Solar cell panel

A solar cell panel can include a solar cell; a sealing member for sealing the solar cell; a first cover member disposed on the sealing member at one side of the solar cell; and a second cover member disposed on the sealing member at another side of the solar cell, in which the first cover member includes a base member and a colored portion having a light transmittance lower than a light transmittance of the base member, the first cover member constituting a colored area, and the colored portion includes at least two layers each formed of an oxide ceramic composition and having different colors or different light transmittances.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to and the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2018-0026344 filed on Mar. 6, 2018, and Korean Patent Application No. 10-2019-0019669 filed on Feb. 20, 2019, in the Republic of Korea, the entire contents of all these applications are incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

Embodiments of the invention relate to a solar cell panel, and, more particularly, to a solar cell panel having a building integrated structure.

Description of the Related Art

Generally, a solar cell panel is installed at a rooftop or a roof of a building. However, in an apartment or a high-rise building, a size of a solar cell panel that is installed at a rooftop or a roof of a building is limited and it is difficult to efficiently use a solar light. Recently, research on a solar cell panel having a building integrated structure (a building integrated photovoltaic system BIPV) that is a solar cell panel installed on and integrated with an outer wall of a house, a building, etc. is actively carried out. By using a solar cell panel having a building integrated structure, light conversion can be performed in a wide area of an outer wall of a building, and thus, a solar light can be effectively used.

However, in order to be applied to an outer wall of a building, a solar cell panel having a building integrated structure is required to have an excellent aesthetic property even after the solar cell panel having the building integrated structure is installed. Accordingly, it is required to diversify a color of a solar cell panel having a building integrated structure or to improve an appearance of a solar cell panel having a building integrated structure. However, a solar cell or a wiring connected to the solar cell of the conventional solar cell panel having a building integrated structure may be seen from an outside as it is, or the conventional solar cell panel having a building integrated structure may only have a blue color, which is a color of a solar cell, and thus, it is difficult to improve an aesthetic property and an appearance. Moreover, when the solar cell panel is used for a long time, a yellowing phenomenon of a solar cell panel may occur and an appearance of the solar cell panel may be deteriorated. In addition, when a solar cell panel having a building integrated structure is installed on an outer wall (particularly, a vertical wall) of a building, a glazing or glaring phenomenon may occur due to a glass substrate positioned at a front surface of the solar cell panel having the building integrated structure because the solar cell panel having the building integrated structure is perpendicular to the bottom surface or the ground surface.

In order to prevent this, if a solar cell panel is colored by a layer having a thickness over a certain value, an amount of light incident to the solar cell panel is reduced, and an output of the solar cell panel may be greatly reduced. As another example, when a colored film is used as in Japanese Patent No. 3717369, a color of the colored film may be recognized differently as desired or from other members of a solar cell panel or an aesthetic property of a solar cell panel may be deteriorated when viewed from a lateral side or when viewed in a bright state.

On the other hand, even if a front surface of a solar cell panel is colored with a certain color, it may be difficult to realize a color of the solar cell panel as desired. For example, it may be difficult to realize a primary color. In addition, there is a difference in a light transmittance between a portion having a certain color and a portion having no color, and thus, a light may not be uniformly incident to a solar cell or solar cells included in a solar cell panel. Alternatively, in the case where portions having different colors are included in a solar cell panel, light transmittances of the portions having different colors may be different each other and a light may not be uniformly incident to a solar cell or solar cells included in a solar cell panel.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, embodiments of the invention have been made in view of the above problems, and embodiments of the invention are to provide a solar cell panel having an excellent appearance and a high output and being able to prevent a glare phenomenon.

More particularly, embodiments of the invention are to provide a solar cell panel including a front member having a desired color and a uniform light transmittance at an entire portion.

Also, embodiments of the invention are to provide a solar cell panel including a front member having a uniform light transmittance in a case that the front member include portions having different colors.

In a solar cell panel according to an embodiment of the invention, a first cover member includes a base member and a colored portion having a light transmittance lower than a light transmittance of the base member and constituting a colored area. In this instance, the colored portion includes at least two layers each formed of an oxide ceramic composition and having different colors or different light transmittances. This is for preventing undesired darkening at a portion where the colored layer is positioned, realizing a color of the colored layer more clearly, achieving a uniform light transmittance, or preventing a glare phenomenon. The first cover member may include a glass substrate, a front member, or an exterior member positioned at one surface of a solar cell on a sealing member for sealing the solar cell.

The solar cell panel may includes a solar cell, a sealing member for sealing the solar cell, and a second cover member positioned on the other surface of the solar cell on the sealing member.

In the embodiment, an average light transmittance of the colored portion with respect to a light in an infrared region may be the same as or larger than an average light transmittance of the colored portion with respect to a light in a visible light region, and the oxide ceramic composition of the colored portion may have a glass structure of an amorphous state.

For example, the at least two layers included the colored portion may include a first layer disposed on the base member and a second layer disposed on the first layer. Each of the first layer and the second layer includes voids. A size of the voids included in the first layer may be smaller than a size of the voids included in the second layer or a total volume of the voids included in the first layer may be smaller than a total volume of the voids included in the second layer.

In one embodiment, the colored portion may include a background layer and a colored layer stacked to each other or formed adjacent to each other. The background layer has a brightness or a light transmittance higher than that of the colored layer. The background layer may prevent undesired darkening at a portion where the colored layer is positioned, realize a color of the colored layer more clearly, achieve a uniform light transmittance, and prevent a glare phenomenon. For example, the background layer may have a white-based color or a yellow-based color, or may be transparent or translucent. The solar cell may include a plurality of solar cells, and at least a part of the background layer or the colored layer may be positioned at an inactive area where the plurality of solar cells are not positioned. The background layer may be positioned adjacent to the solar cell than the colored layer to realize a color more clearly.

In another embodiment, the colored portion may include a plurality of colored portions including a plurality of colored layers having different colors. In this instance, the solar cell may include a plurality of solar cells including a first solar cell and a second solar cell, and the plurality of colored portions may include a first colored portion positioned to correspond to the first solar cell and a second colored portion positioned to correspond to the second solar cell. A difference between an amount of current generated by the first solar cell and an amount of current generated by the second solar cell is within 10%.

For example, the plurality of colored portions may include a first colored portion and a second colored portion. The first colored portion may include a first colored layer having a first color and having a first transmittance, and the second colored portion may include a second colored layer having a second color different from the first color and having a second transmittance lower than the first transmittance. The first colored portion and the second colored portion may have different structures or different thicknesses. Thus, the first and second colored portions having different colors may have a uniform light transmittance.

As an example, a thickness of the second colored layer may be smaller than a thickness of the first colored layer.

Alternatively, the first colored portion may further include a first background layer on which the first colored layer is stacked, the second colored portion may further include a second background layer on which the second colored layer is stacked, and the first background layer and the second background layer may have different colors, different light transmittances, or different thicknesses. As an example, a thickness of the second background layer may be smaller than a thickness of the first background layer. Alternatively, a light transmittance of the second background layer may be higher than a light transmittance of the first background layer.

Alternatively, the first colored portion may further include a first background layer on which the first colored layer is stacked, and the second colored portion may be formed of the second colored portion without a background layer.

In still another embodiment, the colored portion may be formed of a colored unit including at least two colored layers having different colors or different light transmittances.

For example, the colored unit may includes a first colored layer having a first color and having a first transmittance, and a second colored layer having a second color different from the first color and having a second transmittance higher than the first transmittance. An area of the second colored layer may be the same as or larger than an area of the first colored layer.

As another example, the colored unit may include a first colored layer having a first color, a second colored layer having a second color different from the first color, and a background layer having a higher brightness than the first color and the second color and having a higher light transmittance than the first colored layer and the second colored layer.

The colored portion may be formed at a surface of the first cover member and a light diffusion portion is formed at the other surface of the first cover member.

In the embodiment, a colored portion formed of an oxide ceramic composition is included in a first cover member, and thus, an appearance and an aesthetic property of the solar cell panel can be effectively improved and also an output of the solar cell panel can be high.

Particularly, in the embodiment, the colored potion includes a background layer together with the colored layer, and thus, a portion where the colored layer is positioned can be prevented from being undesirably darkened or a color of the colored layer can be realized more clearly. In addition, a uniform light transmittance can be achieved at an entire portion of a solar cell panel due to a light scattering, and an effect of preventing a glare phenomenon can be further improved. Thus, an appearance and an output of a solar cell panel can be effectively improved.

Meanwhile, even when a plurality of colored layers or a plurality of colored portions having different colors are provided, a light transmittance can be uniform by adjusting a thickness of the colored layer, existence or non-existence of the background layer, a color of the background layer, a thickness of the background layer, or so on. Thus, an output and a stability of a solar cell panel can be excellent. In addition, even when a plurality of colored portions having different colors, different structures, or the like are provided, problems such as hot spots can be prevented from occurring and thus a reliability of a solar cell panel can be enhanced.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to various embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in accompanying drawings. The invention may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

In the drawings, illustration of parts unrelated to embodiments of the invention is omitted for clarity and simplicity of description. The same reference numerals designate the same or very similar elements throughout the specification. In the drawings, thicknesses, widths or the like of elements are exaggerated or reduced for clarity of description, and should not be construed as limited to those illustrated in the drawings.

It will be understood that the terms “comprise” and/or “comprising,” or “include” and/or “including” used in the specification specify the presence of stated elements, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other elements. In addition, it will be understood that, when an element such as a layer, film, region, or plate is referred to as being “on” another element, it may be directly disposed on another element or may be disposed such that an intervening element is also present therebetween. Accordingly, when an element such as a layer, film, region, or plate is disposed “directly on” another element, this means that there is no intervening element between the elements.

Hereinafter, terms “first”, “second”, “third” and the like are used for distinguishing each other, and embodiments of the invention are not limited to the terms.

Hereinafter, a solar cell panel according to an embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1is a schematic view showing an example of a building1to which a solar cell panel according to an embodiment of the invention is applied.

ReferringFIG. 1, a solar cell panel100according to an embodiment may have a building integrated structure. That is, the solar cell panel100is applied to an outer wall surface (for example, a vertical wall3, a roof surface, etc.) of a building1. However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the solar cell panel100may be installed at a rooftop of the building1or other places other than the building1. The solar cell panel100includes a solar cell150(seeFIG. 2) and thus generates electric power using a solar light supplied from the sun.

In the embodiment, the solar cell panel100may have a predetermined color, image, pattern, feeling, texture, or so on. In this instance, a predetermined color or so on of the solar cell panel100is provided to improve an aesthetic property of the building1, while reducing a loss of a solar light and minimizing or preventing a decrease of solar conversion efficiency. The solar cell panel100will be described in more detail with reference toFIG. 2toFIG. 4, along withFIG. 1.

FIG. 2is am exploded perspective view schematically showing a solar cell panel100according to an embodiment of the invention, andFIG. 3is a schematically cross-sectional view taken along line III-III ofFIG. 2.FIG. 4is a plan view showing an example of a first cover member110included in the solar cell panel100shown inFIG. 2. For simplicity and clarity, a first cover member110and a second cover member120are shown in a simplified form and a colored portion114and a cover portion124are not shown inFIG. 2. A structure of the solar cell150is not shown in detail and only an anti-reflection layer152formed at a front surface of the solar cell150is schematically shown inFIG. 3. An actual shape of the first cover member110having the colored portion114is shown inFIG. 4(a)and a shape of the first cover member110when viewed at a distance from the first cover member110inFIG. 4(b). For reference, a schematic shape of the colored portion114is shown inFIG. 4(a), and a specific structure and a shape of the colored portion114will be described later in more detail with reference toFIG. 3,FIG. 10, and the like.

Referring toFIG. 2andFIG. 4, a solar cell panel100according to an embodiment includes a solar cell150, a sealing member130surrounding and sealing the solar cell150, a first cover member (or a front member)110positioned at a surface (for example, a front surface) of the solar cell150on the sealing member130, and a second cover member (or a back member)120positioned at the other surface (for example, a back surface) of the solar cell150on the sealing member130.

In this instance, the solar cell150may include a photoelectric conversion portion that converts solar energy into electrical energy, and an electrode that is electrically connected to the photoelectric conversion portion and collects and transfers an electric current. For example, the solar cell150may be a solar cell that generates electrical energy from light of a wavelength range of at least 100 nm to 1400 nm (for example, 100 nm to 1200 nm). In the embodiment, for example, the photoelectric conversion portion may include a crystalline silicon substrate (for example, a single-crystalline silicon substrate or wafer) and a conductive region formed on or at the crystalline silicon substrate and including a dopant or a conductive region including an oxide. The solar cell150based on a crystalline silicon substrate having a high degree of crystallinity and having few defects has excellent electrical properties.

In the embodiment, a plurality of solar cells150are spaced apart from each other and may be electrically connected in series, parallel, or series-parallel by an interconnector142and145. For example, a plurality of solar cells150may be connected in series to form a solar cell string extending along one direction. Any of various structures and shapes for connecting the solar cells150, such as a ribbon and a wire, may be applied to the interconnector142and145. Embodiments are not limited to a number, a structure, a shape, and the like of the interconnector142and145.

However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and a structure, a type, etc. of the solar cell150may be variously modified. For example, the solar cell150may have any of various structures such as a compound semiconductor solar cell, a thin-film semiconductor solar cell, and a dye-sensitized solar cell. It is also possible that only one solar cell150is provided in a solar cell panel100.

In the embodiment, an anti-reflection layer152is provided at a front surface of the solar cell150to prevent light from reflecting. The solar cell150may have a certain color (for example, blue, black, etc.) due to a constructive interference caused by the anti-reflection layer152. The interconnects142and145may be formed of metal. Accordingly, if the first cover member110is formed only of a glass substrate, a boundary between an active area AA where the solar cell150is positioned and an inactive area NA where the solar cell150is not positioned may be easily recognized. Then, an aesthetic property of the solar cell panel100may be deteriorated. Accordingly, in the embodiment, a colored portion114or a cover portion124is formed on or at the first or second cover member110or120, which will be described later in detail.

