Abstract:
Disclosed is a solar cell apparatus. The solar cell apparatus includes: a solar cell panel including a central region and an outer region surrounding the central region; a first adhesive member adhered to the central region; a second adhesive member adhered to the outer region and having an adhesive strength greater than the first adhesive member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0103078 (Oct. 28, 2009), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to a solar cell apparatus. 
         [0003]    Solar cell modules for converting light energy to electric energy by using a photoelectric conversion effect are widely used as a means for obtaining environmentally friendly energy contributing to the earth environment preservation. 
         [0004]    As the photoelectric conversion efficiency of a solar cell is improved, various solar cell systems including solar cell modules have been installed for residential use. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    Embodiments provide a solar cell apparatus with enhanced performance which facilitates recycling. 
         [0006]    In one embodiment, a solar cell apparatus according to an embodiment includes a solar cell panel including a central region and an outer region surrounding the central region; a first adhesive member adhered to the central region; and a second adhesive member adhered to the outer region and having an adhesive strength greater than the first adhesive member. 
         [0007]    In another embodiment, a solar cell apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a solar cell panel; a buffer member making direct contact with a top surface of the solar cell panel; an adhesive member disposed on the solar cell panel and making contact with an surrounding region of the buffer member in a top surface of the solar cell panel; and a protective panel disposed on the buffer member and the adhesive member. 
         [0008]    In a further embodiment, a solar cell apparatus according to an embodiment includes: a solar cell panel including a central region and an outer region around the central region; an attachable member disposed on the central region; an adhesive member adhered to the outer region; and a protective panel covering the attachable member and the adhesive member. 
         [0009]    The details of one or more embodiments are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a solar cell module according to an embodiment. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a plane view illustrating a solar cell module according to an embodiment. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of  FIG. 2 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a solar cell module according to another embodiment. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a solar cell module according to still another embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
       [0015]    In the description of embodiments, it will be understood that when a substrate, a layer, a film, or an electrode is referred to as being ‘on’ or ‘under’ another substrate, layer, film, or electrode, the terminology of ‘on’ and ‘under’ includes both the meanings of ‘directly’ and ‘indirectly’. Further, the reference about ‘on’ and ‘under’ each component layer will be made on the basis of drawings. In addition, the sizes of elements and the relative sizes between elements may be exaggerated for further understanding of the present disclosure. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  is an exploded perspective view illustrating a solar cell module according to an embodiment.  FIG. 2  is a plane view illustrating a solar cell module according to an embodiment.  FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A′ of  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a solar cell module according to another embodiment.  FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view illustrating a solar cell module according to still another embodiment. 
         [0017]    Referring to  FIGS. 1 to 3 , a solar cell module according to an embodiment includes a solar cell panel  100 , an adhesive member  300 , and a protective panel  400 . 
         [0018]    The solar cell panel  100  has a plate shape. The solar cell panel  100  includes a central region CR and an outer region OR. The central region CR is defined as being a central portion of the solar cell panel  100 , and the outer region OR is defined around the central region CR. 
         [0019]    The solar cell panel  100  may be separated by the central region and the outer region OR. The solar cell panel  100  includes a support substrate  110  and a plurality of solar cells  120 . 
         [0020]    The support substrate  110  has a plate shape. The support substrate  110  is an insulator. The support substrate  110  may be rigid or flexible. For example, the support substrate  110  may be a soda lime glass substrate. Also, the support substrate  110  supports the solar cells  120 . 
         [0021]    The solar cells  120  are disposed on the support substrate  110 . As illustrated in the drawings, the solar cells  120  may be disposed over the central region CR and the out region OR. 
         [0022]    Alternatively, the solar cells  120  are disposed only on the central region CR. 
         [0023]    The solar cells  120  receive solar light to convert the solar light to electric energy. The solar cells  120  are connected in series. And also, the solar cells  120  may have a shape extending to one direction. 
         [0024]    For example, the solar cells  120  may be copper indium gallium selenide (CIGS) based solar cells, silicon based solar cells, or dye-sensitized solar cells. 
         [0025]    The adhesive member  300  is disposed on the solar cell panel  100 . The adhesive member  300  is disposed between the solar cell panel  100  and the protective panel  400 . The adhesive member  300  adheres the solar cell panel  100  to the protective panel  400 . That is, the adhesive member  300  is adhered to the top surface of the solar cell panel  100  and the bottom surface of the protective panel  400 . 
         [0026]    The adhesive member  300  includes a first adhesive member  310  and a second adhesive member  320 . 
         [0027]    The first adhesive member  310  is disposed on the central region CR. The first adhesive member  310  is disposed corresponding to the central region CR. The first adhesive member  310  adheres the central portion of the solar cell panel  100  to the central portion of the protective panel  400 . 
