Terminal box, solar cell unit, and solar cell unit connection body

Abstract

A terminal box (10) according to an embodiment has a terminal box body, first connection terminals (16a, 16b), and second connection terminals (18a, 18b).　The terminal box body is mounted on a solar cell element (1) having a monolithic structure. The terminal box body has a connection part electrically connected to the terminals (8a, 8b) of the solar cell element (1). The first connection terminals (16a, 16b) are electrically connected to the connection part. The first connection terminals (16a, 16b) are disposed at the tips of cables (15a, 15b) extending from the terminal box body to the outside. The second connection terminals (18a, 18b) are electrically connected to the connection part. The second connection terminals (18a, 18b) are formed on the outer surface of the terminal box body. The second connection terminals (18a, 18b) are connectable to the first connection terminals (16a, 16b).

Description

Terminal box, solar cell unit, and solar cell unit connector

[0001] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An embodiment of the present invention relates to a terminal box, a solar cell unit, and a solar cell unit connector.

[0002] The solar cell unit includes a solar cell element and a terminal box. The terminal box includes connection terminals. The connection terminals of adjacent solar cell units are connected to each other to form a solar cell unit assembly. It is desired to reduce the costs of the terminal box, the solar cell unit, and the solar cell unit assembly.

[0003] International Publication No. 2007 / 015346 Patent No. 3572265

[0004] The problem to be solved by the present invention is to provide a terminal box, a solar cell unit, and a solar cell unit connector that can reduce costs.

[0005] The terminal box of the embodiment has a terminal box main body, a first connection terminal, and a second connection terminal. The terminal box main body is attached to a monolithic solar cell element. The terminal box main body has a connection portion that is electrically connected to a terminal of the solar cell element. The first connection terminal is electrically connected to the connection portion. The first connection terminal is disposed at the tip of a cable extending outward from the terminal box main body. The second connection terminal is electrically connected to the connection portion. The second connection terminal is formed on the outer surface of the terminal box main body. The second connection terminal is connectable to the first connection terminal.

[0006] 1 is a plan view of a solar cell unit according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a positive electrode terminal box. FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a negative electrode terminal box. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a parallel-connected body. FIG. 5 is a plan view of a solar cell unit connection body according to the first embodiment. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a solar cell unit connection body according to a first modified example of the first embodiment. FIG. 7 is a plan view of a solar cell unit according to a second embodiment. FIG. 8 is a plan view of a parallel-connected body. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a solar cell unit connection body according to the second embodiment. FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a monolithic structure.

[0007] Hereinafter, terminal boxes, solar cell units, and solar cell unit connections of embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. (First embodiment) Fig. 1 is a plan view of a solar cell unit 20 in a first embodiment. The solar cell unit 20 has a solar cell element (solar cell module) 1. The solar cell element 1 has a semiconductor layer 3, a scribe line 5, a positive electrode 7a, a negative electrode 7b, and a terminal box 10.

[0008] In the present application, the X, Y, and Z directions of the Cartesian coordinate system are defined as follows: The X direction (first direction) is parallel to the surface of the solar cell element 1 and is the direction in which the scribe line 5 extends. The X direction is the left-right direction on the paper. The +X direction (first side of the first direction) is the left direction on the paper, and the −X direction (second side of the first direction) is the right direction on the paper. The Y direction (second direction) is parallel to the surface of the solar cell element 1 and is the direction in which the positive electrode 7a and the negative electrode 7b are aligned. The +Y direction (first side of the second direction) is the direction from the negative electrode 7b to the positive electrode 7a, and the −Y direction (second side of the second direction) is the direction from the positive electrode 7a to the negative electrode 7b. The Z direction is a direction perpendicular to the surface of the solar cell element 1. The +Z direction is the direction in which the semiconductor layer 3 is formed on the substrate 2, and the −Z direction is the opposite direction to the +Z direction.