For example, if the anti-reflection layer152of the solar cell150may have a stacked structure having a plurality of layers, which may be formed of an oxide, a nitride, or a carbide (such as, a silicon oxide, a silicon nitride, or a silicon carbide), silicate, or amorphous silicon. Alternatively, the anti-reflection layer152of the solar cell150may have a structure in which a plurality of insulating layers formed of an oxide or an oxynitride including silicon, titanium, aluminum, zirconium, zinc, antimony, or copper are stacked. When the anti-reflection layer152is formed of an oxide or a nitride oxide, a layer including a silicon nitride and/or a layer including a silicon carbonitride may be further provided inside or outside the anti-reflection layer152to prevent problems caused by ultraviolet rays, moisture, etc. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and the anti-reflection layer152may have any of various materials, any of stacked structures, and the like.

The first cover member110is disposed on the sealing member130(for example, a first sealing member131) to constitute one surface (for example, a front surface) of the solar cell panel100, and the cover member120is disposed on the sealing member130(for example, a second sealing member132) to constitute the other surface (for example, a back surface) of the solar cell panel100. Each of the first cover member110and the second cover member120may be formed of an insulating material capable of protecting the solar cell150from external impact, moisture, ultraviolet rays, or the like. A specific structure of the first and second cover members110and120will be described later in detail.

The sealing member130includes a first sealing member131positioned on the front surface of the solar cell150and a second sealing member132positioned on the back surface of the solar cell150. The first sealing member131and the second sealing member132prevent moisture and oxygen from entering and chemically bind each element of the solar cell panel100. The first and second sealing members131and132may be formed of an insulating material having translucency (for example, transparency) and adhesiveness. For example, the first sealing member131and the second sealing member132may be formed of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer resin (EVA), a polyvinyl butyral, a silicone resin, an ester resin, an olefin resin, or so on. The second cover member120, the second sealing member132, the plurality of solar cells150connected by the interconnector142and145, the first sealing member131, and the first cover member110may be integrated through a lamination process using the first and second sealing members131and132or so on to constitute the solar cell panel100.

However, embodiments are not limited thereto. Accordingly, the first or second sealing member131or132may include any of various materials other than those described above and may have any of various shapes.

In the embodiment, the first and second cover members110and120or may have a predetermined structure so that the solar cell panel100has a desired appearance such as a predetermined color, image, pattern, feeling, texture, or so on or so that the solar cell150or the interconnectors142and145connected thereto is prevented from being clearly recognized.

The first cover member110may have a light transmitting property that allows light to pass therethrough so as not to block the light incident on the solar cell150. More particularly, the first cover member110may include a first base member112and a colored portion114formed on the first base member112. The colored portion114may include or be formed of an oxide ceramic composition to form a desired appearance. The colored portion114may prevent the solar cell150or the interconnectors142and145connected thereto from being clearly recognized while the solar cell panel100has a desired appearance.

The second cover member120may have excellent fire resistance and insulating property. More particularly, the second cover member120may include a second base member122and a cover portion124formed on the second base member122. The cover portion124may serve to prevent the solar cell150or the interconnectors142and145connected thereto from being clearly recognized.

In this instance, the first base member112may be formed of a material having an excellent light transmittance (for example, a transparent material). For example, the first base member112may be a substrate, a film, a sheet, or the like, which is formed of glass, a resin (e.g., polycarbonate), or the like. The first base member112may be formed of a single layer or a plurality of layers. The second base member122may be formed of a material having excellent fire resistance, insulating property, or the like. The second base member122may be a substrate, a film, a sheet, or the like formed of glass, a resin or the like.

More particularly, the first and second base member112and122may be formed of a glass substrate having excellent transparency, insulating property, stability, durability, fire resistance and the like. For example, each of the first and second base member112and122may be a low-iron glass substrate (for example, a low-iron tempered glass substrate) having a light transmittance of 80% or more (for example, 85% or more) for light having a wavelength of 380 nm to 1200 nm. By using a low-iron glass substrate including less iron, a reflection of a solar light can be prevented and a light transmittance of a solar light can be increased. When a low-iron tempered or semi-tempered glass substrate is used, the solar cell150can be effectively protected from an external impact or the like.

In this instance, when the solar cell panel100is used as an exterior material of the building1, the first or second cover member110or120or the solar cell panel100should have sufficient strength so that the solar cell panel100can withstand external impacts such as wind pressure, hail, snow load, and so on. For this purpose, the first or second cover member110or120or the first or second base member112or122may have a deflection of 5 mm or less generated in a direction of receiving a force when a force of 2400 Nm2. If the deflection exceeds 5 mm, durability against external impact such as wind pressure, hail, snow load, and so on may be not sufficient, and thus, it may be difficult to use as the exterior material of the building1.

In one example, the first or second base member112or122may have a thickness of 2.8 mm or more, for example, 2.8 mm to 12 mm (more particularly, 2.8 mm to 8 mm), and may have an area of 0.04 to 10 m2. If the first or second thickness of the base member112or122is less than 2.8 mm, it may be difficult for the solar cell panel100to withstand an external impact or to have sufficient durability to be applied to the building1. If the thickness of the first or second base member112or122exceeds 12 mm, weight of the solar cell panel100may increase and it may be difficult to apply the solar cell panel100to the building1. The area of the first or second base member112or122is limited in consideration of structural stability, productivity, and the like of the solar cell panel100.

However, embodiments are not limited thereto, and the deflection, thickness, area, and the like of the first or second base member112or122may have any of various values.

In the embodiment, the colored portion114having a lower light transmittance than the first base member112and forming a colored area may be formed on or at the first base member112. In this instance, the colored portion114is a portion formed so that the solar cell panel100has a desired color, image, pattern, feeling, texture, or so on. For example, the colored portion114may have a certain color, for example, may have an achromatic color such as white, gray, black, etc., or a chromatic color such as red, yellow, green, blue, etc. The colored portion114can prevent the solar cell150or the interconnectors142and145connected thereto from being clearly recognized from the outside. The cover portion124may be formed on the second base member122. The cover portion124may have a color that can prevent the solar cell150or the interconnectors142and145connected thereto from being clearly recognized from the outside.

In the embodiment, each of the colored portion114and the cover portion124may be formed of an oxide ceramic composition.

In this instance, the colored portion114may include at least two layers each formed of an oxide ceramic composition and having different colors or light transmittances. For example, in the embodiment, the colored portion114may include a background layer (a base layer)1140and a colored layer1142stacked to each other. In this instance, the background layer1140may be formed of an oxide ceramic composition, and the colored layer1142may be formed of an oxide ceramic composition including a material, a composition, or the like different from that of the background layer1140.

For example, the colored layer1142may be a layer having a certain color to realize a desired color. For example, the colored layer1142may have a certain color, that is, may have an achromatic color such as white, gray, black, etc., or a chromatic color such as red, yellow, green, blue, etc., to have a certain color.

The background layer1140may provide a background color to increase a brightness of a portion where the colored layer1142is formed and thus to prevent the portion where the colored layer1142is positioned from being undesirably darkened, or realize a color of the colored layer1142more clearly. For example, when the colored layer1142has a primary color, the primary color of the colored layer1142can be brightly and clearly realized by the background layer1140. The background layer1140can also control a light transmittance of the colored layer1142so that an entire portion of the solar cell panel100has a uniform light transmittance. Further, an effect of preventing a glare phenomenon can be further improved by the background layer1140.

For example, the background layer1140may have a background color having a different color (for example, a color having a different brightness and/or saturation) from the colored layer1142, or may have a higher light transmittance than the colored layer1142. For example, the background layer1140may have a background color (e.g., a white-based color or a yellow-based color) having a higher brightness than the colored layer1142. In this instance, a white-based color or a yellow-based color may mean white, yellow, or a color which is basically white or yellow, mixed with slightly different colors and considered to be white or yellow as a whole. Alternatively, the background layer1140may be transparent or translucent. For example, when the background layer1140is translucent, a difference in a light transmittance (e.g., an average light transmittance) between the background layer1140and the first base member112may be within 10% (e.g., within 5%). When the difference in the light transmittance exceeds 10% (for example, 5%), the difference in light transmittance between the portion where the background layer1140is formed and the portion where the background layer1140is not formed becomes large, it may be difficult to uniformly generate a current. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto.

For example, when the background layer1140has a white-based color or a yellow-based color (in particular, a white-based color), a light reaching the background layer1140can be scattered widely. According to this, even when the colored portion114is provided, a light can be scattered and the light can be uniformly supplied to the solar cell150. At least a part of the background layer1140or the colored portion114including the background layer1140may be positioned at least at an inactive area NA. Then, the background layer1140or the colored portion114including the background layer1140can scatter a light incident to the inactive area NA and change a path of the light toward the solar cell150positioned in an active area AA. Accordingly, if the background layer1140or the colored portion114including the background layer1140having a white-based color or a yellow-based color is formed at least at the inactive area NA, an output of the solar cell panel100can be improved or can be maintained not to be decreased below a predetermined level.

In this instance, the background layer1140may be positioned adjacent to the solar cell150rather than the colored layer1142. That is, the colored layer1142is positioned in a direction in which the light is incident and the background layer1140is positioned behind the background layer1140, and thus, an effect improving brightness or assisting a color realization of the colored layer1142can be effectively performed by the background layer1140. InFIG. 3, it is exemplified that the colored layer114is positioned on or at an outer surface of the first base member112and thus the background layer1140is positioned on the first base member112and the colored layer1142is formed on the background layer1140. Then, a glare phenomenon that may occur when the solar cell panel100positioned is applied to the building1can be prevented or minimized by the colored portion114positioned at an outer surface of the first cover member110. Also, the background layer1140may be firstly formed on the first base member112and thus the colored layer1142can be formed more stably. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. Modified examples thereof will be described in detail with reference toFIG. 12andFIG. 13later.

As an example, a thickness of the colored layer1142may be the same as or greater than a thickness of the background layer1140. In particular, a thickness of the colored layer1142may be greater than a thickness of the background layer1140. Then, the thickness of the colored layer1142can be sufficiently secured, and thus, the color by the colored portion114can be stably realized. Since the effect by the background layer1140can be sufficiently realized when the background layer1140has a small thickness, the background layer1140may be relatively thin so as to minimize decrease of a light transmittance and minimize a material cost. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. Therefore, a thickness of the colored layer1142may be smaller than a thickness of the background layer1140. According to this, a thickness of the colored layer1142having a relatively low light transmittance is small and thus a light transmittance can be maintained high while an effect of the background layer1140is sufficiently realized. Various other variations are possible.

The cover portion124may have a color that prevents the solar cell150or the interconnectors142and145connected thereto from being clearly recognized from the outside or like. Thus, the cover portion124may be formed of a single colored layer, not including an additional background layer1140or so on. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and the cover portion124may also be formed of a plurality of layers.

Hereinafter, a colored portion114formed of an oxide ceramic composition as described above will be described in detail, and then, a cover portion124will be described in detail. A description commonly applied to the colored layer1142and the background layer1140is hereinafter referred to as a colored portion114, and a colored layer1142or a background layer1140is specified in the description applied to only one of the colored layer1142and the background layer1140.

In the embodiment, a colored portion114(that is, a colored layer1142and a background layer1140, respectively) may be formed of an oxide ceramic composition. More specifically, the oxide ceramic composition constituting the colored portion114may have an amorphous glass structure (a glass structure of an amorphous state). For example, the colored portion114may be formed of a glassy oxide ceramic composition.

Hereinafter, with reference toFIG. 5andFIG. 6AtoFIG. 6Dtogether withFIG. 1toFIG. 4, a forming method of a colored portion114(particularly, a colored portion114including a background layer1140and a colored layer1142) formed of an oxide ceramic composition having an amorphous glass structure on or at the first base member112(that is, a manufacturing method of a first cover member110including a colored portion114according to the embodiment) will be described in detail, and the colored portion114manufactured by the same will be described in detail.

FIG. 5is a flow chart showing an example of a manufacturing method of a first cover member110included in a solar cell panel100according to an embodiment of the invention, andFIGS. 6A to 6Dare cross-sectional views showing steps of the manufacturing method of the first cover member110shown inFIG. 5, respectively. For simplicity, it is shown that the colored portion114is formed as a whole inFIGS. 6A and 6D, but an actual shape of the colored portion114may be variously modified.

Referring toFIG. 5, a manufacturing method of the first cover member110according to the embodiment includes a substrate cleaning step S10, a preheating step S20, a coating step S30, a drying step S40, a glass tempering step S50, and a finishing step S60. When a colored portion114includes a background layer1140and a colored layer1142stacked to each other as in the embodiment, the background layer1140and the colored layer1142may be formed by repeatedly performing the coating step S30and/or the drying step S40after the preheating step S20, and then, the glass tempering step S50may be performed. This will be described in more detail later.

As shown inFIG. 6A, in a substrate cleaning step S10, a first base member112formed of a non-tempered glass substrate (an unreinforced glass substrate) is cleaned and dried. Foreign matters, an oil film, or the like on the first base member112can be removed by the substrate cleaning step S10.

In this instance, the non-tempered glass substrate may have a light transmittance of 80% or more (for example, 85% or more) to a light having a wavelength of 380 nm to 1200 nm and a thickness of 2.8 mm or more. As an example, the non-tempered glass substrate may be a non-tempered glass substrate for construction, and may be prepared by a cutting, chamfering, or surface-etching process.

