Solar cell module

Abstract

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

Description

Technical Field

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

Background Art

[0002] Patent Document 1 discloses that in the case of a solar cell module in which one or more solar cells are each connected in series to form a plurality of cell groups, the plurality of cell groups are each connected by intermediate electrode wiring to form two strings, and the two strings are connected in parallel. When a reverse current occurs between one string and the other string and the power loss does not increase, the number of cells of the solar cells in one string is made equal to the number of cells of the solar cells in the other string.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in order to increase the output of a solar cell module, it is preferable to increase the number of cells of the solar cells in the solar cell module as much as possible (for example, lay out the solar cells to the maximum extent in the solar cell module). However, in the case of a solar cell module configured in a polygonal shape having an outer shape including at least one hypotenuse, such as a so-called corner module, it may be difficult to achieve both arranging a large number of solar cells according to the outer shape and making the number of cells of the solar cells in each string equal.

[0005] For example, considering the case where solar cells are laid out to the maximum extent according to the outer shape of a solar cell module, take the case of a solar cell module in which a plurality of cell groups, each having 2, 4, 7, 9, or 10 solar cells connected in series, are arranged in order (hereinafter, a cell group in which n solar cells are connected in series is referred to as an n-cell group (n is an integer)). When two adjacent cell groups, a 4-cell group, and a 7-cell group are connected in series, the string has 13 solar cells, while a string formed by connecting two adjacent 9-cell groups and 10-cell groups in series has 19 solar cells, resulting in a large difference in the number of cells in each string. When such strings are connected in parallel, the voltage will be different between one string and the other, leading to a large power loss.

[0006] Such a problem may occur not only in the solar cell module with the above-described configuration (the solar cell module having the 2-cell group to 10-cell group), but also in solar cell modules with other configurations. Hereinafter, the cell group is referred to as a cell string.

[0007] The present disclosure has been made in view of such a point, and its object is to provide a solar cell module that can achieve both arranging many solar cells according to the outer shape of the solar cell module and making the number of cells in each string equal.

Means for Solving the Problem

[0008] The solution means of the present disclosure for achieving the above object includes two strings connected in parallel. Each of the two strings includes a plurality of cell columns composed of one solar cell or a plurality of solar cells connected in series. The solar cells in the plurality of cell columns are arranged in a first direction, and the plurality of cell columns are arranged side by side in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. In the second direction, between a first cell column and a second cell column that constitute one of the two strings, a third cell column that constitutes the other second string is arranged. , the solar cells in the plurality of cell columns are connected in series by wiring materials arranged on the front or back surface of the solar cells, and the two strings are each connected in series by the plurality of cell columns through intermediate electrode wiring. It is characterized by this.

[0009] Also, preferably, the number of cells of the solar cells in the first string is the same as the number of cells of the solar cells in the second string.

[0010] Also, examples of the number of cells of the solar cells in each cell column include that the number of cells of the solar cells in the first cell column or the number of cells of the solar cells in the second cell column is different from the number of cells of the solar cells in the third cell column.

[0011] Also, examples include that the number of cells of the solar cells in the third cell column is smaller than the number of cells of the solar cells in the first cell column and larger than the number of cells of the solar cells in the second cell column.

[0012] Also, as an arrangement form of the plurality of cell columns, in the second direction, between the first cell column and the second cell column that constitute the first string, a plurality of cell columns that constitute the second string are arranged.

Advantages of the Invention

[0013] In the present disclosure, it is possible to achieve both arranging a large number of solar cells and making the number of cells of the solar cells in each string equal.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0014]

Figure 1

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Figure 9

Figure 10

Figure 11

Embodiments for Carrying Out the Invention

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

[0016] [First Embodiment] -Schematic Configuration of Solar Cell Module- FIG. 1 is a plan view schematically showing a solar cell module 1 according to the first embodiment (more specifically, a state in which a frame 2 is attached to the outer edge portion of the solar cell module 1). In FIG. 1, the vertical direction of the figure is defined as the X direction (first direction), the upper side is called the X1 direction, and the lower side is called the X2 direction. Also, the horizontal direction of the figure is defined as the Y direction (second direction), the left side in the figure is called the Y1 direction, and the right side is called the Y2 direction. The Y direction is perpendicular to the X direction. Also, hereinafter, the X direction may be referred to as the column direction of the solar cell module 1 (the direction in which solar cells C, C,... constituting the cell column are arranged in a row). Also, the Y direction is the direction in which a plurality of cell columns are arranged side by side, and may also be referred to as the parallel arrangement direction.

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

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

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

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

[0021] The solar cells C constituting each cell column CR1 to CR5 are, for example, obtained by dividing a solar cell (full cell) having a size of about 160 mm square. That is, it is a half cell formed to have a size of about 160 mm (dimension in the Y direction) × 80 mm (dimension in the X direction).

