Solar cell module

Abstract

In order to provide a solar cell module that can be applied to a wide range of three-dimensional curved surfaces, that makes it possible reduce costs, and that makes it possible to improve yield, a solar cell module (100, 101, 102) according to the present disclosure comprises: a sheet member (2); a cell group (1) which is provided in a flat manner on or in the sheet member (2), and in which a plurality of solar cells (10) are connected; and a collector electrode (E) which is connected to the cell group (1). A plurality of cutout parts (K0, K1, K2, K3) that are open at an outer peripheral part of the sheet member (2) are formed in the sheet member (2), in the periphery of the cell group (1).

Description

solar cell module

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a solar cell module including a plurality of solar cells.

[0002] In recent years, there has been a growing demand for installing solar cell modules on three-dimensional curved surfaces that constitute buildings, mobile objects, aircraft, and the like. However, solar cell modules are generally deployed on a two-dimensional plane and are typically inflexible. Furthermore, even if they bend, they only bend in one direction, making installation on three-dimensional curved surfaces that are bent in two or more directions difficult. For this reason, Patent Documents 1 and 2, for example, disclose a method for fabricating a solar cell module compatible with three-dimensional curved surfaces by first arranging and connecting multiple solar cell cells on a substrate having a three-dimensional curved surface, and then sealing the entire assembly with a laminator compatible with such curved surfaces. Another proposed technology involves adhering a solar cell sheet to a substrate similarly having a three-dimensional curvature and forming multiple through-slits in the sheet, thereby enabling the module to conform to three-dimensional curved surfaces to some extent (see, for example, Patent Document 3).

[0003] Patent No. 6265135 Patent No. 6455685 Patent No. 5671707

[0004] However, the above-mentioned conventional substrates with three-dimensional curved surfaces and special laminators are very expensive, and the need to perform sealing and incision forming processes for the three-dimensional shapes tends to result in low yields (poor productivity). Moreover, in all of the conventional technologies, the outer periphery of the solar cell module is fixed and does not expand or contract, so there is also the problem that the applicable three-dimensional curved surfaces are limited to those with an extremely small curvature.

[0005] Therefore, the present disclosure has been made in consideration of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a solar cell module that can be applied to a wide range of three-dimensional curved surfaces, can reduce costs, and can improve yields, i.e., is highly versatile, economical, and productive.

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a solar cell module according to an example of the present disclosure includes a sheet member, a cell group formed by connecting a plurality of solar cells together and arranged in a plane on or within the sheet member, and a current collecting electrode connected to the cell group. The sheet member has a plurality of cutouts formed around the cell group that are open to the outer periphery of the sheet member.

[0007] In a solar cell module having such a configuration, cutouts are formed in the outer periphery of the sheet member, preventing the cell groups from overlapping each other and dividing the solar cell module into multiple sections, including the outer periphery of the sheet member. Without such cutouts, the outer periphery of the solar cell module would be fixed together, whereas the cutouts allow each section to change shape independently. Therefore, the entire solar cell module can be installed to fit various three-dimensional curved surfaces without the need for special substrates or sealing devices such as laminators, as in the past. Furthermore, in this case, using solar cells with a highly flexible configuration allows the cell groups, and therefore the solar cell module, to be configured more flexibly, further improving the applicability of the solar cell module to three-dimensional curved surfaces.

[0008] Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a solar cell in a solar cell module according to the present disclosure; Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view showing the concept of an example of a solar cell module according to the present disclosure; Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the configuration of a first embodiment of a solar cell module according to the present disclosure; Fig. 7 is a schematic plan view showing an example of the configuration of a second embodiment of a solar cell module according to the present disclosure; Figs. 5A and 5B are schematic plan views showing the shape of a cutout portion in the second embodiment of the solar cell module shown in Fig. 4 .

