Solar cell system

Abstract

This invention provides a solar cell system that does not significantly impair the building's exterior design, even when installed on the rooftop or other elevated surfaces. [Solution] A solar cell system installed on a surface to be installed, comprising a solar cell module and a support member, wherein the support member is capable of changing orientation between a power generation orientation in which the solar cell module is supported such that the light-receiving surface of the solar cell module is at an angle of 0 degrees or more and 10 degrees or less with respect to the surface to be installed, and an upright orientation in which the solar cell module is supported such that the light-receiving surface is at an angle of 80 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less with respect to the surface to be installed, and the support member has a coping portion located on the upper end side of the solar cell module in the upright orientation.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a solar cell system having a function as a handrail.

Background Art

[0002] In recent years, due to the growing awareness of carbon neutrality and the need for an auxiliary power source during power outages, apartment buildings and other multi-family dwellings with solar cell modules installed on the rooftop plaza have been constructed (for example, Patent Document 1).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, in such multi-family dwellings, in many cases, ordinary residents are prohibited from entering the rooftop plaza, and in many cases, only workers enter the rooftop plaza for maintenance or the like of the solar cell modules. In order to install as many solar cell modules as possible on the rooftop plaza, it is preferable that the solar cell modules can be installed up to the edge of the rooftop plaza.

[0005] However, in many cases, there is no handrail installed on the rooftop plaza. If the solar cell modules are installed up to the edge of the rooftop plaza, there is a risk that workers may fall from the rooftop plaza during maintenance or the like, which poses a problem from the perspective of safety. Therefore, from the perspective of ensuring the safety of workers, it is conceivable to provide a handrail along the edge of the rooftop plaza. However, if the handrail is provided at all times, since the handrail is always in a standing state, the handrail will be conspicuous on the rooftop plaza, which poses a problem of damaging the exterior design of the building.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to provide a solar cell system that does not impair the exterior design of a building, even when installed on the rooftop or the like. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One aspect of the present invention for solving the above-mentioned problems is a solar cell system installed on a surface to be installed, comprising a solar cell module and a support member, wherein the support member is capable of changing orientation between a power generation orientation in which the light-receiving surface of the solar cell module is at an angle of -10 degrees or more and 10 degrees or less with respect to a reference plane parallel to the surface to be installed, and an upright orientation in which the light-receiving surface of the solar cell module is at an angle of 80 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less with respect to a reference plane parallel to the surface to be installed, and the support member has a coping portion located on the upper end side of the solar cell module in the upright orientation.

[0008] According to this design, the orientation can be changed between a power generation orientation and an upright orientation. By adopting the power generation orientation during normal operation, more sunlight can be received, resulting in higher power generation efficiency. Furthermore, even when installed on a building's rooftop, the power generation orientation allows for a lower height compared to the upright orientation, thus minimizing any impact on the building's exterior design. According to this design, by positioning the solar cell modules upright during maintenance, maintenance workers can grasp the coping, which functions as a handrail, allowing them to perform maintenance work safely.

[0009] A preferred configuration is that, in the upright position, the coping extends along the upper edge of the solar cell module.

[0010] According to this design, workers can easily grasp the coping while standing upright during maintenance and other tasks.

[0011] A preferred feature is that the solar cell module can be attached to and detached from the support member non-destructively in the upright position.

[0012] According to this aspect, the solar cell module can be replaced.

[0013] A preferred aspect is that the height from the installation surface to the coping part in the upright posture is 110 cm or more and 160 cm or less.

[0014] According to this aspect, it is easy for workers to grasp during maintenance or the like.

[0015] A preferred aspect is that the installation surface constitutes a part of the upper surface of the eaves of the building, and the coping part is located within 3 m from the edge of the eaves in the upright posture.

[0016] According to this aspect, it can function as a safer handrail.

[0017] A preferred aspect is that the installation surface constitutes a part of the rooftop of the building, and the coping part is located within 3 m from the edge of the rooftop in the upright posture.

[0018] According to this aspect, it can function as a safer handrail.

[0019] As long as the above-described aspects are included in the technical scope of the present invention, they can be made subordinate to each other, a part of the configuration can be cited, or a part of the configuration can be replaced among the aspects.

