Power generation device
Patent Information
- Application Number
- JP2025097880
- Authority / Receiving Office
- JP · JP
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2019-11-12
- Filing Date
- 2025-06-11
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-10
AI Technical Summary
Existing window panels that incorporate glass facades face issues with overheating due to sunlight, leading to high energy consumption for air conditioning, and existing solar cell technologies are inefficient in space-constrained applications.
A power generating device with solar cells arranged in overlapping strings along the edges of transparent panels, directly bonded to the panel without gaps, and incorporating diffractive elements to redirect infrared light, reducing heat transmission and enhancing efficiency.
The solution reduces overheating and improves energy conversion efficiency by minimizing light loss and heat gain, thus lowering air conditioning costs and optimizing space utilization.
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
[Technical Field]
[0001] FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates to power generation devices, and particularly, but not exclusively, to panels, such as window panels, that include solar cells. [Background technology]
[0002] Buildings such as office towers, residential high rises, and hotels use large amounts of exterior window panels and / or facades that incorporate glass panels.
[0003] Overheating of interior spaces, such as those receiving sunlight through window panels, is a problem that can be overcome using air conditioners, which use a large amount of energy worldwide to operate.
[0004] PCT International Application Nos. PCT / AU2012 / 000778, PCT / AU2012 / 000787 and PCT / AU2014 / 000814 (owned by the present applicant) disclose spectrally selective panels that can be used as window glass and that transmit most visible light but divert some of the incident infrared light to the sides of the panel where it is absorbed by solar cells to generate electricity.
[0005] Where a prior art publication is referenced herein, it should be understood that such reference is not an admission that the publication forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or any other country. Summary of the Invention
[0006] In a first aspect, the present invention provides a power generating device comprising: a panel having an area transparent to at least a portion of visible light and having a light receiving surface; and at least one string of solar cells, each solar cell having a pair of opposing main surfaces with opposite electrical polarity, each solar cell overlapping and electrically connected in series with another solar cell in the string of solar cells, the at least one string of solar cells being arranged along and proximate to an edge of the panel, and being arranged along the area transparent to at least a portion of visible light and substantially parallel to the light receiving surface of the panel.
[0007] The panel may be a window panel and the apparatus may further comprise a frame structure for supporting the panel. In this embodiment, the apparatus may be provided in the form of a window unit for a building, such as an insulating glass unit.
[0008] The solar cell string, in which multiple solar cells are arranged in an overlapping relationship or shingle-like arrangement, has advantages for window applications. In such applications, space is limited and solar cells must be as small as possible. Embodiments of the present invention eliminate gaps between adjacent solar cells, resulting in improved conversion efficiency per area. Furthermore, no top contacts or fingers are required, which reduce the area of each solar cell available to receive photons for power generation.
[0009] The plurality of solar cells of the at least one solar cell string may have a front surface that is directly or indirectly bonded to the panel so that there is no air gap between the plurality of solar cells and the panel. The bonding may be performed using an additional adhesive. In one embodiment, the adhesive has a refractive index at least close to that of the panel material, such as glass or a suitable polymer. Alternatively, the solar cell may have an outer layer of a polymeric material such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) or another suitable material. In this embodiment, the solar cell is directly bonded to the panel. For example, if the solar cell includes a layer of PVB or EVA or other suitable material, the material may be softened slightly and then directly bonded to the panel. Since there is no gap between the panel and the solar cell, the loss of intensity of light propagating from the panel into the solar cell is reduced.
[0010] The device may include a plurality of strings of solar cells, which may be arranged around (and may surround) an area that is transparent to at least a portion of visible light. The strings of solar cells may be arranged proximate to an edge of the panel such that the panel is largely transparent to at least a portion of visible light, and the area that is transparent to at least a portion of visible light is a central area that is 5, 10, 15, 20, 50, 100, or 500 times larger than the area of the panel in which the strings of solar cells are arranged.
[0011] The at least one string of solar cells is typically positioned on a surface of the panel opposite the light receiving surface such that light received by the light receiving surface propagates through at least a portion of the panel before reaching the at least one string of solar cells.
