Solar cell module

Abstract

The present invention provides a solar cell module which can be connected to an external connector and can prevent a local load caused by the external connector from being applied to a solar cell when the external connector is connected.　The solar cell module is configured as follows. When a first substrate (40) is viewed in a plan view, the solar cell module has a solar cell installation region (20) and a connection region (21). In the solar cell installation region (20), a solar cell is sealed by a sealing material (41). The connection region (21) is provided outside the solar cell installation region (20) so as to include a part of the edge of the first substrate (40) when the first substrate (40) is viewed in the plan view, and has a wiring member (15) and a connector portion (5). The wiring member (15) is connected to the solar cell in the solar cell installation region (20) and extends from the solar cell installation region (20) across the connection region (21). At least a part of the connector portion (5) is located between the first substrate (40) and a second substrate (50) and is disposed in the connection region (21) without being disposed in the solar cell installation region (20). The connector portion (5) is connected to the wiring member (15) in the connection region (21) and can be connected to an external connector (101).

Description

solar cell module

[0001] The present invention relates to a solar cell module.

[0002] Conventional solar cell modules have a terminal box on the back surface of the solar cell panel that is electrically connected to the solar cells in the solar cell panel, and are connected to an external load via a cable extending from the terminal box.

[0003] However, conventional solar cell modules have a problem in that the overall thickness increases because a terminal box is provided on the rear surface.

[0004] Therefore, the solar cell module of Patent Document 1 uses a terminal case to which an external connection cable can be connected, and the solar cell submodule is sandwiched between the upper and lower lids of the terminal case, and the terminal case with the solar cell submodule sandwiched therebetween is further sandwiched and sealed with a water vapor barrier layer and a back sheet. This makes it possible to connect to an external load via an external connection cable without providing a terminal box on the back.

[0005] JP 2011-233798 A

[0006] However, in the solar cell module of Patent Document 1, the photoelectric conversion element of the solar cell submodule is sandwiched between the upper and lower lids of the terminal case, and if an external load is applied to the external connection cable and the terminal case tilts together with the external connection cable, the photoelectric conversion element of the solar cell submodule may be pressed against the upper lid and deformed. If the photoelectric conversion element of the solar cell submodule is deformed, the power generation efficiency of the solar cell submodule may decrease or the wiring may break, making it impossible to generate power.

[0007] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a solar cell module that can be connected to an external connector and that, when the external connector is connected, can prevent local loads caused by the external connector from being directly applied to the solar cell.

[0008] One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a solar cell module in which solar cells are arranged between a first substrate and a second substrate, and the solar cells are sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate with a sealing material, and when the first substrate is viewed in a plane, the solar cell module has a solar cell installation area and a connection area, and in the solar cell installation area, the solar cells are sealed with the sealing material, and the connection area is outside the solar cell installation area when the first substrate is viewed in a plane and is provided so as to include a part of the edge of the first substrate, and has a wiring member and a connector portion, and the wiring member is connected to the solar cells in the solar cell installation area and extends from the solar cell installation area across the connection area, and at least a part of the connector portion is between the first substrate and the second substrate and is arranged in the connection area without being arranged in the solar cell installation area, and the connector portion is connected to the wiring member in the connection area and is connectable to an external connector.

[0009] According to this aspect, the connector portion is disposed in the connection region rather than in the solar cell installation region, and is connected to a wiring member connected to the solar cell in the connection region. Therefore, even if a local load caused by the external connector is applied to the connector portion when the external connector is connected, the wiring member bears the load, thereby preventing the local load caused by the external connector from being directly applied to the solar cell. According to this aspect, the connector portion is sandwiched between the first substrate and the second substrate, and when the external connector is connected to the connector portion, the connection portion between the external connector and the connector portion is protected by the first substrate and the second substrate. Therefore, even if a local load is applied to the connection portion between the external connector and the connector portion from outside the first substrate or the second substrate, the shape is maintained due to the rigidity of each of the first substrate and the second substrate, and the connection portion between the external connector and the connector portion is less likely to be subjected to a local load and less likely to deform.

[0010] In a preferred aspect, the connector has a protective member that protects the connector portion, and the protective member has a clamping portion that clamps the first substrate and the second substrate in the thickness direction so that the first substrate and the second substrate are close to each other.

[0011] A preferred aspect includes a protective member that protects the connector portion, the protective member having an insertion portion that is inserted between the first substrate and the second substrate, and a first covering portion that covers the outside of the first substrate, and the first substrate is sandwiched between the insertion portion and the first covering portion.

[0012] In a preferred aspect, the protection member includes a connector accommodating portion capable of accommodating a part of the connector portion.

[0013] In a preferred aspect, the sealing material is not provided in the connection region.

[0014] In a preferred aspect, a part of the connector portion is sealed with a second sealing material in the connection region.

[0015] In a preferred aspect, the external connector is a male connector, and the connector portion has an insertion opening between the first substrate and the second substrate into which a terminal portion of the external connector can be inserted.

[0016] In a preferred aspect, the external connector has the terminal portion and a connector cover portion, and has a protective member that protects a portion of the edge of the first substrate, and the protective member has a cover accommodating portion that can accommodate most of the connector cover portion when the terminal portion of the external connector is inserted into the insertion port.

