Solar cell module

Abstract

To provide a solar cell module that can accommodate both the placement of many solar cells and the equalization of the number of solar cells in each string.SOLUTION: A solar cell module 1 has multiple cell rows CR1 to CR5, where the number of solar cells C arranged in the row direction differs for each row, arranged in a direction perpendicular to the row direction, a string S1 composed of cell rows CR1, CR2 and CR5 among cell rows CR1 to CR5, and a string S2 composed of cell rows CR3 and CR4. The strings S1 and S2 are connected in parallel to form the solar cell module 1. The cell rows CR3 and CR4, which make up the string S2, are arranged between the cell rows CR2 and CR5, which make up the string S1.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to solar cell modules. [Background technology]

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses that in a solar cell module in which one or more solar cells are each connected in series to form a plurality of cell groups, and the plurality of cell groups are each connected by intermediate electrode wiring to form two strings, and the two strings are connected in parallel, the number of solar cells in one string is made equal to the number of solar cells in the other string to prevent backflow between one string and the other string and large power loss. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-181905 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Incidentally, in order to increase the output of a solar cell module, it is preferable to increase the number of solar cells in the solar cell module as much as possible (for example, to spread the solar cells as closely as possible within the solar cell module). However, in a solar cell module whose outer shape is configured as a polygon including at least one oblique side, such as a so-called corner module, it may be difficult to simultaneously arrange many solar cells according to the outer shape and equalize the number of solar cells in each string.

[0005] For example, consider a solar cell module in which multiple cell groups, each of which has 2, 4, 7, 9, and 10 solar cells connected in series, are arranged in order, assuming that the solar cells are laid out to the maximum extent possible according to the external shape of the solar cell module (hereinafter, a cell group in which n solar cells are connected in series is referred to as an n-cell group (n is an integer)). A string formed by connecting adjacent 2-cell groups, 4-cell groups, and 7-cell groups in series has 13 solar cells, whereas a string formed by connecting adjacent 9-cell groups and 10-cell groups in series has 19 solar cells, resulting in a large difference in the number of solar cells in each string. If such strings are connected in parallel, the voltage will differ between one string and the other string, resulting in large power loss.

[0006] Such problems are not limited to the solar cell module having the above-mentioned configuration (the solar cell module having the 2-10 cell groups), but may occur in solar cell modules having other configurations as well. Hereinafter, the cell groups will be referred to as cell strings.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in consideration of these points, and its purpose is to provide a solar cell module that can simultaneously arrange many solar cells in accordance with the external shape of the solar cell module and ensure that the number of solar cells in each string is equal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] The solution of the present disclosure for achieving the above-mentioned object includes two strings connected in parallel, each of the two strings having a plurality of cell rows composed of one solar cell or a plurality of solar cells connected in series, the solar cells in the plurality of cell rows are arranged in a first direction, the plurality of cell rows are arranged in parallel in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and in the second direction, a third cell row constituting a second string of one of the two strings is disposed between a first cell row and a second cell row constituting the other of the two strings.

[0009] In addition, it is preferable that the number of the solar cells in the first string is the same as the number of the solar cells in the second string.

[0010] In addition, the number of solar cells in each cell row may be different between the number of solar cells in the first cell row or the number of solar cells in the second cell row and the number of solar cells in the third cell row.

[0011] Also, the number of the solar cells in the third cell row is smaller than the number of the solar cells in the first cell row and is greater than the number of the solar cells in the second cell row.

[0012] In addition, an example of an arrangement form of the multiple cell rows is that in the second direction, the multiple cell rows constituting the second string are arranged between the first cell row and the second cell row constituting the first string. Effect of the Invention

[0013] In the present disclosure, it is possible to both arrange many solar cells and equalize the number of solar cells in each string. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0014] [Figure 1] 1 is a plan view illustrating a solar cell module according to a first embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining the series connection direction of solar cells in each string in the solar cell module according to the first embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 2 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the internal structure of the solar cell module. [Figure 4] FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a solar cell module according to a second embodiment. [Diagram 5] FIG. 11 is a plan view for explaining the series connection direction of solar cells in each string in a solar cell module according to a second embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 2 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 for explaining the overall length of electrode wiring and soldering locations in the solar cell module according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] 4 for explaining the overall length of electrode wiring and soldering locations in a solar cell module according to a second embodiment. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 11 is a simplified diagram for explaining the arrangement of each solar cell and the configuration of each string in a solar cell module according to a third embodiment. [Figure 9] FIG. 13 is a simplified diagram for explaining the arrangement of each solar cell and the configuration of each string in a solar cell module according to a fourth embodiment. [Figure 10] FIG. 13 is a simplified diagram for explaining the arrangement of each solar cell and the configuration of each string in a solar cell module according to a fifth embodiment. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is a plan view illustrating a connection state between the first terminal box and the end electrode wiring. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0015] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals. Their names and functions are also the same. Therefore, detailed description thereof will not be repeated.

[0016] [First embodiment] -Outline of solar cell module configuration- FIG. 1 is a plan view that shows a schematic diagram of a solar cell module 1 according to a first embodiment (more specifically, a state in which a frame 2 is attached to the outer edge of the solar cell module 1). In FIG. 1, the vertical direction of the figure is the X direction (first direction), the upper side is called the X1 direction, and the lower side is called the X2 direction. The horizontal direction of the figure is the Y direction (second direction), the left side of the figure is called the Y1 direction, and the right side is called the Y2 direction. The Y direction is a direction perpendicular to the X direction. In the following, the X direction may also be called the column direction of the solar cell module 1 (the direction in which solar cell cells C, C, ... that constitute a cell column are arranged). The Y direction is the direction in which a plurality of cell columns are arranged side by side, and may also be called the column direction.

[0017] The solar cell module 1 is a so-called corner module, and its outer shape is configured as a polygon (pentagon in this embodiment) including at least one oblique side. A frame 2 is attached to the outer edge of the solar cell module 1. The frame 2 has a lower end frame part 21, a right side frame part 22 extending upward (X1 direction) from the right end (end in the Y2 direction) of the lower end frame part 21, a left side frame part 23 extending upward (X1 direction) from the left end (end in the Y1 direction) of the lower end frame part 21, an upper end frame part 24 extending horizontally (Y1 direction) from the upper end (end in the X1 direction) of the right side frame part 22, and an oblique side frame part 25 extending between the left end (end in the Y1 direction) of the upper end frame part 24 and the upper end (end in the X1 direction) of the left side frame part 23. Therefore, the oblique side frame part 25 is attached to the oblique side part that is the outer edge of the solar cell module 1 and serves as the oblique side.

[0018] The solar cell module 1 has a plurality of strings each made up of a plurality of solar cell cells C connected in series. The solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment has a plurality of strings S1 to Sn, and these strings S1 to Sn are connected in parallel to each other. The solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment has n=2. That is, it has two strings S1 and S2, and these strings S1 and S2 are connected in parallel to each other.

[0019] The solar cell module 1 is configured such that a plurality of cell rows CR1 to CRm, each having a different number (cell number) of solar cell cells C, C, ... arranged in the column direction (X direction), are arranged in parallel in the row direction (Y direction). In the solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment, m=5. That is, five cell rows CR1, CR2, CR3, CR4, CR5 are arranged in parallel in the row direction (Y direction). In this embodiment, the cell row located on the leftmost side (Y1 direction side) in the figure is called the first cell row CR1, the cell row located second from the left is called the second cell row CR2, the cell row located third from the left is called the third cell row CR3, the cell row located fourth from the left is called the fourth cell row CR4, and the cell row located rightmost is called the fifth cell row CR5. In each of the cell rows CR1 to CR5, the solar cell cells C are connected in series. FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining the series connection direction of the solar cell cells C, C, ... in each string S1, S2 in the solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment. 2, the thick black arrows on the first cell row CR1, the second cell row CR2, and the fifth cell row CR5 indicate the direction of current flow in the first string S1, and the hollow arrows on the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4 indicate the direction of current flow in the second string S2.

