Solar cell module and its installation method

Abstract

To provide a solar cell module and an installation method that can overcome height restrictions when mounting on a vehicle and prevent the module from being turned up or peeled off due to strong winds when the vehicle is traveling at high speed. [Solution] The solar cell module (100, 200) according to the present disclosure includes a first region (R1) having a first sealing structure (2A) in which a plurality of cell groups (10) are connected together, the outer peripheral edges of the plurality of cell groups (10) being defined by edge seals (3) and sealed between a front sheet and a back sheet, a second region (R2) including wiring connection portions (4) for connecting the plurality of cell groups 10 to an external cable (E4), and a collector wire (E3) extending from the first region (R1) to the second region (R2) and connecting the plurality of cell groups (10) to the wiring connection portions (4).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a thin sheet solar cell module and a method for installing the same on a vehicle. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, in order to promote decarbonization of logistics, there has been an increase in the installation of solar panels on the roofs of vehicles such as trucks. However, due to legal restrictions on the height of vehicle attachments and vehicle height restrictions specific to commercial vehicles, it is often difficult to install conventional thick solar panels. For this reason, there are known cases in which thin solar panels that fit on vehicle roofs, etc. For example, Non-Patent Document 1 introduces a method in which holes are drilled around the periphery of a thin solar panel and it is attached and fixed to a roof rail or the like using specified metal fittings. [Prior art documents] [Non-patent literature]

[0003] [Non-Patent Document 1] "Electronic footprints: Car camping modifications, solar panel installation"; [Retrieved January 9, 2025], Internet<URL:https: / / e-footprints.info / stay_car / solar_panel / solar_panel.html#gsc.tab=0> Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] However, because this type of mounting method using metal fittings is time-consuming and labor-intensive and requires additional equipment, a new method has emerged in which lightweight, film-sealed, thin-sheet solar cell modules are directly attached to the vehicle using adhesives or other methods. However, the thickness (height) of the junction boxes used for wiring connections and power extraction poses a challenge for current solar cell module products, hindering their installation in vehicles. Furthermore, to prevent the modules from being rolled up or peeled off due to strong winds while driving, additional safety measures such as caulking, windbreaks, and bolt fastenings must be taken, resulting in increased costs and complicated installation work.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure has been made in consideration of such circumstances, and aims to provide a solar cell module that overcomes height restrictions when attached to a vehicle and is capable of preventing the module from being rolled up or peeled off due to strong winds when the vehicle is traveling at high speeds, and a method for installing the same on a vehicle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] [1] In order to solve the above problem, a solar cell module according to one example of the present disclosure includes a first region having a first sealing structure in which a plurality of cell groups are connected together, the outer peripheral edges of the plurality of cell groups being defined by an edge seal and sealed between a front sheet and a back sheet, a second region including a wiring connection portion for connecting the plurality of cell groups to an external cable, and a collector wire extending from the first region to the second region and connecting the plurality of cell groups to the wiring connection portion.

[0007] In this configuration, the solar cell module can be mounted on a vehicle by spreading the first region, in which the power generating structure including multiple cell groups is protected by the first sealing structure, into a thin sheet and placing it on the upper surface of the vehicle, for example, the roof of the loading platform, and attaching it by surface bonding with an appropriate adhesive or the like. The power generated by the solar cell module is transmitted through a collector wire to the wiring connection portion in the second region, and from there, power can be supplied to the vehicle or other devices via an external cable. In this case, the wiring connection portion, which is relatively thick and likely to be bulky, is provided in the second region. By arranging the portion including the wiring connection portion in the second region on the side of the loading platform or the like of the vehicle, it is possible to overcome (avoid) the height restriction when mounting the solar cell module on a vehicle. In particular, by arranging the portion including the wiring connection portion in the second region on the front side of the vehicle and fixing it with adhesive or the like as necessary, wind pressure from the front of the vehicle presses the second region against the vehicle as the vehicle moves, preventing wind from getting into the gap between the first region and the vehicle. This makes it possible to prevent the solar cell module from being peeled off or turned over from the vehicle even when the vehicle is traveling at high speed.