Effect of the Invention

[0020] According to the solar cell system of the present invention, even when installed on the rooftop of a building or the like, it is difficult to damage the landscape, and it is easier to generate electricity with sunlight than in the conventional case.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0021] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the installation situation of the solar cell system according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] It is an exploded perspective view of the solar cell system of FIG. 1. [Figure 3]It is an explanatory diagram of the solar cell system in FIG. 2. (a) is a perspective view when the solar cell system is in the power generation posture, and (b) is a perspective view when the solar cell system is in the upright posture. [Figure 4] It is an explanatory diagram of the solar cell system in FIG. 2. (a) is a cross-sectional view when the solar cell system is in the power generation posture, and (b) is a cross-sectional view when the solar cell system is in the upright posture. [Figure 5] It is an explanatory diagram of the solar cell system of another embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a perspective view in the power generation posture, and (b) is a perspective view in the upright posture. [Figure 6] It is an explanatory diagram of the solar cell system of still another embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a perspective view in the power generation posture, and (b) is a perspective view in the upright posture. [Figure 7] It is an explanatory diagram of the solar cell system of still another embodiment of the present invention. (a) is a perspective view of an embodiment in which the support column part, the crossbar part, and the ridge board part are three-dimensionally crossed, and (b) is a perspective view of an embodiment in which the support column part is displaced in the first direction.

Embodiments for Carrying out the Invention

[0022] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail.

[0023] The solar cell system 1 of the first embodiment of the present invention is installed on the upper surface 203 of the balcony eaves 200 or the roof surface 201 of an apartment house such as an apartment as shown in FIG. 1. In the following description, the case where the solar cell system 1 is provided with the upper surface 203 of the balcony eaves 200 as the installation surface 100 will be described. The solar cell system 1 is a horizontal handrail in which the ridge board part 33 extends in the horizontal direction (first direction X), and as shown in FIG. 2, includes a solar cell module 2, a support member 3, a fixing fitting 5, and a receiving member 6.

[0024] <Solar Cell Module 2> Solar cell module 2 is a photoelectric conversion device that converts light energy into electrical energy, and consists of a solar cell panel with a frame attached. As shown in Figure 2, the solar cell module 2 is a rectangular plate-like panel having a light-receiving surface 20 and a back surface 21, with each side 22-25 when the light-receiving surface 20 is viewed from the front. The solar cell module 2 is provided with a terminal box (not shown) on its back surface 21 or on its side surface (the end face to which each side 22-25 belongs).

[0025] <Support member 3> The support member 3 is a member that supports the solar cell module 2 with respect to the installation surface 100, and is a holding member that holds the solar cell module 2 in a non-destructive and detachable manner. As shown in Figure 2, the support member 3 comprises a support column 31, a crossbar 32, and a cap rail 33.

[0026] The support columns 31 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the first direction X, and in this embodiment, they are arranged at equal intervals. As shown in Figure 2, the support column 31 includes a fixed part 40 and a movable part 41. The fixing portion 40 constitutes the base end of the support column portion 31 and is the part that is fixed to the installation surface 100. The movable part 41 is a part that is rotatably connected to the fixed part 40. In this embodiment, the movable part 41 has a rotation axis at the connection point with the fixed part 40, and the axial direction of the rotation axis is the first direction X.

[0027] As shown in Figure 2, the crossbar 32 connects adjacent support columns 31, 31 in the first direction X and extends in the first direction X.

[0028] The coping section 33 is a connecting section that connects the tips (upper ends) of the support sections 31, 31, 31, and is a rod-shaped part that extends in the first direction X. The coping section 33 is located within 3m of the edge 202 (the leading edge in the overhanging direction) of the canopy 200 when in an upright position, making it possible for maintenance workers to grasp it.

[0029] <Fixing bracket 5> The fixing bracket 5 is a component that fixes the solar cell module 2 to the support member 3. In this embodiment, the fixing bracket 5 can fix the lower side 23 of the solar cell module 2 to the crossbar 32 and the upper side 22 of the solar cell module 2 to the coping 33.

[0030] <Support member 6> The receiving member 6 is a member on which a portion of the support member 3 is placed in the power generation posture described later. In this embodiment, the receiving member 6 can support the support member 3 from below by placing the support column portion 31 and / or the coping portion 33 on it when in the power generation position.

[0031] Next, the operation of the solar cell system 1 of this embodiment during maintenance will be described.

[0032] In this embodiment, the solar cell system 1, as shown in Figures 3(a) and 4(a), in its normal state, adopts a power generation posture in which the support member 3 supports the light-receiving surface 20 of the solar cell module 2 at a predetermined angle θ1 with respect to a reference plane P1 parallel to the installation surface 100.

[0033] At this time, the back surface 21 of the solar cell module 2 faces the mounting surface 100, as shown in Figure 3(a). Furthermore, in this case, the inclination angle θ1 of the light-receiving surface 20 of the solar cell module 2 shown in Figure 4(a) with respect to the reference plane P1 parallel to the installation surface 100 is preferably -10 degrees or more and 10 degrees or less, more preferably -10 degrees or more and -3 degrees or less or 3 degrees or more and 10 degrees or less, and even more preferably -7 degrees or more and -3 degrees or less or 3 degrees or more and 7 degrees or less. Furthermore, in this case, the movable part 41 shown in Figure 4(a) is supported at its base end (lower end) by the fixed part 40, and at its tip end (upper end) by the receiving member 6. The height H1 of the coping part 33 from the installation surface 100 is 50 cm or less.

