Solar module manufacturing method

Abstract

A method is provided which is suitable for manufacturing a solar module. When a defective solar cell ( 20 a ) is discovered in a solar cell string ( 25 ), a disconnecting step is performed to disconnect the wiring members (30 a, 30 b ) bonded to the defective solar cell ( 20 a ) and to the solar cells (20 b, 20 c ) adjacent to the defective solar cell ( 20 a ), and to remove the defective solar cell ( 20 a ) from the solar cell string ( 25 ). A reconnecting step is then performed to electrically connect the solar cells (20 b, 20 c ) that were adjacent to the defective solar cell ( 20 a ) to a new solar cell ( 20 d ) by using new wiring members (34 a, 34 b ), bonding each new wiring member (34 a, 34 b ) using a resin adhesive to a region closer to the end than the region in which the disconnected end ( 30 a 1, 30 b 1 ) of the wiring member of the solar cell (20 b, 20 c ) adjacent to the defective solar cell ( 20 a ) had been bonded in order to create a new solar cell string ( 25 a ).

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A solar module comprising:
 first and second solar cells each having a first main surface, a second main surface, and a first electrode and a second electrode on the first main surface, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode extend from one end of the first main surface to the other end of the first main surface in one direction;   an disconnected end of a first wiring member, the disconnected end adhered to the first main surface of the first solar cell and not adhered to the second solar cell, wherein the disconnected end includes a first insulating substrate and a first wiring on a side of the first solar cell with respect to the first insulating substrate; and   a second wiring member including a second insulating substrate and a second wiring on a side of the first solar cell with respect to the second insulating substrate and electrically connecting the first and second solar cells such that the second wiring member is adhered to the first main surface of the first solar cell and to the first main surface of the second solar cell with the second wiring member extending over the disconnected end.   
     
     
         12 . The solar module according to  claim 11 , wherein
 a portion where the disconnected end is adhered to the first main surface of the first solar cell is closer to the second solar cell than a portion where the second wiring member is adhered to the first main surface of the first solar cell.   
     
     
         13 . The solar module according to  claim 12 , wherein
 the disconnected end is adhered to the first main surface of the first solar cell with a resin adhesive.   
     
     
         14 . The solar module according to  claim 13 , wherein
 the second wiring member is adhered to the first main surface of the first solar cell with a resin adhesive and to the first main surface of the second solar cell with a resin adhesive.   
     
     
         15 . The solar module according to  claim 12 , wherein
 each of the first and second solar cells includes the first and second electrodes on the first main surface thereof and does not include an electrode on the second main surface thereof.   
     
     
         16 . A solar module comprising:
 first and second solar cells each having a first main surface, a second main surface, and a first electrode and a second electrode on the first main surface, wherein the first electrode and the second electrode extend from one end of the first main surface to the other end of the first main surface in one direction;   a remaining resin adhesive adhered to the first main surface of the first solar cell; and   a wiring member including an insulating substrate and a wiring on a side of the first solar cell with respect to the insulating substrate and electrically connecting the first and second solar cells such that the wiring member is adhered to the first main surface of the first solar cell and to the first main surface of the second solar cell with the wiring member extending over the remaining resin adhesive   
     
     
         17 . The solar module according to  claim 16 , wherein
 a portion where the remaining resin adhesive is adhered to the first main surface of the first solar cell is closer to the second solar cell than a portion where the wiring member is adhered to the first main surface of the first solar cell.   
     
     
         18 . The solar module according to  claim 17 , wherein
 the wiring member is adhered to the first main surface of the first solar cell with a resin adhesive and to the first main surface of the second solar cell with a resin adhesive.   
     
     
         19 . The solar module according to  claim 18 , wherein
 each of the first and second solar cells includes the first and second electrodes on the first main surface thereof and does not include an electrode on the second main surface thereof.