[0022] The wires (wiring material 33 described later) disposed on the front or back surface of the solar cell C at the X-direction ends of each cell column CR1 to CR5 are connected to a bus bar (intermediate electrode wiring or end electrode wiring described later). The bus bar is, for example, a flat conductor having a width of 3 to 8 mm. The bus bar extends along the outer edge of the cell column so as to be connected to a plurality of cell columns, and the plurality of cell columns are serially connected by the bus bar to form one string. Although details will be described later, when a plurality of strings are formed in the solar cell module 1, the bus bar is connected to cell columns such that the number of series-connected solar cells C per string is the same. The final bus bar (end electrode wiring described later) in the series connection direction of the string is inserted into the terminal box and is configured to be soldered to the terminal block portion (+ terminal block and - terminal block described later). A lead-out cable extends from the terminal box, and connection for extracting the generated power from the solar cell module 1 is made by connecting the lead-out cable to the outside.

[0023] -Internal Structure of Solar Cell Module- Here, the internal structure of the solar cell module 1 will be described. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view showing the internal structure of the solar cell module 1 (a longitudinal sectional view around the connection portion between the solar cells C and C) (for example, a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1). As shown in this FIG. 3, the solar cell module 1 has a structure in which the solar cell C and the wiring material 33 are sealed between the translucent substrate 34 and the protective member 35 by the translucent sealing material 36. The translucent substrate 34 is provided so as to face the front surface side (light-receiving surface side) of the solar cell C. The protective member 35 is provided so as to face the back surface side (opposite side to the light-receiving surface) of the solar cell C. The solar cell C includes a front surface electrode 31 and a back surface electrode 32. The front surface electrode 31 is composed of a bus bar electrode 31a and finger electrodes (not shown). The bus bar electrode 31a is strip-shaped and is linearly formed in the column direction (X direction) on the front surface of the solar cell C. The finger electrodes extend in a comb shape in the row direction (Y direction) orthogonal to the column direction (X direction) from both side edges of the bus bar electrode 31a, and a large number of them are formed. The finger electrodes are pattern-formed so as to cover the entire light-receiving surface of the solar cell C at regular intervals. Further, the back surface electrode 32 is formed in a strip shape linearly in the column direction (X direction) on the back surface of the solar cell C, and is provided so as to be front-back opposed to the bus bar electrode 31a.

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

[0025] The outer shape of the wiring material 33 is in the shape of a wire or a ribbon. The wiring material 33 has a structure in which solder is coated (solder plating treatment) on the outer surface of a base material formed in a circular cross-section or an elongated strip shape. The material of the base material is not particularly limited, and for example, a metal such as copper can be used.

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

[0027] -Configuration of each cell row- As shown in FIG. 1, in each cell row CR1 to CR5 of the present embodiment, the number of solar cells C arranged in the row direction is different from each other. Specifically, the first cell row CR1 is configured by arranging two solar cells C, C in the row direction (X direction). The second cell row CR2 is configured by arranging four solar cells C, C, ... in the row direction. The third cell row CR3 is configured by arranging seven solar cells C, C, ... in the row direction. The fourth cell row CR4 is configured by arranging nine solar cells C, C, ... in the row direction. The fifth cell row CR5 is configured by arranging ten solar cells C, C, ... in the row direction. In the present embodiment, the number of solar cells C arranged in all the cell rows CR1 to CR5 is different from each other, but a cell row having the same number of solar cells C may be included, and as long as a cell row having different numbers of solar cells C arranged from each other is included.

[0028] The number of solar cells C, C,... arranged in each cell column CR1 to CR5 is set according to the outer shape of the solar cell module 1. In the present embodiment, since the outer shape of the solar cell module 1 forms a hypotenuse in the Y1 direction and the X-direction length decreases from the Y2 direction to the Y1 direction, the number of solar cells C arranged for each cell column is reduced from the Y2 direction to the Y1 direction. When the solar cells C are arranged in this way, since the solar cells C are rectangular, the edges of the cell columns on the hypotenuse side become stepped. Here, in order to increase the output of the solar cell module 1, it is desirable that the number of solar cells C arranged is set to the maximum number. That is, the edges of each solar cell C, C,... located on one side (X2 direction side) in the column direction (X direction) in each of the first cell column CR1 to the fifth cell column CR5 are arranged substantially in a straight line so as to be close to and along the lower end frame portion 21. Further, the edges of each solar cell C, C,... located on the other side (X1 direction side) in the column direction (X direction) in each of the first cell column CR1 to the fifth cell column CR5 are stepped due to the difference in the number of cells in each cell column CR1 to CR5. And the number of solar cells C, C,... in each of the first cell column CR1 to the fourth cell column CR4 is the number arranged until the solar cell C located at the X1-direction end approaches the hypotenuse frame portion 25 (the number of each solar cell C, C,... arranged until the distance from the hypotenuse frame portion 25 becomes smaller than the X-direction dimension of the solar cell C). Also, the number of solar cells C, C,... in the fifth cell column CR5 is the number arranged until the solar cell C located at the X1-direction side end approaches the upper end frame portion 24 (the number of each solar cell C, C,... arranged until the distance from the upper end frame portion 24 becomes smaller than the X-direction dimension of the solar cell C). As a result, a configuration is obtained in which the maximum number of solar cells C, C,... are laid out.

