Photoelectric conversion module, mobile body, power generation system, and power generation method

Abstract

This photoelectric conversion module (10) comprises: a photoelectric conversion layer (26); a photoelectric conversion region (12) that contributes to photoelectric conversion when viewed from the thickness direction perpendicular to the surface of the photoelectric conversion layer (26); a non-photoelectric conversion region (14) that does not contribute to photoelectric conversion when viewed from the thickness direction; and an optical element (60) provided on the photoelectric conversion layer (26). The optical element (60) has an optical portion (62) configured to change the traveling direction of light incident at least along the thickness direction and incident toward at least a portion of the non-photoelectric conversion region (14).

Description

Photoelectric conversion module, mobile body, power generation system, and power generation method

[0001] The present invention relates to a photoelectric conversion module, a mobile object, a power generation system, and a power generation method.

[0002] Photoelectric conversion modules for converting light energy into electrical energy are known (see Patent Documents 1 and 2 below). The photoelectric conversion module disclosed in Patent Document 2 includes a substrate, a first electrode layer on the substrate, a photoelectric conversion layer on the first electrode layer, and a second electrode layer on the photoelectric conversion layer. The photoelectric conversion layer has a function of converting light energy into electrical energy.

[0003] JP 2023-157026 A JP 2020-120050 A

[0004] A photoelectric conversion module has a photoelectric conversion region that contributes to photoelectric conversion and a non-photoelectric conversion region that does not contribute to photoelectric conversion. There is a limit to how small the non-photoelectric conversion region can be made, which can result in loss of photoelectric conversion in the photoelectric conversion module.

[0005] Therefore, there is a demand for a photoelectric conversion module that can suppress photoelectric conversion loss, a mobile body and a power generation system that include the photoelectric conversion module, and a power generation method that uses the photoelectric conversion module.

[0006] A photoelectric conversion module according to one embodiment includes a photoelectric conversion layer, a photoelectric conversion region that contributes to photoelectric conversion when viewed from a thickness direction perpendicular to a surface of the photoelectric conversion layer, a non-photoelectric conversion region that does not contribute to photoelectric conversion when viewed from the thickness direction, and an optical element provided on the photoelectric conversion layer, the optical element having an optical portion configured to change the traveling direction of light incident at least along the thickness direction toward at least a portion of the non-photoelectric conversion region.

[0007] A moving object according to one aspect includes the above-described photoelectric conversion module.

[0008] A power generation system according to one aspect includes the photovoltaic conversion module described above and a laser device that irradiates laser light toward the photovoltaic conversion module.

[0009] A power generation method according to one aspect includes irradiating the photovoltaic conversion module with laser light.

[0010] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a power generation system according to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of a photovoltaic conversion module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the photovoltaic conversion module taken along line 3A-3A in FIG. 2. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a photovoltaic conversion module according to a second embodiment. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a photovoltaic conversion module according to a third embodiment. FIG. 6 is a schematic plan view of a photovoltaic conversion module according to a fourth embodiment. FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the photovoltaic conversion module taken along line 7A-7A in FIG. 6. FIG. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the photovoltaic conversion module taken along line 8A-8A in FIG. 6.

[0011] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic and the ratios of the dimensions may differ from those of the actual parts.

[0012] [First Embodiment] Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a power generation system according to a first embodiment. The power generation system includes a laser light source 300 and a power generation device 400. The power generation device 400 may be mounted on an object 500 that is separated from the laser light source 300. The object 500 that is mounted with the power generation device 400 may include electronic devices (not shown) that use electric power. The object 500 may be located far away from the laser light source 300.

[0013] The object 500 may be a structure, a moving object, or the like. The structure may be, for example, a building or a house. The moving object may be, for example, a car, a ship, or an aircraft. The aircraft includes, for example, a drone, an airplane, or a rocket. The aircraft may be one that moves at a high altitude, such as in the stratosphere.

