Solar cell module mounting structure

Abstract

This invention provides a solar cell module mounting structure that can suppress changes in the total current generated by multiple solar cell modules when the direction of the irradiated light changes. [Solution] The mounting structure for the solar cell module 11 comprises a plurality of flexible solar cell modules 11 that are attached to the same curved surface formed on the back of the vest 14 worn by the user. The solar cell module 11 has a plurality of rectangular plate-shaped cells 13 that are electrically connected in series with each other. The plurality of cells 13 in the solar cell module 11 are arranged in a line such that the width direction is the direction of alignment. At least one of the plurality of solar cell modules 11 is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the cells 13 is different from that of the other solar cell modules 11.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an attachment structure of a solar cell module.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, as an attachment structure of a solar cell module, clothing with a solar cell in which a plurality of sheet-shaped solar cells are attached to clothing is known (for example, see Patent Document 1). The sheet-shaped solar cell has a configuration in which a plurality of rectangular sheet-shaped solar cells are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction orthogonal to both the longitudinal direction and the thickness direction. The sheet-shaped solar cell is attached to the clothing by being respectively housed in transparent pockets provided at various positions on the clothing.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] By the way, for example, when a user wears clothing with a solar cell outdoors, each sheet-shaped solar cell is often arranged on a curved surface without considering the orientation of the solar cell. The current generated by each solar cell when the sheet-shaped solar cell is arranged on a curved surface varies depending on the relationship between the orientation of each solar cell and the direction in which sunlight shines.

[0005] The direction in which sunlight shines changes depending on the time of day. Therefore, for example, when a plurality of sheet-shaped solar cells are attached to the same curved surface of clothing so that the orientations of the solar cells are the same, the total current generated by the plurality of sheet-shaped solar cells varies greatly depending on the time of day.

[0006] Therefore, there is room for improvement in suppressing changes in the total current generated by multiple sheet-type solar cells when the direction of the irradiated light changes. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The following describes various configurations of solar cell module mounting structures to solve the above-mentioned problems. [Aspect 1] A mounting structure for a plurality of flexible solar cell modules that are attached to the same curved surface formed on the side of a moving body, wherein the solar cell modules have a plurality of rectangular plate-shaped cells electrically connected in series with each other, the plurality of cells in the solar cell modules are arranged in a line such that the width direction is the direction of alignment, and at least one of the plurality of solar cell modules is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the cells is different from that of the other solar cell modules.

[0008] Generally, multiple cells in a solar cell module are electrically connected in series with each other. Therefore, the amount of current generated by each cell in the solar cell module is matched to the cell that generates the least current among the multiple cells. Furthermore, when mounting a solar cell module on a curved surface, if the width direction of the cells in the solar cell module coincides with the direction of light irradiation, then cells with a smaller, sharper angle of inclination relative to the light will receive less light and generate less current. Therefore, the amount of current generated by each of the multiple cells in the solar cell module is matched to the amount of current generated by the cell that generates the least current. Consequently, the total amount of current generated by the multiple cells in the solar cell module becomes extremely small.

[0009] On the other hand, when mounting solar cell modules on a curved surface, if the modules are positioned so that the longitudinal direction of the solar cell modules follows the curve of the surface and coincides with the direction of light irradiation, the intensity of light irradiated to multiple cells will be approximately the same. Therefore, the amount of current generated by each of the multiple cells in the solar cell module will be a certain constant value. Consequently, the total amount of current generated by all the cells in the solar cell module will be significantly greater than when the solar cell modules are positioned so that the width direction of the cells coincides with the direction of light irradiation.

[0010] In this regard, according to the above configuration, at least one of the multiple solar cell modules mounted on the curved surface is positioned so that the longitudinal direction of its cells is different from that of the other solar cell modules. Therefore, when the direction of the irradiated light changes, it is possible to suppress changes in the total amount of current generated by the multiple solar cell modules.

[0011] [Aspect 2] The mounting structure for a solar cell module according to [Aspect 1], characterized in that the plurality of solar cell modules are arranged to be symmetrical with respect to a line or point. With the above configuration, even if the direction of the irradiated light changes, multiple solar cell modules can generate current in a balanced manner.

[0012] [Aspect 3] A mounting structure for a solar cell module according to [Aspect 1] or [Aspect 2], characterized in that the plurality of solar cell modules are arranged such that the longitudinal directions of all the cells are different.