A preheating step S20for preheating the first base member112at a temperature lower than that of a drying step S40or a glass tempering step S50may be performed after a substrate cleaning step S10. As an example, the first base member112may be preheated to a temperature of 25 to 150° C. during a process that the first base member112is supplied to an apparatus for a coating step S30. In this instance, the preheating may be performed by directly heating the first base member112, or may be performed using an infrared heating apparatus or the like. When the preheating is performed to the first base member112, a colored forming layer113(seeFIG. 6B) including a ceramic frit (a glass frit)1134(seeFIG. 6B) can be uniformly applied and an adhesion property of the colored forming layer113can be improved.

Next, as shown inFIGS. 6B and 6C, in the coating step S30and the drying step S40, a colored forming layer113is formed by coating a ceramic material layer (a ceramic ink, a ceramic paste, a ceramic solution, or the like) including a ceramic frit1134, a coloring material1132and a resin1136on the first base member112and the drying the same.

The ceramic material layer may further include an additive and the like in addition to the ceramic frit1134, the coloring material1132, and the resin1136described above. As an additive, any of various materials such as oxides and metals may be included in consideration of desired properties. A wax, water, oil, an organic solvent, a viscosity-adjusting diluent, or so on for adjusting a viscosity may be included as an additive. In this instance, the ceramic frit1134basically serves to stably bind the colored portion114to the first base member112(particularly, a glass substrate), and may selectively provide a specific color, texture, feeling, or so on.

The ceramic frit1134is a compound including a plurality of metals and a non-metal, and may be formed by including a plurality of metal compounds. The ceramic frit1134may be formed of an oxygen polyhedron having a random network structure or a glass structure including a plurality of metals and oxygen. When each of the plurality of metal compounds is formed of a metal oxide, a random network structure or a glass structure can be easily and stably formed. The phrase of “the ceramic frit1134is formed by including a plurality of metal compounds (for example, a plurality of metal oxides)” in this specification means that ceramic frit1134is manufactured using a plurality of metal compounds (for example, a plurality of metal oxides) and thus the ceramic frit134is formed to at least partially include a compound structure, a random network structure, a glass structure, or the like including a plurality of metals and a non-metal (e.g., oxygen).

The ceramic frit1134may include any of various materials known in the art. For example, the ceramic frit1134may be formed by including a silicon oxide (SiOx, for example, SiO2), and at least one of an aluminum oxide (AlOx, for example, Al2O3), a sodium oxide (NaOx, for example, Na2O), a bismuth oxide (BiOx, for example, Bi2O3), a boron oxide (BOx, for example, B2O) and a zinc oxide (ZnOx, for example, ZnO) as a base material. Besides, the ceramic frit1134may be formed by further including an aluminum oxide, a sodium oxide, a bismuth oxide, a boron oxide, a zinc oxide, a titanium oxide (TiOx, for example, TiO2), a zirconium oxide (ZrOx, for example, ZrO2) a potassium oxide (KOx, for example, K2O), a lithium oxide (LiOx, for example, Li2O), a calcium oxide (CaOx, for example, CaO), a cobalt oxide (CoOx), an iron oxide (FeOx), or the like. For example, the ceramic frit113may be formed of a bismuth boro-silicate based ceramic material (e.g., a Bi2O3—Al2O—SiO2based material) which is formed by including a bismuth oxide, a boron oxide, and a silicon oxide. Alternatively, the ceramic frit1134may be formed of a sodium boro-silicate based ceramic material (e.g., a Na2O—B2O3—SiO2based material) which is formed by including a sodium oxide, a boron oxide, and a silicon oxide. Alternatively, the ceramic frit1134may be formed of a NaOS based ceramic material (for example, a Na2O—Al2O3—SiO2based material) which is formed by including a sodium oxide, an aluminum oxide, and a silicon oxide. Alternatively, the ceramic frit1134may be formed of a ceramic material (for example, a ZnO—SiO2—B2O3based material) which is formed by including a zinc oxide, a silicon oxide, and a boron oxide. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and the ceramic frit1134may be formed of any of various other materials.

The coloring material1132may be included in the colored portion114(particularly, the colored layer1142) so that the colored portion114has a desired appearance. For example, when the colored portion114has a predetermined color, a material capable of selectively absorbing or reflecting visible light of solar light to exhibit a predetermined color may be used as the coloring material1132. In one example, the coloring material1132may be a pigment. A pigment is a coloring material formed of an inorganic material which is not soluble in water and most organic solvents, and exhibits a color by covering or coating a surface of the first base member112. Pigments are excellent in chemical resistance, light resistance, weather resistance, and hiding power. That is, the pigment is strong against bases and acids, does not discolor and fade well when exposed to ultraviolet light, and can withstand the weather. For reference, if a dyestuff formed of an organic material dissolved in water or an organic solvent is used as a coloring material, a molecular structure may be easily broken by solar light and a stability may be deteriorated, and a protective layer or the like for protecting it is needed to be formed, which may complicate a manufacturing process. Thus, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and thus the coloring material1132may include any of various materials such as a dyestuff

The coloring material1132may be formed of a material in consideration of the desired appearance of the colored portion114. Although it is exemplified that the coloring material1132is separately provided from the ceramic frit1134, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. For example, the desired appearance of the colored portion114may be realized by a material constituting the ceramic frit1134, and the coloring material1132may not be provided separately from the ceramic frit1134. Alternatively, a distinction between the ceramic frit1134and the coloring material1132may not be clear. In the embodiment, a metal of a material included in the coloring material1132may partially replace a metal of a random network structure or a glass structure (for example, an oxygen polyhedron) constituting the ceramic frit1134and thus the metal of the material included in the coloring material1132may be included in the random network structure or the glass structure (for example, the oxygen polyhedron). Alternatively, a metal included in the coloring material1132may be positioned at an interstitial site of a random network structure, a glass structure, or an oxygen polyhedron of the ceramic frit1134.

For example, when the colored portion114or the colored layer1142or the background layer1140included therein has a color other than white, the colored portion114, the colored layer1142, or the background layer1140may include any of various coloring materials1132. That is, one or two or more materials corresponding to the desired color may be used as the coloring material1132. A material constituting the coloring material1132may be in a form of a metal, or a oxide, a carbide, a nitride, a sulfide, a chloride, a silicate, or the like including a metal.

For example, a material including at least one of copper (Cu), iron (Fe), nickel (Ni), chromium (Cr), uranium (U), vanadium (V), and the like may be used as the coloring material1132to exhibit a color of a series of red, yellow, or so on. A material including at least one of titanium (Ti), magnesium (Mg), and rutile may be used as the coloring material1142to exhibit a color of a series such as green, blue, or so on. In addition, the coloring material1132may be include a cobalt oxide, an iron oxide, a copper oxide (CuOx), a chromium oxide (CrOx), a nickel oxide (NiOx), a manganese oxide (MnOx), a tin oxide (SnOx), an antimony oxide (SbOx), a vanadium oxide (VOx), or the like.

As a more specific example, as the coloring material1132, CoAl2O4may be used to realize cyan, Co2SiO4or the like may be used to realize blue, Co2Cr2O4may be used to realize green, Ti(Cr, Sb)O2may be used to realize yellow, or CoFe2O4or Co—Cr—Fe—Mn spinel may be used to realize black. Alternatively, as the coloring material1132, NiO, Cr2O3, or the like may be used to realize green, Cr—Al spinel, Ca—Sn—Si—Cr spin, Zr—Si—Fe zircon or the like may be used to realize pink, or Sn—Sb—V rutile may be used to realize gray, Ti—Sb—Ni rutile, Zn—V baddeleyite, or the like may be used to realize yellow, Co—Zn—Al may be used to realize blue, Zn—Fe—Cr spinel may be used to realize brown, or Ca—Cr—Si garnet may be used to realize green. Alternatively, as the coloring material1132, Co—Zn—Si willemite, Co—Si olivine, or the like may be used to realize dark blue, Zn—Fe—Cr—Al spinel or the like may be used to realize brown, or Au or the like may be used to realize magenta. Such a material is merely one example, and embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto.

In the above description, it is exemplified that the colored portion114, the colored layer1142, or the background layer1140has a certain color other than white. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto.

Thus, the colored portion114or the background layer1140included therein may be transparent or translucent (semi-transparent), may be glossy or non-glossy, express a specific texture, or prevent a glare phenomenon. In this instance, the coloring material1132may be included in the colored portion114or the background layer1140, but the coloring material1132may not be included in the colored portion114or the background layer1140. In this instance, when the colored portion114or the background layer1140does not have a white color, the ceramic frit1134included in the colored portion114or the background layer1140may not include a lead oxide, an aluminum oxide, or the like, which may exhibit white. For example, when the colored portion114or the background layer1140is transparent or translucent, the ceramic frit1134included therein may include a sodium oxide, a silicon oxide, or the like. When the colored portion114or the background layer1140is transparent or translucent, the ceramic frit1134included therein may be formed of a ceramic material (NaOx—SiOx—B2O based material) including a sodium oxide, a silicon oxide, and a boron oxide, A titanium oxide and a bismuth oxide are materials that may be used to realize white, but even if some are included, the colored portion114or the background layer1140may be kept transparent or translucent. However, even when the colored portion114or the background layer1140is transparent or translucent, a pigment or a coloring material1132may be used for realizing color slightly (for example, translucent with red, transparent with green, etc.).

Alternatively, the colored portion114, or the colored layer1142or the background layer1140included therein may have a white-based color (for example, a white color) by a metal compound (for example, a metal oxide) included in the ceramic frit1134. For example, when the ceramic frit1134is formed by including at least one of a lead oxide (PbOx, for example, PbO), a titanium oxide, an aluminum oxide, and a bismuth oxide, the colored portion114, or the colored layer1142or the background layer1140may have a white color. In this instance, when the colored portion114, the colored layer1142, or the background layer1140has a white color, it may further include a material such as boron oxide in addition to the above-described material. In particular, when the background layer1140has a white color, a light scattering effect can be excellent when the background layer1140includes a bismuth oxide, and the light scattering effect can be further improved by further including a boron oxide. For example, when the colored portion114, the colored layer1142, or the background layer1140has a white color, a ceramic frit1134may be formed of a ceramic material (BiOx—SiOx—B2O based material) which is formed by including a bismuth oxide, a silicon oxide, and a boron oxide, a ceramic material (PbOx—SiOx—B2O based material) which is formed by including a lead oxide, a silicon oxide, and a boron oxide, a ceramic material (TiOx—SiOx—B2O based material) which is formed by including a titanium oxide, a silicon oxide, and a boron oxide, a ceramic material (AlOx—SiOx—B2O based materials) which is formed by including an aluminum oxide, a silicon oxide, and a boron oxide. However, the lead oxide may not be included in the colored portion114, the colored layer1142or the background layer1140, or the ceramic frit1134included therein according to the embodiment in consideration of environmental problems.

The resin1136may be a material used to uniformly mix the coloring material1132and the ceramic frit1134. Also, the resin1136may be used so that the ceramic material layer has appropriate viscosity, fluidity, and the like when the ceramic material layer is applied. The resin1146may include any of various materials known as a resin. For example, as the resin1136, an organic resin such as an acrylic resin, a cellulose resin, or so on may be used, or an inorganic resin such as a silicone resin may be used.

Each ceramic material layer constituting the colored portion114(for example, a ceramic material layer constituting the background layer1140or constituting the colored layer1142) includes a ceramic frit1134with the largest amount. In the case that the coloring material1132is included, an amount of the coloring material1132may be smaller than an amount of the ceramic frit1134. For example, when the coloring material1132is included, the ceramic frit1134may be included in an amount of 40 to 90 parts by weight (for example, 50 to 90 parts by weight), the coloring material1132may be included in an amount of 5 to 50 parts by weight, and the resin1136and/or an additive may be included in an amount of 0 to 20 parts by weight with respect to 100 parts by weight of each ceramic material layer. When the coloring material1132is not included, the ceramic frit1134may be included in an amount of 50 to 100 parts by weight (for example, 60 to 100 parts by weight), and the resin1136and/or an additive may be included in an amount of 0 to 50 parts by weight (for example, 0 to 40 parts by weight) with respect to 100 parts by weight of each ceramic material layer. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and each ceramic material layer may have various compositions.

Each the ceramic material layer may be applied to or coated on the first base member112by a spraying process, a printing process, or a sol-gel process. For example, a printing process may be an inkjet printing process (for example, a digital inkjet printing process), a lithography printing process, a laser printing process, a screen printing process, or the like. According to the printing process, each ceramic material layer can be stably formed with a desired thickness by a simple process. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and various layers of the ceramic material may be applied by various other methods.

In the drying step S40, heat is applied to volatilize the resin1136while drying the ceramic material layer or the colored forming layer113. The resin1136or the like is first volatilized so that the coloring material1132, the ceramic frit1134or so on can be effectively mixed together with the first base member112. In the drying step S40, all of the resin1136may be removed, or a part thereof may remain. In this instance, voids (bubbles, or so on)114V (seeFIG. 6D) formed of empty spaces may remain in at least a part of a portion where the resin1138is removed. For example, in the drying step S40, the ceramic material layer or the colored forming layer113may be dried at a temperature of 50 to 200° C. The drying step S40may be carried out using an infrared heating apparatus, ultraviolet curing, or the like. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and a drying temperature, a drying method, or the like may be variously changed.

In the embodiment, the colored forming layer113may be formed by repeating the coating step S30and/or the drying step S40. That is, when the colored portion114includes the background layer1140and the colored layer1142stacked to each other, a ceramic material layer for the background layer1140is coated and dried, and then, a ceramic material layer for a colored layer1142is coated and dried to form the colored forming layer113. In this instance, the ceramic material layer for the background layer1140and the ceramic material layer for the colored layer1142may include the coloring material1132for the desired color or the like, or may not include a coloring material1132. The ceramic material layer for the background layer1140and the ceramic material layer for the colored layer1142may include the ceramic frit1134, the resin1136, or the like of the same material or with the same amount. The ceramic material layer for the background layer1140and the ceramic material layer for the colored layer1142may include the ceramic frit1134, the resin1136, or the like of different materials or with different amounts.