[0009] <Definitions of Terms, etc.> A solar cell module according to a preferred embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. For convenience, in this specification, the direction in which each layer is stacked relative to the substrate in a solar cell in a solar cell module is referred to as the "upward direction," the opposite direction is referred to as the "downward direction," and the coordinate axis direction is referred to as the "upward direction" (which may differ from the "upward direction" in the figure). The left side of the figure will be simply referred to as the "left side" or "left," and the right side of the figure will be simply referred to as the "right side" or "right." Furthermore, in this specification, when each layer or the semiconductor contained in each layer is referred to by the name of a compound, this includes not only the pure compound itself, but also compounds doped with trace amounts of elements or chemical species to the extent that the properties of the compound are not lost. Furthermore, in this specification, because elements in each layer can exist in different oxidation states, all oxidation states will be referred to by the name of the element unless otherwise specified. For example, the term "hydrogen element" and its chemical symbol "H" can refer to a hydrogen atom, a hydrogen ion, a hydride ion, a hydrogen radical, hydrogen in a compound, or hydrogen in an elemental state.

[0010] <Configuration example of solar cell> Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of the configuration of a solar cell in a solar cell module according to the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 1, solar cell 10 has electrodes 11 and 13 and a power generation element layer 12 provided between them. Solar cell 10 having such a layered structure typically receives light from the upper surface side of electrode 13 and generates power. Furthermore, solar cell 10 is configured as a highly flexible cell due to the layered structure described below.

[0011] (Electrode 11) The electrode 11 is composed of a conductive substrate 111 and a lower electrode layer 112 formed thereon. The material for forming the conductive substrate 111 is not particularly limited, and examples include metal substrates such as titanium foil, stainless steel foil, and aluminum foil, and conductive resin films. The thickness of the substrate is preferably, for example, about 10 to 500 μm, and more preferably about 30 to 100 μm. The lower electrode layer 112 is also not particularly limited, and examples include metal conductive layers made of Mo, Cr, Ti, etc., conductive inorganic compound conductive layers other than metals, and conductive organic compound conductive layers. The thickness of the lower electrode layer 112 is also not particularly limited, and is preferably, for example, about 200 to 800 nm.

[0012] (Power Generation Element Layer 12) The power generation element layer 12 is composed of a p-type hole transport layer 121, a light absorption layer 122, and an n-type electron transport layer 123, which are stacked in this order on the lower electrode layer 112 of the electrode 11. The material for forming the p-type hole transport layer 121 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include inorganic compounds such as molybdenum selenide and molybdenum oxide, and organic compounds such as fluorene derivatives. These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The thickness of the p-type hole transport layer 121 is also not particularly limited, and is preferably, for example, about 20 to 100 nm. The material for forming the light absorption layer 122 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include (Cs, FA)PbI ３ Perovskite compounds such as Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S) ２ chalcopyrite compounds such as Cu ２ ZnSnS ４ These may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The thickness of the light absorbing layer 122 is not particularly limited, and is preferably, for example, about 1 to 5 μm. Furthermore, the material for forming the n-type electron transport layer 123 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, Zn(O,S,OH)x, CdS, In ２ S ３ , ZnTiOx, etc., which may be used alone or in combination of two or more. The thickness of the n-type electron transport layer 123 is not particularly limited, and is preferably, for example, about 20 to 150 nm.

[0013] (Electrode 13) The electrode 13 is composed of an upper electrode layer 131 and a grid electrode 132, which are stacked in this order on the n-type electron transport layer 123 of the power generation element layer 12. The upper electrode layer 131 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include transparent electrode layers made of ITO, IOH, FTO, ZnO:B, ZnO:Al, etc. The thickness of the upper electrode layer 131 is not particularly limited, and is preferably, for example, approximately 0.1 to 2 μm. The grid electrode 132 is not particularly limited, and examples thereof include metal conductive layers made of Mo, Cr, Ag, etc., conductive inorganic compound conductive layers other than metals, and conductive organic compound conductive layers. The thickness of the grid electrode 132 is also not particularly limited, and is preferably, for example, approximately 5 to 50 μm.

[0014] <Conceptual configuration of solar cell module> Fig. 2 is a schematic plan view showing the concept of an example of a solar cell module according to the present disclosure, and is a schematic configuration diagram of a solar cell module 100 including four cell groups 1 each consisting of two solar cells 10, 10. Note that this diagram is intended to explain the basic simple configuration of the solar cell module according to the present disclosure, and a more specific and more complex configuration will be described later with reference to Figs.