[0020] In each cell row, solar cells C adjacent in the X direction are connected in series by wires (wiring material 33 described below) arranged on the front or back surface of the solar cells C. A plurality of wires connecting the solar cells C are arranged on each solar cell C. The plurality of wires are arranged at approximately equal intervals in the Y direction on the front surface of the solar cell C, and are arranged extending to the back surface of the adjacent solar cell C. The number of wires arranged on the front surface of the solar cell C is, for example, 2 to 16. The size of the wire is, for example, a diameter of 0.3 to 0.5 μm, and a length of about twice the length of the solar cell C in the X direction.

[0021] The solar cell C constituting each of the cell rows CR1 to CR5 is, for example, a solar cell (full cell) about 160 mm square divided into two. In other words, it is a half cell formed into a size of about 160 mm (dimension in the Y direction) × 80 mm (dimension in the X direction) square.

[0022] Wires (wiring material 33 described later) arranged on the front or back surface of the solar cell C at the X-direction end of each of the cell rows CR1 to CR5 are connected to a bus bar (intermediate electrode wiring or end electrode wiring described later). The bus bar is, for example, a flat conductor having a width of 3 to 8 mm. The bus bar extends along the outer edge of the cell row so as to be connected to a plurality of cell rows, and the plurality of cell rows are connected in series by the bus bar to form one string. As will be described in detail later, when a plurality of strings are formed in the solar cell module 1, the bus bar is connected to the cell rows such that the number of series of the solar cell C for each string is the same. The final bus bar (end electrode wiring described later) in the direction of series connection of the strings is inserted into a terminal box and is soldered to a terminal block portion (a + terminal block and a - terminal block described later). An output cable comes out of the terminal box, and the output cable is connected to the outside to make a connection for outputting the generated power from the solar cell module 1.

[0023] - Internal structure of a solar cell module - Here, the internal structure of the solar cell module 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a vertical cross-sectional view (vertical cross-sectional view of the periphery of the connection portion between the solar cell C, C) showing the internal structure of the solar cell module 1 (for example, a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1). As shown in FIG. 3, the solar cell module 1 has a structure in which the solar cell C and the wiring material 33 are sealed between a light-transmitting substrate 34 and a protective member 35 by a light-transmitting sealing material 36. The light-transmitting substrate 34 is provided so as to face the front side (light-receiving surface side) of the solar cell C. The protective member 35 is provided so as to face the back side (opposite side to the light-receiving surface) of the solar cell C. The solar cell C includes a front electrode 31 and a back electrode 32. The front electrode 31 is composed of a bus bar electrode 31a and a finger electrode (not shown). The bus bar electrode 31a is strip-shaped and is linearly formed in the column direction (X direction) on the front surface of the solar cell C. A large number of finger electrodes are formed in a comb-teeth shape extending from both side edges of the busbar electrode 31a in a row direction (Y direction) perpendicular to the column direction (X direction). The finger electrodes are patterned at regular intervals from one another to cover the entire light receiving surface of the solar cell C. In addition, the back surface electrode 32 is formed in a linear band shape in the column direction (X direction) on the back surface of the solar cell C, and is provided opposite the busbar electrode 31a.

[0024] Moreover, a wiring member 33 is connected to the front electrode 31 and the back electrode 32 described above. The wiring member 33 is a wiring member that is connected to the bus bar electrode 31a of the front electrode 31 of a solar cell C and the back electrode 32 of another solar cell C adjacent to the solar cell C, thereby connecting adjacent solar cells C, C in series, and is sometimes called an interconnector.

[0025] The external shape of the wiring material 33 is a wire or ribbon shape. The wiring material 33 is configured by coating the outer surface of a base material having a circular or elongated rectangular cross section with solder (solder plating process). The material of the base material is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, a metal such as copper.

[0026] One side (left side in FIG. 3) of the wiring member 33 is solder-connected to the bus bar electrode 31a on the front surface of the solar cell C. The other side (right side in FIG. 3) of the wiring member 33 is solder-connected to the back surface electrode 32 on the back surface of the adjacent solar cell C. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1 (reference numbers for the front surface electrode 31 and the wiring member 33 are omitted in FIG. 1), ten bus bar electrodes 31a and ten wiring members 33 are formed in each of the solar cell C, C, ..., but the present invention is not limited to this.

[0027] -Composition of each cell row- As shown in FIG. 1, the cell rows CR1 to CR5 of this embodiment have different numbers of solar cells C arranged in the column direction. Specifically, the first cell row CR1 is configured by 2 solar cells C, C arranged in the column direction (X direction). The second cell row CR2 is configured by 4 solar cells C, C, ... arranged in the column direction. The third cell row CR3 is configured by 7 solar cells C, C, ... arranged in the column direction. The fourth cell row CR4 is configured by 9 solar cells C, C, ... arranged in the column direction. The fifth cell row CR5 is configured by 10 solar cells C, C, ... arranged in the column direction. In this embodiment, the numbers of solar cells C arranged in all the cell rows CR1 to CR5 are different from each other, but the cell rows having the same number of solar cells C may include cell rows having different numbers of solar cells C.

[0028] The number of solar cells C, C, ... in each cell row CR1 to CR5 is set according to the outer shape of the solar cell module 1. In this embodiment, the outer shape of the solar cell module 1 has a diagonal side in the Y1 direction, and the X-direction length decreases from the Y2 direction to the Y1 direction, so the number of solar cells C arranged in each cell row is reduced from the Y2 direction to the Y1 direction. When the solar cells C are arranged in this manner, the solar cells C are rectangular, so that the edge of the cell row on the diagonal side becomes stepped. Here, in order to increase the output of the solar cell module 1, it is desirable to set the number of solar cells C arranged to the maximum number. That is, the edge of each of the solar cells C, C, ... located on one side (X2 direction side) in the row direction (X direction) in each of the first cell row CR1 to the fifth cell row CR5 is arranged on approximately the same straight line so as to be close to the lower end frame part 21 and to be along the lower end frame part 21. In addition, the edge of each of the solar cells C, C, ... located on the other side (X1 direction side) of the column direction (X direction) in each of the first cell row CR1 to the fifth cell row CR5 is stepped due to the difference in the number of cells in each of the cell rows CR1 to CR5. The number of solar cells C, C, ... in each of the first cell row CR1 to the fourth cell row CR4 is the number of solar cells C located at the end in the X1 direction arranged until they approach the oblique side frame portion 25 (the number of solar cells C, C, ... arranged until the distance from the oblique side frame portion 25 becomes smaller than the X direction dimension of the solar cell C). In addition, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the fifth cell row CR5 is the number of solar cells C located at the end in the X1 direction arranged until they approach the upper end frame portion 24 (the number of solar cells C, C, ... arranged until the distance from the upper end frame portion 24 becomes smaller than the X direction dimension of the solar cell C). This results in a configuration in which the maximum number of solar cells C, C, ... are packed together.

[0029] - Composition of each string - The solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment has a plurality of strings S1 to Sn each of which is made up of a plurality of solar cell cells C connected in series, and these strings S1 to Sn are connected in parallel to each other. At least two of the strings S1 to Sn are made up of a plurality of cell rows, and the remaining strings are made up of one or a plurality of cell rows. The plurality of cell rows constituting one string are connected in series. The cell row is made up of one solar cell C or a plurality of solar cell cells C connected in series. The solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment has n=2. That is, the solar cell module 1 has two strings S1 and S2 each of which is connected in parallel to each other.