However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. A ceramic material layer for the background layer1140is coated, a ceramic material layer for the colored layer1142is coated on the ceramic material layer for the background layer1140, the background layer1140, and the ceramic material layer for the background layer1140and the ceramic material layer for the colored layer1142may be dried together. Various other variations are possible.

Next, as shown inFIG. 6D, in a glass tempering step S50, a non-tempered glass substrate constituting the first base member112is tempered or semi-tempered glass substrate by a heat tempering process through a heat treatment or annealing. In this instance, the ceramic frit1134, the coloring material1132, and the like included in the colored forming layer113are introduced and mixed into the tempered or semi-tempered glass substrate to match a phase equilibrium, and thus, the colored portion114constituting a part of the tempered or semi-tempered glass substrate is formed. In this instance, the colored forming layer113may have a specific gravity larger than that of the first base member112because of its high mass ratio. Then, the colored forming layer113is sticky and fused by a high temperature in the glass reinforcing step S50, and thus, a material of the colored forming layer113can be more easily incorporated or introduced into the first base member112formed of a glass substrate.

The glass tempering step S50may be performed at a temperature being capable of tempering or semi-tempering the non-tempered glass substrate. For example, a heat treatment temperature of the glass tempering step S50may be 500 to 800° C. (for example, 500 to 750° C., as an example, 650 to 750° C.). However, embodiments of the invention are not limited to the heat treatment temperature of the glass tempering step S50.

As an example, the non-tempered glass substrate constituting the first base member112may be semi-reinforced in the glass tempering step S50. Accordingly, the first base member112or the first cover member110may be formed of a semi-tempered glass substrate by a heat tempering process (that is, a heat-strengthened glass). According to this, a light transmittance of the first cover member110can be kept high. In this instance, the first cover member110formed of semi-tempered glass may have a surface compressive stress of 60 MPa or less (for example, 24 to 52 MPa). As an example, an edge stress of the first cover member110may be about 30 to 40 MPa. That is, the semi-tempered glass may be formed by annealing at a temperature slightly lower than a softening point and then gradually cooling. For reference, fully tempered glass may be formed by a heat treatment at a temperature higher than a softening point and then quenching, and may have a surface compressive stress of 70 to 200 MPa.

As described above, in the embodiment, a light transmittance of the colored portion114can be kept high by adjusting a heat treatment temperature, a cooling rate, and the like in the glass tempering step S50. In particular, by a heat treatment temperature within a predetermined range and a cooling rate below a certain level, the colored portion114may have an amorphous glass structure, so that the an average light transmittance with respect to a light in an infrared region can be maintained relatively high. This will be described in more detail later. In contrast to the above, if the heat treatment temperature is not maintained within a certain range and/or the cooling rate or pressure is too high, a phase change of the amorphous glass structure or an interfacial bond change between the glass substrate and the colored portion may be generated due to a chemical structure change of an oxide ceramic composition as the colored portion. Then, it is difficult that an average light transmittance with respect to a light in an infrared region may be the same as or higher than an average light transmittance with respect to a light in a visible light region. If the heat treatment temperature is lower than a certain level (for example, less than 650° C.), a possibility that the colored portion114is peeled off from the first base member112may be increased. If the heat treatment temperature exceeds a certain level (for example, exceeds 750° C.), the colored portion114may not have a desired color, or the light transmittance tendency may change, and thus the colored portion114may not have desirable properties.

Next, in a finishing step S60, the first cover member110on which the glass tempering step S50has been performed is cleaned and dried. Then, a manufacturing process of the first cover member110having the colored portion114of an integrated structure with the first base member112is completed.

In this instance, an amount of sodium or potassium included in the ceramic material layer, the colored forming layer113, or the colored portion114may be similar to or lower than an amount of sodium or potassium included in the first base member112. Particularly, amounts of sodium and potassium included in the ceramic material layer, the colored forming layer113, or the colored portion114may be lower than amounts of sodium and potassium included in the first base member112, respectively. As an example, the ceramic material layer, the colored forming layer113, or the colored portion114may include sodium and potassium in an amount of 10×1018atoms/cc or less, respectively. If the ceramic material layer, the colored forming layer113, or the colored portion114includes sodium or potassium in an amount greater than 10×1018atoms/cc, a potential-induced degradation (PID) phenomenon may generate due to a leakage current and a reliability of the solar cell panel100may be deteriorated. Also, the ceramic material layer, the colored forming layer113, or the colored portion114may not include lead and/or chrome (for example, a lead oxide and/or a chromium oxide), and thus, environmental problems can be avoided. For example, an amount of sodium, potassium, and lead included in the ceramic material layer, the colored forming layer113, or the colored portion114may be measured or determined by secondary ion mass spectrometry (SIMS).

The first cover member110formed by the manufacturing process includes a first base member112formed of a tempered or semi-tempered glass substrate, and a colored portion114including a ceramic frit1134in the tempered or semi-tempered glass substrate or the like and formed of an integral portion constituting a part of the semi-tempered glass substrate. That is, the colored portion114is formed of a part of the tempered or semi-tempered glass substrate constituting the first base member112, and includes a material (e.g., a ceramic oxide composition having an amorphous glass structure) other than the first base member112. The colored portion114may be formed in such a manner that the ceramic frit1134, the coloring material1132or the like is diffused and penetrated into an inside of the first base member112and is mixed with a material of the glass substrate constituting the first base member112in a tempering or semi-tempering process of the glass substrate. According to this, the colored portion114may be formed integrally with the first base member112, and thus, a physical durability and a chemical durability can be excellent.

In the embodiment, the colored portion114is formed of an oxide ceramic composition having an amorphous glass structure as described above. For example, the colored portion114may be formed by including a plurality of metal compounds (for example, metal oxides) including a plurality of metals and a non-metal included in the ceramic frit1134and/or the coloring material1132. The colored portion114may have oxygen polyhedron having a random network structure, a glass structure, a random network structure, or the like including a plurality of metals and oxygen. Whether the colored portion114is formed of an oxide ceramic composition or not may be determined by X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) or the like.

The oxide ceramic composition having the amorphous glass structure may be formed by a heat treatment at a temperature lower than a temperature at which the generally-used or conventional oxide ceramic is formed. That is, the oxide ceramic composition having an amorphous glass structure may not include a crystalline portion or may only partially include a crystalline portion. In this instance, in the oxide ceramic composition having the amorphous glass structure, an amorphous portion may be included with an amount the same as or more than a crystalline portion, and in particular, the amorphous portion may be included more than the crystalline portion. For example, an oxide ceramic composition having an amorphous glass structure may have a crystallinity of 50% or less (more specifically, less than 50%, for example, 20% or less). The generally-used or conventional oxide ceramic means oxides of an ionic bond, a covalent bond, or a mixture thereof, which means an inorganic non-metal material manufactured at high temperature and high pressure. Most of portion of the generally-used or conventional oxide ceramic may be formed of a crystallized portion because the generally-used or conventional oxide ceramic is heat-treated at a high temperature of 850° C. or higher (for example, around 1400° C.) and at a high pressure.

The colored portion114may include a ceramic frit1134as a base material (for example, a material of the largest parts by weight, or a material having50parts by weight or more). The colored portion114may further optionally include a coloring material1132, an additive, or the like. Since the resin1136may be volatilized during a heat treatment in the glass tempering step S50, the colored portion114may include or not include the resin1136. A distinction between the ceramic frit1134and the coloring material1132of the colored portion114may not be clear even when the colored portion114includes the coloring material1132. For example, a metal of a material included in the coloring material1132may be present in a form of a metal included in an oxygen polyhedron, a glass structure, or a random network structure constituting the ceramic frit1134. The ceramic frit1134or the like included in the colored portion114may be discriminated by any of various component analysis methods (for example, scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) or the like).

The first cover member110according to the embodiment can realize a desired appearance by the colored portion114. For example, an appearance and a light transmittance of the first cover member110can be adjusted by adjusting a color, a material, an area ratio, a thickness, etc. of the colored portion114, or a material, a size, a concentration, a density, etc. of the ceramic frit1134, coloring material1132, or so on included in the colored portion114. In the embodiment, the colored portion114has a lower light transmittance than the first base member112, but can transmit a part of a solar light. Then, the solar light can also be transmitted through the colored portion114, and thus, a light loss by the colored portion114can be prevented or minimized. For example, the colored portion114or the first cover member110having the colored portion114may have a light transmittance of 10% or more (for example, 10% to 95%, more specifically, 20% to 95%). However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. Accordingly, a light transmittance may have various values depending on a color, a material, a forming area, or the like of the colored portion114.

The colored portion114according to the embodiment may be formed of an oxide ceramic composition (particularly, an oxide ceramic composition having an amorphous glass structure) and has a specific light transmittance tendency according to wavelength, a void114V, a surface roughness, or so on. Thus, a reduction in an output of the solar cell panel100can be prevented or minimized even if the light transmittance is lowered by the colored portion114to some degree. This will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 7 to 10together withFIG. 3.

FIG. 7is a graph showing a light transmittance of a colored portion114(for example, a colored layer1142) of each color included in the solar cell panel100according to the embodiment of the invention according to a wavelength.FIG. 8is a graph showing a spectral response of a solar cell150based on single-crystal silicon according to a wavelength, andFIG. 9is a graph showing a quantum efficiency of a solar cell150based on single-crystal silicon according to a wavelength.FIG. 10is a view schematically showing a light diffusion in a colored portion114of a first cover member110included in the solar cell panel110according to the embodiment of the invention.

In the embodiment, as shown inFIG. 7, in the colored portion114formed of the oxide ceramic composition having an amorphous glass structure, a first average transmittance, which is an average light transmittance for a light in an infrared region, may be the same as or greater than a second average transmittance, which is an average transmittance for a light in a visible light region. In particular, in the colored portion114formed of the oxide ceramic composition having an amorphous glass structure, the first average transmittance may be larger than the second average transmittance. In the colored portion114formed of an oxide ceramic composition having an amorphous glass structure, a third average transmittance, which is an average light transmittance for a light in a ultraviolet region may be smaller than each of the first average transmittance and the second average transmittance, which are the average light transmittance for the light in the infrared light region and the average light transmittance for the light in the visible light region, respectively. In this instance, a light in a ultraviolet region may be defined as a light having a wavelength of 100 nm to 380 nm, a light in a visible light region may be defined as a light having a wavelength of 380 nm to 760 nm, and a light in an infrared region may be defined as a light having a wavelength of 760 nm to 1200 nm. The average light transmittance may be defined as an average of normalized light transmittance so as not to reflect a light transmittance of the first base member112.

As shown inFIG. 7, it can be seen that the second average transmittance is larger than the third average transmittance and the first average transmittance is the same as or larger than the second average transmittance although there is a difference depending on the color. This tendency can be realized by a temperature, a cooling rate, or the like of a heat treatment in the glass tempering step S50.

When the first average transmittance is the same as or greater than the second average transmittance as described above, even if the colored portion114is provided, an amount of a light passing through the first cover member110and reaching the solar cell150in the infrared region may be the same as or larger than an amount of a light passing through the first cover member110and reaching the solar cell150in the visible light region. Accordingly, even when a light transmittance is lowered by the colored portion114to some degree, the light in the infrared region reaches the solar cell150and can be effectively used. Accordingly, even if the light transmittance is lowered by the colored portion114to some degree, a reduction in photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell150or an output of the solar cell panel100can be prevented or minimized.

As described above, the first and second average transmittances may be larger than the third average transmittance, respectively. In this instance, the colored portion114includes the ceramic fit1134, the coloring material1132, an additive, or the like and thus the colored portion114has a refractive index higher than that of the first base member112formed of a glass substrate. Then, the colored portion114may have a relatively low third average transmittance because the colored portion114has a higher extinction coefficient than the first base member112formed of a glass substrate by the material and has the refractive index of the colored portion114. The light in the ultraviolet region does not contribute much to photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell150and an output of the solar cell panel100, and may induce a deformation, a property change, or the like of the solar cell150and the sealing member130due to high photon energy. In the embodiment, the colored portion114scatters, blocks, or absorbs light in the ultraviolet region, thereby lowering a light transmittance of a light in the ultraviolet region. Accordingly, the photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell150and the output of the solar cell panel100cannot be affected greatly while the deformation, the property change, or the like of the solar cell150or the sealing member130that may be caused by the light in the ultraviolet region can be minimized.

For example, in the embodiment, the colored portion114may have a first average transmittance greater than the second average transmittance by 2% or more. Alternatively, a first difference between the first average transmittance and the second average transmittance may be greater than a second difference between the second average transmittance and the third average transmittance. In this case, the light in the infrared region can be more effectively used in the solar cell panel100. The first to third average transmittances may be measured by any of various methods. For example, a method being able to measure both of a transmittance of a vertical light (a normal transmittance) and a diffused transmittance of the scattered light (a diffused transmittance) may be used. For example, at least one of the first to third average transmittances may be measured by a standard measurement method such as ISO 9050:2003, BS EN 14500:2008, or the like.

Referring toFIG. 8, it can be seen that a spectral response (that is, a short circuit current density (Isc) or an output generated at a specific wavelength of a light) of a solar cell150based on single-crystal silicon is high in a light in an infrared region. Referring toFIG. 9, it can be seen that a quantum efficiency of the solar cell150based on single-crystal silicon is high in a light in an infrared region. In the embodiment, by improving an average light transmittance of a light in an infrared region having a high spectral response and a high quantum efficiency, the light in the infrared region can be effectively used even when a light transmittance is lowered to some degree by the colored portion114for realizing a specific color, feeling, texture, or so on. Accordingly, even when the colored portion114is formed, a photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell150or an output of the solar cell panel100can be maintained at a high value. Since a spectral response and a quantum efficiency of a light in a ultraviolet region are very low, even when the third average transmittance of the colored portion114is low, a photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell150or an output of the solar cell panel100may be not affected by the low third average transmittance.

