Power generation module and method for manufacturing power generation module

Abstract

Provided are a power generation module that can be more easily manufactured according to a desired shape and size, and a method for manufacturing the power generation module. A power generation module (1) according to the present disclosure is provided with a translucent first substrate (10), a translucent second substrate (20) that faces the first substrate (10) in the thickness direction of the first substrate (10), and a plurality of sub-modules (30) that are positioned side by side in a direction intersecting the thickness direction between the first substrate (10) and the second substrate (20). Each sub-module (30) has a base member (40) and a solar battery cell (50) provided on the base member (40). Each solar battery cell (50) has a first electrode layer laminated on the base member (40), a semiconductor layer laminated on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer laminated on the semiconductor layer.

Description

Power generation module and method for manufacturing the same

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a power generation module used in building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and a manufacturing method thereof.

[0002] A known example of this type of power generation module is described in Patent Document 1. The power generation module (window) described in Patent Document 1 includes a first substrate, a solar cell supported by the first substrate, and a second substrate facing the first substrate with the solar cell interposed therebetween. The first substrate has one main surface that supports the solar cell and the other main surface that forms the outer surface of the window. The solar cell includes a transparent conductive layer formed directly on one main surface of the first substrate, a semiconductor layer stacked on the transparent conductive layer, and a conductive layer stacked on the semiconductor layer.

[0003] Patent No. 7187284

[0004] The power generation module of Patent Document 1 still has room for improvement in terms of the difficulty of manufacturing power generation modules of various shapes and sizes.

[0005] Therefore, an object of the present disclosure is to solve the above-mentioned problems and to provide a power generation module that can be more easily manufactured to fit a desired shape and size.

[0006] The power generation module according to the present disclosure comprises a first substrate having translucency, a second substrate having translucency and facing the first substrate in the thickness direction of the first substrate, and a plurality of sub-modules positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate and aligned in a direction intersecting the thickness direction, each sub-module having a base member and a solar cell provided on the base member, and the solar cell having a first electrode layer stacked on the base member, a semiconductor layer stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer stacked on the semiconductor layer.

[0007] A method for manufacturing a power generation module according to the present disclosure includes: preparing a first substrate and a second substrate, each of which is translucent; preparing a plurality of sub-modules, each of which has a base member and a solar cell provided on the base member; arranging the plurality of sub-modules on the first substrate in a direction intersecting a thickness direction of the first substrate; and arranging the second substrate opposite the first substrate in the thickness direction so that the plurality of sub-modules are located between the first substrate and the second substrate. The solar cell has a first electrode layer stacked on the base member, a semiconductor layer stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer stacked on the semiconductor layer.

[0008] The power generation module according to the present disclosure includes a first substrate having translucency, a second substrate having translucency and facing the first substrate in a thickness direction of the first substrate, and a first submodule and a second submodule positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate and aligned in a first direction intersecting the thickness direction. Each of the first submodule and the second submodule includes a base member and a solar cell provided on the base member. The solar cell includes a first electrode layer stacked on the base member, a semiconductor layer stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer stacked on the semiconductor layer. The first submodule and the second submodule have different dimensions in at least one of the first direction and a second direction intersecting both the thickness direction and the first direction.

[0009] a first substrate having a light-transmitting property and a main surface including an arrangement region where the plurality of submodules are arranged and a non-arrangement region where the plurality of submodules are not arranged; a second substrate having a light-transmitting property; arranging the first and second submodules in the arrangement region side by side in a first direction intersecting a thickness direction of the first substrate, such that the second submodule has different dimensions in at least one of the first direction and a second direction intersecting both the thickness direction and the first direction; and arranging the second substrate opposite the first substrate in the thickness direction so that the first and second submodules are located between the first and second submodules and the second substrate. Each of the plurality of submodules has a base member and a solar cell provided on the base member. The solar cell has a first electrode layer stacked on a base member, a semiconductor layer stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer stacked on the semiconductor layer.

[0010] a second substrate having light-transmitting properties, a first submodule and a second submodule, each of which has a base member and a solar cell disposed on the base member; arranging the first submodule and the second submodule on one main surface of the first substrate so that they are aligned in a first direction intersecting a thickness direction of the first substrate, wherein the second submodule has different dimensions in at least one of the first direction and a second direction intersecting both the thickness direction and the first direction; and arranging the second substrate opposite the first substrate in the thickness direction so that the first submodule and the second submodule are located between the first substrate and the second substrate. The solar cell has a first electrode layer stacked on the base member, a semiconductor layer stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer stacked on the semiconductor layer.

[0011] According to the present disclosure, it is possible to provide a power generation module that can be more easily manufactured to a desired shape and size.

[0012] 1 is a plan view of a power generation module according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II of FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III of FIG. 1. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a lead wire provided in the power generation module of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a power generation module according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 5. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a power generation module according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG. 7. FIG. 8 is a plan view of a power generation module according to a modified example of the third embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 9 is a plan view of a power generation module according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 10 is a plan view of a power generation module according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 11 is a schematic perspective view showing a process of a film formation step in a manufacturing method of a submodule. FIG. 12 is a schematic perspective view showing a process of a film formation step in a manufacturing method of a submodule. FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view showing a process of a film processing step in a manufacturing method of a submodule. FIG. 14 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a process of a film processing step in a manufacturing method of a submodule. FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing a process of a film processing step in a manufacturing method of a submodule. 10 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a method for designing a power generation module according to the present disclosure.

[0013] (Findings underlying the present disclosure) In conventional power generation modules, solar cells are directly mounted on the surface of the first substrate opposite the surface that forms the exterior surface of the window. Therefore, it is necessary to design solar cells for each shape and size of the first substrate. Furthermore, since it is necessary to handle first substrates of various shapes and sizes in the solar cell formation process, it is difficult to manufacture power generation modules. Therefore, there is a problem that it is difficult to increase the variety of sizes and shapes of power generation modules.

[0014] Therefore, the inventors conducted extensive research to provide a power generation module that can be more easily manufactured to fit desired shapes and sizes, and as a result, came up with the idea of ​​a power generation module configuration that includes multiple modules, each having solar cells mounted on a base member. With this configuration, power generation modules of various shapes and sizes can be more easily manufactured by arranging multiple sub-modules in various patterns. Based on this novel finding, the inventors have come up with the following disclosure.

[0015] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description, terms indicating specific directions or positions (e.g., terms including "up," "down," "right," and "left") are used as necessary. However, the use of these terms is intended to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure with reference to the drawings, and the meanings of these terms do not limit the technical scope of the present disclosure or the manner of use of the power generation module according to the present disclosure. Furthermore, the following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, its applications, or its uses. Furthermore, the drawings are schematic, and the proportions of the dimensions do not necessarily correspond to reality.

[0016] In this specification, "electrically connected" may mean at least one of the following: current can be conducted between multiple components; multiple components are capacitively coupled; and multiple components are electromagnetically coupled.

[0017] First Embodiment A power generation module according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. Figure 1 is a plan view of the power generation module according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line II-II in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along line III-III in Figure 1. For convenience of explanation, an X-Y-Z Cartesian coordinate system is shown in the drawings, but this coordinate system is intended to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure and does not limit the present disclosure.

[0018] 2, the semiconductor layer 52 and the second electrode layer 53 located at the back of the page are visible through the transparent filler 80. In FIG. 2, the hatching of the filler 80 is omitted in the regions of the semiconductor layer 52 and the second electrode layer 53.

[0019] The power generation module 1 is a module used in building integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). The power generation module 1 also functions as a building material such as a roof, wall, or window. The building material constitutes at least a part of, for example, a building or a vehicle. In this embodiment and a second embodiment described below, an example will be described in which the power generation module 1 is integrated with a window.

[0020] 1 to 3, the power generation module 1 includes a first substrate 10 and a second substrate 20. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are disposed opposite each other in the thickness direction of the first substrate 10, i.e., in the thickness direction of the power generation module 1.

[0021] In the following description, the thickness direction of the power generation module 1 will be simply referred to as the "thickness direction" or the Z direction. One of the directions intersecting the thickness direction will be referred to as the X direction, and the direction intersecting both the X and Z directions will be referred to as the Y direction. In the Z direction, the direction from the first substrate 10 to the second substrate 20 will be referred to as the upward direction, and the direction from the second substrate 20 to the first substrate 10 will be referred to as the downward direction.

[0022] 1 and 2, a plurality of submodules 30 are provided between a first substrate 10 and a second substrate 20. As shown in Fig. 2, each submodule 30 has a sheet-like base member 40 and solar cells 50 provided on the base member 40. The base member 40 is formed in a plate shape and is a member that supports the solar cells 50. The solar cells 50 are configured to receive light from outside the power generation module 1 and generate electricity.

[0023] As shown in FIG. 1 , the solar battery cells 50 are connected between the plurality of sub-modules 30 by first lead wires 71 and second lead wires 72 .

[0024] A seal member 60 that seals the gap is provided in the gap between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20. The seal member 60 has a ring shape that surrounds the plurality of submodules 30 in a plan view seen from the Z direction.

[0025] 2 , the first substrate 10, the second substrate 20, and the seal member 60 define an internal space SP of the power generation module 1. The internal space SP is a space that houses a plurality of submodules 30. In this embodiment, the internal space SP is filled with a filler 80.

[0026] The first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are base materials that form the outer casing of the power generation module 1. The first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are made of a material that has low moisture and gas permeability so as to prevent the components housed in the internal space SP from being deteriorated by moisture and gas. The material of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 is, for example, resin, glass, etc.