[0030] The connection structure of each of the cell rows CR1 to CR5 for constituting each of the strings S1 and S2 will be described below. In each of the cell rows CR1 to CR5, the solar cells C included in each cell row are connected in series by wiring material 33. The cell rows CR1, CR2, and CR5 constituting string S1 are connected in series by intermediate electrode wirings 41 and 42. The cell rows CR3 and CR4 constituting string S2 are connected in series by intermediate electrode wiring 43. Furthermore, each of the strings S1 and S2 are connected in parallel by end electrode wirings 51 and 52. A specific description will be given below.

[0031] As shown in Fig. 1, the solar cell module 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first string S1 and a second string S2. The first string S1 is configured by connecting a first cell row CR1, a second cell row CR2, and a fifth cell row CR5 in series with intermediate electrode wirings (a jump intermediate electrode wiring and an adjacent intermediate electrode wiring described later) 41, 42. In Fig. 1, the reference numeral (S1) attached to each cell row CR1, CR2, CR5 indicates that these cell rows CR1, CR2, CR5 constitute the first string S1. In addition, the second string S2 is configured by connecting a third cell row CR3 and a fourth cell row CR4 in series with intermediate electrode wirings (an adjacent intermediate electrode wiring described later) 43. In Fig. 1, the reference numeral (S2) attached to each cell row CR3, CR4 indicates that these cell rows CR3, CR4 constitute the second string S2. In this manner, the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4 constituting the second string S2 are disposed between the second cell row CR2 and the fifth cell row CR5 constituting the first string S1. Fig. 2 is a plan view for explaining the series connection direction of the solar cell cells C, C, ... in each string S1, S2 in the solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 2, the thick black arrows attached to the first cell row CR1, the second cell row CR2, and the fifth cell row CR5 respectively indicate the direction of current flow in the first string S1. Moreover, the hollow arrows attached to the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4 respectively indicate the direction of current flow in the second string S2.

[0032] As described above, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the first cell row CR1 to the fifth cell row CR5 is 2, 4, 7, 9, and 10, respectively. Therefore, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the first string S1 formed by the first cell row CR1, the second cell row CR2, and the fifth cell row CR5 is 16, and the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the second string S2 formed by the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4 is also 16. In other words, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the first string S1 is the same as the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the second string S2.

[0033] As described above, the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4 constituting the second string S2 are arranged between the second cell row CR2 and the fifth cell row CR5 constituting the first string S1 in the juxtaposition direction, so that two of the cell rows constituting the first string S1 are not adjacent to each other. For this reason, in this embodiment, the jump intermediate electrode wiring 41 is provided as the intermediate electrode wiring that connects the cell rows that constitute the same string and are not adjacent to each other in the juxtaposition direction (in this embodiment, the first cell row CR1 and the fifth cell row CR5). In addition, the adjacent intermediate electrode wirings 42, 43 are provided as the intermediate electrode wiring that connects the cell rows that constitute the same string and are adjacent to each other in the juxtaposition direction (in this embodiment, the first cell row CR1 and the second cell row CR2, the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4). The connection structure between the cell rows by the intermediate electrode wirings 41 to 43 will be specifically described below.

[0034] As a connection structure of each of the cell rows CR1, CR2, and CR5 constituting the first string S1, the negative electrode side (the side marked with - in FIG. 2) of the fifth cell row CR5 and the positive electrode side (the side marked with + in FIG. 2) of the first cell row CR1 are connected by a jump intermediate electrode wiring 41. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the jump intermediate electrode wiring 41 includes a first wiring 41a connected to the negative electrode side of the fifth cell row CR5 and extending in the Y direction to reach the vicinity of the end of the first cell row CR1 on the Y1 direction side, a second wiring 41b extending in the X1 direction from the end of the first wiring 41a on the Y1 direction side to reach the vicinity of the end of the first cell row CR1 on the X1 direction side, and a third wiring 41c extending in the Y2 direction from the end of the second wiring 41b on the X1 direction side to reach the vicinity of the end of the first cell row CR1 on the Y2 direction side and connected to the positive electrode side of the first cell row CR1. Specifically, the wiring material 33 connected to the negative electrode of the solar cell C at the negative end of the fifth cell row CR5 in the series connection direction is connected to the first wiring 41a, and the wiring material 33 connected to the positive electrode of the solar cell C at the positive end of the first cell row CR1 in the series connection direction is connected to the third wiring 41c.

[0035] 1 and 2, the negative electrode side of the first cell row CR1 and the positive electrode side of the second cell row CR2 are connected by an adjacent intermediate electrode wiring 42. Specifically, the wiring member 33 connected to the negative electrode of the solar cell C at the negative end of the first cell row CR1 in the series connection direction and the wiring member 33 connected to the positive electrode of the solar cell C at the positive end of the second cell row CR2 in the series connection direction are each connected to the adjacent intermediate electrode wiring 42. The adjacent intermediate electrode wiring 42 is composed of a wiring that extends along the Y direction from the vicinity of the end of the first cell row CR1 on the Y1 direction side to the vicinity of the end of the second cell row CR2 on the Y2 direction side.

[0036] 1 and 2, the connection structure of each of the cell rows CR3 and CR4 constituting the second string S2 is such that the negative electrode side of the fourth cell row CR4 and the positive electrode side of the third cell row CR3 are connected by an adjacent intermediate electrode wiring 43. Specifically, the wiring member 33 connected to the negative electrode of the solar cell C at the negative end of the fourth cell row CR4 in the series connection direction and the wiring member 33 connected to the positive electrode of the solar cell C at the positive end of the third cell row CR3 in the series connection direction are each connected to the adjacent intermediate electrode wiring 43. The adjacent intermediate electrode wiring 43 is composed of a wiring extending along the Y direction from the vicinity of the end of the third cell row CR3 on the Y1 direction side to the vicinity of the end of the fourth cell row CR4 on the Y2 direction side.

[0037] The negative and positive ends of each string are connected to end electrode wirings 51, 52, respectively. The first end electrode wiring 51 connects the negative sides of each string S1, S2 to two terminal boxes 61, 62. The second end electrode wiring 52 connects the positive sides of each string S1, S2 to the terminal box 61.

[0038] The first terminal box 61 is provided with a positive electrode side take-out cable. FIG. 11 is a plan view for explaining the connection state between the first terminal box 61 and the end electrode wirings 51, 52. A + terminal block 61a and a - terminal block 61b are provided inside the first terminal box 61. The + terminal block 61a is connected to the end electrode wiring 52 (fourth wiring 52d described later), and the - terminal block 61b is connected to the end electrode wiring 51 (fourth wiring 51d described later). The + terminal block 61a is also connected to the take-out cable. A bypass diode 61c is provided between the + terminal block 61a and the - terminal block 61b. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the first terminal box 61 is disposed on the back side of the solar cell module 1, at a position adjacent to the Y1 direction end of the fourth cell row CR4. The first terminal box 61 is located on the rear side of the solar cell module 1, between the X1-direction end of the third cell row CR3 and the oblique side portion, or between the Y1-direction end of the fourth cell row CR4 and the oblique side portion.

[0039] The second terminal box 62 is provided with a negative side take-out cable. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a negative terminal block 62a is provided inside the second terminal box 62 (although not used in this embodiment, a positive terminal block is also provided and also includes a bypass diode. The positive terminal block and bypass diode of this second terminal box are used, for example, when three strings are connected in parallel, that is, when two bypass diodes need to be used). The end electrode wiring 51 (first wiring 51a described later) is connected to the negative terminal block 62a. The negative terminal block 62a is also connected to the take-out cable. As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, the second terminal box 62 is disposed on the back side of the solar cell module 1, at a position adjacent to the X1 direction end of the second cell string CR2. It can also be said that the second terminal box 62 is disposed on the back side of the solar cell module 1, between the X1 direction end of the second cell string CR2 and the oblique side, or between the Y1 direction end of the second cell string CR2 and the oblique side.