[0015] As shown in FIG. 2 , a solar cell module 100 according to an example of the present disclosure includes a sheet member 2 formed by bonding a front sheet and a back sheet together with a sealing material, and a cell group 1 including solar cells 10 arranged within the sheet member 2. In the sheet member 2, at least the front sheet and the back sheet located on the light-receiving side are translucent. The cell group 1 is configured as, for example, a string of two rectangular solar cells 10 joined in series via a conductive adhesive layer (e.g., conductive tape) (not shown). The four cell groups 1 are divided into two groups, left and right, in the figure, and are connected in series by alternately arranged electrode pairs E1 and E2. In other words, a collecting electrode E composed of these multiple electrode pairs E1 and E2 extends in a direction (along the axis Jy in the figure) intersecting the connection direction of the solar cells 10 of the cell group 1 (along the axis Jx in the figure). The electrode pairs E1 and E2 are connected to the upper surface (light-receiving surface) and lower surface of the cell group 1, respectively, and both ends of the current collecting electrode E for each of the left and right groups of the multiple cell groups 1 are extended to the outer periphery of the sheet member 2. Furthermore, an edge seal 3 (edge ​​seal member) is provided along the outermost edge of the two groups of cell groups 1 to integrate them into one. The solid lines in the illustrated electrode pairs E1 and E2 indicate that they are visible on the upper surface, and the dashed lines indicate that they are not visible on the upper surface but are provided on the back surface (the same applies to Figures 3 and 4 described below).

[0016] Furthermore, multiple cutouts K0 that open to the outer periphery of the sheet member 2 are formed around the cell group 1 in the sheet member 2. In this example, the cutouts K0 are defined in the center of each side of the rectangular sheet member 2. Each cutout K0 is wedge-shaped in plan view, with its apex located at the center of the sheet member 2, and its width WB at the outer periphery of the sheet member 2 is larger than its width WA at the center of the sheet member 2. In other words, the cutouts K0 are formed so that their width gradually increases from the center toward the outer periphery of the sheet member 2. As a result, the solar cell module 100 is divided into multiple sections 20A to 20D at the outer periphery of the sheet member 2 without being completely separated.

[0017] The solar cell module 100 configured as described above can be easily manufactured, for example, by the following procedure. First, the solar cells 10, 10 are joined in series and the current collecting electrodes E are installed to prepare a power generating structure for the solar cell module 100. Next, the back sheet and sealing material constituting the sheet member 2 are placed in this order on a suitable platform or the like. The previously prepared power generating structure is then placed in a predetermined position thereon, and an edge seal 3 is provided along the outer edge of the cell group 1. It is preferable to remove the sealing material in the area where the edge seal 3 will be provided. Next, the sealing material and front sheet constituting the sheet member 2 are superimposed on top of the structure in this order. It is also preferable to place the sealing material so as to avoid the area of ​​the edge seal 3. Next, the sheet member 2 is bonded using a conventional sheet laminator or the like, and the power generating structure is sealed within the sheet member 2. Then, a cutting device such as a suitable cutter is used to cut a wedge shape at a predetermined position on the outer periphery of the sheet member 2 to match the shape of the cutout K0, thereby obtaining the solar cell module 100 having the cutout K0.

[0018] The materials and properties of the components of the sheet member 2 (back sheet, front sheet, and sealing material) and the edge seal 3 are not particularly limited, and commonly used materials and thicknesses can be appropriately selected and used. For example, the front sheet can be made of ETFE, PMMA, PET, etc., with a thickness of 50 to 300 μm, and the back sheet can be made of PET, etc., with a thickness of 50 to 300 μm. Furthermore, the sealing material can be made of EVA, polyolefin, silicone, etc., with a thickness of 50 to 400 μm. Furthermore, the edge seal 3 can be made of polyisobutylene, butyl rubber, etc., with a thickness of 300 to 800 μm. Additionally, the above-described manufacturing method using these components can be similarly applied to the solar cell modules 101 and 102 described below.

[0019] <First Embodiment of Solar Cell Module> Next, Fig. 3 is a schematic plan (top) view showing an example of the configuration of a first embodiment of a solar cell module according to the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 3, a solar cell module 101 as another example of the present disclosure includes a sheet member 2 formed by bonding a front sheet and a back sheet with a sealing material, and a plurality of cell groups 1, each of which includes a plurality of solar cell cells 10 connected together, arranged within the sheet member 2. Similar to the solar cell module 100 shown in Fig. 2, the cell groups 1 here are also configured as strings in which, for example, a plurality of rectangular solar cell cells 10 are joined in series via a conductive adhesive layer (not shown). Furthermore, in this example, the plurality of cell groups 1 are juxtaposed in a direction (a direction along the axis Jy in the drawing) intersecting the direction in which the plurality of solar cell cells 10 are connected together (a direction along the axis Jx in the drawing).

