Solar cell modules

Abstract

The present invention provides a solar cell module that prevents water from entering from the edges of the sealing material without increasing its bulk, thereby providing waterproofing for the transparent electrodes and the solar cells inside. [Solution] In one aspect of the present invention, a solar cell module is provided, comprising a film, a solar cell including a transparent electrode sealed by the film and extending outward in the stretching direction of the sealing region of the solar cell by the film with its end exposed, and an organic photoelectric conversion layer, an output electrode connected to the end of the transparent electrode, and a waterproof tape member covering the end of the transparent electrode exposed from the sealing region and the interface between the film and the transparent electrode.

Description

Technical Field

[0005] ,

[0001] The present invention relates to a solar cell module.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a photovoltaic device has been known in which a waterproof measure is taken for a transparent electrode constituting a photoactive layer to suppress deterioration of the transparent electrode due to water and achieve a longer life (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

[0003] The photovoltaic device described in Patent Document 1 covers the uppermost transparent electrode and a plurality of current collecting electrodes provided on the transparent electrode with a transparent thin film resin layer, and separately provides a sealing member only at a cross-sectional portion where the transparent thin film resin layer cannot be sufficiently formed and near an output electrode that receives power supply through the plurality of current collecting electrodes, thereby eliminating concerns such as deterioration of the transparent electrode exposed from the cross-sectional portion of the photoactive layer and electrical short circuit of the output electrode.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the photovoltaic element described in Patent Document 1, a double-sided adhesive tape, the end of the current collector electrode, and the output electrode are stacked in this order on the edge of the transparent electrode extending from the cross-section where a transparent thin-film resin layer cannot be sufficiently formed, and the entire structure from the cross-section to the output electrode is covered together with a sealing member. As a result, the bulk of the photovoltaic layer may increase, making it unsuitable for waterproof structures of film-type solar cells such as perovskite solar cells. Film-type solar cells such as perovskite solar cells have a structure in which the transparent electrode is exposed to the outside from the edge of the sealing material such as the film, and water can easily penetrate into the interior from the edge of the sealing material. Therefore, it is necessary to sufficiently waterproof the water-vulnerable transparent electrode and solar cell.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to provide a solar cell module that prevents water from entering from the edges of the sealing material without increasing its bulk, thereby providing waterproofing for the transparent electrode and the solar cell inside. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention provides the following solar cell modules [1] to [5] to achieve the above objective.

[0008] [1] A solar cell module comprising a film, a solar cell including a transparent electrode sealed by the film and extending outward in the stretching direction from the sealing region of the solar cell by the film, with its end exposed, and an organic photoelectric conversion layer, an output electrode connected to the end of the transparent electrode, and a waterproof tape member covering the end of the transparent electrode exposed to the outside of the sealing region. [2] The waterproof tape member is a fluororesin tape that covers the output electrode so as to expose the output electrode through the hole, with a hole formed at a position corresponding to the output electrode, and is bonded to the end of the sealing region, wherein the fluororesin tape has a silicone adhesive applied to its inner surface, the solar cell module as described in [1] above. [3] The solar cell module according to [1], wherein the waterproof tape member is a fluororesin tape that covers the output electrode and is bonded to the end of the sealing region, the fluororesin tape has a silicone adhesive applied to its inner surface, and a conductive pattern is formed on the output electrode that is connected to a conductor drawn out from the end of the fluororesin tape. [4] The waterproof tape member is a cylindrical fluororesin tape that houses the entire tape such that a hole is formed at a position corresponding to the output electrode and the output electrode is exposed through the hole, and the cylindrical fluororesin tape has a silicone adhesive applied to its inner surface, the solar cell module as described in [1] above. [5] The solar cell module according to any one of [1] to [4] above, wherein the transparent electrode of the solar cell is an ITO electrode. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a solar cell module that prevents water from entering from the edges of the sealing material without increasing its bulk, thereby waterproofing the transparent electrode and the solar cell inside. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] Figure 1 is a top view showing a solar cell module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] Figure 2(a) is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 1, and Figure 2(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 3(a) is a top view showing a solar cell module according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 3(b) is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in Figure 3(a). [Figure 4] Figure 4(a) is a top view showing the state of a solar cell module according to the third embodiment of the present invention before it is housed in a cylindrical fluororesin film, and Figure 4(b) is a top view showing the state of a solar cell module according to the third embodiment of the present invention while it is being housed in a cylindrical fluororesin film. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of a solar cell module according to a third embodiment of the present invention, taken at the position corresponding to A-A in Figure 1. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] (Summary of the embodiment) The solar cell module according to this embodiment includes a film, a solar cell including a transparent electrode that extends outward in the stretching direction of the sealing region of the solar cell by the film and has its end exposed, and an organic photoelectric conversion layer, an output electrode connected to the end of the transparent electrode, and a waterproof tape member that covers the end of the transparent electrode exposed outside the sealing region and the interface between the film and the transparent electrode.