[0027] In this embodiment, the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are both made of transparent glass plates and are translucent.

[0028] The shapes of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 in a plan view may vary depending on the design of the building or the like in which the power generation module 1 is used as a construction material. In this embodiment, the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are formed in a rectangular shape having sides extending in the X direction and the Y direction in a plan view (see FIG. 1 ), and have the same or approximately the same dimensions. In this embodiment, the dimension of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 in the X direction is larger than the dimension in the Y direction.

[0029] 1, the power generation module 1 includes three submodules 30. The submodules 30 are aligned in a direction intersecting the Z direction. In this embodiment, the submodules 30 are aligned in a row along the X direction in a plan view. The X direction is an example of an "alignment direction" in the present disclosure.

[0030] Each submodule 30 has a first end 31 in the Y direction and a second end 32 that is the end opposite to the first end 31. The Y direction is an example of the "lateral direction" in this disclosure.

[0031] In this embodiment, each submodule 30 has a rectangular shape with sides extending in the X direction and sides extending in the Y direction in a plan view, so the first end 31 and the second end 32 can also be considered edges extending in the X direction.

[0032] The base member 40 has a lower surface 40a and an upper surface 40b. The lower surface 40a faces the first substrate 10 via the filler 80, and the upper surface 40b directly supports the solar cell 50. In this embodiment, the base member 40 is located away from the first substrate 10.

[0033] The base member 40 is made of a material that is resistant to deformation due to heat applied when soldering the lead wires 71, 72 to the solar cell 50. For example, the base member 40 is made of a material such as glass or a heat-resistant resin. In this embodiment, the base member 40 is a transparent glass plate.

[0034] There are no particular limitations on the shape of the base member 40 in plan view. In this embodiment, the base member 40 is rectangular in plan view (see FIG. 1) having sides extending in the X direction and Y direction.

[0035] The solar cell 50 has a layered structure in which a first electrode layer 51, a semiconductor layer 52, and a second electrode layer 53 are stacked. The first electrode layer 51 is provided in contact with the upper surface 40b of the base member 40. The semiconductor layer 52 is located on the first electrode layer 51. The second electrode layer 53 is located on the semiconductor layer 52.

[0036] The semiconductor layer 52 has a function of converting light energy into electrical energy. The first electrode layer 51 and the second electrode layer 53 are electrically connected to the semiconductor layer 52. The second electrode layer 53 is translucent so that light incident on the power generation module 1 along the Z direction can reach the semiconductor layer 52.

[0037] As shown in FIG. 1, the dimensions of the semiconductor layer 52 and the second electrode layer 53 in the Y direction are smaller than the dimensions of the base member 40 and the first electrode layer 51 in the Y direction.

[0038] The first electrode layer 51 has a first extension portion 511 and a second extension portion 512 that protrude from the semiconductor layer 52 in the Y direction in a plan view. The first extension portion 511 is a region of the first electrode layer 51 that protrudes in the +Y direction from the semiconductor layer 52, and is included in the first end portion 31. The second extension portion 512 is a region of the first electrode layer 51 that protrudes in the −Y direction from the semiconductor layer 52, and is included in the second end portion 32. In this embodiment, each of the extension portions 511, 512 has a strip shape that extends along the X direction in a plan view.

[0039] 1 and 2 , the first extension portions 511 of the multiple submodules 30 are connected to each other by first lead wires 71. The second extension portions 512 of the multiple submodules 30 are connected to each other by second lead wires 72. Through these connections, the solar battery cells 50 are electrically connected in parallel among the three submodules 30. In this embodiment, the first lead wires 71 and the second lead wires 72 extend along the X direction.

[0040] 2, the second lead wire 72 is connected to the second extension portion 512 over the entire length of the second extension portion 512 in the X direction. Similarly, the first lead wire 71 is connected to the first extension portion 511 over the entire length of the first extension portion 511 in the X direction.

[0041] 1 and 2 , the lead wires 71, 72 extend in the X direction in the internal space SP, pass through the sealing member 60, and are drawn out to the outside of the power generation module 1. The lead wires 71, 72 may be connected, for example, to a controller (not shown) that controls power generation and distributes the generated power, or to a terminal provided on a terminal box outside the power generation module 1. In this case, the lead wires 71, 72 function as wiring that extracts the power generated by the solar cell 50 to the outside of the power generation module 1.

[0042] For example, the first lead wire 71 is connected to each of the three first extension portions 511 after the three submodules 30 are arranged above the first substrate 10. In this case, the first lead wire 71 may be configured as a single lead wire. That is, when the first lead wire 71 is provided, one long lead wire may be arranged to span the first extension portions 511 of the three submodules 30.

[0043] Alternatively, a plurality of lead wires may be connected to the first lead wire 71. In this case, for example, in the manufacturing process of each submodule 30, a lead wire constituting a part of the first lead wire 71 may be connected in advance to each first extension portion 511. Thereafter, in the process of arranging three submodules 30 above the first substrate 10, the lead wires provided on adjacent first extension portions 511 may be solder-connected to each other to form the first lead wire 71.

[0044] As with the first lead wire 71 described above, the second lead wire 72 may be made up of a single lead wire or may be made up of a plurality of connected lead wires.

[0045] The connection between each of the lead wires 71, 72 and each of the extension portions 511, 512 is made by, for example, soldering or applying a metal paste.

[0046] 4 is a cross-sectional view of a lead wire provided in the power generation module of FIG. 1. Each of the lead wires 71, 72 is electrically conductive. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 4, each of the lead wires 71, 72 has a copper wire 701 and a solder layer 702 that covers the copper wire 701. The solder layer 702 constitutes the outermost layer of each of the lead wires 71, 72.

[0047] The solder layer 702 prevents rust from forming on the copper wire 701. When the lead wires 71 and 72 are soldered to the first electrode layer 51, the solder layer 702 functions as a pre-solder.

[0048] As shown in FIG. 3, the solar cell 50 has four solar cell elements 54 arranged in the Y direction.

[0049] The semiconductor layer 52 and the second electrode layer 53 are separated for each solar cell element 54. In Fig. 1, the separated portions of the semiconductor layer 52 and the second electrode layer 53 are not shown.

[0050] As shown in FIG. 3, the first electrode layer 51 has a plurality of separation portions 513, 514, and 515 that are separated from one another in the Y direction.

[0051] Of the multiple separation portions 513, 514, 515, the first separation portion 513 is located at one end in the Y direction and has a first extension portion 511, and the second separation portion 514 is located at the other end in the Y direction and has a second extension portion 512. A plurality of third separation portions 515 are provided between the first separation portion 513 and the second separation portion 514, and each third separation portion 515 is provided across two adjacent solar cell elements 54.

[0052] The first separation portion 513 and the three third separation portions 515 each constitute a positive electrode of a corresponding solar cell element 54. The portions of the second electrode layer 53 separated in the Y direction each constitute a negative electrode of a corresponding solar cell element 54.

[0053] In order to electrically connect the first separator 513 or the third separator 515 of the positive electrode to the second electrode layer 53 of the negative electrode, each solar cell element 54 is provided with a conductive member 521 that penetrates the semiconductor layer 52. In this embodiment, the conductive member 521 is formed integrally with the second electrode layer 53.

[0054] In the solar cell 50 described above, the four solar cell elements 54 are electrically connected in series between the first extension portion 511 and the second extension portion 512 .

[0055] The first electrode layer 51 is formed on the upper surface 40b of the base member 40 by a known method, such as vapor deposition, sputtering, spin coating, or inkjet printing. Because the first electrode layer 51 is formed on the upper surface 40b of the base member 40 rather than on the surface of the first substrate 10, there is no need to design the solar cell 50 to match the shape and size of the first substrate 10. Also, by changing the arrangement of the submodules 30, it is possible to realize power generation modules 1 of various shapes and sizes more easily than before. Furthermore, since there is no need to handle first substrates 10 of various shapes and sizes in the process of forming the submodules 30, manufacturing the power generation module 1 is easier than before.

[0056] The semiconductor layer 52 may be stacked on the first electrode layer 51, and the second electrode layer 53 may be stacked on the semiconductor layer 52 by a known method such as the method exemplified as the method for forming the first electrode layer 51.

[0057] The first electrode layer 51 is formed, for example, over the entire upper surface 40b of the base member 40, and then unnecessary portions are removed by laser processing or the like, so that the first electrode layer 51 is laminated only in desired areas of the upper surface 40b. Alternatively, the first electrode layer 51 may be laminated only in desired areas of the upper surface 40b from the beginning. The semiconductor layer 52 and the second electrode layer 53 may also be formed into desired shapes by any of the methods described above.

[0058] The first electrode layer 51 and the second electrode layer 53 are transparent electrodes containing, for example, fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO), indium oxide (ITO), indium zinc oxide (IZO), tin oxide, zinc oxide, aluminum zinc oxide (AZO), or the like. In this embodiment, the first electrode layer 51 is a transparent electrode containing fluorine-doped tin oxide, and the second electrode layer 53 is a transparent electrode containing indium oxide. Because both the first electrode layer 51 and the second electrode layer 53 are transparent electrodes, light for power generation can be incident on the semiconductor layer 52 through the first substrate 10 and the first electrode layer 51, or through the second substrate 20 and the second electrode layer 53.