[0020] Furthermore, the multiple cell groups 1 are further divided into two groups, left and right, as shown in the figure, and each group is connected in series by alternatingly arranged electrode pairs E1, E2. In other words, the current collecting electrodes E, each composed of these multiple electrode pairs E1, E2, extend along the juxtaposition direction of the multiple cell groups 1 (the direction along the axis Jy), as shown in Figure 3. One end of the current collecting electrodes E (electrode pairs E1, E2) for each of the left and right groups of the multiple cell groups 1 is drawn out to the outer periphery of the sheet member 2. Furthermore, an edge seal 3 is provided along the outermost edge of each cell group 1 to integrate the two left and right groups of the cell groups 1 into one.

[0021] Additionally, multiple cutouts K1 that are open to the outer periphery of the sheet member 2 are formed around the cell groups 1 in the sheet member 2 between small groups each consisting of two cell groups 1, 1. In this example, as shown in FIG. 3 , the cutouts K1 are arranged at predetermined intervals (i.e., approximately the width of the two cell groups 1) along the juxtaposition direction of the multiple cell groups 1 (the direction along the axis Jy). Like the cutout K0 described above, each of these cutouts K1 is wedge-shaped in plan view with its apex at the center of the sheet member 2, and the width at the outer periphery of the sheet member 2 is larger than the width at the center of the sheet member 2. In this way, the cutouts K1 are also formed so that their width gradually increases from the center to the outer periphery of the sheet member 2. Furthermore, the cutouts K1 in the two left and right groups of the cell groups 1 are arranged opposite each other. These multiple cutouts K1 divide the solar cell module 101 into five sections 21A to 21E (corresponding to the right group in the figure) corresponding to each of the two adjacent cell groups 1, 1, and five sections 21F to 21J, without being completely separated.

[0022] According to the solar cell modules 100, 101 configured as described above, the cutouts K0, K1 are formed in the outer periphery of the sheet member 2, so that the solar cell modules 100, 101 are divided as a whole into a plurality of portions 20A-20D, 21A-21J that include the outer periphery of the sheet member. Without these cutouts K0, K1, the outer periphery of the solar cell module would be fixed together, whereas the portions 20A-20D, 21A-21J divided by the cutouts K0, K1 can change shape independently.

[0023] Therefore, the two-dimensional solar cell module 100, 101 can be installed to fit various three-dimensional curved surfaces without using special substrates or sealing devices to create three-dimensional shapes as in the past. In this case, because the solar cell 10 is configured as a highly flexible cell, the cell group 1 and therefore the solar cell module 100, 101 also have flexible characteristics. This further improves the applicability of the solar cell module 100, 101 to three-dimensional curved surfaces. Furthermore, these factors can reduce the manufacturing cost of the solar cell module 100, 101 and improve yield. In other words, the solar cell module 100, 101 of the present disclosure can achieve significantly improved versatility, economy, and productivity for various three-dimensional curved surfaces compared to conventional technologies.

[0024] Furthermore, in the solar cell module 101, a large number of cell groups 1 are closely juxtaposed along a direction (axis Jy) that intersects with the connection direction of the plurality of solar cell units 10, and a plurality of cutouts K1 are provided at predetermined intervals along the axis Jy between predetermined cell groups 1 among the plurality of cell groups 1. Therefore, even if the solar cell module 101 is made more complex and larger, the solar cell module 101 is divided into a large number of portions 21A to 21J, thereby providing sufficient applicability to three-dimensional curved surfaces.

[0025] Furthermore, in the solar cell module 101, the collecting electrode E extends along the juxtaposition direction (axis Jy) of the multiple cell groups, making it easier to ensure space for forming the notch K1 between the cell groups 1. This allows the solar cell module 101 to be effectively divided into multiple portions 21A to 21J, further enhancing applicability to various three-dimensional curved surfaces and contributing to further improvements in economy and productivity.