[0012] This solar cell module does not increase the bulk of the module, and prevents water from entering the interior through the transparent electrodes exposed at the edges of the film and through the interface between the film and the transparent electrodes, thereby providing waterproofing for the transparent electrodes and the solar cells inside.

[0013] [Embodiment] (Overview of solar cell modules) Figure 1 is a top view showing a solar cell module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2(a) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the solar cell module 1 cut along the cutting line AA shown in Figure 1. Figure 2(b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the solar cell module 1 cut along the cutting line BB shown in Figure 1.

[0014] Solar cell module 1 is a solar cell module in which organic solar cells 10 that convert light energy into electrical energy are provided on a film substrate 11.

[0015] In the solar cell module 1, the solar cells 10 are arranged on the film substrate 11 and sealed with the sealing film 12. The sealing film 12 is made of a resin obtained by combining a silicone-based or epoxy-based adhesive with a resin film such as PET or PEN. In the solar cell module 1, when light is taken in from the side of the sealing film 12 and converted into electrical energy, the sealing film 12 is made of a transparent material.

[0016] Typically, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(a), a plurality (10 in this embodiment) of solar cells 10 are arranged on the film substrate 11 and sealed with the sealing film 12. In the example shown in FIGS. 1 and 2(a), the plurality of solar cells 10 are connected in series, and the generated electric power can be supplied to an external device through the output electrodes 14 connected to both ends thereof. The output electrodes 14 are made of a metal foil having a high conductivity such as a Cu foil, and are provided at the end of the film substrate outside the sealing region 10a in which the solar cells 10 are sealed by the film substrate 11 and the sealing film 12.

[0017] The planar shape of the solar cell 10 is, for example, strip-shaped (rectangular) or square. The length of the short side of the planar shape of the solar cell 10 (the width in the case of strip-shaped) is preferably, for example, 10 mm or less in order to suppress the electrical resistance in the plane direction.

[0018] The solar cell 10 has a photoelectric conversion unit 100 that generates charge separation by absorbing light and generates electrical energy, a transparent electrode 101 provided on the surface of the photoelectric conversion unit 100 on the resin film 11 side, and an electrode 102 provided on the surface of the photoelectric conversion unit 100 on the side opposite to the resin film 11.

[0019] The solar cell 10 is an organic solar cell excellent in light weight and flexibility. Among them, a perovskite solar cell particularly excellent in the conversion efficiency to electrical energy is preferably used. Since the perovskite solar cell is easily deteriorated by water, waterproofing is particularly important.

[0020] Since the solar cell 10 is an organic solar cell, the solar cell module 1 can be manufactured as a lightweight and flexible film-type solar cell module.

[0021] For example, if the solar cell 10 is a perovskite solar cell, the photoelectric conversion unit 100 consists of a perovskite layer where charge separation occurs due to light absorption, and an electron transport layer and a hole transport layer sandwiching it. Electrons generated by charge separation in the perovskite layer flow to the electrode on the electron transport layer side of electrode 101 and electrode 102, and holes generated by charge separation in the perovskite layer flow to the electrode on the hole transport layer side of electrode 101 and electrode 102.

[0022] The solar cell module 1 receives light from the film substrate 11 side and converts it into electrical energy. Therefore, in order not to obstruct the light entering the photoelectric conversion unit 100 from the film substrate 11 side, the transparent electrode 101 is made of a transparent material such as ITO or FTO, which is a metal oxide film.

[0023] The electrode 102 is made of a metal such as Au, Al, Cu, or Ag. When the electrode 102 is made of a metal, it has excellent thermal conductivity, which is advantageous in terms of heat dissipation. On the other hand, when light is also taken in from the sealing film 12 side and converted into electrical energy, the electrode 102 is made of a transparent material such as ITO or FTO, which is a metal oxide film, similar to the transparent electrode 101.