[0040] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the first end electrode wiring 51 includes a first wiring 51a connected to the negative side of the second cell row CR2 and the - terminal 62a of the second terminal box 62 and extending along the Y direction to the vicinity of the Y2 direction end of the second cell row CR2, a second wiring 51b extending along the X direction from the Y2 direction end of the first wiring 51a to the vicinity of the X1 direction end of the third cell row CR3, a third wiring 51c extending along the Y direction from the X1 direction end of the second wiring 51b to the vicinity of the Y2 direction end of the third cell row CR3 and connected to the negative side of the third cell row CR3, and a fourth wiring 51d extending in the X1 direction from the Y2 direction end of the third wiring 51c and connected to the - terminal 61b of the first terminal box 61. Specifically, the wiring member 33 connected to the negative electrode of the solar cell C at the negative end in the series connection direction of the second cell row CR2, which is the negative end of the string S1, is connected to the first wiring 51a, and the wiring member 33 connected to the negative electrode of the solar cell C at the negative end in the series connection direction of the third cell row CR3, which is the negative end of the string S2, is connected to the third wiring 51c. In this way, the first end electrode wiring 51 is arranged so as to follow the shape of the upper side (X1 direction side) in the column direction (X direction) of each of the second cell row CR2 and the third cell row CR3, which are stepped. In other words, the first end electrode wiring 51 extends along the outer edge of the solar cell C, C, ... located at the oblique side end.

[0041] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the second end electrode wiring 52 includes a first wiring 52a connected to the positive electrode side of the fifth cell column CR5 and extending along the Y direction to the vicinity of the Y1 direction end of the fifth cell column CR5, a second wiring 52b extending along the X direction from the Y1 direction end of the first wiring 52a to the vicinity of the X1 direction end of the fourth cell column CR4, a third wiring 52c extending along the Y direction from the X2 direction end of the second wiring 52b to the vicinity of the Y1 direction end of the fourth cell column CR4 and connected to the positive electrode side of the fourth cell column CR4, and a fourth wiring 52d extending in the X2 direction from the Y1 direction end of the third wiring 52c and connected to the + terminal 61a of the first terminal box 61. Specifically, the wiring member 33 connected to the positive electrode of the solar cell C at the positive end in the series connection direction of the fifth cell row CR5, which is the positive end of the string S1, is connected to the first wiring 52a, and the wiring member 33 connected to the positive electrode of the solar cell C at the positive end in the series connection direction of the fourth cell row CR4, which is the positive end of the string S2, is connected to the third wiring 52c. In this way, the second end electrode wiring 52 is also arranged so as to follow the shape of the upper side (X1 direction side) in the column direction (X direction) of each of the fourth cell row CR4 and the fifth cell row CR5, which are stepped. In other words, the second end electrode wiring 52 also extends along the outer edge of the solar cell C, C, ... located at the oblique side end.

[0042] -Effects of the embodiment- As described above, the solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment is configured by connecting in parallel the first string S1, which is configured by connecting the first cell row CR1, the second cell row CR2, and the fifth cell row CR5 in series with the intermediate electrode wirings (skipping intermediate electrode wiring and adjacent intermediate electrode wiring) 41, 42, and the second string S2, which is configured by connecting the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4 in series with each other with the intermediate electrode wiring (adjacent intermediate electrode wiring) 43. That is, the solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment is configured by disposing the cell rows CR3, CR4 constituting the second string S2 between the two cell rows CR2, CR5 constituting the first string S1. This makes the number of solar cell cells C, C, ... constituting each string S1, S2 the same. In this case, the second cell row CR2 corresponds to the first cell row constituting the first string in the present invention, the fifth cell row CR5 corresponds to the second cell row constituting the first string in the present invention, and the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4 correspond to the third cell row constituting the second string in the present invention. In this way, by arranging a cell row constituting one of the multiple strings between two cell rows constituting another string, the number of solar cells constituting each string can be made the same. Therefore, even if many solar cells C, C, ... are arranged to increase the output of the solar cell module 1 (for example, even if the solar cell cells C, C, ... are laid out to the maximum in accordance with the outer shape of a solar cell module having an outer shape of a polygon including a hypotenuse), it is possible to prevent a difference in the number of solar cells C, C, ... in each string S1, S2. In addition, it is possible to eliminate power loss caused by a difference in the number of cells between the strings S1, S2.

[0043] The number of solar cells C, C, ... in each of the first cell row CR1 to the fifth cell row CR5 is 2, 4, 7, 9, and 10. Therefore, the number of solar cells C in the second cell row CR2 and the fifth cell row CR5 is different from the number of solar cells C in the third cell row CR3 or the fourth cell row CR4. The number of solar cells C in the third cell row CR3 or the fourth cell row CR4 is greater than the number of cells in the second cell row CR2 and smaller than the number of cells in the fifth cell row CR5. That is, the number of cells in the two cell rows constituting the first string S1 is different from the number of cells in the cell row constituting the second string 2 arranged between the two cell rows. The number of cells in the cell row constituting the second string 2 arranged between the two cell rows constituting the first string S1 is smaller than the number of cells in one of the two cell rows constituting the first string S1 and is greater than the number of cells in the other cell row. In this manner, it is possible to prevent any difference in the number of solar cells C, C, . . . in each of the strings S1, S2.

[0044] In particular, in this embodiment, the jump intermediate electrode wiring 41 connects non-adjacent cell rows (the first cell row CR1 and the fifth cell row CR5 in this embodiment). In other words, by adopting an unprecedented intermediate electrode wiring (jump intermediate electrode wiring) 41, it is possible to arrange the cell rows CR3 and CR4 constituting one string S2 between a pair of cell rows CR2 and CR5 constituting one string S1, and it is possible to simultaneously arrange many solar cell cells C, C, ... according to the outer shape of the solar cell module and eliminate the difference in the number of solar cell cells C, C, ... in each string S1 and S2. In this case, the first wiring 41a of the jump intermediate electrode wiring 41 is extended close to and along the edge of the cell rows CR3 and CR4 constituting the other string S2, so that it is possible to shorten the overall length of the jump intermediate electrode wiring 41, reducing the amount of material (electrode material) used to form the jump intermediate electrode wiring 41 and facilitating the layout design of the jump intermediate electrode wiring 41.

[0045] [Second embodiment] Next, a second embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the position of the terminal box is different from that of the first embodiment described above, and accordingly, the positions of the intermediate electrode wiring and the end electrode wiring are also different. Since the other configurations are the same as those of the first embodiment described above, the differences from the first embodiment will be mainly described here.

[0046] FIG. 4 is a plan view that shows a schematic diagram of the solar cell module 1 according to the present embodiment. FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining the series connection direction of the solar cell cells C, C, ... in each string S1, S2 in the solar cell module 1 according to the present embodiment. In FIG. 5, the thick black arrows attached to the first cell string CR1, the second cell string CR2, and the fifth cell string CR5 respectively indicate the direction of current flow in the first string S1. Moreover, the hollow arrows attached to the third cell string CR3 and the fourth cell string CR4 respectively indicate the direction of current flow in the second string S2. As shown in these figures, even in this embodiment, the first string S1 is constituted by the first cell string CR1, the second cell string CR2, and the fifth cell string CR5, and the second string S2 is constituted by the third cell string CR3 and the fourth cell string CR4. Moreover, the cell strings CR1, CR2, and CR5 that constitute the string S1 and the cell strings CR3 and CR4 that constitute the string S2 are connected in series by intermediate electrode wirings 71, 72, and 73, respectively. Moreover, the strings S1 and S2 are connected in parallel by end electrode wirings 81 and 82. A specific description will be given below.