[0029] -Configuration of each string- The solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment has a plurality of strings S1 to Sn each composed of a plurality of solar cells C connected in series, and these strings S1 to Sn are connected in parallel to each other. Among the strings S1 to Sn, at least two strings are composed of a plurality of cell columns, and the other strings are composed of one or a plurality of cell columns. The plurality of cell columns constituting one string are connected in series. A cell column is composed of one solar cell C or a plurality of solar cells C connected in series. In the solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment, n = 2. That is, it includes two strings S1 and S2, and these strings S1 and S2 are connected in parallel to each other.

[0030] Hereinafter, the connection structure of each cell column CR1 to CR5 for constituting each of the strings S1 and S2 will be described. In each of the cell columns CR1 to CR5, the solar cells C included in each cell column are connected in series by a wiring member 33. The cell columns CR1, CR2, and CR5 constituting the string S1 are connected in series by intermediate electrode wirings 41 and 42. The cell columns CR3 and CR4 constituting the string S2 are connected in series by an intermediate electrode wiring 43. Further, each of the strings S1 and S2 is connected in parallel by end electrode wirings 51 and 52. This will be specifically described below.

[0031] As shown in FIG. 1, the solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment includes a first string S1 and a second string S2. The first string S1 has a configuration in which a first cell row CR1, a second cell row CR2, and a fifth cell row CR5 are connected in series by intermediate electrode wirings (the bypass intermediate electrode wiring and the adjacent intermediate electrode wiring described later) 41 and 42. In FIG. 1, the reference signs (S1) attached to the respective cell rows CR1, CR2, and CR5 indicate that these cell rows CR1, CR2, and CR5 constitute the first string S1. Further, the second string S2 has a configuration in which a third cell row CR3 and a fourth cell row CR4 are connected in series by an intermediate electrode wiring (the adjacent intermediate electrode wiring described later) 43. In FIG. 1, the reference signs (S2) attached to the respective cell rows CR3 and CR4 indicate that these cell rows CR3 and CR4 constitute the second string S2. Thus, the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4 that constitute the second string S2 are arranged between the second cell row CR2 and the fifth cell row CR5 that constitute the first string S1. FIG. 2 is a plan view for explaining the series connection direction of the solar cells C, C,... in each of the strings S1 and S2 in the solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment. In this FIG. 2, the thick black arrows attached to the first cell row CR1, the second cell row CR2, and the fifth cell row CR5 respectively represent the current flow direction in the first string S1. Also, the white arrows attached to the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4 respectively represent the current flow direction in the second string S2.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

[0040] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the first end electrode wiring 51 includes a first wiring 51a connected to the negative electrode side of the second cell row CR2 and the - terminal 62a of the second terminal box 62 and extending along the Y direction to the vicinity of the end on the Y2 direction side of the second cell row CR2, a second wiring 51b extending along the X direction from the end on the Y2 direction side of the first wiring 51a to the vicinity of the end on the X1 direction side of the third cell row CR3, a third wiring 51c extending along the Y direction from the end on the X1 direction side of the second wiring 51b to the vicinity of the end on the Y2 direction side of the third cell row CR3 and connected to the negative electrode side of the third cell row CR3, and a fourth wiring 51d extending in the X1 direction from the end on the Y2 direction side of the third wiring 51c and connected to the - terminal 61b of the first terminal box 61. Specifically, a wiring member 33 connected to the negative electrode of the solar cell C at the negative electrode side end of the second cell row CR2, which is the negative electrode side end of the string S1 in the series connection direction, is connected to the first wiring 51a, and a wiring member 33 connected to the negative electrode of the solar cell C at the negative electrode side end of the third cell row CR3, which is the negative electrode side end of the string S2 in the series connection direction, is connected to the third wiring 51c. Thus, the first end electrode wiring 51 is disposed along the shape of the upper side (X1 direction side) in the column direction (X direction) of each of the second cell row CR2 and the third cell row CR3, which are in a stepped shape. That is, the first end electrode wiring 51 extends along the outer edges of the solar cells C, C,... located at the hypotenuse side ends.

[0041] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the second end electrode wiring 52 includes a first wiring 52a connected to the positive electrode side of the fifth cell row CR5 and extending along the Y direction to the vicinity of the end on the Y1 direction side of the fifth cell row CR5, a second wiring 52b extending along the X direction from the end on the Y1 direction side of the first wiring 52a to the vicinity of the end on the X1 direction side of the fourth cell row CR4, a third wiring 52c extending along the Y direction from the end on the X2 direction side of the second wiring 52b to the vicinity of the end on the Y1 direction side of the fourth cell row CR4 and connected to the positive electrode side of the fourth cell row CR4, and a fourth wiring 52d extending in the X2 direction from the end on the Y1 direction side of the third wiring 52c and connected to the + terminal 61a of the first terminal box 61. Specifically, a wiring member 33 connected to the positive electrode of the solar cell C at the positive electrode side end in the series connection direction of the fifth cell row CR5, which is the positive electrode side end of the string S1, is connected to the first wiring 52a, and a wiring member 33 connected to the positive electrode of the solar cell C at the positive electrode side end in the series connection direction of the fourth cell row CR4, which is the positive electrode side end of the string S2, is connected to the third wiring 52c. Thus, the second end electrode wiring 52 is also arranged along the shape of the upper side (X1 direction side) in the column direction (X direction) of each of the fourth cell row CR4 and the fifth cell row CR5, which are in a stepped shape. That is, the second end electrode wiring 52 also extends along the outer edges of the solar cells C, C,... located at the hypotenuse side ends.

