Cell-overlapping solar cell string and cell-overlapping solar cell module including same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cell-overlapping solar cell string and a cell-overlapping solar cell module including same, and, more specifically, to a cell-overlapping solar cell string and a cell-overlapping solar cell module including same, which are capable of increasing solar cell space occupancy rate and increasing power generation efficiency. The cell-overlapping solar cell string and the cell-overlapping solar cell module including same, according to the present invention, arrange solar cells in layers to vertically cross over each other, and allow only portions corresponding to ineffective power generation regions of the solar cells themselves to overlap each other, and thus can increase the solar cell space occupancy rate and increase power generation efficiency.

Description

Cell-overlapping solar cell string and cell-overlapping solar cell module having the same

[0001] The present invention relates to a cell-overlapping solar cell string and a cell-overlapping solar cell module having the same, and more particularly, to a cell-overlapping solar cell string and a cell-overlapping solar cell module having the same, which enable increasing the space occupancy rate of solar cells and increasing power generation efficiency.

[0002] Solar cells utilize the photovoltaic effect to convert solar energy into electrical energy. A single solar cell produces approximately several watts of power. Therefore, to achieve the desired output, multiple solar cells are arranged and aligned in a specific pattern, connected in series or parallel, and then waterproofed to form a solar cell module.

[0003] A solar cell module is generally composed of a back sheet, a rear EVA layer, solar cells, a front EVA layer, and tempered glass. After the lamination process, a junction box containing wiring for extracting electricity to the outside is attached, and a frame is attached to facilitate installation of the solar cell module and protect it from external impact or bad weather.

[0004] In the conventional solar cell module as described above, in order to output power generated from the solar cell to the outside, a method of extracting power to the outside of the solar cell module through a bus bar and interconnection ribbon formed in the solar cell and a lead wire is used.

[0005] However, since the conventional solar cell module has a structure in which one end of an interconnection ribbon is attached to the anode of one solar cell in order to electrically connect a plurality of solar cells to each other, and the other end of the interconnection ribbon is attached to the cathode of the adjacent solar cell on the other side, there is a gap or space between the adjacent solar cells in the area for installing the interconnection ribbon, and thus a non-active area portion that does not contribute to power generation is generated, and there is a problem in that the occupancy rate of the solar cell is lowered due to this non-active area portion.

[0006] The present invention is intended to solve the above-described conventional problems, and the purpose of the present invention is to provide a cell-overlapping solar cell string and a cell-overlapping solar cell module having the same, which can increase the space occupancy rate of solar cells and solar cell strings and increase power generation efficiency by arranging solar cells or solar cell strings in layers so as to be staggered vertically and overlapping only the portions corresponding to the power generation ineffective areas of the solar cells or solar cell strings themselves.

[0007] In addition, the present invention aims to provide a cell-overlapping solar cell string and a cell-overlapping solar cell module having the same, which can increase the space occupancy rate of solar cells or solar cell strings and increase power generation efficiency by arranging solar cells or solar cell strings in layers so that they are staggered vertically and closely arranged so that there are no gaps or gaps between the solar cells or solar cell strings.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, according to an embodiment of the present invention, a solar cell string comprises: a lower layer including a plurality of first solar cells, each having a first horizontal length and a first vertical length set in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, respectively, and arranged on the same plane at a first reference vertical interval set in a vertical direction; an upper layer including a plurality of second solar cells, each having a second horizontal length and a second vertical length set in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, respectively, and arranged on the same plane at a second reference vertical interval set in a vertical direction, wherein the second solar cells are arranged on the lower layer such that they are staggered with respect to the first solar cells and the second solar cells are in a straight line with respect to the first solar cells; and an insulating member that insulates the first solar cells and the second solar cells between the lower layer and the upper layer.

[0009] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the solar cell string is formed such that the first reference vertical interval is equal to or shorter than the second vertical length.

[0010] The insulating portion of the solar cell string according to one embodiment of the present invention is formed of a transparent material that allows light to pass through, and is formed in a film or thin film shape so as to be in contact with the entire upper surface area of ​​each of the first solar cell cells and the entire lower surface area of ​​each of the second solar cell cells.