         [0028]    The first adhesive member  310  may be adhered to the central region CR. The first adhesive member  310  has a relatively low adhesive strength. That is, the first adhesive member  310  has an adhesive strength less than the second adhesive member  320 . In more detail, an adhesive strength between the first adhesive member  310  and the solar cell panel  100  is low. 
         [0029]    Thus, the first adhesive member  310  and the solar cell panel  100  are easily attachable/detachable. That is, the first adhesive member  310  is easily attachable/detachable to/from the solar cell panel  100  without the solar cells  120  being damaged. 
         [0030]    The first adhesive member  310  may have a rectangular shape in terms of the plane. And also, the first adhesive member  310  is disposed inside the second adhesive member  320 . 
         [0031]    Ethylene vinyl acetate or polyurethane based adhesive may be used as the first adhesive member  310 . 
         [0032]    In this case, ethylene vinyl acetate which is used in the first adhesive member  310  have a relatively low content of vinyl acetate. For example, ethylene vinyl acetate which is used in the first adhesive member  310  have a relatively low content of vinyl acetate of about 15 wt % to about 40 wt %. 
         [0033]    That is, to form ethylene vinyl acetate which is used in the first adhesive member  310 , monomers or oligomers having about 15 wt % to about 40 wt % of vinyl acetate may be polymerized. 
         [0034]    The first adhesive member  310  covers almost all of the solar cells  120 . In more detail, the first adhesive member  310  may cover all of the solar cells  120 . 
         [0035]    The second adhesive member  320  is disposed on the outer region OR. The second adhesive member  320  has a closed-loop shape. For example, the second adhesive member  320  may have a rectangular loop shape in terms of the plane. 
         [0036]    The second adhesive member  320  is disposed between the solar cell panel  100  and the protective panel  400 . And also, the second adhesive member  320  is adhered to the bottom surface of the protective panel  400  and the top surface of the solar cell panel  100 . The second adhesive member  320  is adhered to the outer region OR. 
         [0037]    The second adhesive member  320  is disposed corresponding to the outer of the solar cell panel  100 . That is, the second adhesive member  320  is disposed corresponding to the sides of the solar cell panel  100 . That is, the adhesive member  320  may be disposed on the top surface of the solar cell panel  100  and have a shape extending along the sides of the solar cell panel  100 . 
         [0038]    The second adhesive member  320  may be adhered to some of the solar cells  120 . 
         [0039]    Alternatively, the second adhesive member  320  may be adhered only to an area in which the solar cells  120  are not disposed. That is, the second adhesive member  320  may not be adhered to the solar cells  120 . 
         [0040]    The second adhesive member  320  has a relatively high adhesive strength. That is, the second adhesive member  320  is adhered to the solar cell panel  100 , with a high adhesive strength. The second adhesive member  320  has an adhesive strength much greater than the first adhesive member  310 . 
         [0041]    That is, the second adhesive member  320  is strictly adhered to the solar cell panel  100 , with a high adhesive strength. Thus, the solar cells  120  may be damaged when the second adhesive member  320  is attached/detached to/from the solar cell panel  100 . 
         [0042]    Ethylene vinyl acetate, a ceramic based adhesive, or an epoxy based adhesive may be used as the second adhesive member  320 . 
         [0043]    In this case, ethylene vinyl acetate which is included in the second adhesive member  320  may have a relatively low content of vinyl acetate. That is, ethylene vinyl acetate which is included in the second adhesive member  320  may have a content of vinyl acetate greater than ethylene vinyl acetate which is included in the first adhesive member  310 . 
         [0044]    For example, ethylene vinyl acetate which is included in the second adhesive member  320  may have about 40 wt % to about 60 wt % of vinyl acetate. 
         [0045]    The second adhesive member  320  may be a sealing member for sealing the space between the solar cell panel  100  and the protective panel  400 . And also, the second adhesive member  310  may be a buffer member absorbing a shock which is applied from the outside through the protective panel  400 . Furthermore, the first adhesive member  310  may not have an adhesive strength, but a buffer function. 
         [0046]    That is, the second adhesive member  320  usually may protect the solar cells  120  from an external chemical shock such as humidity and/or oxygen. And also, the first adhesive member  310  usually may protect the solar cells  120  from an external physical shock. 
         [0047]    The protective panel  400  is disposed on the adhesive member  300 . The protective panel  400  is disposed on the solar cell panel  100 . The protective panel  400  protects the solar cells  120  from an external physical shock and/or alien substances. The protective panel may be transparent and, for example, include tempered glass. 
         [0048]    And also, another buffer layer may be disposed between the protective panel  400  and the adhesive member  300 . In this case, the buffer layer may be transparent, and formed of an elastic polymer such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA). 
         [0049]    Although not illustrated, the solar cell module according to an embodiment may further comprise a frame, bus bar, junction box, and cable. 