[0014] The laser light source 300 may be provided on the ground or on a structure on the ground. Alternatively, the laser light source 300 may be provided on a moving body such as a car, a ship, or an aircraft. In this case, the moving body on which the laser light source 300 is mounted is a moving body different from the object 500 described above.

[0015] The laser light source 300 may be configured to irradiate laser light toward the power generation device 400. The laser light source 300 may be configured to be able to adjust the direction in which the laser light is irradiated in accordance with the movement of the object 500.

[0016] The power generation device 400 generates electrical energy from the laser light emitted from the laser light source 300. The object 500 or electronic devices mounted on the object 500 use the electrical energy generated by the power generation device 400.

[0017] The laser light emitted from the laser light source 300 is preferably highly directional. The laser light includes a wavelength band that can be converted into electrical energy by the power generation device 400. The laser light source 300 may output laser light having a wavelength in the infrared region, for example.

[0018] When the laser light emitted from the laser light source 300 travels a long distance in the atmosphere, in order to suppress attenuation of the laser light, it is preferable that the laser light has a wavelength at which the atmospheric light has a high transmittance, that is, a wavelength corresponding to the so-called "atmospheric window." In one example, the laser light may have a wavelength of 1070 nm±100 nm.

[0019] The power generation method according to this embodiment includes irradiating the power generation device 400 with laser light, that is, laser light emitted from the laser light source 300 .

[0020] The power generating device 400 may be a device that converts laser light into electrical energy. The power generating device 400 may have a module array 420. The module array 420 includes a plurality of photoelectric conversion modules 100. The plurality of photoelectric conversion modules 100 may be arranged in a line or in a lattice pattern. The plurality of photoelectric conversion modules 100 included in the module array 420 may be arranged adjacent to one another.

[0021] The configuration of each photovoltaic conversion module will be described below with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a schematic plan view of the photovoltaic conversion module according to the first embodiment. FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the photovoltaic conversion module taken along line 3A-3A in FIG. 2. It should be noted that the thickness of each layer constituting the photovoltaic conversion module 100 is exaggerated in FIG. 3. Note that FIG. 2 shows the photovoltaic conversion module 100 as viewed in the thickness direction of the photovoltaic conversion module 100, that is, in the Z direction in FIG. 3.

[0022] At least one of the plurality of photoelectric conversion modules 100, preferably all of the plurality of photoelectric conversion modules 100, may include a plurality of photoelectric conversion cells 10. The plurality of photoelectric conversion cells 10 included in one photoelectric conversion module 100 may be aligned in the second direction. Each photoelectric conversion cell 10 may have a strip-like shape extending in a first direction intersecting the second direction.

[0023] In this specification, the "first direction" corresponds to the X-axis direction in the drawings, and the "second direction" corresponds to the Y-axis direction in the drawings.

[0024] In the first embodiment, the multiple photovoltaic cells 10 included in one photovoltaic module 100 may be provided on the same substrate 20. The substrate 20 may serve as a base on which each film is formed. The substrate 20 may be made of, for example, glass, ceramics, resin, or metal.

[0025] Adjacent photoelectric conversion cells 10 may be electrically and / or structurally separated from one another by a first groove P1, a second groove P2, and a third groove P3 extending in a first direction. In other words, the first groove P1, the second groove P2, and the third groove P3 separate the adjacent photoelectric conversion cells 10.

[0026] In this specification, the term "groove" includes both a groove with a bottom and a groove without a bottom. The term "groove" also includes a state in which the groove is filled with a material other than the material (layer) in which the groove is formed. For example, the sealing material 40 may be filled in the second groove P2 and the third groove P3.

[0027] Each photoelectric conversion cell 10 may include at least a first electrode layer 22, a photoelectric conversion layer 26 on the first electrode layer 22, and a second electrode layer 24 on the photoelectric conversion layer 26. The photoelectric conversion layer 26 is provided between the first electrode layer 22 and the second electrode layer 24. The first electrode layer 22 is provided on a substrate 20. The second electrode layer 24 is located on the opposite side of the photoelectric conversion layer 26 from the substrate 20. The substrate 20, the first electrode layer 22, the photoelectric conversion layer 26, and the second electrode layer 24 are aligned in the thickness direction of the photoelectric conversion module 100. In this specification, the "thickness direction" corresponds to the Z-axis direction in the drawings.