[0009] The semiconductor layer 3 is disposed on the surface of a substrate 2 such as a glass substrate or a flexible film substrate. The semiconductor layer 3 is made of a perovskite semiconductor or a transparent cuprous oxide (Cu ２ O) semiconductors. Perovskite semiconductors at least partially contain a perovskite structure. The perovskite structure is one of the crystal structures, and is the same as the crystal structure of perovskite. Typically, the perovskite structure is composed of ions A, B, and X, and is represented by the following general formula (1): ABX ３ ... (1)

[0010] A primary ammonium ion can be used as A. Specifically, CH ３ NH ３ ＋ , C ２ H ５ NH ３ ＋ , C ３ H７ NH ３ ＋ , C ４ H ９ NH ３ ＋ , and HC(NH ２ ) ２ ＋ and CH ３ NH ３ ＋ is preferable, but not limited to this. ＋ , Rb ＋ , 1,1,1-trifluoro-ethylammonium iodide (FEAI) are also preferred, but are not limited to these. ２＋ or Sn ２＋ Examples of divalent metal ions that can be used include, but are not limited to, Cl. － ,Br － or I － The materials constituting the ions A, B, and X may be single or mixed. The constituting ions are ABX ３ It can function without necessarily matching the stoichiometric ratio.

[0011] FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram of a monolithic structure, showing a cross section taken along line X-X in FIG. 1 . The scribe lines 5 are the P1, P2, and P3 scribes of the so-called monolithic structure. Specifically, a lower electrode 4a is formed in the +Z direction of the substrate 2, and the lower electrode 4a is divided by the P1 scribe. Next, a semiconductor layer 3 is formed in the +Z direction of the lower electrode 4a, and the semiconductor layer 3 is divided by the P2 scribe. Next, an upper electrode 4b is formed in the +Z direction of the semiconductor layer 3, and the upper electrode 4b is divided by the P3 scribe. As shown in FIG. 1 , the scribe lines 5 extend in the X direction. Multiple scribe lines 5 are formed side by side in the Y direction. The semiconductor layer 3 is divided by the multiple scribe lines 5 into multiple cells aligned in the Y direction. The multiple cells are electrically connected in series to form a so-called monolithic module. The power generation voltage of the solar cell element 1 is adjusted by the number of cells divided by the scribe lines 5.

[0012] The positive electrode 7a is connected to the end of the semiconductor layer 3 in the +Y direction. From the perspective of carrier collection efficiency, it is desirable that the width of the positive electrode 7a in the X direction be equal to the width of the semiconductor layer 3 in the X direction, but this is not required. A positive electrode terminal 8a extends in the +Y direction from the center of the positive electrode 7a in the X direction. The positive electrode terminal 8a is disposed at the end of the solar cell element 1 in the +Y direction. The negative electrode 7b is connected to the end of the semiconductor layer 3 in the -Y direction. From the perspective of carrier collection efficiency, it is desirable that the width of the negative electrode 7b in the X direction be equal to the width of the semiconductor layer 3 in the X direction, but this is not required. A negative electrode terminal 8b extends in the -Y direction from the center of the negative electrode 7b in the X direction. The negative electrode terminal 8b is disposed at the end of the solar cell element 1 in the -Y direction.

[0013] The solar cell unit 20 has a terminal box (junction box) 10, which includes a positive terminal box 10a connected to the positive terminal 8a and a negative terminal box 10b connected to the negative terminal 8b. The positive terminal box 10a and the negative terminal box 10b are both formed in the +Z direction of the substrate 2, the same as the semiconductor layer 3, but may be formed in the −Z direction of the substrate 2, opposite to the semiconductor layer 3.

[0014] Fig. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of the positive electrode terminal box 10a taken along line II-II in Fig. 1. The positive electrode terminal box 10a has a positive electrode terminal box main body (terminal box main body) 11a, a first positive electrode connecting terminal (first connecting terminal) 16a, and a second positive electrode connecting terminal (second connecting terminal) 18a.

[0015] The positive electrode terminal box body 11a is formed from a resin material or the like. The positive electrode terminal box body 11a has a positive electrode connection portion (connection portion) 12a inside. The positive electrode connection portion 12a is a connection pad or the like. The positive electrode connection portion 12a is electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal 8a of the solar cell element 1 by solder or the like. The connection portion between the positive electrode connection portion 12a and the positive electrode terminal 8a is sealed with a potting material 13. The potting material 13 is a resin adhesive or the like. The positive electrode terminal box body 11a is attached to the solar cell element 1 by the potting material 13. The longitudinal direction of the positive electrode terminal box body 11a is approximately parallel to the X direction.

[0016] The first positive electrode connection terminal 16a is disposed at the +X-direction end of the positive electrode cable (cable) 15a. The positive electrode cable 15a extends outward from the +X-direction end of the positive electrode terminal box body 11a. The -X-direction end of the positive electrode cable 15a is connected to the positive electrode connection part 12a. The first positive electrode connection terminal 16a is electrically connected to the positive electrode connection part 12a via the positive electrode cable 15a. The length of the positive electrode cable 15a is equal to the width of the solar cell element 1 in the X-direction.