[0026] Furthermore, in the solar cell modules 100, 101, each of the cutouts K0, K1 is formed in a wedge shape such that the width WB at the outer periphery of the sheet member 2 is relatively larger than the width WA at the center of the sheet member 2. Therefore, even if the distance between the portions 20A-20D, 21A-21J separated by the cutouts K0, K1 increases with increasing distance from the center of the solar cell modules 100, 101 depending on the curvature of the three-dimensional curved surface, these portions can expand to cover the three-dimensional curved surface. This further enhances the applicability to three-dimensional curved surfaces, including cases where the curvature is relatively large or the area to be covered is increased.

[0027] Furthermore, in the solar cell modules 100 and 101, the edge seal 3 is provided along the outer edge of the cell group 1, which has the advantage of protecting the outer periphery of each cell group 1 and making it easier to handle the entire cell group 1 as a whole. This further improves the productivity of the solar cell modules 100 and 101 and also increases the reliability of the product.

[0028] Second Embodiment of Solar Cell Module Fig. 4 is a schematic plan (top) view showing an example of the configuration of a second embodiment of a solar cell module according to the present disclosure. As shown in Fig. 4, a solar cell module 102 as yet another example of the present disclosure has a configuration similar to that of the solar cell module 101 shown in Fig. 3, except that multiple cutouts K2 and K3 are formed instead of the multiple cutouts K1, and the multiple cell groups 1 and the multiple cutouts K2 and K3 extend radially from the center of the sheet member 2 toward the outer periphery. That is, while the multiple cell groups 1 and the multiple cutouts K1 are arranged parallel to each other in the solar cell module 101, the multiple cell groups 1 and the multiple cutouts K2 and K3 in the solar cell module 102 extend at angles greater than the horizontal direction as they move away from the center in the vertical direction in the figure.

[0029] Here, Fig. 5 is a schematic plan view showing the shape of the cutouts K2 and K3 in the solar cell module 102, and is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged portion of Fig. 4 (the dimensional difference is slightly exaggerated for ease of understanding). As shown in Fig. 5, in the solar cell module 102, multiple cell groups 1 extend radially. Therefore, the spacing between adjacent cell groups 1, 1 at the outer periphery of the sheet member 2 in the vertical direction (direction of axis Jy), i.e., the maximum spacing DS2 at the cutout K2, is greater than the spacing at the center of the sheet member 2 in the vertical direction (direction of axis Jy), i.e., the maximum spacing DS3 at the cutout K3. Similarly, the maximum spacing DK3 between adjacent cutouts K2, K3 at the outer periphery of the sheet member 2 in the vertical direction (direction of axis Jy) is greater than the maximum spacing DK2 at the center of the sheet member 2 in the vertical direction (direction of axis Jy). Furthermore, since the notches K2 and K3 are wedge-shaped, this configuration can also be said to mean that the apex angle (interior angle) θ3 of the notch K3 is larger than the apex angle (interior angle) θ2 of the notch K2.

[0030] Furthermore, due to the above-mentioned configuration of the solar cell module 102, the collecting electrodes E arranged between the opposing cell groups 1, 1 on the left and right are arranged such that the spacing W3 on the outer periphery of the sheet member 2 in the vertical direction (axis Jy direction) is smaller than the spacing W2 on the central side of the sheet member 2 in the vertical direction (axis Jy direction).

[0031] The solar cell module 102 configured as described above also achieves the same effects as the solar cell modules 100 and 101 described above. Furthermore, in the solar cell module 102, the multiple cell groups 1 and the multiple cutouts K2 and K3 extend radially from the center of the sheet member 2 toward the outer periphery. This causes the dimensions of the cell groups 1, the cutouts K2 and K3, and the collector electrodes E to have the relative size relationships described above. As a result, even if the distance between the sections 22A-22J separated by the cutouts K2 and K3 increases with increasing distance from the center of the solar cell module 102 depending on the curvature of the three-dimensional curved surface, these sections can further expand to cover the three-dimensional curved surface. As a result, applicability to three-dimensional curved surfaces can be significantly improved, including cases where the curvature is even greater or the area to be covered is even greater.

[0032] The examples and embodiments described above are intended to facilitate understanding of the present disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the elements of each embodiment, as well as their arrangement, materials, conditions, shapes, dimensions, sizes, scales, etc., are not limited to those illustrated or shown in the drawings unless otherwise specified, and may be modified as appropriate within the scope of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the configurations of each embodiment may be combined with each other.