[0017] The above aspects may be made dependent on each other, or some of the configurations may be quoted or substituted for each other, as long as they are included in the technical scope of the present invention.

[0018] The solar cell module of the present invention can be connected to an external connector, and when the external connector is connected, it is possible to prevent a local load caused by the external connector from being applied to the solar cell.

[0019] 1. A perspective view of a solar cell module according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 2. An exploded perspective view of the solar cell module of FIG. 1. 3. An exploded perspective view of the solar cell panel of FIG. 2. 4. A plan view of the solar cell panel of FIG. 2, with the first sealing substrate and first sealing material omitted. 5. A cross-sectional perspective view of the frame member of FIG. 2. 6. A perspective view of the frame member of FIG. 2, viewed from another direction. 7. An A-A cross-sectional view of the solar cell module of FIG. 1. 8. An explanatory view of inserting an external connector member into the solar cell module of FIG. 1, where (a) is a B-B cross-sectional view just before inserting the external connector member, and (b) is a B-B cross-sectional view after the external connector member has been inserted. 9. A perspective view showing a window structure according to a second embodiment of the present invention installed on a wall. 10. A partially cutaway perspective view of the window structure of FIG. 9. 11. An exploded perspective view of the solar cell module of FIG. 11 according to the present invention. 12. A plan view of the solar cell panel of FIG. 12, with the first sealing substrate and first sealing material omitted. 13. An explanatory view of a solar cell module according to another embodiment of the present invention, with the frame member provided only on a portion of the first side of the solar cell panel. 1A is a cross-sectional view of a solar cell module according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which (a) is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment in which a substrate-side notch is not provided, (b) is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment in which a second covering portion is not provided, and (c) is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment in which the second covering portion covers the entire outer surface of the second sealing substrate. 1B is an explanatory view of a solar cell module according to another embodiment of the present invention, in which a frame member is provided along two sides.

[0020] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0021] The solar cell module 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention is a portable solar cell module that can be carried by a user. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the solar cell module 1 includes a solar cell panel 2, a frame member 3, and a panel-side connector 5, and is connectable to an external connector 101 of an external connector member 100 shown in Figure 1.

[0022] <Solar Cell Panel 2> As shown in Fig. 3, the solar cell panel 2 includes a solar cell group 10, sealing members 11 and 12, a connector sealing material 13, and a power supply wiring member 15. As shown in Fig. 4, the solar cell panel 2 is a quadrangular panel having sides 16 to 19 when viewed from above, and includes a solar cell installation area 20 and a connection area 21.

[0023] (Solar Cell Group 10) As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the solar cell group 10 includes a plurality of solar cell strings 30 (30a, 30b) and a connecting wiring member 31.

[0024] The solar cell string 30 is formed by electrically connecting one or more solar cells in series directly or via a conductive adhesive. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the solar cell group 10 has solar cell strings 30a, 30b arranged in a horizontal direction X (first direction), and each solar cell string 30 has solar cells (not shown) arranged in a vertical direction Y (a direction perpendicular to the first direction, a second direction). The solar cell of this embodiment is a so-called crystalline silicon solar cell, which uses a semiconductor substrate as a support substrate and has an n-type or p-type reverse conductivity type semiconductor layer stacked directly or via an i-type semiconductor layer on a p-type or n-type semiconductor substrate.

[0025] 4, the connecting wiring member 31 is a member that extends in the horizontal direction X and electrically connects the solar cell strings 30a and 30b adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction X. The connecting wiring member 31 of this embodiment electrically connects the solar cell strings 30a and 30b adjacent to each other in the horizontal direction X in series.

[0026] (First sealing member 11) The first sealing member 11, together with the second sealing member 12 and the connector sealing material 13, is a member that seals the solar cell group 10 and the power supply wiring member 15. As shown in Fig. 3 , the first sealing member 11 includes, in order from the outside toward the solar cell group 10 in the thickness direction based on the solar cell group 10, a first sealing substrate 40 (first substrate) and a first sealing material 41.

[0027] As shown in FIG. 3 , the first sealing substrate 40 is a plate-like body that extends in a plane and has a light-receiving side main surface 42 that constitutes the light-receiving surface of the solar cell panel 2 and an opposite side, a cell-side main surface 43, and has a certain degree of thickness and is more rigid than each solar cell that constitutes the solar cell string 30.

[0028] As shown in Fig. 3 , the first sealing substrate 40 has a substrate-side accommodating portion 45 that accommodates a portion of the panel-side connector portion 5. The substrate-side accommodating portion 45 is a cutout that straddles the battery-side main surface 43 and the end surface 44 to which the first edge 16 belongs. In other words, the substrate-side accommodating portion 45 is a cutout portion that is formed by cutting the first sealing substrate 40 from the battery-side main surface 43 in the thickness direction and that extends from the end surface 44 in the vertical direction Y. The substrate-side accommodating portion 45 is capable of accommodating a portion of the panel-side connector portion 5, as shown in Figs. 2 and 8 .

[0029] The first sealing substrate 40 is a translucent insulating substrate having sealing, insulating, and translucent properties. The first sealing substrate 40 is not particularly limited as long as it has sealing, insulating, and translucent properties, and may be, for example, a glass substrate such as float glass or colored glass.

