the following manner. The installation process S100, the coating process S200, and the scribing process S300 can be implemented to generally conform to the description of the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention above. Therefore, the following mainly describes the different parts.

[0086] Please refer to Figures 3b to 8b , in the scribing process S300, the process of forming these cell dividing portions 30 can be executed by moving the scribing device 3 in the first axial direction. In this case, a scribing transport device (not shown) for moving the scribing device 3 can be installed. The first axial direction can be a direction perpendicular to the direction in which the laser is emitted onto the battery 1. For example, in the case where four cell dividing portions 30 need to be formed in the battery 1 by using two scribing devices 3, the process of forming these cell dividing portions 30 can be executed in the following manner. First, two cell dividing portions 30 are formed at positions on the right side with respect to the center point of the battery 1 by using the scribing devices 3, 3'. Subsequently, the scribing device 3 can be moved in the first axial direction by using the scribing transport device. Subsequently, two cell dividing portions 30 are formed at positions on the left side with respect to the center point of the battery 1 by using the scribing devices 3, 3'. Through the above process, the process of forming these cell dividing portions 30 in the battery 1 can be executed.

[0087] Please refer to Figures 3b to 8b In the coating process S200, a material such as a transparent conductive film (TCF) having conductivity can be used as the conductor material 20. The coating area and the scribing area can be provided in different areas of the battery 1. The coating process S200 and the scribing process S300 can be executed simultaneously.

[0088] The process of coating a plurality of conductor materials 20 onto the battery 1 can be executed by moving the conductor material coater 2 in the first axial direction. In this case, a coating transfer device (not shown) for moving the conductor material coater 2 can be installed. For example, in the case where four conductor materials 20 need to be coated onto the battery 1 by two conductor material coaters 2, the process of coating these conductor materials 20 can be executed in the following manner. First, two conductor materials 20 are coated on the left half with respect to the center point of the battery 1 by using the conductor material coater 2. Subsequently, the conductor material coater 2 can be moved in the first axial direction by using the coating transfer device. Subsequently, two conductor materials 20 are coated on the right half with respect to the center point of the battery 1 by using two conductor material coaters 2. Through the above process, the process of coating these conductor materials 20 onto the battery 1 can be executed.

[0089] The coating process S200 and the scribing process S300 can be executed in the same space. That is to say, both the coating process S200 and the scribing process S300 can be executed in the processing space.

[0090] The coating process S200 and the scribing process S300 can be executed at positions separated from each other with respect to the first axial direction. Hereinafter, an embodiment in which the coating process S200 and the scribing process S300 are executed in the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the relevant drawings. For the sake of easy understanding, an example in which the coating process S200 is executed by four conductor material coaters 2, 2', 2'', 2''' and the scribing process S300 is executed by four scribing devices 3, 3', 3'', 3''' will be described below.

[0091] First, the battery 1 is prepared. Two conductor material coaters 2, 2' can be provided in the upward direction of the battery 1, and two scribing devices 3, 3' can be provided in the downward direction of the battery 1. In this case, the conductor material coaters 2, 2' can be provided on the left half with respect to the center point of the battery 1, and the scribing devices 3, 3' can be provided on the right half with respect to the center point of the battery 1, such that the conductor material coaters 2, 2' and the scribing devices 3, 3' are provided separated from each other with respect to the first axial direction.

[0092] Subsequently, the coating process S200 and the scribing process S300 can be executed simultaneously. In the embodiment, as Figure 8aAs shown, the coating process S200 and the scribing process S300 can be performed by the conductor material coaters 2 and 2' that coat the conductor materials 20 and 20' onto the top surface 1a of the battery 1, and can be performed by the scribing devices 3 and 3' that form the battery dividing portions 30 and 30' on the bottom surface 1b of the battery 1. In this case, the conductor material coaters 2 and 2' and the scribing devices 3 and 3' can be arranged separately from each other with respect to the first axial direction, thereby preventing the conductor materials 20 and 20' from being cured by laser.