[0028] The first electrode layer 22 may be made of a conductive metal material or oxide material. The metal material can be at least one selected from Ag, Al, Au, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pt, Ti, and Cr, or an alloy thereof. The conductive oxide material can be selected from, for example, ITO (indium tin oxide), ITiO (indium titanium oxide), IZO (indium zinc oxide), ZTO (zinc tin oxide), FTO (fluorine-doped tin oxide), GZO (gallium-doped zinc oxide), etc.

[0029] The second electrode layer 24 may be made of a conductive metal material or oxide material. The metal material can be at least one selected from Ag, Al, Au, Cu, Mo, Ni, Pt, Ti, and Cr, or an alloy thereof. The conductive oxide material can be selected from, for example, ITO (indium tin oxide), ITiO (indium titanium oxide), IZO (indium zinc oxide), ZTO (zinc tin oxide), FTO (fluorine-doped tin oxide), GZO (gallium-doped zinc oxide), etc.

[0030] In one example, the second electrode layer 24 may be a transparent electrode layer. In this case, the first electrode layer 22 may be a transparent electrode layer or an opaque electrode layer. When the second electrode layer 24 is a transparent electrode layer, light incident on the photoelectric conversion layer 26 passes through the second electrode layer 24.

[0031] The photoelectric conversion layer 26 may be made of any material that causes photoelectric conversion. In an example of a CIS-based photoelectric conversion module, the photoelectric conversion layer 26 is made of a compound semiconductor containing a group I element (Cu, Ag, Au, etc.), a group III element (Al, Ga, In, etc.), and a group VI element (O, S, Se, Te, etc.). More specifically, the photoelectric conversion layer 26 is made of a I-III-VI chalcogen semiconductor. ２ The semiconductor layer may be made of a group I-III-VI compound semiconductor. ２ Representative examples of group compound semiconductors include CuInSe ２ , Cu(In,Ga)Se ２ , CuIn(Se,S) ２ , Cu(In,Ga)(Se,S) ２ Examples include those using compounds such as:

[0032] Instead, the photoelectric conversion layer 26 is made of I, which is a CZTS-based chalcogen semiconductor containing Cu, Zn, Sn, S, or Se. ２ -(II-IV)-VI ４ A typical example of a CZTS-based chalcogen semiconductor is Cu. ２ ZnSnSe ４ , Cu ２ ZnSn(S,Se) ４ and the like.

[0033] The CIS-based or CZTS-based photoelectric conversion layer 26 has a high conversion efficiency for converting light with a wavelength of 1070 nm±100 nm into electrical energy. Therefore, the power generation device 400 including the CIS-based or CZTS-based photoelectric conversion layer 26 can be suitably used with laser light having a wavelength of 1070 nm±100 nm. When the wavelength of the laser light is 1070 nm±100 nm, the energy gap of the photoelectric conversion layer 26 may be 0.92 eV or more and 1.28 eV or less. CIS-based compound semiconductors and CZTS-based compound semiconductors have energy gaps of this level.

[0034] The photovoltaic cell 10 may have a buffer layer 25 between the photovoltaic layer 26 and the second electrode layer 24. The buffer layer 25 may be made of a material having a higher electrical resistance than the second electrode layer 24. In an example of a CIS-based photovoltaic module, the buffer layer 25 may be a Zn-based buffer layer, a Cd-based buffer layer, or an In-based buffer layer. Alternatively, if not necessary, the buffer layer 25 may not be provided.

[0035] The first electrode layers 22 of adjacent photoelectric conversion cells 10 are electrically separated from each other by a first groove P1. Similarly, the second electrode layers 24 of adjacent photoelectric conversion cells 10 are electrically separated from each other by a third groove P3. The photoelectric conversion layers 26 of adjacent photoelectric conversion cells 10 are separated from each other by a second groove P2 and a third groove P3. The first groove P1, the second groove P2, and the third groove P3 extend along the first direction.