[0034] When performing maintenance on the back surface 21 or side surface (end face to which each side 22-25 belongs) of the solar cell module 2, such as terminal boxes, the support member 3 is lifted together with the solar cell module 2, as shown in Figures 3(b) and 4(b), and the movable part 41 is rotated with respect to the fixed part 40, so that the light-receiving surface 20 of the solar cell module 2 is at a predetermined angle θ2 with respect to the reference plane P2 parallel to the installation surface 100, thereby setting the support member 3 upright.

[0035] At this time, as shown in Figure 3(b), the back surface 21 or the side surface (the end face to which each side 22-25 belongs) of the solar cell module 2 is exposed to the outside, allowing for maintenance and other operations such as the terminal box. Furthermore, in this case, the inclination angle θ2 of the light-receiving surface 20 of the solar cell module 2 shown in Figure 4(b) with respect to the reference plane P2 parallel to the installation surface 100 is preferably 80 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less. Furthermore, in this case, the height H2 from the installation surface 100 to the coping portion 33 in the upright position shown in Figure 4(b) is preferably 110 cm or more and 160 cm or less.

[0036] When maintenance such as terminal box maintenance on the solar cell module 2 is completed, the movable part 41 is rotated relative to the fixed part 40 to tilt the support member 3, and a portion of the support member 3 is placed on the receiving member 6 to assume the power generation position.

[0037] According to the solar cell system 1 of this embodiment, the orientation can be changed between a power generation orientation and an upright orientation. Therefore, in normal operation, the light-receiving surface 20 of the solar cell module 2 is set to a power generation orientation where it is at an angle of -10 degrees or more and 10 degrees or less with respect to a reference plane P1 parallel to the installation surface 100, thereby enabling high-efficiency power generation. Furthermore, by adopting the power generation orientation, the height can be reduced compared to the upright orientation, thus minimizing the impact on the landscape. According to the solar cell system 1 of this embodiment, when performing maintenance on the terminal box of the solar cell module 2, etc., the module 2 is positioned upright at an angle of 80 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less with respect to a reference plane P2 parallel to the installation surface 100. This allows maintenance workers to grip the coping portion 33, and the solar cell module 2 can also be used as a windbreak during work.

[0038] In the solar cell system 1 of this embodiment, the coping portion 33 extends along the upper edge 22 of the solar cell module 2 when it is in an upright position. Therefore, when it is in an upright position, it is easy for workers to grasp the coping portion 33 during maintenance, etc.

[0039] According to the solar cell system 1 of this embodiment, the solar cell module 2 can be attached to and detached from the support member 3 non-destructively in an upright position. Therefore, if the solar cell module 2 is damaged, it can be replaced.

[0040] According to the solar cell system 1 of this embodiment, the height H2 from the mounting surface 100 to the coping 33 in an upright position is between 110 cm and 160 cm. Therefore, it is easy for workers to grasp during maintenance, etc.

[0041] According to the solar cell system 1 of this embodiment, the installation surface 100 constitutes a part of the upper surface 203 of the building's canopy 200, and the coping portion 33 is located within 3m of the edge 202 (tip edge) of the canopy 200 when in an upright position. Therefore, it can function as a safer handrail and prevent workers from falling from the building.

[0042] According to the solar cell system 1 of this embodiment, the solar cell module 2 and the support member 3 are integrated and erected on the installation surface 100 in an upright position, so the solar cell module 2 can also function as a windbreak, and maintenance work is easy to perform.

[0043] In the embodiment described above, the solar cell system 1 was configured such that the rail portion 32 was on the edge 202 side of the canopy 200 relative to the coping portion 33 when in the power generation position, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The solar cell system 1 may also be configured such that, as shown in Figure 5(a), the coping portion 33 is on the edge 202 side of the canopy 200 relative to the rail portion 32 when in the power generation position. In this case, as shown in Figure 5(b), when in the upright position, the back surface 21 of the solar cell system 1 is located on the rooftop surface 201 side, making it less likely for workers to fall from the building.

[0044] In the embodiment described above, a portion of the upper surface 203 of the balcony canopy 200 was used as the installation surface 100, and the solar cell system 1 was fixed to the installation surface 100. However, the present invention is not limited thereto. As shown in Figure 1, a portion of the rooftop surface 201 may be used as the installation surface 100, and the solar cell system 1 may be fixed to the installation surface 100.