[0012] The panel may have four edges, and at least one of the strings of solar cells may be located at each edge of the panel.
[0013] In one particular embodiment, the at least one string of solar cells includes at least two strings of solar cells disposed at adjacent ends of the panel and which may be electrically connected in series or parallel.
[0014] In one embodiment, adjacent solar cell strings of the at least two solar cell strings may be oriented at an angle (e.g., an angle between 80 and 100 degrees, or substantially 90 degrees) relative to each other and may face the light-receiving surface. At least one solar cell in the at least two solar cell strings may overlap at least one solar cell in an adjacent solar cell string of the at least two solar cell strings, thereby electrically connecting the at least two solar cell strings in series. Alternatively, at least one solar cell in the at least two solar cell strings may overlap and be electrically isolated from at least one solar cell in an adjacent solar cell string of the at least two solar cell strings, thereby electrically connecting the at least two solar cell strings in parallel.
[0015] In one specific example, a solar cell located at the end of one of the at least two solar cell rows overlaps with one solar cell in an adjacent solar cell row of the at least two solar cell rows in such a way that the adjacent pair of solar cell rows are angled.
[0016] In one particular embodiment, the panel has a generally rectangular shape with a substantially right angle. Adjacent pairs of solar cell rows may be positioned at adjacent ends of the panel such that the adjacent pairs of solar cell rows form a substantially right angle. In this embodiment, a solar cell positioned at an end of an adjacent solar cell row may form an overlapping relationship with a side of a solar cell positioned at the end of the adjacent solar cell row.
[0017] In one embodiment, adjacent solar cells in the at least two solar cell rows are substantially parallel to each other and face the light-receiving surface. At least one solar cell in the at least two solar cell rows is parallel to an adjacent solar cell in the at least two solar cell rows. The first solar cell string may overlap at least one solar cell in the solar cell string, and may or may not be electrically connected in series. Furthermore, the first solar cell string and the second solar cell string may be disposed directly adjacent (and substantially parallel) to each other, and all or at least a majority of the solar cells in the first solar cell string may overlap each of the solar cells in the second solar cell string. Some or all of the solar cells in the first solar cell string may be electrically isolated from or electrically connected to each solar cell in the second solar cell string. In one specific embodiment, the solar cells in the first solar cell string are electrically connected to each of the solar cells in the second solar cell string, and the solar cells in the second solar cell string are electrically connected in series. Alternatively, the first solar cell string and the second solar cell string may be electrically isolated from each other, and the solar cells in the first solar cell string may be connected in series, and the solar cells in the second solar cell string may be connected in series.
[0018] The plurality of solar cells in the first solar cell row and the plurality of solar cells in the second solar cell row may be tilted in the same manner and direction. Alternatively, the plurality of solar cells in the first solar cell row and the plurality of solar cells in the second solar cell row may be tilted in opposite manners and directions. Furthermore, the plurality of solar cells in the first solar cell row and the plurality of solar cells in the second solar cell row may be tilted at the same angle or different angles relative to the surface normal of the light-receiving surface.
[0019] The panel may be a first panel, and the device may include a second panel. The second panel may be positioned substantially parallel to the first panel such that light received by the light-receiving surface of the first panel first propagates through the first panel before being received by the second panel. The second panel may have an area that is transparent to at least a portion of visible light.
[0020] Each solar cell may have a backside that is directly or indirectly coupled to a second panel, thereby allowing each solar cell in the first solar cell string and / or the second solar cell string to be The battery cells may be bonded directly or indirectly to both the first and second panels and sandwiched between them. In this embodiment, both the front and back surfaces of the device are surfaces of the first or second panel (which may be glass panels), which has the advantage of protecting the solar cells and also providing a reliable (vacuum) sealing surface for window applications.
[0021] The at least one string of solar cells may be at least one string of first solar cells, and the device may further include at least one string of second solar cells disposed on the second panel, where each second solar cell may have a pair of opposing major surfaces having opposite electrical polarities, and each second solar cell may overlap another second solar cell of the plurality of second solar cells, and may or may not be electrically connected in series, and where at least one of the strings of second solar cells is disposed along and near an edge of the second panel and faces the light-receiving surface of the first panel.
