Solar cell module

A solar cell module includes a solar cell panel comprising a lower substrate and a plurality of solar cells on the lower substrate; a protective substrate on the solar cell panel; and a buffer part between the solar cell panel and the protective substrate, wherein the lower substrate includes a first lower substrate supporting the solar cell and a second lower substrate disposed along a lateral side of the buffer part.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The embodiment relates to a solar cell module.

BACKGROUND ART

A solar cell module to convert light energy into electrical energy through photoelectric conversion effect has been extensively used as a device to obtain non-pollution energy contributing to the conservation of global environment.

As the photoelectric conversion effect of a solar cell is improved, a great number of solar cell systems having a solar cell module are installed even for home use.

In order to output power generated from the solar cell module including solar cells that generate power from the light of the sun to the outside, conductors acting as positive and negative electrodes are provided in the solar cell module, and terminals of the conductors, which serve as connectors connected to a cable of outputting current to the outside, are withdrawn out of a photovoltaic module.

However, in a case of a solar cell module having a typical structure, reliability of the solar cell module is frequently degraded due to penetration of moisture into a periphery of the solar cell module.

DISCLOSURE OF INVENTION

Technical Problem

The embodiment provides a solar cell module having improved reliability.

Solution to Problem

According to the embodiment, there is provided solar cell module including: a solar cell panel comprising a lower substrate and a plurality of solar cells on the lower substrate; a protective substrate on the solar cell panel; and a buffer part between the solar cell panel and the protective substrate, wherein the lower substrate includes a first lower substrate supporting the solar cell and a second lower substrate disposed along a lateral side of the buffer part.

Advantageous Effects of Invention

The solar cell module according to the embodiment includes a lower substrate supporting a solar cell, and the lower substrate may surround a lateral side of the buffer part. An outer peripheral portion of the lower substrate may be folded inward of the solar cell module. Accordingly, the route of moisture penetration through the lower substrate becomes long so that moisture penetration into the solar cell module may be minimized. Therefore, the reliability of the solar cell module can be improved.

In addition, if the lower substrate has a color, the lower substrate may shield the bus bar on the solar cell panel. Accordingly, a separate work for shielding the bus bar may be omitted so that a process may be simplified.

MODE FOR THE INVENTION

The thickness and size of each layer (or film), each region, each pattern, or each structure shown in the drawings may be exaggerated, omitted or schematically drawn for the convenience or clarity of explanation. In addition, the size of the layer (or film), the region, the pattern, or the structure does not utterly reflect an actual size.

Hereinafter, the embodiment will be described with reference to accompanying drawings in detail.

First, a solar cell module according to the first embodiment will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 1 to 3.FIG. 1is an exploded perspective view showing a solar cell module according to the embodiment.FIG. 2is a sectional view taken along line A-A′ ofFIG. 1.FIG. 3is a front view showing a solar cell panel included in a solar cell module according to the first embodiment.

Referring toFIGS. 1 to 3, the solar cell module10according to the first embodiment includes a frame100, a solar cell panel200, a protective substrate300, and a buffer part400.

The frame100is provided outside the solar cell panel200. The frame100receives the solar cell panel200, the protective substrate300, and the buffer part400. In more detail, the frame100surrounds the lateral side of the solar cell panel200.

For example, the frame100may be a metal frame100. In addition, the frame100may include aluminum (Al), stainless steel, iron, or resin.

The solar cell panel200is disposed inside the frame100. The solar cell panel200has a plate shape. The solar cell panel200includes a plurality of solar cells210and a lower substrate220supporting the solar cells200.

For example, the solar cells210may include a CIGS-based solar cell, a silicon-based solar cell, a dye-sensitized solar cell, a group II-VI compound semiconductor solar cell, or a group III-V compound semiconductor solar cell.

In addition, the solar cells6may be disposed on a transparent substrate such as a glass substrate.

The solar cells210may be arranged in the shape of a stripe. In addition, the solar cells210may be arranged in various shapes such as a matrix shape.

The bus bar500is disposed on the solar cell panel200.

For example, referring toFIG. 3, the bus bar500includes a first bus bar510and a second bus bar520.

The first bus bar510makes contact with the solar cells210. In detail, the first bus bar510makes contact with a top surface of one outermost solar cell and a top surface of an opposite outermost solar cell of the solar cells210. The first bus bar510makes contact with top surfaces of two of the solar cells210, and is electrically connected to the solar cells210.