[0011] The insulating portion of the solar cell string according to another embodiment of the present invention is formed by applying, coating, or attaching an insulating material in a line along the horizontal direction of the first solar cell and the second solar cell between a portion of the upper surface of both vertical edges of the first solar cell and a portion of the lower surface of both vertical edges of the second solar cell.

[0012] A solar cell module according to the present invention comprises a plurality of solar cell strings, wherein the solar cell strings comprise a lower layer including a plurality of first solar cells, each having a first horizontal length and a first vertical length set in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, and arranged on the same plane at a first reference vertical interval set in a vertical direction; an upper layer including a plurality of second solar cells, each having a second horizontal length and a second vertical length set in a horizontal direction and a vertical direction, and arranged on the same plane at a second reference vertical interval set in a vertical direction, wherein the second solar cells are arranged on the lower layer such that they are staggered with respect to the first solar cells and the second solar cells are in a straight line with respect to the first solar cells; and an insulating member between the lower layer and the upper layer for insulating the first solar cells and the second solar cells.

[0013] The solar cell module according to the present invention is arranged so that one horizontal edge of one solar cell string overlaps the other horizontal edge of the other solar cell string.

[0014] Meanwhile, a solar cell module according to another embodiment of the present invention is characterized by comprising: a lower layer formed by arranging lower strings in which a plurality of first solar cells are arranged in a line along a vertical direction at a predetermined interval; an upper layer formed by arranging upper strings in which a plurality of second solar cells are arranged in a line along a vertical direction at a predetermined interval so as to be staggered from the lower strings; and an insulating member between the lower layer and the upper layer for insulating the lower strings and the upper strings.

[0015] The insulating portion of the solar cell module according to another embodiment of the present invention is formed of a transparent material that allows light to pass through, and is formed in a film or thin film shape so as to be in contact with the entire upper surface area of ​​the lower string and the entire lower surface area of ​​the upper string.

[0016] According to another embodiment of the present invention, the insulating part of the solar cell module is characterized in that it is formed by applying an insulating material in a line shape along the arrangement direction of the first solar cell cells and the second solar cell cells between a portion of the upper surface of both width-wise edges of the lower string and a portion of the lower surface of both width-wise edges of the upper string.

[0017] A solar cell module according to another embodiment of the present invention is characterized in that the lower string and the upper string are arranged so that both sides in the width direction overlap each other.

[0018] The cell-overlapping solar cell string according to the present invention and the cell-overlapping solar cell module having the same can increase the space occupancy rate of solar cells and increase the power generation efficiency by arranging solar cells or solar cell strings in layers so that they are staggered vertically and overlap each other only in the portions corresponding to the power generation ineffective areas of the solar cells or solar cell strings themselves.

[0019] In addition, the cell-overlapping solar cell string according to the present invention and the cell-overlapping solar cell module having the same can increase the space occupancy rate of the solar cell and solar cell string and increase the power generation efficiency by arranging the solar cell or solar cell string in layers so that the solar cell or solar cell string is staggered vertically and closely arranged so that there are no gaps or gaps between the solar cell or solar cell string.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a solar cell string according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the solar cell string illustrated in Figure 1.

[0022] Fig. 3 is a plan view showing the lower layer and upper layer of the solar cell string illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0023] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the solar cell string illustrated in Fig. 1.

[0024] Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a solar cell string showing another embodiment of an insulating part.

[0025] Figure 6 is a plan view showing the lower layer and upper layer of a solar cell string according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Fig. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a solar cell string having the lower layer and upper layer illustrated in Fig. 6.

[0027] Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of a solar cell module according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 9 is an exploded perspective view of a solar cell module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Fig. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the solar cell module illustrated in Fig. 9.

[0030] Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view of a solar cell module according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Hereinafter, with reference to the attached drawings, a cell overlapping solar cell string and a cell overlapping solar cell module having the same according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0032] FIGS. 1 to 4 illustrate a solar cell string (100) according to a first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the solar cell string (100) according to the first embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a lower layer (110), an upper layer (120), and an insulating portion (130).