[0093] Subsequently, the process of moving the battery 1 in the first axial direction can be performed. The process of moving the battery 1 can be performed by a battery moving device (not shown). In this case, the conductor material coaters 2'' and 2''' can be arranged in the right half with respect to the center point of the battery 1, and the scribing devices 3'' and 3''' can be arranged in the left half with respect to the center point of the battery 1.

[0094] Subsequently, the coating process S200 and the scribing process S300 can be performed simultaneously. In an embodiment, as Figure 8b shown, the coating process S200 and the scribing process S300 can be performed by the conductor material coaters 2'' and 2''' that coat the conductor materials 20'' and 20''' onto the top surface 1a of the battery 1, and can be performed by the scribing devices 3'' and 3''' that form the battery dividing portions 30'' and 30''' on the bottom surface 1b of the battery 1. In this case, the conductor material coaters 2'' and 2''' and the scribing devices 3'' and 3''' can be arranged separately from each other with respect to the first axial direction, thereby preventing the conductor materials 20'' and 20''' from being cured by laser.

[0095] As described above, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the second embodiment of the present invention can be implemented such that the scribing process S300 and the coating process S200 are performed simultaneously in a state where the scribing device 3 and the conductor material coater 2 are separated.

[0096] Please refer to Figures 3b to 8b , the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the second embodiment of the present invention may include a cutting process S400 and a bonding process S500. The cutting process S400 and the bonding process S500 can be implemented to be substantially in line with the above description of the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and thus their detailed descriptions will be omitted.

[0097] <Third Embodiment>

[0098] Please refer to Figures 9 to 15e, The method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention may include an installation process S100, a scribing process S300, a coating process S200, a cutting process S400, and a bonding process S500. The installation process S100 is to install the cell 1 for forming a plurality of thin film layers in a processing space for manufacturing a solar cell. The scribing process S300 is to emit a laser onto the cell 1 to form "N - 1" (where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3) cell dividing portions 30 in order to divide the cell 1 into N unit cells 10. The coating process S200 is to coat the conductor material 20 onto the cell 1. The cutting process S400 is to divide the cell 1 into two unit cells 10. The bonding process S500 is immediately and sequentially performed after the cutting process S400 and is used to bond the two divided unit cells 10.

[0099] The method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention is implemented such that the cutting process S400 and the bonding process S500 are repeatedly performed "N - 1" times. Therefore, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention is implemented as follows: the cutting process S400 divides the cell 1 into N unit cells 10 and then the bonding process S500 is performed. Compared with the prior art, the time spent on the bonding process S500 can be reduced. This will be described in detail below with reference to the relevant drawings. For ease of understanding, an example of dividing the cell 1 into five unit cells 10, 10', 10", 10"', 10"" will be described below.

[0100] Figures 13a to 13e FIG. is a process side view of the cutting process S400 and the bonding process S500 in the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the prior art. As Figure 13a shown, the cutting process S400 can be performed four times simultaneously to divide the cell 1 into five unit cells 10, 10', 10", 10"', 10"". When the cutting process S400 is performed four times simultaneously on the cell 1, the five unit cells 10, 10', 10", 10"', 10"" can be spaced apart from each other by a cutting distance CL. Herein, the four cutting distances CL between the five unit cells 10, 10', 10", 10"', 10"" can be the same.