[0024] The transparent electrode 101 extends along the film substrate 11 in the direction of the arrangement of the solar cell 10, and its end is exposed to the outside from the sealing region 10a of the solar cell 10 formed by the film substrate 11 and the sealing film 12. This exposed end of the transparent electrode 101 is connected to the output electrode 14 as a transparent electrode connection portion 13. The transparent electrode connection portion 13 is also made of a transparent material such as ITO or FTO, similar to the transparent electrode 101.

[0025] The solar cell module 1 has fluororesin tape 15 attached to both ends of the output electrode 14 side. The fluororesin tape 15 covers the outer portion of the sealing region 10a of the solar cell 10 formed by the film substrate 11 and sealing film 12, that is, the transparent electrode connection portion 13 exposed from the sealing region 10a, and the interface between the film substrate 11 and sealing film 12 and the transparent electrode connection 13. Therefore, the transparent electrode connection portion 13 exposed to the outside of the sealing region 10a and the solar cell inside are waterproofed.

[0026] The fluororesin tape 15 has holes 15a formed at positions corresponding to the output electrodes 14, thereby exposing the output electrodes 14 through the holes 15a. As a result, the power generated can be extracted through the output electrodes 14 exposed through the holes 15a.

[0027] Furthermore, the fluororesin tape 15 is folded back at the end of the output electrode 14, and both ends are bonded to the film substrate 11 and sealing film 12 at the edge of the sealing region 10a, covering the area other than the exposed transparent electrode connection portion 13 and the hole 15a of the output electrode 14. The bonding is performed by a silicone-based adhesive 16 applied to the inner surface of the fluororesin tape 15, sealing the transparent electrode connection portion 13 that is exposed outside the sealing region 10a. The fluororesin tape 15 is made from PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene) or PTF, which are types of fluororesins.

[0028] In the solar cell module 1 configured as described above, the fluororesin tape 15, which is bonded from the end of the output electrode 14 to the edge of the sealing region 10a, onto the film substrate 11 and the sealing film 12, prevents water from entering the transparent electrode connection portion 13 exposed to the outside from the sealing region 10a of the solar cell 10 by the film substrate 11 and the sealing film 12, and the solar cell inside.

[0029] (Effects of the first embodiment) According to the solar cell module 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the output electrode 14 and the transparent electrode connection portion 13 connected to the output electrode 14 are arranged outward from the end of the sealing region 10a in the direction of arrangement of the solar cell 10, and the fluororesin tape 15 covers the output electrode 14 so that the output electrode 14 is exposed through the hole 15a and is attached to the end of the sealing region 10a. As a result, the bulk of the solar cell module 1 does not increase, and it is a structure suitable for film-type solar cells such as perovskite solar cells, and the transparent electrode connection portion 13 and the internal solar cells can be waterproofed, improving the long-term reliability of the film-type solar cell module.

[0030] (Second Embodiment) Figure 3(a) is a top view showing a solar cell module according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3(b) is a vertical cross-sectional view of the solar cell module 1 cut along the cutting line CC shown in Figure 3(a).

[0031] In these figures, the same citation numbers are used for parts identical to those in Figures 1(a) and 2(a), so redundant explanations are omitted.

[0032] The solar cell module 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that a fluororesin tape 15 is attached to both ends of the output electrode 14 side of the solar cell module 1 so as to cover the output electrode 14, and a conductor 18 electrically connected to a conductive pattern 17 formed on the output electrode 14 is drawn out from the end of the fluororesin tape 15. Otherwise, it is configured the same as the first embodiment.

[0033] The fluororesin tape 15 is folded over at the end of the output electrode 14, and both ends are bonded to the film substrate 11 and the sealing film 12, covering the transparent electrode connection portion 13, the output electrode 14, and the conductive pattern 17 that are exposed from the sealing region 10a of the solar cell 10. The output electrode 14 is covered by the fluororesin tape 15 and is not exposed to the outside, but power can be extracted from the conductor 18 connected to the output electrode 14 via the conductive pattern 17.

[0034] (Effects of the second embodiment) The solar cell module 1 according to the second embodiment of the present invention described above can achieve the same effects as the solar cell module 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. However, because there are no holes in the fluororesin tape 15, the number of water intrusion routes is reduced, resulting in improved waterproofing of the transparent electrode connection portion 13 and the internal solar cell. Furthermore, since the output electrode 14 can also be waterproofed, a high level of waterproofing effect can be expected at the film edge.