[0033] The lower layer (110) can be configured to include a plurality of first solar cells (111), a first connection electrode portion, and a first sealing layer (115).

[0034] The first solar cell (111) is formed in a square shape having a first horizontal length (H1) and a first vertical length (V1) set in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively. The first solar cell (111) may be formed in a square shape in which the first horizontal length (H1) and the first vertical length (V1) are the same, or may be formed in a rectangle in which the first horizontal length (H1) and the first vertical length (V1) are different from each other.

[0035] On the front surface of the first solar cell (111), a plurality of finger electrodes are formed to extend horizontally and be spaced apart vertically. In addition, on the front surface of the first solar cell (111), a bus bar electrode connecting the finger electrodes is formed to extend vertically and be spaced apart horizontally.

[0036] The first solar cells (111) are arranged at a first reference vertical spacing (L1) set along a vertical direction parallel to the extension direction of the busbar electrode. The first solar cells (111) are arranged in a straight line and on the same plane. The first solar cells (111) are maintained in a form in which they are arranged at the first reference vertical spacing (L1) by the first sealing layer (115) described below.

[0037] The first connecting electrode part electrically connects the first solar cell (111) on one side to the first solar cells (111) on the other side that are vertically adjacent to each other. The first connecting electrode part is connected to a bus bar electrode formed on the front surface of the first solar cell (111) on one side and a rear electrode formed on the rear surface of the first solar cell (111) on the other side or a bus bar electrode formed on the rear surface. A typical interconnection ribbon can be applied to the first connecting electrode part.

[0038] The first sealing layer (115) is placed under the lower layer (110) to protect the lower layer (110), and is tightly fixed to the lower layer (110) and the insulating portion (130) through a lamination process.

[0039] The first encapsulation layer (115) protects the lower layer (110) and maintains the arrangement of the first solar cell (111) and the first connection electrode.

[0040] Meanwhile, the first encapsulation layer may be added with a heat-radiating metal powder having high thermal conductivity so as to effectively dissipate heat generated from the first solar cell and the second solar cell. Here, the heat-radiating metal powder may be applied by combining at least one type or more of aluminum, copper, brass, steel plate, stainless steel, CNT, iron, silver, and metal powders having heat-radiating performance equal to or greater than those of these materials. The heat-radiating metal powder preferably has a particle size of 10 nm to 1,000 nm. If the particle size is less than 10 nm, there is a concern that heat-radiating performance may decrease or dispersibility may occur, and if it exceeds 1,000 nm, there is a concern that problems such as decreased transparency and poor surface condition may occur.

[0041] The first sealing layer can be manufactured by adding 10 parts by weight of aluminum powder having a particle size of 20±10 nm to 100 parts by weight of EVA resin, or can be manufactured by adding 20 parts by weight of aluminum powder having a particle size of 20±10 nm to 100 parts by weight of EVA resin, or can be manufactured by adding 10 parts by weight of stainless steel powder having a particle size of 20±10 nm to 100 parts by weight of EVA resin, or can be manufactured by adding 20 parts by weight of stainless steel powder having a particle size of 20±10 nm to 100 parts by weight of EVA resin.

[0042] The lower layer (110) can be manufactured or formed by placing or mounting a plurality of first solar cells arranged in series with each other through a plurality of first connection electrode portions and spaced apart at a set first vertical interval on the first encapsulation layer.

[0043] The upper layer (120) is placed on the lower layer (110).

[0044] The upper layer (120) can be configured to include a plurality of second solar cells (121), a second connection electrode portion, and a second sealing layer (125).

[0045] The second solar cell (121) is formed as a square having a second horizontal length (H2) and a second vertical length (V2) set in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively. The second solar cell (121) may be formed as a square having the same second horizontal length (H2) and second vertical length (V2), or may be formed as a rectangle having different second horizontal lengths (H2) and second vertical lengths (V2).