[0047] 4 and 5, in the connection structure of each of the cell strings CR1, CR2, and CR5 constituting the first string S1, the negative electrode side of the first cell string CR1 and the positive electrode side of the second cell string CR2 are connected by an adjacent intermediate electrode wiring 71. This adjacent intermediate electrode wiring 71 is composed of a wiring extending along the Y direction from the vicinity of the end of the first cell string CR1 on the Y1 direction side to the vicinity of the end of the second cell string CR2 on the Y2 direction side. Specifically, the wiring member 33 connected to the negative electrode of the solar cell C at the end of the first cell string CR1 on the negative side in the series connection direction is connected to the adjacent intermediate electrode wiring 71, and the wiring member 33 connected to the positive electrode of the solar cell C at the end of the second cell string CR2 on the positive side in the series connection direction is connected to the adjacent intermediate electrode wiring 71.

[0048] 4 and 5, the negative electrode side of the second cell column CR2 and the positive electrode side of the fifth cell column CR5 are connected by a jump intermediate electrode wiring 72. The jump intermediate electrode wiring 72 includes a first wiring 72a connected to the negative electrode side of the second cell column CR2 and extending in the Y direction to reach the vicinity of the end of the second cell column CR2 on the Y2 direction side, a second wiring 72b extending in the X1 direction from the end of the first wiring 72a on the Y2 direction side to reach the vicinity of the end of the third cell column CR3 on the X1 direction side, a third wiring 72c extending in the Y2 direction from the end of the second wiring 72b on the X1 direction side to reach the vicinity of the end of the third cell column CR3 on the Y2 direction side, a fourth wiring 72c extending in the X1 direction from the end of the third wiring 72c on the Y2 direction side to reach the vicinity of the end of the fourth cell column CR3 on the Y2 direction side, and a fifth wiring 72b extending in the X1 direction from the end of the third wiring 72c on the Y2 direction side to reach the vicinity of the end of the fourth cell column CR3 on the Y2 direction side. The fourth wiring 72d extends from the X1-direction end of the fourth wiring 72d in the Y2 direction to the vicinity of the Y2-direction end of the fourth cell column CR4, the fifth wiring 72e extends from the Y2-direction end of the fifth wiring 72e in the X1 direction to the vicinity of the X1-direction end of the fifth cell column CR5, and the seventh wiring 72g extends from the X1-direction end of the sixth wiring 72f in the Y2 direction to the vicinity of the Y2-direction end of the fifth cell column CR5 and is connected to the positive electrode side of the fifth cell column CR5. In this way, the jump intermediate electrode wiring 72 is arranged so as to follow the shape of the upper side (X1-direction side) in the column direction (X direction) of each of the second cell column CR2 to the fifth cell column CR5, which are stepped. In addition, the wiring material 33 connected to the negative electrode of the solar cell C at the negative end of the second cell row CR2 in the series connection direction is connected to the first wiring 72a, and the wiring material 33 connected to the positive electrode of the solar cell C at the positive end of the fifth cell row CR5 in the series connection direction is connected to the seventh wiring 72g.

[0049] 4 and 5, as a connection structure of each of the cell rows CR3 and CR4 constituting the second string S2, the negative electrode side of the third cell row CR3 and the positive electrode side of the fourth cell row CR4 are connected by an adjacent intermediate electrode wiring 73. This adjacent intermediate electrode wiring 73 is disposed closer to the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4 than the jump intermediate electrode wiring 72 (between the jump intermediate electrode wiring 72 and the cell rows CR3 and CR4). Specifically, the adjacent intermediate electrode wiring 73 includes a first wiring 73a connected to the negative electrode side of the third cell column CR3 and extending in the Y direction to reach the vicinity of the end of the third cell column CR3 on the Y2 direction side, a second wiring 73b extending in the X1 direction from the end of the first wiring 73a on the Y2 direction side to reach the vicinity of the end of the fourth cell column CR4 on the X1 direction side, and a third wiring 73c extending in the Y2 direction from the end of the second wiring 73b on the X1 direction side to reach the vicinity of the end of the fourth cell column CR4 on the Y2 direction side and connected to the positive electrode side of the fourth cell column CR4. In this way, the adjacent intermediate electrode wiring 73 is also arranged so as to follow the shape of the upper side (X1 direction side) in the column direction (X direction) of each of the third cell column CR3 and the fourth cell column CR4, which are stepped. In addition, the wiring material 33 connected to the negative electrode of the solar cell C at the negative end of the third cell row CR3 in the series connection direction is connected to the first wiring 73a, and the wiring material 33 connected to the positive electrode of the solar cell C at the positive end of the fourth cell row CR4 in the series connection direction is connected to the third wiring 73c.

[0050] As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, the end electrode wirings 81 and 82 include a first end electrode wiring 81 that connects the negative pole side of each of the strings S1 and S2 to two terminal boxes 91 and 92, and a second end electrode wiring 82 that connects the positive pole side of each of the strings S1 and S2 to one terminal box 91. The terminal boxes 91 and 92 are disposed on the back side of the solar cell module 1. Specifically, the terminal boxes 91 and 92 include a first terminal box 91 that is disposed at a boundary portion between the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4 (the back side of the solar cell module 1 at the boundary portion) and at a position that is a predetermined distance in the X1 direction from the lower end frame portion 21, and a second terminal box 92 that is disposed at a boundary portion between the fourth cell row CR4 and the fifth cell row CR5 (the back side of the solar cell module 1 at the boundary portion) and at a position that is a predetermined distance in the X1 direction from the lower end frame portion 21. A + terminal 91a and a - terminal 91b are provided inside the first terminal box 91. A negative terminal 92a is provided inside the second terminal box 92. A bypass diode is provided between the positive terminal 91a and the negative terminal 91b inside the first terminal box 91.

[0051] 4 and 5, the first end electrode wiring 81 is connected to the negative electrode side of the fifth cell row CR5 and the negative electrode side of the fourth cell row CR4, and extends along the Y direction from the Y2-direction end of the fifth cell row CR5 to near the Y1-direction end of the fourth cell row CR4. Specifically, the first end electrode wiring 81 is connected to the wiring member 33 connected to the negative electrode of the solar cell C at the negative end of the fifth cell row CR5 in the series connection direction, and the first end electrode wiring 81 is connected to the wiring member 33 connected to the negative electrode of the solar cell C at the negative end of the fourth cell row CR4 in the series connection direction. In addition, the first end electrode wiring 81 is connected to the - terminal 92a of the second terminal box 92 and the - terminal 91b of the first terminal box 91, and the first end electrode wiring 81 and the - terminal 91b of the first terminal box 91, and the first end electrode wiring 81 and the - terminal 92a of the second terminal box 92 are connected by conductors 91c and 92b extending along the X direction, respectively.

[0052] 4 and 5, the second end electrode wiring 82 includes a first wiring 82a connected to the positive electrode side of the first cell row CR1 and extending along the Y direction to the vicinity of the end of the first cell row CR1 on the Y1 direction side, a second wiring 82b extending along the X direction from the end of the first wiring 82a on the Y1 direction side to the vicinity of the end of the first cell row CR1 on the X2 direction side, and a third wiring 82c extending along the Y direction from the end of the second wiring 82b on the X2 direction side to the vicinity of the end of the third cell row CR3 on the Y2 direction side and connected to the positive electrode side of the third cell row CR3. Specifically, the wiring member 33 connected to the positive electrode of the solar cell C at the end of the positive electrode side in the series connection direction of the first cell row CR1 is connected to the first wiring 82a, and the wiring member 33 connected to the positive electrode of the solar cell C at the end of the positive electrode side in the series connection direction of the third cell row CR3 is connected to the third wiring 82c. In addition, the second end electrode wiring 82 is connected to the + terminal 91a of the first terminal box 91, and the second end electrode wiring 82 and the + terminal 91a of the first terminal box 91 are connected by a conductor 91d extending along the X direction.

