Solar cell modules

Abstract

The present invention provides a solar cell module that allows for stable cable fixing with a simple configuration while ensuring good aesthetic appeal. [Solution] The solar cell module 10 includes a solar cell panel 10 which includes a rectangular solar cell 2, a busbar 4 through which current generated by the solar cell 2 flows, a reinforcing member 6 which is covered with a sealing material 2b and integrated together with the solar cell 2 and the busbar 4, a terminal box which is electrically connected to the busbar 4 and through which current flowing through the busbar 4 flows, a cable 14 which is electrically connected to the terminal box and through which current flowing into the terminal box flows, a holding member 20 which holds the cable 14, and a fixing member 30 which fixes the holding member 20 to the mounting target 40. In the solar cell module 10, the holding member 20 and the solar cell panel 10 are fixed to the mounting target 40 by the fixing member 30 which penetrates the sealing material 2b and the reinforcing member 6.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a solar cell module.

Background Art

[0002] A solar cell module used for solar power generation includes a solar cell, a terminal box, and a cable. The solar cell generates electricity by photoelectric conversion of one or more solar cells disposed therein. The generated electric power is output from the solar cell by a pair of bus bars made of conductive plate materials or bar materials. Each of the pair of bus bars is electrically connected to each of a pair of conductive terminals disposed inside the terminal box. The terminal box is provided for relaying the pair of bus bars drawn therein and outputting power to one end of each of the pair of cables. The other end of the cable is connected to the terminal box of another solar cell module.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a solar cell module in which a terminal box (a terminal extraction box in Patent Document 1) is attached to the back side of a solar cell element. A locking member is provided on the side surface of the terminal box, and a cable connected to the terminal box can be locked. Thereby, the cable is fixed to the solar cell module without sagging, and the design property of the solar cell module is also ensured.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In Patent Document 1, the terminal box is located on the back side of the solar cell element. However, for example, when installing a solar cell module on the wall of a building, the back side of the solar cell element needs to be flat, so the terminal box must be located on the front side of the solar cell element. Therefore, the cable routing also had to be done on the front side of the solar cell. Furthermore, as solar cell modules have become larger, the cable length has also increased, and there was a risk that the cable could not be stably fixed to the solar cell module by simply fixing it to the side of the terminal box. In this case, the aesthetic appearance of the solar cell module may deteriorate, and there was room for improvement.

[0006] Therefore, there is a need for a solar cell module that can securely fix cables with a simple configuration while also ensuring good aesthetic appeal. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] One embodiment of the solar cell module according to this disclosure includes a solar cell panel comprising a rectangular solar cell having solar cell elements, a busbar through which current generated by the solar cell flows, and a reinforcing member integrated with the solar cell and the busbar by being covered with a sealing material; a terminal box electrically connected to the busbar and through which the current flowing through the busbar flows; a cable electrically connected to the terminal box and through which the current flowing into the terminal box flows; a holding member for holding the cable; and a fixing member for fixing the holding member to an object to be mounted, wherein the holding member and the solar cell panel are fixed to the object to be mounted by the fixing member penetrating the sealing material and the reinforcing member.

[0008] In the solar cell module according to this embodiment, the fixing member penetrates the sealing material and the reinforcing member and is fixed to the mounting target, thereby fixing the holding member and the solar cell panel to the mounting target. As a result, the cable can be fixed more stably and firmly to the solar cell panel and the mounting target via the holding member, while ensuring the aesthetic appearance of the solar cell module. Thus, a solar cell module has been obtained that can stably fix the cable with a simple configuration while ensuring good aesthetic appearance. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0009] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a solar cell module according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the line II-II in Figure 1. [Figure 3] This is a plan view showing the state in which the cable is held by the holding member according to the first embodiment. [Figure 4] This is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the cable is held by the holding member according to the second embodiment. [Figure 5] This is a plan view showing the state in which the cable is held by the holding member according to the second embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0010] The embodiments of the solar cell module relating to this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. The embodiments described below are illustrative examples for explaining the solar cell module relating to this disclosure, and do not limit the solar cell module to these embodiments only. Therefore, the solar cell module relating to this disclosure can be implemented in various forms without departing from its essence.

[0011] [First Embodiment] [Solar cell module configuration] A solar cell module 1 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 1 to 3. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the solar cell module 1 is composed of a solar cell panel 10, a terminal box 12, a pair of cables 14, a plurality of retaining members 20, and the same number of screws 30 as the retaining members 20 (an example of a fixing member).