[0046] On the front surface of the second solar cell (121), a plurality of finger electrodes are formed to extend horizontally and be spaced apart vertically. In addition, on the front surface of the second solar cell (121), bus bar electrodes connecting the finger electrodes are formed to extend vertically and be spaced apart horizontally.

[0047] The second solar cells (121) are arranged at a second reference vertical spacing (L2) set along a vertical direction parallel to the extension direction of the busbar electrode. The second solar cells (121) are arranged in a straight line and on the same plane. The second solar cells (121) are maintained in a form in which they are arranged at the second reference vertical spacing (L2) by the second sealing layer (125) described below.

[0048] The second connecting electrode part electrically connects the second solar cell (121) on one side to the second solar cells (121) on the other side that are vertically adjacent to each other. The second connecting electrode part is connected to the bus bar electrode formed on the front surface of the second solar cell (121) on one side and the rear electrode formed on the rear surface of the second solar cell (121) on the other side or the rear bus bar electrode formed on the rear surface. A typical interconnection ribbon can be applied to the second connecting electrode part.

[0049] The second sealing layer (125) is placed under the upper layer (120) to protect the upper layer (120), and is tightly fixed to the upper layer (120) and the insulating portion (130) through a lamination process.

[0050] The second encapsulation layer (125) protects the upper layer (120) and maintains the arrangement of the second solar cells (121) and the second connection electrode portion.

[0051] The upper layer (120) can be manufactured or formed by placing or mounting a plurality of second solar cells arranged in series with each other through a plurality of second connecting electrode portions and spaced apart at a set second vertical interval on the second encapsulation layer, and when stacked and arranged on the lower layer, the second solar cells can be stacked on the lower layer by flipping them so that they face the first solar cells of the lower layer.

[0052] In the present embodiment, the solar cell string (100) may be applied such that the first horizontal length (H1) of the first solar cell (111) and the second horizontal length (H2) of the second solar cell (121) are the same, and the first vertical length (V1) of the first solar cell (111) and the second vertical length (V2) of the second solar cell (121) are the same, that is, the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121) having the same size may be applied. In addition, the first reference vertical spacing (L1) of the first solar cells (111) and the second reference vertical spacing (L2) of the second solar cells (121) may be arranged to be the same.

[0053] The solar cell string (100) according to the present embodiment has a structure in which the upper layer (120) is laminated on the lower layer (110) so that the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121) are staggered with each other and the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121) are positioned on the same line. In addition, the structure is formed so that the vertical edges of the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121) can overlap each other by a certain area.

[0054] More specifically, in the solar cell string (100) according to the present embodiment, some areas of the vertical edges of both sides of the first solar cell (111) and some areas of the vertical edges of both sides of the second solar cell (121) are arranged to overlap each other in the thickness direction of the solar cell string (100).

[0055] The first reference vertical spacing (L1) of the first solar cells (111) may be set shorter than the second vertical length (V2) of the second solar cells (121) so that the vertical edges of the first solar cells (111) and the second solar cells (121) overlap each other to a certain extent. In addition, the second reference vertical spacing (L2) of the second solar cells (121) may be set shorter than the first vertical length (V1) of the first solar cell (111) so that the vertical edges of the first solar cells (111) and the second solar cells (121) overlap each other to a certain extent. At this time, the overlapping length of the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121) may be limited to a maximum of 0.5 mm to correspond to the power generation ineffective region on the edge side of the solar cells.

[0056] By arranging the edge-side power generation ineffective areas of the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121) to overlap each other, the power generation ineffective areas of each of the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121) can be minimized, while the space occupancy rate of the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121) can be increased, thereby increasing power generation efficiency.

[0057] Although not shown in the drawing, the solar cell string (100) according to the present invention can arrange the first solar cells (111) and the second solar cells (121) in close contact with each other by making the first reference vertical spacing (L1) of the first solar cells (111) the same as the second vertical length (V2) of the second solar cells (121). In addition, the second reference vertical spacing (L2) of the second solar cells (121) can be the same as the first vertical length (V1) of the first solar cell (111), so that there is no gap between the first solar cells (111) and the second solar cells (121).