[0053] As in the first embodiment described above, the solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment is configured by disposing the cell rows CR3 and CR4 constituting the second string S2 between the two cell rows CR2 and CR5 constituting the first string S1. This makes the number of solar cell cells C, C, ... constituting each string S1, S2 the same. In this way, by disposing the cell row constituting one string among the multiple strings between the two cell rows constituting the other string, the number of solar cell cells constituting each string can be made the same.

[0054] In this embodiment, as in the case of the first embodiment described above, even if many solar cells C, C, ... are arranged to increase the output of the solar cell module 1 (for example, even if the solar cells C, C, ... are laid out to the maximum extent possible according to the outer shape of a solar cell module having a polygonal outer shape including an oblique side), it is possible to prevent a difference in the number of solar cells C, C, ... in each string S1, S2. Also, it is possible to eliminate power loss caused by a difference in the number of cells between the strings S1, S2.

[0055] [Comparison between the first and second embodiments] As described above, in any of the embodiments, it is possible to arrange many solar cells C, C, ... according to the outer shape of the solar cell module and to eliminate the difference in the number of solar cells C, C, ... in each string S1, S2, but there are differences in the lengths of the electrode wirings 41-43, 51, 52, 71-73, 81, 82 and the number of soldering points connecting each of the electrode wirings 41-43, 51, 52, 71-73, 81, 82. This will be explained in detail below.

[0056] Fig. 6 is a diagram equivalent to Fig. 1 for explaining the overall length and soldering locations of the electrode wirings 41-43, 51, 52 in the solar cell module 1 according to the first embodiment. Fig. 7 is a diagram equivalent to Fig. 4 for explaining the overall length and soldering locations of the electrode wirings 71-73, 81, 82 in the solar cell module 1 according to the second embodiment. In these diagrams, the length of each part (straight line portion) of the electrode wirings 41-43, 51, 52, 71-73, 81, 82 is shown in the form of a balloon when the length of the half cell in the X direction is "1". Also, the soldering locations that connect the electrode wirings 41-43, 51, 52, 71-73, 81, 82 to each other are shown with dashed circle.

[0057] 6, in the solar cell module 1 according to the first embodiment, the total length of each of the electrode wirings 41-43, 51, 52 is "36" when the length of the half cell in the X direction is "1". Also, the number of soldering points is "8".

[0058] 7, in the solar cell module 1 according to the second embodiment, the total length of each of the electrode wirings 71-73, 81, 82 is "38" when the length of the half cell in the X direction is "1", and the lengths of the conductors 91c, 92b, 91d are also required. Also, the number of soldering points is "10".

[0059] Considering the above points, it can be seen that the solar cell module 1 according to the first embodiment is more preferable from the standpoint of shortening the overall length of the electrode wiring and reducing the number of soldering points.

[0060] 1 and 2, in the solar cell module 1 according to the first embodiment, the terminal boxes 61, 62 are disposed such that the positions of the terminals 61a, 61b, 62a are closer to the oblique side portion than the solar cell C, and the wirings 51d, 52d, 51a connected to the terminals 61a, 61b, 62a, respectively, are positioned between the solar cell C and the oblique side portion 12. As a result, the connection positions of the wirings 51d, 52d, 51a in the terminal boxes 61, 62 and the wirings 51d, 52d, 51a are positioned outside the solar cell C (positions between the oblique side portion and the solar cell C that do not overlap with the solar cell C), so there is no possibility that the wirings connected to the terminal boxes 61, 62 will come into contact with the solar cell C, and there is no need to interpose an insulating sheet between them. Therefore, the solar cell module 1 of the first embodiment can eliminate the need for an insulating sheet between the wiring connected to the terminal box and the solar cell during the manufacture of the solar cell module, thereby improving the productivity of the solar cell module.

[0061] On the other hand, as shown in Figures 4 and 5, in the solar cell module 1 of the second embodiment, an insulating sheet (not shown) is interposed between the conductors 91c, 92b, 91d connected to the terminal boxes 91, 92 so as not to come into contact with the solar cell C.

[0062] Considering the above points, it can be seen that the solar cell module 1 according to the first embodiment is more preferable from the standpoint of improving the productivity of solar cell modules.

[0063] [Third embodiment] Next, a third embodiment will be described. This embodiment illustrates an arrangement of the solar cells C, C, ... other than the arrangements shown in the first and second embodiments.

[0064] Fig. 8 is a simplified diagram for explaining the arrangement of each solar cell C, C, ... and the configuration of each string S1, S2 in the solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 8, wiring (intermediate electrode wiring) connecting two cell rows in series is shown by a solid line, and end electrode wiring connecting strings S1, S2 in parallel is shown by a dashed line.

[0065] As shown in Fig. 8, the solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment has four cell rows CR1 to CR4 arranged in parallel in the Y direction, and the solar cells C in each cell row are arranged in the X direction perpendicular to the Y direction. The first cell row CR1 is composed of one solar cell C. The second cell row CR2 is composed of two solar cells C, C arranged in the X direction. The third cell row CR3 is also composed of two solar cells C, C arranged in the X direction. The fourth cell row CR4 is composed of three solar cells C, C, ... arranged in the X direction. The solar cells C in each of the cell rows CR1 to CR4 are connected in series.

[0066] The solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment also includes a first string S1 and a second string S2, and the first string S1 is configured by connecting the first cell row CR1 and the fourth cell row CR4 in series with the intermediate electrode wiring (skipping intermediate electrode wiring) 41. In FIG. 8, the reference numeral (S1) attached to each cell row CR1, CR4 indicates that these cell rows CR1, CR4 constitute the first string S1. In addition, the second string S2 is configured by connecting the second cell row CR2 and the third cell row CR3 in series with the intermediate electrode wiring (adjacent intermediate electrode wiring) 43. In FIG. 8, the reference numeral (S2) attached to each cell row CR2, CR3 indicates that these cell rows CR2, CR3 constitute the second string S2. In this manner, the second cell row CR2 and the third cell row CR3 constituting the second string S2 are disposed between the first cell row CR1 and the fourth cell row CR4 constituting the first string S1.

[0067] As described above, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in each of the first cell row CR1 to the fourth cell row CR4 is 1, 2, 2, and 3. Therefore, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the first string S1 composed of the first cell row CR1 and the fourth cell row CR4 is 4, and the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the second string S2 composed of the second cell row CR2 and the third cell row CR3 is also 4. In other words, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the first string S1 is the same as the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the second string S2.

[0068] For this reason, even in this embodiment, between a pair of cell rows CR1, CR4 constituting one string (first string in this embodiment) S1 among the multiple strings S1, S2, the cell rows CR2, CR3 constituting the other string (second string in this embodiment) S2 are arranged, so that the number of solar cell cells C, C, ... constituting each string S1, S2 is the same.

[0069] As described above, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in each of the first cell row CR1 to the fourth cell row CR4 is 1, 2, 2, and 3. Therefore, the number of solar cells C in the first cell row CR1 and the fourth cell row CR4 is different from the number of solar cells C in the second cell row CR2 or the third cell row CR3. The number of solar cells C in the second cell row CR2 or the third cell row CR3 is greater than the number of cells in the first cell row CR1 and smaller than the number of cells in the fourth cell row CR4. That is, the number of cells in the two cell rows constituting the first string S1 is different from the number of cells in the cell row constituting the second string 2 arranged between the two cell rows. The number of cells in the cell row constituting the second string 2 arranged between the two cell rows constituting the first string S1 is smaller than the number of cells in one of the two cell rows constituting the first string S1 and larger than the number of cells in the other cell row. This ensures that the number of solar cells C, C, . . . constituting each of the strings S1 and S2 is the same.