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

[0043] In addition, the number of solar cells C, C, ... in each of the first cell column CR1 to the fifth cell column CR5 is 2, 4, 7, 9, and 10, respectively. Therefore, the number of solar cells C in the second cell column CR2 and the fifth cell column CR5 is different from the number of solar cells C in the third cell column CR3 or the fourth cell column CR4, respectively. Also, the number of solar cells C in the third cell column CR3 or the fourth cell column CR4 is larger than the number of cells in the second cell column CR2 and smaller than the number of cells in the fifth cell column CR5. That is, the number of cells in the two cell columns constituting the first string S1 is different from the number of cells in the cell column constituting the second string 2 arranged between the two cell columns. Also, the number of cells in the cell column constituting the second string 2 arranged between the two cell columns constituting the first string S1 is smaller than the number of cells in one of the two cell columns constituting the first string S1 and larger than the number of cells in the other cell column. In this way, it is possible to prevent a difference in the number of solar cells C, C, ... in each string S1, S2.

[0044] In particular, in the present embodiment, the non-adjacent cell columns (the first cell column CR1 and the fifth cell column CR5 in the present embodiment) are connected by the jump intermediate electrode wiring 41. That is, by adopting an unprecedented intermediate electrode wiring (jump intermediate electrode wiring) 41, the cell columns CR3, CR4 constituting the other string S2 can be arranged between the pair of cell columns CR2, CR5 constituting one string S1, so that many solar cells C, C, ... can be arranged according to the outer shape of the solar cell module, and it is possible to achieve both the arrangement of many solar cells C, C, ... according to the outer shape of the solar cell module and the elimination of the difference in the number of solar cells C, C, ... in each string S1, S2. Also, in this case, by extending the first wiring 41a of the jump intermediate electrode wiring 41 so as to be close to and along the edges of the cell columns CR3, CR4 constituting the other string S2, it becomes possible to shorten the total length of the jump intermediate electrode wiring 41, reduce the amount of material (electrode material) used for forming the jump intermediate electrode wiring 41, and easily perform the layout design of the jump intermediate electrode wiring 41.

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

[0046] FIG. 4 is a plan view schematically showing the solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment. Further, FIG. 5 is a plan view for explaining the series connection direction of the solar cells C, C,... in each string S1, S2 in the solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment. In FIG. 5, the thick black arrows attached to the first cell row CR1, the second cell row CR2, and the fifth cell row CR5 respectively represent the current flow direction in the first string S1. Also, the white arrows attached to the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4 respectively represent the current flow direction in the second string S2. As shown in these figures, also in this embodiment, the first string S1 is constituted by the first cell row CR1, the second cell row CR2, and the fifth cell row CR5, and the second string S2 is constituted by the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4. Also, the cell rows CR1, CR2, CR5 constituting the string S1 and the cell rows CR3, CR4 constituting the string S2 are serially connected by the intermediate electrode wirings 71, 72, 73 respectively. Also, each string S1, S2 is connected in parallel by the end electrode wirings 81, 82. This will be specifically described below.

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

[0048] Also, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the negative electrode side of the second cell row CR2 and the positive electrode side of the fifth cell row CR5 are connected by the jump intermediate electrode wiring 72. This jump intermediate electrode wiring 72 includes a first wiring 72a connected to the negative electrode side of the second cell row CR2 and extending in the Y direction to reach the vicinity of the end on the Y2 direction side of the second cell row CR2, a second wiring 72b extending in the X1 direction from the end on the Y2 direction side of the first wiring 72a to reach the vicinity of the end on the X1 direction side of the third cell row CR3, a third wiring 72c extending in the Y2 direction from the end on the X1 direction side of the second wiring 72b to reach the vicinity of the end on the Y2 direction side of the third cell row CR3, a fourth wiring 72d extending in the X1 direction from the end on the Y2 direction side of the third wiring 72c to reach the vicinity of the end on the X1 direction side of the fourth cell row CR4, a fifth wiring 72e extending in the Y2 direction from the end on the X1 direction side of the fourth wiring 72d to reach the vicinity of the end on the Y2 direction side of the fourth cell row CR4, a sixth wiring 72f extending in the X1 direction from the end on the Y2 direction side of the fifth wiring 72e to reach the vicinity of the end on the X1 direction side of the fifth cell row CR5, and a seventh wiring 72g extending in the Y2 direction from the end on the X1 direction side of the sixth wiring 72f to reach the vicinity of the end on the Y2 direction side of the fifth cell row CR5 and connected to the positive electrode side of the fifth cell row CR5. Thus, the jump intermediate electrode wiring 72 is arranged along the shape on the upper side (X1 direction side) in the column direction (X direction) of each of the second cell row CR2 to the fifth cell row CR5 having a stepped shape. Also, the wiring member 33 connected to the negative electrode of the solar cell C at the negative electrode side end in the series connection direction of the second cell row CR2 is connected to the first wiring 72a, and the wiring member 33 connected to the positive electrode of the solar cell C at the positive electrode side end in the series connection direction of the fifth cell row CR5 is connected to the seventh wiring 72g.

