Solar cell module

p0001The invention relates to a solar cell module comprising a contact member having a solar cell and a connecting element for an electrical connection of the solar cell module and a method for manufacturing a solar cell module.

p0002Solar cell modules have in various application fields such as photovoltaic systems, is of great importance and are used to convert sunlight into electrical energy. Here, solar cell modules may be connected individually or in groups. Further applications of solar cell modules are power-grid consumers or spacecraft.

p0003For photovoltaic systems generally employs a plurality of solar cell modules, wherein each solar cell module of a plurality of solar cells is constructed. For a respective solar cell module, the individual solar cells are connected in series in a rule. For this, the front contacts of a solar cell with backside contacts of the next solar cell can be contacted. This provides a series connection of solar cells, since in each case the negative pole on the front side of a solar cell is connected to the positive pole on the back of the following solar cell. The actual electrical connection of the solar cell module is then made via the contacts of the first and the last solar cell in the series circuit of the solar cell module.

p0004The contacts of the solar cells, also referred to as strings or ribbons are hitherto led out for the electrical connection of the solar cell module, typically namely on the back side thereof by a provided there protective layer is generally in the form of a protective film, partially opened, so that the contacts passed can be. The contacts are then ushered into a rule in a junction box, which is generally provided in a watertight manner on the back of the solar cell module.

p0005This procedure is associated with considerable effort and moreover error-prone. In particular, namely, can not always be ruled out in a safe manner, that, enters at the point at which the contacts of the solar cell are led out of the solar cell module no water or there is any other damage. Further, the contact and installation in the junction box in this way consuming and sometimes difficult.

p0006Against this background it is the object of the invention to provide a way to achieve a simple and safe connection of a solar cell module.

p0007Starting from the solar cell module described above, this object is achieved in that an electrically conductive contact between the contact element and the connecting element is provided within the solar cell module.

p0008The invention thus provides for the electrically conductive contacting of the solar cell module with the electrical connection of the solar cell module is such that the electrically conductive contact between the contact element and the connecting element takes place inside the solar cell module. This procedure is particularly simple and universal and secure electrical contact and usability of the solar cell module, since instead of a known from the prior art electrical contact outside of the solar cell module, which is often prone to errors, an entirely new approach is taken, consisting of a number of disadvantages the prior art avoids. In other words, the invention allows by contacting within the solar cell module, a particularly secure and fehlerunanfällige electrical contacting of the solar cell module with the electrical connection.

p0009According to an embodiment of the invention in this context, that the connection element is introduced for the electrically conductive contact with the connecting element from outside the solar cell module in this. For example, a frame can be provided in which the solar cell module can be inserted. The connection element may be part of the frame and can then be inserted during insertion of the solar cell module in the frame in the solar cell module. In this manner a particularly simple possibility is created to provide an electrically conductive contact between the contact element and the connection element in the frame during insertion of the solar cell module.

p0010It is further provided in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the contact element is not taken out for making contact from the solar cell module. Preferably, the contact element is not at all, thus also not for other purposes, led out of the solar cell module. Advantageously nourished in particular, that the contact element can not be damaged, for example during transport or during installation.

p0011Basically, the connecting element can be designed in various ways. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the connecting element is designed as a contact pin. Preferably, the pin is made of an electrically highly conductive material such as copper or iron. In this way it is achieved that the contact element and the connecting element having a highly conductive electrical connection.

p0012Very particularly, it is preferred that the connection element is designed as a mandrel. The mandrel on the contact element inclined toward side tapers preferably, can penetrate from outside into the solar cell module. Thus, the mandrel can independently penetrate a possibly present protective layer and / or the rear wall in the solar cell module and manufacturing the electrically conductive contact with the contact element.

p0013According to a further embodiment of the invention it is preferred that the connection element is inserted through the back of the solar cell module and into this. In this case, the connection element penetrating the material from which the rear side of the solar cell module is configured, for example a protective film. Contacting through the backside of the solar cell module through is advantageous in that thereby no space is required on the front of the solar cell module, the side from which the solar cells are typically subjected to sunlight.

p0014According to a further embodiment of the invention is preferable that the solar cell module has an encapsulation, the contact element is enclosed by the encapsulation and the connection element is inserted through the through encapsulation in the solar cell module. The encapsulation may consist of a transparent plastic layer, such as ethylene vinyl acetate be executed (EVA) and is used to protect the solar cells. In other words penetrates according to this preferred embodiment of the invention the connecting element for producing the electrically conductive contact with the contact member, the encapsulation of the solar cell and thus also the contact element are enclosed.

p0015Basically, the connecting element can be manual, ie for example during installation, be introduced into the solar cell module. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, however, that the connection element acted upon by spring force is introduced into the solar cell module. This enables in particular a very simple and reliable contact, for example during insertion of the solar cell module in a frame.

p0016A preferred embodiment of the invention is also the fact that in the solar cell module is an insulating member, said the isolation which acted with spring connection element so counteracts that it supports the contact element towards the front of the solar cell module. This may in particular be ensured that the beaufschlage with spring connection element, the contact element does not bend and thus unusable, especially when installing the solar cell module.

p0017According to a preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that in the solar cell module an opening is provided and the connection member is inserted through the opening in the solar cell module. This means for example that in the back of the solar cell module, an opening may be provided, the connection element is introduced into the solar cell module through the. In particular, the opening can also be provided in the encapsulation. Thus, also cone-shaped connection elements for the electrical contact can be used.