[0059] The semiconductor layer 52 includes, for example, single crystal silicon, polycrystalline silicon, amorphous silicon, microcrystalline silicon, a compound semiconductor, an organic semiconductor, etc. In this embodiment, the semiconductor layer 52 has a layered structure in which a p-type semiconductor, an intrinsic semiconductor including perovskite crystals (perovskite material), and an n-type semiconductor are stacked. Furthermore, the semiconductor layer 52 may further include layers for protecting these semiconductors and transporting charges or holes.

[0060] The sealing member 60 prevents moisture and gas from entering the internal space SP from the outside of the power generation module 1. In this embodiment, the sealing member 60 is provided along the edge of each of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 in a plan view. For example, the sealing member 60 is made of a material such as rubber or resin. In this embodiment, the sealing member 60 is made of butyl rubber.

[0061] For example, the sealing member 60 may be placed on the first substrate 10 before the second substrate 20 is stacked on top of the first substrate 10, or may be placed in the gap between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 after the second substrate 20 is stacked on top of the first substrate 10.

[0062] 2 and 3 , the filler 80 fills the internal space SP so as to fill the entire space except for the three submodules 30 and the lead wires 71 and 72, and seals the submodules 30 and the lead wires 71 and 72 at their portions facing the internal space SP. For example, the filler 80 is made of a resin such as polyvinyl butyral (PVB) or ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA). In this embodiment, the filler 80 is made of polyolefin (PO) and is transparent. This allows light to enter the solar cell 50, even though the filler 80 is provided between the second substrate 20 and the solar cell 50 in the Z direction.

[0063] In one example of a manufacturing process for the power generation module 1, the filler 80 is formed into a sheet shape in advance and placed between the first substrate 10 and the submodule 30, and between the submodule 30 and the second substrate 20. The power generation module 1 is then heated, and the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are pressed together in the Z direction. At this time, the two sheet-shaped filler materials 80 melt due to the heat and flow into the sides of the submodule 30. As a result, the internal space SP is filled with the filler material 80.

[0064] The power generation module 1 described above includes a plurality of submodules 30 arranged in a direction intersecting the Z direction, and therefore, by changing the arrangement of the submodules 30, it is possible to more easily realize power generation modules 1 of various shapes and sizes than before. For example, it is possible to more easily realize a power generation module 1 that corresponds to the shape and size of a building or the like.

[0065] When both the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are translucent, light can pass through the power generation module 1 at least in the portion where the submodule 30 is not provided. This allows the power generation module 1 to be used as a window. Furthermore, when the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are transparent, it is possible to see from one side of the power generation module 1 to the other. When the power generation module 1 is used as a window separating the outdoors from the indoors, it is preferable that the power generation module 1 be installed with the first substrate 10 facing the outdoors and the second substrate 20 facing the indoors. This separates the semiconductor layer 52 from the outdoors via the first substrate 10 and the base member 40, thereby reducing deterioration and damage to the semiconductor layer 52 due to changes in the outdoor environment or impacts compared to when the power generation module 1 is installed with the second substrate 20 facing the outdoors.

[0066] Furthermore, according to the above-described power generation module 1, in the manufacturing process of the power generation module 1, the manufacturing process of the submodule 30, including the formation of the solar cell 50, and the process of arranging the submodule 30 between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20, can be performed in different locations. In other words, in the manufacturing process of the submodule 30, there is no need to handle first substrates 10 of various shapes and sizes. This increases the degree of freedom in the manufacturing process of the power generation module 1.

[0067] Furthermore, according to the power generation module 1 described above, the solar cell 50 is provided on the base member 40, not on the first substrate 10. If a defect is found in the solar cell 50 during the manufacturing process, in a configuration in which the solar cell 50 is provided on the first substrate 10, the entire solar cell 50 and the first substrate 10 would have to be discarded. On the other hand, according to the power generation module 1, it is only necessary to discard the sub-module 30 that includes the solar cell 50 in which the defect is found. This makes it possible to improve the yield in manufacturing the power generation module 1.

[0068] Furthermore, according to the power generation module 1 described above, the solar cell 50 is not provided on the first substrate 10, so that a material that is not suitable for forming the solar cell 50 can be used as the material for the first substrate 10. In other words, the number of materials that can be used for the first substrate 10 increases. This makes it possible to, for example, enhance the design of the power generation module 1 and improve the sealing performance of the internal space SP of the power generation module 1.

[0069] According to the above-described power generation module 1, the solar cells 50 provided in each sub-module 30 are electrically connected in parallel. Therefore, even if the solar cells 50 of some of the sub-modules 30 malfunction, the solar cells 50 of the other sub-modules 30 can continue to generate power.

[0070] Furthermore, according to the power generation module 1 described above, the lead wires 71, 72 are connected to the first electrode layer 51 or the second electrode layer 53 at the first end 31 or the second end 32 of each of the submodules 30 that are aligned in a row in a plan view. As a result, the lead wires 71, 72 connecting the solar cell 50 of each submodule 30 are not located in the center of the area where the multiple submodules 30 are arranged in a plan view, and are less noticeable when the power generation module 1 is viewed from the Z direction. Therefore, even in a power generation module 1 that includes lead wires 71, 72 that connect the multiple solar cell cells 50, the design of the power generation module 1 as a building material can be improved.

[0071] For example, the first electrode layer 51 is formed on the base member 40 by a high-temperature process. On the other hand, the second electrode layer 53 is formed by a process that is lower in temperature than the method for forming the first electrode layer 51, in order to prevent the semiconductor layer adjacent to it in the Z direction from being deteriorated by heat. In this case, the electrical resistance of the first electrode layer 51 tends to be smaller than the electrical resistance of the second electrode layer 53.

[0072] According to the power generation module 1 described above, the lead wires 71, 72 connect the first electrode layers 51, which have lower electrical resistance than the second electrode layers 53. This improves the efficiency of extracting the power generated by each solar cell 50.

[0073] Furthermore, for example, when the lead wires 71, 72 are soldered to the second electrode layer 53, the heat for melting the solder may be conducted to the semiconductor layer 52 located below the second electrode layer 53, possibly deteriorating the semiconductor layer 52. On the other hand, when the lead wires 71, 72 are soldered to the first electrode layer 51, the heat is less likely to be conducted to the semiconductor layer 52, and therefore, deterioration of the semiconductor layer 52 due to heat can be suppressed.

[0074] If the semiconductor layer 52 deforms due to aging or the like after the power generation module 1 is installed, the position in the Z direction of the second electrode layer 53 stacked on the semiconductor layer 52 may drop. In a configuration in which the lead wires 71, 72 are connected to the second electrode layer 53, the drop in the position of the second electrode layer 53 may cause stress to be applied to the connection between the lead wires 71, 72 and the second electrode layer 53, which may result in disconnection.

[0075] On the other hand, in the power generation module 1 described above, the first electrode layer 51 to which the lead wires 71, 72 are connected is located below the semiconductor layer 52. Therefore, the position of the first electrode layer 51 in the Z direction is less affected by deformation of the semiconductor layer 52. Therefore, breaks in the connections between the lead wires 71, 72 and the solar cell 50 can be suppressed.

[0076] According to the power generation module 1 described above, the lead wires 71, 72 are connected to the first extension portion 511 or the second extension portion 512 of the first electrode layer 51. This makes the power generation module 1 even less noticeable when viewed from the Z direction, compared to a configuration in which the lead wires 71, 72 are connected to the first electrode layer 51 or the second electrode layer 53 at the first end portion 31 or the second end portion 32 of each submodule 30. Therefore, even in a power generation module 1 including lead wires 71, 72 connecting multiple solar cells 50, the design of the power generation module 1 as a building material can be further improved.

[0077] According to the power generation module 1 described above, the base member 40 is a glass plate, and therefore is less susceptible to deterioration due to heat than the semiconductor layer 52. Therefore, the first electrode layer 51, which has a lower electrical resistance than the second electrode layer 53, can be formed using a high-temperature process.

[0078] According to the power generation module 1 described above, the solder layer 702 constitutes the outermost layer of each of the lead wires 71, 72, so that each of the lead wires 71, 72 can be made thinner than a lead wire with an insulating coating.

[0079] Second Embodiment A power generation module 1A according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. Fig. 5 is a plan view of the power generation module according to the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Fig. 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in Fig. 5.

[0080] The power generation module 1A according to the second embodiment differs from the power generation module 1 according to the first embodiment in the arrangement of the submodules 30 in the X and Y directions. The power generation module 1A also differs from the power generation module 1 in that it includes electrode lead wires 73 and connection lead wires 74. In the following description of the second embodiment, the same reference numerals will be used to designate components similar to those in the power generation module 1, and descriptions thereof may be omitted.

[0081] As shown in FIG. 5, the power generation module 1A includes six sub-modules 30.

[0082] The six submodules 30 are aligned in both the X and Y directions in a plan view. In this embodiment, the six submodules 30 form three rows R1 to R3 along the X direction and two columns C1 and C2 along the Y direction. That is, the six submodules 30 are arranged in a matrix of three rows and two columns.

[0083] In the following description, the submodules 30 belonging to row R1 are denoted by reference numeral 301, the submodules 30 belonging to row R2 are denoted by reference numeral 302, and the submodules 30 belonging to row R3 are denoted by reference numeral 303.

[0084] Of the submodules 30 belonging to each of columns C1 and C2, submodule 301 is located at one end in the Y direction. Submodule 303 is located at the other end in the Y direction of the submodules 30 belonging to each of columns C1 and C2. Submodule 302 is located between submodule 301 and submodule 303 in the Y direction.