[0012] [Solar panel configuration] In this embodiment, the solar panel 10 is composed of a solar cell 2 having a plurality of solar cell elements 2a, a pair of busbars 4, and a pair of reinforcing members 6. The solar cell elements 2a are, for example, perovskite solar cells. The solar cell 2 has a rectangular shape, and generates desired power by connecting a plurality of solar cell elements 2a in series / parallel. The solar panel 10 of this embodiment is composed of a plurality (three in this embodiment) of solar cells 2 arranged in parallel.

[0013] As shown in Figure 2, the solar cell 2 comprises a solar cell element 2a, a encapsulant 2b, a first sheet 2c, a second sheet 2d, and a glass cloth 2e. The solar cell element 2a and the glass cloth 2e are encapsulated by the encapsulant 2b and sandwiched between the first sheet 2c and the second sheet 2d, which are positioned on either side of the encapsulant 2b. In the solar cell 2, the first sheet 2c is positioned on the outermost surface, which is the side that receives sunlight, and the second sheet 2d is positioned on the innermost surface. The configuration of the solar cell element 2a is well known, so a detailed explanation is omitted.

[0014] The sealing material 2b is made of a material mainly composed of silicone, for example. The first sheet 2c is generally called a protective sheet and is made of a heat-resistant resin material, such as a fluororesin. The first sheet 2c and the sealing material 2b are preferably transparent because sunlight can enter them. The second sheet 2d is generally called a back sheet. The second sheet 2d is made of a material mainly composed of silicone, similar to the sealing material 2b.

[0015] The pair of busbars 4 are made of a highly electrically conductive metal such as a copper alloy, and they take the power generated by the solar cell 2, pass an electric current through it, and input this power to the terminal box 12. The busbars 4 are drawn out from the solar cell element 2a with one end electrically connected to the solar cell element 2a, and extend through the sealing material 2b between the first sheet 2c and the second sheet 2d along the outer edge of a side (an example of a side) that aligns with the direction in which the three solar cells 2 are arranged side by side. Hereinafter, in this embodiment, the side that aligns with the direction in which the three solar cells 2 are arranged side by side will be collectively referred to as the "long side of the solar cell 2". The other end of the busbars 4 is electrically connected to a conductive terminal (not shown) located inside the terminal box 12.

[0016] The pair of reinforcing members 6 are plate-shaped and made of a metal such as iron. The pair of reinforcing members 6 are located outside the pair of busbars 4 relative to the solar cell 2 and are arranged in the sealing material 2b along the direction of the long side of the solar cell 2 (the direction in which the three solar cells 2 are arranged side by side). That is, in a plan view (viewed perpendicular to the sheet surface of the first sheet 2c of the solar cell 2), the pair of reinforcing members 6 are arranged to sandwich the three solar cells 2 and the pair of busbars 4. The length of the reinforcing members 6 is slightly longer than the length of the long side of the solar cell 2 (see Figure 1). The plate surface of the reinforcing members 6 is parallel to the sheet surface of the first sheet 2c.

[0017] [Terminal box configuration] The terminal box 12 is provided to relay a pair of busbars 4 via a pair of conductive terminals and output power to one end of a pair of cables 14. One end of each of the pair of cables 14 is electrically connected to a conductive terminal in the terminal box by a method such as soldering. In other words, two cables 14 are connected to the terminal box 12. The other end of each cable 14 is connected to the terminal box 12 of another solar cell module 1.

[0018] As described above, the solar cell element 2a of the present embodiment is a perovskite solar cell. The perovskite solar cell is thin. In the present embodiment, in order to make the solar cell module 1 thin by taking advantage of this feature, the terminal box 12 is arranged close to the outer edge of the solar cell 2 (see FIG. 1).

[0019] 〔Cable fixing mode〕 Next, the fixing mode of the cable 14 in the solar cell module 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3. As shown in FIG. 1, each of the pair of cables 14 electrically connected to the conductive terminals of the terminal box 12 extends along the long side of the solar cell 2 in a posture overlapping each of the pair of reinforcing members 6 in a plan view. The cable 14 has a configuration in which a single core wire is covered with a coating having weather resistance (see FIG. 2).