p0018According to another preferred embodiment of the invention it is provided that the opening is provided in an edge region of the solar cell module. It is further preferred that the terminal is inserted from below into the solar cell module. In other words, the electrical contact between the contact element and the connecting element in an edge area of ​​the solar cell module, thus for example in a frame and / or from below, take place. This is a possibility for a very simple installation of the solar cell module is given.

p0019According to another preferred embodiment of the invention a sealing element is provided, wherein the sealing element abuts against the back of the solar cell module and encloses the connector element. The sealing element is preferably designed as a gap-filling elastic sealing compound or as a permanently elastic sealing element. In this case, the sealing member seals the back of the solar cell module from such a manner that no moisture can enter the opening, which is provided for contacting the connecting element to the contact element or through which the connection element, for example designed as a mandrel, from entering the solar cell module.

p0020According to a preferred embodiment of the invention provides that a solar cell module is at least partially or preferably completely surrounds the framework provided abuts the front of the solar cell module on one side of the frame and abuts the connecting element on the other side of the frame. For this purpose, the frame can in particular be in several parts and thereby, for example, two opposing longitudinal portions, two opposing transverse members and for connecting these parts together have a total of four corner pieces, if the solar cell module, as is generally usual, is formed in a rectangular shape. In particular, acted upon with spring connection element can rest on the other side of the frame. In other words, a spring element or a spring which biases the terminal element by spring force, engage the other side of the frame.

p0021The aforementioned object of the invention is further achieved by a method for manufacturing a solar cell module having a a contact member comprising the solar cell and at least comprises the step of: forming an electrically conductive contact within the solar cell module between the contact element and a connection element for an electric connection of the solar cell module.

p0022During the contact of contact elements of the solar cell modules has previously been very complex and difficult, namely often had to be done by hand in a junction box for a solar cell module so that a very simple and especially reliable way of making electrical contact within the solar cell module according to the invention indicated.

p0023The inventive method can before the step described above equipped with two further advance actions to perform and be further developed. Preferably, an opening is to the rear wall of the solar cell module manufactured, and the connection element is introduced into the solar cell module from the outside of the solar cell module through the opening.

p0024According to a preferred development of the method according to the invention an opening in the back wall of the solar cell module can be manufactured by means of a connection element constructed as a mandrel in a first step. Thus, the opening through which penetrates the connecting element in the solar cell module will be prepared only immediately before or during installation of the solar cell module, so that during storage or transport of the solar cell module no moisture or other contamination from entering the solar cell module.

p0025Further preferred embodiments of the inventive method result analogously to the above described preferred embodiments of the solar cell module of the invention.

p0026The invention will be further explained with reference to three preferred embodiments of the invention with reference to the drawing in detail. In the drawings:<dl id="dl0001"><dt>Fig. 1</dt><dd>a suitable for the invention solar cell module in a sectional view,</dd><dt>FIG. 2</dt><dd>a contacting of a terminal element with a contact element of a solar cell module according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention in a sectional view, and</dd><dt>Fig. 3</dt><dd>a contacting of a terminal element with a contact element of a solar cell module according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention in a sectional view.</dd></dl>

p0027Out <figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> It can be seen in sectional view of a solar cell module 1 with a front side and a back side 5. 6 Here, the solar cell module 1 is shown in a state in which it is delivered, ie, without electrical connection. This means that in the<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> illustrated solar cell module 1 is not electrically connected with an electrical connection. The solar cell module 1 includes a solar cell and other solar cell 2 is not shown. From<figref idrefs="f0001">Fig. 1</figref> apparent solar cell 2 is electrically connected to a contact element. 3 According to the solar cell module described herein, the contact element 3 is enclosed by an encapsulation 4 of EVA.

p0028Out <figref idrefs="f0001">FIG. 2</figref> is now a further sectional representation ersichtlicht showing how a contact between the contact element 1 and the connector element 7 according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention is carried out. The connecting element 7 is introduced applied with the spring force of a spring 8 in the solar cell module. 1 In the solar cell module 1 is further provided an insulating member 9, wherein the insulating member 9 is arranged such that it is acted upon by the spring connection element 7 bears against the windscreen 5 of the solar cell module in the first Further, a seal member 10 is provided, which includes the connecting element 7 so that no dirt and / or moisture can penetrate into the solar cell module. 1

p0029In the present exemplary embodiment shown here the front side 5 of the solar cell module 1 is applied to one side of a frame 11th That is acted on by the spring connection element 7 is applied to the other side of the frame 11th The rear side 6 of the solar cell module 1 has an opening 12 through which the A nschlusselement 7 enters the solar cell module. 1 The diameter of opening 12 is dimensioned such that the sealing member 10 as well as the connection element 7 is inserted through this opening 12 therethrough in the solar cell module 1, so that the sealing element 10 rests directly on the encapsulant 4th

p0030According to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, such as from <figref idrefs="f0002">Fig. 3</figref> seen, the solar cell module 1 is no opening in the rear wall 6. The connecting element 7 is designed here rather than mandrel and penetrates such a in the solar cell module 1, it to be the rear wall 6 and the encapsulation 4 pierces. In this case, the seal member 10 rests on the rear wall 6 of the solar cell module in the first

p0031The result is thus a simple and reliable manner facilitates contact between the contact element and the connecting element without the contact element has to be led out of the solar cell module or without complex installation work must be carried out within a separately provided outlet for the solar cell module.