Photovoltaic module and method for manufacturing same

Abstract

The present invention provides: a photovoltaic module capable of maintaining the spacing between adjacent photovoltaic cell strings; and a method for manufacturing the same. In this method for manufacturing a photovoltaic module (10) in which a photovoltaic cell matrix (11M) is encapsulated between a curved light-transmissive substrate (12) and a back surface protective member (16), the following configuration is adopted. Included are: a step for fabricating the photovoltaic cell matrix (11M); a placing step for placing the photovoltaic cell matrix (11M) and the back surface protective member (16) on the light-transmissive substrate (12); and a step for laminating the above. In the step for fabricating the photovoltaic cell matrix (11M), wiring members (14) are connected so as to form a connected pair in which the ends of photovoltaic cell strings (11S) adjacent to each other along a second direction (D2) are connected to each other by the wiring members (14), and a non-connected pair in which the ends are not connected to each other, and a restricting member (13) is provided to restrict a reduction in the distance between the ends of the non-connected pair.

Description

Solar cell module and method for manufacturing the same

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a solar cell module and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0002] As a solar cell module having a curved shape, one in which solar cells are sealed between a curved plate-shaped translucent substrate and a back surface protection member is known. Such a solar cell module can be manufactured by the following procedure: first, a solar cell matrix is prepared by completing wiring on a plurality of solar cells arranged in a matrix, then the solar cell matrix is placed on a curved translucent substrate and laminated. For example, Patent Document 1 discloses a solar cell module manufactured by this manufacturing procedure.

[0003] Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2019-33302

[0004] The solar cell module can be manufactured by laminating a stacked body in which a translucent substrate, a translucent substrate-side sealing material, a solar cell matrix, a back surface protection member-side sealing material, and a back surface protection member are stacked in this order, that is, integrating them by heating and pressurizing. In the solar cell matrix, a plurality of solar cell strings, in which a plurality of solar cells adjacent along a first direction are connected in series, are arranged adjacent to each other along a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, and wiring has been completed on the arrangement.

[0005] In the manufacturing process of a general flat-plate solar cell module, when producing the solar cell matrix, the gaps between solar cells are fixed with tape to prevent the distance between solar cell strings from expanding due to pressurization in the lamination step. For this tape, a tape made of a transparent and thin base material (hereinafter, such a tape is referred to as a soft tape) is used so as not to be conspicuous in the appearance of the solar cell module.

[0006] An example of such fixing with a soft tape is shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 8 is a back view schematically showing, as a comparative example, a solar cell matrix 91M in which gaps between solar cell strings 91S are fixed with a soft tape 93. The plurality of solar cells 91 are electrically connected by a connection member (not shown) so that current flows along the path of arrow E2 shown in FIG. 8.

[0007] As shown in Figure 8, in the solar cell matrix 91M, in some pairs of adjacent solar cell strings 91S ends, the ends are connected by a wiring member 94 (busbar in this example). Near the locations where the wiring member 94 is connected, the distance between adjacent solar cell strings 91S is fixed by this wiring member 94, but in other locations, the distance between adjacent solar cell strings 91S is not fixed.

[0008] Therefore, to prevent the distance between solar cell strings 91S from widening due to the pressure applied during lamination, a flexible tape 93 is installed between adjacent solar cells 91 along the second direction.

[0009] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram showing a solar cell matrix 91M, as shown in Figure 8, placed on the concave main surface 922 of a convexly curved translucent substrate 92. The convexly curved translucent substrate 92 has two main surfaces: a convex curved surface, the convex main surface 921, and a concave curved surface, the concave main surface 922.

[0010] In the manufacturing process of a curved solar cell module, a translucent substrate-side sealing material 95 is placed on the concave main surface 922 of the translucent substrate 92, and then the solar cell matrix 91M is placed thereon. In other words, the surface on which the solar cell matrix 91M is placed is inclined. As mentioned above, flexible tape 93 is installed between the solar cells 91, but while the flexible tape 93 can restrict the widening of the distance between solar cell strings 91S, it cannot restrict the narrowing of the distance between solar cell strings 91S.