In the embodiment, the colored portion114may include a void114V to be porous. The resin1136provided in the ceramic material layer or the colored forming layer113volatilizes in a heat treatment process (for example, the glass tempering step S50) for forming the colored portion114, and a portion where the resin136volatilizes forms the void114V.

As an example, a void114V having a size of0.1um or more may be provided. It is possible to maximize an effect of the void114V in the above size of the void114V. The size of the void114V may vary depending on a method of forming the colored portion114. For example, the colored portion114formed by inkjet printing may be provided with voids114V having a size of 0.1 um or more, and the colored portion114formed by screen printing may be provided with voids114V having a size of 0.5 um or more. A maximum size of the void114V may be the same as a thickness of the colored portion114. For example, the void114V in the colored portion114may have a size of 0.1 to 15 um. More specifically, the void114V in the colored portion114formed by inkjet printing may have a size of 0.1 to 7 um, and the void114V in the colored portion114formed by screen printing may have a size of 0.5 um to 15 um. For example, a total area ratio of the voids114V in the colored portion114in a plan view may be 4% or more. The total area ratio of the voids114V in the colored portion114formed by inkjet printing is 4% or more and the total area ratio of the voids114V in the colored portion114formed by screen printing is 7.5% or more.

In the embodiment, a size (for example, an average size) of the voids114V in the background layer1140may be smaller than a size (for example, an average size) of the voids114V in the colored layer1142, or a total volume of the voids114V in the background layer1140may be less than a total volume of the voids114V in the colored layer1142. This is because the resin1136included in the background layer1140positioned adjacent to the first base member112is less volatiles than the resin1136included in the colored layer1142during the glass tempering step ST50. On the other hand, when a colored layer1142is adjacent to a first base member112and a background layer1140is positioned on the colored layer1142, a size (for example, an average size) of the voids114V in the colored layer1142may be smaller than a size (for example, an average size) of the voids114V in the background layer1140, or a total volume of the voids114V in the colored layer1142may be less than a total volume of the voids114V in the background layer1140. That is, a size (for example, an average size) of voids114V in a first layer adjacent to the first base member110may be smaller than a size (for example, an average size) of voids114V in a second layer positioned on the first layer, or a total volume of the voids114V in the first layer may be less than a total volume of the voids114V in the second layer. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto.

A size, an area ratio, or so on of the voids114V may be varied depending on a material of the ceramic material layer, the colored forming layer113, or the colored portion114(or the coloring material1132, the ceramic frit1134, the resin1136, or the like included therein), or a manufacturing method, a process condition, or the like of the ceramic material layer, the colored forming layer113, the colored portion114. When the voids114V are positioned in the colored portion114, a light incident to the solar cell panel100is dispersed widely and diffused at the void114V as shown inFIG. 10. More specifically, when the colored portion114has the voids114V, a normal transmittance and a diffused transmittance coexist, resulting in a hemispherical transmittance. In this instance, as shown by a solid line inFIG. 10, voids114V of the colored portion114scatters light incident to the solar cell panel100so that a light incident to the solar cell panel100has a form of a hemispherical transmittance. Then, a part of the light that may be lost toward an area between the solar cells150is directed toward the solar cell150and thus is used at the solar cell150, or a part of the light may be reused by a scattering at an interface between the colored portion114and the first base member112. Accordingly, even when the colored portion114is provided, a photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell150and an output of the solar cell panel100can be kept high by maximizing an amount of light used for photoelectric conversion. For example, at least a part of the colored portion114may be positioned at a portion corresponding to an area between the solar cells150. As shown one-dot chain line inFIG. 10, voids114V of the colored portion114scatters light incident to the solar cell panel100so that a light has a form of a hemispherical transmittance toward an outside of the solar cell panel100, thereby improving an anti-glare property. On the other hand, if the colored portion114does not have the void114V, a diffused transmission does not occur sufficiently as compared with the case where the colored portion114has the void114V, and the colored portion114may have a relatively low light transmittance.

In the embodiment, a surface roughness of a boundary portion between the first base member112and the colored portion114(that is, an interface of the colored portion114) at a portion where the colored portion114is formed may be greater than a surface roughness at a portion where the colored portion114is not formed. That is, as shown in an expanded circle inFIG. 3, a surface roughness of a boundary portion between one surface of the first base member112and the colored portion114may be greater than a surface roughness at the other surface or a side surface of the first base member112or a surface roughness of the one surface at a portion where the colored portion114is not formed. The surface roughness may be relatively large at the interface portion with the first base member112because the ceramic frit1134and the coloring material1132are diffused and mixed into the first base member112and a material moves for a phase equilibrium when the colored portion114is formed.

InFIG. 3, for example, it is shown that a light diffusion portion LD is formed at the other side where the colored portion114is not formed. The light diffusing portion LD can diffuse a light to maximally prevent the solar cell150and the like from being recognized and improve a uniformity of a color or the like by the colored portion114. For example, when the light diffusion portion LD is formed to be in contact with the sealing member130, an adhesion area with the sealing member130can be increased to improve the adhesion. For example, the light diffusion portion LD may have a size of 10 to 500 um, and may have any of various shapes such as a rounded shape (for example, a shape corresponding to a part of a spherical shape), an angular shape, a pyramid shape, or the like. The light diffusion portion LD may have a protruding shape of en embossing shape and a concave shape with an engraving shape.

In this instance, a size of the light diffusion portion LD may be the same as or larger than (for example, larger than) a surface roughness of the boundary portion where the colored portion114is formed. In this instance, the size of the light diffusion portion LD may mean a distance or a length between the uppermost end and the lowermost end of the light diffusion portion LD. Thus, a diffusion effect by the light diffusion portion LD can be improved. The surface roughness of the boundary portion where the colored portion114is formed may be the same as or larger than (for example, larger than) a surface roughness of the light diffusion portion LD. In this instance, the surface roughness of the light diffusion portion LD may mean a surface roughness at an outer surface constituting a shape of the light diffusion portion LD. The outer surface of the light diffusion portion LD may have a relatively small surface roughness because the light diffusion portion LD is formed through a specific processing step so as to have a constant shape.

Due to the high surface roughness at the interface of the colored portion114, the colored portion114can effectively scatter a light. That is, when the colored portion114has both of a high surface roughness and voids114V, the scattering of light can be effectively induced. Particularly, when the colored portion114is positioned at a portion corresponding to a space between the solar cells150(that is, an inactive area NA), the light due to scattering in the colored portion114is directed to the solar cell150and thus can be used for photoelectric conversion. Accordingly, a photoelectric conversion efficiency of the solar cell150and an output of the solar cell panel100can be high.

For example, in the embodiment, each surface roughness of interface surfaces and an outer surface of the first base member112and a plurality of layers constituting the colored portion114(for example, an interface surface between the first base member112and the background layer1140, an interface surface between the background layer1140and the colored layer1142, and an outer surface of the colored portion114) may be greater than a surface roughness of the other portion of the first base member112. According to this, a plurality of interface surfaces having a surface roughness of a certain level or more can be provided to more effectively induce light scattering. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and a surface roughness of a boundary surface between the background layer1140and the colored layer1142, which constitute the colored portion114, and/or an outer surface of the colored portion114may be the same as or similar to that of the other portion.

The colored portion114may have a refractive index (for example, a refractive index of 1.48 or more) larger than that of the first base member112or the sealing member130. The colored portion114(or the colored layer1142or the background layer1140included therein) may have a thickness of 1 um or more (e.g., 1 um to 15 um). The thickness of the colored portion114may vary depending on a manufacturing process of the colored portion114. For example, when the colored portion114(or the colored layer1142or the background layer1140included therein) is formed by screen printing, the colored portion114may have a thickness of 1 to 15 μm. When the colored portion114(or the colored layer1142or the background layer1140included therein) is formed by inkjet printing, the colored portion114may have a thickness of 1 um to 7 um. If the thickness of the colored portion114is less than 1 μm, it may be difficult to realize a desired appearance, and a density of the coloring material1132may be decreased when the colored portion114includes the coloring material1132and it may be difficult to exhibit a desired color. If the thickness of the colored portion114is more than 15 μm (for example, 7 μm), a light transmittance may be deteriorated as a whole and peeling or cracking of the colored portion114may occur. For example, in order to simplify a manufacturing process of the colored portion114and to reduce the material cost, a thickness of the colored portion114(or the colored layer1142or the background layer1140included therein) may be 1 um to 2 um as an example, but embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. In addition, a thickness of the colored portion114may be adjusted according to a color. For example, when the colored portion114has a white color having a relatively low light transmittance, a thickness of the colored portion114may be smaller than that of the colored portion114having other colors.

On the other hand, in the convention art, a layer formed on the first cover member110has a low light transmittance in an infrared region, and thus, an amount of a light reaching a solar cell in an infrared region is smaller than an amount of a light reaching a solar cell in a visible light region. Thus, it has been difficult to effectively utilize the light. For example, an anti-reflection layer for preventing reflection has the largest light transmittance at a short wavelength of about 600 nm, which has the strongest solar light intensity, to prevent a reflection of the light of the short wavelength. In the conventional art, even if a layer (for example, an anti-reflection layer) provided on the first cover member110is formed of a material the same as or similar to that of the colored portion114, an average light transmittance for a light in an infrared region is smaller than an average light transmittance for a light in a visible light region because the layer does not have a ceramic structure. Also, the anti-reflection layer has a refractive index of about 1.3 smaller than that of the first base member112and the sealing member130and has a thickness of 500 nm or less (e.g., about 200 nm or less). Accordingly, properties of the anti-reflection layer are different from those of the colored portion114in the embodiment, and it is difficult to effectively utilize the light in the infrared region by the anti-reflection layer or so on. Further, in most cases, since the layer (for example, the anti-reflection layer) provided on the first cover member110is formed by being laminated or deposited on the first cover member112, a surface roughness at an interface of the layer (for example, the anti-reflection layer) does not differ from that of the other portions.

In the embodiment, the colored portion114is formed to correspond to a portion in a thickness direction on one surface of the first base member112. More specifically, a portion of the colored portion114is embedded in an interior of the first base member112and the other portion of the colored portion114has a shape protruding from a substrate surface BS of the first base member112where the colored portion114is not formed. An outer surface of the colored portion114may have a rounded shape, or may have a surface roughness larger than that of other portions. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and the colored portion114may have a different shape stated in the above. For example, the colored portion114may be formed to be flat to have a uniform thickness. Various other variations are possible.

InFIG. 4, it is exemplified that the colored portion114(or the colored layer1140, the same hereinafter) is partially formed only at a part of the first cover member110to minimize a reduction in a light transmittance of the colored portion114. Also, it is exemplified that a plurality of colored portions114form one cover area CA. In this instance, the cover area CA refers to an area recognized to have the same color, image, pattern, feeling, texture, or the like so as to realize a certain color, image, pattern, feeling, texture, or the like. For example, the cover area CA may be a colored area having a certain color.

InFIG. 4, it is exemplified that the colored portion114(for example, the colored layer1142) constituting the cover area CA has a dot shape having a square shape, and a portion where the dotted colored portions114are not positioned in the colored area CA is connected as a whole to form a light transmitting portion LTA. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. The colored portion114may have a circular shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape (a triangular shape, a rectangular shape, etc.), an irregular shape, or a combination thereof. As another example, a plurality of colored portions114may be elongated in one direction so as to have a straight shape so that the plurality of colored portions114may form a stripe shape. Then, a light transmitting portion LTA parallel to the plurality of colored portions114is positioned between the plurality of colored portions114, and the colored portions114and the light transmitting portions LTA are alternatively arranged in a direction crossing the one direction. As other example, a colored portion114may have a checkered pattern including first portions extending in a first direction and second portions extending in a second direction crossing the first direction. Then, a portion having a dot shape surrounded by the first portions and the second portions may constitute a light transmitting portion LTA. In addition, the colored portion114may have any of various plane shapes.

In the embodiment, when the solar cell panel100is viewed from a position at a certain distance or more (for example, 1 m or more) with a naked eye, the solar cell panel100entirely has a uniform color, image, pattern, feelings, texture, or the like by the first cover member110. For example, an output of the solar cell panel100may be not reduced greatly while an appearance of a building1(seeFIG. 1) can be enhanced when the solar cell panel100is viewed from a position at a distance sufficient to view an exterior of the building1.

For example, the colored portion114(for example, the colored layer1142) may have a width or a size of 0.2 to 10 mm, and a ratio of a total area of the colored portions114(for example, the colored layer1142) to a total area of the colored area CA may be 0.05 to 0.99 (more specifically, 0.2 to 0.8). When the plurality of colored portions114are viewed at a certain distance (for example, 1 m) in this range, they can be recognized as one color or as one portion. Further, the light can be sufficiently incident through the light transmitting portion LTA, and sufficient power generation can be achieved. In this instance, the light transmitting portion LTA may be positioned between the colored portions114or may form a part of an inner portion of the colored portion114. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. For example, the cover area CA does not have the light transmitting portion LTA and the ratio of the total area of the colored portion114to the total area of the cover area CA may be 1. According to this, a glare phenomenon can be effectively prevented.

Alternatively, when the plurality of colored portions114or the plurality of colored layers1142are positioned at a certain distance from each other, the plurality of colored portions114or the plurality of colored layers1142can be recognized as one. For example, when the plurality of colored portions114or the plurality of colored layers1142are formed in a range of 1 to 100 dpi (dots per inch), the plurality of colored portions114or the plurality of colored layers1142are recognized as one to constitute the desired shape, image, pattern, or the like.