[0085] Each submodule 30 is oriented such that, in a plan view, the first end 31 is on the +Y side and the second end 32 is on the -Y side. Therefore, the second end 32 of submodule 301 is adjacent to the first end 31 of submodule 302 in the Y direction. Furthermore, the second end 32 of submodule 302 is adjacent to the first end 31 of submodule 303 in the Y direction.

[0086] In each of the columns C1 and C2, the three sub-modules 301 to 303 are electrically connected in series.

[0087] 5 and 6 , electrode lead wires 73 are connected to the second end 32 of the submodule 301, the first end 31 and second end 32 of the submodule 302, and the first end 31 of the submodule 303. As shown in Fig. 5 , each electrode lead wire 73 extends over the entire length in the X direction of the first end 31 or the second end 32. The electrode lead wire 73 may have a structure in which a copper wire 701 is coated with a solder layer 702, similar to the first lead wire 71 and the second lead wire 72, for example.

[0088] In two submodules 30 adjacent to each other in the Y direction, the electrode lead wire 73 provided at the second end 32 of one submodule 30 and the electrode lead wire 73 provided at the first end 31 of the other submodule 30 are connected by a connection lead wire 74. In this way, the two submodules 30 adjacent to each other in the Y direction are connected to each other.

[0089] The number of connection leads 74 provided between the two sub-modules 30 is not particularly limited, but in this embodiment, there are two. The electrode lead wires 73 and the connection leads 74 may be connected by, for example, soldering.

[0090] 5 and 6, the first ends 31 of the submodules 301 belonging to row R1 are connected to each other by a first lead wire 71. The second ends 32 of the submodules 303 belonging to row R3 are connected to each other by a second lead wire 72.

[0091] The submodules 30 belonging to the column C1 and the submodules 30 belonging to the column C2 are electrically connected in parallel by the connection via the first lead wire 71 and the second lead wire 72 .

[0092] According to the power generation module 1A described above, the submodules 30 are aligned in each of the X and Y directions that intersect with each other in a plan view. This allows any number of submodules 30 to be aligned in the two intersecting directions, which increases the degree of freedom in the shape and size of the power generation module 1A compared to a configuration in which the submodules 30 are aligned in only one row.

[0093] Third Embodiment A power generating module 1B according to a third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a plan view of the power generating module according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0094] The power generating module 1B according to the third embodiment differs from the power generating module 1 according to the first embodiment in that it includes a plurality of sub-modules having different shapes in a plan view.

[0095] 7, the power generation module 1B has one first submodule 30 and two second submodules 30A arranged along the X direction. Of the three submodules 30, 30A, the first submodule 30 is located furthest from the -X side. In this embodiment, the three submodules 30, 30A are arranged so that the second extension sections 512 are in the same position relative to each other in the Y direction.

[0096] The main surface of the first substrate 10 facing the second substrate 20 has, in a plan view, an arrangement region 11 in which the three submodules 30, 30A are arranged, and a non-arrangement region 12 in which no submodules are arranged. In other words, the three submodules 30, 30A are arranged in the arrangement region 11. For example, the arrangement region 11 includes the region between the three submodules 30, 30A.

[0097] The non-placement area 12 is an area where the submodules 30, 30A are not intentionally placed due to various reasons, such as the design of the power generation module 1B. For example, the non-placement area 12 does not include a narrow area where the submodules 30, 30A are simply not placed. For example, the non-placement area 12 has a rectangular shape in a plan view. As shown in FIG. 7 , the non-placement area 12 has an area in a plan view that is larger than the area of ​​the smallest submodule among the submodules provided in the power generation module 1B.

[0098] In this embodiment, because the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are transparent, the power generation module 1B is in a transmissive state in the non-placement area 12. Therefore, an object placed in one space (e.g., indoors) separated by the power generation module 1B can be displayed in the other space (e.g., outdoors) through the non-placement area 12, as if the object were visible through a glass window. For example, if the power generation module 1B is installed on the wall of a store, a sign placed inside the store can be displayed outside through the non-placement area 12. Furthermore, letters, figures, patterns, etc. can also be displayed directly in the non-placement area 12.

[0099] The three sub-modules 30, 30A may be arranged so that the positions of the second extension sections 512 in the Y direction are offset from each other as long as they are positioned side by side along the X direction as a whole.

[0100] The first submodule 30 and the second submodule 30A have the same or approximately the same dimensions in the X direction. Here, the X direction is an example of the "first direction" in the present disclosure. The second submodule 30A has dimensions in the Y direction that are different from those of the first submodule 30. In this embodiment, the dimension in the Y direction of the second submodule 30A is smaller than the dimension in the Y direction of the first submodule 30. Here, the Y direction is an example of the "second direction" in the present disclosure. For example, the dimension in the Y direction of the first submodule 30 is equal to or less than twice the dimension in the Y direction of the second submodule 30A. This is because if the dimensions in the Y direction differ significantly between the first submodule 30 and the second submodule 30A, it would be difficult to design the solar cell element 54.

[0101] The power generation module 1B includes a first lead wire 71A and a second lead wire 72A that connect the three submodules 30, 30A. The first lead wire 71A connects the first extension portions 511 provided on the three submodules 30, 30A. The positions of the first extension portions 511 in the Y direction are different between the first submodule 30 and the second submodule 30A. Therefore, the first lead wire 71A bends in the Y direction at a position between the first submodule 30 and the second submodule 30A in the X direction. The second lead wire 72A connects the second extension portions 512 provided on the three submodules 30, 30A. In this embodiment, the positions of the second extension portions 512 in the Y direction are the same, so the second lead wire 72A extends linearly along the X direction.

[0102] 7 , the first submodule 30 is provided with a plurality of first solar cells 50 extending along the Y direction between a first extension portion 511 and a second extension portion 512. Similarly, the second submodule 30A is provided with a plurality of second solar cells 50A extending along the Y direction between the first extension portion 511 and the second extension portion 512. In this embodiment, each submodule 30, 30A is provided with five solar cells 50, 50A. Each solar cell 50, 50A has a linear shape extending along the Y direction.

[0103] In each submodule 30, 30A, the five solar cells 50, 50A are spaced apart in the X direction. Since no solar cell elements 54 are arranged in the spaced apart areas, the solar cells 50, 50A do not generate power and allow light to pass through. In this embodiment, the five solar cells 50, 50A are arranged at equal intervals and parallel or approximately parallel to each other. As a result, each submodule 30, 30A has a border-like appearance in the X direction, with regions that are difficult to transmit light and regions that are easy to transmit light alternating, as shown in FIG. 7 . Each solar cell 50, 50A is connected at both ends to a first lead wire 71A and a second lead wire 72A, respectively. As a result, the five solar cells 50, 50A are connected in parallel by the first lead wire 71A and the second lead wire 72A.

[0104] Each solar cell 50, 50A has one solar cell element 54 or multiple solar cell elements 54 connected in series. The first solar cell 50 and the second solar cell 50A have the same number of solar cell elements 54. In this embodiment, the first solar cell 50 has four solar cell elements 54 connected in series. In Figure 7, the separation portions of the semiconductor layer 52 and the second electrode layer 53 between adjacent solar cell elements 54 (see Figure 3) are indicated by lines.

[0105] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 7 . As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the second solar cell 50A has four solar cell elements 54 connected in series. In FIG. 7 , the separation portions of the semiconductor layer 52 and the second electrode layer 53 between adjacent solar cell elements 54 (see FIG. 8 ) are indicated by lines. The solar cell elements 54 constituting the second solar cell 50A have smaller dimensions in the Y direction than the solar cell elements 54 constituting the first solar cell 50. Meanwhile, the thickness and composition in the Z direction of the semiconductor layer 52 constituting the solar cell elements 54 are the same between the first solar cell 50 and the second solar cell 50A. Therefore, the electromotive force of each solar cell element 54 when the semiconductor layer 52 receives light is the same regardless of the solar cell 50, 50A in which the solar cell element 54 is located.

[0106] As shown in Fig. 7, each submodule 30, 30A has a region 34 between solar cell elements 50, 50A adjacent to each other in the Y direction. The semiconductor layer 52 provided in each solar cell 50, 50A is separated from the semiconductor layer 52 provided in the adjacent solar cell 50, 50A by the region 34. In this embodiment, the semiconductor layer 52 and the second electrode layer 53 are not provided in the region 34. On the other hand, a first electrode layer 51 may be provided in the region 34. In this case, the first electrode layer 51 located in the region 34 may connect the first electrode layers 51 between solar cell elements 54 adjacent to each other in the X direction.

[0107] According to the above-described power generation module 1, 1A, 1B, by changing the arrangement of the multiple submodules 30, 30A, it is possible to more easily provide the non-arrangement area 12 in the power generation module 1, 1A, 1B where no solar cells 50, 50A are arranged. For example, in the non-arrangement area 12, an object arranged in one space (e.g., indoors) separated by the power generation module 1, 1A, 1B can be displayed in the other space (e.g., outdoors) through the non-arrangement area 12. Furthermore, components unrelated to power generation can be incorporated into the non-arrangement area 12. This allows the power generation module 1, 1A, 1B to be easily used as a building material and have a high degree of flexibility. Furthermore, according to the above-described power generation module 1B, multiple submodules 30, 30A with different dimensions in at least one of the X and Y directions are provided, thereby allowing the power generation module 1B to be easily used as a building material and have a high degree of flexibility.