The second bus bar520extends from the first bus bar510. Further, the second bus bar520directly makes contact with the lower substrate220. The second bus bar520extends to an outer peripheral portion of the lower substrate220. The second bus bar520may extend by passing through a groove located at the outer peripheral portion of the lower substrate200. In addition, the second bus bar520may be connected to a connecting member located at a bottom surface of the lower substrate220.

The bus bar5may include a conductor, and for example, the material constituting the bus bar5may include copper (Cu).

The lower substrate200may support the solar cells210.

In detail, the lower substrate220may include a first lower substrate221, a second lower substrate222, and a third lower substrate223.

The first lower substrate221may support the solar cells210and the bus bar500. The first lower substrate221directly makes contact with the solar cells210and the bus bar500.

The second lower substrate222extends from the first lower substrate221while being bent from the first lower substrate221. The second lower substrate222is disposed along a lateral side of the buffer part400. In detail, the second lower substrate222may be disposed along a lateral side of a first buffer part410.

The third lower substrate223extends from the second lower substrate222while being bent from the second lower substrate222. The third lower substrate223directly makes with the protective substrate300. In detail, a top surface of the third lower substrate223directly makes with a bottom surface of the protective substrate300.

The third lower substrate223may be disposed on the second bus bar520. That is, if the third lower substrate223has a color, the third lower substrate223may shield the second bus bar520. Accordingly, a separate work for shielding the bus bar520may be omitted. That is, a process may be simplified.

The first lower substrate221, the second lower substrate222, and the third lower substrate223are integrally formed with each other.

The lower substrate220may include a metal or a plastic material. That is, an outer peripheral portion of the lower substrate220may be folded inward of the solar cell module using a flexible property of the lower substrate220.

Accordingly, the route of moisture penetration through the lower substrate200becomes long so that moisture penetration into the solar cell module may be minimized. Accordingly, the reliability of the solar cell module can be improved.

The protective substrate300is disposed over the solar cell panel200. In detail, the protective substrate300is provided in opposition to the solar cell panel200.

The protective substrate300may be transparent and have a high strength. The material constituting the protective substrate300may include tempered glass.

The first buffer part400includes a first buffer part410and a second buffer part420.

The first buffer part410is interposed between the protective substrate300and the solar cell panel200. The first buffer part410protects the solar cell panel200from the external physical shock. In addition, the first buffer part410prevents the protective substrate300from colliding with the solar cell panel200.

The second buffer part420is disposed under the solar cell panel200. A back sheet may be further disposed at a lower portion of the solar cell panel, and the second buffer part420may bond the back sheet to the solar cell panel200.

The buffer part400may perform an anti-reflective function so that a greater quantity of light is incident onto the solar cell panel200.

The material constituting the buffer part400may include ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) resin.

The protective substrate300and the buffer sheet400are disposed inside the frame100. In detail, the lateral sides of the solar cell panel200, the protective substrate300and the buffer part400are inserted into and fixed to the frame100.

Hereinafter, a solar cell module according to the second embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 4. In the following description, the details of structures and components the same as those of the first embodiment or extremely similar to those of the first embodiment will be omitted except for only structures and components making the difference from those of the first embodiment for the purpose of clear and simple explanation.

FIG. 4is a sectional view showing a solar cell module according to a second embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 4, the solar cell module20according to the second embodiment includes a lower substrate220supporting solar cells210. The lower substrate220includes a first lower substrate221, a second lower substrate222, and a third lower substrate223. The third lower substrate223extends from the second lower substrate222while being bent from the second lower substrate222. The third lower substrate223is inserted into the buffer part400. In detail, the third lower substrate223is inserted into the first buffer part410. Accordingly, a top surface of the third lower substrate223directly makes contact with the first buffer part410.

Hereinafter, a solar cell module according to the third embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 5. Referring toFIG. 5, the solar cell module30according to the third embodiment includes a lower substrate220supporting solar cells210. The lower substrate220includes a first lower substrate221, a second lower substrate222, and a third lower substrate223. The third lower substrate223extends from the second lower substrate222while being bent from the second lower substrate222. The third lower substrate223is disposed on a second bus bar520and the solar cell210. That is, the third lower substrate223extends to a deep portion of the solar cell module so that a moisture penetration path may be lengthened.