[0008] [2] In the above configuration, the first and second regions may be adjacent to each other, and the minimum bending radius of at least the boundary of the second region connecting to the first region may be smaller than the minimum bending radius of the edge seal portion including the edge seal in the first region (i.e., the boundary portion has greater flexibility and pliability than the edge seal portion). Note that the larger the "minimum bending radius" (the limit bending radius at which breaks, cracks, or voids do not occur in the material), the more "difficult" the material to bend, and the smaller the "minimum bending radius," the more "easy" the material to bend. Furthermore, the "edge seal portion" is primarily composed of the edge seal, front sheet, back sheet, and, if necessary, an appropriate sealing material (laminar adhesive). In this case, the adhesion between the front sheet and back sheet and the edge seal is usually not as strong as, for example, the sealing material, so that voids due to peeling are likely to occur when the product is bent. Therefore, the minimum bending radius of the edge seal portion is likely to be larger than that of the portion without the edge seal (the boundary portion).

[0009] This configuration allows the wiring connection portion included in the second region to be positioned closer to the first region, thereby narrowing the area of ​​the second region (making it more compact) and facilitating folding the second region toward the front of the vehicle at the boundary. This further reduces curling and peeling of the second region due to wind pressure when the vehicle is traveling at high speeds. In addition, this more effectively prevents wind from entering the gap between the edge seal portion and the first region and the vehicle, further facilitating prevention of curling and peeling of the first region, which is positioned on the upper surface of the vehicle.

[0010] In other words, the first region and the second region may be integrally formed, and the minimum bending radius of the first region may be larger than the minimum bending radius of the second region, or the boundary of the second region with the first region may be configured to have a greater curvature and bend more easily than the first region. This allows the boundary of the second region with the first region to be bent so as to adjust the relative positional relationship between the first and second regions, and both regions can be easily bent at the boundary toward the front of the vehicle so as to form a constant (specific) angle.

[0011] [3] In this case, more specifically, the minimum bending radius of the current collector portion including the current collector wire at the boundary portion can be configured to be smaller than the minimum bending radius of the edge seal portion including the edge seal in the first region. In other words, the edge seal portion and the current collector portion may be configured to have cross-sectional shapes, cross-sectional areas, thicknesses, material properties, and the like that satisfy such a relationship of minimum bending radii. In this case, the current collector portion can bend the second region toward the front of the vehicle.

[0012] [4] More specifically, the type of collector wire is not particularly limited, and it is preferable that at least the boundary portion of the collector wire be made of, for example, a conductor wire having a flat braid structure (more specific examples will be described later). Here, a "flat braid wire" is a type of electric wire made by braiding multiple conductors such as copper wires in parallel, and generally has a flat and uniform braid structure. This can impart flexibility and pliability to at least the boundary portion of the collector wire while improving bending resistance, vibration resistance, and conductivity, making it useful as external wiring for solar cell modules mounted on vehicles.

[0013] [5 and 6] In the above configuration, the edge seal in the first region may be provided so as to straddle (cross) the portion of the collector wire located in the first region. More specifically, the edge seal in the first region may be configured to sandwich (hold) and seal the portion of the collector wire located in the first region. This prevents moisture from entering from the periphery of the collector wire, thereby improving the environmental resistance and lifespan of the solar cell module.

[0014] [7] In the above configuration, the second region may have a second sealing structure in which the collector wires and wiring connections are sealed between the front sheet and the back sheet, and the thickness of the second sealing structure may be smaller than the thickness of the first sealing structure. In this way, the collector wires, wiring connections, and other structures for extracting power can be protected from the external environment by the second sealing structure without excessively impairing the flexibility (pliability) of the second region, and the environmental resistance and lifespan of the solar cell module can be further improved.

[0015] [8] Additionally, the width of the second sealing structure may be configured to be greater than the width of the first sealing structure. In this way, when the second region is folded toward the front of the vehicle, the wide portion of the second sealing structure that may protrude to the side of the vehicle can be folded toward the side of the vehicle, for example, the cargo bed (toward the rear of the vehicle), and attached and fixed there. This increases the adhesion area of ​​the solar cell module to the vehicle, allowing the solar cell module to be more securely attached to the vehicle.