         [0050]    The frame accommodates and supports the solar cell panel  100  and the protective panel  400 . The frame fixes the support substrate and the protective panel  400 . 
         [0051]    The bus bar may be coupled to the top surface of the solar cell  120  and be connected to a circuit board in the junction box through wiring. 
         [0052]    The junction box may be disposed on the bottom surface of the support substrate  110 . The junction box may accommodate the circuit board with the diode installed therein. The solar cell module according to an embodiment, the cable is extended from the junction box. The cable is coupled to the bus bar through the circuit board accommodated in the junction box. And also, the cable is connected to another solar cell module. 
         [0053]    In the solar cell module according to an embodiment, the first adhesive member  310  having a relatively low adhesive strength is disposed on the central region CR, and is adhered to the solar cell panel  100  and the protective panel  400 . Moreover, the first adhesive member  310  covers almost all of the solar cells  120 . 
         [0054]    Thus, the first adhesive member  310  is easily attachable/detachable to/from the solar cell panel, and when the first adhesive member  310  is attached/detached to/from the solar cell panel  100 , the solar cells  120  are barely damaged. 
         [0055]    And also, since the second adhesive member  320  has a closed-loop shape and strong adhesive strength, a sealing area may be strictly formed between the solar cell panel  100  and the protective panel  400 . Thus, an external alien substance is prevented from permeating the solar cell panel  100 . 
         [0056]    Accordingly, the solar cell module according to an embodiment is easily attachable/detachable to/from the first adhesive member  310  as the damage of the solar cell is minimized. 
         [0057]    Thus, the solar cell module according to an embodiment can prevent performance degradation due to alien substances. 
         [0058]    As illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the first adhesive member  310  may cover the second adhesive member  320 . That is, the first adhesive member  310  may be disposed in the outer region OR in addition to the central region CR. 
         [0059]    A portion of the first adhesive member  310  is disposed between the second adhesive member  320  and the protective panel  400 . That is, a portion of the first adhesive member  310 , which is disposed in the outer region OR, may be directly contacted to the top surface of the second adhesive member  320  and the bottom surface of the protective panel  400 . 
         [0060]    In the solar cell module of  FIG. 4 , the first adhesive member  310  and the second adhesive member  320  may be easily attached onto the solar cell panel  100 . That is, unlike in  FIGS. 1 to 3 , in the solar cell module of  FIG. 4 , the first adhesive member  310  is not necessary to be aligned inside the second adhesive member  320 . 
         [0061]    Accordingly, the solar cell module of  FIG. 4  having performance equivalent to the solar cell module of  FIGS. 1 to 3  can be easily manufactured. 
         [0062]    And also, as illustrated in  FIG. 5 , the second adhesive member  320  may cover the first adhesive member  310 . That is, the second adhesive member  320  may entirely cover the top surface of the solar cell panel  100 . 
         [0063]    In this case, the second adhesive member  320  is contacted with the outer region OR directly, but not the central region CR. That is, the first adhesive member  310  is disposed between the second adhesive member  320  and the central region CR. 
         [0064]    And also, the first adhesive member  310  is adhered to the protective panel  400  through the second adhesive member  320 . Thus, the first adhesive member  310  may be strictly adhered to the protective panel  400 . 
         [0065]    Furthermore, the first adhesive member  310  and the second adhesive member  320  are not necessary to be aligned to each other, thereby easily manufacturing the solar cell module of  FIG. 5 . 
         [0066]    In the solar cell apparatus according to an embodiment, the protective panel can be adhered only to the outer portion of the solar cell panel, using the second adhesive member of a closed-loop shape. 
         [0067]    And also, in the solar cell apparatus according to an embodiment, the protective panel can be adhered only to the central portion of the solar cell panel, using the first adhesive member with a relatively low adhesive strength. 
         [0068]    Thus, since the adhesive strength in the central portion is low, the first adhesive member and solar cell panel are easily attachable to each other. 
         [0069]    That is, since the protective panel and the central portion of the solar cell panel are attached to the attachable member, most of the solar cells are attached to the attachable member. Thus, the solar cell apparatus according to an embodiment is recyclable. Then, the attachable member or the first adhesive member can be removed without most of the solar cells being damaged. Thus, in the solar cell apparatus according to an embodiment, the solar cells are effectively recyclable. 
         [0070]    Furthermore, the outer region is adhered using a second adhesive member with a high adhesive strength, and thus solar cell apparatus according to an embodiment can easily prevent permeation of alien substance. 
         [0071]    The solar cell module according to an embodiment is used in the solar cell field. 
         [0072]    Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “exemplary embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with others of the embodiments. 
         [0073]    Although embodiments have been described with reference to a number of illustrative embodiments thereof, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, various variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combination arrangement within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.