Solar cell module

Abstract

To provide solar cell module which can be applied to a wide range of three-dimensional curved surfaces, can reduce costs, and can also improve yield.SOLUTION: A solar cell module 100, 101, 102 includes: a sheet member; a cell group 1 which is disposed on the sheet member 2 or in the sheet member 2 in a planar manner, and in which a plurality of solar cells 10 are connected; and a collector electrode E connected to the cell group 1. A plurality of notches K0, K1, K2, K3 open to an outer peripheral part of the sheet member 2 are formed around the cell group 1 in the sheet member 2.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a solar cell module including a plurality of solar cells.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, there has been a demand for installing solar cell modules on three-dimensional curved surfaces that make up buildings, moving bodies, flying bodies, etc. However, solar cell modules are generally developed on a two-dimensional plane and are often in a form that does not usually bend. Further, even if it bends, it only bends in one direction, so it has been difficult to install it on a three-dimensional curved surface that bends in two or more directions. For this reason, for example, in Patent Documents 1 and 2, etc., after arranging and connecting a plurality of solar cells on a base material having a three-dimensional curved surface in advance, the whole is sealed with a laminator corresponding to such a curved surface, thereby producing a method for manufacturing a solar cell module compatible with a three-dimensional curved surface is disclosed. Further, a technique has also been proposed in which a solar cell sheet is adhered to a substrate having a three-dimensional curvature, and a plurality of through cuts are formed in the sheet so as to be able to correspond to a three-dimensional curved surface to some extent (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Patent Document 3

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, substrates having the above-described conventional three-dimensional curved surfaces and special laminators are very costly. In addition, since it is necessary to perform a sealing process and a notch forming process on the three-dimensional shape, the yield tends to be poor (inferior in productivity). Moreover, in any of the conventional techniques, since the outer peripheral portion of the solar cell module is fixed and does not expand or contract, there is also a problem that the applicable three-dimensional curved surface is limited to those with extremely small curvatures.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure has been made in view of such circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a solar cell module that can be applied to a wide range of three-dimensional curved surfaces, can reduce costs, and can improve the yield, that is, is excellent in versatility, economy, and productivity.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a solar cell module according to an example of the present disclosure includes a sheet member, a cell group that is disposed planar on or in the sheet member and to which a plurality of solar cell cells are connected, and a current collecting electrode connected to the cell group. A plurality of cutout portions that are open to the outer peripheral portion of the sheet member are formed around the cell group in the sheet member.

[0007] In a solar cell module having such a configuration, since a notch is formed in the outer peripheral portion of the sheet member, the cell groups do not overlap each other, and the solar cell module is entirely divided into a plurality of portions including the outer peripheral portion of the sheet member. And, when there is no such notch, the outer peripheral portion of the solar cell module was integrally fixed, whereas those portions divided by the notch can be individually and independently changed in shape. Therefore, the entire solar cell module can be installed in accordance with the shapes of various three-dimensional curved surfaces without using a special base material or a sealing device such as a laminator as in the prior art. Further, in this case, if a solar cell having a highly flexible configuration is used, the cell group and thus the solar cell module can be configured more flexibly, and the applicability of the solar cell module to a three-dimensional curved surface can be further improved.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0008]

Figure 1

Figure 2

Figure 3

Figure 4

Figure 5

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] <Definition of Terms, etc.> Hereinafter, with reference to the accompanying drawings, a solar cell module according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described. In this document, for convenience, in the solar cell of the solar cell module, the direction in which each layer is laminated with respect to the substrate is referred to as upward, the opposite direction is referred to as downward, and the coordinate axis direction is referred to as up and down (it may be different from the up and down shown in the figure). Also, the left side as viewed in the figure is simply referred to as "left side" or "left", and the right side as viewed in the figure is simply referred to as "right side" or "right". Furthermore, in this document, when each layer or the semiconductor contained in each layer is expressed by the name of a certain compound, it includes not only the pure compound itself but also a compound doped with trace elements, chemical species, etc. within a range that does not lose the characteristics of the compound. Also, in this document, since the elements in each layer can exist in different oxidation states, all oxidation states are referred to by the name of the element unless specifically stated otherwise. For example, the "hydrogen element" and its chemical symbol "H" can mean a hydrogen atom, a hydrogen ion, a hydride ion, a hydrogen radical, hydrogen in a compound state, and hydrogen in a single state.