[0108] Furthermore, in the power generation module 1B described above, the first solar cell 50 and the second solar cell 50A have the same number of solar cell elements 54. When the power generation module 1B includes multiple submodules 30, 30A with different dimensions in the Y direction, it is possible to reduce the number of solar cell elements 54 provided in each second solar cell 50A. In this case, the number of solar cell elements 54 connected in series in the second solar cell 50A is fewer than the number of solar cell elements 54 connected in series in the first solar cell 50. The magnitude of the voltage generated in the solar cell 50, 50A depends on the number of solar cell elements 54 connected in series in the solar cell 50, 50A. Therefore, the output voltage of the second solar cell 50A is lower than the output voltage of the first solar cell 50. As a result, the output voltage of the power generation module 1B becomes lower because it matches the lower voltage of the second solar cell 50A.

[0109] On the other hand, in the power generation module 1B described above, the first solar cell 50 and the second solar cell 50A have the same number of solar cell elements 54, despite having different dimensions in the Y direction. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the output voltage of the power generation module 1B due to a decrease in the number of solar cell elements 54 constituting each solar cell 50, 50A. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in the power generation efficiency of the power generation module 1B.

[0110] 9 is a plan view of a power generation module according to a modification of the third embodiment of the present disclosure. The power generation module 1C shown in Fig. 9 differs from the power generation module 1B shown in the third embodiment in the planar shapes of the first substrate and the second substrate.

[0111] In the example shown in FIG. 9 , the power generation module 1C includes a first substrate 10A and a second substrate 20A. The first substrate 10A and the second substrate 20A are L-shaped in plan view. More specifically, the first substrate 10A and the second substrate 20A have a shape similar to that of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 (see FIG. 7 ) in the power generation module 1B, with most of the non-arrangement area 12 removed. Therefore, the main surface of the first substrate 10 is the arrangement area 11, excluding the portion where the sealing member 60 is arranged. That is, the three submodules 30, 30A are arranged so as to be densely packed on the main surface. Meanwhile, the non-arrangement area 12 is not provided on the main surface. Like the power generation module 1B according to the third embodiment, the solar cell cells 50, 50A provided in the submodules 30, 30A each have four solar cell elements 54 connected in series.

[0112] In a plan view, the first lead wire 71A and the second lead wire 72A extend along the edges of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20. By positioning each lead wire 71A, 72A near the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20, the area between the two lead wires 71A, 72A is increased, thereby increasing the area in which the submodules 30, 30A can be installed.

[0113] Fourth Embodiment A power generating module 1D according to a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 10. Fig. 10 is a plan view of the power generating module according to the fourth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0114] The power generation module 1D according to the fourth embodiment differs from the power generation module 1B according to the third embodiment in that it includes two third submodules 30B instead of one second submodule 30A. That is, the power generation module 1D includes one first submodule 30, one second submodule 30A, and two third submodules 30B.

[0115] The four submodules 30, 30A, and 30B are arranged side by side along the X direction. The third submodule 30B is located between the first submodule 30 and the second submodule 30A in the X direction. The third submodule 30B has the same or approximately the same dimensions as the second submodule 30A in the Y direction. On the other hand, the third submodule 30B has dimensions in the X direction that are smaller than the first submodule 30 and the second submodule 30A. In other words, the third submodule 30B has dimensions in both the X direction and the Y direction that are different from the first submodule 30.

[0116] The first submodule 30 and the second submodule 30A are each provided with five solar cells 50, 50A, similar to the power generation module 1B according to the third embodiment. The third submodule 30B is provided with a second solar cell 50A.

[0117] The number of solar cells in the third submodule 30B may be the same as or different from the number of solar cells in each of the submodules 30, 30A. In this embodiment, since the third submodule 30B is smaller than each of the submodules 30, 30A in the Y direction, the number of solar cells 50A in the third submodule 30B is three, which is fewer than the number of solar cells in each of the submodules 30, 30A. In the third submodule 30B, each solar cell 50A is connected at both ends to a first lead wire 71A and a second lead wire 72A, respectively.

[0118] In this embodiment, each of the solar cell units 50 and 50A provided in the submodules 30, 30A and 30B has four solar cell elements 54 connected in series. That is, the number of solar cell elements 54 in each of the solar cell units 50 and 50A is the same among the submodules 30, 30A and 30B.

[0119] Fifth Embodiment A power generating module 1E according to a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 11. Fig. 11 is a plan view of the power generating module according to the fifth embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0120] The power generation module 1E according to the fifth embodiment differs from the power generation module 1 according to the first embodiment in that it further includes two fourth submodules 30C. That is, the power generation module 1E includes three first submodules 30 and two fourth submodules 30C.

[0121] The five submodules 30, 30C are arranged side by side in the X direction. The three first submodules 30 are positioned between the two fourth submodules 30C in the X direction. The five submodules 30, 30C are arranged so as to be spread out on the first substrate 10 in the internal space SP. Therefore, the main surface of the first substrate 10 forms an arrangement region 11 except for the portion where the sealing member 60 is arranged. On the other hand, no non-arrangement region 12 is provided on this main surface.

[0122] The fourth submodule 30C has the same or approximately the same dimensions as the first submodule 30 in the Y direction. On the other hand, the fourth submodule 30C has dimensions in the X direction smaller than the first submodule 30 and the second submodule 30A. The first submodule 30 and the fourth submodule 30C are provided with the linear solar cell 50 described above. The first submodule 30 is provided with five solar cell cells 50 each, similar to the first submodule 30 provided in the power generation module 1B ( FIG. 7 ).

[0123] The number of solar cells in the fourth submodule 30C may be the same as or different from the number of solar cells in the first submodule 30. In this embodiment, since the fourth submodule 30C is smaller than the first submodule 30 in the Y direction, the number of solar cells 50 in the fourth submodule 30C is three, which is fewer than the number of solar cells in the first submodule 30. In the fourth submodule 30C, each solar cell 50 is connected at both ends to a first lead wire 71 and a second lead wire 72, respectively.

[0124] In this embodiment, each solar cell 50 provided in the submodules 30 and 30C has four solar cell elements 54 connected in series. That is, the number of solar cell elements 54 in each solar cell 50 is the same between the submodules 30 and 30C.

[0125] (Manufacturing Method of Power Generation Module) A manufacturing method of the power generation module 1B according to the third embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to FIGS. 12A to 14 .

[0126] The manufacturing method of the submodules 30, 30A includes a film formation process of forming a laminated film including a solar cell film (semiconductor layer 52) on the upper surface 40b of the base member 40, a film processing process of processing the laminated film to form solar cell cells 50, 50A, and a wiring formation process of arranging wiring (lead wires 71A, 72A) that electrically connects to the solar cell cells 50, 50A.

[0127] Film Forming Step FIGS. 12A and 12B are schematic perspective views illustrating the film forming step.

[0128] 12A, a light-transmitting base member 40 is prepared. Here, a glass substrate is prepared as the base member 40. Alternatively, a substrate whose surface is covered with a transparent conductive film, such as an FTO substrate, may be used.

[0129] Next, as shown in FIG. 12B, a laminated film 170 including a lower transparent conductive film, a solar cell film, and an upper transparent conductive film in this order from the upper surface 40b side of the base member 40 is formed on the upper surface 40b.

[0130] Each film in the laminated film 170 is formed by a known method and patterned as necessary. For example, patterning of the lower transparent conductive film, formation of a contact portion connecting the upper transparent conductive film and the lower transparent conductive film, etc. may be performed as appropriate. When a substrate whose surface is covered with a transparent conductive film, such as an FTO substrate, is used, the transparent conductive film on the substrate surface may be used as the lower transparent conductive film in the laminated film 170.

[0131] The solar cell film includes, for example, a perovskite compound. The solar cell film is applied onto the lower transparent conductive film formed on the upper surface 40b of the base member 40 by a method such as spin coating or inkjet printing. The solar cell film is, for example, a laminated film including an n-type semiconductor film, an i-type semiconductor film (perovskite layer), and a p-type semiconductor film. First, the n-type semiconductor film is applied using an inkjet printing method and dried, and then the i-type semiconductor film that will become the upper layer is applied using an inkjet printing method and dried. Similarly, the p-type semiconductor film is applied using an inkjet printing method and dried to form a laminated film. The laminated film that will become the solar cell film may be formed by repeating the application and drying in this manner.

[0132] 12C , a laser beam is scanned in the Y direction to perform a first laser processing step (cell formation step) on the laminated film 170 formed by the above method, and a portion of the laminated film 170 is removed from the upper surface 40b of the base member 40. Here, a scribing process such as laser scribing is performed. The portion of the laminated film 170 that is not removed and remains on the upper surface 40b of the base member 40 becomes the solar cell 50, 50A.

[0133] 12D, a second laser processing step (element separation step) is performed by scanning the laser light in the X direction. As a result, a plurality of separation grooves 160 extending in the X direction are formed in each solar cell 50, 50A, separating the solar cell into a plurality of solar cell elements 54. In this way, the stacked structure L illustrated in FIG. 3 is obtained.

[0134] The first laser processing step (FIG. 12C) will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 13A to 13C. Here, an example will be described in which the lower transparent conductive film, solar cell film, and upper transparent conductive film that make up the laminated film 170 are all removed simultaneously by laser processing. It is sufficient that at least a portion of the solar cell film is removed from the base member 40 by laser processing. The other transparent conductive films may be processed by a different method than the solar cell film and may have a different pattern.

[0135] 13A to 13C are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating the film processing step.