[0011] Therefore, when the solar cell matrix 91M is placed, the solar cell strings 91S slide down in the direction of the arrows shown in Figure 9 due to their own weight, causing the spacing between the solar cell strings 91S to narrow, and in some cases, adjacent solar cells 91 to come into contact with each other.

[0012] This disclosure has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and aims to provide a solar cell module that can maintain the spacing between adjacent solar cell strings in a solar cell module including a curved translucent substrate, and a method for manufacturing the same.

[0013] To solve the above problems, the following solar cell module and method for manufacturing the same are provided.

[0014] The present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a solar cell module in which a solar cell matrix is ​​sealed between a convexly curved translucent substrate and a back surface protective member, comprising: a solar cell matrix manufacturing step for manufacturing the solar cell matrix; a mounting step for manufacturing a laminate in which a translucent substrate side sealing material, the solar cell matrix, a back surface protective member side sealing material, and a back surface protective member are placed in this order on the translucent substrate with the concave main surface facing upward; and a lamination step for heating and pressurizing the laminate to integrate it, wherein in the solar cell matrix manufacturing step, a plurality of solar cell strings, each consisting of multiple adjacent solar cells connected in series along a first direction, are arranged adjacently along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; wiring members are connected so that connected pairs are formed in which the ends of the adjacent solar cell strings along the second direction are connected by wiring members, and unconnected pairs are formed in which the ends are not connected by wiring members; and a restricting member is provided to restrict the reduction of the distance between the ends in the unconnected pairs.

[0015] In the above-described method for manufacturing a solar cell module, the regulating member may be installed between adjacent wiring members along the second direction, or between adjacent solar cell strings along the second direction.

[0016] Furthermore, in the above-described method for manufacturing a solar cell module, the restricting member may be an insulating tape.

[0017] Furthermore, the present disclosure is a method for manufacturing a solar cell module in which a solar cell matrix is ​​sealed between a convexly curved translucent substrate and a back surface protective member, comprising: a solar cell matrix manufacturing step for manufacturing the solar cell matrix; a mounting step for manufacturing a laminate in which a translucent substrate side sealing material, the solar cell matrix, a back surface protective member side sealing material, and a back surface protective member are placed in this order on the translucent substrate with the concave main surface facing upward; and a lamination step for heating and pressurizing the laminate to integrate it, wherein in the solar cell matrix manufacturing step, a plurality of solar cell strings, each consisting of multiple adjacent solar cells connected in series along a first direction, are arranged adjacently along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and wiring members are connected so that connected pairs are formed where the ends of the adjacent solar cell strings along the second direction are connected by wiring members, and unconnected pairs are formed where the ends are not connected by wiring members. The invention is characterized by installing insulating rigid tape between adjacent wiring members along the second direction, or between adjacent solar cell strings along the second direction.

[0018] The solar cell module of this disclosure is a solar cell module in which a solar cell matrix is ​​sealed between a convexly curved translucent substrate and a back surface protective member, wherein the solar cell matrix includes a plurality of solar cell strings in which a plurality of adjacent solar cells are connected in series along a first direction, the plurality of solar cell strings are arranged adjacent to each other along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and includes connected pairs in which the ends of adjacent solar cell strings along the second direction are connected by a wiring member, and unconnected pairs in which the ends are not connected by a wiring member, and is characterized in that a restricting member is provided to restrict the reduction of the distance between the ends in the unconnected pairs.

[0019] In the solar cell module described above, the insulating member acting as the restricting member may be positioned between adjacent wiring members along the second direction, or between adjacent solar cell strings along the second direction.

[0020] Furthermore, in the solar cell module described above, insulating tape as a regulating member may be installed between adjacent wiring members along the second direction, or between adjacent solar cell strings along the second direction.

[0021] The solar cell module and its manufacturing method described herein offer excellent advantages, such as maintaining the spacing between adjacent solar cell strings.