[0101] Please refer to Figures 13b to 13e , after performing the cutting process S400, the bonding process S500 can be performed four times to bond the five unit cells 10, 10', 10", 10"', 10"". First, as Figure 13b shown, when performing the bonding process S500, the second unit cell 10' can be bonded to the first unit cell 10. In this case, the bonding process S500 may include a process of moving the second unit cell 10' by approximately one cutting distance CL. Subsequently, as Figure 13cAs shown, when performing the bonding process S500, the third unit cell 10” can be bonded to the second unit cell 10'. In this case, the bonding process S500 may include a process of moving the third unit cell 10” by approximately two cutting distances CL. This is because the process of moving the second unit cell 10' by one cutting distance CL is performed in a state where the second unit cell 10' and the third unit cell 10” are separated. Therefore, the third unit cell 10” should be additionally moved by one cutting distance CL after the second unit cell 10' has been moved. Subsequently, as Figure 13d shown, when performing the bonding process S500, the fourth unit cell 10”' can be bonded to the third unit cell 10”. In this case, the bonding process S500 may include a process of moving the fourth unit cell 10”' by approximately three cutting distances 3CL. This is because the process of moving the third unit cell 10” by two cutting distances 2CL is performed in a state where the third unit cell 10” and the fourth unit cell 10”' are separated. Therefore, the fourth unit cell 10”' should be additionally moved by two cutting distances 2CL after the third unit cell 10” has been moved. Subsequently, as Figure 13e shown, when performing the bonding process S500, the fifth unit cell 10”” can be bonded to the fourth unit cell 10”'. In this case, the bonding process S500 may include a process of moving the fifth unit cell 10”” by approximately four cutting distances 4CL. This is because the process of moving the fourth unit cell 10”' by three cutting distances 3CL is performed in a state where the fourth unit cell 10”' and the fifth unit cell 10”” are separated. Therefore, the fifth unit cell 10”” should be additionally moved by three cutting distances 3CL after the fourth unit cell 10”' has been moved. As described above, the comparative example may include moving five unit cells 10, 10', 10”, 10”', 10”” by approximately ten cutting distances “10CL = CL + 2CL + 3CL + 4CL”.

[0102] Figures 14a to 14hA process side view of the cutting process S400 and the bonding process S500 in the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention, unlike the comparative example, the cutting process S400 is not simultaneously executed to divide the cell 1 into five unit cells 10, 10', 10'', 10''', 10''''. That is, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention is implemented such that when the first cutting process S400 is executed, the first bonding process S500 is sequentially and successively executed. Hereinafter, the cutting process S400 and the bonding process S500 of the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0103] Please refer to Figure 14a , first, a first cutting process S400 for dividing the first unit cell 10 and the second unit cell 10' in the cell 1 is executed. In this case, the first unit cell 10 and the second unit cell 10' can be separated from each other by a cutting distance CL.

[0104] Subsequently, as Figure 14b shown, when the bonding process S500 is executed, the second unit cell 10' can be bonded to the first unit cell 10. In this case, the bonding process S500 may include a process of moving the second unit cell 10' by approximately the cutting distance CL.

[0105] Subsequently, as Figure 14c shown, a first cutting process S400 for dividing the second unit cell 10' and the third unit cell 10'' is executed. In this case, the second unit cell 10' and the third unit cell 10'' can be separated from each other by a cutting distance CL.

[0106] Subsequently, as Figure 14d shown, when the bonding process S500 is executed, the third unit cell 10'' can be bonded to the second unit cell 10'. In this case, the bonding process S500 may include a process of moving the third unit cell 10'' by approximately the cutting distance CL. The method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention is implemented such that in the bonding process S500 of bonding the second unit cell 10' to the first unit cell 10, when the second unit cell 10' moves to the first unit cell 10, the third unit cell 10'' also moves together. Therefore, compared with the comparative example, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention can reduce the moving distance required for bonding the third unit cell 10''.

[0107] Subsequently, as Figure 14eAs shown, a single cutting process S400 for dividing the third unit cell 10” and the fourth unit cell 10”' is performed. In this case, the fourth unit cell 10”' and the third unit cell 10” can be separated from each other by a cutting distance CL.

[0108] Subsequently, as Figure 14f shown, when performing the bonding process S500, the fourth unit cell 10”' can be bonded to the third unit cell 10”. In this case, the bonding process S500 may include a process of moving the fourth unit cell 10”' by approximately the cutting distance CL. The method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention is implemented such that in the bonding process S500 of bonding the third unit cell 10” to the second unit cell 10', when the third unit cell 10” moves to the second unit cell 10', the fourth unit cell 10”' also moves together. Therefore, compared with the comparative example, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention can reduce the moving distance required for bonding the fourth unit cell 10”'.

[0109] Subsequently, as Figure 14g shown, a single cutting process S400 for dividing the fourth unit cell 10”' and the fifth unit cell 10”” is performed. In this case, the fifth unit cell 10”” and the fourth unit cell 10”' can be spaced apart from each other by a cutting distance CL.