[0010] <Configuration example of solar cell> FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a solar cell in a solar cell module according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 1, the solar cell 10 has electrodes 11 and 13 and a power generation element layer 12 provided therebetween. The solar cell 10 having such a laminated structure typically receives light from the upper surface side of the electrode 13 and generates electricity. Also, the solar cell 10 is configured as a highly flexible (flexible) cell by the laminated structure shown below.

[0011] (Electrode 11) The electrode 11 is composed of a conductive substrate 111 and a lower electrode layer 112 formed thereon. The material for forming the conductive substrate 111 is not particularly limited, and examples include metal substrates such as titanium foil, stainless steel foil, and aluminum foil, and conductive resin films. The thickness thereof is preferably about 10 to 500 μm, and more preferably about 30 to 100 μm. Further, the lower electrode layer 112 is not particularly limited, and for example, a metal conductive layer made of Mo, Cr, Ti, etc., a conductive inorganic compound conductive layer other than metal, a conductive organic compound conductive layer, etc. can be used. The thickness of the lower electrode layer 112 is also not particularly limited, and is preferably about 200 to 800 nm, for example.

[0012] (Power generation element layer 12) The power generation element layer 12 is composed of a p-type hole transport layer 121, a light absorption layer 122, and an n-type electron transport layer 123 laminated in this order on the lower electrode layer 112 of the electrode 11. The material for forming the p-type hole transport layer 121 is not particularly limited, and examples include inorganic compounds such as molybdenum selenide and molybdenum oxide, and organic compounds such as fluorene derivatives. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The thickness of the p-type hole transport layer 121 is also not particularly limited, and is preferably about 20 to 100 nm, for example. Further, the material for forming the light absorption layer 122 is not particularly limited, and examples include perovskite compounds such as (Cs,FA)PbI3, chalcopyrite compounds such as Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2, and kesterite compounds such as Cu2ZnSnS4. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The thickness of the light absorption layer 122 is also not particularly limited, and is preferably about 1 to 5 μm, for example. Furthermore, the material for forming the n-type electron transport layer 123 is not particularly limited, and examples include Zn(O,S,OH)x, CdS, In2S3, ZnTiOx, etc. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The thickness of the n-type electron transport layer 123 is also not particularly limited, and is preferably about 20 to 150 nm, for example.

[0013] (Electrode 13) The electrode 13 is composed of an upper electrode layer 131 and a grid electrode 132, which are sequentially stacked on the n-type electron transport layer 123 of the power generation element layer 12. The upper electrode layer 131 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include transparent electrode layers such as ITO, IOH, FTO, ZnO:B, and ZnO:Al. The thickness of the upper electrode layer 131 is not particularly limited, and for example, it is preferably about 0.1 to 2 μm. Also, the grid electrode 132 is not particularly limited, and for example, a metal conductive layer made of Mo, Cr, Ag, etc., a conductive inorganic compound conductive layer other than metal, a conductive organic compound conductive layer, etc. can be used. The thickness of the grid electrode 132 is also not particularly limited, and for example, it is preferably about 5 to 50 μm.

[0014] <Conceptual Configuration of Solar Cell Module> FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing an example concept of a solar cell module according to the present disclosure, and is a schematic configuration diagram of a solar cell module 100 including four cell groups 1 each composed of two solar cell cells 10, 10. Note that this figure is for explaining the principle simple configuration of the solar cell module according to the present disclosure, and more specific and more complex configurations will be described later with reference to FIGS. 3 to 5.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2, a solar cell module 100 as an example of the present disclosure is configured such that one cell group 1 including solar cells 10, 10 is disposed in a sheet member 2 formed by bonding a front sheet and a back sheet with a sealing material. In this sheet member 2, at least the sheet on the light-receiving surface side among the front sheet and the back sheet has translucency. Here, the cell group 1 is configured, for example, as strings in which two rectangular solar cells 10, 10 are joined in series via a conductive adhesive layer (such as a conductive tape) not shown. Further, the four cell groups 1 are grouped into two groups on the left and right in the drawing, and are connected in series for each group by electrode pairs E1, E2 arranged alternately. In other words, a current collecting electrode E composed of these plurality of electrode pairs E1, E2 extends in a direction (a direction along axis Jy in the drawing) intersecting with the connection direction of the solar cells 10, 10 of the cell group 1 (a direction along axis Jx in the drawing). Note that the electrode pairs E1, E2 are connected to the upper surface (to be a light-receiving surface) and the lower surface of the cell group 1, respectively, and both ends of the current collecting electrode E are drawn out to the outer peripheral portion side of the sheet member 2 for each of the left and right groups of the plurality of cell groups 1. Further, an edge seal 3 (edge seal member) is provided along the outermost edge portion so as to integrally integrate these two groups of the cell groups 1. Note that the solid line portions in the illustrated electrode pairs E1, E2 indicate that they appear on the upper surface side, and the broken line portions indicate that they do not appear on the upper surface and are provided on the back surface side (the same applies to FIGS. 3 and 4 described later).