[0058] In this structure, since the longitudinal ends of the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121) are positioned in a straight line in the thickness direction of the solar cell string (100), any gap or space between the longitudinal ends of the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121) can be eliminated. In this way, the solar cell string (100) has no gap or space between the longitudinal ends of the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121), and thus can increase the space occupancy rate and power generation efficiency of the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121) compared to the conventional solar cell string (100) in which the solar cells are arranged at regular intervals.

[0059] The insulation layer insulates the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121) between the lower layer (110) and the upper layer (120).

[0060] Figures 1 to 4 illustrate one embodiment of an insulating part.

[0061] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, the insulating portion (130) is formed of a material that is insulating and transparent so that light can pass through it. In addition, the insulating portion (130) is formed in a thin pad shape, film shape, or thin film shape so that it can contact the entire upper surface area of ​​each of the first solar cells (111) and the entire lower surface area of ​​each of the second solar cells (121). The insulating portion (130) has an area that can cover all of the first solar cells (111) and place all of the second solar cells (121).

[0062] The insulating portion (130) can be formed of a material that can be adhered or thermally fused to the first sealing layer (115) and the second sealing layer (125) when heat is applied, and can also be formed of the same material as the first sealing layer (115) and the second sealing layer (125). By forming the insulating portion (130) of the same material as the first sealing layer (115) and the second sealing layer (125), the adhesive strength or fusion strength for the first sealing layer (115) and the second sealing layer (125) can be increased during the lamination process.

[0063] Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawing, finely sized uneven portions may be formed on the upper and lower surfaces of the insulating portion (130). The uneven portions may be formed as grooves or protrusions that extend in the longitudinal or width direction of the lower layer (110) and are repeatedly formed in the longitudinal or width direction of the lower layer (110). The insulating portion having uneven portions can increase the contact area between the first sealing layer (115) and the second sealing layer (125), thereby increasing the bonding strength between the first sealing layer (115) and the second sealing layer (125) during the lamination process. In addition, the insulating portion having uneven portions can increase the frictional force against the surface of the lower layer or the upper layer, thereby preventing mutual slipping or flowing during the process of laminating the insulating portion on the lower layer, the process of laminating the upper layer on the insulating portion, or the lamination process.

[0064] Meanwhile, FIG. 5 illustrates another embodiment of the insulation part.

[0065] Referring to FIG. 5, the insulating portion (140) may be formed by applying, coating, or attaching an insulating material in a line along the horizontal direction of the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121) between a portion of the upper surface of both edges positioned in the vertical direction of the first solar cell (111) and a portion of the lower surface of both edges positioned in the vertical direction of the second solar cell (121) that overlap each other in the thickness direction of the solar cell string (100) as illustrated in FIG. 5. The insulating portion (130) may be formed only on the upper surface of both edges positioned in the vertical direction of the first solar cell (111), or may be formed only on the lower surface of both edges positioned in the vertical direction of the second solar cell (121).

[0066] Meanwhile, in the present embodiment, the insulating portion (140) is exemplified as being formed along the horizontal direction of the first solar cell (111) or the second solar cell (121) on both vertical edges of the first solar cell (111) or the second solar cell (121), but may be formed by applying or coating an insulating material in a line shape along not only the vertical edges of the first solar cell (111) or the second solar cell (121) but also the horizontal edges of the first solar cell (111) or the second solar cell (121).

[0067] In addition, although not shown in the drawing, the insulating portion may be formed by applying or coating in a line shape, or may be formed in the shape of a sphere or ball, and may be formed discontinuously at a certain interval along the horizontal direction of the first solar cell (111) or the second solar cell (121) in a portion of the upper surface of both edges located in the vertical direction of the first solar cell (111) or the second solar cell (121). In this case, since a gap or space is formed between the spherical or ball-shaped insulating portions, during the lamination process of the solar cell module, the first encapsulating layer can move or flow toward the second encapsulating layer, the second encapsulating layer can move toward the first encapsulating layer, or the first encapsulating layer and the second encapsulating layer can move toward each other through this gap or space, thereby increasing the bonding and coupling strength between the first encapsulating layer and the insulating portion, between the second encapsulating layer and the insulating portion, and between the first encapsulating layer and the second encapsulating layer.

