Abstract: Disclosed is a method of manufacturing a photoelectric conversion element including a substrate and a stacked body configured of a plurality of compound semiconductor layers of different compositions sequentially stacked on the substrate, and having at least one pn junction in the stacked body. This method includes the steps of forming the stacked body configured of the plurality of compound semiconductor layers of different compositions sequentially stacked on the substrate; forming a protective film on the stacked body; forming a groove by removing at least a portion of the stacked body by at least one method selected from the group consisting of a mechanical removing method, dry etching and laser scribing; etching a side wall of the groove using an etching solution after forming the protective film and the groove; and cutting a portion corresponding to the groove for separation into a plurality of photoelectric conversion elements.

Abstract: A solar cell includes a first compound semiconductor stacked body with an n-type compound semiconductor layer and a p-type compound semiconductor layer in contact with each other, the first compound semiconductor stacked body has a first electrode of a first polarity and a second electrode of a second polarity, and surfaces of the first electrode and the second electrode are exposed to the same side. A solar cell string using the solar cells and a method of manufacturing the solar cell string are further provided.

Abstract: After patterning employing photolithographic and/or other such technique(s) following resist film formation, small amount(s) of surface(s) at exposed portion(s) of crystal(s) 1 is or are at least partially removed therefrom by etching as a result of immersion in etchant(s). Metal film(s) is/are thereafter formed over surface(s) of exposed crystal(s) 1 and over photoresist remaining following etching operation(s), and photoresist remaining following etching operation(s) is then removed so as to cause metal film(s) to remain only at surface(s) of crystal(s) 1 exposed at patterning operation(s).

Abstract: A high-efficiency bypass function added solar cell includes a first conductivity type substrate, a second conductivity type region formed at the light receiving side of the substrate, an electrode formed at the second conductivity type region, and a region of higher concentration than the substrate, arranged in contact with both the substrate and the second conductivity type region and not in contact with the electrode. The substrate includes a reflectionless surface construction and a planer portion at the light receiving side. The reflectionless surface construction has a plurality of grid configurations, and includes a first grid portion and a second grid portion having a grid configuration differing in size from that of the first grid portion. The region of higher concentration than the substrate is formed at the first grid portion.

Abstract: A solar cell comprising a substrate having cleavage directions perpendicular to each other and having textures arranged on its light-receiving surface, said textures having bottom sides adjacent to each other along the cleavage directions and the bottom sides along at least one cleavage direction being discontinuous.

Abstract: A solar battery cell having textures formed in a texture region on a light-receiving surface thereof, except for a site where a surface electrode is formed, wherein the textures formed in a peripheral portion of the texture region have a different size from the textures formed in an inside portion located inside of the peripheral portion.

Abstract: A high-efficiency bypass function added solar cell includes a first conductivity type substrate, a second conductivity type region formed at the light receiving side of the substrate, an electrode formed at the second conductivity type region, and a region of higher concentration than the substrate, arranged in contact with both the substrate and the second conductivity type region and not in contact with the electrode. The substrate includes a reflectionless surface construction and a planer portion at the light receiving side. The reflectionless surface construction has a plurality of grid configurations, and includes a first grid portion and a second grid portion having a grid configuration differing in size from that of the first grid portion. The region of higher concentration than the substrate is formed at the first grid portion.

Abstract: A solar cell comprises a crystalline substrate having projections and depressions formed on either side or both sides of the substrate, wherein a projection-depression depth is 25 .mu.m or more.