[0022] This is a schematic rear view showing a solar cell matrix included in a solar cell module according to an embodiment of this disclosure. This is a schematic perspective view showing the general configuration of a solar cell module according to an embodiment of this disclosure. This is a schematic partial cross-sectional view along a second direction showing the general configuration of a solar cell module according to an embodiment of this disclosure. This is a diagram showing a modified example of the solar cell matrix shown in Figure 1. This is a perspective view of a convexly curved translucent substrate. This is a schematic diagram showing the solar cell matrix being placed on the translucent substrate during the mounting process. This is a schematic diagram showing the case where an insulating member is further provided during the mounting process shown in Figure 6. This is a schematic rear view showing a solar cell matrix in which the solar cell strings are fixed with soft tape as a comparative example. This is a schematic diagram showing the solar cell matrix shown in Figure 7 being placed on a convexly curved translucent substrate.

[0023] Embodiments of the present disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. In the description of each figure, the directions referred to as the first and second directions (D1 and D2, respectively in the figures) are used. In the solar cell module of the present disclosure, the first direction refers to the direction in which multiple solar cells are adjacent to each other in a solar cell string, and the second direction refers to the direction perpendicular to the first direction, in which multiple solar cell strings are adjacent to each other. The directions in the figures showing the manufacturing process and components of the solar cell module correspond to the directions in the completed solar cell module.

[0024] In this disclosure, the surface of a solar cell module that is primarily exposed to sunlight will be described as the light-receiving surface, and the opposite surface will be described as the back surface. Common reference numerals are used for components common to each embodiment, and detailed descriptions of these components will not be repeated.

[0025] Note that in the diagrams showing the solar cell module and solar cell matrix, the connecting members that electrically connect multiple solar cells constituting a solar cell string, and the connecting members that electrically connect solar cells to wiring members are not shown.

[0026] Figure 1 is a schematic rear view showing the solar cell matrix 11M included in the solar cell module 10 according to this embodiment, Figure 2 is a schematic perspective view showing the general configuration of the solar cell module 10 according to this embodiment, and Figure 3 is a schematic partial cross-sectional view along the second direction showing the general configuration of the solar cell module 10 according to this embodiment. Note that in Figure 2, members other than the solar cells 11 among the members constituting the solar cell matrix 11M are omitted from the illustration.

[0027] In this embodiment, a solar cell module 10 having a curved shape as shown in Figure 2 is manufactured by sealing the solar cell matrix 11M shown in Figure 1 between a convexly curved translucent substrate 12 and a back surface protective member 16.

[0028] Specifically, as shown in Figure 3, the solar cell module 10 has a structure in which the solar cell matrix 11M is sealed between the light-transmitting substrate 12 and the back surface protective member 16 with a sealing material 15.

[0029] The sealing material 15 consists of a light-transmitting substrate side sealing material 151 located on the light-transmitting substrate 12 side of the solar cell matrix 11M, and a back-side protective member side sealing material 152 located on the back-side protective member 16 side of the solar cell matrix 11M.

[0030] The light-transmitting substrate 12 can be any material that has the property of transmitting light, for example, a glass substrate can be used. The back surface protective member 16 can be any material that can protect the back side of the sealing material 15, for example, a weather-resistant film (back sheet) such as PET or a glass substrate can be used. The sealing material 15 is made of a resin material or the like that has the property of transmitting light.

[0031] This solar cell module 10 is manufactured by a manufacturing method that includes: (1) a solar cell matrix manufacturing step of manufacturing a solar cell matrix 11M; (2) a mounting step of manufacturing a laminate by mounting a translucent substrate-side sealing material 151, a solar cell matrix 11M, a back surface protective member-side sealing material 152, and a back surface protective member 16 in that order on a translucent substrate 12 with the concave main surface 122 facing upward; and (3) a lamination step of heating and pressurizing the laminate manufactured in the mounting step to integrate it.These steps will now be explained in order with reference to the drawings.

[0032] <Solar Cell Matrix Fabrication Process> In the solar cell matrix fabrication process, the solar cell matrix 11M shown in Figure 1 is fabricated. This solar cell matrix 11M is fabricated on a flat surface.