[0045] In the embodiment described above, the solar cell system 1 was installed along the edge 202 at the leading edge of the canopy 200 in the overhanging direction, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The solar cell system 1 may be installed along the edges 205, 206 (edges at the end in the first direction X) of the side edges of the canopy 200, as shown in Figure 6. Alternatively, the solar cell system 1 may be installed along both the edge 202 at the leading edge of the canopy 200 in the overhanging direction and the edges 205, 206 of the side edges of the canopy 200, as shown in Figure 6. It is preferable that the solar cell system 1a along the edge 202 at the leading edge of the canopy 200 in the overhanging direction and the solar cell systems 1b, 1c along the side edges 205, 206 of the canopy 200 are arranged in a "U" shape when viewed from above in an upright position, as shown in Figure 6(b). The solar cell systems 1a, 1b, 1c may or may not be connected in part.

[0046] In the embodiment described above, the support column 31, the crossbar 32, and the capping 33 were on the same plane and intersected in plane, but the embodiment is not limited to this. The support column 31, the crossbar 32, and the capping 33 may intersect in three dimensions. In this case, it is preferable that the support column 31 is positioned opposite to the solar cell module 2 relative to the crossbar 32 and the capping 33, as shown in Figure 7(a). By doing so, when the solar power generation position is set, the support column 31 is placed on the receiving member 6, and the solar cell module 2 is supported by the support member 3 so as not to come into contact with the receiving member 6 or the installation surface 100, thereby preventing damage to the solar cell module 2 caused by contact with the receiving member 6 or the installation surface 100.

[0047] In the embodiment described above, the solar cell module 2 was fixed to the crossbar portion 32 and the coping portion 33 with fixing brackets 5, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The solar cell module 2 may also be fixed to the support column portion 31 with fixing brackets 5. Furthermore, in cases where the support is fixed to the coping portion 33 or to the support column portion 31, as in the embodiments described above, the support column portion 31 and the coping portion 33 that are not fixed do not have to be located near the edges of the solar cell module 2. For example, as shown in Figure 7(b), the support column portion 31 that is not fixed may be located at a position offset in the first direction X from the vertical edges 24 and 25 of the solar cell module 2, for example, between the vertical edges 24 and 25.

[0048] In the embodiment described above, a support member 6 was provided, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The support member 6 may be omitted. In this case, the movable part 41 will be cantilevered by the fixed part 40.

[0049] In the embodiment described above, the receiving member 6 was provided on the installation surface 100, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The receiving member 6 may also be provided on the support column 31 and / or the cap rail 33.

[0050] In the embodiment described above, the solar cell module 2 was fixed to the support member 3 by a fixing bracket 5, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The solar cell module 2 may also be fixed to the support member 3 by fastening elements such as screws, rivets, or a combination of bolts and nuts.

[0051] In the above-described embodiment, the orientation change between the power generation orientation and the upright orientation was performed manually by human power, but the present invention is not limited thereto. The orientation change between the power generation orientation and the upright orientation may be performed automatically by a drive device or the like. In this case, it is preferable to use the electricity generated by the solar cell module 2 as the power source.

[0052] In the embodiments described above, the components can be freely substituted or added between each embodiment, as long as they fall within the technical scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0053] 1. Solar cell system 2 Solar cell modules 3. Support member 20 Photosensitive surface 22 Top 31,31a~31c Support section (1st support section, 2nd support section) 33 Kasagi-bu 100 Installation surface 200 Top 201 Roof surface

Claims

1. A solar cell system installed on a surface to be installed, It has a solar cell module and a support member, The support member is capable of changing orientation between a power generation orientation in which the solar cell module is supported such that the light-receiving surface of the solar cell module is at an angle of -10 degrees or more and 10 degrees or less with respect to a reference plane parallel to the surface to be installed, and an upright orientation in which the solar cell module is supported such that the light-receiving surface is at an angle of 80 degrees or more and 100 degrees or less with respect to a reference plane parallel to the surface to be installed. The solar cell system wherein the support member has a capping portion located on the upper end side of the solar cell module in the upright position.

2. The solar cell system according to claim 1, wherein the coping extends along the upper edge of the solar cell module in the upright position.

3. The solar cell system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the solar cell module is non-destructively attachable to and detachable from the support member in the upright position.

4. The solar cell system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the height from the installation surface to the coping in the upright position is 110 cm or more and 160 cm or less.

5. The aforementioned installation surface constitutes a part of the upper surface of the building's eaves. The solar cell system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coping portion is located within 3 m of the edge of the eaves in the upright position.

6. The aforementioned installation surface constitutes a part of the rooftop surface of the building. The solar cell system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the coping portion is located within 3 m of the edge of the rooftop in the upright position.

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