[0022] The second solar cell may be bonded to the second panel such that there is no air gap between the second solar cell and the second panel.
[0023] The second panel may have four edges and may include at least one string of second solar cells disposed at each edge of the second panel.
[0024] In one specific embodiment, at least one of the cell strings of the second solar cell is The solar cell array may include a plurality of second solar cell rows oriented at adjacent ends of the second panel. The plurality of second solar cell rows may be oriented at an angle relative to each other (e.g., an angle between 80 and 100 degrees, or substantially 90 degrees). At least one second solar cell in one second solar cell row may overlap at least one second solar cell in an adjacent second solar cell row. In one specific example, at least one second solar cell disposed at the end of one second solar cell row may overlap at least one second solar cell in an adjacent second solar cell row such that the adjacent pair of solar cell rows form an angle. Overlapping solar cells at the ends of adjacent second solar cell rows may be electrically connected to each other, thereby electrically connecting the adjacent solar cell rows in series. Alternatively, overlapping solar cells at the ends of adjacent second solar cell rows may be electrically isolated from each other, and the adjacent solar cell rows may be electrically connected in parallel.
[0025] In one particular embodiment, the second panel has a generally rectangular shape with a substantially right angle. At least two of the second solar cell rows may be arranged at adjacent ends of the second panel such that adjacent solar cell rows form a substantially right angle. In this embodiment, a second solar cell arranged at one end of one second solar cell row may overlap a side of a second solar cell arranged at the end of an adjacent second solar cell row.
[0026] The second panel may further include diffractive elements and / or luminescent materials to facilitate redirection of incident infrared light towards the edges of the second panel.
[0027] The device may further include at least one row of third solar cells disposed on at least one end surface of the second panel and oriented substantially perpendicular to the major surface of the second panel, such that at least one row of third solar cells may be oriented substantially perpendicular to the row of first solar cells in the first panel and the row of second solar cells in the second panel. The row of third solar cells may be positioned to receive at least a portion of the light redirected by the diffractive element and / or luminescent material. Deflection of infrared radiation by the diffractive element may reduce transmission of infrared radiation into a building (if the panel is used as window glass), which has the further advantage of reducing overheating of spaces within the building and reducing air conditioning costs.
[0028] The solar cell may be a silicon-based solar cell, but may alternatively be based on any other suitable material, such as CIGS or CIS, GaAs, CdS or CdTe.
[0029] In one specific embodiment, the first solar cell and the second solar cell are silicon-based solar cells, and the third solar cell is a CIS-based or CIGS-based solar cell.
[0030] The present invention will be more fully understood from the following description of specific embodiments thereof, the following of which is made with reference to the drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]
[0031] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic top view of a power generating device according to an embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of components of a power generation device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 3] FIG. 2 is a schematic top view of a portion of the power generating device shown in FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an apparatus according to an embodiment; [Figure 5]1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of an apparatus according to an embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] Referring initially to Figure 1, a schematic top view of a power generating system 100 according to one embodiment of the present invention is shown. The power generating system 100 comprises a panel 102, and in this embodiment, four solar cell strings 104, 106, 108, 110 are disposed at each end of the panel 102. The four solar cell rows 104, 106, 108, and 110 face the light-receiving surface of the panel. , together enclose an area of the panel that is at least mostly light-transmitting. Panel 102 may, for example, form a window panel for a building or other structure, and the four solar cell strings 104, 106, 108, 110 may be arranged in a frame structure that supports panel 102 and one or more other panels for the window unit.
[0033] The panel 102 can have any shape, but in one particular embodiment is rectangular, and may be square. The panel 102 may be formed from a suitable glass or polymer material.
[0034] 2 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the panel 102 and a portion of a solar cell string 108. A plurality of solar cells 112 in the solar cell string 108 are arranged in an overlapping relationship and electrically connected using a conductive adhesive 116. The solar cells 112 have a pair of opposing major surfaces, each having a different polarity, and are oriented so that only the major surface of the same polarity faces the panel 102. The conductive adhesive 116 bonds the back surface of one solar cell 112 to the front surface of an adjacent solar cell 112. As a result, the solar cells in the solar cell string are electrically connected in series.