[0070] In this embodiment, the solar cell module 1 is composed of four cell strings CR1 to CR4, and the numbers of solar cells C, C, ... in the first cell string CR1 to the fourth cell string CR4 are 1, 2, 2, and 3, respectively, but the number of strings and the number of cells are not limited to this. If the solar cell module includes four cell strings with a cell number ratio of 1:2:2:3, the cell strings can be combined in the same way as in this embodiment to form two strings with the same number of cells.

[0071] [Fourth embodiment] Next, a fourth embodiment will be described. This embodiment illustrates an arrangement of the solar cells C, C, ... other than those shown in the first to third embodiments.

[0072] Fig. 9 is a simplified diagram for explaining the arrangement of each solar cell C, C, ... and the configuration of each string S1, S2 in the solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 9 as well, the wiring (intermediate electrode wiring) connecting two cell rows in series is shown by a solid line, and the end electrode wiring connecting the strings S1, S2 in parallel is shown by a dashed line.

[0073] As shown in Fig. 9, the solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment has four cell rows CR1 to CR4 arranged in parallel in the Y direction, and the solar cells C in each cell row are arranged in the X direction perpendicular to the Y direction. The first cell row CR1 is composed of one solar cell C. The second cell row CR2 is composed of two solar cells C, C arranged in the X direction. The third cell row CR3 is composed of three solar cells C, C, ... arranged in the X direction. The fourth cell row CR4 is composed of four solar cells C, C, ... arranged in the X direction. The solar cells C are connected in series in each of the cell rows CR1 to CR4.

[0074] The solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment also includes a first string S1 and a second string S2, and the first string S1 is configured by connecting the first cell row CR1 and the fourth cell row CR4 in series with the intermediate electrode wiring (skipping intermediate electrode wiring) 41. In FIG. 9, the reference numeral (S1) attached to each cell row CR1, CR4 indicates that these cell rows CR1, CR4 constitute the first string S1. The second string S2 is configured by connecting the second cell row CR2 and the third cell row CR3 in series with the intermediate electrode wiring (adjacent intermediate electrode wiring) 43. In FIG. 9, the reference numeral (S2) attached to each cell row CR2, CR3 indicates that these cell rows CR2, CR3 constitute the second string S2. In this manner, the second cell row CR2 and the third cell row CR3 constituting the second string S2 are disposed between the first cell row CR1 and the fourth cell row CR4 constituting the first string S1.

[0075] As described above, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in each of the first cell row CR1 to the fourth cell row CR4 is 1, 2, 3, and 4. Therefore, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the first string S1 composed of the first cell row CR1 and the fourth cell row CR4 is 5, and the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the second string S2 composed of the second cell row CR2 and the third cell row CR3 is also 5. In other words, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the first string S1 is the same as the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the second string S2.

[0076] For this reason, even in this embodiment, between two cell rows CR1, CR4 constituting one string (first string in this embodiment) S1 among the multiple strings S1, S2, the cell rows CR2, CR3 constituting the other string (second string in this embodiment) S2 are arranged, so that the number of solar cell cells C, C, ... constituting each string S1, S2 is the same.

[0077] As described above, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in each of the first cell row CR1 to the fourth cell row CR4 is 1, 2, 3, and 4. Therefore, the number of solar cells C in the first cell row CR1 and the fourth cell row CR4 is different from the number of solar cells C in the second cell row CR2 or the third cell row CR3. The number of solar cells C in the second cell row CR2 or the third cell row CR3 is greater than the number of cells in the first cell row CR1 and smaller than the number of cells in the fourth cell row CR4. That is, the number of cells in the two cell rows constituting the first string S1 is different from the number of cells in the cell row constituting the second string 2 arranged between the two cell rows. The number of cells in the cell row constituting the second string 2 arranged between the two cell rows constituting the first string S1 is smaller than the number of cells in one of the two cell rows constituting the first string S1 and larger than the number of cells in the other cell row. This ensures that the number of solar cells C, C, . . . constituting each of the strings S1 and S2 is the same.

[0078] In this embodiment, the solar cell module 1 is composed of four cell strings CR1 to CR4, and the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the first cell string CR1 to the fourth cell string CR4 is 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively, but the number of strings and the number of cells are not limited to this. If the solar cell module includes four cell strings with a cell number ratio of 1:2:3:4, the cell strings can be combined in the same way as in this embodiment to form two strings with the same number of cells.

[0079] [Fifth embodiment] Next, a fifth embodiment will be described. This embodiment illustrates an arrangement of the solar cell C, C, ... other than those shown in the first to fourth embodiments. The solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment includes three strings S1, S2, S3, and these strings S1, S2, S3 are connected in parallel to each other.

[0080] Fig. 10 is a simplified diagram for explaining the arrangement of each solar cell C, C, ... and the configuration of each string S1, S2, S3 in the solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment. In Fig. 10, wiring (intermediate electrode wiring) connecting two cell rows is shown by a solid line, and end electrode wiring connecting the strings S1, S2, S3 in parallel is shown by a dashed line.

[0081] 10, the solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment has six cell rows CR1 to CR6 arranged in parallel in the Y direction, and the solar cells C in each cell row are arranged in an X direction perpendicular to the Y direction. Moreover, the solar cells C constituting each of the cell rows CR1 to CR6 are, for example, solar cells (full cells) having a size of about 160 mm square divided into three (1 / 3 cells).

[0082] The first cell row CR1 is configured with two solar cells C, C arranged in the X direction. The second cell row CR2 is configured with four solar cells C, C, ... arranged in the X direction. The third cell row CR3 is configured with six solar cells C, C, ... arranged in the X direction. The fourth cell row CR4 is configured with eight solar cells C, C, ... arranged in the X direction. The fifth cell row CR5 is configured with ten solar cells C, C, ... arranged in the X direction. The sixth cell row CR6 is configured with twelve solar cells C, C, ... arranged in the X direction. The solar cells C are connected in series in each of the cell rows CR1 to CR6.

[0083] The solar cell module 1 according to the present embodiment includes a first string S1, a second string S2, and a third string S3. The first string S1 is configured by connecting the first cell row CR1 and the sixth cell row CR6 in series with an intermediate electrode wiring (skipping intermediate electrode wiring) 41A. In FIG. 10, the reference numeral (S1) attached to each cell row CR1 and CR6 indicates that these cell rows CR1 and CR6 constitute the first string S1. The second string S2 is configured by connecting the second cell row CR2 and the fifth cell row CR5 in series with an intermediate electrode wiring (skipping intermediate electrode wiring) 41B. In FIG. 10, the reference numeral (S2) attached to each cell row CR2 and CR5 indicates that these cell rows CR2 and CR5 constitute the second string S2. The third string S3 is configured by connecting the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4 in series with an intermediate electrode wiring (adjacent intermediate electrode wiring) 43. In Fig. 10, the reference numeral (S3) attached to each of the cell rows CR3 and CR4 indicates that these cell rows CR3 and CR4 constitute the third string S3. In this manner, the second cell row CR2 and the fifth cell row CR5 constituting the second string S2, and the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4 constituting the third string S3 are arranged between the first cell row CR1 and the sixth cell row CR6 constituting the first string S1. Also, the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4 constituting the third string S3 are arranged between the second cell row CR2 and the fifth cell row CR5 constituting the second string S2.

[0084] As described above, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the first cell row CR1 to the sixth cell row CR6 is 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, respectively. Therefore, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the first string S1 composed of the first cell row CR1 and the sixth cell row CR6 is 14, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the second string S2 composed of the second cell row CR2 and the fifth cell row CR5 is also 14, and the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the third string S3 composed of the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4 is also 14. In other words, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the first string S1, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the second string S2, and the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the third string S3 are the same.