[0013] According to the above configuration, even if the direction of the irradiated light changes, a predetermined amount of current can be generated by multiple solar cell modules. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] This invention has the effect of suppressing changes in the total amount of current generated by multiple solar cell modules when the direction of the irradiated light changes.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0015] [Figure 1] It is a rear view of the best with a solar cell module of one embodiment attached. [Figure 2] It is a side view showing the state when the user wears the best of FIG. 1. [Figure 3] It is a top view showing the state when the user wears the best of FIG. 1. [Figure 4] (a) is a front view showing the state when light hits a solar cell module having a plurality of cells arranged in the left - right direction from the left, and (b) is a bar graph showing the amount of current generated by each of the plurality of cells in (a). [Figure 5] (a) is a front view showing the state when light hits a solar cell module having a plurality of cells arranged in the left - right direction from above, and (b) is a bar graph showing the amount of current generated by each of the plurality of cells in (a). [Figure 6] It is an explanatory diagram showing the operation when the best of FIG. 1 is used. [Figure 7] It is an explanatory diagram showing the operation when the best of the comparative example is used. [Figure 8] It is a rear view of the best of the modified example.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, an embodiment will be described with reference to the drawings. <Solar cell module 11> As shown in FIG. 1, the solar cell module 11 has a configuration in which a plurality (six in this example) of rectangular - plate - shaped cells 13 are formed on a substantially square - plate - shaped base 12. The base 12 is composed of, for example, a resin film. The cell 13 is a perovskite - type cell. Therefore, the solar cell module 11 has flexibility as a whole.

[0017] The plurality of cells 13 on the base 12 of the solar cell module 11 are arranged parallel to each other such that the width direction (short side direction), which is orthogonal to both their longitudinal direction (long side direction) and thickness direction, is the arrangement direction. That is, the plurality of cells 13 on the base 12 are arranged adjacent to each other in the width direction. The plurality of cells 13 are electrically connected to each other in series.

[0018] <Mounting Structure of Solar Cell Module 11> As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, on the back of the vest 14, which is an example of clothing worn by the user P as an example of a moving body, a plurality (in this example, four) of solar cell modules 11 are attached, for example, by an adhesive or the like. The four solar cell modules 11 are arranged in a lattice pattern at equal intervals so as to form two rows and two columns as an example. The four solar cell modules 11 are arranged to be line symmetric with respect to each of the straight line L1 extending in the vertical direction and the straight line L2 extending in the horizontal direction as axes of symmetry, and point symmetric with respect to the point T as the center of symmetry.

[0019] When the user P wears the vest 14, the back of the vest 14 curves along the back of the user P, thus forming a convex surface 15 as an example of a curved surface. The four solar cell modules 11 are attached to the same convex surface 15 formed on the back of the vest 14 that constitutes the side portion of the user P wearing the vest 14. In this case, since the four solar cell modules 11 have flexibility, they curve following the convex surface 15.

[0020] The four solar cell modules 11 are arranged on the convex surface 15 such that the longitudinal directions of the cells 13 of two of the four solar cell modules 11 are the same as each other and the longitudinal directions of the cells 13 of the remaining two solar cell modules 11 are the same as each other. That is, the four solar cell modules 11 are arranged on the convex surface 15 in a posture where the longitudinal directions of the cells 13 of the two solar cell modules 11 arranged in the upper right and lower left are in the horizontal direction and the longitudinal directions of the cells 13 of the two solar cell modules 11 arranged in the lower right and upper left are in the vertical direction.

[0021] <Relationship between the direction of light and the amount of current generated by the solar cell module 11> As shown in Figure 4(a), when light is shone from the left (side) onto a solar cell module 11 that is curved and arranged to follow a convex curved surface 15, the six cells 13 arranged in the left-right direction are designated as cell A, cell B, cell C, cell D, cell E, and cell F, in order from left to right. In this case, as shown in Figure 4(b), the generated currents are I6 for cell A, I5 for cell B, I4 for cell C, I3 for cell D, I2 for cell E, and I1 for cell F. The relationship between the magnitudes of the currents is I6 > I5 > I4 > I3 > I2 > I1.

[0022] In other words, in cells A through F, the current I6 generated is greatest in cell A, which is located closest to the light source (left side) and facing the direction of light incidence. As you move towards cell F, which is located furthest from the light source (right side) and tilted at the smallest acute angle relative to the direction of light incidence, the current generated gradually decreases, resulting in the lowest current I1 being generated in cell F, which is located furthest from the light source (right side). In this case, cells A through F are electrically connected in series with each other.