[0017] The second positive electrode connection terminal 18a is a connection port and is formed on the outer surface of the positive electrode terminal box body 11a in the −X direction. The second positive electrode connection terminal 18a is electrically connected to the positive electrode connection part 12a by wiring or the like (not shown).

[0018] The first positive electrode connection terminal 16a and the second positive electrode connection terminal 18a are connectors based on standards such as MC4. The first positive electrode connection terminal 16a and the second positive electrode connection terminal 18a are connectable to each other. For example, the first positive electrode connection terminal 16a is a plug (pin, male), and the second positive electrode connection terminal 18a is a jack (socket, receptacle, female).

[0019] Fig. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of the negative electrode terminal box 10b taken along line III-III in Fig. 1. The negative electrode terminal box 10b has a negative electrode terminal box main body (terminal box main body) 11b, a first negative electrode connecting terminal (first connecting terminal) 16b, and a second negative electrode connecting terminal (second connecting terminal) 18b.

[0020] The negative electrode terminal box main body 11b is formed from a resin material or the like. The negative electrode terminal box main body 11b has a negative electrode connection portion (connection portion) 12b inside. The negative electrode connection portion 12b is a connection pad or the like. The negative electrode connection portion 12b is electrically connected to the negative electrode terminal 8b of the solar cell element 1 by solder or the like. The connection portion between the negative electrode connection portion 12b and the negative electrode terminal 8b is sealed with a potting material 13. The potting material 13 is a resin adhesive or the like. The negative electrode terminal box main body 11b is attached to the solar cell element 1 by the potting material 13. The longitudinal direction of the negative electrode terminal box main body 11b is approximately parallel to the X direction.

[0021] The first negative electrode connection terminal 16b is disposed at the +X-direction end of the negative electrode cable (cable) 15b. The negative electrode cable 15b extends outward from the +X-direction end of the negative electrode terminal box body 11b. The -X-direction end of the negative electrode cable 15b is connected to the negative electrode connection part 12b. The first negative electrode connection terminal 16b is electrically connected to the negative electrode connection part 12b via the negative electrode cable 15b. The length of the negative electrode cable 15b is equal to the width of the solar cell element 1 in the X-direction.

[0022] The second negative electrode connection terminal 18b is a connection port and is formed on the outer surface of the negative electrode terminal box body 11b in the −X direction. The second negative electrode connection terminal 18b is electrically connected to the negative electrode connection part 12b by wiring or the like (not shown).

[0023] The first negative electrode connection terminal 16b and the second negative electrode connection terminal 18b are connectors based on standards such as MC4. The first negative electrode connection terminal 16b and the second negative electrode connection terminal 18b are connectable to each other. For example, the first negative electrode connection terminal 16b is a jack (socket, receptacle, female), and the second negative electrode connection terminal 18b is a plug (pin, male). The first negative electrode connection terminal 16b may be a plug (pin, male) and the second negative electrode connection terminal 18b may be a jack (socket, receptacle, female). In this case, however, the first positive electrode connection terminal 16a must be changed to a jack (socket, receptacle, female) and the second positive electrode connection terminal 18a to a plug (pin, male).

[0024] As described above, the first positive electrode connection terminal 16a of the positive electrode terminal box 10a is a plug conforming to a standard such as MC4. The first negative electrode connection terminal 16b of the negative electrode terminal box 10b is a jack conforming to a standard such as MC4. The first positive electrode connection terminal 16a and the first negative electrode connection terminal 16b are connectable to each other.

[0025] 4 is a plan view of the parallel connection body 30. The parallel connection body 30 is formed by connecting multiple solar cell units 20 in parallel. The multiple solar cell units 20 are arranged side by side in the X direction. A pair of solar cell units 20 adjacent to each other in the X direction is referred to as a first solar cell unit 21 and a second solar cell unit 22. The first solar cell unit 21 is located in the +X direction, and the second solar cell unit 22 is located in the −X direction. The second positive electrode connection terminal 18a of the first solar cell unit 21 is connected to the first positive electrode connection terminal 16a of the second solar cell unit 22. The second negative electrode connection terminal 18b of the first solar cell unit 21 is connected to the first negative electrode connection terminal 16b of the second solar cell unit 22.