[0136] As shown in FIG. 13A , the laser beam LB is scanned in the Y direction, and the stacked film 170 is irradiated with the laser beam LB over a predetermined irradiation range (referred to as the "irradiation width") wL. This removes the irradiated portion of the stacked film 170. The removed portion becomes a linear region 34 extending in the Y direction. If the irradiation width wL is wide, multiple scans may be performed to irradiate the predetermined range wL. In this example, the stacked film 170 is removed throughout the thickness direction, exposing a portion of the upper surface 40b of the base member 40.

[0137] Next, as shown in FIG. 13B , the laser head is moved to shift the irradiation position of the laser beam LB in the X direction by a predetermined distance (referred to as the "non-irradiation width") wT. In this state, the laser beam LB is scanned in the Y direction to irradiate the stacked film 170 with the laser at an irradiation width wL, thereby removing a portion of the stacked film 170. Between two removed portions adjacent to each other in the X direction, a linear stacked structure having the same width as the non-irradiation width wT, i.e., solar cell 50, 50A, is formed. As shown in FIG. 13C , the laser irradiation of the stacked film 170 is continued while shifting the irradiation position in the X direction. In this manner, solar cell 50, 50A arranged at equal intervals in the X direction can be formed on the upper surface 40b of the base member 40.

[0138] The irradiation width wL and non-irradiation width wT of the laser light LB can be set appropriately depending on the desired width and power generation amount of the solar cell 50, 50A. For example, the irradiation width wL1 of the laser light LB when manufacturing the first submodule 30 may be larger than the irradiation width wL2 when manufacturing the second submodule 30A. Alternatively, the non-irradiation width wT1 when manufacturing the first submodule 30 may be smaller than the non-irradiation width wT2 when manufacturing the second submodule 30A.

[0139] Wiring Formation Step Fig. 14 is a schematic top view illustrating the wiring formation step. As shown in Fig. 14, wiring (e.g., lead wires) 71A, 72A are formed on the base member 40 on which the solar cell 50, 50A has been formed by the above-described method. In this manner, the submodule 30, 30A is manufactured.

[0140] The lead wires 71A, 72A are respectively arranged on one end side and the other end side of the base member 40 in the Y direction. In a plan view seen along the Z direction, the lead wires 71A, 72A are longer than the length of the base member 40 in the X direction, and both ends of the lead wires 71A, 72A may extend outside the base member 40. The lead wire 71A is connected to the upper or lower transparent conductive layer at one end of each solar cell 50, 50A at one end side of the base member 40. Similarly, the lead wire 72A is connected to the upper or lower transparent conductive layer at the other end of each solar cell 50, 50A at the other end side of the base member 40. Each of the lead wires 71A, 72A may be connected to the lower transparent conductive layer by, for example, soldering.

[0141] A method for manufacturing the power generation module 1B using the sub-modules 30 and 30A manufactured by the above method will be described.

[0142] A method for manufacturing a power generation module includes, for example, a submodule arrangement process in which multiple submodules are arranged on a first substrate and electrically connected to each other, and a sealing process in which the first substrate and a second substrate are bonded together with the multiple submodules sandwiched between them.

[0143] Submodule Arrangement Step First, a first substrate 10 (e.g., a glass substrate) is prepared, and the submodules 30, 30A are arranged on the first substrate 10 via a filler (filler 80 shown in FIG. 2, etc.). At this time, the submodules 30, 30A are arranged so that the first submodule 30 and the second submodule 30A have different dimensions in the Y direction. For example, a filler sheet containing polyolefin is used as the filler.

[0144] Next, the first extension portions 511 of the submodules 30, 30A are connected to each other by first lead wires 71A. Similarly, the second extension portions 512 of the submodules 30, 30A are connected to each other by second lead wires 72A. At this time, the second lead wires 72A are formed so as to bend in the Y direction outside the submodules 30, 30A. The second lead wires 72A may be bent simultaneously with joining to the second extension portions 512, or may be bent into a desired shape in advance and then joined to the second extension portions 512.

[0145] After the lead wires 71A, 72A are arranged as described above, the second substrate 20 is arranged above the submodules 30, 30A via the filler 80. For example, a filler sheet containing polyolefin is used as the filler 80. The filler 80 may have a size larger than the area in which the submodules 30, 30A are arranged when viewed in a plan view from the Z direction.

[0146] This is followed by lamination. In lamination, the filler 80 melts under reduced pressure and wraps around to cover the side surfaces of the submodules 30 and 30A, bonding the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 together. This reduces the likelihood of air remaining near the side surfaces of the submodules 30 and 30A, thereby suppressing the influence of air on the solar cell layer. The entire side surfaces of the submodules 30 and 30A may be covered with the filler 80. Next, a seal member (e.g., butyl rubber) 60 is placed around the peripheries of the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 between the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20, thereby sealing the internal space SP. In this manner, the power generation module 1B is manufactured.

[0147] In the above, the sealing member 60 is disposed and sealed after lamination, but the lamination may be performed after the sealing member 60 is disposed and sealed.

[0148] (Design Method of Power Generation Module) A design method of the power generation module 1B according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Fig. 7 and Fig. 15. The design method of the power generation module 1B includes four steps St1 to St4 shown in Fig. 15.

[0149] In the first step St1, the above-described first substrate 10 is prepared. The shape of the first substrate 10 in a plan view is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a polygon, an L-shape, a T-shape, a circle, or an ellipse.

[0150] In the second step St2, an arrangement region 11 for the submodules 30 and 30A is determined on the main surface of the first substrate 10. For example, if the power generation module 1B is used as a window, the area of ​​the main surface excluding the area where the seal member 60 is installed and the non-installation region 12 is determined as the arrangement region 11. Here, the non-installation region 12 may be an area where transparency is desired when used as a window. Note that if there is no need to provide the non-installation region 12 (e.g., see FIG. 9 ), the area of ​​the main surface excluding the area where the seal member 60 is installed may be determined as the arrangement region 11. The shape of the arrangement region 11 is not particularly limited and may be, for example, a polygon, an L-shape, a T-shape, a circle, or an ellipse. However, in many cases, the shape of each submodule is rectangular in a plan view. In this case, it is effective to form the arrangement region 11 in an L-shape or a T-shape, which can be easily realized when the submodules are arranged so that the sides of the rectangle are aligned.

[0151] In the third step St3, the placement area 11 determined in the second step St2 is divided into a plurality of divided areas. Each divided area is an area in which one submodule is placed. In the example of the power generation module 1B shown in FIG. 7, the placement area 11 is divided into three divided areas 111 to 113 corresponding to the three submodules 30 and 30A, respectively. In this embodiment, the divided area 111 corresponds to the first submodule 30, and the two divided areas 112 and 113 correspond to the two second submodules 30A, respectively.

[0152] The shape of each of the divided regions 111 to 113 may be the shape of the submodules 30 and 30A designed in the fourth step St4 described below. In this embodiment, each of the divided regions 111 to 113 is rectangular. The dimension of the divided region 111 in the Y direction is larger than the dimensions of the divided regions 112 and 113 in the Y direction.

[0153] In the fourth step St4, the submodules 30 and 30A are designed according to the divided regions 111 to 113 determined in the third step St3. Because the divided region 111 is larger in the Y direction than the divided regions 112 and 113, the first submodule 30 is designed to be larger in the Y direction than the second submodule 30A.

[0154] The solar cell 50, 50A provided in each submodule 30, 30A is designed so that the number of solar cell elements 54 connected in series is the same. This ensures that the power generation voltages of the solar cell 50, 50A are uniform, thereby suppressing a decrease in the power generation voltage of the entire power generation module 1B. Furthermore, the dimension of each solar cell element 54 in the Y direction is adjusted so that solar cell 50, 50A having the same number of solar cell elements 54 are formed even in submodules 30, 30A with different dimensions in the Y direction. Specifically, the solar cell element 54 constituting the first solar cell 50 is designed to be larger in the Y direction than the solar cell element 54 constituting the second solar cell 50A.

[0155] The power generation module 1B designed by the above design method can be manufactured by the above manufacturing method.

[0156] The present disclosure is not limited to the above-described embodiment, but can be embodied in various other forms.

[0157] In the second embodiment, the number of submodules 30 belonging to each column C1 and C2 may be different. Fig. 16 is a plan view of a power generation module 1F according to a modified example of the second embodiment of the present disclosure. Note that in Fig. 16, the separation portions of the semiconductor layer 52 and the second electrode layer 53 are not depicted.

[0158] 16 lacks the submodule 303 in column C2 that was provided in the power generation module 1A. In this case, the second lead wire 72A is connected to the second end 32 of the submodule 30 that is farthest in the Y direction from the first lead wire 71A in each of columns C1 and C2. In other words, the second lead wire 72 is connected to the second end 32 of the submodule 303 in column C1 and the second end 32 of the submodule 302 in column C2.

[0159] The number of solar cell elements 54 provided in each of the sub-modules 301 and 302 belonging to column C2 may be different from the number of solar cell elements 54 provided in each of the sub-modules 301 and 302 belonging to column C1.

[0160] The internal space SP may be hollow and not filled with the filler material 80. In this case, the internal space SP may be filled with a gas such as air, nitrogen, or argon.

[0161] The base member 40 may be disposed in contact with the first substrate 10 in the internal space SP.

[0162] The base member 40 may be any member that serves as a base for stacking the solar cell 50 that is stacked on the base member 40. For example, if the lead wires 71, 72 are connected to the first electrode layer 51 by a method other than soldering, the base member 40 does not need to be heat resistant.

[0163] Furthermore, although the submodule 30 is described above as being oriented such that the solar cells 50 are located above the base member 40, the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, the submodule 30 may be oriented upside down relative to the orientation in the above-described embodiment. That is, the first electrode layer 51 may be provided directly on the lower surface 40a of the base member 40, and the semiconductor layer 52 and the second electrode layer 53 may be stacked below the base member 40.

