Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for partial etching or pattern etching using an electrolysis reaction, wherein, conventionally, there was the problem that an etching line could not be finely formed on a cell edge because of apparatus problems concerning alignment accuracy. The present invention provides a method and apparatus with which fine line etching is possible and which can form a line on a cell edge. Provided is a an electrolytic etching method of a substrate which is formed having a subject etching layer on a surface, having the steps of providing a fixed gap from a substrate end surface which is external to an end surface of the substrate for placing a working part of a working electrode and passing current between the substrate and the working electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for partial etching or pattern etching using an electrolysis reaction, wherein, conventionally, there was the problem that an etching line could not be finely formed on a cell edge because of apparatus problems concerning alignment accuracy. The present invention provides a method and apparatus with which fine line etching is possible and which can form a line on a cell edge. Provided is a an electrolytic etching method of a substrate which is formed having a subject etching layer on a surface, having the steps of providing a fixed gap from a substrate end surface which is external to an end surface of the substrate for placing a working part of a working electrode and passing current between the substrate and the working electrode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for partial etching or pattern etching using an electrolysis reaction, wherein, conventionally, there was the problem that an etching line could not be finely formed on a cell edge because of apparatus problems concerning alignment accuracy. The present invention provides a method and apparatus with which fine line etching is possible and which can form a line on a cell edge. Provided is a an electrolytic etching method of a substrate which is formed having a subject etching layer on a surface, having the steps of providing a fixed gap from a substrate end surface which is external to an end surface of the substrate for placing a working part of a working electrode and passing current between the substrate and the working electrode.

Abstract: Before electrically connecting at least two photovoltaic elements, a medium capable of absorbing at least 10% or more of a light having a wavelength of 0.4 ?m to 2.0 ?m is provided on an electric connection portion of the photovoltaic element, whereby the present invention provides a method of electrically connecting a group of photovoltaic elements to one another with a high yield and easy automatization.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for partial etching or pattern etching using an electrolysis reaction, wherein, conventionally, there was the problem that an etching line could not be finely formed on a cell edge because of apparatus problems concerning alignment accuracy. The present invention provides a method and apparatus with which fine line etching is possible and which can form a line on a cell edge. Provided is a an electrolytic etching method of a substrate which is formed having a subject etching layer on a surface, having the steps of providing a fixed gap from a substrate end surface which is external to an end surface of the substrate for placing a working part of a working electrode and passing current between the substrate and the working electrode.

Abstract: A photovoltaic element having an electrode structure having joining portions (A) in which collecting electrodes are spacedly arranged on a light receiving face side of the photovoltaic element such that they are individually joined to a bus bar electrode. Each of the joining portions (A) has a first joining portion (i) having a first paste. Each of collecting electrodes (b) excluding the collecting electrodes (a) positioned at opposite end sides of the arrangement of the collecting electrodes further has a second joining portion (ii) having a second paste with a smaller resistivity than that of the first paste. A proportion of the first joining portion (i) in the joining portion (A) of each of the collecting electrodes (a) is greater than a proportion of the first joining portion (i) in the joining portion (A) of each of the collecting electrodes (b). A process for the production of the photovoltaic element.

Abstract: Electronic equipment has two electronic circuit boards in a casing, which is constructed of a base and a cover. Two electronic circuit boards are piled up in the casing. A first electronic circuit board is, for example, for a radio communication unit, and a second electronic circuit board is, for example, for a control unit. The first board has a portion that does not face the second board. The first board is attached to the base. Heat, which is generated by the first board, conducts by heat contact from the first board to the base and the case of the casing through the contact portion of the first board with the base.

Abstract: Electronic equipment has two electronic circuit boards in a casing, which is constructed of a base and a cover. Two electronic circuit boards are piled up in the casing. A first electronic circuit board is, for example, for a radio communication unit, and a second electronic circuit board is, for example, for a control unit. The first board has a portion that does not face the second board. The first board is attached to the base. Heat, which is generated by the first board, conducts by heat contact from the first board to the base and the case of the casing through the contact portion of the first board with the base.

Abstract: A photovoltaic element having a wire disposed on a surface of the photovoltaic element for outputting a power generated by the photovoltaic element, and an electrode electrically joined with the wire while forming a joining portion, wherein the joining portion of the wire and the electrode has at least a first joining portion and a second joining portion which is adjacent to the first joining portion, and the second joining portion has an elasticity which is greater than that of the first joining portion. A process for the production of the photovoltaic element. A method for forming an electrical continuity between a covered wire and a conductor, including a method of removing a cover portion of the covered wire and a method of joining the covered wire with the conductor.