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

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

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

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

[0053] Similar to the case of the first embodiment described above, the solar cell module 1 according to the present embodiment is configured such that cell rows CR3 and CR4 constituting the second string S2 are arranged between two cell rows CR2 and CR5 constituting the first string S1. Thereby, the number of cells of the solar cells C, C,... constituting each string S1 and S2 is made the same. In this way, by arranging the cell rows constituting another string between two cell rows constituting one of the plurality of strings, the number of cells of the solar cells constituting each string can be made the same.

[0054] Even in this embodiment, even when many solar cells C, C, ... are arranged to increase the output of the solar cell module 1 as in the case of the first embodiment described above (for example, even when the solar cells C, C, ... are laid out to the maximum extent according to the outer shape of a solar cell module having an outer shape of a polygon including hypotenuses), it is possible to prevent a difference in the number of cells of the solar cells C, C, ... in each string S1, S2. Further, it is possible to eliminate power loss due to a difference in the number of cells between the strings S1 and S2.

[0055] [Comparison between the First Embodiment and the Second Embodiment] As described above, in any of the embodiments, it is possible to arrange many solar cells C, C, ... according to the outer shape of the solar cell module and to eliminate the difference in the number of cells of the solar cells C, C, ... in each string S1, S2. However, there are differences in the lengths of the electrode wirings 41 to 43, 51, 52, 71 to 73, 81, 82 and the number of soldering portions for connecting the electrode wirings 41 to 43, 51, 52, 71 to 73, 81, 82 to each other. This will be specifically described below.

[0056] FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 1 for explaining the total lengths and soldering portions of the electrode wirings 41 to 43, 51, 52 in the solar cell module 1 according to the first embodiment. Further, FIG. 7 is a diagram corresponding to FIG. 4 for explaining the total lengths and soldering portions of the electrode wirings 71 to 73, 81, 82 in the solar cell module 1 according to the second embodiment. In these figures, the lengths of the respective portions (linear portions) of the electrode wirings 41 to 43, 51, 52, 71 to 73, 81, 82 are shown in the form of balloons when the length of the half cell in the X direction is set to "1". Further, the soldering portions for connecting the electrode wirings 41 to 43, 51, 52, 71 to 73, 81, 82 to each other are indicated by broken-line circles.

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

[0058] On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 7, in the solar cell module 1 according to the second embodiment, in addition to the total length of each of the electrode wirings 71 to 73, 81, 82 being "38" when the length in the X direction of the half cell is set to "1", the lengths of the conducting wires 91c, 92b, 91d are also necessary. Further, the soldering locations are "10".

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

[0060] Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the solar cell module 1 according to the first embodiment, each of the terminal boxes 61, 62 is arranged such that the positions of the terminals 61a, 61b, 62a are closer to the hypotenuse portion than the solar cell C, and the wirings 51d, 52d, 51a connected to the terminals 61a, 61b, 62a are positioned between the solar cell C and the hypotenuse portion 12. For this reason, since the connection positions of the wirings 51d, 52d, 51a in the terminal boxes 61, 62 and the positions where the wirings 51d, 52d, 51a deviate from the solar cell C (the positions between the hypotenuse portion and the solar cell C and not overlapping the solar cell C) are obtained, there is no possibility that the wirings connected to the terminal boxes 61, 62 and the solar cell C come into contact with each other, and it becomes unnecessary to interpose an insulating sheet between them. Therefore, the solar cell module 1 according to the first embodiment can eliminate the work of interposing an insulating sheet between the wiring connected to the terminal box and the solar cell during the manufacture of the solar cell module, and can improve the productivity of the solar cell module.

[0061] On the other hand, as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, in the solar cell module 1 according to the second embodiment, insulating sheets (not shown) are interposed between the conducting wires 91c, 92b, 91d connected to the terminal boxes 91, 92 so as not to contact the solar cell C.

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

[0063] [Third Embodiment] Next, the third embodiment will be described. This embodiment exemplifies an arrangement form other than the arrangement forms of the solar cells C, C,... shown in the above-described first and second embodiments.

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

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

[0066] And the solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment also includes a first string S1 and a second string S2. The first string S1 has a configuration in which a first cell row CR1 and a fourth cell row CR4 are connected in series by an intermediate electrode wiring (jumping intermediate electrode wiring) 41. In FIG. 8, the reference signs (S1) attached to the respective cell rows CR1 and CR4 indicate that these cell rows CR1 and CR4 constitute the first string S1. Further, the second string S2 has a configuration in which a second cell row CR2 and a third cell row CR3 are connected in series by an intermediate electrode wiring (adjacent intermediate electrode wiring) 43. In FIG. 8, the reference signs (S2) attached to the respective cell rows CR2 and CR3 indicate that these cell rows CR2 and CR3 constitute the second string S2. Thus, a configuration is adopted in which the second cell row CR2 and the third cell row CR3 that constitute the second string S2 are arranged between the first cell row CR1 and the fourth cell row CR4 that constitute the first string S1.