[0016] Further, a plurality of notches K0 opened at the outer peripheral portion of the sheet member 2 are formed around the cell group 1 in the sheet member 2. In this example, the notches K0 are defined at the central portions of the respective sides of the sheet member 2 having a rectangular shape. Further, each notch K0 has a wedge shape having a vertex on the central portion side of the sheet member 2 in plan view, and the width WB on the outer peripheral portion side of the sheet member 2 is larger than the width WA on the central portion side of the sheet member 2. In other words, the notch K0 is formed such that the width gradually increases from the central portion side to the outer peripheral portion side of the sheet member 2. Thereby, the solar cell module 100 is divided at a plurality of portions 20A to 20D at the outer peripheral portion of the sheet member 2 in a state where they are not completely separated.

[0017] The solar cell module 100 configured as described above can be easily manufactured, for example, by the following procedure. That is, first, the solar cells 10, 10 are joined in series to install the current collecting electrode E, and a power generation structure for the solar cell module 100 is prepared in advance. Next, the backsheet and the sealing material constituting the sheet member 2 are placed on an appropriate flat surface or the like in this order, and the power generation structure prepared in advance is installed at a predetermined position thereon, and the edge seal 3 is provided along the outer edge of the cell group 1. It is desirable to remove the sealing material in the region where the edge seal 3 is provided in advance. Next, the sealing material and the front sheet constituting the sheet member 2 are stacked thereon in this order. Here too, it is desirable to place the sealing material avoiding the region of the edge seal 3. Next, the sheet member 2 is bonded using a normal sheet laminator or the like to seal the power generation structure in the sheet member 2. Then, using a cutting device such as an appropriate cutter, the predetermined position of the outer peripheral portion of the sheet member 2 is cut into a wedge shape in accordance with the shape of the notch K0, thereby obtaining the solar cell module 100 having the notch K0.

[0018] Here, the constituent members of the sheet member 2 (back sheet, front sheet, and sealing material), as well as the material and properties of the edge seal 3, are not particularly limited, and materials and thicknesses commonly used can be appropriately selected and used. For example, as the front sheet, ETFE, PMMA, PET, etc. with a thickness of 50 to 300 μm can be used, and as the back sheet, PET, etc. with a thickness of 50 to 300 μm can be used. Also, as the sealing material, EVA, polyolefin, silicone, etc. with a thickness of 50 to 400 μm can be used. Furthermore, as the edge seal 3, polyisobutylene, butyl rubber, etc. with a thickness of 300 to 800 μm can be used. In addition, the above manufacturing method using these constituent materials is similarly applicable to the solar cell modules 101 and 102 described later.

[0019] <First Embodiment of Solar Cell Module> Next, FIG. 3 is a schematic plan (top) view showing an example of the configuration of the first embodiment of the solar cell module according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 3, as another example of the present disclosure, the solar cell module 101 has a plurality of cell groups 1 formed by connecting a plurality of solar cells 10 arranged in a sheet member 2 in which a front sheet and a back sheet are bonded by a sealing material. Here, the cell group 1 is also configured as strings in which a plurality of rectangular solar cells 10 are joined in series via a conductive adhesive layer (not shown), similar to the solar cell module 100 shown in FIG. 2. Also, in this example, the plurality of cell groups 1 are juxtaposed along a direction (the direction along the axis Jy in the drawing) intersecting the connection direction of the plurality of solar cells 10 (the direction along the axis Jx in the drawing).