[0016] [9] Furthermore, the method for installing a solar cell module according to the present disclosure is an effective method for mounting a solar cell module according to the present disclosure on a vehicle, and involves preparing a solar cell module according to the present disclosure, positioning and attaching (adhering) the first region to the upper surface of the roof of the vehicle, and bending the second region toward the front side of the vehicle and positioning and attaching (adhering) the second region. [Effects of the Invention]

[0017] According to the solar cell module and the method of installing the same on a vehicle of the present disclosure, by comprising a first region in which a plurality of cell groups are defined by an edge seal, a second region including a wiring connection portion, and a collector wire provided across the first and second regions, it is possible to overcome height restrictions when installing on a vehicle while also preventing the module from being rolled up or peeled off due to strong winds when the vehicle is traveling at high speeds. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0018] [Figure 1] 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a solar cell 1 in a solar cell module according to the present disclosure. [Figure 2] 1 is a schematic plan view showing a configuration example of a solar cell module 100 (first embodiment) according to the present disclosure. [Figure 3] 1 is a side view showing a state in which the solar cell module 100 is mounted on a vehicle 300. FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view showing a configuration example of a solar cell module 200 (second embodiment) according to the present disclosure. [Figure 5]1 is a side view showing a state in which the solar cell module 200 is mounted on a vehicle 300. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0019] <Definitions of terms, etc.> Hereinafter, a solar cell module according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. For convenience, in this specification, in FIG. 1 showing the configuration of a solar cell in a solar cell module, the direction in which each layer is stacked with respect to the substrate will be referred to as "upward," the opposite direction will be referred to as "downward," and both directions (coordinate axis directions) will be collectively referred to as "vertical direction." Furthermore, in the same figure, the left side as one faces will be simply referred to as "left side" or "left," and the right side as one faces will be simply referred to as "right side" or "right."

[0020] In addition, in this specification, for convenience, in order to explain the relative directional relationship of the solar cell module on an installation target (e.g., a vehicle), the left direction in the coordinate axes shown in FIG. 3 is referred to as the "forward X1," the opposite direction is referred to as the "backward X2," and these two directions are collectively referred to as the "front-to-back direction X." Furthermore, in the coordinate axes shown in the same figure, the direction toward the page is referred to as the "leftward Y1," the opposite direction is referred to as the "rightward Y2," and these two directions are collectively referred to as the "left-to-right direction Y." Furthermore, in the coordinate axes shown in the same figure, the upward direction is referred to as the "upward Z1," the opposite direction is referred to as the "downward Z2," and these two directions are collectively referred to as the "up-down direction Z." In addition, a front view refers to the perspective from the front X1 toward the rear X2 of the installation target, and a rear view refers to the opposite perspective. Furthermore, a left side view refers to the perspective from the left Y1 toward the right Y2 of the installation target, and a right side view refers to the opposite perspective. Furthermore, the top view refers to a viewpoint from above Z1 to below Z2 of the installation target of the solar cell module, and the bottom view refers to the opposite viewpoint.

[0021] Furthermore, when a layer or a semiconductor contained in a layer is referred to as a compound, this includes not only the pure compound itself, but also compounds doped with trace amounts of elements or chemical species to the extent that the compound's properties are not lost. Furthermore, because elements in each layer can exist in different oxidation states, all oxidation states are referred to by the element's name unless otherwise clearly stated. For example, "elemental hydrogen" and its chemical symbol "H" can refer to a hydrogen atom, a hydrogen ion, a hydride ion, a hydrogen radical, hydrogen in a compound, and hydrogen in an elemental state.

[0022] <Example of solar cell configuration> Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a solar cell in a solar cell module according to the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, solar cell 1 has electrodes 11 and 13 and a power generation element layer 12 provided between them. Solar cell 1 having such a layered structure typically receives light from the upper surface side of electrode 13 and generates power. Furthermore, solar cell 1 is configured as a pliable (flexible) cell with flexibility due to the layered structure described below.