[0035] The solar cell 112 is bonded directly to the panel 102. In this example, the solar cell 112 includes an outer ETA layer. Before bonding the solar cell 112 to the panel 102, the ETA is softened slightly (by careful heating), and then the solar cell 112 is pressed against the panel 102. Once the softened ETA hardens again, the solar cell is bonded to the panel 102.
[0036] 2 is a schematic representation only. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the solar cells 112 are relatively long compared to their thickness, and therefore, the solar cells 112 are substantially parallel to the panel 102, even though the solar cells 112 are arranged in an overlapping (shingled) relationship.
[0037] Referring now to Figure 3, there is shown a schematic diagram of a corner region of the device shown in Figure 1. Figure 3 shows a portion of panel 102 and portions of adjacent solar cell strings 108, 110. In this embodiment, solar cell string 108 and solar cell string 110 form a right angle, and the end surfaces of the solar cells located at the end of solar cell string 110 are inclined relative to the other solar cells. The solar cells overlap side portions of the solar cells located at the ends of the solar cell strings 108. The overlapping portions of the solar cells are electrically connected in series using conductive adhesive 116 in a manner similar to that described above with reference to Figure 2. In a variation of the above embodiment, the overlapping portions of the solar cells at the ends of the solar cell strings 108, 110 are electrically insulated from each other, and the solar cell strings 108, 110 are electrically connected in parallel.
[0038] Referring now to Figure 4, there is shown a cross-sectional view of a portion of a window unit according to one embodiment of the present invention. The window unit 400 comprises a panel 102 having first solar cell (shingle) cell rows 104, 106, 108, and 110, which are encapsulated by an ETA layer 109. The panel 102 has a light receiving surface 103. In this embodiment, the panel 102 is a first panel, and the window unit 400 also comprises a second panel 402 positioned parallel to and spaced apart from the first panel 102. The second panel 402 has solar cell strings 404 that are bonded directly to the second panel 402 in a manner similar to that described above with reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3 for the first panel 102. In this embodiment, the panels 102 and 402 are rectangular and each include four solar cell strings. The four solar cell strings are bonded to the edges of the panels 102, 402 and are arranged as shown in Figure 1. The solar cell strings include a plurality of overlapping (shingled) solar cells as shown in Figure 2, with corners formed in the manner described for the first panel 102 in Figure 3.
[0039] The window unit 400 also includes a frame structure 405 configured to hold the panels 102 and 402 and the solar cell strings in place.
[0040] In this embodiment, the panels 102 and 404 are each made of panes of glass. Each panel comprises a pane of glass, each pane of glass being highly transparent to visible light. In one embodiment, the panes of glass forming panels 102 and 404 are formed from low-iron, ultra-clear panes of glass, and panel 404 further has a low-emissivity (low-E) coating.
[0041] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the panel 404 is a laminated structure having three sub-panes 404a, 404b, and 404c. The sub-pane 404a is formed of 4 mm thick low-iron, extra-clear glass, and the second and third panes 404b and 404c are each formed of extra-clear glass having a thickness of 4 mm. The sub-panes 404a, 404b, and 404c are mated to form a stack of substantially parallel sub-panes. A polyvinyl butyral (PVB) interlayer 410 is distributed between the glass panes 404a and 404b. A PVB interlayer 412 is also disposed between the sub-panels 404b and 404c, and the PVB interlayer 412 also includes light-scattering elements. In this embodiment, the light-scattering elements include luminescent scattering powder embedded in the PVB. is an epoxy that also provides adhesion. Panel 404 also includes a diffraction grating configured to facilitate redirection of light toward the edge regions of panel 404 (i.e., toward frame 20) and to facilitate light extraction by total internal reflection.
[0042] It should be understood that the panel 404 can have any number of panes with any number of interlayers. In some embodiments, the panel 404 can include a single piece of light-transmitting material, such as glass.
[0043] The panel 404 has an edge 411 with a plane that intersects with the light receiving surface 103. In the embodiment of Figure 2, the angle between the edge 411 and the light receiving surface 103 is 90°.
