Abstract: The solar cell includes a plurality of light-receiving-side finger electrodes on a light-receiving surface of a photoelectric conversion section having a semiconductor junction. The light-receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion section is covered with a first insulating layer. Each light-receiving-side finger electrodes include: a first metal seed layer provided between the photoelectric conversion section and the first insulating layer; and a first plating metal layer being conduction with the first metal seed layer through openings formed in the first insulating layer. The solar cell includes an isolated plating metal layer pieces contacting neither the light-receiving-side finger electrodes nor the back-side finger electrodes. On the surface of the first insulating layer, an isolated plating metal crowded region is present in a form of a band-shape extending parallel to an extending direction of the light-receiving-side finger electrodes.

Abstract: The solar cell includes a plurality of light-receiving-side finger electrodes on a light-receiving surface of a photoelectric conversion section having a semiconductor junction. The light-receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion section is covered with a first insulating layer. Each light-receiving-side finger electrodes include: a first metal seed layer provided between the photoelectric conversion section and the first insulating layer; and a first plating metal layer being conduction with the first metal seed layer through openings formed in the first insulating layer. The solar cell includes an isolated plating metal layer pieces contacting neither the light-receiving-side finger electrodes nor the back-side finger electrodes. On the surface of the first insulating layer, an isolated plating metal crowded region is present in a form of a band-shape extending parallel to an extending direction of the light-receiving-side finger electrodes.

Abstract: In the solar cell module, a first solar cell and a second solar cell are stacked together with an electroconductive member interposed therebetween, such that a cleaved surface-side periphery on a light-receiving surface of the first solar cell overlaps a periphery on a back surface of the second solar cell. The first solar cell and the second solar cell each have: photoelectric conversion section including a crystalline silicon substrate; collecting electrode; and back electrode. At a section where the first solar cell and the second solar cell are stacked, the collecting electrode of the first solar cell and the back electrode of the second solar cell are electrically connected to each other by coming into contact with the electroconductive member. An insulating member is provided on a part of the cleaved surface-side periphery on the light-receiving surface of the first solar cell, where the collecting electrode is not provided.

Abstract: The solar cell includes a plurality of light-receiving-side finger electrodes on a light-receiving surface of a photoelectric conversion section having a semiconductor junction. The light-receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion section is covered with a first insulating layer. Each light-receiving-side finger electrodes include: a first metal seed layer provided between the photoelectric conversion section and the first insulating layer; and a first plating metal layer being conduction with the first metal seed layer through openings formed in the first insulating layer. The solar cell includes an isolated plating metal layer pieces contacting neither the light-receiving-side finger electrodes nor the back-side finger electrodes. On the surface of the first insulating layer, an isolated plating metal crowded region is present in a form of a band-shape extending parallel to an extending direction of the light-receiving-side finger electrodes.

Abstract: In the solar cell module, a first solar cell and a second solar cell are stacked together with an electroconductive member interposed therebetween, such that a cleaved surface-side periphery on a light-receiving surface of the first solar cell overlaps a periphery on a back surface of the second solar cell. The first solar cell and the second solar cell each have: photoelectric conversion section including a crystalline silicon substrate; collecting electrode; and back electrode. At a section where the first solar cell and the second solar cell are stacked, the collecting electrode of the first solar cell and the back electrode of the second solar cell are electrically connected to each other by coming into contact with the electroconductive member. An insulating member is provided on a part of the cleaved surface-side periphery on the light-receiving surface of the first solar cell, where the collecting electrode is not provided.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes a solar cell, a wiring member electrically connected to the solar cell, a light-receiving-surface encapsulant and a back-surface encapsulant that cover the solar cell, a light-receiving-surface protecting member; and a back-surface protecting member. The back-surface protecting member does not contain a metal foil. A back-side metal electrode contacts the back-surface encapsulant. The arithmetic mean roughness of the surface of the back-side metal electrode that contacts the back-surface encapsulant is less than 0.1 ?m. The back-surface encapsulant comprises a crosslinked olefin resin.