[0164] In this case, for example, if the base member 40 and the first electrode layer 51 are configured to be translucent, light that enters the internal space SP through the second substrate 20 can reach the semiconductor layer 52 through the base member 40 and the first electrode layer 51. In this case, the second electrode layer 53 located below the semiconductor layer 52 does not need to be translucent.

[0165] In the first embodiment, each lead wire 71, 72 is connected to the first extension portion 511 or the second extension portion 512, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. For example, each lead wire 71, 72 may be connected to a portion of the first electrode layer 51 excluding the first extension portion 511 or the second extension portion 512. Each lead wire 71, 72 may be connected to the second electrode layer 53. Each lead wire 71, 72 may be connected to a different electrode layer 51, 53 for each solar cell 50.

[0166] In the first embodiment, the first substrate 10, the second substrate 20, the base member 40, the first electrode layer 51, the second electrode layer 53, and the filler 80 are transparent, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. The second substrate 20, the second electrode layer 53, and the filler 80 may be configured as opaque or colored members as long as they are translucent so as to allow light necessary for power generation to enter the semiconductor layer 52. The first electrode layer 51 may be an electrode made of, for example, a metal such as silver, aluminum, copper, or molybdenum, or an alloy thereof. Furthermore, if the power generation module is used as a building material other than a window, the first substrate 10, the second electrode layer 53, and the base member 40 do not need to be transparent.

[0167] In the second embodiment, the electrode lead wire 73 does not have to be provided. In this case, the first electrode layers 51 of different solar cell units 50 may be connected to each other by a connecting lead wire 74. By providing the electrode lead wire 73, the electrical resistance at the connection portion of the two solar cell units 50 can be reduced.

[0168] In the second embodiment, six submodules 30 are arranged in a matrix of three rows and two columns, but the present disclosure is not limited to this. The number of submodules 30 belonging to each row may be different as long as there are two or more submodules in at least one row. The number of submodules 30 belonging to each column may be different as long as there are two or more submodules in at least one column.

[0169] In the above embodiment, the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 are rectangular in plan view, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. For example, the first substrate 10 and the second substrate 20 may be circular, elliptical, polygonal, L-shaped, T-shaped, etc.

[0170] The number of solar cell elements 54 provided in each solar cell 50, 50A is not limited to four, but may be one to three, or five or more.

[0171] Any of the various embodiments or modifications described above can be combined appropriately to achieve the effects of each. In addition, combinations of embodiments, combinations of examples, or combinations of embodiments and examples are possible, and combinations of features from different embodiments or examples are also possible.

[0172] Although the present disclosure has been fully described in connection with the preferred embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, various changes and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art, and such changes and modifications are to be understood as being included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims unless they depart therefrom.

[0173] (Summary of Embodiments) (1) A power generation module according to the present disclosure includes a first substrate, a second substrate that is translucent and faces the first substrate in a thickness direction of the first substrate, and a plurality of submodules that are arranged side by side in a direction intersecting the thickness direction between the first and second substrates. Each submodule includes a base member and a solar cell provided on the base member. The solar cell includes a first electrode layer stacked on the base member, a semiconductor layer stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer stacked on the semiconductor layer.

[0174] (2) The power generation module of (1) further includes a first lead wire and a second lead wire that electrically connect solar cells in parallel among the plurality of submodules. The plurality of submodules are aligned in a row in a plan view seen from the thickness direction. Each submodule has a first end in a horizontal direction that intersects both the thickness direction and the alignment direction of the plurality of submodules, and a second end located opposite the first end. The first lead wire is connected to the first electrode layer or the second electrode layer at the first end of each submodule. The second lead wire is connected to the first electrode layer or the second electrode layer at the second end of each submodule.

[0175] (3) In the power generation module of (2), each of the first lead wire and the second lead wire connects the first electrode layers provided in the plurality of sub-modules to each other.

[0176] (4) In the power generation module of (3), the first electrode layer has an extension portion that protrudes from the semiconductor layer in a lateral direction that intersects both the thickness direction and the alignment direction in the plan view, and the first lead wire and the second lead wire are each connected to the extension portion.

[0177] (5) In the power generation module of (1), the plurality of submodules are aligned in two directions that intersect with each other in a plan view seen from the thickness direction.

[0178] (6) The power generation module according to any one of (1) to (5), further comprising a first lead wire and a second lead wire connected to the first electrode layer or the second electrode layer in each submodule and electrically connecting the solar cells in parallel among the submodules. Each of the first lead wire and the second lead wire has a copper wire and a solder layer covering the copper wire. The solder layer constitutes the outermost layer of each of the first lead wire and the second lead wire.

[0179] (7) In the power generation module of any one of (1) to (6), the base member is a glass plate.

[0180] (8) In the power generation module of any one of (1) to (7), the semiconductor layer includes a perovskite material.

[0181] (9) In the power generation module of any one of (1) to (8), each of the plurality of submodules includes a base member and a plurality of solar cells provided on a main surface of the base member. Each of the plurality of solar cells extends from one end to the other end of the base member in a plan view seen from the thickness direction, and has a structure in which a plurality of solar cell elements are connected in series. The plurality of solar cells are arranged at intervals in an intersecting direction intersecting the extension direction of the plurality of solar cells in each of the plurality of submodules. Each of the plurality of submodules has a region between adjacent solar cells in a plan view. The semiconductor layer provided in each of the plurality of solar cells is separated from the semiconductor layer provided in the adjacent solar cell via the region.

[0182] (10) A method for manufacturing a power generation module according to the present disclosure includes: preparing a first substrate and a second substrate, each of which is translucent; preparing a plurality of submodules, each of which has a base member and a solar cell provided on the base member; arranging the plurality of submodules on the first substrate in a direction intersecting a thickness direction of the first substrate; and arranging the second substrate opposite the first substrate in the thickness direction so that the plurality of submodules are located between the first substrate and the second substrate. The solar cell has a first electrode layer stacked on the base member, a semiconductor layer stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer stacked on the semiconductor layer.

[0183] (11) A power generation module according to the present disclosure includes a first substrate having translucency, a second substrate having translucency and facing the first substrate in a thickness direction of the first substrate, and a first submodule and a second submodule positioned side by side in a first direction intersecting the thickness direction between the first substrate and the second substrate. Each of the first submodule and the second submodule includes a base member and a solar cell provided on the base member. The solar cell includes a first electrode layer stacked on the base member, a semiconductor layer stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer stacked on the semiconductor layer. The first submodule and the second submodule have different dimensions in at least one of the first direction and a second direction intersecting both the thickness direction and the first direction.

[0184] (12) In the power generation module of (11), the first sub-module and the second sub-module have different dimensions in the first direction.

[0185] (13) In the power generation module of (11) or (12), the first sub-module and the second sub-module have different dimensions in the second direction.

[0186] (14) In the power generation module of (13), the solar cells include a first solar cell provided in a first sub-module and a second solar cell provided in a second sub-module. Each of the first solar cell and the second solar cell has one solar cell element or multiple solar cell elements electrically connected in series. The first solar cell and the second solar cell have the same number of solar cell elements.

[0187] (15) The power generation module of (13) or (14) further includes a first lead wire and a second lead wire that electrically connect the solar cells in parallel between the first submodule and the second submodule. Each of the first submodule and the second submodule has a first end in the second direction and a second end located opposite the first end. The first lead wire is connected to the first electrode layer or the second electrode layer at the first end of each of the first submodule and the second submodule. The second lead wire is connected to the first electrode layer or the second electrode layer at the second end of each of the first submodule and the second submodule. At least one of the first lead wire and the second lead wire extends in the first direction in the first submodule and the second submodule and bends in the second direction outside the first submodule and the second submodule.

[0188] (16) In the power generation module of any one of (13) to (15), the dimension of the first submodule in the second direction is equal to or less than twice the dimension of the second submodule in the second direction.

[0189] (17) In the power generation module of any one of (11) to (16), the first substrate and the second substrate have a shape extending in the first direction.

[0190] (18) In the power generation module of any one of (11) to (17), each of the first submodule and the second submodule includes a base member and a plurality of solar cells provided on a main surface of the base member. Each of the plurality of solar cells extends from one end to the other end of the base member in a plan view seen from the thickness direction, and has a structure in which a plurality of solar cell elements are connected in series. The plurality of solar cells are arranged at intervals in each of the first submodule and the second submodule in an intersecting direction intersecting the extension direction of the plurality of solar cells. Each of the first submodule and the second submodule has a region between adjacent solar cells in a plan view. A semiconductor layer provided in each of the plurality of solar cells is separated from a semiconductor layer provided in an adjacent solar cell via the region.

[0191] (19) A method for manufacturing a power generation module according to the present disclosure includes: preparing a plurality of submodules, each including a first translucent submodule and a second translucent submodule; preparing a first translucent substrate having one main surface including an arrangement region where the plurality of submodules are arranged and a non-arrangement region where the plurality of submodules are not arranged; preparing a second translucent substrate; arranging the first and second submodules in the arrangement region side by side in a first direction intersecting a thickness direction of the first substrate, wherein the second submodule has different dimensions in at least one of the first direction and a second direction intersecting both the thickness direction and the first direction; and arranging the second substrate opposite the first substrate in the thickness direction such that the first and second submodules are located between the first and second submodules and the second substrate. Each of the plurality of submodules includes a base member and a solar cell provided on the base member. The solar cell has a first electrode layer stacked on a base member, a semiconductor layer stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer stacked on the semiconductor layer.