[0033] For example, the solar cell 10 may include layers other than those described above, or may include multiple layers of each of the above-described layers. Furthermore, each layer constituting the solar cell 10 may contain various additives, such as binders and surfactants, in addition to the above-described main constituent materials. Furthermore, the p-type hole transport layer 121 and grid electrode 132 of the solar cell 10 may be omitted, and the light absorption layer 122 may include two or more layers. Furthermore, the applications of the solar cell modules 100, 101, and 102 are not particularly limited. For example, they can be preferably used as power generation devices attached to roofs, windows, and walls of buildings, mobile objects, aircraft, etc., particularly for three-dimensional measurement. In addition, they can also be preferably used as independent power supply devices for street lights, sensors, and digital signage, mobile energy devices, and power generation devices in space or the stratosphere.

[0034] Furthermore, instead of connecting multiple cell groups 1 in series using a collecting electrode E including a portion located in the center of the solar cell module, multiple cell groups 1 may be connected in parallel. Furthermore, the total number and number of rows of solar cells 10 constituting a cell group 1 may be selected arbitrarily. Furthermore, the number of cell groups 1 arranged side by side and the number of cutouts K0, K1, K2, and K3 may also be arbitrary. Furthermore, the edge seal 3 is not essential and may be omitted, or the edge seal 3 may extend to the outer periphery of the sheet member 2. Furthermore, there may be a gap between the outermost edge of each cell group 1 and the edge seal 3. In addition, instead of dividing multiple cell groups 1 into left and right groups and drawing out a total of two pairs of electrodes E1 and E2, one pair from each group, the groups may be wired together within the solar cell module 101, 102 to draw out a single pair of electrodes E1 and E2. Furthermore, instead of directly drawing out the electrode pair E1, E2 from the sheet member 2, they may be internally connected to a junction box or the like and drawn out as a cable.

[0035] 1...cell group, 2...sheet member, 3...edge seal (edge ​​seal member), 10...solar cell, 11, 13...electrode, 12...power generation element layer, 20A to 20D, 21A to 21J, 22A to 22J...divided portion, 100, 101, 102...solar cell module, 100, 101 solar cell module, 111...conductive substrate, 112...lower electrode layer, 121...p-type hole transport layer, 122...light absorption layer, 123...n-type electron transport layer, 131...upper electrode layer, 132...grid electrode, DK2, DK3, DS2, DS3...maximum spacing, E...collecting electrode, E1, E2...electrode pair, Jx, Jy...axis, K0, K1, K2, K3...notch portion, W2, W3...spacing, WA, WB...width, θ2, θ3...vertex angle

Claims

1. A solar cell module comprising: a sheet member; a cell group that is disposed planar on or within the sheet member and in which a plurality of solar cells are connected; and a current collecting electrode connected to the cell group, wherein the sheet member is formed around the cell group and has a plurality of cutouts that are open at an outer peripheral portion of the sheet member.

2. The solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the cell groups are juxtaposed along a direction intersecting a connection direction of the plurality of solar cells, and the plurality of cutouts are provided between predetermined cell groups among the plurality of cell groups.

3. The solar cell module according to claim 2, wherein the cutouts are arranged at predetermined intervals along a juxtaposition direction of the plurality of cell groups.

4. The solar cell module according to claim 2, wherein the current collecting electrode extends along a juxtaposition direction of the plurality of cell groups.

5. The solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the cutouts have a greater width on an outer peripheral portion side of the sheet member than on a central portion side of the sheet member.

6. The solar cell module according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of cell groups and / or the plurality of cutouts extend radially from a central portion side to an outer peripheral portion side of the sheet member.

7. The solar cell module according to claim 6, wherein a maximum interval between adjacent cell groups and / or adjacent cutouts is greater on an outer peripheral portion of the sheet member than on a central portion side of the sheet member.

8. The solar cell module according to claim 6, wherein the current collecting electrodes provided to face each other between the cell groups have a smaller interval on an outer peripheral portion side of the sheet member than on a central portion side of the sheet member.

9. The solar cell module according to claim 2, further comprising an edge seal member provided along an outer edge portion of the cell group.

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