[0036] The photovoltaic conversion module 100 may have electrical connection portions 34 between adjacent photovoltaic conversion cells 10. The electrical connection portions 34 electrically connect the adjacent photovoltaic conversion cells 10 in series. In this embodiment, the electrical connection portions 34 are formed by portions that extend continuously from the second electrode layer 24. In this case, the electrical connection portions 34 may be made of the same material as the material that constitutes the second electrode layer 24.

[0037] The first electrode layer 22 of one photoelectric conversion cell (first photoelectric conversion cell) 10 of the adjacent photoelectric conversion cells 10 is connected to the first electrode layer 22 in a non-photoelectric conversion region 14 described below, and the electrical connection portion 34 extends in the thickness direction of the photoelectric conversion module 100 at the second groove P2, thereby electrically connecting the portion extending from the first electrode layer 22 of the one photoelectric conversion cell (first photoelectric conversion cell) 10 toward the other photoelectric conversion cell (second photoelectric conversion cell) 10 to the second electrode layer 24 of the other photoelectric conversion cell (second photoelectric conversion cell) 10. As a result, the multiple photoelectric conversion cells 10 adjacent to each other in the second direction are electrically connected in series.

[0038] Each photoelectric conversion cell 10 may be sealed with a sealing material 40 except for portions corresponding to the first extraction electrode 52 and the second extraction electrode 54. Here, the first extraction electrode 52 and the second extraction electrode 54 may be electrically connected to the first electrode layer 22 of the photoelectric conversion cells 10 located at both ends among the plurality of photoelectric conversion cells 10 arranged in the second direction.

[0039] The photoelectric conversion module 100 has a photoelectric conversion region 12 that contributes to photoelectric conversion when viewed from the thickness direction (Z direction) perpendicular to the surface of the photoelectric conversion layer 26, and a non-photoelectric conversion region 14 that does not contribute to photoelectric conversion when viewed from the thickness direction. In the first embodiment, the non-photoelectric conversion region 14 may be defined by a region that overlaps with the first groove P1, the second groove P2, and the third groove P3 when viewed from the thickness direction. In this case, the non-photoelectric conversion region 14 including the first groove P1, the second groove P2, and the third groove P3 corresponds to the entire region that separates adjacent photoelectric conversion cells 10.

[0040] The photoelectric conversion module 100 has an optical element 60 provided on the photoelectric conversion layer 26. The optical element 60 has an optical portion 62 configured to change the traveling direction of light incident along at least the thickness direction toward at least a part of the non-photoelectric conversion region 14. The optical portion 62 may be defined by a portion that changes the traveling direction of light incident along the thickness direction to a direction inclined from the thickness direction.

[0041] The optical element 60 may be a refractive medium that refracts light. In this case, the optical element 60 is made of a light-transmitting material. The light-transmitting material may be, for example, optical glass, a crystalline material, or a synthetic resin. Examples of optical glass include BK7, crown glass, and flint glass. Examples of crystalline materials include rock crystal, quartz, sapphire, diamond, and calcite. Examples of synthetic resins include acrylic resin, polycarbonate resin, and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin.

[0042] As described above, the optical portion 62 of the optical element 60 changes the traveling direction of light incident toward at least a portion of the non-photoelectric conversion region 14 at least along the thickness direction (see dotted arrow L in FIG. 3 ). As a result, at least a portion of the light incident on the optical portion 62 of the optical element 60 changes its traveling direction and may reach the photoelectric conversion region 12. This allows the photoelectric conversion module 100 to convert more of the incident light into electrical energy. Therefore, the photoelectric conversion module of this embodiment, thanks to the optical element 60, can ensure a higher amount of photoelectric conversion than when no optical element is provided.