[0044] The window unit 400 also includes a third solar cell row 414 that faces the edge 411 and the cavity between the first panel 102 and the second panel 404. The third solar cell row 414 substantially surrounds the second panel 404 and is positioned to receive light that is redirected by a scattering material and / or a diffractive element (not shown) toward the edge 416 of the second panel 404. The third solar cell row 414 also receives light in an area that faces the cavity between the first panel 102 and the second panel 404.
[0045] FIG. 5 illustrates a power generating device according to a further embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 illustrates a device 500 having a first panel 502 and a second panel 504. The first panel 502 and the second panel 504 are transparent to at least 70% of incident visible light (limited by the transmittance of the panel material, such as glass). The device 500 includes the aforementioned solar cell strings 104 106, 108, 110 ( In FIG. 5, only the solar cell string 104 is shown.
[0046] Each of the solar cell rows 104, 106, 108, and 110 has a receiving surface facing the panel 502. The solar cell strings 104, 106, 108, 110 each have a light-emitting surface and are bonded to the panel 502 so that there is no air gap between the solar cell strings 104, 106, 108, 110 and the panel 502. Furthermore, the solar cell strings 104, 106, 108, 110 each have a back surface that faces the panel 504 and is bonded to the panel 504. In this example, the solar cell strings 104, 106, 108, 110 each include an outer polyvinyl butyral (PVB) layer or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) layer on the front surface. Excluded-Volume-Branched-Polymers (EVB), or A sheet of ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) is placed between the panels 502 and 504 such that the sheet is also placed between the solar cell strings 104, 106, 108, 110 and the back of the panel 504. Before bonding the solar cell strings 104, 106, 108, 110 to the panels 502, 504 (and the panels 502, 504 to each other), the PVB, ETA, EVB, or ETFE is softened slightly (by careful heating), and the panels 502, 504 are then pressed together such that the solar cell strings 104, 106, 108, 110 are positioned between the panels 502, 504. Once the softened PVB, ETA, EVB, or ETFE has hardened again, the solar cell strings are sandwiched and adhered between the panels 502, 504 without the need for additional adhesive, thereby forming a laminate structure. The panels 502, 504 protect the solar cell strings 104, 106, 108, 110 and also provide a reliable sealing surface on both the front and back of the device, which is advantageous for window applications.
[0047] In this embodiment, the first solar cell string and the second solar cell string 104, 106, 108, 110, 408 may be silicon-based solar cells, but may alternatively be based on any other suitable material, such as CdS, CdTe, GaAs, CIS, or CIGS. The third solar cell string 414 may be CIS-based or CIGS-based, but may alternatively be based on any other suitable material, such as SI, CdS, CdTe, or GaAs.
[0048] While several specific embodiments have been described, it should be understood that the disclosed unit 400 may be embodied in many other forms. For example, the unit 400 need not necessarily be rectangular, but may instead have any other suitable shape (e.g., circular or rounded, etc.). Furthermore, the panel 404 may include any suitable number of sub-panels. Furthermore, the window unit may include a third panel such that a triple-glazed unit is formed.
[0049] Any discussion of background art throughout this specification should in no way be taken as an admission that such background art is prior art or that such background art is widely known or forms part of the common general knowledge in the art in Australia or throughout the world.
[0050] Furthermore, those skilled in the art will appreciate that modifications to the described embodiments are possible. For example, the solar cells in each cell string do not necessarily have to be connected in series. The device may also include adjacent, substantially parallel solar cell strings. The adjacent, substantially parallel solar cell strings may overlap such that each solar cell in a first cell string overlaps one (or each) solar cell in an immediately adjacent, substantially parallel solar cell string. The solar cells in the first cell string may be electrically connected in series, or alternatively, may be electrically isolated from one another and electrically connected to each solar cell in a second cell string. For example, the solar cells in the first cell string may be electrically connected to each one of the solar cells in the second cell string, and the second cell The solar cells in the rows are electrically connected in series. The solar cells in the first row and the solar cells in the second row may be tilted in the same manner and direction. Alternatively, the solar cells in the first row and the solar cells in the second row may be tilted in opposite manners and directions. Furthermore, the solar cells in the first row and the solar cells in the second row may be tilted at the same angle or at different angles relative to the surface normal of the light-receiving surface.