[0110] Subsequently, as Figure 14h shown, when performing the bonding process S500, the fifth unit cell 10”” can be bonded to the fourth unit cell 10”'. In this case, the bonding process S500 may include a process of moving the fifth unit cell 10”” by approximately the cutting distance CL. The method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention is implemented such that in the bonding process S500 of bonding the fourth unit cell 10”' to the third unit cell 10”, when the fourth unit cell 10”' moves to the third unit cell 10”, the fifth unit cell 10”” also moves together. Therefore, compared with the comparative example, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention can reduce the moving distance required for bonding the fifth unit cell 10””.

[0111] In the case of using this method, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention may include a process of moving the five unit cells 10, 10', 10”, 10”', 10”” separated in the bonding process S500 by four cutting distances 4CL.

[0112] As described above, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention is implemented such that the primary bonding process S500 is sequentially performed immediately after the primary cutting process S400 is performed on the cell 1, and each cutting process S400 and bonding process S500 are repeatedly performed "N - 1" times. Therefore, compared with the comparative example, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention is implemented such that even though the same number of cutting processes S400 and the same number of bonding processes S500 are performed, the moving distance of the unit cell 10 in the divided state in the bonding process S500 can be reduced. Therefore, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention can reduce the time taken for the bonding process S500, thereby increasing the production yield of the solar cell.

[0113] Hereinafter, the mounting process S100, scribing process S300, coating process S200, cutting process S400, and bonding process S500 will be described in detail with reference to the relevant drawings.

[0114] Please refer to Figure 9 , the mounting process S100 may be a process of mounting the cell 1 in a processing space for manufacturing a solar cell. The mounting process S100 may be a process of preparing a substrate provided with a solar cell in the processing space. Herein, the solar cell may be the cell 1 in which a plurality of thin film layers are stacked on the substrate. The mounting process may be performed by a loading device (not shown) that loads the cell into the processing space. The processing space may accommodate manufacturing equipment (not shown) that needs to manufacture a solar cell therein and may be implemented as a cavity as a whole.

[0115] Please refer to Figure 9 and Figure 11 , the scribing process S300 may be a process of dividing the cell 1 into a plurality of unit cells 10. The scribing process S300 may be performed after the mounting process S100. The scribing process S300 may be performed by a scribing device 3 that emits a laser towards the cell 1. The scribing device 3 may emit the laser onto a scribing area, where the scribing area is one area of the cell 1. The scribing area and the coating area may be provided in different areas of the cell 1. Figure 11 The arrow schematically shown by a dotted line in Figure 11 illustrates the laser emitted by the scribing device 3. In

[0116] The scribing process S300 may be a process of forming "N - 1" cell dividing portions 30 for dividing the cell 1 into N unit cells 10. In this case, the scribing process S300 may be performed by "N - 1" scribing devices 3. For example, as Figure 11As shown, in the case where five unit cells 10 need to be separated, the scribing process S300 can be performed by four scribing devices 3, 3', 3'', 3'''. Thus, when the first scribing device 3 emits laser light to the first scribing area of the cell 1, the second scribing device 3' can emit laser light to a second scribing area separated from the first scribing area, the third scribing device 3'' can emit laser light to a third scribing area separated from each of the first scribing area and the second scribing area, and the fourth scribing device 3''' can emit laser light to a fourth scribing area separated from each of the first scribing area, the second scribing area, and the third scribing area. In this case, the scribing devices 3, 3', 3'', 3''' can be arranged to be separated from each other at a specific interval. Therefore, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention can be implemented such that the scribing process S300 is performed simultaneously on the entire surface of the cell 1. Therefore, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention can reduce the time taken for the scribing process S300. The first scribing area, the second scribing area, the third scribing area, and the fourth scribing area can be areas on the top surface 1a of the cell 1.

[0117] The scribing process S300 can be performed by emitting laser light towards the cell 1. Thus, by removing a specific area of the cell 1, the cell dividing portion 30 can be formed. When the scribing process S300 is performed, the cell dividing portion 30 can be formed on one of the surfaces of the cell 1. When the scribing process S300 is performed, the cell dividing portion 30 can be formed on one of the surfaces of the substrate. The cell dividing portion 30 can be implemented as a groove that is recessed from the surface of the cell 1 by a certain depth. The cell dividing portion 30 can be formed to extend from one side of the cell 1 to the other side of the cell 1.