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

[0068] Therefore, even in this embodiment, between a pair of cell rows CR1 and CR4 that constitute one string (the first string in this embodiment) S1 among the plurality of strings S1 and S2, cell rows CR2 and CR3 that constitute another string (the second string in this embodiment) S2 are arranged. Thereby, the number of solar cells C, C,... that constitute each of the strings S1 and S2 is made the same.

[0069] Also, as described above, the number of solar cells C, C, … in each of the first to fourth cell columns CR1 to CR4 is 1, 2, 2, and 3, respectively. Therefore, the number of solar cells C in the first cell column CR1 and the fourth cell column CR4 is different from the number of solar cells C in the second cell column CR2 or the third cell column CR3, respectively. Also, the number of solar cells C in the second cell column CR2 or the third cell column CR3 is larger than the number of cells in the first cell column CR1 and smaller than the number of cells in the fourth cell column CR4. That is, the number of cells in the two cell columns constituting the first string S1 is different from the number of cells in the cell column constituting the second string 2 arranged between the two cell columns. Also, the number of cells in the cell column constituting the second string 2 arranged between the two cell columns constituting the first string S1 is smaller than the number of cells in one of the two cell columns constituting the first string S1 and larger than the number of cells in the other cell column. Thereby, the number of solar cells C, C, … constituting each string S1, S2 is made the same.

[0070] Note that in the present embodiment, the solar cell module 1 is composed of four cell columns CR1 to CR4, and the number of solar cells C, C, … in each of the first to fourth cell columns CR1 to CR4 is 1, 2, 2, and 3, respectively. However, the number of columns and the number of cells are not limited to this. As long as it is a solar cell module including four cell columns with a cell number ratio of 1:2:2:3, cell columns can be combined in the same manner as in the present embodiment to form two strings with the same number of cells.

[0071] [Fourth Embodiment] Next, the fourth embodiment will be described. This embodiment exemplifies an arrangement form other than the arrangement forms of the solar cells C, C, … shown in the first to third embodiments described above.

[0072] FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining the arrangement of the solar cells C, C,... in the solar cell module 1 according to the present embodiment and the configuration of each string S1, S2. Also in this FIG. 9, the wiring (intermediate electrode wiring) for connecting two cell columns in series is shown by a solid line, and the end electrode wiring for connecting the strings S1, S2 in parallel is shown by a broken line.

[0073] As shown in FIG. 9, in the solar cell module 1 according to the present embodiment, four cell columns CR1 to CR4 are arranged in parallel in the Y direction, and the solar cells C in each cell column are arranged in a row in the X direction orthogonal to the Y direction. And the first cell column CR1 is composed of one solar cell C. The second cell column CR2 is composed of two solar cells C, C arranged in the X direction. The third cell column CR3 is composed of three solar cells C, C,... arranged in the X direction. The fourth cell column CR4 is composed of four solar cells C, C,... arranged in the X direction. The solar cells C in each cell column CR1 to CR4 are connected in series.

[0074] And the solar cell module 1 according to the present embodiment also includes a first string S1 and a second string S2. The first string S1 has a configuration in which the first cell column CR1 and the fourth cell column CR4 are connected in series by an intermediate electrode wiring (jumping intermediate electrode wiring) 41. The reference signs (S1) attached to each cell column CR1, CR4 in FIG. 9 indicate that these cell columns CR1, CR4 constitute the first string S1. Also, the second string S2 has a configuration in which the second cell column CR2 and the third cell column CR3 are connected in series by an intermediate electrode wiring (adjacent intermediate electrode wiring) 43. The reference signs (S2) attached to each cell column CR2, CR3 in FIG. 9 indicate that these cell columns CR2, CR3 constitute the second string S2. Thus, between the first cell column CR1 and the fourth cell column CR4 that constitute the first string S1, the second cell column CR2 and the third cell column CR3 that constitute the second string S2 are arranged.

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

[0076] Therefore, also in this embodiment, between the two cell columns CR1 and CR4 that constitute one string (the first string S1 in this embodiment) among the plurality of strings S1 and S2, the cell columns CR2 and CR3 that constitute the other string (the second string S2 in this embodiment) S2 are arranged. As a result, the number of solar cells C, C, … that constitute each of the strings S1 and S2 is made the same.

[0077] Also, as described above, the number of solar cells C, C, … in each of the first cell column CR1 to the fourth cell column CR4 is 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. Therefore, the number of solar cells C in the first cell column CR1 and the fourth cell column CR4 is different from the number of solar cells C in the second cell column CR2 or the third cell column CR3, respectively. Also, the number of solar cells C in the second cell column CR2 or the third cell column CR3 is larger than the number of cells in the first cell column CR1 and smaller than the number of cells in the fourth cell column CR4. That is, the number of cells in the two cell columns constituting the first string S1 is different from the number of cells in the cell column constituting the second string 2 arranged between the two cell columns. Also, the number of cells in the cell column constituting the second string 2 arranged between the two cell columns constituting the first string S1 is smaller than the number of cells in one of the two cell columns constituting the first string S1 and larger than the number of cells in the other cell column. Thereby, the number of solar cells C, C, … constituting each string S1, S2 is made the same.

