Abstract: A thin film photovoltaic cell has an insulating substrate divided into a plurality of unit cells by alternately forming patterning lines in layers stacked on two faces of the insulating substrate; a rear face electrode layer, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a transparent electrode layer stacked in order on one face of the insulating substrate accordingly; and a back face electrode layer deposited on the other face of the insulating substrate. The photovoltaic cell further has a first penetrating hole penetrating the insulating substrate to electrically connect the transparent electrode layer and the back face electrode layer; a second penetrating hole penetrating the insulating substrate to electrically connect the rear face electrode layer and the back face electrode layer; and a transparent electrode layer removal portion in which the transparent electrode layer at least in a region surrounding the second penetrating hole is removed by an ultraviolet pulsed laser.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module has a photovoltaic cell assembly and a diode assembly. The photovoltaic cell assembly is formed by stacking a rear surface electrode layer, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a transparent electrode layer on one surface of a substrate, and an electrode layer formed on the other surface of the substrate. The diode assembly is formed by sequentially stacking a first electrode layer, a semiconductor layer, and a second electrode layer on one surface of a second substrate. The first electrode layer or the second electrode layer of the diode assembly is formed of a conductive oxide. The electrode layer formed on the other surface of the substrate of the photovoltaic cell assembly and the electrode layer of the diode assembly surface-contact and electrically connected with each other. The photovoltaic cell assembly and the diode assembly are sealed and integrated with each other by a sealing member.

Abstract: A film forming process is performed on a substrate in a deposition chamber. A first electrode is provided in the deposition chamber and is grounded. A second electrode is provided in the deposition chamber to face the first electrode. A radio frequency power supply supplies radio frequency power to the second electrode. A DC power supply supplies a DC bias voltage to the second electrode. A control unit adjusts a bias voltage to be less than the potential of the second electrode when the radio frequency power is supplied, but the bias voltage is not supplied. In this way, it is possible to improve film quality while preventing a reduction in the deposition rate of a film during deposition.

Abstract: A thin film photovoltaic cell is configured such that a rear face electrode layer, a photoelectric conversion layer and a transparent electrode layer are stacked in this order on one face of an insulating substrate, a back face electrode layer is deposited on the other face, and both electrode layers are electrically connected via a second penetrating hole which penetrates the insulating substrate; and is further configured such that a protective layer is provided at least in a region surrounding the second penetrating hole and located between the transparent electrode layer and the photoelectric conversion layer stacked on the rear face electrode layer, or between the rear face electrode layer and the photoelectric conversion layer. By using a laser to remove a transparent electrode on the periphery of the second penetrating hole in the region in which the protective layer is formed, the two electrode layers are electrically insulated.

Abstract: A thin-film photovoltaic cell includes a rear-face electrode layer, a photoelectric conversion layer, and a transparent electrode layer stacked in order on one face of an insulating substrate. A first back-face electrode layer and a second back-face electrode layer are stacked in order on the other face of the insulating substrate. Further, the transparent electrode layer and the second back-face electrode layer are electrically connected to each other via first through holes passing through the insulating substrate, and the rear-face electrode layer and the first back-face electrode layer are electrically connected to each other via second through holes passing through the insulating substrate. In accordance with the present invention, the transparent electrode layer around the second through holes is separated by grooves, and the transparent electrode layer and the second back-face electrode layer are electrically insulated from each other.

Abstract: A film forming process is performed on a substrate in a deposition chamber. A first electrode is provided in the deposition chamber and is grounded. A second electrode is provided in the deposition chamber to face the first electrode. A radio frequency power supply supplies radio frequency power to the second electrode. A DC power supply supplies a DC bias voltage to the second electrode. A control unit adjusts a bias voltage to be less than the potential of the second electrode when the radio frequency power is supplied, but the bias voltage is not supplied. In this way, it is possible to improve film quality while preventing a reduction in the deposition rate of a film during deposition.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module includes a substrate structure photovoltaic cell, sealing layers, and front and rear surface protection layers. The photovoltaic cell includes a film substrate, on which a metal electrode layer, a thin film photoelectric conversion layer, and a transparent electrode layer are stacked. The sealing layers are stacked on light receiving surface side and non-light receiving surface side of the photovoltaic cell, and directly joined to each other in a periphery of the photovoltaic cell. The front surface protection layer is joined to the light receiving surface side sealing layer, and a rear surface protection layer is joined to the non-light receiving surface side sealing layer. The front surface protection layer is formed of a transparent resin film, and a glass coating layer is formed on the light receiving surface side thereof.

Abstract: A multilayer film formation method and film deposition apparatus that suppress fluctuations in thickness, stabilize product quality, and reduce costs. The method employs gas-phase chemical reaction to form a multilayer film having at least three layers using raw material gases of differing compositions. A film formation apparatus is provided having at least first and second film deposition portions along a transfer path of the substrate, and having a supply/recovery portion for the substrate at either end of the transfer path; continuously transferring the substrate along the transfer path at a first speed during a first transfer and film deposition to form a plurality of stacked layers including first and second layers; and continuously transferring the substrate along the transfer path at a second speed during a second transfer and film deposition to form a third layer having the third composition that differs from those of the first and second layers.

Abstract: One embodiment of the invention provides a photovoltaic module capable of preventing a reduction in insulation resistance. The photovoltaic module includes a photoelectric conversion element including a substrate and a photoelectric conversion layer that is formed on the substrate, a protective member that is adhered to a light incident surface of the photoelectric conversion element with a sealing member interposed therebetween and protects a light incident surface of the photovoltaic module, a reinforcing member that is adhered to a surface opposite to the light incident surface of the photovoltaic module with a sealing member interposed therebetween and protects the photovoltaic module, and an insulating sheet that is provided between the photoelectric conversion element and the reinforcing member to insulate the photoelectric conversion element.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes photoelectric converters, and resin surface covering materials covering the light-incident side of photoelectric converters, trenches being formed in the surface covering materials. The trenches extend approximately in parallel to the horizontal plane for a certain length, and in parallel to each other, so as to facilitate, in repairing the damage therein, improving the adhesiveness between the module surface and the bonding portion of a repair material so as to prevent water and contamination from getting into the bonding portion, prevent the solar cell module properties from deteriorating, prevent any ground fault through the water, and prevent the repair material from peeling.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a solar cell module with a plurality of solar cell submodules includes temporarily fixing an adhesive resin layer on the power generation layer of a solar cell to protect the power generation layer. The solar cell is then divided into the plurality of solar cell submodules. The adjacent solar cells are connected by lead-out electrodes with connection wiring. Another layer of adhesive resin is provided only on a surface opposite to the power generation layer of the solar cell submodules and, together with the adhesive resin on the surface of the power generation layer, melts and adheres to a protective member or a support member. The method reduces both the materials and effort required for production, and decreases manufacturing costs, while preventing poor adhesion of wiring material and surface material.

Abstract: A solar cell module includes photoelectric converters, and resin surface covering materials covering the light-incident side of photoelectric converters, trenches being formed in the surface covering materials. The trenches extend approximately in parallel to the horizontal plane for a certain length, and in parallel to each other, so as to facilitate, in repairing the damage therein, improving the adhesiveness between the module surface and the bonding portion of a repair material so as to prevent water and contamination from getting into the bonding portion, prevent the solar cell module properties from deteriorating, prevent any ground fault through the water, and prevent the repair material from peeling.