Abstract: The present invention reduces the time required to manufacture a solar cell. After etching main surfaces (10B1, 10B2) of a crystalline silicon substrate (10B) using one etching solution, the main surfaces (10B1, 10B2) of the crystalline silicon substrate (10B) are etched at a lower etching rate than the etching performed using the one etching solution by using another etching solution that has a higher concentration of etching components than the one etching solution. In this way, a textured structure is formed in the main surfaces (10B1, 10B2) of the crystalline silicon substrate (10B).

Abstract: The present invention reduces the time required to manufacture a solar cell. After etching main surfaces (10B1, 10B2) of a crystalline silicon substrate (10B) using one etching solution, the main surfaces (10B1, 10B2) of the crystalline silicon substrate (10B) are etched at a lower etching rate than the etching performed using the one etching solution by using another etching solution that has a higher concentration of etching components than the one etching solution. In this way, a textured structure is formed in the main surfaces (10B1, 10B2) of the crystalline silicon substrate (10B).

Abstract: A photovoltaic element includes a power generating region having a photoelectric conversion layer, a collector formed on a surface of the power generating region and a protective layer formed on the power generating region, wherein at least a part of the protective layer is formed at a prescribed interval from a side surface of the collector without contact with the side surface.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a solar cell module according to the present invention includes a step of forming a protective layer formed of a transparent material on one main surface of one solar cell, and a region in which the one main surface is exposed remains on an outside of the circumference of the protective layer formed on the one main surface.

Abstract: According to a solar cell manufacturing method of an embodiment, in a process of forming a surface protection layer by transferring a resin material applied to a cylindrical surface of a cylindrical blanket, to a light receiving surface of a solar cell substrate, the blanket is rotated on the light receiving surface of the solar cell substrate in a first direction in which the multiple thin wire electrodes extend.

Abstract: A photovoltaic element which directly converts an optical energy such as solar light into an electric energy. After many uneven sections are formed on the surface of an n-type crystalline silicon substrate (1), the surface of the substrate (1) is isotropically etched. Then the bottoms (b) of the recessed sections are rounded and a p-type amorphous silicon layer (3) is formed on the surface of the substrate (1) through an intrinsic amorphous silicon layer (2). The shape of the surface of the substrate (1) after isotropic etching is such that the bottoms of the recessed sections are slightly rounded and therefore the amorphous silicon layer can be deposited in a uniform thickness.

Abstract: A photovoltaic element which directly converts an optical energy such as solar light into an electric energy. After many uneven sections are formed on the surface of an n-type crystalline silicon substrate (1), the surface of the substrate (1) is isotropically etched. Then the bottoms (b) of the recessed sections are rounded and a p-type amorphous silicon layer (3) is formed on the surface of the substrate (1) through an intrinsic amorphous silicon layer (2). The shape of the surface of the substrate (1) after isotropic etching is such that the bottoms of the recessed sections are slightly rounded and therefore the amorphous silicon layer can be deposited in a uniform thickness.

Abstract: A photovoltaic element which directly converts an optical energy such as solar light into an electric energy. After many uneven sections are formed on the surface of an n-type crystalline silicon substrate (1), the surface of the substrate (1) is isotropically etched. Then the bottoms (b) of the recessed sections are rounded and a p-type amorphous silicon layer (3) is formed on the surface of the substrate (1) through an intrinsic amorphous silicon layer (2). The shape of the surface of the substrate (1) after isotropic etching is such that the bottoms of the recessed sections are slightly rounded and therefore the amorphous silicon layer can be deposited in a uniform thickness.