[0023] Therefore, the amount of current generated in cells A to F is equal to the amount of current I1 generated in cell F, which generates the least current among cells A to F. Consequently, the amount of current generated in one solar cell module 11 having cells A to F is 6 (number of cells 13) × current I1. Thus, the total amount of current generated by the four solar cell modules 11 is 4 (number of solar cell modules 11) × 6 (number of cells 13 in one solar cell module 11) × current I1.

[0024] On the other hand, as shown in Figure 5(a), when light is shone from above onto a solar cell module 11 that is curved and arranged to follow the convex surface 15, the light is shone almost uniformly onto cells A to F. Therefore, as shown in Figure 5(b), the amount of current generated in cells A to F is all equal to the current I7. Thus, the amount of current generated by one solar cell module 11 having cells A to F that are electrically connected in series is 6 (number of cells 13) × current I7. Thus, the total amount of current generated by the four solar cell modules 11 is 4 (number of solar cell modules 11) × 6 (number of cells 13 in one solar cell module 11) × current I7. Note that, as shown in Figures 4(b) and 5(b), the relationship between the magnitudes of the currents is I4 > I7 > I3 > I1.

[0025] <Operation of the Embodiment> As shown in Figures 2, 3, and 6, when user P wearing vest 14 is outdoors, the four solar cell modules 11 receive sunlight from the side (left or right) in the morning and evening, while receiving sunlight from above during the day.

[0026] Therefore, the total amount of current generated by the four solar cell modules 11 from morning to evening is 2 (number of solar cell modules 11) × 6 (number of cells 13 in one solar cell module 11) × the amount of current I1 generated in the morning, noon, and evening hours by one cell 13 + 2 (number of solar cell modules 11) × 6 (number of cells 13 in one solar cell module 11) × the amount of current I7 generated in the morning, noon, and evening hours by one cell 13.

[0027] Thus, the four solar cell modules 11 are arranged such that two of them have their cells 13 aligned vertically, and the remaining two have their cells 13 aligned horizontally. As a result, the total amount of current generated by the four solar cell modules 11 remains nearly constant regardless of whether it is morning, noon, or evening.

[0028] In other words, even if the direction of sunlight shining on the four solar cell modules 11 changes depending on the time of day (morning, noon, and evening), the total amount of current generated by the four solar cell modules 11 remains almost unchanged. Therefore, the four solar cell modules 11 generate a current that is almost uniform and stable from morning to evening.

[0029] The current generated by the four solar cell modules 11 of this embodiment is stored in, for example, a battery (not shown) and then used to power small electrical devices such as smartphones.

[0030] <Effect of the comparative example> As shown in Figure 7, a comparative example was provided in which four solar cell modules 11 were arranged so that the longitudinal direction of their cells 13 was in the vertical direction. Outdoors, the four solar cell modules 11 of the comparative example receive sunlight from the side (left or right) in the morning and evening, while receiving sunlight from above during the day, similar to the embodiment described above.

[0031] Therefore, the total amount of current generated by the four solar cell modules 11 from morning to evening is 4 (number of solar cell modules 11) × 6 (number of cells 13 in one solar cell module 11) × current I1 generated in one cell 13 during the morning and evening hours + 4 (number of solar cell modules 11) × 6 (number of cells 13 in one solar cell module 11) × current I7 generated in one cell 13 during the daytime hours.

[0032] Thus, the four comparative solar cell modules 11 are all arranged so that the longitudinal direction of each cell 13 is vertical, so that current is generated most efficiently during the daytime when sunlight is shining from above. As a result, the four comparative solar cell modules 11 generate a very large amount of current during the daytime, but generate a very small amount of current during the morning and evening hours.

[0033] In other words, if the direction of sunlight irradiating the four solar cell modules 11 of the comparative example changes depending on the time of day (morning, noon, and evening), the total amount of current generated by the four solar cell modules 11 of the comparative example will change significantly. Therefore, in the four solar cell modules 11 of the comparative example, current generation becomes unstable during the morning and evening hours, which may result in insufficient total current generated during those hours.