[0023] (electrode 11) The electrode 11 is composed of a conductive substrate 111 and a lower electrode layer 112 formed thereon. The material for the conductive substrate 111 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include metal substrates such as titanium foil, stainless steel foil, and aluminum foil, and conductive resin films. The thickness of the conductive substrate 111 is preferably about 10 to 500 μm, and more preferably about 30 to 100 μm. The lower electrode layer 112 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a metal conductive layer made of Mo, Cr, Ti, etc., a conductive inorganic compound conductive layer other than metal, and a conductive organic compound conductive layer. The thickness of the lower electrode layer 112 is also not particularly limited, and is preferably about 200 to 800 nm, for example.

[0024] (Power generation element layer 12) The power generation element layer 12 is composed of a p-type hole transport layer 121, a light absorption layer 122, and an n-type electron transport layer 123, which are stacked in this order on the lower electrode layer 112 of the electrode 11. The material for forming the p-type hole transport layer 121 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include inorganic compounds such as molybdenum selenide and molybdenum oxide, and organic compounds such as fluorene derivatives. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The thickness of the p-type hole transport layer 121 is also not particularly limited, and is preferably, for example, about 20 to 100 nm. The material for forming the light absorption layer 122 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include perovskite compounds such as (Cs,FA)PbI3, chalcopyrite compounds such as Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S)2, and kesterite compounds such as Cu2ZnSnS4. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The thickness of the light absorption layer 122 is also not particularly limited, and is preferably, for example, about 0.5 to 5 μm. Furthermore, the material for forming the n-type electron transport layer 123 is also not particularly limited, and examples thereof include Zn(O,S,OH)x, CdS, In2S3, ZnTiOx, etc., which may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The thickness of the n-type electron transport layer 123 is also not particularly limited, and is preferably, for example, about 20 to 150 nm.

[0025] (electrode 13) The electrode 13 is composed of an upper electrode layer 131 and a grid electrode 132, which are stacked in this order on the n-type electron transport layer 123 of the power generation element layer 12. The upper electrode layer 131 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include transparent electrode layers such as ITO, IOH, FTO, ZnO:B, and ZnO:Al. The thickness of the upper electrode layer 131 is not particularly limited, and is preferably, for example, approximately 0.1 to 2 μm. The grid electrode 132 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a metal conductive layer made of Mo, Cr, Ag, or the like, a conductive inorganic compound conductive layer other than a metal, or a conductive organic compound conductive layer. The thickness of the grid electrode 132 is also not particularly limited, and is preferably, for example, approximately 5 to 50 μm.

[0026] <Configuration Example of Solar Cell Module (First Embodiment)> 2 is a schematic plan (top) view showing a configuration example of a first embodiment of a solar cell module according to the present disclosure. The solar cell module 100 includes a sheet member 2A formed by bonding a front sheet and a back sheet with a sealing material, and includes a region R1 (corresponding to an example of a "first region" in the present disclosure) in which a plurality of cell groups 10 are arranged in multiple rows. In this embodiment, the sheet member 2A corresponds to an example of a "first sealing structure" in the present disclosure. In addition, of the front sheet and the back sheet of the sheet member 2A, at least the sheet located on the light-receiving surface side (upper Z1 side) is translucent.

[0027] Each cell group 10 is configured as a string in which, for example, a plurality of rectangular solar cell cells 1 are connected (joined) in series via a conductive adhesive layer (conductive tape, etc.) not shown. In this embodiment, the plurality of cell groups 10 are divided into two groups in the left-right direction Y, and in each group, the plurality of cell groups 10 are connected in series by electrodes not shown. The two groups are connected in series, for example, as shown, at their rear X2 ends by internal wiring E1 such as ribbon wiring, and each group has an internal wiring E2 at its front X1 end. Furthermore, an edge seal 3 is provided along the outer periphery of each cell group 10 so as to surround the two groups of cell groups 10, thereby defining the power generating structure of the solar cell module 100.