However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. Therefore, the colored portion114(for example, each of the colored layer1142and the background layer1140included therein) may be formed at an entire portion of the first cover member110. The effect of preventing a glare phenomenon by the colored portion114can be realized in the entire portion. Alternatively, the background layer1140may be formed at an entire portion of the first cover member110, and the colored layer1142may be partially formed. Accordingly, the background layer1140is formed at the entire portion while reducing a formation area of the colored layer1142, and a light scattering effect and an anti-glare effect by the background layer1140can be realized in the entire portion. In this instance, the colored layer1142and the background layer1140corresponding to a portion where the colored layer1142is positioned may be regarded as the colored portions114, respectively. Alternatively, at least one of colored portions114may include portions having two or more colors. Other variations are possible.

InFIG. 3, it is exemplified that the background layer1140and the colored layer1142constituting the colored portion114are completely overlapped with each other with the same area. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. This will be described later in more detail with reference toFIGS. 11 to 13later.

In the embodiment, the second cover member120may be formed of a colored glass substrate having the cover portion124. In the embodiment, the cover portion124may be a portion that realizes a certain color so that the solar cell150, the interconnectors142and145, etc. are not recognized from the outside. Unlike the colored portion114, the cover portion124is positioned on the back surface of the solar cell panel100having a building integrated structure and does not require light diffusion, scattering, or the like, and thus may have a specific color.

The second cover member120or the cover portion124may have a color so that a color difference (ΔE*ab) between the solar cell150(particularly, the anti-reflection layer152of the solar cell150) and the second cover member120at International Commission on Illumination (CIE) Lab (that is, CIE L*a*b*) color coordinates and D65standard light source (noon solar light source) may be 11 or less. When the color difference (ΔE*ab) is 11 or less, the solar cell150, the interconnectors142and145and the like can be prevented from being recognized from the outside at a certain distance or more. In this instance, at International Commission on Illumination (CIE) Lab (that is, CIE L*a*b*) color coordinates and D65 standard light source, a luminance (L*) of the second cover member120or the cover portion124may be 50 or less and thus may have a relatively dark color. Thus, the solar cell150, the interconnectors142and145and the like can be prevented from being effectively recognized from the outside. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. As another embodiment, at International Commission on Illumination (CIE) Lab (that is, CIE L*a*b*) color coordinates and D65 standard light source, a luminance (L*) of the second cover member120or the cover portion124may be greater than 50 and thus may have a relatively bright color.

In this instance, a color of the cover portion124may be the same as or different from a color of the colored portion114. More particular, the cover portion124may be not transparent, translucent, or the like, and may have an achromatic color, an opaque color except for white, or the same color as the solar cell150. The cover portion124may have an achromatic color other than white, an opaque color, or a color of the same series as that of the solar cell150. For example, a color of the cover portion124may be black, gray, blue, green, brown, the color of the same series as that of the solar cell150(more particularly, the anti-reflection layer152of the solar cell150), or a mixed color thereof. Since white has a high brightness, it may be difficult to form the cover portion124by using it. For example, when the cover portion124is formed of the color of the same series as that of the solar cell150, a color uniformity is achieved and the solar cell panel100has uniformity of color as a whole, thereby further improving an aesthetic property. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. Any of various colors other than the above-mentioned color, which has brightness lower than that of the colored portion114or a light transmittance lower than that of the first base member112and/or the second base member122, may be used.

As described above, when the second cover member120has a certain color to prevent the solar cell150from being recognized, a color of the sealing member130may not be changed or the sealing member130may be not colored. If the sealing member130includes a coloring material (for example, carbon black) for changing the color, an insulating property of the sealing member130may be undesirably deteriorated. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and the sealing member130(for example, the second sealing member132) may be colored with a black, blue, or blue-black color.

As an example, in the embodiment, the cover portion124may be formed of an oxide ceramic composition. Thus, the first and second cover members110and120may be formed by the same or similar manufacturing process, thereby simplifying a manufacturing process. In this instance, a description of the oxide ceramic composition constituting the colored portion114and the first cover member110described above may be applied to the oxide ceramic composition constituting the cover portion124and the second cover member120as it is. However, as described above, the cover portion124may be formed of a single colored layer without a background layer, and a coating step for coating a ceramic material layer and a drying step of drying the same may be performed only once. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and a plurality of coating steps and/or drying steps for the cover portion124may be performed in consideration of a desired thickness and the like.

Further, in the embodiment, the cover portion124may be formed of a material other than an oxide ceramic composition. For example, the cover portion124may include a plurality of cover layers stacked to realize a certain color, and the plurality of cover layers may includes a dielectric layer, an insulating layer, or a semiconductor layer.

In one example, the cover portion124includes a silicon layer including silicon constituting a photoelectric conversion portion of the solar cell150, and dielectric layer or an insulating layer disposed on the silicon layer and having the same material and a stacked structure as the anti-reflection layer152. Then, the cover portion124may have the same or similar color as the solar cell150, and thus, the same or similar color as the solar cell150can be easily realized. Accordingly, it is possible to effectively prevent the solar cell150and the interconnectors142and145from being recognized by a simple structure.

As another example, the cover portion124may include a plurality of cover layers, each being formed of a metal compound (e.g., a metal oxide or a metal oxynitride). For example, the cover layer may have a structure in which a plurality of insulating layers, each formed of an oxide or a oxynitride including silicon, titanium, aluminum, zirconium, zinc, antimony, and copper, are stacked. In the case where the plurality of cover layers are formed of oxide or oxynitride, the cover portion124may further include a layer including a silicon nitride and/or a layer including a silicon carbonitride inside or outside a plurality of cover layers to prevent problems caused by ultraviolet rays, moisture, or the like. For example, when the cover portion124includes a first cover layer formed of a silicon oxide, a second cover layer positioned thereon and formed of a silicon nitride, and a third cover layer positioned thereon and formed of a silicon carbonitride, the cover portion124may have a blue color. Alternatively, when the cover portion124may include a first cover layer formed of zirconium oxide, a second cover layer positioned thereon and formed of a silicon oxide, a third cover layer positioned thereon and formed of a zirconium oxide, the cover portion124may have a green color.

According to this, the cover portion124can be formed by a simple manufacturing process such as vapor deposition, and the second cover member120having a desired color can be manufactured by a simple manufacturing process.

In the above, it is exemplified that the second cover member120includes the second base member122formed of a glass substrate and the cover portion124, but embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. For example, the cover portion124may be formed of a cover layer (e.g., a layer having a black, blue or blue-black color) or a metal layer (e.g., a silver or aluminum layer coated to have a black, blue, or blue-black color) and may be deposited or attached to a second base member122formed of a glass substrate. Alternatively, the second cover member120may be formed of a single member without the second base member122and the cover portion124. For example, the second cover member120may be formed of a metal plate (for example, a steel plate) or a glass substrate or the like having a black, blue, or blue-black color. Besides, the second cover member120or the second base member122may be formed of a resin (for example, polycarbonate (PC), poly ethylene terephthalate (PET), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), etc.), fiber reinforced plastic, or the like. A separate cover portion124may be formed on the second base member122formed of a sheet or the like, or a pigment may be included in the second base member122to have a certain color. The second base member122formed of a sheet or the like may be formed of a single layer or a plurality of layers.

In the above description, it is exemplified that the second cover member120is formed of a colored member having a certain color. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and the second cover member120may have any of various properties of translucent, non-transmissive, or reflective properties. Various other variations are possible.

InFIG. 3, it is exemplified that the cover portion124is positioned on an outer surface of the second cover member120. The cover portion124may be positioned on the outer surface of the second cover member120and may be positioned adjacent to a back surface of the solar cell panel100. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. Thus, the cover portion124may be positioned at least one of an inner surface and an outer surface of the second cover member120. As described above, the light diffusing portion LD where protrusions, indentations, irregularities, texturing, or the like is formed may be formed at the other surface where the colored portion114or the cover portion124is not formed. However, the light diffusing portion LD is not essential, and the other surface on which the colored portion114or the cover portion124is not formed may be formed of a flat plane without the light diffusion portion LD. Various other variations are possible.

In the embodiment, the cover portion124is formed of a single color at an entire area of the second cover member120, and one cover portion124forms one cover area CA. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and the cover portion124may be partially formed only at a part of the second cover member110. These examples will be described later in detail with reference toFIGS. 25 and 26. Other variations are possible.

According to the embodiment, the colored portion114having a first average transmittance, which is an average light transmittance in an infrared region, is the same as or larger than a second average transmittance, which is an average light transmittance in a visible light region, is included in the first cover member110, and thus, an output of the solar cell panel100can be maintained at a high level while improving an appearance and an aesthetic property of the solar cell panel100. The colored portion114can be formed of an oxide ceramic composition to effectively prevent a glare phenomenon that may occur when the first cover member110includes a glass substrate. Even when the solar cell panel100is viewed from a lateral side, a color change or the colored portion114is not recognized and the desired color, image, pattern, feeling, texture, etc. can be maintained. The second cover member120is colored by the cover portion124to have a color for preventing the solar cell150and the interconnectors142and145from being recognized, thereby further improving an appearance of the solar cell panel100.

On the other hand, if a colored portion separately formed on the first or second base member112or122is not integrated with the first or second base member112or122, a color of the colored portion may be recognized differently from the other member of the solar cell panel100when viewed from the lateral side or in a bright circumstance, and an aesthetic property may be deteriorated. In addition, the conventional colored glass has a very low light transmittance and may greatly reduce an output of the solar cell panel100when it is applied to the first cover member110of the solar cell panel100or the like.

Particularly, in the embodiment, the colored portion114includes the background layer1140together with the colored layer1142to prevent undesirable darkening of a portion where the colored layer1142is positioned, or to realize a color of the colored layer1142more clearly. In addition, by a light scattering, a uniform light transmittance in the entire portion of the solar cell panel100can be achieved, and an effect of preventing a glare phenomenon can be further improved. Thus, an appearance and an output of the solar cell panel100can be effectively improved.

InFIG. 3, it is exemplified that the background layer1140and the colored layer1142are formed with a clear boundary. The background layer1140and the colored layer1142may be distinguished by a color difference or the like. The background layer1140and the colored layer1142may have different shapes and structures in a shape analysis due to a density difference, which may be identified by a scanning electron microscope (SEM) photograph. Alternatively, a difference between materials of the background layer1140and the colored layer1142may be determined by energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDS). However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and the background layer1140and the colored layer1142may not have a definite boundary in a final structure. However, even in this case, whether or not the background layer1140is provided may be determined by a color difference, a density difference, materials, etc. of the background layer1140and the adhesion layer1142.

Hereinafter, a solar cell panel according to another embodiment of the invention will be described in detail. Detailed descriptions will be omitted for the same or extremely similar parts as those described above, and only different parts will be described in detail. It is also within the scope of the invention to combine the above-described embodiments or variations thereof with the following embodiments or modifications thereof.

FIG. 11is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing various examples of a first cover member included in a solar cell panel according to a modified embodiment of the invention. In FIG,11, a cross-sectional shape of a first base member112, a background layer1140, and a colored layer1142are schematically shown, and thus, voids114V or so on is not shown and a shape of an interfacial surface or an outer surface are schematically shown.

As shown inFIG. 11, in the modified embodiment, a background layer1140and a colored layer1142are stacked to each other so as to have a portion overlapping each other, and may have different areas. For example, as shown inFIG. 11(a), an area of a background layer1140may be larger than an area of a colored layer1142, and thus, an entire area of the colored layer1142may be positioned on a partial area of the background layer1140. According to this, a reduction in a light transmittance by the colored layer1142can be minimized while sufficiently improving a brightness, a clear realization of a color, a light scattering, a light diffusion and so on by the background layer1140. As shown inFIG. 11(b), an area of a colored layer1142may be larger than that of a background layer1140so that the colored layer1142is formed to cover an entire outer surface and a side of the background layer1140as a whole. Then, a color can be clearly realized by the colored layer1142.

FIG. 12is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing various examples of a first cover member included in a solar cell panel according to another modified embodiment of the invention. In FIG,12, a cross-sectional shape of a first base member112, a background layer1140, and a colored layer1142are schematically shown, and thus, voids114V or so on is not shown and a shape of an interfacial surface or an outer surface are schematically shown.

Referring toFIG. 12, in the modified embodiment, a colored portion114may be positioned on an inner surface of the first base member112. In this case, a colored layer1142may be positioned on an inner surface of the first base member112, and a background layer1140may be positioned on the colored layer1142. Then, the background layer1140may be positioned adjacent to a solar cell150than the colored layer1142, and the colored layer1142may be positioned at a side of a direction in which light is incident and the background layer1140positioned backward the colored layer1142. When the colored portion114is positioned on or at the inner surface of the first base member112, a light diffusion portion LD may be formed at an outer surface of the first base member112. InFIG. 12, it is exemplified that a protection layer118is formed on the light diffusion portion LD. The protective layer118may serve to protect an outer surface structure of the light diffusing portion LD and may serve as an anti-glare layer having an anti-glare effect. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto and may not include the light diffusion portion LD and/or the protection layer118.

For example, as shown inFIG. 12(a), a background layer1140and a colored layer1142which are stacked to each other may be formed so as to completely overlap with each other with the same area. As another example, as shown inFIG. 12(b), an area of a background layer1140may be larger than an area of the colored layer1142so that the background layer1140is formed so as to cover an inner surface and a side surface of the colored layer1142as a whole. As shown inFIG. 12(c), an area of the colored layer1142may be larger than that of the background layer1140so that an entire area of the background layer1140is positioned on a partial area of the colored layer1142.

In the above-described embodiments, an entire portion of one of the background layer1140and the colored layer1142may overlap (for example, overlap and be in contact with) the other one of the background layer1140and the colored layer1142. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. Another modified embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 13.