[0033] As shown in Figure 1, the solar cell matrix 11M includes a plurality of solar cell strings 11S in which a plurality of adjacent solar cells 11 along a first direction are connected in series by wiring members (not shown), and the plurality of solar cell strings 11S are arranged adjacent to each other along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. In the solar cell strings 11S, a plurality of adjacent solar cells 11 along the first direction are connected in series by wiring members (not shown).

[0034] After arranging multiple solar cell strings 11S on a plane in this manner, some of the pairs of adjacent solar cell string ends 11S along the second direction are electrically connected to each other with a wiring member 14 (busbar in this example). The wiring member 14 is formed in the shape of a strip extending linearly in the second direction D2. The busbar, as the wiring member 14, is a flat conductor and is made of metal (for example, copper).

[0035] Specifically, in order to connect multiple solar cells 11 in series so that current flows along the path of arrow E1 shown in Figure 1, the ends of the solar cell string 11S are electrically connected with a wiring member 14. The ends of the solar cell string 11S and the wiring member 14 are connected by a wiring member not shown.

[0036] As a result, in this example, pairs of solar cell string 11S ends connected to each other by wiring members 14 (hereinafter also referred to as connected pairs) and pairs of solar cell string 11S ends not connected to each other by wiring members 14 (hereinafter also referred to as unconnected pairs) alternate along the second direction, and multiple wiring members 14 are provided at intervals along the second direction.

[0037] By providing the wiring member 14 in this way, variations in the distance between the ends of the solar cell strings 11S in a connected pair are restricted by the wiring member 14. On the other hand, variations in the distance between the ends of the solar cell strings 11S in an unconnected pair are not restricted.

[0038] Therefore, if only the wiring member 14 is provided, in the mounting process described later, when the solar cell matrix 11M is mounted on the curved translucent substrate 12, the ends of the solar cell strings 11S in the unconnected pairs may slip off, reducing the distance between adjacent solar cell strings 11S, and in some cases, adjacent solar cells 11 may come into contact.

[0039] Therefore, in the solar cell matrix manufacturing process according to this embodiment, a restricting member 13 is provided to restrict the reduction of the distance between unconnected pairs in the solar cell matrix 11M. In the example shown in Figure 1, the restricting member 13 is installed between adjacent wiring members 14 along the second direction.

[0040] Furthermore, the restriction by the restricting member 13 is not limited to fixing the distance between unconnected pairs so that it does not change at all. In other words, the restricting member 13 only needs to be able to suppress the reduction in the distance between adjacent solar cell string ends 11S during the installation process.

[0041] In this embodiment, insulating tape is used as the restricting member 13. When tape is used as the restricting member 13, the tape is applied so as to span adjacent wiring members 14 along the second direction, thereby restricting the reduction of the distance between unconnected pairs in the solar cell matrix 11M.

[0042] It is preferable that the restricting member 13 be positioned on the back side of the wiring member 14 so that it is difficult to see when the solar cell module 10 is viewed from the light-receiving side. Therefore, in this embodiment, the tape serving as the restricting member 13 is attached to the back side of the wiring member 14.

[0043] The regulating member 13 preferably has sufficient rigidity (resistance to deformation along the second direction) to prevent the ends of the solar cell string 11S from slipping off during the mounting process.

[0044] A rigid tape having such rigidity is suitable as the regulating member 13. Conditions for maintaining the distance between adjacent solar cell strings 11S by the tape include physical properties of the tape base material (e.g., Young's modulus), the width of the tape, the adhesion area of the tape, the spanning distance of the tape (the distance between adjacent wiring members 14 along the second direction), and the curvature of the light-transmitting substrate 12 (the inclination angle in the placing step). Among these, the thickness of the tape base material is a condition that has a large influence.

[0045] That is, in the present disclosure, rigid tapes and flexible tapes are not distinguished only by the physical properties of the base material. The rigid tape serving as the regulating member 13 only needs to be less likely to bend during the placing step and maintain the distance between adjacent solar cell strings 11S through a combination of these conditions.