[0028] The solar cell module 100 also includes a junction box 4 (corresponding to an example of a "wiring connection portion" in the present disclosure) for extracting power and a region R2 (corresponding to an example of a "second region" in the present disclosure) in which a portion of the external cable E4 is disposed, within a sheet member 2B formed by bonding a front sheet and a back sheet with a sealing material. In this embodiment, the sheet member 2B corresponds to an example of a "second sealing structure" in the present disclosure. The sheet member 2B may or may not be translucent.

[0029] Furthermore, regions R1 and R2 are disposed adjacent to each other, and a collector wire E3 connecting each internal wiring E2 in region R1 to a junction box 4 in region R2 is provided across (stretching) from region R1 to region R2. That is, the collector wire E3 is drawn out from the internal wiring E2 in sheet member 2A (region R1), extends to reach the junction box 4 in sheet member 2B (region R2), and is connected to an external cable E4 via the junction box 4. Here, the current collector E3 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include a single-layer or multi-layer flat braided wire (a plurality of conductors such as copper wires braided in parallel), a twisted wire (a bundle of thin conductor wires twisted together), a Litz wire (a twisted wire formed by twisting thin insulated conductor wires), a printed wiring (a metal wiring formed on a thin insulating sheet (such as polyimide)), a curled wiring (a wiring formed into a coil shape to provide flexibility), a flat wiring (a ribbon-like wiring in which multiple conductor wires are arranged in parallel), a wiring in a tube (a flat braided wire or twisted wire housed in a flexible tube), a mesh wiring (a mesh of conductor wires braided together), etc. Such a conductor structure is preferably applied to at least a portion of the current collector E3 included in the boundary between region R2, which will be described later, and region R1.

[0030] The solar cell module 100 configured as described above can be manufactured, for example, by the following procedure. First, solar cells 1 are joined in series to form multiple cell groups 10. These cell groups 10 are then joined in series to divide the cell groups 10 into two groups. The rear X2 ends of both groups are connected with internal wiring E1, and internal wiring E2 is provided at the front X1 ends of each group. Each internal wiring E2 is connected to a current collector E3, thereby prefabricating the power generating structure of the solar cell module 100. Next, the back sheet and sealing material constituting the sheet member 2A are placed in this order on an appropriate platform or the like, and the first edge seal 3, the prefabricated power generating structure, and the second edge seal 3 are placed in predetermined positions on the back sheet in this order. This results in the edge seals 3, 3 being bonded together along the outer periphery of the cell groups 10 and across the two current collectors E3 connected to the internal wiring E2.

[0031] Next, the sealing material and front sheet that make up the sheet member 2A are layered on top of it in this order. Note that in the above process, it is desirable to place the sealing material so as to avoid the area of ​​the edge seal 3. This creates a configuration in which the outer edges of the multiple cell groups 10 are defined by the edge seal 3, and the portion of the current collector wire E3 located within region R1 is sandwiched between the edge seals 3, 3 (see Figure 2). Next, the front sheet and back sheet of the sheet member 2A are bonded together using a regular sheet laminator or the like, sealing the power generating structure within the sheet member 2A. Then, using an appropriate cutting device such as a cutter, the outer periphery of the sheet member 2A is appropriately cut to form region R1.

[0032] Meanwhile, a structure for extracting power is created by connecting the collector wire E3 and external cable E4 to the junction box 4. Next, the back sheet and sealing material constituting the sheet member 2B are placed in this order on a suitable platform or the like, and the fabricated structure for extracting power is placed in a predetermined position on top of that. Then, the sealing material and front sheet constituting the sheet member 2B are stacked on top of that in this order. Then, using a cutting device such as a suitable cutter, the outer periphery of the sheet member 2B is appropriately cut to trim, thereby forming region R2.

[0033] The materials and properties of the constituent members of the sheet members 2A and 2B (back sheet, front sheet, and sealing material) and the edge seal 3 are not particularly limited, and commonly used materials can be appropriately selected and used. For example, ETFE, PMMA, PET, etc., having a thickness of 50 to 300 μm can be used as the front sheet, and PET, etc., having a thickness of 50 to 300 μm can be used as the back sheet. Furthermore, EVA, polyolefin, silicone, etc., having a thickness of 50 to 400 μm can be used as the sealing material. Furthermore, polyisobutylene, butyl rubber, etc., having a thickness of 300 to 800 μm can be used as the edge seal 3.