[0020] The solar cell panel 10 of the present embodiment is installed, for example, in a state fixed to a wall 40 of a building (an example of an attachment target, see FIG. 2). At this time, the sheet surface of the second sheet 2d of the solar cell 2 is in close contact with the wall surface of the wall 40. Each of the pair of cables 14 is held by a plurality (four in the present embodiment) of holding members 20 (see FIG. 1). Further, the holding member 20 and the solar cell panel 10 are fixed to the wall 40 by screws 30. As a result, the cable 14 held by the holding member 20 is fixed to the solar cell panel 10 and the wall 40. Hereinafter, the fixing mode and fixing method of the cable 14 using the holding member 20 and the screw 30 will be described.

[0021] The retaining member 20 consists of a tie base 21 and a cable tie 22, as shown in Figures 2 and 3. Both the tie base 21 and the cable tie 22 are made of resin or metal. The structure of the cable tie 22 is well known, so a detailed explanation is omitted. The mounting surface 21a of the tie base 21 is placed on the first sheet 2c of the solar cell 2. The tie base 21 also has a cable mounting portion 21b, a screw insertion hole 21c, and two band insertion holes 21d. The cable mounting portion 21b is formed on the side opposite to the solar cell 2 relative to the mounting surface 21a, and the cable 14 is placed on it. The screw insertion hole 21c is on the side of the mounting surface 21a that is closer to the mounting surface 21a than the cable mounting portion 21b, and has an inner diameter that allows the threaded portion 32 of the screw 30 to pass through, but prevents the head from passing through. The band insertion holes 21d are holes through which the cable tie 22 is inserted, and they open in a direction perpendicular to the screw insertion hole 21c and the direction in which the cable 14 extends, and two of them are formed so as to sandwich the screw insertion hole 21c.

[0022] To fix the cable 14 to the solar panel 10 and wall 40 using the holding member 20 of this embodiment, first, the tie base 21 of the holding member 20 is fixed to the solar panel 10 and wall 40. Specifically, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, the tie base 21 is placed on the first sheet 2c of the solar cell 2 so that the mounting surface 21a is in contact with it, the threaded portion 32 of the screw 30 is passed through the screw insertion hole 21c and the solar panel 10, and then screwed into the wall 40. Holes with an inner diameter slightly smaller than the outer diameter of the threaded portion 32 are pre-formed in the locations where the threaded portion 32 passes through the first sheet 2c, the sealing material 2b, the glass cloth 2e, the reinforcing member 6, and the second sheet 2d, and pilot holes for screwing are formed in the wall 40. This allows the screw 30 to be pushed in while rotating, and the threaded portion 32 can be passed through the first sheet 2c, the sealing material 2b, the glass cloth 2e, the reinforcing member 6, and the second sheet 2d and screwed into the wall 40. When the threaded portion 32 penetrates the reinforcing member 6 in this manner, it becomes equivalent to screwing the threaded portion 32 into the hole in the reinforcing member 6, and the tie base 21 of the holding member 20 is firmly fixed not only to the wall 40 but also to the reinforcing member 6 via the screw 30. In this state, the holding member 20 (tie base 21) and the solar cell panel 10 are fixed to the wall 40.

[0023] Next, the cable 14 is placed on the cable mounting portion 21b of the holding member 20. Then, a known cable tie 22 is inserted between the cable 14 and the screw 30, and through the two band insertion holes 21d, surrounding the cable 14 with the cable tie 22. Then, the annular cable tie 22 is tightened to reduce its diameter to near the outer diameter of the cable 14, thereby holding the cable 14 in place on the cable mounting portion 21b of the holding member 20. In this way, the cable 14 is fixed to the solar panel 10 (reinforcement member 6) and the wall 40 via the holding member 20.

[0024] In the solar cell module 1 of this embodiment, a pair of plate-shaped reinforcing members 6 are arranged on both outer sides along the long side of the solar cell 2. This makes it difficult for the solar cell 2 to bend, even if it is a thin solar cell such as a perovskite solar cell, and makes it easier to handle the solar cell panel 10 when fixing it to the wall 40. Furthermore, by fixing the tie base 21 of the holding member 20 to both the reinforcing member 6 and the wall 40, the tie base 21 can be fixed more firmly to the solar cell panel 10 compared to when the tie base 21 is fixed only to the wall 40. As a result, the cable 14 held by the holding member 20 can be fixed to the solar cell panel 10 more stably and firmly, and the aesthetic design of the solar cell module 1 can be ensured. Moreover, since the length of the reinforcing member 6 is slightly longer than the length of the long side of the solar cell 2, the holding member 20 (tie base 21) can be placed and fixed at any point on the reinforcing member 6 along the long side of the solar cell 2. This improves the freedom of placement of the holding member 20. As a result, for example, by arranging the retaining member 20 in accordance with the design of the wall 40, it is possible to improve the aesthetic appearance of the solar cell module 1.

