Printed Solar Module Transparency for Power and Visibility

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing solar cell modules lack excellent design properties and power generation performance, particularly when printing is performed on the light-receiving surface side, which affects visibility and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

A solar cell module design with a print layer formed further toward the light-receiving surface side, utilizing specific transparencies and colors, ensuring conditions such as spectral sensitivity integral ratios are met to maintain a short circuit current ratio of 0.6 or more, allowing for visibility through the rear surface and enhancing design properties.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Shape

If printing is performed on the light-receiving surface side of the solar cell module, then design properties are improved, but power generation performance deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedesign propertiesVSAvoidpower generation performance
Core Design Contradiction:
ShapeVSPower

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies parameter changes by precisely controlling the transparency of the print layer and positioning it at specific distances from the light-receiving surface. By adjusting these parameters, the design properties are enhanced while the power generation performance is maintained at 60% or more of the reference value without printing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent moves the print layer from the traditional rear surface position to a position in front of the light-receiving surface, creating a new spatial dimension for design expression. This dimensional change allows the print layer to serve both aesthetic and functional purposes simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Illumination intensity

If printing is performed with high transparency to maintain power generation performance, then visibility through the rear surface is improved, but design properties deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvevisibility through rear surfaceVSAvoiddesign properties
Core Design Contradiction:
Illumination intensityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The patent optimizes the transparency parameter of the print layer to achieve a balance between visibility and design expression. By carefully selecting transparency values and positioning the print layer at specific distances, both visibility through the rear surface and design properties are simultaneously improved.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution achieves excellent design properties with visibility through the rear surface while maintaining high power generation performance, even with whole surface printing, by setting specific transparency conditions for the print layer.

Implementation Method 1

a print layer formed further toward a light-receiving surface side than a solar cell module body by printing with a specific transparency

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLight transmission through transparent material: Absorption (EM radiation)

Implementation Method 2

a solar cell module body; and a print layer formed further toward a light-receiving surface side than the solar cell module body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPhotovoltaic effect: Photovoltaic Effect

Data Source

PatentEP4219177B1Solar battery module, panel, and printing data generation device
Publication Date: 2025.10.01 ZEON CORP
  • EP4219177B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP4219177B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP4219177B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A solar cell module includes: a solar cell module body; and a print layer formed further toward a light-receiving surface side than the solar cell module body by printing with specific transparency in a specific region, wherein a rear surface side is visible from the light-receiving surface side in at least part of the specific region, and the specific transparency is set to satisfy a condition A. The condition A is that spectral sensitivity integral ratio A defined by formula (1) is not less than a specific value A* that the spectral sensitivity integral ratio A takes when printing is performed with transparency resulting in a short circuit current ratio of 0.6. λ is wavelength (nm), f(λ) is quantum efficiency IPCE (%) in a case in which the print layer is formed, and fSC(λ) is quantum efficiency IPCE (%) in a case in which the print layer is not formed. [numerical 1] A=∫360830fλdλ∫360830fSCλdλ