[0046] Under this condition, the thickness of the base material of the rigid tape is preferably 0.05 mm or more, and more preferably 0.1 mm or more. In addition, if the tape is too thick, it cannot be completely covered by the sealing material 15 and may cause residual air bubbles, so the thickness of the base material of the rigid tape is preferably 0.3 mm or less.

[0047] Examples of the base material for the rigid tape include, in addition to transparent PET resin base materials, polypropylene, polyurethane, and polyester-based resin base materials. An example of the combination of the base material of the rigid tape and its thickness is a PET resin base material with a thickness of 0.1 mm or more. Examples of the adhesive for the rigid tape include transparent adhesives such as acrylic adhesives and silicone adhesives.

[0048] Alternatively, examples of the rigid tape include those that are not transparent and have the same color or similar color as the back sheet serving as the back surface protection member 16. Note that similar color means a color adjacent to the target color on the Munsell hue circle.

[0049] That is, the regulating member 13 is preferably transparent, or has the same color or similar color as the back surface protection member 16. This makes it possible to make the regulating member 13 inconspicuous in the appearance of the solar cell module 10, thereby preventing deterioration of appearance quality.

[0050] Figure 4 shows a modified example of the solar cell matrix 11M shown in Figure 1. In this modified example, the restricting member 13 is installed between solar cells 11 located at the ends of the solar cell string 11S in the unconnected pairs. This prevents the distance between the ends of the solar cell string 11S in the unconnected pairs from decreasing. In particular, as shown in Figure 4, installing the restricting member 13 in a position as far away as possible from the connected pair (the end on which the wiring member 14 is connected) of the solar cell string 11S in which the solar cell 11 is located is the most effective way to prevent the distance between the ends of the solar cell string 11S in the unconnected pairs from decreasing. Specifically, taking the two central rows of solar cell strings 11S in Figure 4 as an example, it is most effective to install the restricting member 13 in a position as far away as possible from the connected pair at the upper end of the solar cell string 11S (i.e., as far down the page as possible). However, the location where the restricting member 13 is installed is not limited to the location shown in Figure 4. In other words, the restricting member 13 may be installed between solar cells 11 that are not located at the ends of the solar cell string 11S. Also, in the example in Figure 4, one restricting member 13 is installed between adjacent solar cell strings 11S, but multiple restricting members 13 may be installed. It is preferable that the restricting member 13 be installed on the back side of the solar cell 11 so that it is not easily visible when viewing the solar cell module 10 from the light-receiving surface side. For this reason, in this embodiment, tape serving as the restricting member 13 is attached to the back side of the solar cell 11.

[0051] However, the rigid tape used as the restricting member 13 has a certain thickness (for example, 0.1 mm or more as described above) in order to ensure the rigidity mentioned above. However, if the rigid tape is too thick, it may stand out in the appearance of the solar cell module 10, even if it is the same color or a similar color as the transparent or back surface protective member 16. Furthermore, if a rigid tape of such thickness is applied across the solar cells 11, it may cause cell cracking due to the pressure during the lamination process. From these viewpoints, the configuration shown in Figure 1 (where the restricting member 13 is installed between adjacent wiring members 14) is preferable to the configuration shown in Figure 4 (where the restricting member 13 is installed between adjacent solar cells 11).

[0052] Furthermore, when a restricting member 13 is installed between adjacent wiring members 14 as shown in Figure 1, the restricting member 13 and the wiring members 14 can be easily shielded by covering them together with a shielding member (for example, a sheet-like member such as a resin film) of the same or similar color as the back sheet used as a back surface protective member 16, or by painting a translucent substrate 12 on the positions where the restricting member 13 and the wiring members 14 are visible when the solar cell module 10 is viewed from the light-receiving surface side. From the viewpoint of appearance quality, the configuration shown in Figure 1 is preferable.

[0053] Furthermore, while Figures 8 and 9, which serve as comparative examples, show flexible tapes 93 that span adjacent solar cells 91 along the second direction, it is preferable not to provide such flexible tapes when manufacturing the solar cell matrix 11M according to this embodiment.

[0054] In this embodiment, as described above, the regulating member 13 is provided, which prevents not only the distance between solar cell strings 11S from decreasing during the mounting process, but also the distance between solar cell strings 11S from increasing due to pressure applied during the lamination process.