Claims
1. a panel having an area transparent to at least a portion of visible light and having a light receiving surface; at least one string of solar cells, each solar cell having a pair of opposing main surfaces with opposite electrical polarities, each solar cell overlapping and electrically connected in series with another solar cell in the string; Equipped with the at least one string of solar cells is disposed along and adjacent to an edge of the panel, along the area transparent to at least a portion of visible light, and substantially parallel to the light-receiving surface of the panel; the panel has a generally rectangular shape with substantially right angles; two adjacent rows of solar cells are positioned at adjacent ends of the panel such that the two adjacent rows of solar cells form a substantially right angle; a solar cell arranged at an end of one of two adjacent solar cell rows overlaps a side edge of a solar cell arranged at an end of the other solar cell row; Power generation equipment.
2. The power generating device of claim 1 , wherein the panel is a window panel, and further comprising a frame structure for supporting the panel.
3. 3. The power generating device of claim 2 provided in the form of a window unit for a building including an insulating glass unit.
4. 4. The power generating device according to claim 1, wherein the solar cells in the solar cell row are arranged in an overlapping relationship or in a shingle-like arrangement.
5. 5. The power generating device according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of solar cells in the at least one solar cell row are joined to the panel so that no gaps are formed between the plurality of solar cells and the panel.
6. The power generating device of claim 5 , wherein the plurality of solar cells includes an outer layer of polymer material and is bonded directly to the panel.
7. The power generating device of claim 6 , wherein the polymer material is polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA).
8. the at least one solar cell string comprises a plurality of solar cell strings; the plurality of solar cell strings are arranged around the area transparent to at least a portion of visible light and adjacent to an edge of the panel, the panel being transparent to at least a portion of visible light, the area transparent to at least a portion of visible light being a central area, and the area of the central area being 10 times larger than the area of the panel on which the solar cell strings are arranged; The power generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
9. 9. The power generating device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one string of solar cells comprises at least two strings of solar cells arranged along adjacent edges of the panel.
10. 10. The power generating device of claim 9, wherein two adjacent rows of solar cells among the at least two rows of solar cells are oriented at an angle to each other and substantially parallel to the light receiving surface of the panel.
11. The power generating device according to claim 9 , wherein at least one solar cell in one solar cell row of the at least two solar cell rows overlaps with at least one solar cell in a solar cell row adjacent to the one solar cell row.
12. 12. The power generation device according to claim 11, wherein the at least one solar cell in one solar cell row of the at least two solar cell rows overlaps and is electrically connected to at least one solar cell in a solar cell row adjacent to the one solar cell row, and the at least two solar cell rows are electrically connected in series.
13. 12. The power generation device according to claim 11, wherein the at least one solar cell in one solar cell row of the at least two solar cell rows overlaps with and is electrically insulated from at least one solar cell in a solar cell row adjacent to the one solar cell row, and the at least two solar cell rows are electrically connected in parallel.
14. 14. The power generation device according to claim 10, wherein a solar cell arranged at an end of one of the at least two solar cell rows overlaps with one solar cell in the adjacent solar cell row in a manner that forms an angle with the solar cell row adjacent to the one solar cell row.
15. The power generating device according to claim 10 , wherein two adjacent solar cell rows of the at least two solar cell rows are substantially parallel to each other and face the panel.
16. 15. The power generating device of claim 14, wherein the at least one solar cell in one solar cell row of the at least two solar cell rows overlaps with at least one solar cell in a solar cell row adjacent to the one solar cell row.
17. the at least two solar cell rows include a first solar cell row and a second solar cell row arranged adjacent to each other and parallel to each other; 16. The power generating device according to claim 14 or 15, wherein all or at least most of the solar cells in the first solar cell string overlap with each of the solar cells in the second solar cell string.