Abstract: The solar cell includes a plurality of light-receiving-side finger electrodes on a light-receiving surface of a photoelectric conversion section having a semiconductor junction. The light-receiving surface of the photoelectric conversion section is covered with a first insulating layer. Each light-receiving-side finger electrodes include: a first metal seed layer provided between the photoelectric conversion section and the first insulating layer; and a first plating metal layer being conduction with the first metal seed layer through openings formed in the first insulating layer. The solar cell includes an isolated plating metal layer pieces contacting neither the light-receiving-side finger electrodes nor the back-side finger electrodes. On the surface of the first insulating layer, an isolated plating metal crowded region is present in a form of a band-shape extending parallel to an extending direction of the light-receiving-side finger electrodes.

Abstract: In the solar cell module, a first solar cell and a second solar cell are stacked together with an electroconductive member interposed therebetween, such that a cleaved surface-side periphery on a light-receiving surface of the first solar cell overlaps a periphery on a back surface of the second solar cell. The first solar cell and the second solar cell each have: photoelectric conversion section including a crystalline silicon substrate; collecting electrode; and back electrode. At a section where the first solar cell and the second solar cell are stacked, the collecting electrode of the first solar cell and the back electrode of the second solar cell are electrically connected to each other by coming into contact with the electroconductive member. An insulating member is provided on a part of the cleaved surface-side periphery on the light-receiving surface of the first solar cell, where the collecting electrode is not provided.

Abstract: A thin-film solar cell module of a see-through structure has a plurality of integrated thin-film solar cell segments, each having a rectangular surface, provided on at least a portion of a surface region of a light-transmitting substrate having a rectangular surface and are spaced apart from each other. Adjacent solar cell segments are spaced apart at substantially regular intervals, with their long sides extending parallel to each other. Those portions of the substrate, which lie between the solar cell segments, are exposed, defining light-transmitting windows. A transparent sealing resin fills the gaps between the adjacent solar cell segments.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of controlling a manufacturing process of a photoelectric conversion apparatus, comprising putting a mark for controlling the manufacturing process in a peripheral region on a surface of a transparent substrate or in that region of a side surface of the transparent substrate, which is not irradiated with the laser beam used for the laser-scribing of each of a transparent electrode layer, a semiconductor layer and a reverse electrode layer, the mark being read in the subsequent process and the subsequent process being controlled by utilizing the mark thus read.

Abstract: A method for cleaning a photovoltaic module, the photovoltaic module having a first electrode layer formed on an insulating substrate, a photovoltaic layer, and a second electrode layer. The laminate is electrically divided between a power generating region and peripheral regions by means of grooves. The power generating region is divided into a plurality of photovoltaic cells by means of laser-scribed grooves. At least some of the photovoltaic cells are connected electrically in series with one another. The cleaning method includes a process for transporting the photovoltaic module immersed in a cleaning fluid, while being kept in a horizontal position with the laminate upward as it is transported, and applying ultrasonic vibration to the cleaning fluid, thereby removing particles in the scribed grooves.

Abstract: A thin-film solar cell module of a see-through structure has a plurality of integrated thin-film solar cell segments, each having a rectangular surface, provided on at least a portion of a surface region of a light-transmitting substrate having a rectangular surface and are spaced apart from each other. Adjacent solar cell segments are spaced apart at substantially regular intervals, with their long sides extending parallel to each other. Those portions of the substrate, which lie between the solar cell segments, are exposed, defining light-transmitting windows. A transparent sealing resin fills the gaps between the adjacent solar cell segments.

Abstract: This invention provides a method of fabricating a thin-film photovoltaic module having a structure in which a plurality of thin films are stacked. This method includes postulating a substrate temperature during laser scribing for each thin film, determining a scanning pattern by taking account of the size of the substrate at the postulated temperature, and dividing each thin film in accordance with the scanning pattern while keeping the substrate temperature at the postulated temperature or a temperature in its neighborhood.

Abstract: A curable composition providing a cured product having a silicon type interpenetrating polymer network, which comprises (A) a silsesquioxane ladder polymer, (B) a silicon compound having at least two SiH groups per molecule, (C) a silicon compound having at least two vinylsilyl groups per molecule and (D) a neutral platinum catalyst; and a process for producing a molded article comprising heating the curable composition under a controlled temperature for synchronously causing hydrolysis and condensation of the alkoxysilyl group and/or silanol group and hydrosilylation.