[0078] Note that in the present embodiment, the solar cell module 1 is composed of four cell columns CR1 to CR4, and the number of solar cells C, C, … in each of the first cell column CR1 to the fourth cell column CR4 is 1, 2, 3, and 4, respectively. However, the number of columns and the number of cells are not limited to this. As long as it is a solar cell module including four cell columns with a cell number ratio of 1:2:3:4, cell columns can be combined in the same manner as in the present embodiment to form two strings with the same number of cells.

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

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

[0081] As shown in FIG. 10, in the solar cell module 1 according to the present embodiment, six cell rows CR1 to CR6 are arranged in parallel in the Y direction, and the solar cells C in each cell row are arranged in a row in the X direction orthogonal to the Y direction. Further, the solar cells C constituting each cell row CR1 to CR6 are, for example, those obtained by dividing a solar cell (full cell) having a size of about 160 mm square into three (1 / 3 cells).

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

[0083] The solar cell module 1 according to this embodiment includes a first string S1, a second string S2, and a third string S3. The first string S1 has a configuration in which a first cell row CR1 and a sixth cell row CR6 are connected in series by an intermediate electrode wiring (skipping intermediate electrode wiring) 41A. In FIG. 10, the reference signs (S1) attached to the respective cell rows CR1 and CR6 indicate that these cell rows CR1 and CR6 constitute the first string S1. Further, the second string S2 has a configuration in which a second cell row CR2 and a fifth cell row CR5 are connected in series by an intermediate electrode wiring (skipping intermediate electrode wiring) 41B. In FIG. 10, the reference signs (S2) attached to the respective cell rows CR2 and CR5 indicate that these cell rows CR2 and CR5 constitute the second string S2. The third string S3 has a configuration in which a third cell row CR3 and a fourth cell row CR4 are connected in series by an intermediate electrode wiring (adjacent intermediate electrode wiring) 43. In FIG. 10, the reference signs (S3) attached to the respective cell rows CR3 and CR4 indicate that these cell rows CR3 and CR4 constitute the third string S3. Thus, between the first cell row CR1 and the sixth cell row CR6 that constitute the first string S1, the second cell row CR2 and the fifth cell row CR5 that constitute the second string S2, and the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4 that constitute the third string S3 are arranged. Also, between the second cell row CR2 and the fifth cell row CR5 that constitute the second string S2, the third cell row CR3 and the fourth cell row CR4 that constitute the third string S3 are arranged.

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

[0085] Therefore, also in this embodiment, by arranging the cell columns constituting another string between the two cell columns constituting one string among the plurality of strings, the number of solar cells C, C, … constituting each of the strings S1, S2, S3 is made the same.

[0086] Also, as described above, the number of solar cells C, C, … in each of the first cell column CR1 to the sixth cell column CR6 is 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, respectively. Therefore, the number of solar cells C in the first cell column CR1 and the sixth cell column CR6 is different from the number of solar cells C in the second cell column CR2 or the fifth cell column CR5, respectively. Also, the number of solar cells C in the first cell column CR1 and the sixth cell column CR6 is different from the number of solar cells C in the third cell column CR3 or the fourth cell column CR4, respectively. Also, the number of solar cells C in the second cell column CR2 and the fifth cell column CR5 is different from the number of solar cells C in the third cell column CR3 or the fourth cell column CR4, respectively. Also, the number of solar cells C in the second cell column CR2 or the fifth cell column CR5 is greater than the number of cells in the first cell column CR1 and smaller than the number of cells in the sixth cell column CR6. Also, the number of solar cells C in the third cell column CR3 or the fourth cell column CR4 is greater than the number of cells in the first cell column CR1 and smaller than the number of cells in the sixth cell column CR6. Also, the number of solar cells C in the third cell column CR3 or the fourth cell column CR4 is greater than the number of cells in the second cell column CR2 and smaller than the number of cells in the fifth cell column CR5. That is, the number of cells in the two cell columns constituting the first string S1 is different from the number of cells in the cell column constituting the second string S2 or the third string S3 arranged between the two cell columns. Also, the number of cells in the two cell columns constituting the second string S2 is different from the number of cells in the cell column constituting the third string 3 arranged between the two cell columns. Also, the number of cells in the cell column constituting the second string 2 or the third string arranged between the two cell columns constituting the first string S1 is smaller than the number of cells in one of the two cell columns constituting the first string S1 and greater than the number of cells in the other cell column. Also, the number of cells in the cell column constituting the third string arranged between the two cell columns constituting the second string S2 is smaller than the number of cells in one of the two cell columns constituting the second string S2 and greater than the number of cells in the other cell column.As a result, the number of solar cells C, C, … that make up each string S1, S2, S3 is the same.

[0087] Note that in this embodiment, the solar cell module 1 is composed of six cell columns CR1 to CR6, and the number of solar cells C, C, … in each of the first cell column CR1 to the sixth cell column CR6 is 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12, respectively. However, the number of columns and the number of cells are not limited to this. As long as it is a solar cell module including six cell columns with a cell number ratio of 2:4:6:8:10, the cell columns can be combined in the same manner as in this embodiment to form three strings with the same number of cells.