[0118] Please refer to Figure 9 and Figure 12 , the coating process S200 can be a process of coating the conductor material 20 onto the cell 1. When the coating process S200 is performed, the conductor material 20 can be coated on the periphery of the cell dividing portion 30. The coating process S200 can be performed after the scribing process S300. The conductor material 20 can be a material having conductivity, such as a transparent conductor film. The coating process S200 can be performed by a conductor material coater 2 that coats the conductor material 20. The conductor material coater 2 can coat the conductor material 20 onto a coating area, where the coating area is one of the areas of the cell 1. The coating area and the scribing area can be set in different areas of the cell 1. In Figure 12 , the coating process S200 is shown as being performed on the top surface 1a of the cell 1, but this is only exemplary, and the coating process S200 can be performed on the bottom surface 1b of the cell 1.

[0119] The coating process S200 may include a process of coating a plurality of conductor materials 20 onto the battery 1 by using a plurality of conductor material coaters 2. In a case where the battery 1 needs to be divided into N unit cells 10, the coating process S200 may be performed by "N - 1" conductor material coaters 2. For example, as Figure 12 shown, in a case where the battery 1 needs to be divided into five unit cells 10, the coating process S200 may be performed by four conductor material coaters 2, 2', 2", 2"'. Thus, when the first conductor material coater 2 coats the conductor material 20 onto the first coating area of the battery 1, the second conductor material coater 2' may coat the conductor material 20 onto a second coating area separated from the first coating area, the third conductor material coater 2" may coat the conductor material 20 onto a third coating area separated from each of the first coating area and the second coating area, and the fourth conductor material coater 2'" may coat the conductor material 20 onto a fourth coating area separated from each of the first coating area, the second coating area, and the third coating area. In this case, the conductor material coaters 2, 2', 2", 2'" may be arranged separately from each other at a specific interval. Thus, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention may be implemented such that the coating process S200 is performed on the entire surface of the battery 1. Thus, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention may reduce the time taken for the coating process S200. The first coating area, the second coating area, the third coating area, and the fourth coating area may be areas of the top surface 1a of the battery 1.

[0120] The coating process S200 and the scribing process S300 may be performed on different surfaces of the battery 1. For example, the coating process S200 may be performed on the top surface 1a of the battery 1, and the scribing process S300 may be performed on the bottom surface 1b of the battery 1. Thus, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the first embodiment of the present invention may separate the surface on which the coating process S200 is performed and the surface on which the scribing process S300 is performed, thereby implementing a restraining force to restrain the conductor material 20 from solidifying due to the laser temperature.

[0121] Please refer to Figure 9 and Figures 14a to 14h , the cutting process S400 is a process of dividing the battery 1 into two unit cells 10. That is, when the cutting process S400 is performed, the substrate constituting the battery 1 may be divided into two blocks along one of the "N - 1" battery dividing parts 30. When the cutting process S400 is performed, the battery 1 may be divided into two unit cells 10 with respect to the battery dividing part 30. The cutting process S400 may be performed by a cutting machine (not shown) that divides the battery 1 into two unit cells 10. When the "N - 1" battery dividing parts 30 are formed in the battery 1, the cutting process S400 may be performed "N - 1" times.

[0122] Please refer to Figure 9 and Figures 14a to 14h When performing the cutting process S400, a cutting distance CL can be formed between two separated unit cells 10. That is to say, when performing the cutting process S400, two separated blocks can be separated from each other by the cutting distance CL. In this case, the combining process S500 may include a process of moving the separated unit cells 10.

[0123] The cutting distance CL formed by repeatedly performing the cutting process S400 can be gradually reduced. For example, Figure 14a the cutting distance CL formed by repeatedly performing the cutting process S400 once as shown in Figure 14c can be greater than the cutting distance CL formed by repeatedly performing the cutting process S400 twice as shown in. By using this method, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention can be implemented such that the cutting distance CL generated by repeatedly performing the cutting process S400 is gradually reduced, thereby reducing the moving distance for combining the unit cells 10 in the combining process S500. Therefore, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention can reduce the time spent in the combining process S500. The cutting distance CL formed by repeatedly performing the cutting process S400 can be the same.