Abstract: A photovoltaic element having an electrode structure having a plurality of joining portions (A) in which a plurality of collecting electrodes are spacedly arranged on a light receiving face side of said photovoltaic element such that they are individually joined to a bus bar electrode, wherein each of the joining portions (A) has a first joining portion (i) comprising a first paste, of said plurality of collecting electrodes, each of the collecting electrodes (b) excluding the collecting electrodes (a) positioned at opposite end sides of the arrangement of said plurality of collecting electrodes further has a second joining portion (ii) comprising a second paste having a smaller resistivity than that of said first electrically conductive paste at the joining portion (A) thereof, and a proportion of the first joining portion (i) in the joining portion (A) of each of the collecting electrodes (a) is greater than a proportion of the first joining portion (i) in the joining portion (A) of each of the collecting e

Abstract: Before electrically connecting at least two photovoltaic elements, a medium capable of absorbing at least 10% or more of a light having a wavelength of 0.4 &mgr;m to 2.0 &mgr;m is provided on an electric connection portion of the photovoltaic element, whereby the present invention provides a method of electrically connecting a group of photovoltaic elements to one another with a high yield and easy automatization.

Abstract: In a photovoltaic device module comprising a plurality of photovoltaic devices connected electrically through a metal member, an insulating member is so provided as to avoid contact between an edge portion of the photovoltaic device and the metal member. This can provide a photovoltaic device module which is inexpensive, easy to operate and highly reliable.

Abstract: Before electrically connecting at least two photovoltaic elements, a medium capable of absorbing at least 10% or more of a light having a wavelength of 0.4 &mgr;m to 2.0 &mgr;m is provided on an electric connection portion of the photovoltaic element, whereby the present invention provides a method of electrically connecting a group of photovoltaic elements to one another with a high yield and easy automatization.

Abstract: A moldless semiconductor device comprising a semiconductor chip held between outer-connecting terminals and connected electrically to the terminals is provided. At least one of the two terminals has, at its region contiguous to the semiconductor chip or at its region contiguous to the semiconductor chip and a region vicinal thereto, a hardness different from all other regions of the one terminal. This moldless semiconductor device can withstand significant external force and exhibits high reliability when used in photovoltaic device modules.

Abstract: Before electrically connecting at least two photovoltaic elements, a medium capable of absorbing at least 10% or more of a light having a wavelength of 0.4 &mgr;m to 2.0 &mgr;m is provided on an electric connection portion of the photovoltaic element, whereby the present invention provides a method of electrically connecting a group of photovoltaic elements to one another with a high yield and easy automatization.

Abstract: Before electrically connecting at least two photovoltaic elements, a medium capable of absorbing at least 10% or more of a light having a wavelength of 0.4 &mgr;m to 2.0 &mgr;m is provided on an electric connection portion of the photovoltaic element, whereby the present invention provides a method of electrically connecting a group of photovoltaic elements to one another with a high yield and easy automatization.

Abstract: By inspecting an electrical wiring route of a solar cell module while applying a load to the solar cell module, it is possible to more accurately judge the presence or absence of a defect in the electrical wiring route of the solar cell module.

Abstract: A process for producing a solar cell module comprising at least a photovoltaic element module is provided. The photovoltaic element module is formed by electrically connecting a plurality of photovoltaic elements with each other, after the individual photovoltaic elements are identified or classified into a plurality of groups which are different from each other in property and attribute. The photovoltaic element module is formed such that at least two kinds of photovoltaic elements having different property and attribute co-exist therein. A solar cell module having at least a photovoltaic element module comprising a plurality of photovoltaic elements electrically connected with each other is also provided; the plurality of photovoltaic elements comprises photovoltaic elements identified or classified into at least two kinds which are different in terms of property and attribute.

Abstract: In a photovoltaic device module comprising a plurality of photovoltaic devices connected electrically through a metal member, an insulating member is so provided as to avoid contact between an edge portion of the photovoltaic device and the metal member. This can provide a photovoltaic device module which is inexpensive, easy to operate and highly reliable.

Abstract: A photovoltaic element with a low shadow, a high energy conversion efficiency, a high freedom in dimension and a high reliability with prolonged use is provided. The photovoltaic element comprises a photovoltaic layer having a first semiconductor junction layer for generating an electromotive force, a current collecting electrode provided at the light incident side of the photovoltaic layer, and a bypass diode connected in parallel, wherein the bypass diode is provided under the current collecting electrode as a bypass diode layer having a second semiconductor junction layer other than the first semiconductor junction layer of the photovoltaic layer.