[0026] The plurality of solar cell units 20 include a first end solar cell unit 28 and a second end solar cell unit 29. The first end solar cell unit 28 is at the end in the +X direction, and the second end solar cell unit 29 is at the end in the −X direction. The parallel-connected body 30 is connected to the outside via the first positive electrode connection terminal 16 a and the first negative electrode connection terminal 16 b of the first end solar cell unit 28.

[0027] The parallel connector 30 has a positive electrode cap 30a and a negative electrode cap 30b. The positive electrode cap 30a is attached to the second positive electrode connection terminal 18a of the second end solar cell unit 29. The negative electrode cap 30b is attached to the second negative electrode connection terminal 18b of the second end solar cell unit 29. The positive electrode cap 30a and the negative electrode cap 30b may be commercially available products conforming to standards such as MC4. The positive electrode cap 30a and the negative electrode cap 30b suppress leakage of electricity from the parallel connector 30.

[0028] 5 is a plan view of a solar cell unit connection assembly 40 according to the first embodiment. The solar cell unit connection assembly 40 is formed by connecting a plurality of parallel connections 30 in series. The parallel connections 30 are arranged side by side in the Y direction. A pair of parallel connections 30 adjacent to each other in the Y direction is designated as a first parallel connection assembly 31 and a second parallel connection assembly 32. The first parallel connection assembly 31 is located in the +Y direction, and the second parallel connection assembly 32 is located in the -Y direction. The first negative electrode connection terminal 16b of the first end solar cell unit 28 of the first parallel connection assembly 31 is connected to the first positive electrode connection terminal 16a of the first end solar cell unit 28 of the second parallel connection assembly 32.

[0029] The plurality of parallel connections 30 include a first end parallel connection 38 and a second end parallel connection 39. The first end parallel connection 38 is at the end in the +Y direction, and the second end parallel connection 39 is at the end in the −Y direction.

[0030] The solar cell unit connection body 40 has a positive electrode cord 40a and a negative electrode cord 40b. The positive electrode cord 40a is connected to the first positive electrode connection terminal 16a of the first end solar cell unit 28 of the first end parallel connection body 38. The negative electrode cord 40b is connected to the first negative electrode connection terminal 16b of the first end solar cell unit 28 of the second end parallel connection body 39. The positive electrode cord 40a and the negative electrode cord 40b are arranged in the +X direction of the solar cell unit connection body 40. The solar cell unit connection body 40 is connected to the outside by the positive electrode cord 40a and the negative electrode cord 40b.

[0031] As described above in detail, the solar cell unit 20 of this embodiment includes the solar cell element 1, the positive electrode terminal box 10a, and the negative electrode terminal box 10b. The solar cell element 1 includes a perovskite semiconductor and has a positive electrode terminal 8a and a negative electrode terminal 8b. The positive electrode terminal box 10a is connected to the positive electrode terminal 8a, and the negative electrode terminal box 10b is connected to the negative electrode terminal 8b. The positive electrode terminal box 10a includes a positive electrode terminal box main body 11a, a first positive electrode connection terminal 16a, and a second positive electrode connection terminal 18a. The positive electrode terminal box main body 11a is attached to the solar cell element 1 and has a positive electrode connection portion 12a electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal 8a of the solar cell element 1. The first positive electrode connection terminal 16a is electrically connected to the positive electrode connection portion 12a and is disposed at the tip of a positive electrode cable 15a extending from the positive electrode terminal box main body 11a to the outside. The second positive electrode connection terminal 18a is electrically connected to the positive electrode connection portion 12a, is formed on the outer surface of the positive electrode terminal box main body 11a, and is connectable to the first positive electrode connection terminal 16a. The negative electrode terminal box 10b has a negative electrode terminal box main body 11b, a first negative electrode connection terminal 16b, and a second negative electrode connection terminal 18b. The negative electrode terminal box main body 11b is attached to the solar cell element 1 and has a negative electrode connection portion 12b electrically connected to the negative electrode terminal 8b of the solar cell element 1. The first negative electrode connection terminal 16b is electrically connected to the negative electrode connection portion 12b and is disposed at the tip of a negative electrode cable 15b extending outward from the negative electrode terminal box main body 11b. The second negative electrode connection terminal 18b is electrically connected to the negative electrode connection portion 12b, is formed on the outer surface of the negative electrode terminal box main body 11b, and is connectable to the first negative electrode connection terminal 16b. The first positive electrode connecting terminal 16a and the first negative electrode connecting terminal 16b are connectable to each other.