[0030] The first sealing material 41 is a translucent insulating sealing material that has sealing, insulating, and translucent properties, and is an adhesive that bonds the solar cell group 10 and the power supply wiring member 15 to the first sealing substrate 40, as shown in Fig. 8. The first sealing material 41 is not particularly limited as long as it has sealing, insulating, and translucent properties, and for example, a resin sealing material such as polyolefin elastomer can be used.

[0031] (Second Sealing Member 12) As shown in FIG. 3, the second sealing member 12 includes a second sealing substrate 50 (second substrate) and a second sealing material 51.

[0032] The second sealing substrate 50 is an insulating substrate having sealing and insulating properties, and in this embodiment, is a light-transmitting insulating substrate. The second sealing substrate 50 is not particularly limited as long as it has sealing and insulating properties, and for example, a glass substrate such as float glass or colored glass can be used.

[0033] The second sealing material 51 is an insulating sealing material having sealing and insulating properties, and in this embodiment, is a translucent insulating sealing material that also has light-transmitting properties. The second sealing material 51 is an adhesive that bonds the solar cell group 10 and the power supply wiring member 15 to the second sealing substrate 50. The second sealing material 51 is not particularly limited as long as it has sealing and insulating properties, and for example, a resin sealing material such as polyolefin elastomer can be used. Note that, in the case where the solar cell panel 2 is a single-sided light-receiving solar cell panel having a light-receiving surface on only one side, the second sealing substrate 50 and the second sealing material 51 do not need to be translucent.

[0034] (Connector sealing material 13) The connector sealing material 13 is an insulating sealing material having sealing properties and insulating properties, and also serves as an adhesive that bonds the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50. As shown in Fig. 3 , the connector sealing material 13 extends in the lateral direction X along the boundary between the solar cell installation area 20 and the connection area 21, and serves as a blocking portion that blocks the intrusion of water and the like from the first side 16 side to the solar cell installation area 20 side.

[0035] The connector sealant 13 is not particularly limited as long as it has sealing and insulating properties, and for example, a resin sealant such as polyolefin elastomer can be used.

[0036] (Power supply wiring member 15) The power supply wiring member 15 is a wiring member that connects each solar cell of the solar cell group 10 to the panel-side connector unit 5. The power supply wiring member 15 of this embodiment connects the upstream end and downstream end of the solar cell group 10 in the direction of electrical flow to each of the panel-side connector unit 5. As shown in Figures 3 and 4 , the power supply wiring member 15 is a wiring member that extends inward and outward in the vertical direction Y from the solar cell installation area 20 with the connector sealant 13 as the reference.

[0037] (Solar cell installation area 20) When viewed in a plan view, the solar cell installation area 20 is an area in which the solar cell group 10 is arranged and each solar cell of the solar cell group 10 is sealed with sealing materials 41, 51, and is an area in which each solar cell constituting the solar cell group 10 has a photoelectric conversion function.

[0038] (Connection region 21) As shown in Fig. 4 , the connection region 21 is located outside the solar cell installation region 20 in a planar view and is provided so as to include the outer periphery. The connection region 21 of this embodiment is located outside the solar cell installation region 20 in the longitudinal direction Y and is provided so as to include the first side 16 that constitutes the outer periphery in a planar view. The connection region 21 is a region other than the solar cell installation region 20 and is not provided with the first sealing material 41. In other words, the connection region 21 is a region that is not sealed with the first sealing material 41.

[0039] 1 and 2, the frame member 3 is a panel protection member that protects the first side 16 of the solar cell panel 2, and also a connector protection member that protects the panel-side connector portion 5. The frame member 3 of this embodiment is a metal frame made of metal, and includes a main body portion 60, a first recess 61, a second recess 62, a frame cutout portion 63, and a cover housing portion 65, as shown in FIGS.

[0040] (Main body portion 60) As shown in Figure 2, the main body portion 60 is an elongated body extending in the horizontal direction X along the first side 16 of the solar cell panel 2, and as shown in Figures 5 and 6, it has a first covering portion 70, a second covering portion 71, an inter-plate insertion portion 72, a third covering portion 73, and fourth covering portions 74 and 75.

[0041] 7 , the first covering portion 70 is a portion that covers the first sealing substrate 40 from the outside in the thickness direction. The first covering portion 70 has a first inclined surface 80 that slopes downward from the tip end toward the base end in the insertion direction of the solar cell panel 2 (direction away from the solar cell panel 2). That is, when the light-receiving-side main surface 42 of the first sealing substrate 40 is the upper surface of the first covering portion 70, the first inclined surface 80 slopes downward in the vertical direction Y from the third covering portion 73 toward the solar cell installation region 20 of the solar cell panel 2, making it possible to prevent dust and moisture from accumulating near the boundary between the first inclined surface 80 and the surface (light-receiving-side main surface 42) of the first sealing substrate 40.

[0042] 7 , the second covering portion 71 is a portion that covers the second sealing substrate 50 from the outside in the thickness direction and is a clamping portion that, together with the first covering portion 70, clamps the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50 in a direction in which they approach each other. The second covering portion 71 has a second inclined surface 90 that slopes upward from the tip end side toward the base end side in the insertion direction of the solar cell panel 2. That is, when the light-receiving-side main surface 42 of the first sealing substrate 40 is the upper surface of the second covering portion 71, the second inclined surface 90 slopes upward in the vertical direction Y from the third covering portion 73 side toward the solar cell installation region 20 of the solar cell panel 2.

