A thin-film solar cell contains: a lens material layer, a conductive contact layer, a first n-p semiconductor layer, a second n-p semiconductor layer, an insulation layer, a transparent conducting layer, a substrate, multiple first vias, multiple insulators, and multiple electrical conductors. A respective first via passes through the lens material layer, the conductive contact layer, and the first n-p semiconductor layer. The multiple insulators are accommodated in the respective first via, a top of a respective insulator is connected with the second n-p semiconductor layer, and a bottom of the respective insulator is connected with the insulation layer. The respective insulator includes a respective second via. A respective electrical conductor is formed in the respective second via, a top of the respective electrical conductor is connected with a respective transparent conducting layer, and a bottom of the respective electrical conductor is connected with the substrate.

A solar cell module of an embodiment includes: a first solar panel having a plurality of first sub modules each including a plurality of first solar cells; and a second solar panel layered with the first solar panel, the second solar panel having a plurality of second solar cells. The first solar panel exists on the side where light is incident. The first solar panel and the second solar panel are electrically connected in parallel. The first solar cells included in the first submodules are electrically connected in series. The first submodules are electrically connected in parallel.

A solar cell module of an embodiment includes: a first solar panel having a plurality of first sub modules each including a plurality of first solar cells; and a second solar panel layered with the first solar panel, the second solar panel having a plurality of second solar cells. The first solar panel exists on the side where light is incident. The first solar panel and the second solar panel are electrically connected in parallel. The first solar cells included in the first submodules are electrically connected in series. The first submodules are electrically connected in parallel.

[Problem] To provide a method for manufacturing an element which does not lead to the occurrence of a short due to etching, and which suppresses the deterioration of a photoelectric conversion layer. [Solution] An element manufacturing method, wherein the method includes the following steps which are performed on an element material including an electrode formed on a substrate, the electrode having a first electrode and a second electrode which are separated from each other, and a photoelectric conversion layer formed in a region that includes the first electrode and the second electrode: a step in which a first back-side electrode and a second back-side electrode are formed at positions on the photoelectric conversion layer corresponding to a first electrode and a second electrode, wherein the first back-side electrode and the second back-side electrode are not connected; a step in which etching is performed using the first back-side electrode and the second back-side electrode as a mask; and a connection electrode formation step in which a connection electrode for connecting the first back-side electrode and the second back-side electrode is formed.

A solar cell assembly includes a plurality of solar cells and an inter-cell region provided between adjacent ones of the solar cells included in the plurality of solar cells. Each of the solar cells and the inter-cell region includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type and having a first main surface and a second main surface that face away from each other; a first amorphous semiconductor layer having a second conductivity type and being provided on a first main surface side of the semiconductor substrate; an insulating layer provided on part of the first amorphous semiconductor layer; and a first transparent conductive film provided on the first amorphous semiconductor layer so as to cover the insulating layer. In a plan view of the solar cell assembly, the insulating layer is provided along the inter-cell region and partially overlapping the inter-cell region.

A solar cell assembly includes a plurality of solar cells and an inter-cell region provided between adjacent ones of the solar cells included in the plurality of solar cells. Each of the solar cells and the inter-cell region includes: a semiconductor substrate having a first conductivity type and having a first main surface and a second main surface that face away from each other; a first amorphous semiconductor layer having a second conductivity type and being provided on a first main surface side of the semiconductor substrate; an insulating layer provided on part of the first amorphous semiconductor layer; and a first transparent conductive film provided on the first amorphous semiconductor layer so as to cover the insulating layer. In a plan view of the solar cell assembly, the insulating layer is provided along the inter-cell region and partially overlapping the inter-cell region.

Provided is a see-through thin film solar cell module including a transparent substrate, a first back electrode deposited on a first surface of the transparent substrate, a second back electrode deposited on the first back electrode and including a MoSe.sub.2 layer, an absorber layer deposited on the second back electrode and including selenium (Se) or sulfur (S), and a laser scribing pattern formed by partially removing the absorber layer.

Provided is a see-through thin film solar cell module including a transparent substrate, a first back electrode deposited on a first surface of the transparent substrate, a second back electrode deposited on the first back electrode and including a MoSe.sub.2 layer, an absorber layer deposited on the second back electrode and including selenium (Se) or sulfur (S), and a laser scribing pattern formed by partially removing the absorber layer.

A solar module includes solar cells that are encapsulated. A back layer is disposed towards back sides of the solar cells and a transparent layer is disposed towards front sides of the solar cells. A protection coating is formed on a surface of the solar cells. The protection coating can be continuous or have a pattern with cutouts that expose the surface of the solar cells.

A solar module includes solar cells that are encapsulated. A back layer is disposed towards back sides of the solar cells and a transparent layer is disposed towards front sides of the solar cells. A protection coating is formed on a surface of the solar cells. The protection coating can be continuous or have a pattern with cutouts that expose the surface of the solar cells.