[0032] Compared to typical Si solar cells, the amount of current generated by a solar cell element 1 containing a perovskite semiconductor is small. Therefore, in practical application, a configuration in which multiple solar cell units 20 are connected in parallel is envisioned. Commonly available connection components are suitable for a configuration in which solar cell units are connected in series. Attempting to achieve parallel connection using these components requires, for example, the use of multiple special branch cables, which is disadvantageous in terms of cost, number of parts, and connection effort. In this embodiment, the positive cable 15a of one solar cell unit 20 is extended, and the first positive connection terminal 16a of the solar cell unit 20 is connected to the second positive connection terminal 18a of the adjacent solar cell unit 20. The negative cable 15b of one solar cell unit 20 is extended, and the first negative connection terminal 16b of the solar cell unit 20 is connected to the second negative connection terminal 18b of the adjacent solar cell unit 20. Multiple solar cell units 20 can be easily connected in parallel. The number of solar cell units 20 connected in parallel can be easily changed. Special branch cables, etc., are not required for connecting multiple solar cell units 20 in parallel. This also helps prevent mistakes during construction, which contributes to shortening the construction period, and as a result, the cost of the solar cell unit connection body 40 can be reduced.

[0033] The positive terminal box 10a and the negative terminal box 10b are each composed of two connection terminals and one cable. The positive terminal box 10a and the negative terminal box 10b have a simple structure, which reduces the costs of the terminal box 10 and the solar cell unit 20. The same positive terminal box 10a and negative terminal box 10b are attached to all solar cell units 20. By mass-producing the positive terminal box 10a and the negative terminal box 10b, the costs of the terminal box 10 and the solar cell unit 20 can be reduced.

[0034] The first positive electrode connecting terminal 16 a and the first negative electrode connecting terminal 16 b have different shapes, which reduces connection errors between the multiple solar cell units 20 .

[0035] The solar cell element 1 has a scribe line 5 extending in the X direction. The direction parallel to the surface of the solar cell element 1 and perpendicular to the X direction is defined as the Y direction. The positive electrode terminal 8a is disposed at the end of the solar cell element 1 in the +Y direction. The negative electrode terminal 8b is disposed at the end of the solar cell element 1 in the -Y direction.

[0036] When the positive electrode terminal box 10a and the negative electrode terminal box 10b are integrated, wiring is required to route one of the positive electrode terminal 8a and the negative electrode terminal 8b close to the other terminal. In this embodiment, the positive electrode terminal box 10a and the negative electrode terminal box 10b are separate, so wiring is not required. There is no need for an insulating film to be placed between the wiring and the solar cell element 1, and no work is required to align the insulating film. The cost of the solar cell unit 20 can be reduced.

[0037] In the first embodiment, the positive cable 15a extends from the positive terminal box body 11a in the +X direction to the outside. The second positive connection terminal 18a is formed in the -X direction of the positive terminal box body 11a. The negative cable 15b extends from the negative terminal box body 11b in the +X direction to the outside. The second negative connection terminal 18b is formed in the -X direction of the negative terminal box body 11b.

[0038] The positive terminal box 10a and the negative terminal box 10b are arranged parallel to the scribe line 5. The positive terminal box 10a and the negative terminal box 10b can be arranged close to the semiconductor layer 3. The lengths of the positive terminal 8a and the negative terminal 8b are shortened. The cost of the solar cell unit 20 can be reduced. In the first embodiment, the positive cable 15a and the negative cable 15b both extend in the +Y direction. The work of connecting multiple solar cell units 20 is simplified.