[0068] In addition, the insulating part (140) may be made of a material that has insulating properties and elasticity so as to absorb impact applied to the lower layer (110) or the upper layer (120).

[0069] Meanwhile, FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a solar cell string (100) according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the solar cell string (100) according to the second embodiment of the present invention may be configured to include a lower layer (110), an upper layer (120), and an insulating portion (130).

[0070] The solar cell string (100) according to the second embodiment of the present invention is identical to the solar cell string (100) according to the first embodiment of the present invention described above with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5, except that the sizes of the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121) are different.

[0071] The solar cell string (100) according to the second embodiment of the present invention has different sizes of the first solar cell (111) of the lower layer (110) and the second solar cell (121) of the upper layer (120). More specifically, the first horizontal length (H1) of the first solar cell (111) and the second horizontal length (H2) of the second solar cell (121) are the same, but the first vertical length (V1) of the first solar cell (111) and the second vertical length (V2) of the second solar cell (121) are different.

[0072] In this embodiment, the first vertical length (V1) of the first solar cell (111) is applied to be longer than the second vertical length (V2) of the second solar cell (121), but differently, the first vertical length (V1) of the first solar cell (111) may be applied to be shorter than the second vertical length (V2) of the second solar cell (121).

[0073] FIG. 8 illustrates a solar cell module (1000) according to the present invention.

[0074] Referring to FIG. 8, a solar cell module (1000) can be configured to include a plurality of solar cell strings (100), a string connection portion electrically connecting the solar cell strings (100) to each other, a sealing portion (1010), a tempered glass portion (1020), a back sheet portion (1030), and a frame portion (1040). Except for the solar cell strings (100), the remaining configurations are identical to those applied to a typical solar cell module (1000), and a detailed description thereof is omitted.

[0075] As shown, the solar cell module (1000) according to the present invention has a plurality of solar cell strings (100) extending a certain length in the vertical direction of the solar cell module (1000), i.e., in the vertical direction, and has a structure in which the plurality of solar cell strings (100) are sequentially arranged in the left and right, i.e., horizontal direction, of the solar cell module (1000) so as to be parallel to each other.

[0076] The solar cell string (100) constituting the solar cell module (1000) can be selectively applied to either the solar cell string (100) according to the first embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5 or the solar cell string (100) according to the second embodiment of the present invention described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7, and a description thereof is omitted.

[0077] The solar cell module (1000) according to the present invention is arranged such that the solar cell strings (100) overlap to a certain extent. More specifically, the structure in which the bottom surface of the horizontal right edge of one solar cell string (100) is placed on the upper surface of the horizontal left edge of one solar cell string (100) is repeated, so that the edges of the solar cell strings (100) on both sides adjacent to each other overlap to a certain extent.

[0078] The solar cell module (1000) according to the present invention can increase power generation efficiency by increasing the space occupancy rate of the solar cell strings (100) by overlapping some of the edges of the plurality of solar cell strings (100) so that they overlap each other.

[0079] In addition, the solar cell module (1000) according to the present invention uses a solar cell string (100) having an overlapping structure in which a certain portion of the edges of the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121) overlap in the thickness direction of the solar cell string (100), thereby minimizing the power generation ineffective area existing at a certain portion of the vertical edges of the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121), and at the same time increasing the space occupancy rate of the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121), thereby increasing the power generation efficiency.

[0080] In addition, the solar cell module (1000) according to the present invention can eliminate any gap or space between the longitudinal ends of the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121) by applying a solar cell string (100) in which the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121) are arranged in close contact with each other, thereby increasing the space occupancy rate and power generation efficiency of the first solar cell (111) and the second solar cell (121).