[0043] The optical portion 62 of the optical element 60 is provided in at least a region that overlaps with the non-photoelectric conversion region 14 when viewed from the thickness direction. Preferably, the optical portion 62 is provided only in a region that overlaps with the non-photoelectric conversion region 14 when viewed from the thickness direction. This allows light that is incident toward the photoelectric conversion region 12 to be incident directly on the photoelectric conversion region 12. On the other hand, the optical portion 62 of the optical element 60 changes the traveling direction of light that is incident toward the non-photoelectric conversion region 14.

[0044] Specifically, the traveling direction of light incident parallel to the thickness direction toward the photoelectric conversion region 12 does not substantially change when it enters the optical element 60. Therefore, light incident parallel to the thickness direction toward the photoelectric conversion region 12 reaches the photoelectric conversion region 12. On the other hand, the traveling direction of light incident parallel to the thickness direction toward the non-photoelectric conversion region 14 changes when it enters the optical portion 62 of the optical element 60. Therefore, at least a portion of the light incident parallel to the thickness direction toward the non-photoelectric conversion region 14 may reach the photoelectric conversion region 12. FIG. 3 illustrates how at least a portion of the light incident parallel to the thickness direction toward the non-photoelectric conversion region 14 is refracted in the optical portion 62 of the optical element 60 and heads toward the photoelectric conversion region 12 (see dashed arrow L in FIG. 3). Note that while FIG. 3 illustrates the traveling direction of light (arrow L) for only a portion of the light, in reality, the light is uniformly incident on a plane perpendicular to the thickness direction.

[0045] As a result, the photoelectric conversion module can ensure a higher amount of photoelectric conversion than when no optical element is provided, thanks to the optical portion 62 of the optical element 60. It should be noted here that even when light is incident from a direction slightly tilted with respect to the thickness direction, it may be possible to ensure a higher amount of photoelectric conversion by the optical portion 62 of the optical element 60. This is because, even when light is incident from a direction slightly tilted with respect to the thickness direction, the path of the light incident toward the non-photoelectric conversion region 14 is changed by the optical portion 62, and it is expected that the amount of light incident on the photoelectric conversion region 12 will increase.

[0046] The optical portion 62 of the optical element 60 may have an inclined surface that is inclined with respect to the surface of the photoelectric conversion layer 26. In the first embodiment, in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction (X direction), the optical portion 62 is inclined with respect to the surface of the photoelectric conversion layer 26. More preferably, in a cross section perpendicular to the first direction (X direction), the optical portion 62 has a triangular shape. In this case, the optical portion 62 has the shape of a triangular prism extending in the first direction (see FIG. 3 ).

[0047] The angle θ of the inclined surface of the optical portion 62 with respect to the surface of the photoelectric conversion layer 26 may be, for example, in the range of 20° to 60°, preferably 30° to 55°, and more preferably 45° to 50°. Note that in this specification, a range of values ​​expressed by the symbol "to" is defined as including the lower and upper limits of the values ​​specified therein.

[0048] The absolute refractive index of the optical portion 62 of the optical element 60 may be, for example, in the range of 1.40 to 2.20, preferably 1.42 to 1.80, and more preferably 1.45 to 1.55. From the viewpoint of strongly refracting light incident on the optical portion 62 of the photoelectric conversion module, a high absolute refractive index is preferable. On the other hand, from the viewpoint of suppressing the disadvantage of incident light being reflected by the optical portion 62, it is preferable that the absolute refractive index is not excessively high.

[0049] In the first embodiment, the optical element 60 is provided across the non-photoelectric conversion region 14 and the photoelectric conversion region 12 when viewed in the thickness direction. In the aspect shown in Fig. 3, the optical element 60 is provided on all surfaces except for the extraction electrodes 52, 54. In this case, the optical portion 62 of the optical element 60 corresponds to the triangular prism-shaped portion shown in Fig. 3. The region of the optical element 60 that overlaps with the photoelectric conversion region 12 when viewed in the thickness direction may have a surface that is substantially parallel to the surface of the photoelectric conversion layer 26. In other words, the region of the optical element 60 that overlaps with the photoelectric conversion region 12 when viewed in the thickness direction may be a layer having a constant film thickness.