[0020] Furthermore, the plurality of cell groups 1 are further grouped into two groups on the left and right in the illustration, and each of these groups is connected in series by electrode pairs E1 and E2 arranged alternately. In other words, the current collecting electrode E composed of these plurality of electrode pairs E1 and E2 extends along the juxtaposition direction (direction along the axis Jy) of the plurality of cell groups 1 as shown in FIG. 3. And for each of the left and right groups of the plurality of cell groups 1, one end of the current collecting electrode E (electrode pairs E1, E2) is drawn out to the outer peripheral portion side of the sheet member 2. Furthermore, an edge seal 3 is provided along the outermost edge portion of each cell group 1 so as to integrally integrate the two left and right groups of these cell groups 1.

[0021] Also, around the cell group 1 in the sheet member 2, a plurality of notches K1 opened to the outer peripheral portion of the sheet member 2 are formed between small groups composed of two cell groups 1, 1. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3, the notches K1 are arranged at predetermined intervals (that is, intervals corresponding to the widths of approximately two cell groups 1) along the juxtaposition direction (direction along the axis Jy) of the plurality of cell groups 1. Each of these notches K1 also forms a wedge shape having a vertex on the central portion side of the sheet member 2 in plan view, and the width on the outer peripheral portion side of the sheet member 2 is larger than the width on the central portion side of the sheet member 2. As such, the notch K1 is also formed such that the width gradually increases from the central portion side to the outer peripheral portion side of the sheet member 2. Also, the notches K1 in the two left and right groups of the cell group 1 are arranged facing each other. By these plurality of notches K1, the solar cell module 101 is divided into five parts 21A to 21E (corresponding to the right group in the illustration) and five parts 21F to 21J corresponding to every two adjacent cell groups 1, 1 in a state where they are not completely separated.

[0022] According to the solar cell modules 100 and 101 configured as described above, due to the formation of the notches K0 and K1 in the outer peripheral portion of the sheet member 2, the solar cell modules 100 and 101 are entirely divided into a plurality of portions 20A to 20D and 21A to 21J including the outer peripheral portion of the sheet member. And, if there were no such notches K0 and K1, the outer peripheral portion of the solar cell module would have been integrally fixed, whereas those portions 20A to 20D and 21A to 21J divided by the notches K0 and K1 can be individually and independently changed in shape.

[0023] Therefore, without creating a three-dimensional shape using a special base material or sealing device as in the prior art, the entire two-dimensional solar cell modules 100 and 101 can be installed in accordance with the shapes of various three-dimensional curved surfaces. At this time, since the solar cell 10 is configured as a highly flexible (flexible) cell, the cell group 1 and thus the solar cell modules 100 and 101 also have flexible characteristics. Thereby, the applicability of the solar cell modules 100 and 101 to three-dimensional curved surfaces can be further improved. Also, from these facts, the manufacturing cost of the solar cell modules 100 and 101 can be reduced, and the yield can also be improved. That is, according to the solar cell modules 100 and 101 of the present disclosure, it is possible to significantly improve the versatility, economy, and productivity with respect to various three-dimensional curved surfaces as compared with the prior art.

[0024] Also, in the solar cell module 101, a large number of cell groups 1 are densely juxtaposed along a direction (axis Jy) intersecting the connection direction of the plurality of solar cells 10, and a plurality of notches K1 are provided at predetermined intervals between predetermined cell groups among the plurality of cell groups 1 along the axis Jy. Therefore, even when the solar cell module 101 is complicated and enlarged, since the solar cell module 101 is divided into a large number of portions 21A to 21J, sufficient applicability to a three-dimensional curved surface can be imparted.

[0025] Furthermore, in the solar cell module 101, since the current collecting electrode E extends along the juxtaposition direction (axis Jy) of the plurality of cell groups, it becomes easier to secure a space for forming the notch K1 between the cell groups 1. As a result, the solar cell module 101 can be effectively divided into a number of parts 21A to 21J, further enhancing its applicability to various three-dimensional curved surfaces and contributing to further improvements in economy and productivity.

[0026] Moreover, in the solar cell modules 100 and 101, in both of the notches K0 and K1, the width WB on the outer peripheral side of the sheet member 2 is relatively larger than the width WA on the central side of the sheet member 2, and they are formed in a wedge shape. Therefore, according to the curvature of the three-dimensional curved surface, as the distance from the central part of the solar cell modules 100 and 101 increases, even if the distance between the parts 20A to 20D and 21A to 21J divided by the notches K0 and K1 increases, those parts can expand to cover the three-dimensional curved surface. Thereby, the applicability to the three-dimensional curved surface can be further enhanced, including cases where the curvature is relatively large or the area to be covered increases.