[0039] In the first embodiment, the solar cell unit connection assembly 40 includes a parallel connection assembly 30, a positive electrode cord 40a, and a negative electrode cord 40b. In the parallel connection assembly 30, a plurality of the aforementioned solar cell units 20 are arranged side by side in the X direction. Of a pair of solar cell units 20 adjacent to each other in the X direction, the solar cell unit 20 in the +X direction is designated as a first solar cell unit 21, and the solar cell unit 20 in the -X direction is designated as a second solar cell unit 22. At this time, the second positive electrode connection terminal 18a of the first solar cell unit 21 is connected to the first positive electrode connection terminal 16a of the second solar cell unit 22. At the same time, the second negative electrode connection terminal 18b of the first solar cell unit 21 is connected to the first negative electrode connection terminal 16b of the second solar cell unit 22. The plurality of parallel connection assembly 30 are arranged side by side in the Y direction. Of a pair of parallel connections 30 adjacent in the Y direction, the parallel connection 30 located in the +Y direction is referred to as a first parallel connection 31, and the parallel connection 30 located in the −Y direction is referred to as a second parallel connection 32. In this case, the first negative electrode connection terminal 16b of the solar cell unit 20 located at the end of the first parallel connection 31 in the +X direction is connected to the first positive electrode connection terminal 16a of the solar cell unit 20 located at the end of the second parallel connection 32 in the +X direction. The positive electrode cord 40a is connected to the first positive electrode connection terminal 16a of the solar cell unit 20 located at the end of the parallel connection 30 in the +Y direction. The negative electrode cord 40b is connected to the first negative electrode connection terminal 16b of the solar cell unit 20 located at the end of the parallel connection 30 in the +X direction.

[0040] The number of solar cell units 20 included in the parallel connection body 30 can be easily changed. The number of parallel connection bodies 30 included in the solar cell unit connection body 40 can be easily changed. The cost of the solar cell unit connection body 40 can be reduced. Both the positive electrode cord 40a and the negative electrode cord 40b are arranged in the +X direction of the solar cell unit connection body 40. The solar cell unit connection body 40 can be easily connected to the outside.

[0041] The solar cell unit connection assembly 40 has a positive electrode cap 30a attached to the second positive electrode connection terminal 18a and a negative electrode cap 30b attached to the second negative electrode connection terminal 18b of the solar cell unit 20 at the end in the -X direction of the parallel connection assembly 30. Electric leakage from the parallel connection assembly 30 of the solar cell unit connection assembly 40 is suppressed.

[0042] 6 is a plan view of a solar cell unit connection body 40 according to a first modified example of the first embodiment. As described above, the solar cell unit connection body 40 according to the first embodiment has the positive electrode cap 30a and the negative electrode cap 30b. Instead, the solar cell unit connection body 40 according to the first modified example has a bypass diode 35. Descriptions of the first modified example regarding the same parts as those of the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0043] The parallel connection body 30 has a bypass diode 35. The bypass diode 35 is connected between the second positive electrode connection terminal 18a and the second negative electrode connection terminal 18b of the second end solar cell unit 29 located at the end of the parallel connection body 30 in the −X direction.

[0044] There may be cases where some of the parallel connections 30 become unable to generate power. In this case, the current generated in the remaining parallel connections 30 flows through the bypass diodes of some of the parallel connections 30. Current can be extracted from the solar cell unit connection 40. The bypass diodes 35 can be easily connected to the parallel connections 30. No special cables or the like are required to connect the bypass diodes 35 to the parallel connections 30. The cost of the solar cell unit connection 40 can be reduced.

[0045] Second Embodiment Fig. 7 is a plan view of a solar cell unit 20 according to a second embodiment. As described above, in the solar cell unit 20 according to the first embodiment, the positive cable 15a and the negative cable 15b extend in the same direction. In contrast, in the solar cell unit 20 according to the second embodiment, the positive cable 15a and the negative cable 15b extend in opposite directions. Descriptions of the second embodiment that are similar to those of the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0046] The negative electrode terminal box 10b of the second embodiment is attached to the solar cell element 1 in the same manner as in the first embodiment. The positive electrode terminal box 10a of the second embodiment is attached to the solar cell element 1, inverted in the X direction from the first embodiment. The positive electrode cable 15a extends outward from the end of the positive electrode terminal box main body 11a in the -X direction. The first positive electrode connection terminal 16a is disposed at the tip of the positive electrode cable 15a in the -X direction. The second positive electrode connection terminal 18a is formed on the outer surface of the positive electrode terminal box main body 11a in the +X direction.

[0047] 8 is a plan view of the parallel-connected body 30. Three solar cell units 20 arranged in the X direction are a first solar cell unit 21, a second solar cell unit 22, and a third solar cell unit 23. The first solar cell unit 21 is in the +X direction, the third solar cell unit 23 is in the −X direction, and the second solar cell unit 22 is in the center. The first positive electrode connection terminal 16a of the second solar cell unit 22 is connected to the second positive electrode connection terminal 18a of the third solar cell unit 23. The first negative electrode connection terminal 16b of the second solar cell unit 22 is connected to the second negative electrode connection terminal 18b of the first solar cell unit 21.