[0050] As described above, the optical portion 62 of the optical element 60 in the example shown in Fig. 3 has a triangular prism shape extending in the first direction, but the optical portion 62 is not limited to this and may have various shapes as long as it can change the traveling direction of incident light.

[0051] The photoelectric conversion module may optionally have an anti-reflection film (not shown) on the surface of the optical portion 62 and / or the surface of the optical element 60. The anti-reflection film may be a single-layer film or a multi-layer film. When the anti-reflection film is a single-layer film, it is desirable that the refractive index of the anti-reflection film is a value between the refractive index of the optical portion 62 and the refractive index of air. The material constituting the anti-reflection film is, for example, SiO ２ , MgF ２ , CaF ２ , BaF ２ , PTFE (polytetrafluoroethylene), Al ２ O ３ , TiO ２ , ZrO ２ and AlN ２ It may include at least one selected from the group consisting of:

[0052] [Second Embodiment] A power generating device according to a second embodiment will be described. In the power generating device according to the second embodiment, the laser light source 300 and the module array 420 are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the configuration (stacked structure) of each photoelectric conversion module 100 is different from that in the first embodiment.

[0053] Fig. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a photovoltaic conversion module according to a second embodiment. It should be noted that the thickness of each layer constituting the photovoltaic conversion module 100 is exaggerated in Fig. 4. In the second embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. It should be noted that the description of the same components as those in the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0054] The photoelectric conversion module 100 according to the second embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, except for the configuration of the optical element 60. In the second embodiment, the optical element 60 is provided only in an area that overlaps with the non-photoelectric conversion area 14 when viewed in the thickness direction. More specifically, the optical element 60 is formed only by the optical portion 62 described in the first embodiment. Therefore, a plurality of optical elements 60 may be provided at intervals in the second direction.

[0055] Here, the absolute refractive index and shape of the optical portion 62 may be the same as those in the first embodiment. Even in this case, as in the first embodiment, the photoelectric conversion module can ensure a higher amount of photoelectric conversion by using the optical element 60 than in the case where no optical element is provided.

[0056] [Third Embodiment] A power generating device according to a third embodiment will be described. In the power generating device according to the third embodiment, the laser light source 300 and the module array 420 are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the third embodiment, the configuration (stacked structure) of each photoelectric conversion module 100 is different from that in the first embodiment.

[0057] Fig. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a photovoltaic conversion module according to a third embodiment. It should be noted that the thickness of each layer constituting the photovoltaic conversion module 100 is exaggerated in Fig. 5. In the third embodiment, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals. It should be noted that the description of the same components as those in the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0058] The photoelectric conversion module 100 according to the third embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, except for the configuration of a protective layer 70, which will be described later. In the third embodiment, the photoelectric conversion module 100 has a protective layer 70 on an optical element 60. The protective layer 70 may cover the optical element 60. In this case, the protective layer 70 may be made of a light-transmitting material.

[0059] The ratio of the absolute refractive index of the optical portion 62 of the optical element 60 to the absolute refractive index of the protective layer 70 may be, for example, in the range of 0.80 to 1.20, preferably 0.85 to 1.10, and more preferably 0.90 to 1.00. From the viewpoint of suppressing reflection loss between the protective layer 70 and the optical portion 62, it is desirable that the above absolute refractive index ratio be close to 1.00. However, from the viewpoint of refracting light at the boundary between the protective layer 70 and the optical portion 62, it is preferable that the ratio of the absolute refractive index of the optical portion 62 of the optical element 60 to the absolute refractive index of the protective layer 70 be in the range excluding 1.00 from the above numerical range. The shape of the optical portion 62 of the optical element 60 may be the same as that of the first embodiment. The shape of the optical portion 62 of the optical element 60 is not limited to the shape described in the first embodiment and may have various shapes.