[0124] Please refer to Figure 9 and Figures 14a to 14h The combining process S500 is a process of combining the separated unit cells 10. That is to say, the combining process S500 is a process of combining two separated blocks. In order to combine two separated unit cells 10, the combining process S500 can be sequentially performed immediately after one cutting process S400, and the combining process S500 and the cutting process S400 can be repeatedly performed "N - 1" times. Therefore, compared with the prior art implemented by performing the combining process S500 after dividing the battery 1 into multiple unit cells 10 in the cutting process S400, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention can reduce the time spent in the combining process S500.

[0125] The combining process S500 can be performed by using a conductor material 20 to combine two separated unit cells 10. The combining process S500 and the cutting process S400 can be performed the same number of times. For example, as Figures 14a to 14f shown, if the cutting process S400 is performed three times, the combining process S500 can also be performed three times.

[0126] The combining process S500 may include a process of moving one of the two separated unit cells 10. That is, the combining process S500 may include a process of moving one of the two separated blocks to overlap with a part of the other block. Herein, the overlapping part of the two blocks may be the coating distance SL (as Figure 14a shown), and the coating distance SL is the length of the conductor material 20 coated on the battery 1. The combining process S500 may be performed by a transfer machine (not shown) that moves the unit cell 10.

[0127] The combining process S500 may include only a process of moving one of the two separated unit cells 10. Therefore, compared with a comparative example of moving all the unit cells 10 in the combining process S500, the ease of operation of moving the unit cell 10 can be improved.

[0128] Please refer to Figure 10 and Figures 14a to 14h , the combining process S500 may include a moving process S510 of moving the movable (movement) battery 10b to the fixed battery 10a. When performing the moving process S510, the movable battery 10b may be moved to the fixed battery 10a. The fixed battery 10a may be a fixed unit cell 10 among the separated unit cells 10 that will not be moved in the combining process S500. The movable battery 10b may be a unit cell 10 among the separated unit cells 10 that will be moved in the combining process S500. The moving process S510 may be performed by a transfer machine.

[0129] The moving process S510 may include a first moving process S511 and a second moving process S512.

[0130] The first moving process S511 may be a process of moving the movable battery 10b in the first axial direction. The first axial direction may be a direction parallel to the emission direction of the laser. When performing the first moving process S511, the movable battery 10b may be disposed in the upward direction relative to the fixed battery 10a.

[0131] The second moving process S512 may be a process of moving the movable battery 10b in the second axial direction. The second axial direction may be a direction perpendicular to the first axial direction. When performing the second moving process S512, the movable battery 10b may be moved by a cutting distance CL and a coating distance SL (as Figure 14a shown). The coating distance SL may be the length of the conductor material 20 coated on the battery 1 with respect to the second axial direction. The second moving process S512 may be sequentially performed after the first moving process S511.

[0132] The second moving process S512 and the first moving process S511 can be executed simultaneously. Therefore, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention can reduce the time spent on moving the movable cell 10b.

[0133] The second moving process S512 can be implemented to be executed before the first moving process S511. In this case, the second moving process S512 can be executed such that the movable cell 10b does not move more than the cutting distance CL. Therefore, the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention can prevent the possibility of damage to the movable cell 10b and the fixed cell 10a caused by a collision between the movable cell 10b and the fixed cell 10a. The method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention can move the movable cell 10b by the cutting distance CL, thereby improving the efficiency of the bonding process S500.

[0134] Please refer to Figure 9 and Figures 14a to 14h , the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention may further include a determination process S700.

[0135] The determination process S700 determines whether the number of executions of each cutting process S400 and bonding process S500 reaches "N - 1". The determination process S700 can be executed by a controller (not shown) that calculates the number of executions of each cutting process S400 and bonding process S500. When the controller determines that the repetition process is less than "N - 1", the controller can provide a processing signal to a cutting machine (not shown) and a transfer machine (not shown) to execute the cutting process S400 and the bonding process S500. When the controller determines that the repetition process is "N - 1", the controller does not need to provide a processing signal to the cutting machine and the transfer machine, and thus no longer executes the cutting process S400 and the bonding process S500.