[0034] Further, the minimum bending radius M2 of at least the boundary portion (here, the current collecting line portion including the sheet member 2B and the current collecting line E3) connecting to the region R1 in the region R2 is smaller than the minimum bending radius M1 of the edge seal portion including the sheet member 2A, the current collecting line E3, and the edge seal 3 in the region R1 (M2 < M1). This boundary portion is a portion that is bent when the solar cell module 100 is installed on the vehicle 300 described later, and has greater flexibility and flexibility than the edge seal portion. In other words, when the regions R1 and R2 are integrally formed as shown in FIG. 2, the minimum bending radius M1 of the region R1 is larger than the minimum bending radius M2 of the region R2, or the boundary portion between the region R1 and the region R2 in the region R2 is configured to have a curvature and be more easily bent than the region R1. Further, it may be configured to have a cross-sectional shape, a cross-sectional area, and material characteristics that satisfy the relationship that the minimum bending radius M2 of the current collecting line portion is smaller than the minimum bending radius M1 of the edge seal portion. In this case, for example, the thickness T2 of the sheet member 2B can be formed to be smaller than the thickness T1 of the sheet member 2A (T2 < T1).

[0035] The solar cell module 100 configured as described above can be mounted on the vehicle 300 as shown in FIG. 3. Here, FIG. 3 is a side view (left side view) showing the state in which the solar cell module 100 is mounted on the vehicle 300. As shown, when installing the solar cell module 100 on the vehicle 300, first, in a state where the power generation structure is spread out in a thin sheet shape in the region R1 protected by the sheet member 2A, it is arranged on, for example, the upper surface 30U of the cargo bed roof in the vehicle 300. Then, the region R2 protected by the sheet member 2B, where the structure for extracting power is located, is bent and arranged toward the side surface (here, the front surface 30F) other than the roof of the vehicle. Then, by surface-bonding and attaching the regions R1 and R2 to the upper surface 30U and the front surface 30F respectively with an appropriate adhesive or the like, the solar cell module 100 can be mounted on the vehicle 300. The power obtained by this solar cell module 100 is sent from the region R1 to the region R2 through the current collecting line E3, and can be supplied to the vehicle 300 or other devices through the junction box 4 and the external cable E4.

[0036] In this case, the junction box 4, which is relatively thick and tends to be bulky, is disposed on the side (front surface 30F) of the vehicle 300, such as the loading platform. This overcomes (avoids) the height restriction imposed when attaching the solar cell module 100 to the vehicle 300. Furthermore, as the vehicle 300 travels, the region R2, which is disposed and fixed on the front X1 side of the vehicle 300, is pressed against the vehicle 300 by wind pressure from the front X1 side in the direction of travel, preventing wind from entering the gap between the region R1 and the vehicle. This effectively prevents the solar cell module 100 from being peeled off or rolled up from the vehicle 300, even when the vehicle 300 is traveling at high speeds. Additionally, the power generating structure is defined by the edge seal 3, and the regions R1 and R2 are sealed with the sheet members 2A and 2B, respectively. This effectively protects the power generating structure and the structure for extracting power from the external environment, improving the reliability and environmental resistance of the solar cell module 100 and extending its lifespan.

[0037] Furthermore, regions R1 and R2 are adjacent to each other, and the minimum bending radius M2 of at least the boundary portion of region R2 connecting to region R1 (the collector wire portion including the sheet member 2B and the collector wire E3) is smaller than the minimum bending radius M1 of the edge seal portion including the sheet member 2A, the collector wire E3, and the edge seal 3, and thus of region R1. As shown in FIG. 2 , this allows the collector wire E3 and junction box 4 included in region R2 to be positioned closer to region R1, thereby reducing the area of ​​region R2 (making it compact) and making it easier to bend region R2 toward the front of the vehicle. As a result, curling up and peeling of region R1 due to wind pressure when the vehicle 300 is traveling at high speeds can be further suppressed. In addition, this more effectively prevents wind from entering the gap between the edge seal portion and region R1, further facilitating curling up and peeling of region R1, which is positioned on the upper surface of the vehicle 300.