FIG. 13is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing various examples of a first cover member included in a solar cell panel according to still another modified embodiment of the invention. In FIG,13, a cross-sectional shape of a first base member112, a background layer1140, and a colored layer1142are schematically shown, and thus, voids114V or so on is not shown and a shape of an interfacial surface or an outer surface are schematically shown.

As shown inFIG. 13, in the modified embodiment, a part of one of a background layer1140and a colored layer1142may overlap (for example, overlap and be in contact with) a part of the other one of the background layer1140and the colored layer1142, or the background layer1140and the colored layer1142may be spaced apart from each other but adjacent to each other.

More specifically, as shown inFIGS. 13(a)andFIG. 13(b), a part of a colored layer1142may overlap (for example, overlap and be in contact with) a part of a background layer1140. For example, as shown inFIG. 13(b), a background layer1140may be formed at an entire region and a colored layer1142may be partially positioned. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 13(c), a background layer1140and a colored layer1142may be positioned on or at the same surface but spaced from each other with no parts which overlap each other and thus a light transmission portion LTA (seeFIG. 4) may be positioned between the background layer1140and the colored layer1142. InFIG. 13(a),FIG. 13(b), andFIG. 13(c), it is exemplified that the background layer1140and the colored layer1142are positioned on or at an outer surface of the first base member112. Alternatively, the background layer1140and the colored layer1142may be positioned on an inner surface of the first base member112.

As another example, as shown inFIG. 13(d), a background layer1140and a colored layer1142may be positioned on or at opposite surfaces of the first base member112, respectively. In one embodiment, it is exemplified that the colored layer1142is positioned at or on an outer surface and the background layer1140is positioned at or on an inner surface so that the background layer1140is adjacent to the solar cell150than the colored layer1142as viewed in a light incidence direction. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. Thus, a colored layer1142may be positioned on or at an inner surface and a background layer1140may be positioned on or at an outer surface. Also, inFIG. 13(d), it is exemplified that the background layer1140and the colored layer1142positioned at opposite surfaces are disposed so as to overlap with each other. Alternatively, a background layer1140and a colored layer1142may be not overlapped with each other, and thus, the background layer1140and the colored layer1142may be spaced apart from each other without being overlapped with each other but adjacent to each other.

In the above-described embodiments, it is exemplified that the background layer1140is partially formed at a portion corresponding to each colored portion114or each colored layer1142. Alternatively, a background layer1140may be formed to correspond to a plurality of colored portions114or a plurality of colored layers1142and thus portions of the background layer1140corresponding to the plurality of colored portions114or the plurality of colored layers1142are connected to each other to form an integrated structure or a single portion. That is, a plurality of colored portions114or a plurality of colored layers1142may be positioned to overlap or be in contact with one background layer1140.

In the above-described embodiments, it is exemplified that the colored portion114or the colored layer1142has one color as an example. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto, and a colored portion114may includes a plurality of colored layers1142having different colors or different light transmittances. These embodiments and modified embodiments will be described with reference toFIGS. 14 to 22.

FIG. 14is a plan view showing a first cover member included in a solar cell panel according to another embodiment of the invention, andFIG. 15is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a plurality of colored portions included in the first cover member shown inFIG. 14. For simplicity, inFIG. 15, a cross-sectional shape of a first base member112, a background layer1140, and a colored layer1142are schematically shown, and thus, voids114V or so on is not shown and a shape of an interfacial surface or an outer surface are schematically shown.

Referring toFIGS. 14 and 15, in the embodiment, a colored portion114may include a plurality of colored portions114aand114bhaving different colors, or the colored portion114may have a plurality of colored layers1142aand1142bhaving different colors. In this instance, the plurality of colored layers1142aand1142bmay have different thicknesses in consideration of light transmittances. Then, in the case of including a plurality of colored layers1142aand1142bhaving different light transmittances, the light transmittances by the plurality of colored layers1142aand1142bor the plurality of colored portions114aand114bcan be uniform.

For example, the plurality of colored portions114may include a first colored portion114aincluding a first colored layer1142ahaving a first color and having a first transmittance, and a second colored portion114bincluding a second colored layer1142bhaving a second color different from the first color and having a second transmittance lower than the first transmittance. In this instance, each of the first transmittance and the second transmittance may mean an average light transmittance with respect to a light having a wavelength of 100 nm to 1400 nm (for example, 100 nm to 1200 nm). In this instance, a thickness of the second colored layer1142bmay be smaller than a thickness of the first colored layer1142a. According to this structure, even when a plurality of colored layers1142aand1142bor a plurality of colored portions114aand114bhaving different colors are provided, light transmittances can be uniformly maintained by a simple structure for controlling the thicknesses. Thus, an output and a stability of a solar cell panel100can be excellent.

In the embodiment, even when a plurality of colored portions114are provided, amounts of currents generated by a plurality of solar cells150can be the same or similar. For example, when a difference in amounts of currents generated by the plurality of solar cells150is 10% or less (10% or less based on 100% of a current of the solar cell150that generates the largest current). For example, when the first colored portion114ais positioned to correspond to a first solar cell (positioned on the first solar cell when viewed in a plan view) of the plurality of solar cells150and the second colored portion114bis positioned to correspond to a second solar cell (positioned on the second solar cell when viewed in a plan view), a difference between an amount of a first current generated by the first solar cell and an amount of a second current generated by the second solar cell is 10% or less (10% or less based on 100% of larger one of the first and second currents). Although the first and second colored portions114aand114bare exemplified, the same applies to the case where three or more colored portions114are provided. Further, it is exemplified that the first and second colored portions114aand114bcorrespond to different solar cells150in the above description. Alternatively, even when a plurality of colored portions114are positioned in one solar cell150, an amount of a current generated by the one solar cell may be similar to an amount of a current generated by another solar cell150not including a colored portion114or another solar cell150having a colored portion114having a different form, shape, arrangement, or so on from the one solar cell150(for example, a different in a current is 10% or less). Accordingly, even when a plurality of colored portions114having different colors, structures, or the like are provided, problems such as hot spots can be prevented from occurring and a reliability of the solar cell panel100can be enhanced.

In the embodiment shown inFIG. 15, thicknesses of the plurality of colored layers1142aand114bare different from each other, but embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. Various modifications to this will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 16 to 18. FIG.

FIG. 16is a partial cross-sectional view schematically showing a plurality of colored portions included in a first cover member included in a solar cell panel according to a modified embodiment of the invention.

Referring toFIG. 16, in the modified embodiment, a colored portion114may include a plurality of colored portions114aand114bhaving different colors, or the colored portion114may have a plurality of colored layers1142aand1142bhaving different colors. In this instance, the plurality of colored portions114aand114bfurther include a plurality of background layers1140aand1140b, respectively, and the plurality of background layers1140aand1140bmay have different thicknesses in consideration of light transmittances. Thus, in the case of having a plurality of colored layers1142aand1142bhaving different light transmittances, light transmittances by the plurality of colored portions114aand114bcan be uniform.

For example, the plurality of colored portions114may include a first colored portion114aand a second colored portion114b. The first colored portion114amay include a first colored layer1142ahaving a first color and a first transmittance, and a first background layer1140a. The second colored portion114bmay include a second colored layer1142bhaving a second transmittance lower than the first transmittance and having a second color different from the first color and a second background layer1140b. In this instance, a thickness of the second background layer1140bmay be smaller than a thickness of the first background layer1140a. Then, by the relatively large thickness of the first background layer1140ain the first colored portion114aincluding the first colored layer1142ahaving a relatively high light transmittance, the first colored portion114aand the second colored portion114bcan have the same or similar light transmittances.

As another example, as shown inFIG. 17, a first background layer1140amay have a different material, a different color, or a different light transmittance from that of a second background layer1140b. That is, a light transmittance of the second background layer1140bmay be higher than that of the first background layer1140a.

For example, a brightness of the first background layer1140amay be lower than that of the second background layer1140b, or the first background layer1140amay be darker than the second background layer1140b. Alternatively, the first background layer1140aand the second background layer1140bmay be transparent or translucent, and a transparency of the first background layer1140amay be lower than that of the second background layer1140b. Alternatively, the second background layer1140bmay be transparent or translucent and the first background layer1140amay have a certain color (e.g., a white-based color or a yellow-based color). Then, by the relatively low light transmittance of the first background layer1140ain the first colored portion114aincluding the first colored layer1142ahaving a relatively high light transmittance, the first colored portion114aand the second colored portion114bcan have the same or similar light transmittances.

As another example, as shown inFIG. 18, a first colored portion114amay include a first background layer114a, while the second colored portion114bdoes not include a background layer and includes only a second colored portion1142b. Then, the first colored portion114aincluding the first colored layer1142ahaving a relatively high light transmittance and the second colored portion114bincluding the second colored layer1142bhaving a relatively low light transmittance can have the same or similar light transmittances.

By a simple structure in which thicknesses and colors of background layers1140aand1140band existence or non-existence of the background layers1140aand1140bare different or controlled, light transmittances can be uniform even when a plurality of colored layers1142aand1142bor a plurality of colored portions114aand114bhaving different colors or light transmittances are provided. Thus, an output and a stability of the solar cell panel100can be excellent.

InFIGS. 14 to 18, it is exemplified that first and second cover areas CA1and CA2having different colors are formed by first and second colored portions114aand114bhaving different colors as an example. In addition, it is exemplified that a plurality of colored portions114having different colors are independently positioned and a plurality of cover areas CA corresponding them are independently positioned. Also, it is exemplified that a plurality of cover areas CA are disposed on an entire portion of the first cover member110. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited to a number of the colored portions114, a shape, a color, a number, an arrangement, or so on of the cover areas CA, and various modifications are possible. For example, a plurality of colored portions114or a plurality of cover areas CA may be overlapped with each other, or a plurality of cover areas CA may be entirely spaced apart to form a portion where the cover areas CA are not formed. Various variations are possible.

Also, inFIGS. 14 to 18, it is exemplified that the colored portion114is positioned on or at an outer surface of the first base member112. However, as shown inFIGS. 11 to 13, a colored portion114may be formed of any of various shapes at any of various positions. Further, inFIGS. 14 to 18, it is exemplified that only one of thicknesses of a plurality of colored layers1142aand1142b, thicknesses and light transmittances of background layers1140aand1140b, and the presence or absence of the background layers1140aand1140bis different. However, a plurality of them may be different from each other. In addition, inFIGS. 14 to 18, it is exemplified that the background layers1140aand1140bare partially formed at portions corresponding to colored portions114or the colored layers1142, respectively. Alternatively, a background layer1140may be formed to correspond to a plurality of colored portions114or a plurality of colored layers1142and thus portions of the background layer1140corresponding to the plurality of colored portions114or the plurality of colored layers1142are connected to each other to form an integrated structure or a single portion. That is, a plurality of colored portions114or a plurality of colored layers1142may be positioned to overlap or be in contact with one background layer1140, and a thickness of the background layer may be different at each of the colored portions114aand114bin consideration of the light transmittances of the plurality of colored layers1142aand1142b. Alternatively, a thickness of a background layer at portions where colored portions114aand114bor the colored layers1142aand1142bare present may be thinner than a thickness of a background layer at the portion where the colored portions114aand114bare not positioned. Various other variations are possible.

InFIGS. 16 to 18, it is exemplified that the colored portion114is partially positioned in the cover area CA, but embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. Therefore, the colored portion114, the background layer1140, or the colored portion1142may be formed at an entire area of the cover area CA.

Also, in the above-described embodiments, it is exemplified that a plurality of colored portions114aand114bare used to realize separate colors or cover areas CA. However, a plurality of colored portions114aand114bmay be positioned together at one colored unit to realize one color. This will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 19 to 23.

FIG. 19is a view showing an example of each colored unit included in a first cover member included in a solar cell panel according to still another embodiment of the invention. The colored unit inFIG. 19may correspond to one colored portion114shown inFIG. 4(a).

Referring toFIG. 19, in the embodiment, a colored portion114may be formed of a colored unit including at least two colored layers1142aand1142bhaving different colors or different light transmittances. That is, the at least two colored layers1142aand1142bmay be positioned in each of the colored portions114or colored units, which are positioned at 1 to 100 dpi in a cover area (for example, a colored area). The colored unit may be positioned at 1 to 100 dpi to realize a cover area having a desired color. This will be explained in more detail.

In the embodiment, each of the colored portions114or the colored units may include a first colored layer1142ahaving a first color and having a first transmittance, and a second colored layer1142bhaving a second color different from the first color and having a second transmittance higher than the first transmittance. In this instance, the first color of the first colored layer1142amay be a color that can realize one of three primary colors (that is, red, yellow, and green) alone or in combination with another color, a black color, or a white color. The second colored layer1142bmay have a higher light transmittance than the first colored layer1142aand may have a color different from that of the first colored layer1142a(e.g., a color having a different brightness and/or a different saturation). For example, when the first colored layer1142ais yellow, the second colored layer1142bmay be formed of white so that the yellow color can be more clearly realized. Alternatively, when the first colored layer1142ais white, the second colored layer1142bmay be formed of yellow so that the yellowish white can be realized more clearly. In addition, it is possible to realize a primary color such as red, green, and blue.

For example, for a light in a visible light region (a light having a wavelength of 380 to 760 nm as one example), a light transmittance (for example, an average light transmittance) of the first colored layer1142amay be 60% or less (for example, 0 to 60%), and a light transmittance (for example, an average light transmittance) of the second colored layer1142bmay be 90% or less, more specifically 80% or less (as an example, 0 to 90%, specifically 0 to 80%). However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto.

In the embodiment, the first colored layer1142amay realize a desired color and a portion where a relatively small amount of light is transmitted to perform auxiliary power generation. The second colored layer1142bmay be a portion for assisting to realize a desired color and for preventing a glare phenomenon, and a portion that has a great influence on power generation because a relatively large amount of a light is transmitted to generate enough power. That is, the second colored layer1142bmay serve as a background layer. An area ratio of the second colored layer1142bmay be the same as or larger than an area ratio of the first colored layer1142aso that the desired color can be realized while sufficiently generating electricity. For example, the area ratio of the first colored layer1142a: the second colored layer1142bmay be 1:9 to 5:5. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto and various modifications are possible. For example, the first and second colored layers1142aand1142bmay have colors other than white to realize specific colors, respectively, that is, the second colored layer1142bmay be a colored layer not a background layer.