[0048] The parallel connection body 30 is connected to the outside via the first positive connection terminal 16a of the second end solar cell unit 29 and the first negative connection terminal 16b of the first end solar cell unit 28. The positive electrode cap 30a is attached to the second positive electrode connection terminal 18a of the first end solar cell unit 28. The negative electrode cap 30b is attached to the second negative electrode connection terminal 18b of the second end solar cell unit 29.

[0049] 9 is a plan view of a solar cell unit connection assembly 40 according to the second embodiment. In the second parallel connection assembly 32, the positive electrode cap 30a attached to the second positive electrode connection terminal 18a of the first end solar cell unit 28 is removed. In the second parallel connection assembly 32, the negative electrode cap 30b is attached to the first positive electrode connection terminal 16a of the second end solar cell unit 29.

[0050] The first negative electrode connection terminal 16b of the first end solar cell unit 28 of the first parallel connection body 31 and the second positive electrode connection terminal 18a of the first end solar cell unit 28 of the second parallel connection body 32 are connected via a conversion connector 45. For example, both ends of the conversion connector 45 are plugs (pin, male). As the conversion connector 45, a commercially available product based on a standard such as MC4 can be used.

[0051] The positive electrode cord 40a is connected to the first positive electrode connection terminal 16a of the second end solar cell unit 29 of the first end parallel connector 38. The negative electrode cord 40b is connected to the first negative electrode connection terminal 16b of the first end solar cell unit 28 of the second end parallel connector 39. In the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the costs of the terminal box 10, the solar cell unit 20, and the solar cell unit connector 40 can be reduced.

[0052] In the above-described embodiment, the first positive electrode connection terminal 16a is a plug, the second positive electrode connection terminal 18a is a jack, the first negative electrode connection terminal 16b is a jack, and the second negative electrode connection terminal 18b is a plug. Alternatively, the first positive electrode connection terminal 16a may be a jack, the second positive electrode connection terminal 18a may be a plug, the first negative electrode connection terminal 16b may be a plug, and the second negative electrode connection terminal 18b may be a jack.

[0053] According to at least one embodiment described above, the terminal boxes 10a, 10b each include a terminal box body 11a, 11b, a first connection terminal 16a, 16b, and a second connection terminal 18a, 18b. The first connection terminals 16a, 16b are disposed at the ends of cables 15a, 15b extending outward from the terminal box bodies 11a, 11b. The second connection terminals 18a, 18b are formed on the outer surfaces of the terminal box bodies 11a, 11b. This reduces the costs of the terminal box 10, the solar cell unit 20, and the solar cell unit connector 40.

[0054] Although several embodiments of the present invention have been described, these embodiments are presented as examples and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. These embodiments can be implemented in various other forms, and various omissions, substitutions, and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. These embodiments and their modifications are included within the scope and spirit of the invention, as well as within the scope of the invention described in the claims and their equivalents.

[0055] 1...solar cell element, 5...scribed line, 8a...positive electrode terminal (terminal), 8b...negative electrode terminal (terminal), 10...terminal box, 10a...positive electrode terminal box (terminal box), 10b...negative electrode terminal box (terminal box), 11a...positive electrode terminal box main body (terminal box main body), 11b...negative electrode terminal box main body (terminal box main body), 12a...positive electrode connection part (connection part), 12b...negative electrode connection part (connection part), 15a...positive electrode cable (cable), 15b...negative electrode cable (cable), 16a...first positive electrode connection terminal (first connection terminal), 1 6b...first negative electrode connecting terminal (first connecting terminal), 18a...second positive electrode connecting terminal (second connecting terminal), 18b...second negative electrode connecting terminal (second connecting terminal), 20...solar cell unit, 21...first solar cell unit, 22...second solar cell unit, 30...parallel connector, 30a...positive electrode cap, 30b...negative electrode cap, 31...first parallel connector, 32...second parallel connector, 35...bypass diode, 40...solar cell unit connector, 40a...positive electrode cord, 40b...negative electrode cord.

Claims

1. a terminal box body that is attached to a monolithic solar cell element and has a connection portion that is electrically connected to a terminal of the solar cell element; a first connection terminal electrically connected to the connection portion and disposed at a tip of a cable extending from the terminal box body to the outside; a second connection terminal electrically connected to the connection portion, formed on the outer surface of the terminal box body, and configured to be connected to the first connection terminal of another solar cell unit; terminal box.