[0136] Please refer to Figure 9 and Figure 14h , the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention may include a curing process S600.

[0137] The curing process S600 is a process of curing the bonded unit cells 10. The curing process S600 can be executed after the determination process S700. That is, the curing process S600 can be executed after completing (N - 1) cutting processes S400 and (N - 1) bonding processes S500. The curing process S600 can be executed by a heating device (not shown) that heats the bonded unit cells 10. When the curing process S600 is executed, a solar cell 100 of a module type can be manufactured, in which N unit cells 10 are connected to each other in the solar cell 100 of the module type. In Figure 14hIn [the figure], the solar cell 100 is illustrated as being configured with five unit cells 10, but this is merely exemplary. The solar cell 100 may be configured with one or more or four or fewer unit cells 10, or may be configured with six or more unit cells 10.

[0138] Please refer to Figures 15a to 15e , a method for manufacturing a solar cell according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a modular process.

[0139] The modular process is a process of additionally coupling a connection module to a battery (hereinafter referred to as a "base module") that has undergone an installation process S100, a scribing process S300, a coating process S200, and "N - 1" cutting processes S400 and "N - 1" bonding processes S500, where the connection module is configured with M (where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2) unit module cells 11 (as Figure 15a shown). For example, as Figure 15d shown, the modular process may be a process of additionally coupling a connection module to a base module, where five unit module cells 11, 11', 11", 11"', 11"" in the connection module are connected to each other and five unit cells 10, 10', 10", 10"', 10"" in the base module are connected to each other. The modular process may be performed in a processing space.

[0140] Please refer to Figure 15a , the modular process may include a connection process.

[0141] The connection process may be a process of connecting a connection cell 11A for forming a plurality of thin film layers to the base module. The connection process may be performed by coating a conductor material 20 onto the base module and then bonding the base module to the conductor material 20. The connection cell 11A may be manufactured by a battery manufacturing process. Therefore, the connection cell 11A may be implemented to be approximately equal to the cell 1. The connection process may be performed after "N - 1" executions of each of the cutting processes S400 and the bonding processes S500. The connection process may be performed by a transfer machine.

[0142] The modular process may include a module scribing process and a module coating process.

[0143] The module scribing process is a process of forming "M - 1" battery dividing portions to divide the connection cell 11A into M (where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2) unit module cells 11. Herein, the unit module cell 11 may be implemented to be approximately equal to the unit cell 10. The module scribing process may be implemented to be approximately equal to the scribing process S300.

[0144] The module coating process is a process of coating the conductor material 20 onto the connected battery 11A. The module coating process can be performed after the module scribing process. The module coating process can be implemented to be approximately equal to the coating process S200.

[0145] The module coating process and the module scribing process can be performed before the connection process. In this case, the battery dividing portion 30 can be formed in the connected battery 11A before performing the connection process, and the conductor material 20 can be coated onto the connected battery 11A. The module coating process and the module scribing process can be performed after the connection process.

[0146] Please refer to Figure 15b , the modularization process can include a module cutting process.

[0147] The module cutting process is used to divide the connected battery 11A into two unit module batteries 11. The module cutting process can be performed after the connection process. When performing the module cutting process, a cutting distance CL can be formed between the two divided unit module batteries 11. In the case where "M - 1" battery dividing portions are formed on the connected battery 11A, the module cutting process can be performed "M - 1" times. The module cutting process can be implemented to be approximately equal to the cutting process S400.

[0148] Please refer to Figure 15c , the modularization process can include a module bonding process.

[0149] The module bonding process is a process of bonding two divided unit module batteries 11. The module bonding process can be immediately performed sequentially after the module cutting process to bond the two divided unit module batteries 11. The module bonding process and the module cutting process can be performed the same number of times. The module bonding process can be implemented to be approximately equal to the bonding process S500.