[0043] 7, the inter-plate insertion portion 72 is a portion that is inserted between the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50. The inter-plate insertion portion 72 is a clamping portion that, together with the first covering portion 70, holds the first sealing substrate 40 in the thickness direction, and also, together with the second covering portion 71, holds the second sealing substrate 50 in the thickness direction.

[0044] 7 , the third covering portion 73 is a longitudinal end covering portion that covers from the outside the end face to which the first side 16 of the solar cell panel 2 belongs in the longitudinal direction Y, and is a spacing maintaining portion that connects the first covering portion 70, the second covering portion 71, and the inter-plate insertion portion 72 with a spacing in the thickness direction. The third covering portion 73 faces the end faces of the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50.

[0045] As can be seen from FIGS. 2 and 6, the fourth covering portions 74 and 75 are lateral end surface covering portions that cover from the outside the end surfaces to which the sides 17 and 19 of the solar cell panel 2 belong in the lateral direction X.

[0046] (First recess 61) As shown in Fig. 6, the first recess 61 is a recess groove that has a depth in the vertical direction Y and extends in the horizontal direction X, and is an accommodating recess into which the end of the first sealing substrate 40 of the solar cell panel 2 can be inserted and accommodated, as shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 7, the first recess 61 is a groove portion whose bottom is the third covering portion 73 and whose side walls are the first covering portion 70 and the inter-plate insertion portion 72.

[0047] (Second recess 62) As shown in Fig. 6, the second recess 62 is a recess groove that has a depth in the vertical direction Y and extends in the horizontal direction X, and is an accommodating recess into which the end of the second sealing substrate 50 of the solar cell panel 2 can be inserted and accommodated, as shown in Fig. 7. As shown in Fig. 7, the second recess 62 is a groove portion whose bottom is the third covering portion 73 and whose side walls are the second covering portion 71 and the inter-plate insertion portion 72.

[0048] (Frame cutout 63) As shown in Fig. 6 , the frame cutout 63 is provided in the middle of the inter-plate insertion portion 72 in the horizontal direction X, and is a cutout cut in the vertical direction Y from the tip end of the inter-plate insertion portion 72 toward the base end. The frame cutout 63 extends in the thickness direction across the first recess 61 and the second recess 62, and is a communication portion that connects the interior of the first recess 61 with the interior of the second recess 62, and forms a frame-side accommodating portion 83 (connector accommodating portion) that spans the first recess 61 and the second recess 62. The frame-side accommodating portion 83 is a space formed between the first recess 61 and the second recess 62 by the frame cutout 63.

[0049] (Cover accommodating portion 65) As shown in Fig. 5 , the cover accommodating portion 65 is a recess formed in the third cover portion 73, having a depth in the vertical direction Y, and is a bottomed hole with the partition wall portion 85 as its bottom. As shown in Fig. 8 , the cover accommodating portion 65 is capable of accommodating the connector cover portion 103 of the external connector member 100.

[0050] As shown in Figure 5, the partition wall 85 is provided at the boundary between the cover accommodating portion 65 and the frame-side accommodating portion 83, and serves as a partition separating the cover accommodating portion 65 and the frame-side accommodating portion 83. The partition wall 85 has a terminal insertion hole 86 at its center in the horizontal direction X. The terminal insertion hole 86 is a through-hole that penetrates the partition wall 85 in the vertical direction Y (thickness direction of the partition wall 85). The opening of the terminal insertion hole 86 is smaller than the maximum diameter of the connector cover portion 103, allowing the terminal portion 102 of the external connector member 100 to be inserted therethrough. The terminal insertion hole 86 communicates with the cover accommodating portion 65, forming a single continuous communication hole.

[0051] <Panel-side connector unit 5> As shown in Figure 8, the panel-side connector unit 5 is a member that electrically connects the power supply wiring member 15 of the solar cell panel 2 and the external connector unit 101 of the external connector member 100. The panel-side connector unit 5 is electrically connected by fitting with the external connector unit 101 of the external connector member 100. The panel-side connector unit 5 is a male or female connector that forms a pair with the external connector unit 101, and is a female connector in this embodiment. The panel-side connector unit 5 has an insertion opening 88 into which the terminal unit 102 of the external connector unit 101 can be inserted, and a connection unit 89 that can be connected to the power supply wiring member 15.

[0052] <External Connector Component 100> The external connector component 100 is a connection cable that connects the solar cell module 1 to an external load, such as a mobile terminal such as a smartphone or tablet, or a battery such as a secondary battery. As shown in FIG. 1 , the external connector component 100 has an external connector component 101 at one end that can be connected to the panel-side connector component 5 of the solar cell module 1. The external connector component 101 is not particularly limited as long as it is a connector that can be connected to the panel-side connector component 5 of the solar cell module 1, and for example, a USB (Universal Serial Bus) or MC4 connector can be used. The external connector component 101 in this embodiment is a male connector, specifically a USB PD (USB Power Delivery) such as USB-C.