[0081] Meanwhile, FIGS. 9 to 11 illustrate solar cell modules according to other embodiments of the present invention. Referring to FIGS. 9 to 11, the solar cell module includes a lower layer (220), an upper layer (210), and an insulating portion.

[0082] The lower layer (220) can be configured to include a plurality of lower strings (221) and a first sealing layer (225).

[0083] The lower layer (220) can be formed by arranging lower strings (221) in which a plurality of first solar cells (222) are arranged in a vertical line at a certain interval in the horizontal direction. Each of the lower strings (221) has a plurality of first solar cells (222) connected in series.

[0084] The first sealing layer (225) is placed under the lower layer (220) to protect the lower layer (220), and is tightly fixed to the lower layer (220), the insulation, and the upper layer (210) through a lamination process.

[0085] The upper layer (210) can be configured to include a plurality of upper strings (211) and a second sealing layer (215).

[0086] The upper layer (210) can be formed by arranging upper strings (211) in which a plurality of second solar cells (212) are arranged in a vertical line shape on the lower layer (220) at a certain interval in the horizontal direction so as to be staggered from the lower strings (221). Each of the upper strings (211) has a plurality of second solar cells (212) connected in series. The second sealing layer (215) is arranged on the upper layer (210) to protect the upper layer (210), and is tightly fixed to the upper layer (210), the insulation, and the lower layer (220) through a lamination process.

[0087] The lower string (221) and the upper string (211) are arranged so that a certain portion of the edges on both sides in the width direction, i.e., both sides in the horizontal direction, overlap each other. To this end, the spacing between the upper strings (211) can be set shorter than the horizontal width or the left-right width of the lower string (221). Conversely, the spacing between the lower strings (221) can also be set shorter than the horizontal width or the left-right width of the upper string (221).

[0088] In addition, it is also possible to apply a configuration in which the spacing between the upper strings (211) is the same as the horizontal width or left-right width of the lower strings (221), or the spacing between the lower strings (221) is the same as the horizontal width or left-right width of the upper strings (221).

[0089] In addition, the horizontal width or left-right width of the lower string (221) and the upper string (211) may be the same, or the horizontal width or left-right width of the lower string (221) and the upper string (211) may be formed differently.

[0090] The insulation insulates the lower strings (221) and the upper strings (211) between the lower layer (220) and the upper layer (210).

[0091] Figures 9 and 10 illustrate an embodiment of an insulating portion. The insulating portion (310) is formed of a transparent material that allows light to pass through, and is formed in a film or thin film shape so that it can contact the entire upper surface area of ​​the lower string (221) and the entire lower surface area of ​​the upper string (211).

[0092] The insulating portion (310) is formed in the form of a thin pad, film, or thin film so that it can contact the entire upper surface area of ​​each of the lower strings (221) and the entire lower surface area of ​​each of the upper strings (211). The insulating portion can cover all of the lower strings (221) of the lower layer (220) and has an area that can place all of the upper strings (211) of the upper layer (210). In addition, the insulating portion (310) can be applied in the same manner as the insulating portion (130) described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 4.

[0093] Meanwhile, Fig. 11 illustrates another embodiment of the insulation part.

[0094] Referring to FIG. 11, the insulation portion (320) can be formed by applying, coating, or attaching an insulation material in a line shape along the arrangement direction of the first solar cell (222) and the second solar cell (212) between a portion of the upper surface of both width-wise edges of the lower string (221) and a portion of the lower surface of both width-wise edges of the upper string (211).

[0095] The insulating portion (320) can be formed by applying, coating, or attaching an insulating material in a line shape along the longitudinal direction of the upper string (211) to the lower surface of both width-wise edges of the upper string (211). In addition, the insulating portion (320) can be formed by applying, coating, or attaching an insulating material in a line shape along the longitudinal direction of the lower string (221) to the upper surface of both width-wise edges of the lower string (221). In addition, the insulating portion (320) can be the same as the insulating portion (140) described with reference to FIG. 5.