[0150] Please refer to Figure 15d , the module bonding process can be immediately performed sequentially after one module cutting process, and each module bonding process and module cutting process can be repeatedly performed "M - 1" times. Therefore, compared with the comparative example in which the module bonding process is performed after the connected battery 11A is divided into multiple unit module batteries 11 in the module cutting process, the solar cell manufacturing method according to the third embodiment of the present invention can reduce the time spent on the module bonding process.

[0151] Please refer to Figure 15dWhen the method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention includes a modular process, the curing process S600 can be performed after the modular process is completed. In this case, the curing process S600 can cure the base module and the connection module. When the curing process S600 is performed, a solar cell 100 of a module type can be manufactured, in which the module type has N unit cells 10 connected to M unit module cells 11. Figure 15d Illustrates a solar cell 100 configured with five unit cells 10, 10', 10'', 10''', 10'''' and five unit module cells 11, 11', 11'', 11''', 11''''.

[0152] The method for manufacturing a solar cell according to the third embodiment of the present invention can be implemented such that the modular process is repeatedly performed. For example, as Figure 15e shown, nine connection modules can be sequentially coupled to the base module. When each connection module connects five unit module cells, the solar cell 100 can be configured with five unit cells 10, 10', 10'', 10''', 10'''' and forty-five unit module cells 11, 11', 11'', 11''', 11'''', …, 11''''. In this case, the curing process S600 can be performed after the modular process is completed.

[0153] The above description of the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments and related drawings, and those of ordinary skill in the art will clearly realize that various modifications, deformations, and substitutions can be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a solar cell, the method comprising: An installation process of installing a cell for forming a plurality of thin film layers in a processing space for manufacturing a solar cell; A scribing process of emitting a laser onto the cell to form "N - 1" cell dividing portions for dividing the cell into N unit cells, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3; A coating process of coating a conductor material onto the cell; A cutting process of dividing the cell into two unit cells; And An assembling process that is immediately and sequentially performed after the cutting process and is used to assemble two separated unit cells, wherein the cutting process and the assembling process are repeatedly performed.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the assembling process comprises a process of only moving one of the two separated unit cells.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the assembling process comprises a moving process of moving a movable cell among the two separated unit cells to a fixed cell among the two separated unit cells.

4. The method according to claim 3, wherein the moving process comprises: A first moving process of moving the movable cell along a first axial direction, and the first axial direction is parallel to the emission direction of the laser; and A second moving process of moving the movable cell along a second axial direction, and the second axial direction is perpendicular to the first axial direction.

5. The method according to claim 4, wherein the second moving process moves the movable cell by a distance obtained by adding a cutting distance and a coating distance, wherein the fixed cell and the movable cell are separated from each other by the cutting distance, and the conductor material is coated by the coating distance.

6. The method according to claim 4, wherein the first moving process and the second moving process are performed simultaneously.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein a cutting distance is formed between the two unit cells divided during the cutting process.

8. The method according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of cutting distances formed when the cutting process is repeatedly performed show a gradually decreasing trend.

9. The method according to claim 7, wherein the plurality of cutting distances formed when the cutting process is repeatedly performed are the same.

10. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: A modularizing process of coupling a connection module to a cell that has undergone the installation process, the scribing process, the coating process, an "N - 1" - time cutting process, and an "N - 1" - time assembling process, and the connection module is configured with M unit module cells, where M is an integer greater than or equal to 2; and A curing process of curing the cell and the connection module.

11. A method for manufacturing a solar cell, the method comprising: A cutting process of dividing a substrate into two blocks along one of the "N - 1" cell dividing portions to divide the substrate into N unit blocks, where N is an integer greater than or equal to 3; and An assembling process of assembling the two separated blocks, wherein each of the cutting process and the assembling process is repeatedly performed "N - 1" times.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the bonding process includes a process of moving one of the two separated blocks to overlap a part of the other block.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: a mounting process for preparing the substrate on which the solar cell is formed; a scribing process for forming "N-1" cell dividing portions on one surface of the substrate; and a coating process for coating a conductor material on the peripheries of the "N-1" cell dividing portions, wherein the mounting process, the scribing process, and the coating process are performed before the cutting process.

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