[0060] The shape of the optical element 60 in the example shown in Fig. 5 is substantially the same as the shape of the optical element 60 in the example shown in Fig. 3. Alternatively, the shape of the optical element 60 according to the third embodiment may be substantially the same as the shape of the optical element 60 in the example shown in Fig. 4. Furthermore, the optical element 60 according to the third embodiment is not limited to these and may have various shapes.

[0061] [Fourth Embodiment] A power generating device according to a fourth embodiment will be described. In the power generating device according to the fourth embodiment, the laser light source 300 and the module array 420 are the same as those in the first embodiment. In the fourth embodiment, the configuration of each photoelectric conversion module 100 is different from that in the first embodiment.

[0062] Fig. 6 is a schematic plan view of a photovoltaic conversion module according to a fourth embodiment. Fig. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the photovoltaic conversion module taken along line 7A-7A in Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the photovoltaic conversion module taken along line 8A-8A in Fig. 6.

[0063] In the fourth embodiment, the photovoltaic conversion module 100 is composed of one photovoltaic conversion cell. The photovoltaic conversion cell 10 may include a substrate 20, a first electrode layer 22 on the substrate 20, a photovoltaic conversion layer 26 on the first electrode layer 22, and a second electrode layer 24 on the photovoltaic conversion layer 26. The photovoltaic conversion layer 26 is provided between the first electrode layer 22 and the second electrode layer 24. The first electrode layer 22 is provided on the substrate 20. The second electrode layer 24 is located on the opposite side of the photovoltaic conversion layer 26 from the substrate 20. The substrate 20, the first electrode layer 22, the photovoltaic conversion layer 26, and the second electrode layer 24 are aligned in the thickness direction of the photovoltaic conversion module 100.

[0064] The substrate 20 is preferably made of a conductive material such as a metal. The materials constituting the first electrode layer 22, the second electrode layer 24, and the photoelectric conversion layer 26 may be the same as those in the first embodiment. Each photoelectric conversion cell 10 may have a buffer layer (not shown) between the first electrode layer 22 and the photoelectric conversion layer 26 and / or between the photoelectric conversion layer 26 and the second electrode layer 24.

[0065] The photovoltaic conversion cell 10 includes a collecting electrode 30 connected to the second electrode layer 24. The collecting electrode 30 collects charge carriers from the second electrode layer 24 and is made of a conductive material. The collecting electrode 30 may be in direct contact with the second electrode layer 24. From the viewpoint of ensuring an area that contributes to photoelectric conversion, it is preferable that the area of ​​the collecting electrode 30 be as small as possible.

[0066] The collecting electrode 30 may have, for example, a bus bar 32 extending in a first direction at the end of the photovoltaic conversion cell 10 and a plurality of fingers 31 extending from the bus bar 32 in a second direction.

[0067] In the fourth embodiment, the non-photoelectric conversion region 14 may be defined by a region overlapping with the collecting electrode 30 when viewed from the thickness direction. Therefore, the optical portion 62 of the optical element 60 may be provided in the region overlapping with the collecting electrode 30 when viewed from the thickness direction. In the aspects shown in FIGS. 6 to 8 , the optical portion 62 is provided only in the region overlapping with the fingers 31 of the collecting electrode 30 when viewed from the thickness direction. Alternatively, the optical portion 62 may be provided only in the region overlapping with the bus bar 32 of the collecting electrode 30 when viewed from the thickness direction. Furthermore, the optical portion 62 may be provided across the region overlapping with the fingers 31 and the bus bar 32 when viewed from the thickness direction.

[0068] The collecting electrode 30 is generally made of an opaque conductive material. Therefore, the region overlapping the collecting electrode 30 in the thickness direction corresponds to the non-photoelectric conversion region 14. In the fourth embodiment, as in the first embodiment, the optical portion 62 of the optical element 60 changes the traveling direction of light incident toward at least a portion of the non-photoelectric conversion region 14 at least along the thickness direction. As a result, at least a portion of the light incident on the optical portion 62 of the optical element 60 may change its traveling direction and reach the photoelectric conversion region 12. This makes it possible to ensure a higher amount of photoelectric conversion than when no optical element is provided.