[0053] As shown in Fig. 1, the external connector unit 101 includes a terminal unit 102 and a connector cover unit 103. As shown in Fig. 8, the terminal unit 102 is a terminal that can be electrically connected to the panel-side connector unit 5 by being inserted into the insertion port 88 of the panel-side connector unit 5. The connector cover unit 103 is a protective cover that surrounds and protects the base end of the terminal unit 102, and is an insulating cover that has insulating properties.

[0054] Next, the positional relationship of each part of the solar cell module 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0055] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the solar cell module 1 has a frame member 3 attached to an end of the solar cell panel 2 to which the first side 16 belongs. As shown in Figure 7, the solar cell panel 2 has no sealing material 41, 51 interposed between the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50 in the connection region 21, and the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50 are arranged with a gap between them. As shown in Figures 2, 5, and 8, the solar cell panel 2 has a substrate-side accommodating portion 45 of the first sealing substrate 40 positioned on an extension of the terminal insertion hole 86 of the frame member 3 in the vertical direction Y, and the opening of the terminal insertion hole 86 of the frame member 3 on the solar cell panel 2 side is open. The solar cell panel 2 has a panel-side connector portion 5 disposed between the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50, straddling the substrate-side accommodating portion 45 and the frame-side accommodating portion 83, and the opening of the panel-side connector portion 5 is exposed from the cover accommodating portion 65. In the solar cell panel 2 , the power supply wiring member 15 is connected to the connection portion 89 of the panel-side connector portion 5 in the connection region 21 .

[0056] As shown in Figure 7, the solar cell panel 2 has an end of the first sealing substrate 40 inserted into a first recess 61 of the frame member 3, an end of the second sealing substrate 50 inserted into a second recess 62 of the frame member 3, and an inter-plate insertion portion 72 inserted between the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50.

[0057] 7 and 8 , in the solar cell panel 2, an external sealing material 95 is interposed between the first sealing substrate 40 and the first cover portion 70 of the frame member 3, as necessary, and an external sealing material 96 is also interposed between the second sealing substrate 50 and the second cover portion 71 of the frame member 3. The external sealing materials 95 and 96 are not particularly limited as long as they have sealing properties, and for example, a resin sealing material such as a silicone resin can be used.

[0058] Next, the positional relationship of each part when the external connector member 100 is connected to the solar cell module 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described.

[0059] 8 , when the external connector portion 101 of the external connector member 100 is inserted into the cover housing portion 65 of the solar cell module 1, the terminal portion 102 passes through the cover housing portion 65 and is inserted into the panel-side connector portion 5. That is, the external connector portion 101 of the external connector member 100 is connected to the power supply wiring member 15 via the panel-side connector portion 5, and is electrically connected to the solar cell group 10 of the solar cell panel 2. At this time, the terminal portion 102 inserted into the insertion opening 88 of the panel-side connector portion 5 is disposed between the substrate-side housing portion 45 of the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50 in the thickness direction, and the connection portion between the panel-side connector portion 5 and the terminal portion 102 is protected by the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50.

[0060] 8(b), when the external connector part 101 of the external connector member 100 is inserted into the cover housing part 65 of the solar cell module 1, most of the connector cover part 103 is housed in the cover housing part 65. In this embodiment, the entire connector cover part 103 is housed in the cover housing part 65, and in the insertion direction of the external connector part 101, the base end side surface of the connector cover part 103 forms the same plane as the base end side surface of the third cover part 73 of the frame member 3, and they are flush with each other.

[0061] According to the solar cell module 1 of this embodiment, in the solar cell installation area 20, the solar cell group 10 is sealed with sealing materials 41, 51, the connection area 21 is located outside the solar cell installation area 20 when the first sealing substrate 40 is viewed in a plan view and is provided so as to include a part of the edge of the first sealing substrate 40, and has a power supply wiring member 15 and a panel-side connector unit 5, the power supply wiring member 15 is connected to the solar cell group 10 in the solar cell installation area 20 and extends across from the solar cell installation area 20 to the connection area 21, at least a part of the panel-side connector unit 5 is located between the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50 and is not located in the solar cell installation area 20 but is located in the connection area 21, and the panel-side connector unit 5 is connected to the power supply wiring member 15 in the connection area 21 and is connectable to an external connector unit 101. That is, in the solar cell module 1, the panel-side connector unit 5 is not disposed in the solar cell installation area 20 but in the connection area 21, and is connected in the connection area 21 to the power supply wiring member 15 connected to the solar cells of the solar cell group 10. Therefore, when the external connector unit 101 is connected, even if a local load caused by the external connector unit 101 is applied to the panel-side connector unit 5 and the panel-side connector unit 5 tilts in the thickness direction, deformation of the solar cells of the solar cell group 10 can be prevented. Furthermore, light to the solar cell group 10 is less likely to be blocked by the panel-side connector unit 5, and a decrease in power generation efficiency due to the panel-side connector unit 5 can be prevented. Furthermore, in the solar cell module 1, the panel-side connector unit 5 is sandwiched between the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50, and when the external connector unit 101 is connected to the panel-side connector unit 5, the connection portion between the external connector unit 101 and the panel-side connector unit 5 is protected by the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50. Therefore, even if a local load is applied to the connection portion between the external connector portion 101 and the panel side connector portion 5 from outside the first sealing substrate 40 or the second sealing substrate 50, the shape is maintained by the rigidity of each of the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50, and the connection portion between the external connector portion 101 and the panel side connector portion 5 is less likely to be subjected to a local load and is less likely to deform.