[0055] <Placement Process and Lamination Process> In the placement process, a laminate is created by placing the translucent substrate-side sealing material 151, the solar cell matrix 11M, the back surface protective member-side sealing material 152, and the back surface protective member 16 in that order on a translucent substrate 12 with the concave main surface 122 facing upward. That is, the components are placed in order from the light-receiving surface side of the solar cell module 10, with their back surfaces facing upward.

[0056] The light-transmitting substrate-side sealing material 151 and the back-side protective member-side sealing material 152 are sheet-like members made of resin material or the like that has light-transmitting properties. They soften when heated and pressurized during the lamination process, so that the solar cell matrix 11M is sealed between the light-transmitting substrate 12 and the back-side protective member 16. The softened resin hardens again, integrating the laminate and manufacturing the solar cell module 10.

[0057] Figure 5 is a perspective view of the translucent substrate 12, and Figure 6 is a schematic diagram showing the solar cell matrix 11M being placed on the translucent substrate 12 during the mounting process. In Figure 6, the restricting member 13 in the solar cell matrix 11M is shown as curved, but the restricting member 13 may also be in a non-curved form. In either form, the restricting member 13 can be said to be restricting the distance between the ends of adjacent solar cell strings 11S along the second direction so as not to decrease.

[0058] As shown in Figure 5, the translucent substrate 12 is curved in a convex shape, and more specifically, it may be a plate-like member having a three-dimensional curved surface shape that is curved so as to have curvature along two mutually orthogonal directions (see dashed lines in Figure 5). Therefore, the translucent substrate 12 has a convex main surface 121 which is a convex curved surface and a concave main surface 122 which is a concave curved surface.

[0059] In the mounting process according to this embodiment, first, as shown in Figure 6, the translucent substrate 12 is placed with the concave main surface 122 facing upward. After the translucent substrate side sealing material 151 is placed on the translucent substrate 12, the solar cell matrix 11M manufactured in the solar cell matrix manufacturing process (i.e., pre-wired) is then placed on top of it.

[0060] Note that the solar cell 11 shown in Figure 6 is a solar cell 11 located at the end of a solar cell string 11S, and each corresponds to a different solar cell string 11S. In other words, the multiple solar cells 11 that make up a row of solar cell strings 11S are arranged along the back of the paper.

[0061] As shown in Figure 6, regulating members 13 are installed between adjacent wiring members 14. For example, the leftmost solar cell string 11S in Figure 6 and the solar cell string 11S to its right are not connected at their ends by a wiring member 14 (i.e., they are a non-connected pair), but the regulating member 13 restricts the variation in the distance between them.

[0062] Therefore, the leftmost solar cell string 11S in Figure 6 will not slip down due to the inclination of the concave main surface 122 of the light-transmitting substrate 12. In other words, it is possible to maintain the spacing between adjacent solar cell strings 11S.

[0063] In the mounting process, as shown in Figure 6, the back surface protective member side sealing material 152 is placed on the solar cell matrix 11M, and then the back surface protective member 16 is placed on top of it. The laminate, with the components mounted in this order, is heated and pressurized in the lamination process, causing the laminate to integrate and producing a solar cell module 10 in which the solar cell matrix 11M is sealed with sealing material 15, as shown in Figure 3.

[0064] By the way, in the configuration shown in Figure 6, a rigid tape is provided as a restricting member 13 to prevent the distance between the ends of adjacent solar cell strings 11S along the second direction from decreasing. However, when the radius of curvature of the translucent substrate 12 is small (i.e., when the inclination of the surface on which the solar cell matrix 11M is placed is steep) or when the number of solar cells 11 constituting the solar cell string 11S is large (i.e., when the mass of the solar cell string 11S is large), the rigid tape alone may not be sufficient to prevent the solar cell string 11S from sliding down due to its own weight.