[0038] In other words, regions R1 and R2 are formed integrally, the minimum bending radius M1 of region R1 is larger than the minimum bending radius M2 of region R2, and the boundary portion (current collector portion) of region R2 with region R1 is configured to have a larger curvature and bend more easily than region R1. Therefore, as shown in Fig. 2, the boundary portion (current collector portion) of region R2 with region R1 can be bent to adjust the relative positional relationship between regions R1 and R2, and regions R1 and R2 can be easily bent at the boundary portion toward the front X1 of vehicle 300 to form a constant (specific) angle (approximately 90° in this case).

[0039] Furthermore, by constructing at least the boundary portion (collector portion) of the collector wire E3 from a flat braided wire or the like as described above, it is possible to impart flexibility and pliability to at least the boundary portion of the collector wire E3, while improving bending resistance, vibration resistance, and conductivity. As a result, the collector wire E3 is particularly useful as external wiring for the solar cell module 100 mounted on the vehicle 300, and can further improve the reliability and environmental resistance of the solar cell module 100.

[0040] 2, the edge seal 3 in region R1 is provided so as to straddle (cross) and further sandwich (hold) the portion of the collector wire E3 located in region R1 to seal it, thereby preventing moisture from entering from the periphery of the collector wire E3, thereby further improving the environmental resistance and lifespan of the solar cell module 100.

[0041] In addition, if the thickness T2 of the sheet member 2B is formed to be smaller than the thickness T1 of the sheet member 2A, it becomes easier to make the minimum bending radius M2 of the region R2 smaller than the minimum bending radius M1 of the region R1, and the structures for extracting power (the collector wire E3, the junction box 4, and part of the external cable E4) can be protected from the external environment without excessively impairing the flexibility (pliability) of the region R2. As a result, the environmental resistance and lifespan of the solar cell module 100 can be further improved.

[0042] <Configuration Example of Solar Cell Module (Second Embodiment)> 4 is a schematic plan (top) view showing a configuration example of a second embodiment of a solar cell module according to the present disclosure. Solar cell module 200 has the same configuration as solar cell module 100 shown in FIG. 2, except that sheet member 2B constituting second region R2 has wide portion 2Bw that protrudes in the left-right direction Y beyond the width of sheet member 2A.

[0043] With this configuration, in this embodiment, the width W2 (length in the left-right direction Y) of the sheet member 2B is made larger than the width W1 of the sheet member 2A. In this way, as shown in FIG. 5, when the region R2 is folded toward the front X1 side of the vehicle 300, the wide portion 2Bw of the sheet member 2B that would protrude to the side (left-right direction Y) of the vehicle 300 can be folded and attached to, for example, the side surface 30S of the cargo bed of the vehicle 300 (toward the rear X2 side of the vehicle 300). This increases the adhesion area of ​​the solar cell module 200 to the vehicle 300. Therefore, the solar cell module 200 can be more firmly attached to the vehicle, and the solar cell module 200 can be further prevented from rolling up or peeling off.

[0044] Although the embodiments have been described above with reference to specific examples, these are intended to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the present disclosure. In other words, the present disclosure is not limited to these specific examples, and designs to which a person skilled in the art appropriately modifies these specific examples are also encompassed within the technical scope of the present disclosure as long as they possess the features of the present disclosure. Furthermore, unless otherwise specified, the elements, arrangements, materials, conditions, shapes, dimensions, sizes, scales, etc. of the above-described specific examples are not limited to those exemplified and can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the elements of the above-described specific examples can be combined in various ways as appropriate, as long as no technical contradictions arise.

[0045] That is, for example, the solar cell 1 may include layers other than the above-described layers, or may include multiple layers of each of the above-described layers. Furthermore, each layer constituting the solar cell 1 may contain various additives, such as binders and surfactants, in addition to the above-described main constituent materials. Furthermore, the p-type hole transport layer 121 and grid electrode 132 of the solar cell 1 may not be provided, and the light absorption layer 122 may be provided in two or more layers. Furthermore, the installation target and use of the solar cell module 100, 200 are not limited to the vehicle 300. It can be preferably used as a power generation device by attaching it to the roof, window, or wall of a building or other moving or flying object. In addition, it can also be used as an independent power source device for street lights, sensors, and digital signage, a mobile energy device, or a power generation device in space or the stratosphere.