[0062] The solar cell module 1 of this embodiment has a frame member 3 that protects the panel-side connector portion 5, and the frame member 3 has a first cover portion 70 and a second cover portion 71 that sandwich the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50 in the thickness direction so that the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50 are close to each other. In other words, the first cover portion 70 and the second cover portion 71 of the frame member 3 sandwich the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50 in a direction in which the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50 are close to each other. Therefore, insertion of the external connector portion 101 into the panel-side connector portion 5 can prevent the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50 from separating from each other, and the frame member 3 is less likely to come off from the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50.

[0063] The solar cell module 1 of this embodiment has a frame member 3 that protects the panel-side connector portion 5, and the frame member 3 has an inter-plate insertion portion 72 that is inserted between the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50, and a first covering portion 70 that covers the outside of the first sealing substrate 40, and the first sealing substrate 40 is sandwiched between the inter-plate insertion portion 72 and the first covering portion 70. Therefore, because the frame member 3 sandwiches the first sealing substrate 40 between the inter-plate insertion portion 72 and the first covering portion 70, the frame member 3 is less likely to come off the first sealing substrate 40.

[0064] According to the solar cell module 1 of this embodiment, the frame member 3 includes a frame-side accommodating portion 83 that can accommodate a portion of the panel-side connector portion 5. Therefore, by accommodating the panel-side connector portion 5 in the frame-side accommodating portion 83 of the frame member 3, the panel-side connector portion 5 can be positioned, which makes it easy to connect the external connector portion 101 to the panel-side connector portion 5.

[0065] According to the solar cell module 1 of this embodiment, the sealing materials 41 and 51 are not provided in the connection region 21. This makes it easy to arrange the panel-side connector portion 5 and the inter-plate insertion portion 72 between the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50.

[0066] According to the solar cell module 1 of this embodiment, the external connector unit 101 is a male connector, and the panel-side connector unit 5 is disposed between the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50 and has an insertion opening 88 into which the terminal unit 102 of the external connector unit 101 can be inserted. In other words, because the terminal unit 102 of the external connector unit 101 can be inserted into the insertion opening 88 of the panel-side connector unit 5 between the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50, the rigidity of the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50 can prevent the terminal unit 102 from bending even when an external load is applied.

[0067] According to the solar cell module 1 of this embodiment, the external connector portion 101 has a terminal portion 102 and a connector cover portion 103, and has a frame member 3 that protects a part of the edge of the first sealing substrate 40, and the frame member 3 has a cover accommodating portion 65 that can accommodate most of the connector cover portion 103 when the terminal portion 102 of the external connector portion 101 is inserted into the insertion opening 88. Therefore, the external connector portion 101 is protected by the frame member 3, and can be prevented from bending even when an external load is applied.

[0068] Next, a window structure 200 according to a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Note that the same components as those in the solar cell module 1 according to the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals and will not be described again. The same applies hereinafter.

[0069] The window structure 200 of this embodiment is installed in a wall 201 of a building as shown in Figure 9 and functions as an inset window, and as shown in Figures 9, 10, and 11, functions as a double-pane window in which a window main body 206 is attached to the wall 201 by a window frame member 202.

[0070] <Window Frame Member 202 > As shown in FIG. 11 , the window frame member 202 is a rectangular ring-shaped member, and is made up of first frame members 210 and 211 and second frame members 212 and 213 .

[0071] 10 and 11 , the first frame members 210 and 211 are horizontal frames extending in the horizontal direction X, and are provided with first retaining recesses 220. The first retaining recesses 220 are portions that retain the ends of the window main body 206 in the vertical direction Y, and are recessed grooves that extend in the horizontal direction X.

[0072] As shown in Figure 10, the first frame member 210 has a cavity 222 extending in the longitudinal direction. The first frame member 210 has an external connector member 100 connectable to an external load or another window main body 206 disposed in the cavity 222, and the terminal portion 102 can be inserted into the insertion opening 88 of the panel-side connector portion 5 of the solar cell module 203 via a communication hole (not shown). The cavity 222 is a portion that accommodates the external connector member 100 and enables electrical connection between the external load, another window main body 206, etc. via the external connector member 100. The cavity 222 penetrates in the lateral direction X, and the external connector member 100 can be inserted from either side of the lateral direction X.

[0073] 11 , the second frame members 212, 213 are vertical frames extending in the vertical direction Y and have second retaining recesses 230. The second retaining recesses 230 are retaining recesses that retain the ends of the window main body 206 in the horizontal direction X, and are recessed grooves that extend in the vertical direction Y.

[0074] <Window main body 206> As shown in Figure 10, the window main body 206 has a solar cell module 203, a transparent plate 204, a spacer member 207, and a sealing material 208, and has a space 205 between the solar cell module 203 and the transparent plate 204.

[0075] (Solar Cell Module 203) The solar cell module 203 is a see-through solar cell module that allows light to pass through in the thickness direction. As shown in Fig. 12 , the solar cell module 203 includes a solar cell panel 250 and a protective member 251, and the external connector portion 101 of the external connector member 100 is detachable from the frame member 3.