[0027] In addition, in the solar cell modules 100 and 101, since the edge seal 3 is provided along the outer edge of the cell group 1, there is an advantage that the outer periphery of each cell group 1 is protected and it becomes easier to handle the entire cell group 1 more integrally. As a result, the productivity of the solar cell modules 100 and 101 is further improved, and the reliability as a product can be enhanced.

[0028] <Second Embodiment of Solar Cell Module> FIG. 4 is a schematic plan (top) view showing an example of the configuration of a second embodiment of a solar cell module according to the present disclosure. As shown in FIG. 4, as yet another example of the present disclosure, a solar cell module 102 has a plurality of cutouts K2 and K3 formed instead of the plurality of cutouts K1, and the plurality of cell groups 1 and the plurality of cutouts K2 and K3 are configured in the same manner as the solar cell module 101 shown in FIG. 3, except that they extend radially from the central portion side to the outer peripheral portion side of the sheet member 2. That is, in the solar cell module 101, the plurality of cell groups 1 and the plurality of cutouts K1 are arranged parallel to each other, whereas in the solar cell module 102, the plurality of cell groups 1 and the plurality of cutouts K2 and K3 extend such that the angle from the horizontal direction increases as they move away from the center in the vertical direction shown in the figure.

[0029] Here, FIG. 5 is a schematic plan view showing the shapes of the cutouts K2 and K3 in the solar cell module 102, and is a schematic view showing an enlarged part of FIG. 4 (the dimensional difference is exaggerated slightly for easy understanding). As shown in FIG. 5, in the solar cell module 102, since the plurality of cell groups 1 extend radially, the distance between adjacent cell groups 1, 1 on the central portion side in the vertical direction (axis Jy direction) of the sheet member 2, that is, the maximum distance DS2 in the cutout K2, is smaller than the distance on the outer peripheral portion side in the vertical direction (axis Jy direction) of the sheet member 2, that is, the maximum distance DS3 in the cutout K3. Similarly, the maximum distance DK3 between adjacent cutouts K2 and K3 on the outer peripheral portion side in the vertical direction (axis Jy direction) of the sheet member 2 is larger than the maximum distance DK2 on the central portion side in the vertical direction (axis Jy direction) of the sheet member 2. Also, such a configuration can be equivalently stated as the apex angle (inner angle) θ3 of the cutout K3 being larger than the apex angle (inner angle) θ2 of the cutout K2 because the cutouts K2 and K3 are wedge-shaped.

[0030] Furthermore, due to the above-described configuration of the solar cell module 102, the distance W3 between the current collecting electrodes E provided between the left and right opposing cell groups 1, 1 on the outer peripheral side in the vertical direction (axis Jy direction) of the sheet member 2 is smaller than the distance W2 between the central portions in the vertical direction (axis Jy direction) of the sheet member 2.

[0031] Even in the solar cell module 102 configured as described above, the same operational effects as those of the aforementioned solar cell modules 100 and 101 are achieved. Also, in the solar cell module 102, the plurality of cell groups 1 and the plurality of notches K2 and K3 extend radially from the central side to the outer peripheral side of the sheet member 2. Due to this, the dimensions of the spaces between the cell groups 1, between the notches K2 and K3, and of the current collecting electrodes E have the relative size relationship described above. As a result, even if the distance between the sites 22A to 22J divided by the notches K2 and K3 becomes larger as the distance from the central portion of the solar cell module 102 increases according to the curvature of the three-dimensional curved surface, those sites can further expand so as to cover the three-dimensional curved surface. Consequently, the applicability to the three-dimensional curved surface can be further enhanced, including cases where the curvature is even larger or the area to be covered is even further increased.

[0032] The examples and each embodiment described above are for facilitating the understanding of the present disclosure and are not for limiting and interpreting the present disclosure. Also, each element included in each embodiment, as well as its arrangement, material, conditions, shape, dimensional size, scale, etc., are not limited to those exemplified or illustrated unless otherwise explicitly stated, and can be appropriately changed within the scope of the gist of the present disclosure. Furthermore, it is also possible to combine the configurations of each embodiment with each other.