[0065] Therefore, an insulating member 131 may be interposed between adjacent wiring members 14 or between adjacent solar cell strings 11S. By providing the insulating member 131 in such positions, it is possible to prevent the solar cell string 11S from sliding down due to its own weight, even when the radius of curvature of the light-transmitting substrate 12 is small or when there are many solar cells 11 constituting the solar cell string 11S. An example of this configuration will be explained with reference to Figure 7.

[0066] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram showing the installation process shown in Figure 6, but with the addition of an insulating member 131. In the example between the two solar cell strings 11S located on the left side of Figure 7, a rigid tape 130, acting as a restricting member 13, is stretched between the wiring members 14. An insulating resin plate 1311, acting as an insulating member 131, is then positioned between the wiring members 14. With this configuration, the insulating resin plate 1311 also plays a role in preventing the leftmost solar cell string 11S in Figure 7 from sliding down due to its own weight. In other words, the insulating resin plate 1311 functions as a restricting member 13.

[0067] In this example, it is preferable that the insulating resin plate 1311 be placed beneath the rigid tape 130. That is, it is preferable that the rigid tape 130 is attached on top of the two wiring members 14 and the insulating resin plate 1311 so as to straddle them. With such a configuration, the attached rigid tape 130 becomes less likely to peel off or bend, and the function of maintaining the spacing between adjacent solar cell strings 11S can be made more reliable.

[0068] In this example, the tape stretched between the wiring members 14 is a rigid tape 130 acting as a restricting member 13. However, as mentioned above, the insulating resin plate 1311 functions as a restricting member 13, so the stretched tape may not function as a restricting member 13. In other words, the tape stretched between the wiring members 14 does not have to be rigid. In such a configuration, the tape plays an auxiliary role in preventing the insulating resin plate 1311 from shifting position.

[0069] Examples of resins that make up the insulating resin plate 1311 include polycarbonate resin, acrylic resin, and PET resin. Examples of the thickness of the insulating resin plate 1311 include 0.1 mm to 0.5 mm.

[0070] Furthermore, in the example between the two solar cell strings 11S located on the right side of Figure 7, a rigid tape 130, acting as a restricting member 13, is stretched between the solar cells 11 located at the ends of the solar cell strings 11S. That is, it is the configuration described using Figure 4. Then, an elastic insulator 1312, acting as an insulating member 131, is positioned between the solar cells 11. With this configuration, the elastic insulator 1312 also plays a role in preventing the solar cell string 11S located on the far right of Figure 7 from sliding down due to its own weight. In other words, the elastic insulator 1312 functions as a restricting member 13.

[0071] In this example, it is preferable that the elastic insulator 1312 be placed beneath the rigid tape 130. That is, it is preferable that the rigid tape 130 is attached over the two solar cell strings 11S and the elastic insulator 1312 so as to straddle them. With such a configuration, the attached rigid tape 130 becomes less likely to peel off or bend, and the function of maintaining the spacing between adjacent solar cell strings 11S can be made more reliable.

[0072] In this example, the tape stretched between the solar cell strings 11S is a rigid tape 130 acting as a restricting member 13. However, as mentioned above, the elastic insulator 1312 functions as the restricting member 13, so the stretched tape may not function as a restricting member 13. In other words, the tape stretched between the solar cell strings 11S does not have to be rigid. In such a configuration, the tape plays an auxiliary role in preventing the elastic insulator 1312 from shifting position.

[0073] Furthermore, as mentioned above, in the configuration shown in Figure 4, the position where the tape is installed may be changed to between solar cells 11 that are not located at the ends of the solar cell string 11S, and the number of tapes installed between the solar cell strings 11S may be changed to multiple tapes. Similarly, the elastic insulator 1312 may be arranged so as to be interposed between solar cells 11 that are not located at the ends of the solar cell string 11S, and multiple elastic insulators 1312 may be placed between adjacent solar cell strings 11S along the second direction.

[0074] The elastic insulator 1312 preferably has heat resistance of 100°C or higher, and examples include silicone rubber, ethylene propylene rubber, and nitrile rubber. Furthermore, the thickness of the elastic insulator 172 can be 0.1 mm or more and 0.5 mm or less.