[0076] As shown in Fig. 13 , the solar cell panel 250 includes a solar cell group 10, sealing members 11 and 12, a connector sealing material 13, and a power supply wiring member 15, and both of the sealing members 11 and 12 are translucent. The solar cell panel 250 differs from the solar cell panel 2 of the first embodiment in the installation ranges of the sealing materials 41 and 51 of the sealing members 11 and 12 and the connector sealing material 13. When viewed from above as shown in Figs. 12 and 13 , the sealing materials 41 and 51 cover the entire solar cell group 10 but do not extend to the remaining three sides 17 to 19 other than the first side 16. That is, when viewed from above as shown in Fig. 13 , the solar cell panel 250 is provided in a rectangular ring shape with the connection region 21 surrounding the solar cell installation region 20.

[0077] As shown in FIG. 12 , the protective member 251 is a rectangular annular member and includes frame members 3, 255-257, and a panel-side connector portion 5. As shown in FIG. 12 , the frame member 255 includes a main body portion 60, a first recess 61, and a second recess 62. The frame members 256, 257 include a main body portion 260, a first recess 61, and a second recess 62. As shown in FIG. 12 , the main body portion 260 includes a first cover portion 70, a second cover portion 71, an inter-plate insertion portion 72, and a third cover portion 73, and differs from the main body portion 60 of the frame member 255 in that it does not include fourth cover portions 74, 75. That is, the recesses 61, 62 of the frame members 256, 257 are open in the vertical direction Y.

[0078] (Transparent Plate 204) The transparent plate 204 is a plate-like body that is transparent and has approximately the same area as the solar cell module 203, as shown in Fig. 10. The transparent plate 204 is not particularly limited as long as it is transparent, and for example, a glass plate such as float glass or a Low-E glass plate having a metal thin film formed on a glass plate can be used.

[0079] 10 , the spacer member 207 is a member that is interposed between the solar cell module 203 and the transparent plate 204 and forms a space 205 between the solar cell module 203 and the transparent plate 204. The spacer member 207 extends in a rectangular ring shape along each side of the solar cell module 203. The spacer member 207 has an accommodation space 241 therein that can accommodate a desiccant 240, and a communication hole 242 that connects the accommodation space 241 and the space 205.

[0080] (Sealing Material 208 ) The sealing material 208 is an adhesive that bonds the solar cell module 203 , the transparent plate 204 , and the spacer member 207 together, and is a sealing material that seals the space 205 .

[0081] (Space 205) The space 205 is a sealed space that is isolated from the outside and is filled with air or an inert gas. As shown in Fig. 10 , the space 205 is located between the solar cell module 203 and the transparent plate 204 and is surrounded by a spacer member 207.

[0082] Next, the positional relationship of each part of the window structure 200 of the second embodiment will be described.

[0083] As shown in Figures 10 and 11 , in the window structure 200, ends of a window main body 206 corresponding to each side are inserted into and held in the respective holding recesses 220, 220, 230, and 230 of the window frame member 202. In the window main body 206, a solar cell module 203 and a transparent plate 204 face each other with a gap between them. In the window main body 206, a spacer member 207 is interposed between the solar cell module 203 and the transparent plate 204, and a space 205 is formed between the solar cell module 203 and the transparent plate 204. In a plan view, the sealing material 208 covers the spacer member 207 from the outside of the spacer member 207, sealing the space 205. The frame members 3, 255 to 257 of the solar cell module 203 are disposed in the respective holding recesses 220, 220, 230, and 230 of the window frame member 202 and do not overlap with the window frame member 202 in a plan view.

[0084] In the window structure 200, a sealing material (not shown) is applied to and bonded to the solar cell module 203 of the window main body 206 from the outside in the thickness direction (the overlap direction of the solar cell module 203 and the transparent plate 204) along each of the frame members 210 to 213 of the window frame member 202, and a sealing material (not shown) is applied to and bonded to the transparent plate 204 of the window main body 206 from the outside in the thickness direction (the overlap direction of the solar cell module 203 and the transparent plate 204) along each of the frame members 210 to 213 of the window frame member 202.

[0085] As shown in Figure 12, in the solar cell module 203, the ends of the first sealing substrate 40 to which each side 16 to 19 belongs are inserted into the first recesses 61 of the frame members 3, 256, 255, and 257, and the ends of the second sealing substrate 50 to which each side 16 to 19 belongs are inserted into the second recesses 62 of the frame members 3, 256, 255, and 257.

[0086] According to the window structure 200 of the second embodiment, the solar cell module 203 can use sunlight to generate electricity while still functioning as a window.

[0087] In the above-described embodiment, the frame member 3 is provided over the entire first edge 16, but the present invention is not limited to this. The frame member 3 may be provided over a portion of the first edge 16, as shown in FIG. 14 . In this case, the connector sealant 13 is preferably provided so as to surround the frame member 3. That is, the connector sealant 13 is preferably provided so as to separate the panel-side connector portion 5 from the rest of the connection region 21. With this configuration, in the connection region 21, a portion of the panel-side connector portion 5 is sealed with the connector sealant 13, thereby preventing water and other contaminants from entering the solar cell installation region 20 from the panel-side connector portion 5.