[0192] (20) In the method for manufacturing a power generation module according to (19), the non-placement region has a rectangular shape in a plan view seen from the thickness direction. In the plan view, the non-placement region has an area larger than an area of ​​the smallest submodule among the plurality of submodules.

[0193] (21) A method for manufacturing a power generation module according to the present disclosure includes: preparing a first substrate having translucency and an L-shape or a T-shape; preparing a second substrate having translucency; preparing first and second submodules, each of which has a base member and a solar cell provided on the base member; arranging the first and second submodules on one main surface of the first substrate so that they are aligned in a first direction intersecting a thickness direction of the first substrate, wherein the second submodule has different dimensions in at least one of the first direction and a second direction intersecting both the thickness direction and the first direction; and arranging the second substrate opposite the first substrate in the thickness direction so that the first and second submodules are located between the first and second substrates. The solar cell has a first electrode layer stacked on the base member, a semiconductor layer stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer stacked on the semiconductor layer.

[0194] (22) In the method for manufacturing a power generation module according to any one of (19) to (21), the solar cell provided in the first submodule and the solar cell provided in the second submodule have the same number of solar cell elements.

[0195] The present disclosure is applicable to power generation modules used in building-integrated photovoltaic power generation.

[0196] 1, 1A to 1F Power generation module 10, 10A First substrate 20, 20A Second substrate 30, 301 to 303, 30A to 30C Submodule 31 First end 32 Second end 40 Base member 50, 50A Solar cell 51 First electrode layer 511 First extension portion 512 Second extension portion 52 Semiconductor layer 53 Second electrode layer 71, 71A First lead wire 72, 72A Second lead wire 701 Copper wire 702 Solder layer

Claims

1. A power generation module comprising: a first substrate having translucency; a second substrate having translucency and facing the first substrate in a thickness direction of the first substrate; and a plurality of submodules positioned between the first substrate and the second substrate and aligned in a direction intersecting the thickness direction, each submodule having a base member and a solar cell provided on the base member, each solar cell having a first electrode layer stacked on the base member, a semiconductor layer stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer stacked on the semiconductor layer.

2. The power generation module described in claim 1, further comprising a first lead wire and a second lead wire that electrically connect the solar cell in parallel among the plurality of submodules, the plurality of submodules being aligned in a row in a planar view seen from the thickness direction, each submodule having a first end in a horizontal direction that intersects both the thickness direction and the alignment direction of the plurality of submodules, and a second end located opposite to the first end, the first lead wire being connected to the first electrode layer or the second electrode layer at the first end of each submodule, and the second lead wire being connected to the first electrode layer or the second electrode layer at the second end of each submodule.

3. The power generating module according to claim 2, wherein each of the first lead wires and the second lead wires connects the first electrode layers provided in the plurality of sub-modules to each other.

4. The power generation module described in claim 3, wherein the first electrode layer has an extension portion protruding from the semiconductor layer in a lateral direction intersecting both the thickness direction and the alignment direction in the plan view, and each of the first lead wire and the second lead wire is connected to the extension portion.

5. The power generating module according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of sub-modules are aligned in two directions intersecting each other in a plan view seen from the thickness direction.

6. The power generation module described in claim 1, further comprising a first lead wire and a second lead wire connected to the first electrode layer or the second electrode layer in each submodule and electrically connecting the solar cell in parallel among the plurality of submodules, each of the first lead wire and the second lead wire having a copper wire and a solder layer covering the periphery of the copper wire, the solder layer constituting the outermost layer of each of the first lead wire and the second lead wire.

7. The power generating module according to claim 1, wherein the base member is a glass plate.

8. The power generating module according to claim 1, wherein the semiconductor layer comprises a perovskite material.

9. A power generation module as described in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein each of the plurality of submodules has the base member and a plurality of solar cells arranged on a main surface of the base member, each of the plurality of solar cells extending from one end to the other end of the base member in a planar view seen in the thickness direction and having a structure in which a plurality of solar cell elements are connected in series, the plurality of solar cells are arranged at intervals in an intersecting direction intersecting with the extension direction of the plurality of solar cells in each of the plurality of submodules, each of the plurality of submodules has a region between adjacent solar cells in the planar view, and the semiconductor layer arranged in each of the plurality of solar cells is separated from the semiconductor layer arranged in the adjacent solar cell via the region.

10. A method for manufacturing a power generation module, comprising: preparing a first substrate and a second substrate, each of which is translucent; preparing a plurality of submodules, each of which has a base member and a solar cell provided on the base member; arranging the plurality of submodules on the first substrate in a direction intersecting a thickness direction of the first substrate; and arranging the second substrate opposite the first substrate in the thickness direction such that the plurality of submodules are located between the second substrate and the first substrate, wherein the solar cell has a first electrode layer stacked on the base member, a semiconductor layer stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer stacked on the semiconductor layer.

11. A power generation module comprising: a first substrate having translucency; a second substrate having translucency and facing the first substrate in a thickness direction of the first substrate; and a first submodule and a second submodule positioned side by side in a first direction intersecting the thickness direction between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein each of the first submodule and the second submodule has a base member and a solar cell provided on the base member, wherein the solar cell has a first electrode layer stacked on the base member, a semiconductor layer stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer stacked on the semiconductor layer, and the first submodule and the second submodule have different dimensions in at least one of the first direction and a second direction intersecting both the thickness direction and the first direction.

12. The power generating module according to claim 11, wherein the first sub-module and the second sub-module have different dimensions in the first direction.

13. The power generation module according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the first sub-module and the second sub-module have different dimensions in the second direction.

14. The power generation module described in claim 13, wherein the solar cell includes a first solar cell provided in the first submodule and a second solar cell provided in the second submodule, each of the first solar cell and the second solar cell having one solar cell element or a plurality of solar cell elements electrically connected in series, and the first solar cell and the second solar cell having the same number of solar cell elements.

15. The power generation module described in claim 13 or 14, further comprising a first lead wire and a second lead wire that electrically connect the solar cell in parallel between the first submodule and the second submodule, each of the first submodule and the second submodule having a first end in the second direction and a second end located opposite to the first end, the first lead wire being connected to the first electrode layer or the second electrode layer at the first end of each of the first submodule and the second submodule, and the second lead wire being connected to the first electrode layer or the second electrode layer at the second end of each of the first submodule and the second submodule, and at least one of the first lead wire and the second lead wire extending in the first direction in the first submodule and the second submodule and bent in the second direction outside the first submodule and the second submodule.

16. A power generation module according to any one of claims 13 to 15, wherein the dimension of the first submodule in the second direction is less than or equal to twice the dimension of the second submodule in the second direction.

17. The power generation module according to any one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate have a shape extending in the first direction.

18. A power generation module as described in any one of claims 11 to 17, wherein each of the first submodule and the second submodule has the base member and a plurality of solar cells arranged on a main surface of the base member, each of the plurality of solar cells extending from one end side to the other end side of the base member in a planar view seen in the thickness direction and having a structure in which a plurality of solar cell elements are connected in series, the plurality of solar cells are arranged at intervals in a cross direction intersecting with the extension direction of the plurality of solar cells in each of the first submodule and the second submodule, each of the first submodule and the second submodule has a region between adjacent solar cells in the planar view, and the semiconductor layer provided in each of the plurality of solar cells is separated from the semiconductor layer provided in the adjacent solar cell via the region.

19. A method for manufacturing a solar cell array comprising: preparing a plurality of submodules including a first submodule having translucency and a second submodule having translucency; preparing a first substrate having translucency and one main surface including an arrangement region in which the plurality of submodules are arranged and a non-arrangement region in which the plurality of submodules are not arranged; preparing a second substrate having translucency; arranging the first submodule and the second submodule in the arrangement region side by side in a first direction intersecting a thickness direction of the first substrate, wherein the first submodule and the second submodule have different dimensions in at least one of the first direction and a second direction intersecting both the thickness direction and the first direction; and arranging the second substrate opposite the first substrate in the thickness direction such that the first submodule and the second submodule are located between the first substrate and the second substrate, wherein each of the plurality of submodules has a base member and a solar cell provided on the base member, the solar cell has a first electrode layer laminated on the base member, a semiconductor layer laminated on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer laminated on the semiconductor layer.

20. A method for manufacturing a power generation module as described in claim 19, wherein the non-placement area has a rectangular shape when viewed in a plane from the thickness direction, and the area of ​​the non-placement area when viewed in the plane is larger than the area of ​​the smallest submodule among the plurality of submodules.

21. A method for manufacturing a power generation module, comprising: preparing a first substrate having translucency and an L-shape or T-shape; preparing a second substrate having translucency; preparing a first submodule and a second submodule, each of which has a base member and a solar cell provided on the base member; arranging the first submodule and the second submodule on one main surface of the first substrate so as to be aligned in a first direction intersecting a thickness direction of the first substrate, wherein the first submodule and the second submodule have different dimensions in at least one of the first direction and a second direction intersecting both the thickness direction and the first direction; and arranging the second substrate opposite the first substrate in the thickness direction so that the first submodule and the second submodule are located between the second substrate and the first substrate, wherein the solar cell has a first electrode layer stacked on the base member, a semiconductor layer stacked on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer stacked on the semiconductor layer.

22. A method for manufacturing a power generation module described in any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the solar cell provided in the first submodule and the solar cell provided in the second submodule have the same number of solar cell elements.

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