[0025] [Second Embodiment] Next, the solar cell module 1 according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to Figures 4 and 5. In the solar cell module 1 of this embodiment, the shape of the holding member 20 differs from that of the first embodiment. Otherwise, it has the same configuration as the first embodiment. Therefore, in the description of this embodiment, the same reference numerals are used for parts with the same configuration as the first embodiment, and detailed explanations of similar configurations are omitted.

[0026] The retaining member 20 according to this embodiment is made of a metal such as iron. The retaining member 20 is composed of a base mounting portion 25 and a cable retaining piece 26. The cable retaining piece 26 has a thin, elongated plate shape, and its longitudinal central portion is joined to the surface of the base mounting portion 25 by welding or the like, so that it is integrated with the base mounting portion 25. In other words, unlike the retaining member 20 of the first embodiment, the retaining member 20 of this embodiment is composed of a single part.

[0027] The base mounting portion 25 of the retaining member 20 has a rectangular plate shape, and screw insertion holes 25a are formed near each of the two diagonal vertices. The cable retaining piece 26 is joined to the base mounting portion 25 at the intersection of the diagonals of the base mounting portion 25 and in its vicinity.

[0028] A locking hole 26a is formed at one end of the elongated, plate-shaped cable retaining piece 26 into which the other end can be inserted. A locking claw 26b is formed at the other end of the cable retaining piece 26, which can be locked into the locking hole 26a.

[0029] In order to fix the cable 14 held by the holding member 20 of this embodiment to the solar cell panel 10 and the wall 40, first, the holding member 20 is placed on the first sheet 2c of the solar cell 2 so that the back surface of the base mounting portion 25 of the holding member 20 is in contact with it. At this time, the longitudinal direction of the cable holding piece 26 is perpendicular to the extension direction of the cable 14. Next, as in the first embodiment, the threaded portion 32 of the screw 30 is passed through the two screw insertion holes 25a and the solar cell panel 10 and screwed into the wall 40. As a result, the holding member 20 is firmly fixed to the reinforcing member 6 and the wall 40 via the screw 30.

[0030] Next, the cable 14 is placed on the cable retaining piece 26 of the retaining member 20. The outer circumference of the cable 14 is then surrounded by the cable retaining piece 26, and the locking claw 26b is inserted into the locking hole 26a of the cable retaining piece 26 to form a ring and lock it in place. In this locked state, the positional relationship between the locking hole 26a and the locking claw 26b is set so that the inner diameter of the cable retaining piece 26 is equal to or slightly larger than the outer diameter of the cable 14. In this way, the cable 14 is held in place by the retaining member 20.

[0031] Even when using the retaining member 20 of this embodiment, the same effects and advantages as when using the retaining member 20 of the first embodiment can be achieved.

[0032] [Other Embodiments] (1) In each of the above embodiments, all retaining members 20 are fixed to the reinforcing member 6 and the wall 40 via screws 30. However, it is also possible to configure the system so that only some of the retaining members 20 are fixed to the reinforcing member 6 and the wall 40, and the other retaining members 20 are fixed to either the reinforcing member 6 or the wall 40. In the latter case, the retaining members 20 are placed in locations that do not overlap with the reinforcing member 6 in a plan view.

[0033] (2) In each of the above embodiments, four retaining members 20 were arranged for one reinforcing member 6, but three or fewer or five or more retaining members 20 may be arranged for one reinforcing member 6. Any number of retaining members 20 can be used depending on the holding force of the cable 14 and the degree of aesthetic appeal of the solar panel 10.

[0034] (3) In each of the above embodiments, each of the pair of reinforcing members 6 was a single plate-shaped member, but this is not limited to this. Instead of a single plate-shaped member, multiple plate-shaped members shorter than the length of the long side of the solar cell 2 may be arranged and used as the reinforcing members 6.

[0035] (4) In each of the above embodiments, the pair of reinforcing members 6 were arranged to sandwich the three solar cells 2, but the configuration is not limited to this. A single wide reinforcing member 6 may be placed on one side of the three solar cells 2, and the two cables 14 may be held and fixed to this single reinforcing member 6 by a holding member 20. In this case, it is preferable that the holding member 20 has a configuration that can hold the two cables 14 together.

[0036] In the solar cell module 1 described in the above embodiment, the following configuration can be envisioned.