[0088] In the above-described embodiment, the first sealing substrate 40 is provided with the substrate-side accommodating portion 45, but the present invention is not limited to this. The substrate-side accommodating portion 45 may be provided in the second sealing substrate 50, or the first sealing substrate 40 may not be provided with the substrate-side accommodating portion 45, as shown in FIG. 15( a). In other words, the panel-side connector portion 5 may be accommodated between the first sealing substrate 40 and the second sealing substrate 50.

[0089] In the above-described embodiment, the frame member 3 sandwiches the end of the second sealing substrate 50 between the second covering portion 71 and the inter-plate insertion portion 72, but the present invention is not limited to this. The frame member 3 does not have to sandwich the end of the second sealing substrate 50 between the second covering portion 71 and the inter-plate insertion portion 72, as shown in FIG. 15( b). That is, the frame member 3 does not have to include the second covering portion 71. In this case, the end surface of the third covering portion 73 of the frame member 3 may be stepped or flush with the outer surface of the second sealing substrate 50.

[0090] In the above-described embodiment, the second covering portion 71 covers the vicinity of the edge of the second sealing substrate 50, but the present invention is not limited to this. The second covering portion 71 may cover most of the surface of the second sealing substrate 50 opposite to the solar cell group 10, as shown in Fig. 15(c), or may cover the entire surface on the opposite side.

[0091] In the above-described embodiment, the frame member 3 is a metal frame made of metal, but the present invention is not limited to this. There is no particular limitation on the material of the frame member 3. For example, it may be made of hard plastic.

[0092] In the second embodiment described above, the frame members 3, 256, 255, and 257 are attached along the four sides 16 to 19 of the solar cell panel 250, but the present invention is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 16 , the frame members 3, 257 may be provided along two sides 16, 17 that extend in different directions, or the frame members 3, 256, and 257 may be provided along the three sides 16, 17, and 19.

[0093] In the above-described embodiment, the solar cell is a crystalline silicon solar cell, but the present invention is not limited to this, and the solar cell may be another type of solar cell, for example, a perovskite solar cell.

[0094] In the above-described embodiment, a sealing ring such as an O-ring into which the terminal portion 102 of the external connector member 100 can be inserted may be provided along the edge of the insertion opening 88 of the panel-side connector portion 5 arranged in the terminal insertion hole 86.

[0095] In the above-described embodiments, each component can be freely substituted or added between the respective embodiments as long as it falls within the technical scope of the present invention.

[0096] 1,203 Solar cell module 3,255 to 257 Frame member (protective member) 5 Panel side connector portion (connector portion) 10 Solar cell group 13 Connector sealing material (second sealing material) 15 Power supply wiring member (wiring member) 16 First side 20 Solar cell installation area 21 Connection area 40 First sealing substrate (first substrate) 41 First sealing material (sealing material) 50 Second sealing substrate (second substrate) 51 Second sealing material (sealing material) 65 Cover accommodating portion 70 First covering portion (clamping portion) 71 Second covering portion (clamping portion) 72 Inter-plate insertion portion (insertion portion) 83 Frame side accommodating portion (connector accommodating portion) 88 Insertion opening 95, 96 External sealing material (second sealing material) 100 External connector member 101 External connector portion 102 Terminal portion 103 Connector cover portion 251 Protective Materials

Claims

1. A solar cell module in which solar cells are arranged between a first substrate and a second substrate, and the solar cells are sealed between the first substrate and the second substrate with a sealing material, wherein when the first substrate is viewed in a plane, it has a solar cell installation area and a connection area, in which the solar cells are sealed with the sealing material in the solar cell installation area, the connection area is located outside the solar cell installation area when the first substrate is viewed in a plane and is arranged to include a part of the edge of the first substrate, and it has a wiring member and a connector part, the wiring member is connected to the solar cells in the solar cell installation area and extends from the solar cell installation area across the connection area, at least a part of the connector part is between the first substrate and the second substrate and is not located in the solar cell installation area but is located in the connection area, and the connector part is connected to the wiring member in the connection area and is connectable to an external connector.

2. The solar cell module according to claim 1, further comprising a protective member for protecting the connector portion, the protective member having a clamping portion for sandwiching the first substrate and the second substrate in the thickness direction so that the first substrate and the second substrate are close to each other.

3. A solar cell module as described in claim 1, which has a protective member that protects the connector portion, the protective member having an insertion portion that is inserted between the first substrate and the second substrate and a first covering portion that covers the outside of the first substrate, and the first substrate is sandwiched between the insertion portion and the first covering portion.

4. The solar cell module according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the protective member is provided with a connector accommodating portion capable of accommodating a part of the connector portion.

5. The solar cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the sealing material is not provided in the connection region.

6. The solar cell module according to claim 5, wherein a portion of the connector portion in the connection region is sealed with a second sealing material.

7. A solar cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the external connector is a male connector, and the connector portion has an insertion opening between the first substrate and the second substrate into which a terminal portion of the external connector can be inserted.

8. A solar cell module as described in claim 7, wherein the external connector has the terminal portion and a connector cover portion, and has a protective member that protects a portion of the edge of the first substrate, and the protective member has a cover accommodating portion that can accommodate most of the connector cover portion when the terminal portion of the external connector is inserted into the insertion opening.

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