[0096] The solar cell module according to the present embodiment has the effect of increasing power generation efficiency by arranging the solar cell strings so that the solar cell strings are staggered in the thickness direction of the solar cell module and overlap with a certain area on the edge side, and the solar cell strings are also staggered in the thickness direction of the solar cell module and overlap with a certain area on the edge side, thereby increasing the space occupancy rate of the solar cell cells and the solar cell strings.

[0097] The cell overlapping solar cell string and the cell overlapping solar cell module having the same according to the present invention described above have been described with reference to the attached drawings, but these are merely exemplary, and those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and equivalent other embodiments are possible from these.

[0098] Therefore, the true scope of technical protection of the present invention should be determined solely by the technical idea of ​​the appended claims.

Claims

1. A lower layer including a plurality of first solar cells, each having a first horizontal length and a first vertical length set in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and arranged on the same plane at a first reference vertical interval set along the vertical direction; An upper layer comprising a plurality of second solar cells each having a second horizontal length and a second vertical length set in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and arranged on the same plane at a second reference vertical interval set along the vertical direction, wherein the second solar cells are arranged on the lower layer such that they are staggered from the first solar cells and the second solar cells are in a straight line with the first solar cells; A cell overlapping solar cell string characterized by comprising an insulating member that insulates the first solar cell and the second solar cell between the lower layer and the upper layer.

2. In paragraph 1, A cell overlapping solar cell string characterized in that the first reference vertical spacing is formed to be equal to or shorter than the second vertical length.

3. In paragraph 1, A cell overlapping solar cell string characterized in that the insulating portion is formed of a transparent material that allows light to pass through and is formed in a film or thin film shape so as to be in contact with the entire upper surface area of ​​each of the first solar cell cells and the entire lower surface area of ​​each of the second solar cell cells.

4. In paragraph 1, A cell overlapping solar cell string characterized in that the insulating part is formed by applying an insulating material in a line along the horizontal direction of the first solar cell and the second solar cell between a portion of the upper surface of both vertical edges of the first solar cell and a portion of the lower surface of both vertical edges of the second solar cell.

5. In a solar cell module having a plurality of solar cell strings, The above solar cell string A lower layer including a plurality of first solar cells each having a first horizontal length and a first vertical length set in the horizontal and vertical directions, and arranged on the same plane at a first reference vertical interval set along the vertical direction; An upper layer comprising a plurality of second solar cells arranged on the same plane at a second reference vertical interval set along the vertical direction and having a second horizontal length and a second vertical length set in the horizontal and vertical directions, respectively, and the second solar cells are arranged on the lower layer such that the second solar cells are staggered from the first solar cells and the second solar cells are in a straight line with the first solar cells; A cell-overlapping solar cell module characterized by comprising an insulating member that insulates the first solar cell and the second solar cell between the lower layer and the upper layer.

6. In paragraph 5, A cell-overlapping solar cell module characterized in that one horizontal edge of one solar cell string is arranged to overlap the other horizontal edge of the other solar cell string.

7. A lower layer formed by arranging multiple first solar cells in a vertical line in lower strings spaced apart from each other at regular intervals; An upper layer formed by arranging upper strings, in which a plurality of second solar cells are arranged in a line along the vertical direction, on the lower layer at a predetermined interval so as to be staggered from the lower strings; A cell overlapping solar cell module characterized by comprising an insulating member that insulates the lower strings and the upper strings between the lower layer and the upper layer.

8. In paragraph 7, A cell overlapping solar cell module characterized in that the insulating part is formed of a transparent material that allows light to pass through, and is formed in a film or thin film shape so as to be in contact with the entire upper surface area of ​​the lower string and the entire lower surface area of ​​the upper string.

9. In paragraph 7, A cell-overlapping solar cell module characterized in that the insulating portion is formed by applying an insulating material in a line shape along the arrangement direction of the first solar cell and the second solar cell between a portion of the upper surface of a portion of the widthwise edge of the lower string and a portion of the bottom surface of a portion of the widthwise edge of the upper string.

10. In paragraph 7, A cell-overlapping solar cell module characterized in that the lower string and the upper string are arranged so that both sides in the width direction overlap each other.

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