18. 18. The power generating device of claim 17, wherein the plurality of solar cells in the first solar cell string are electrically connected to each of the plurality of solar cells in the second solar cell string, and the plurality of solar cells in the second solar cell string are electrically connected in series.
19. 18. The power generating device of claim 17, wherein the first solar cell string and the second solar cell string are electrically insulated from each other, the plurality of solar cells in the first solar cell string are connected in series, and the plurality of solar cells in the second solar cell string are connected in series.
20. 19. The power generating device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the main surfaces of the plurality of solar cells in the first solar cell row and the plurality of solar cells in the second solar cell row have the same inclination direction.
21. 19. The power generating device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the inclination directions of the main surfaces of the plurality of solar cells in the first solar cell row and the plurality of solar cells in the second solar cell row are opposite to each other.
22. 19. The power generating device according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the main surfaces of the plurality of solar cells in the first solar cell row and the plurality of solar cells in the second solar cell row are inclined at the same angle or different angles with respect to a surface normal to the light receiving surface of the panel.
23. the panel is a first panel, and the solar cell row arranged on the first panel is a first solar cell row including a first solar cell; The device further includes a second panel, and at least one second solar cell string including second solar cells is disposed on the second panel. the second panel is positioned substantially parallel to the first panel in such a way that light received by the light receiving surface of the first panel first propagates through the first panel before being received by the second panel; the second panel has an area that is transparent to at least a portion of visible light; The power generating device according to any one of claims 1 to 22.
24. 24. The power generating device of claim 23, wherein each of the first solar cell and the second solar cell has a front portion and a back portion, the front portion being directly or indirectly bonded to the first panel and the back portion being directly or indirectly coupled to the second panel, whereby each of the first solar cell and the second solar cell is directly or indirectly bonded to both the first panel and the second panel and sandwiched between the first panel and the second panel.
25. each of the second solar cells has a pair of opposing main surfaces having opposite electrical polarities; each of the second solar cells overlaps with another second solar cell in the second solar cell row; the at least one second solar cell row is disposed adjacent to an edge of the second panel and substantially parallel to the light-receiving surface of the first panel; 25. The power generating device of claim 24.
26. 26. The power generating device of claim 25, wherein the at least one second string of solar cells is bonded to the second panel such that no air gap is created between the at least one second string of solar cells and the second panel.
27. 27. The power generating device of claim 26, wherein the at least one second string of solar cells comprises a plurality of second strings of solar cells oriented at adjacent edges of the second panel.
28. 28. The power generating device of claim 27, wherein the second panel has four edges, and at least one of the plurality of second solar cell strings is disposed at each edge of the second panel.
29. 29. The power generating device of claim 27 or claim 28, wherein the plurality of second solar cell strings are oriented at an angle to each other.
30. 30. The power generation device of claim 29, wherein at least one second solar cell in one second solar cell row among the plurality of second solar cell rows overlaps with at least one second solar cell in a second solar cell row adjacent to the one second solar cell row.
31. 31. The power generating device according to claim 27, wherein the second panel has a generally rectangular shape with a substantially right angle, and the plurality of second solar cell rows are arranged at adjacent ends of the second panel so that two adjacent second solar cell rows form a substantially right angle.
32. 32. The power generation device of claim 31 , wherein the second solar cell is arranged at one end of one of the second solar cell rows, and the end surface of the second solar cell overlaps with the side end of the second solar cell arranged at the end of the second solar cell row adjacent to the one of the second solar cell rows.
33. 33. The power generating device of any one of claims 23 to 32, wherein the second panel further comprises a diffractive element to facilitate redirection of incident infrared light towards an edge of the second panel.
34. at least one third string of solar cells disposed on at least one end surface of the second panel and oriented substantially perpendicular to a major surface of the second panel; 34. The power generating device according to claim 23, wherein at least one of the third solar cell rows is arranged substantially perpendicular to the first solar cell row in the first panel and the second solar cell row in the second panel.
35. The power generating device according to claim 34 , wherein the third solar cell included in the third solar cell string is a CIS-based or CIGS-based solar cell.
36. 36. The power generating device according to claim 23, wherein the first solar cell and the second solar cell are silicon-based.