Solar Cell Panel Layout for Equal Current in Overlapped Cells
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Solution Overview
Problem
Solar cell panels experience output loss due to varying current amounts in individual solar cells caused by differences in photoelectric conversion areas resulting from electrode arrangements and overlapped portions, leading to inefficient energy conversion.
Innovation Solution
A solar cell panel design featuring solar cells with asymmetrical shapes and widths, connected by members that ensure equal photoelectric conversion areas and current flow, minimizing output loss by optimizing the arrangement of inclined portions and bus bar electrodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If solar cells are connected using overlapped portions with conventional symmetrical arrangement, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the photoelectric conversion areas become unequal and current loss occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies asymmetry by configuring solar cells with different widths (first width and second width) in the overlapping region. Specifically, one solar cell has a larger width while the other has a smaller width, creating an asymmetric overlapping structure. This asymmetric design equalizes the photoelectric conversion areas of adjacent solar cells, ensuring uniform current generation and eliminating current loss, while maintaining simple manufacturing processes.
2Productivity
If solar cells have equal photoelectric conversion areas, then current loss is minimized and output increases, but the device complexity increases due to asymmetrical shapes and varying widths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the asymmetry localized only in the overlapping regions of adjacent solar cells, while the main body of each solar cell remains uniform. Specifically, the first solar cell has a first width at its overlapping region and the second solar cell has a second width at its overlapping region, creating local dimensional variations that equalize photoelectric conversion areas without requiring complete redesign of all solar cells, thus limiting complexity increase to only necessary areas.
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 design ensures that photoelectric conversion areas are substantially equal across solar cells, allowing the same amount of current to flow, thereby improving the overall output of the solar cell panel by minimizing lost current.
Implementation Method 1
solar cells are attracting attention as a next-generation battery that converts solar energy into electric energy
Data Source
AI summary
A solar cell panel that includes: a plurality of solar cells that include a first solar cell and a second solar cell, the plurality of solar cells having respective lengths in a first direction and respective widths in a second direction; and one or more connecting members that electrically connect two adjacent solar cells of the plurality of solar cells, wherein the first solar cell includes a first inclined portion at a first side of the first solar cell, wherein the second solar cell includes a second inclined portion at a first side of the second solar cell, and wherein a first width of the first solar cell in the second direction is different from a second width of the second solar cell in the second direction is disclosed.