[0069] The photovoltaic conversion module 100 shown in Figures 6 to 8 is composed of a single photovoltaic conversion cell. Alternatively, the photovoltaic conversion module 100 may have a structure in which the photovoltaic conversion cells shown in Figures 6 to 8 are electrically connected to each other in series. In this case, adjacent photovoltaic conversion cells may be electrically and mechanically connected by, for example, a conductive connector.

[0070] In all of the above-described embodiments, the photovoltaic conversion module 100 is for converting laser light into electrical energy. However, the photovoltaic conversion module 100 is not limited to this, and may be for converting light having any wavelength, typically sunlight, into electrical energy.

[0071] As described above, the contents of the present invention have been disclosed through the embodiments, but the descriptions and drawings that form part of this disclosure should not be understood to limit the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the inventive features of the claims that can be reasonably understood from the above description.

[0072] This application claims priority based on Japanese Patent Application No. 2024-121673, filed on July 26, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Claims

1. A photoelectric conversion module comprising: a photoelectric conversion layer; a photoelectric conversion region that contributes to photoelectric conversion when viewed from a thickness direction perpendicular to the surface of the photoelectric conversion layer; a non-photoelectric conversion region that does not contribute to photoelectric conversion when viewed from the thickness direction; and an optical element provided on the photoelectric conversion layer, wherein the optical element has an optical portion configured to change the direction of propagation of light that is incident at least along the thickness direction and that is incident toward at least a portion of the non-photoelectric conversion region.

2. The photoelectric conversion module according to claim 1, wherein the optical portion is provided in an area that overlaps at least the non-photoelectric conversion area when viewed in the thickness direction.

3. The photoelectric conversion module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the optical portion is provided only in an area that overlaps the non-photoelectric conversion area when viewed in the thickness direction.

4. The photoelectric conversion module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the optical portion is a refractive medium that refracts light.

5. The photoelectric conversion module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the absolute refractive index of the optical portion is in the range of 1.40 to 2.

20.

6. The photoelectric conversion module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a protective layer on the optical element.

7. The photoelectric conversion module according to claim 6, wherein the ratio of the absolute refractive index of said optical portion to the absolute refractive index of said protective layer is in the range of 0.80 to 1.

20.

8. The photoelectric conversion module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the optical portion has an inclined surface inclined with respect to the surface of the photoelectric conversion layer.

9. The photovoltaic conversion module according to claim 8, wherein the angle of the inclined surface relative to the surface of the photovoltaic conversion layer is in the range of 20° to 60°.

10. The photoelectric conversion module according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the optical portion has a triangular prism shape.

11. A photoelectric conversion module according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a plurality of photoelectric conversion cells and grooves separating the plurality of photoelectric conversion cells from one another, wherein the non-photoelectric conversion region is defined by a region that overlaps the grooves when viewed in the thickness direction.

12. A photoelectric conversion module according to any one of claims 1 to 10, comprising a collecting electrode that collects charge carriers, and wherein the non-photoelectric conversion region is defined by a region that overlaps with the collecting electrode when viewed in the thickness direction.

13. A photoelectric conversion module described in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the optical element is arranged across the non-photoelectric conversion region and the photoelectric conversion region when viewed from the thickness direction, and the region of the optical element that overlaps the photoelectric conversion region when viewed from the thickness direction has a surface that is substantially parallel to the surface of the photoelectric conversion layer.

14. A photoelectric conversion module according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the optical element is provided only in an area that overlaps the non-photoelectric conversion area when viewed in the thickness direction.

15. A mobile object equipped with a photoelectric conversion module according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

16. A power generation system comprising: a photovoltaic conversion module according to any one of claims 1 to 14; and a laser device that irradiates laser light toward the photovoltaic conversion module.

17. A power generation method comprising irradiating a photovoltaic conversion module according to any one of claims 1 to 14 with laser light.

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