InFIG. 19, it is exemplified that the second colored layer1142bis formed entirely at the colored portion114, and a plurality of first colored layers1142aare partially formed at the colored portion114, and an entire portions of the plurality of first colored layers1142aare overlapped with the second colored layer1142bon the second colored layer1142b. However, a planar shape, a stacked structure, etc. of the first colored layer1142aand the second colored layer1142bare not limited to those shown inFIG. 19, and various modifications are possible. This will be described in detail with reference toFIGS. 20 and 21.

FIG. 20is a partial plan view showing various examples of each colored unit of a first cover member included in a solar cell panel according to a modified embodiment of the invention.FIG. 21a partial cross-sectional view showing various examples of a first cover member included in a solar cell panel according to an embodiment of the invention. For simplicity, inFIGS. 20 and 21, a cross-sectional shape of a first base member112, a background layer1140, and a colored layer1142are schematically shown, and thus, voids114V or so on is not shown and a shape of an interfacial surface or an outer surface are schematically shown.

As shown inFIG. 20(a), a plurality of first colored layers1142amay be partially formed inside a colored portion114or inside a colored unit, and a second colored layer1142bmay entirely cover the plurality of first colored layers1142aand may be positioned at an entire portion of the colored portion114or the colored unit.

Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 20(b), a plurality of first colored layer1142aand a plurality of second colored layer1142bmay be spaced apart without overlapping each other and may be partially formed in each colored portion114or each colored unit.

Alternatively, as shown inFIGS. 20(c) and 20(d), a plurality of first colored layer1142aand a plurality of second colored layer1142bmay be partially formed and an entire portion of the first colored layer1142amay overlap the second colored layer1142bin each colored portion114or each colored unit. In this instance, the first colored layer1142amay be positioned on the second colored layer1142bas shown inFIG. 20(c), or the second colored layer1142bmay be positioned on the first colored layer1142aas shown inFIG. 20(d).

Alternatively, as shown inFIGS. 20(e) and 20(f), a plurality of first colored layer1142aand a plurality of second colored layer1142bmay be partially formed and a part of the first colored layer1142amay overlap the second colored layer1142bin each colored portion114or each colored unit. In this instance, the first colored layer1142amay be positioned on the second colored layer1142bin each colored portion114or each colored unit as shown inFIG. 20(e), or the second colored layer1142bmay be positioned on the first colored layer1142ain each colored portion114or each colored unit as shown inFIG. 20(f).

Meanwhile, as shown inFIG. 21(a), a second colored layer1142bmay be formed on an entire portion of a first colored layer1142ain each colored portion114or each colored unit. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 21(b)andFIG. 21(c), a part of a second colored layer1142bmay be formed on a part of a first colored layer1142ain each colored portion114or each colored unit. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 21(d)toFIG. 21(f), a first colored portion1142aand a second colored layer1142bare spaced apart from each other without an overlapping portion and thus a light transmission portion LTA may be positioned therebetween. In this instance, the first colored layer1142aand the second colored layer1142bmay be positioned on the same surface in each colored portion114or each colored unit as shown inFIG. 21(d), of the first colored layer1142aand the second colored layer1142bmay be positioned at opposite surfaces in each colored portion114or each colored unit as shown inFIG. 21(e)andFIG. 21(f). In this instance, the first colored layer1142aand the second colored layer1142bmay be spaced apart from each other even when viewed in a plan view as shown inFIG. 21(e), or the first colored layer1142aand the second colored layer1142bmay have an overlapped portion when viewed in a plan view as shown inFIG. 21(f). For reference, an effect of the first colored layer1142aand the second colored layer1142bcan be maximized when the first colored layer1142aand the second colored layer1142bare positioned toward an outer surface. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto.

In another embodiment, as shown inFIG. 22, a colored portion114or the colored unit may further a third colored layer1142chaving a third color having a higher brightness than a first color and a second color and having a higher transmittance than first and second layers1142aand1142b. In this instance, the first color and the second color of first and second colored layers1142aand1142bare mixed to be recognized by a user in a different color. The third colored layer1142cmay be a portion for assisting to realize a primary color to be realized by the first color and/or the second color more clearly, or for preventing undesired darkening of the colored portion114. That is, the third colored layer1142cmay serve as a background layer. As another example, the third colored layer1142cmay be formed of a color other than white (e.g., another one of three primary colors) so that colors of first to third colored layers1142a,1142b, and1142care mixed to be recognized as one color by a user.

In one example, the third color may have a white-based color or a yellow-based color. In this instance, a white-based or a yellow-based color may mean white, yellow, or a color which is basically white or yellow, mixed with slightly different colors and considered to be white or yellow as a whole. Then, the third colored layer114ccan sufficiently perform an act as a background layer for preventing portions where the first and/or second colored layers114aand114bare positioned from being undesirably darkened or for realizing a color by the first and/or the second colored layers114aand114bmore clearly.

As described above, when the colored portion114or the colored unit includes the first colored layer1142aand the second colored layer1142b, and optionally the third colored layer1142c, an effect of preventing a glare phenomenon can be further improved.

In this instance, when the colored unit does not include a light transmitting portion LTA as shown inFIG. 22(a), an area of the third colored layer1142c(for example, a background layer) may be greater than a sum of an area of the first colored layer1142aand an area of the second colored layer1142b. According to this, the third colored layer1142ccan maximize an effect of improving brightness and an anti-glare effect. Alternatively, an area of the first colored layer1142a, an area of the second colored layer1142b, and an area of the third colored layer1142cmay be the same as each other. InFIG. 22(a), it is exemplified that the first and second colored layers1142aand1142bare disposed under the third colored layer1142c. However, a stacked structure of the first to third colored layers1142a,1142b, and1142cmay be variously modified.

As another example, when the colored unit includes a light transmitting portion LTA as shown inFIG. 22(b)toFIG. 22(f), a total area of the first colored layer1142aand the second colored layer1142b, and the third colored layer1142c(for example, a background layer) may be the same as or greater than an area of the light transmitting portion LTA. According to this, sufficient power generation can be achieved by the light transmitting portion LTA. For example, as shown inFIG. 22(b), an area of the first colored layer1142a, an area of the second colored layer1142b, and an area of the third colored layer1142cmay be the same as each other.

As shown inFIG. 22(b), the first to third colored layers1142a,1142b, and1142cmay be positioned at positions spaced from each other. Alternatively, all or a part of the first to third colored layers1142a,1142b, and1142cmay be overlapped with each other as shown in FIGS.22(c) and22(d). A stacked structure of the first to third colored layers1142a,1142b, and1142cmay be variously modified.

As another example, it is possible to further include one or more colored layers or background layers having a different color or a different light transmittance from the first to third colored layers1142a,1142b, and1142c.

FIG. 23is a schematic view showing a part of a solar cell panel100including a first cover member110having a first colored layer1142aand a second colored layer1142baccording to yet still another embodiment of the invention. It is shown that the first colored layer1142aand the second colored layer1142bare separate layers from a first base member112for simplicity. However, the first colored layer1142aor the second colored layer1142bmay be a portion integrated with the first base member112as shown inFIG. 3.

Referring toFIG. 23, in the embodiment, a second colored layer1142bhaving higher light transmittance than a first colored layer1142ais included so that the light is smoothly transmitted through the second colored layer1142b. The light reflected by the solar cell150and directed toward the front surface is at least partially scattered by the second colored layer1142b, thereby minimizing a glare phenomenon at the front surface of the solar cell panel100. In this instance, the light transmittance of the second colored layer1142bis higher than that of the first colored layer1142a, and thus, an output reduction by the colored portion114can be minimized. In addition, the second colored layer1142bcan further prevent the solar cell150from being seen outside.

This will be described in more detail with reference toFIG. 24.FIG. 24(a)shows a photograph of a solar cell panel having a first cover member110having first and second colored layers1142aand1142baccording to the embodiment when a light is irradiated.FIG. 24(b)shows a photograph of the conventional solar cell panel which does not have a colored layer or a colored portion when a light is irradiated.

It can be seen that a glare phenomenon generates very little in the solar cell panel100according to the embodiment as shown inFIG. 24(a), while a glare phenomenon generates greatly in the conventional solar cell panel as shown inFIG. 24(b).

FIG. 25is a plan view showing an example of a first cover member110and a second cover member120included in a solar cell panel100according to yet still another embodiment of the invention.FIG. 26is a plan view showing another example of a first cover member110and a second cover member120included in a solar cell panel100according to yet still another embodiment of the invention.FIG. 26is a plan view showing an example of a first cover member110and a second cover member120included in a solar cell panel100according to yet still another embodiment of the invention.FIG. 27is a photograph of a part of an example of a solar cell panel100according to an embodiment of the invention. It is shown the colored portion114and the cover portion124have a circular dot as an example, but embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto.

Referring toFIGS. 25 and 26, in the embodiment, the cover portion124may have a brightness or a light transmission smaller than that of the colored portion114, and/or a second cover ratio may be greater than a first cover ratio. For example, the brightness of the cover portion124may be lower than that of the colored portion114, or the second cover ratio may be lower than the first cover ratio when the cover portion124has a color of the same color as or a color having brightness lower than that of the colored portion114.

In this instance, the relatively low brightness may mean brightness lower than brightness of the colored portion114, and the relatively low light transmittance may mean a light transmittance lower than a light transmittance of the first base member112and/or the second base member122.

The cover portion124may have an achromatic color other than white, an opaque color, or a color of the same series as that of the solar cell150. For example, a color of the cover portion124may be black, gray, blue, green, brown, the color of the same series as that of the solar cell150, or a mixed color thereof. Since white has a high brightness, it may be difficult to form the cover portion124by using it. For example, when the cover portion124is formed of the color of the same series as that of the solar cell150, a color uniformity is achieved and the solar cell panel100has uniformity of color as a whole, thereby further improving an aesthetic property. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. Any of various colors other than the above-mentioned color, which has brightness lower than that of the colored portion114or a light transmittance lower than that of the first base member112and/or the second base member122, may be used.

The first cover ratio may refer to a ratio of an area of the colored portion114(for example, a colored layer1142) to an area of the cover area and the second cover ratio may refer to a ratio of an area of the cover portion124positioned at an inactive area NA to an area of the inactive area NA.

According to this, since the cover portion124positioned at the inactive area NA where the solar cell150is not positioned has a lower brightness or a larger cover ratio than the colored portion114, the boundary of the solar cell150, the interconnector142and145, or the like can be prevented from being recognized.

That is, when, on the solar cell150and the interconnector142and145as shown inFIG. 27(a), the first cover member110having the colored portion114is positioned as shown inFIG. 27(b), the color of the colored portion114can be recognized while the boundary of the solar cell150and the boundary of the interconnectors142and145may be recognized to some degree. In this state, when the second cover member120having the cover portion124is put together as shown inFIG. 27(c), the color of the colored portion114is recognized and the boundary of the solar cell150and the boundary of the interconnector142and145are difficult to be recognized by interference of the colored portion114and the cover portion124.

In the embodiment, a shield member having a shape that shields the interconnectors142and145may be positioned between the solar cell150and the interconnectors142and145and the first sealing member130. In one example, a shield member may positioned at a portion to shield a first interconnector142positioned between adjacent solar cells150and/or a second interconnector145(e.g., a bus ribbon) that is connected to a plurality of solar cell strings at ends of the plurality of solar cell strings. The shield member may have a specific color (e.g., black, gray, or a color that is the same or similar to a color of a solar cell150), and be formed of a material that has a different reflectivity from that of the interconnectors142and145and does not completely block the light. The shield member may be cohered to the solar cell150or the like. In this instance, the term of “cohesion” refers to a bonding force at which two layers can be attached or separated from each other by physical force at room temperature. The term of “cohesion” is different from an adhesion. By an adhesion, two layers are bonded to each other through a heat treatment, and thus, one of two layers is damaged when the two layers are separated. When the shield member is fixed to the solar cell150or the like by cohesion, it is easy to adhere, detach, or adjust a position of the shield member during a manufacturing process. A shape, a structure, a material, etc. of the shield member may be variously modified. Alternatively, interconnects142and145having a certain color (e.g., black, gray, etc.) may be used. Thus, it is possible to more effectively prevent a boundary of the interconnectors142and145from being recognized. As an example, the second cover ratio may be 0.5 to 1. That is, the ratio of the area of the cover portion124formed at the inactive area NA to the total area of the inactive area NA may be 0.5 to 1. Within the range of the second cover ratio, it is possible to effectively prevent the boundary of the solar cell150from being recognized or the interconnector142and145or the like from being recognized. However, embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto.

As an example, the second cover member120may be formed as a whole so as to correspond to the active region AA and the inactive area NA as shown inFIG. 25. Alternatively, the second cover portion124may be formed only at a portion corresponding to the inactive area NA and not be formed at the active region AA as shown inFIG. 26. When the cover portion124is not formed in the active region AA, a cost for forming the cover portion124can be reduced.

In an exemplary embodiment, the cover portion124having a dot shape is placed on the second base member122inFIGS. 25 and 26. However, embodiments are not limited thereto. For example, the cover portion124may be entirely positioned on the second base member122.

The features, structures, effects and the like according to the above-described embodiments are included in at least one embodiment of the invention and are not necessarily limited to one embodiment. Further, the features, structures, effects and the like illustrated in the embodiments can be combined and modified by other persons skilled in the art to which the embodiments belong. Therefore, it is to be understood that embodiments of the invention are not limited to these embodiments.