[0075] In other words, by arranging the insulating member 131, which serves as the regulating member 13, between adjacent wiring members 14 along the second direction, or between adjacent solar cell strings 11S along the second direction, a solar cell module 10 can be manufactured that maintains the spacing between adjacent solar cell strings 11S.

[0076] The embodiments disclosed herein are illustrative in all respects and are not intended to be restrictive. Therefore, the technical scope of this disclosure is not construed solely by the embodiments described above, but is defined by the claims. This includes all modifications within the meaning and scope of the claims.

[0077] 10 Solar cell module 11 Solar cell 11M Solar cell matrix 11S Solar cell string 12 Translucent substrate 121 Convex main surface 122 Concave main surface 13 Regulating member 130 Rigid tape 131 Insulating member 1311 Insulating resin plate 1312 Elastic insulator 14 Wiring member 15 Sealing material 151 Sealing material on the translucent substrate side 152 Sealing material on the back side protective member side 16 Back side protective member D1 First direction D2 Second direction

Claims

1. A method for manufacturing a solar cell module in which a solar cell matrix is ​​sealed between a convexly curved translucent substrate and a back surface protective member, comprising: a solar cell matrix manufacturing step for manufacturing the solar cell matrix; a mounting step for manufacturing a laminate in which a translucent substrate side sealing material, the solar cell matrix, a back surface protective member side sealing material, and a back surface protective member are placed in this order on the translucent substrate with the concave main surface facing upward; and a lamination step for heating and pressurizing the laminate to integrate it, wherein in the solar cell matrix manufacturing step, a plurality of solar cell strings, each consisting of a plurality of adjacent solar cells connected in series along a first direction, are arranged adjacently along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; wiring members are connected so that connected pairs are formed in which the ends of the adjacent solar cell strings along the second direction are connected by wiring members, and unconnected pairs are formed in which the ends are not connected by wiring members; and a restricting member is provided to restrict the reduction of the distance between the ends in the unconnected pairs.

2. A method for manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 1, characterized in that the regulating member is installed between adjacent wiring members along the second direction, or between adjacent solar cell strings along the second direction.

3. A method for manufacturing a solar cell module according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the regulating member is an insulating tape.

4. A method for manufacturing a solar cell module in which a solar cell matrix is ​​sealed between a convexly curved translucent substrate and a back surface protective member, comprising: a solar cell matrix manufacturing step for manufacturing the solar cell matrix; a mounting step for manufacturing a laminate in which a translucent substrate side sealing material, the solar cell matrix, a back surface protective member side sealing material, and a back surface protective member are placed in this order on the translucent substrate with the concave main surface facing upward; and a lamination step for heating and pressurizing the laminate to integrate it, wherein in the solar cell matrix manufacturing step, a plurality of solar cell strings, each consisting of multiple adjacent solar cells connected in series along a first direction, are arranged adjacently along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and wiring members are connected so that connected pairs are formed where the ends of the adjacent solar cell strings along the second direction are connected by wiring members, and unconnected pairs are formed where the ends are not connected by wiring members. A method for manufacturing a solar cell module, characterized by installing an insulating rigid tape between adjacent wiring members along the second direction, or between adjacent solar cell strings along the second direction.

5. A solar cell module in which a solar cell matrix is ​​sealed between a convexly curved translucent substrate and a back surface protective member, wherein the solar cell matrix includes a plurality of solar cell strings in which a plurality of adjacent solar cells are connected in series along a first direction, the plurality of solar cell strings are arranged adjacent to each other along a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, and includes connected pairs in which the ends of adjacent solar cell strings along the second direction are connected by a wiring member, and unconnected pairs in which the ends are not connected by a wiring member, and a restricting member is provided to restrict the reduction of the distance between the ends in the unconnected pairs.

6. A solar cell module according to claim 5, characterized in that the insulating member as a restricting member is arranged to be interposed between adjacent wiring members along the second direction, or between adjacent solar cell strings along the second direction.

7. A solar cell module according to claim 5, characterized in that an insulating tape as a regulating member is installed between adjacent wiring members along the second direction, or between adjacent solar cell strings along the second direction.

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