[0035] (Third embodiment) Figure 4(a) is a top view showing the state of a solar cell module according to the third embodiment of the present invention before being housed in a cylindrical fluororesin film; Figure 4(b) is a top view showing the state of a solar cell module according to the third embodiment of the present invention while being housed in a cylindrical fluororesin film; and Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view of the solar cell module according to the third embodiment of the present invention, cut at the position corresponding to A-A in Figure 1.

[0036] In these figures, the same citation numbers are used for parts identical to those in Figures 1(a) and 2(a), so redundant explanations are omitted.

[0037] The solar cell module 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention differs from the first embodiment in that a hole 18a is formed at a position corresponding to the output electrode 14, and a cylindrical fluororesin tape 18 is used to house the entire module so that the output electrode 14 is exposed through the hole 18a. Otherwise, it is configured the same as the first embodiment.

[0038] As shown in Figures 4(a) and (b), a solar cell module semi-finished product 1A, in which multiple solar cells 10 are sealed with a film substrate 11 and a sealing film 12, and electrodes 14 are provided at both ends, is housed inside a cylindrical fluororesin tape 18. This ensures that the output electrodes 14 are exposed through holes 18a, while the entire solar cell module semi-finished product 1A is covered by the cylindrical fluororesin tape 18. The bonding is performed using a silicone-based adhesive 16 applied to the inner surface of the cylindrical fluororesin tape 18, sealing the transparent electrode connection portion 13 exposed outside the sealing region 10a. 19 is a conductive film made of conductive plastic composed of polyethylene or PET and a conductive material, a sheet-like material made of mesh-processed metal fibers such as Cu, or a conductive paste or anisotropic conductive film, and is provided on the output electrodes 14 to improve waterproofing.

[0039] The solar cell module 1 according to the third embodiment of the present invention described above can achieve the same effects as the solar cell module 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, but waterproofing can be completed simply by enclosing the entire solar cell module semi-finished product 1A in a cylindrical fluororesin tape 18, making waterproofing possible by a simpler means.

[0040] Although embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Furthermore, the components of the above embodiments can be arbitrarily combined without departing from the spirit of the invention.

[0041] Furthermore, the above embodiments do not limit the invention as defined in the claims. It should also be noted that not all combinations of features described in the embodiments are necessarily essential for solving the problem of the invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0042] 1...Solar cell module, 1A...Semi-finished solar cell module, 10...Solar cell, 10a...Sealing area, 11...Film substrate, 12...Sealing film, 13...Transparent electrode connection part, 14...Output electrode, 15...Fluororesin tape, 15a...Hole, 16...Silicone adhesive, 17...Conductive pattern, 18...Cylindrical fluororesin tape, 18a...Hole, 100...Photoelectric conversion part, 101, 102...Electrodes

Claims

1. Film and, A solar cell comprising a transparent electrode that is sealed by the aforementioned film, extending outward in the stretching direction from the sealing region of the solar cell by the aforementioned film, with its end exposed, and an organic photoelectric conversion layer, The output electrode is connected to the end of the transparent electrode, The end of the transparent electrode exposed from the sealing region and the waterproof tape member covering the interface between the film and the transparent electrode are provided. Solar cell module.

2. The waterproof tape member is a fluororesin tape that covers the output electrode so as to expose the output electrode through a hole formed at a position corresponding to the output electrode, and is bonded to the end of the sealing region. The aforementioned fluororesin tape has a silicone-based adhesive applied to its inner surface. The solar cell module according to claim 1.

3. The waterproof tape member is a fluororesin tape that covers the output electrode and is bonded to the end of the sealing region. The aforementioned fluororesin tape has a silicone-based adhesive applied to its inner surface. A conductive pattern is formed on the output electrode, connected to a conductor drawn out from the end of the fluororesin tape. The solar cell module according to claim 1.

4. The waterproof tape member is a cylindrical fluororesin tape that houses the output electrode, with a hole formed at a position corresponding to the output electrode, and the output electrode is exposed through the hole. The aforementioned cylindrical fluororesin tape has a silicone-based adhesive applied to its inner surface. The solar cell module according to claim 1.

5. The transparent electrode of the aforementioned solar cell is an ITO electrode. A solar cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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