2. The solar cell element includes a perovskite semiconductor or a transparent cuprous oxide semiconductor. The terminal box according to claim 1 .

3. a solar cell element having a monolithic structure and having a positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal; a positive electrode terminal box connected to the positive electrode terminal and a negative electrode terminal box connected to the negative electrode terminal, The positive electrode terminal box is a positive terminal box body attached to the solar cell element and having a positive electrode connection portion electrically connected to the positive electrode terminal of the solar cell element; a first positive electrode connection terminal electrically connected to the positive electrode connection portion and disposed at a tip of a positive electrode cable extending from the positive electrode terminal box body to the outside; a second positive electrode connection terminal that is electrically connected to the positive electrode connection portion, that is formed on an outer surface of the positive electrode terminal box body, and that is configured to be connected to the first positive electrode connection terminal of another solar cell unit, The negative electrode terminal box is a negative electrode terminal box body attached to the solar cell element and having a negative electrode connection part electrically connected to the negative electrode terminal of the solar cell element; a first negative electrode connection terminal electrically connected to the negative electrode connection portion and disposed at a tip of a negative electrode cable extending from the negative electrode terminal box body to the outside; a second negative electrode connection terminal electrically connected to the negative electrode connection portion, formed on an outer surface of the negative electrode terminal box body, and configured to be connected to the first negative electrode connection terminal of another solar cell unit, The first positive electrode connection terminal and the first negative electrode connection terminal are connectable to each other. Solar cell unit.

4. The first positive electrode connecting terminal and the first negative electrode connecting terminal have different shapes. The solar cell unit according to claim 3 .

5. the solar cell element has a scribe line extending in a first direction, When a direction parallel to the surface of the solar cell element and perpendicular to the first direction is defined as a second direction, the positive electrode terminal is disposed at an end of the solar cell element on a first side in the second direction, the negative electrode terminal is disposed at an end of the solar cell element on a second side in the second direction. The solar cell unit according to claim 3 or 4.

6. the positive electrode cable extends from a first side in the first direction of the positive electrode terminal box body to the outside, The second positive electrode connection terminal is formed on a second side of the positive electrode terminal box body in the first direction, the negative electrode cable extends from a first side in the first direction of the negative electrode terminal box body to the outside, The second negative electrode connection terminal is formed on a second side in the first direction of the negative electrode terminal box body. The solar cell unit according to claim 5 .

7. The solar cell element includes a perovskite semiconductor or a transparent cuprous oxide semiconductor. The solar cell unit according to claim 3 or 4.

8. When a plurality of the solar cell units according to claim 6 are arranged side by side in the first direction, and when, of a pair of the solar cell units adjacent to each other in the first direction, the solar cell unit on a first side in the first direction is defined as a first solar cell unit and the solar cell unit on a second side in the first direction is defined as a second solar cell unit, the solar cell unit has a parallel connection body in which the second positive electrode connection terminal of the first solar cell unit is connected to the first positive electrode connection terminal of the second solar cell unit, and the second negative electrode connection terminal of the first solar cell unit is connected to the first negative electrode connection terminal of the second solar cell unit, when the plurality of parallel-connected bodies are arranged side by side in the second direction, and when, of a pair of the parallel-connected bodies adjacent to each other in the second direction, the parallel-connected body on a first side in the second direction is referred to as a first parallel-connected body, and the parallel-connected body on a second side in the second direction is referred to as a second parallel-connected body, the first negative electrode connection terminal of the solar cell unit at an end of the first parallel-connected body on the first side in the first direction is connected to the first positive electrode connection terminal of the solar cell unit at an end of the second parallel-connected body on the first side in the first direction, a positive electrode cord connected to the first positive electrode connection terminal of the solar cell unit at the end on the first side in the first direction of the parallel-connected body at the end on the first side in the second direction, and a negative electrode cord connected to the first negative electrode connection terminal of the solar cell unit at the end on the first side in the first direction of the parallel-connected body at the end on the second side in the second direction, Solar cell unit connector.

9. a positive electrode cap attached to the second positive electrode connection terminal and a negative electrode cap attached to the second negative electrode connection terminal of the solar cell unit at the end of the parallel-connected body on the second side in the first direction, The solar cell unit connection assembly according to claim 8 .

10. a bypass diode connected between the second positive electrode connection terminal and the second negative electrode connection terminal of the solar cell unit at the end of the parallel-connected body on the second side in the first direction; The solar cell unit connection assembly according to claim 8 .