[0085] For this reason, even in this embodiment, the number of solar cells C, C, ... constituting each of the strings S1, S2, S3 is made the same by arranging a row of cells constituting one of the multiple strings between two rows of cells constituting another string.

[0086] As described above, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in each of the first cell row CR1 to the sixth cell row CR6 is 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12. Therefore, the number of solar cells C in the first cell row CR1 and the sixth cell row CR6 is different from the number of solar cells C in the second cell row CR2 or the fifth cell row CR5. The number of solar cells C in the first cell row CR1 and the sixth cell row CR6 is different from the number of solar cells C in the third cell row CR3 or the fourth cell row CR4. The number of solar cells C in the second cell row CR2 and the fifth cell row CR5 is different from the number of solar cells C in the third cell row CR3 or the fourth cell row CR4. The number of solar cells C in the second cell row CR2 or the fifth cell row CR5 is greater than the number in the first cell row CR1 and less than the number in the sixth cell row CR6. Moreover, the number of solar cells C in the third cell row CR3 or the fourth cell row CR4 is greater than the number of cells in the first cell row CR1 and smaller than the number of cells in the sixth cell row CR6. Moreover, the number of solar cells C in the third cell row CR3 or the fourth cell row CR4 is greater than the number of cells in the second cell row CR2 and smaller than the number of cells in the fifth cell row CR5. That is, the number of cells in the two cell rows constituting the first string S1 is different from the number of cells in the cell row constituting the second string S2 or the third string S3 arranged between the two cell rows. Moreover, the number of cells in the two cell rows constituting the second string S2 is different from the number of cells in the cell row constituting the third string 3 arranged between the two cell rows. Moreover, the number of cells in the cell row constituting the second string 2 or the third string arranged between the two cell rows constituting the first string S1 is smaller than the number of cells in one of the two cell rows constituting the first string S1 and larger than the number of cells in the other cell row. In addition, the number of cells in a cell row constituting a third string arranged between two cell rows constituting the second string S2 is smaller than the number of cells in one of the two cell rows constituting the second string S2 and is larger than the number of cells in the other cell row.This ensures that the number of solar cells C, C, . . . constituting each of the strings S1, S2, S3 is the same.

[0087] In this embodiment, the solar cell module 1 is composed of six cell strings CR1 to CR6, and the number of solar cells C, C, ... in the first cell string CR1 to the sixth cell string CR6 is 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, respectively, but the number of strings and the number of cells are not limited to these. If the solar cell module includes six cell strings with a cell number ratio of 2:4:6:8:10, the cell strings can be combined in the same way as in this embodiment to form three strings with the same number of cells.

[0088] -Other embodiments- The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and can be implemented in various other forms. Therefore, the above-described embodiments are merely illustrative in all respects and should not be interpreted as being restrictive. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims, and is not restricted in any way by the text of the specification. Furthermore, all modifications and changes within the scope of the claims are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0089] For example, in each of the above embodiments, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in each string (first string S1 and second string S2 in the first to fourth embodiments, and first to third strings S1 to S3 in the fifth embodiment) is the same, but the number of cells in each string may be the same, or may differ slightly (for example, by about one or two). For example, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in each string may differ slightly as long as the power loss caused by the difference in the number of solar cells C, C, ... in each string falls within an allowable range and the string has a function of preventing reverse current flow.

[0090] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the cell string constituting another string arranged between two cell strings constituting one string is a plurality of cell strings, such as the third cell string CR3 and the fourth cell string CR4 constituting the second string S2 in the first embodiment, but it may also be a single cell string.

[0091] In the first to fourth embodiments, all the cell rows constituting the second string S2 are arranged adjacent to each other between two of the cell rows constituting the first string S1 in the juxtaposition direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this. A part of the cell row constituting the second string S2 may be arranged between two of the cell rows constituting the first string S1 in the juxtaposition direction. That is, a cell row constituting the second string S2 may be arranged between two of the cell rows constituting the first string S1 in the juxtaposition direction, and a cell row constituting the first string S1 may be arranged between two of the cell rows constituting the second string S2 in the juxtaposition direction. In addition, the present invention may have a configuration in which one or more cell rows constituting another string are arranged between two of the multiple cell rows constituting one string. In addition, a part of the multiple cell rows constituting another one string may be arranged between two of the multiple cell rows constituting one string. In addition, a part of the multiple cell rows constituting another multiple strings may be arranged between two of the multiple cell rows constituting one string.

[0092] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, a standard size cell (full cell) divided in half (half cell) or divided into one third (1 / 3 cell) is used as the solar cell C, but there is no limit to the number of divisions, and it may be, for example, a cell divided into one fourth (1 / 4 cell) or a full cell. In addition, when dividing into one fourth, for example, the full cell may be divided into rectangular shapes or may be divided into approximately square shapes.

[0093] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the present disclosure has been described as being applied to a monocrystalline solar cell module in which electrodes are formed on both the light-receiving surface and the back surface opposite the light-receiving surface, but it may also be applied to a back electrode type solar cell module (so-called back contact type solar cell module) in which a p-type electrode and an n-type electrode are formed on the back surface opposite the light-receiving surface.

[0094] In each of the above embodiments, the solar cell module 1 is installed on the roof of a house, for example, with the direction along the slope of the roof being the X direction. In addition, the height dimension of the solar cell module 1 is small on the left side of the figure and large on the right side, but the height dimension of the solar cell module 1 may be large on the left side of the figure and small on the right side. [Industrial Applicability]

[0095] The present disclosure is applicable to corner modules of solar cells. [Explanation of symbols]

[0096] 1. Solar cell module 42, 43, 71, 73 Adjacent intermediate electrode wiring 41,72,41A,41B Interleaved intermediate electrode wiring C. Solar cell CR1~CR6 cell row S1, S2, S3 Strings

Claims

1. It includes two strings connected in parallel, Each of the two strings includes one solar cell or a plurality of cell strings each including a plurality of solar cells connected in series; The solar cells in the plurality of cell rows are arranged in a first direction, The plurality of cell rows are arranged in parallel in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, In the second direction, a third cell row and a fourth cell row constituting a second string of one of the two strings are disposed between a first cell row and a second cell row constituting a first string of the other of the two strings; the first cell row, the third cell row, the fourth cell row, and the second cell row are arranged in this order in the second direction; On one side in the first direction, the first cell row protrudes from the third cell row and has a staircase shape, and the fourth cell row protrudes from the second cell row and has a staircase shape, a solar cell module, characterized in that a first end electrode wiring and a second end electrode wiring that connect the two strings in parallel are respectively arranged on one side of the first direction so as to follow a staircase shape consisting of the first cell row and the third cell row and a staircase shape consisting of the fourth cell row and the second cell row.

2. The solar cell module according to claim 1 , A solar cell module, characterized in that the number of said solar cells in said first string is the same as the number of said solar cells in said second string.

3. The solar cell module according to claim 1 or 2, A solar cell module characterized in that the number of solar cells in the first cell row or the number of solar cells in the second cell row is different from the number of solar cells in the third cell row and the fourth cell row.

4. The solar cell module according to claim 1 or 2, A solar cell module characterized in that the number of solar cells in the third cell row and the fourth cell row is smaller than the number of solar cells in the first cell row and greater than the number of solar cells in the second cell row.

5. The solar cell module according to claim 1 or 2, A solar cell module characterized in that the first cell row and the second cell row constituting the first string, and the third cell row and the fourth cell row constituting the second string, are each connected in series by a jump intermediate electrode wiring and an adjacent intermediate electrode wiring on the other side of the first direction.

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