[0034] <Effects of the Embodiment> According to the embodiments described in detail above, the following effects are achieved. (1) The mounting structure of the solar cell module 11 comprises four flexible solar cell modules 11 that are attached to the same convex curved surface 15 formed on the back of the vest 14 worn by the user P. The solar cell module 11 has a plurality of rectangular plate-shaped cells 13 that are electrically connected in series with each other. The plurality of cells 13 in the solar cell module 11 are arranged in a line such that the width direction is the direction of alignment. Two of the four solar cell modules 11 are arranged so that the longitudinal direction of the cells 13 is different from that of the remaining two solar cell modules 11.

[0035] With the above configuration, if the direction of light irradiating the four solar cell modules 11 changes from morning to evening, the amount of current generated by the two solar cell modules 11 with different longitudinal orientations of the cells 13 can be compensated for. For example, during times when the amount of current generated by two of the four solar cell modules 11 is low, the amount of current generated by the remaining two solar cell modules 11 will increase. Therefore, it is possible to suppress changes in the total amount of current generated by the four solar cell modules 11 from sunlight during the time from morning to evening outdoors.

[0036] (2) In the mounting structure of the solar cell modules 11, the four solar cell modules 11 are arranged in a line-symmetrical or point-symmetrical manner. With the above configuration, even if the direction of light irradiating the four solar cell modules 11 changes, the four solar cell modules 11 can generate a balanced current.

[0037] <Example of changes> The above embodiment can be implemented with the following modifications. Furthermore, the above embodiment and the following modifications can be combined with each other to the extent that they do not contradict each other technically.

[0038] As shown in Figure 8, the four solar cell modules 11 may be arranged so that the longitudinal directions of all the cells 13 are different. That is, the four solar cell modules 11 may be arranged so that no two cells 13 have the same longitudinal direction. In this case, the four solar cell modules 11 are arranged so as to be point-symmetric with respect to point T as the center of symmetry.

[0039] With the above configuration, even if the direction of light irradiating the four solar cell modules 11 changes, the amount of current generated by the four solar cell modules 11, whose longitudinal directions of cells 13 are different from each other, can be compensated for. Therefore, even if the direction of light irradiating the four solar cell modules 11 changes, the total amount of current generated by the four solar cell modules 11 can be suppressed to change. In other words, even if the direction of light irradiating the four solar cell modules 11 changes, a predetermined amount of current can be generated by the four solar cell modules 11.

[0040] The four solar cell modules 11 do not necessarily need to be arranged in a line-symmetrical or point-symmetrical manner. The number of solar cell modules 11 to be mounted on the curved surface is not limited to four; it can be changed as appropriate, as long as there are two or more. In this case, the solar cell modules 11 may be placed adjacent to each other or spaced apart.

[0041] The four solar cell modules 11 may be arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the cells 13 of one solar cell module 11 is different from the longitudinal direction of the cells 13 of the remaining three solar cell modules 11. In this case, the remaining three solar cell modules 11 may be arranged so that the longitudinal directions of the cells 13 are the same as those of the other three solar cell modules 11.

[0042] • Multiple solar cell modules 11 may include one or more solar cell modules 11 that are different in size from the other solar cell modules 11. The number of cells 13 in a single solar cell module 11 is not limited to six, and may be changed as appropriate.

[0043] The garment to which multiple solar cell modules 11 are attached is not limited to a vest 14; for example, it could be a jacket with sleeves. The curved surface is not limited to a convex surface 15; for example, it may also be a concave surface.

[0044] The moving object is not limited to user P (human), but may also be a vehicle such as a car or train. In this case, multiple solar cell modules 11 are attached to the same curved surface formed on the side of the vehicle. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 11… Solar cell modules 12…Base 13, A~F…Cells 14… Best 15...Convex curved surface I1~I7…Current amount L1,L2…straight line P...User T…point

Claims

1. A mounting structure for multiple flexible solar cell modules that are attached to the same curved surface formed on the side of a moving body, The solar cell module has a plurality of rectangular plate-shaped cells that are electrically connected in series with each other. The plurality of cells in the solar cell module are arranged in a line such that the width direction is the direction of alignment. A mounting structure for a solar cell module, characterized in that at least one of the multiple solar cell modules is arranged such that the longitudinal direction of the cells is different from that of the other solar cell modules.

2. The mounting structure for a solar cell module according to claim 1, characterized in that the plurality of solar cell modules are arranged in a line-symmetric or point-symmetric manner.

3. The mounting structure for a solar cell module according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the multiple solar cell modules are arranged such that the longitudinal directions of all the cells are different.

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