A high efficiency configuration for a string of solar cells comprises series-connected solar cells arranged in an overlapping shingle pattern. Front and back surface metallization patterns may provide further increases in efficiency.

A high efficiency configuration for a string of solar cells comprises series-connected solar cells arranged in an overlapping shingle pattern. Front and back surface metallization patterns may provide further increases in efficiency.

A method of fabricating a solar cell assembly comprising a plurality of solar cells mounted on a flexible support, the support comprising a conductive layer on the top surface thereof divided into two electrically isolated portions—a first conductive portion and a second conductive portion. Each solar cell comprises a front surface, a rear surface, and a first contact on the rear surface and a second contact on the front surface. Each one of the plurality of solar cells is placed on the first conductive portion with the first contact electrically connected to the first conductive portion so that the solar cells are connected through the first conductive portion. A second contact of each solar cell is then connected to the second conductive portion by an interconnect. The two conductive portions serve as bus bars representing contacts of two different polarities of the solar cell assembly.

A solar cell module includes a solar cell string, a first encapsulant, a second encapsulant having a viscoelasticity greater than a viscoelasticity of the first encapsulant, a front-side protective plate, and a back-side protective sheet. The solar cell string includes a plurality of solar cells and a line member which electrically connects the plurality of solar cells. The lengthwise direction of the line member is different from the maximum expansion and contraction direction of the back-side protective sheet.

A solar cell module includes a solar cell string, a first encapsulant, a second encapsulant having a viscoelasticity greater than a viscoelasticity of the first encapsulant, a front-side protective plate, and a back-side protective sheet. The solar cell string includes a plurality of solar cells and a line member which electrically connects the plurality of solar cells. The lengthwise direction of the line member is different from the maximum expansion and contraction direction of the back-side protective sheet.

A photovoltaic device includes: a silicon substrate having a front surface having a texture; and an amorphous silicon layer having an uneven surface corresponding to the texture, wherein the amorphous silicon layer is amorphous in peak portions and slope portions extending between the peak portions and valley portions of the uneven surface, and has crystalline regions which grow, in a pillar manner, approximately perpendicularly from a substrate surface of the silicon substrate in the valley portions, the crystalline regions being discretely present along upper ends of the valley portions, the upper ends being opposite lower ends of the valley portions, the lower ends being in contact with the silicon substrate, wherein coverage of the crystalline regions in the valley portions is higher than coverage of amorphous regions in the valley portions.

A method for manufacturing a solar cell module, the method includes a cell forming operation for forming a first solar cell and a second solar cell by, for each of the first and second solar cells, attaching a first auxiliary electrode and a second auxiliary electrode to a back surface of a semiconductor substrate on which a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes are formed; and a cell string forming operation for connecting the first auxiliary electrode of the first solar cell to the second auxiliary electrode of the second solar cell through an interconnector to form a cell string.

A method for manufacturing a solar cell module, the method includes a cell forming operation for forming a first solar cell and a second solar cell by, for each of the first and second solar cells, attaching a first auxiliary electrode and a second auxiliary electrode to a back surface of a semiconductor substrate on which a plurality of first electrodes and a plurality of second electrodes are formed; and a cell string forming operation for connecting the first auxiliary electrode of the first solar cell to the second auxiliary electrode of the second solar cell through an interconnector to form a cell string.

A solar cell module capable of preventing the occurrence of a PID failure in a solar photovoltaic power generation system with a MW capacity, said system being used in a high-temperature high-humidity environment; and a method for manufacturing this solar cell module. A solar cell module which comprises a protection glass material and a sealing material on a light receiving surface side of a substrate, and which also comprises an oxide layer between the substrate and the protection glass material, said oxide layer containing a metal element and silicon. It is preferable that the oxide layer contains at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of magnesium, aluminum, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, zirconium, niobium and molybdenum. It is also preferable that the oxide layer has a refractive index of from 1.5 to 2.3 (inclusive) with respect to incident light having a wavelength of 587 nm.

A solar cell module capable of preventing the occurrence of a PID failure in a solar photovoltaic power generation system with a MW capacity, said system being used in a high-temperature high-humidity environment; and a method for manufacturing this solar cell module. A solar cell module which comprises a protection glass material and a sealing material on a light receiving surface side of a substrate, and which also comprises an oxide layer between the substrate and the protection glass material, said oxide layer containing a metal element and silicon. It is preferable that the oxide layer contains at least one metal element selected from the group consisting of magnesium, aluminum, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, zirconium, niobium and molybdenum. It is also preferable that the oxide layer has a refractive index of from 1.5 to 2.3 (inclusive) with respect to incident light having a wavelength of 587 nm.