[0033] For example, the solar cell 10 may include layers other than the above-described layers, or may include a plurality of the above-described layers. Further, each layer constituting the solar cell 10 may contain various additives such as a binder and a surfactant in addition to the above-described main constituent materials. Furthermore, the p-type hole transport layer 121 and the grid electrode 132 of the solar cell 10 may not be provided, and two or more light absorption layers 122 may be provided. Moreover, the applications of the solar cell modules 100, 101, and 102 are not particularly limited. For example, they can be preferably used as power generation devices when attached to roofs, windows, and wall surfaces of buildings, moving bodies, aircraft, etc., especially for three-dimensional measurements. In addition, they can also be suitably used as street lights, sensors, independent power supply devices for digital signage, mobile energy devices, and power generation devices in space or the stratosphere.

[0034] Further, instead of the form in which the plurality of cell groups 1 are serially connected by the current collecting electrode E including the portions arranged at the central parts of the solar cell modules respectively, the plurality of cell groups 1 may be connected in parallel. Furthermore, the total number and the number of rows of the solar cells 10 constituting the cell group 1 can be arbitrarily selected. Moreover, the number of the plurality of juxtaposed cell groups 1 and the number of the cutouts K0, K1, K2, K3 can also be any number. Additionally, the edge seal 3 is not essential and may not be provided, or the edge seal 3 may extend to the outer periphery of the sheet member 2. Also, a gap may be provided between the outermost edge portions of each cell group 1 and the edge seal 3. In addition, instead of the configuration in which the plurality of cell groups 1 are grouped into left and right groups and a total of two pairs of electrode pairs E1 and E2 are drawn out one by one from each group, it is of course also possible to connect between the groups inside the solar cell modules 101 and 102 and draw them out together as one pair of electrode pairs E1 and E2. Also, instead of the configuration in which the electrode pairs E1 and E2 are directly drawn out from the sheet member 2, they may be connected to a junction box or the like inside and drawn out as a cable.

Description of Reference Numerals

[0035] 1... cell group, 2... sheet member, 3... edge seal (edge seal member), 10... solar cell, 11, 13... electrodes, 12... power generation element layer, 20A~20D, 21A~21J, 22A~22J... divided parts, 100, 101, 102... solar cell modules, 100, 101 solar cell modules, 111... conductive substrate, 112... lower electrode layer, 121... p-type hole transport layer, 122... light absorption layer, 123... n-type electron transport layer, 131... upper electrode layer, 132... grid electrode, DK2, DK3, DS2, DS3... maximum intervals, E... current collecting electrode, E1, E2... electrode pairs, Jx, Jy... axes, K0, K1, K2, K3... notches, W2, W3... intervals, WA, WB... widths, θ2, θ3... apex angles

Claims

1. A sheet member, a cell group that is disposed planar on or within the sheet member and has a plurality of solar cells connected together, a current collecting electrode connected to the cell group, wherein the sheet member is formed around the cell group and has a plurality of cutouts that are open at the outer peripheral portion of the sheet member, a solar cell module.

2. A plurality of the cell groups are juxtaposed along a direction intersecting the connection direction of the plurality of solar cells, the plurality of cutouts are provided between predetermined cell groups among the plurality of cell groups, the solar cell module according to Claim 1.

3. The cutouts are arranged at a predetermined interval along the juxtaposition direction of the plurality of cell groups, the solar cell module according to Claim 2.

4. The current collecting electrode extends along the juxtaposition direction of the plurality of cell groups, the solar cell module according to Claim 2 or 3.

5. The width of the cutout at the outer peripheral portion side of the sheet member is larger than the width at the central portion side of the sheet member, the solar cell module according to any one of Claims 1 to 4.

6. The plurality of cell groups and / or the plurality of cutouts extend radially from the central portion side to the outer peripheral portion side of the sheet member, the solar cell module according to any one of Claims 2 to 5.

7. The maximum interval between adjacent cell groups and / or adjacent cutouts at the outer peripheral portion of the sheet member is larger than the maximum interval at the central portion side of the sheet member, the solar cell module according to Claim 6.

8. The current collecting electrode provided to face between the cell groups has a smaller interval at the outer peripheral portion side of the sheet member than the interval at the central portion side of the sheet member, the solar cell module according to Claim 6 or 7.

9. comprising an edge seal member provided along the outer edge portion of the cell group, the solar cell module according to any one of Claims 2 to 8.

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