IP Library Granted Patent US 9,105,784
Granted Patent B2
US 9,105,784 · App. 14/026,288 · Granted Aug 11, 2015

Solar module

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,105,784
App. No.
14/026,288
Granted
Aug 11, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A solar module having improved photoelectric conversion efficiency is provided. The solar module ( 1 ) is provided with a bifacial light-receiving solar cell ( 10 ), a transparent member ( 15 ), a weather-resistant member ( 14 ), and a bonding layer ( 13 ). The bonding layer ( 13 ) includes at least two media ( 13 b, 13 c ) having different refractive indices. Interfaces ( 22, 23 ) are formed by at least two media ( 13 b, 13 c ) and are positioned in a region unoccupied by the solar cells ( 10 ). The interfaces ( 22, 23 ) are configured such that at least some of the light that is incident on the interfaces ( 22, 23 ) in a direction (z) perpendicular to the solar module ( 1 ) is guided to the back surface ( 10 b ) of the solar cells ( 10 ).

Claims (13)

1. A solar module comprising:

a bifacial light-receiving solar cell,

a transparent member that reflects light arranged on the light-receiving surface side of the solar cell,

a weather-resistant member arranged on the back surface side of the solar cell, and

a bonding layer arranged in a space between the transparent member and the weather-resistant member; wherein

the bonding layer including at least two media with different refractive indices, interfaces are formed by at least two media and are positioned in a region unoccupied by the solar cells, and

the interfaces being configured such that at least some of the light that is incident on the interfaces in a direction perpendicular to the solar module is refracted at the interfaces towards the solar cells, reflected on the weather-resistant member, and guided to the back surface of the solar cells.

2. The solar module according to claim 1 , wherein the interface extends from the back surface of the solar cell away from the solar cell and towards the weather-resistant member; and the medium positioned on the weather-resistant member side of the interface has a refractive index that is higher than the refractive index of the medium positioned on the transparent member side of the interface.

3. The solar module according to claim 1 , wherein the interface extends from the light-receiving surface of the solar cell away from the solar cell and towards the transparent member; and the medium positioned on the weather-resistant member side of the interface has a refractive index that is lower than the refractive index of the medium positioned on the transparent member side of the interface.

4. The solar module according to claim 1 , wherein the interface includes a first interface extending from the back surface of the solar cell away from the solar cell and towards the weather-resistant member, and a second interface extending from the light-receiving surface of the solar cell away from the solar cell and towards the transparent member;

the medium positioned on the weather-resistant member side of the first interface having a refractive index that is higher than the refractive index of the medium positioned on the transparent member side of the first interface, and

the medium positioned on the transparent member side of the second interface having a refractive index that is higher than the refractive index of the medium positioned on the weather-resistant member side of the second interface.

5. The solar module according to claim 1 , wherein the difference in the refractive indices of the two media constituting the interface is equal to or greater than 1.05.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 24, 2015
From: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
To: PANASONIC CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 035071/0276 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Feb 24, 2015
From: PANASONIC CORPORATION
To: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 035071/0508 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Sep 13, 2013
From: ISHIGURO, TASUKU
To: SANYO ELECTRIC CO., LTD.
Reel/Frame 031202/0489 →