[0046] The total number and number of rows of solar cells 1 constituting the cell group 10 can be selected arbitrarily. Furthermore, the edge seal 3 may extend to the outer periphery of the sheet member 2A, and there may or may not be a gap between the outer periphery of each cell group 10 and the edge seal 3. Furthermore, the collector wire E3 may be connected to any location as long as the total power generated by the solar cell module 100, 200 can be extracted. Furthermore, during the fabrication of the solar cell module 100, 200, the procedure of sealing regions R1, R2 with sheet members 2A, 2B may be performed simultaneously. Additionally, the edge seal 3 may be a single layer instead of two layers (double), and region R2 may not need to be sealed with sheet member 2B. [Explanation of symbols]

[0047] 1...solar cell, 2A...sheet member (first sealing structure), 2B...sheet member (second sealing structure), 2Bw...wide portion, 3...edge seal, 4...junction box (wiring connection portion), 10...cell group, 11, 13...electrodes, 12...power generation element layer, 30F...front surface, 30S...side surface, 30U...upper surface, 100, 200...solar cell module, 111...conductive substrate, 112...lower electrode layer, 121...p-type Hole transport layer, 122...Light absorption layer, 123...N-type electron transport layer, 131...Upper electrode layer, 132...Grid electrode, 300...Vehicle, E1, E2...Internal wiring, E3...Collector wire, E4...External cable, R1 ...area (first area), R2...area (second area), W1,W2...width,

Claims

1. a first region including a plurality of cell groups each including a plurality of connected solar cells, the outer peripheries of the plurality of cell groups being defined by an edge seal and having a first sealing structure formed by sealing between a front sheet and a back sheet; a second region including a wiring connection portion for connecting the plurality of cell groups to an external cable; a current collector wire extending from the first region to the second region and connecting the plurality of cell groups and the wiring connection portion; Equipped with the second region has a second sealing structure in which the current collector wire and the wiring connection portion are sealed between a front sheet and a back sheet, The thickness of the second sealing structure is smaller than the thickness of the first sealing structure. Solar cell module.

2. 2. The solar cell module of claim 1, wherein the first region and the second region are arranged adjacent to each other, and the minimum bending radius of at least the boundary portion in the second region that connects to the first region is smaller than the minimum bending radius of the edge seal portion including the edge seal in the first region.

3. The solar cell module according to claim 2 , wherein a minimum bending radius of a current collector portion including the current collector wire at the boundary portion is smaller than a minimum bending radius of an edge seal portion including the edge seal in the first region.

4. The solar cell module according to claim 3 , wherein the collector wire portion is a portion of the second region between the wiring connection portion and the first region.

5. The solar cell module according to claim 2 , wherein at least a portion of the current collector wire at the boundary portion is made of a conductive wire having a flat braid structure.

6. The solar cell module according to claim 1 , wherein the edge seal in the first region is provided so as to straddle a portion of the current collector wire that is located in the first region.

7. The solar cell module according to claim 1 , wherein the edge seal in the first region is provided to sandwich and seal a portion of the current collector wire located in the first region.

8. The solar cell module according to claim 1 , wherein the width of the second encapsulation structure is greater than the width of the first encapsulation structure.

9. A solar cell module is provided, the solar cell module including: a first region including a plurality of cell groups each including a plurality of solar cell cells connected together, the outer peripheral edges of the plurality of cell groups being defined by an edge seal, and having a first sealing structure in which the plurality of cell groups and the edge seal are sealed between a front sheet and a back sheet; a second region including a wiring connection portion for connecting the plurality of cell groups to an external cable; and a current collector wire extending from the first region to the second region and connecting the plurality of cell groups to the wiring connection portion. The first area is arranged and attached to an upper surface of a roof of a vehicle; The second region is folded toward the front side of the vehicle and then placed and attached. How to install solar modules on a vehicle.

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