[0088] -Other Embodiments- Note that the present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments described above and can be implemented in various other forms. Therefore, each of the above-described embodiments is merely an example in every respect and should not be construed in a limiting sense. The scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the claims and is not restricted by the main text of the specification in any way. Furthermore, all modifications and changes belonging to the equivalent scope of the claims are within the scope of the present disclosure.

[0089] For example, in each of the above embodiments, the number of solar cells C, C, … in each string (the first string S1 and the second string S2 in the first to fourth embodiments, and the first to third strings S1 to S3 in the fifth embodiment) is the same. However, as long as the number of cells in each string is equivalent, the number of cells in each string may be slightly different (for example, different by about 1 or 2). For example, as long as the power loss caused by the different number of solar cells C, C, … in each string is within an acceptable range, or it has a function capable of preventing the reverse flow of current, the number of solar cells C, C, … in each string may be slightly different.

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

[0091] In the first to fourth embodiments, in the juxtaposition direction, all the cell columns constituting the second string S2 are arranged adjacent to each other between two of the cell columns constituting the first string S1. However, this is not the only way. In the juxtaposition direction, a part of the cell columns constituting the second string S2 may be arranged between two of the cell columns constituting the first string S1. That is, in the juxtaposition direction, the cell columns constituting the second string S2 are arranged between two of the cell columns constituting the first string S1, and the cell columns constituting the first string S1 are arranged between two of the cell columns constituting the second string S2. Further, there may be two or more forms in which one or more cell columns constituting another string are arranged between two of the cell columns constituting a plurality of cell columns of one string. Also, a part of the cell columns constituting a plurality of cell columns of another string may be arranged between two of the cell columns constituting a plurality of cell columns of one string. Further, a part of the cell columns constituting a plurality of cell columns of a plurality of other strings may be arranged between two of the cell columns constituting a plurality of cell columns of one string.

[0092] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, as the solar cell C, a cell obtained by dividing a standard-sized cell (full cell) in half (half cell) or a cell obtained by dividing it into one-third (1 / 3 cell) is used, but there is no limitation on the number of divisions. For example, it may be a cell obtained by dividing it into one-fourth (1 / 4 cell), or it may be a full cell. Also, for example, when dividing into one-fourth, the full cell may be divided into strip shapes or substantially square shapes.

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

[0094] In addition, in each of the above embodiments, the solar cell module 1 is installed on the roof of a house, for example, with the direction along the slope of the roof as the X direction. Also, in the left side of the figure, the height dimension of the solar cell module 1 is small, and in the right side, the height dimension of the solar cell module 1 is large. However, a configuration may also be adopted in which the height dimension of the solar cell module 1 is large on the left side in the figure and the height dimension of the solar cell module 1 is small on the right side.

Industrial Applicability

[0095] The present disclosure is applicable to the corner module of a solar cell.

Explanation of Signs

[0096] 1 Solar cell module 42, 43, 71, 73 Adjacent intermediate electrode wiring 41, 72, 41A, 41B Overstepping intermediate electrode wiring C Solar cell CR1 to CR6 Cell rows S1, S2, S3 String

Claims

1. including two strings connected in parallel, each of the two strings includes a plurality of cell strings composed of one solar cell or a plurality of solar cells connected in series, the solar cells in the plurality of cell strings are arranged in a first direction, the plurality of cell strings are arranged in parallel in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, in the second direction, between a first cell string and a second cell string that constitute one of the two strings, a third cell string that constitutes the other second string is arranged, the solar cells in the plurality of cell strings are connected in series by a wiring material arranged on the front or back surface of the solar cell, each of the two strings has the plurality of cell strings connected in series by an intermediate electrode wiring, the number of cells of the solar cells in the first string is the same as the number of cells of the solar cells in the second string, A solar cell module, characterized in that the number of cells of the solar cells in the first cell string or the number of cells of the solar cells in the second cell string is different from the number of cells of the solar cells in the third cell string.

2. including two strings connected in parallel, each of the two strings includes a plurality of cell strings composed of one solar cell or a plurality of solar cells connected in series, the solar cells in the plurality of cell strings are arranged in a first direction, the plurality of cell strings are arranged in parallel in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, in the second direction, between a first cell string and a second cell string that constitute one of the two strings, a third cell string that constitutes the other second string is arranged, the solar cells in the plurality of cell strings are connected in series by a wiring material arranged on the front or back surface of the solar cell, each of the two strings has the plurality of cell strings connected in series by an intermediate electrode wiring, the number of cells of the solar cells in the first string is the same as the number of cells of the solar cells in the second string, The number of solar cells in the third cell row is smaller than the number of solar cells in the first cell row and larger than the number of solar cells in the second cell row, characterized in that it is a solar cell module.

3. In the solar cell module according to Claim 1 or 2, In the second direction, a plurality of cell rows constituting the second string are arranged between the first cell row and the second cell row constituting the first string, characterized in that it is a solar cell module.

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