[0037] <1> One embodiment of the solar cell module (1) includes a solar cell panel (10) which includes a rectangular solar cell (2) having solar cell elements (2a), a busbar (4) through which current generated by the solar cell (2) flows, and a reinforcing member (6) which is covered with a sealing material (2b) and integrated together with the solar cell (2) and the busbar (4); a terminal box (12) which is electrically connected to the busbar (4) and through which current flowing through the busbar (4) flows; a cable (14) which is electrically connected to the terminal box (12) and through which current flowing into the terminal box (12) flows; a holding member (20) which holds the cable (14); and a fixing member (30) which fixes the holding member (20) to the mounting target (40), wherein the fixing member (30) penetrates the sealing material (2b) and the reinforcing member (6) and is fixed to the mounting target (40), thereby fixing the holding member (20) and the solar cell panel (10) to the mounting target (40).

[0038] In the solar cell module (1) according to this embodiment, the fixing member (30) penetrates the sealing material (2b) and the reinforcing member (6) and is fixed to the mounting target (40), thereby fixing the holding member (20) and the solar cell panel (10) to the mounting target (40). As a result, the cable (14) can be fixed more stably and firmly to the solar cell panel (10) and the mounting target (40) via the holding member (20), and the aesthetic design of the solar cell module (1) can be ensured. In this way, a solar cell module (1) has been obtained that can stably fix the cable (14) with a simple configuration and ensure good aesthetic design.

[0039] <2> the above <1> In the solar cell module (1) described above, the reinforcing member (6) has a plate shape, and one reinforcing member is arranged along one side of each solar cell (2).

[0040] According to this embodiment, since one plate-shaped reinforcing member (6) is arranged along one side of the solar cell (2), the retaining member (20) can be placed and fixed at any location on the reinforcing member (6) along one side of the solar cell (2). This improves the degree of freedom in the placement of the retaining member (20) and contributes to improving the design of the solar cell module (1).

[0041] <3> the above <2> In the solar cell module (1) described above, two cables (14) are connected to a terminal box (12), two reinforcing members (6) are arranged so as to sandwich the solar cell (2) in a plan view, and each of the two cables (14) is held by a retaining member (20) which is fixed to the mounting target (40) by fixing members (30) that pass through each of the two reinforcing members (6).

[0042] According to this embodiment, since two reinforcing members (6) are arranged so as to sandwich the solar cell (2) in a plan view, the solar cell (2) becomes less likely to bend even if it is a thin solar cell such as a perovskite solar cell. As a result, the handling of the solar cell panel (10) when fixing it to the mounting object (40) can be made easier. In addition, since each of the two cables (14) is held by the holding member (20), even if there are two cables (14), they can be fixed to the solar cell panel (10), and the aesthetic design of the solar cell module (1) can be ensured.

[0043] <4> the above <1> from <3> In the solar cell module (1) described in any one of the above, the solar cell panel (10) is composed of multiple solar cells (2) arranged in parallel, and the reinforcing member (6) is arranged along the direction in which the multiple solar cells (2) are arranged in parallel.

[0044] In this embodiment, the solar cell module (1) is typically longer in the direction in which the solar cells (2) are arranged side by side than in the vertical direction. Therefore, by arranging the reinforcing member (6) along the direction in which the solar cells (2) are arranged side by side, the cable (14) arranged along the side by side can be fixed to the solar cell panel (10), and the aesthetic design of the solar cell module (1) can be ensured. [Industrial applicability]

[0045] This disclosure is applicable to solar cell modules. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0046] 1: Solar cell module, 2: Solar cell, 2a: Solar cell element, 2b: Encapsulation material, 4: Bus bar, 6: Reinforcement member, 10: Solar cell panel, 12: Terminal box, 14: Cable, 20: Retaining member, 30: Screw (fixing member), 40: Wall (mounting target)

Claims

1. A solar panel comprising a rectangular solar cell having solar cell elements, a busbar through which current generated by the solar cell flows, and a reinforcing member integrated with the solar cell and the busbar by being covered with a sealing material, A terminal box electrically connected to the busbar, through which the current flowing through the busbar flows, A cable electrically connected to the terminal box, through which the current flowing into the terminal box passes, A retaining member for holding the cable, The system includes a fixing member for fixing the aforementioned holding member to the object to be attached, A solar cell module in which the holding member and the solar cell panel are fixed to the mounting target by the fixing member passing through the sealing material and the reinforcing member and being fixed to the mounting target.

2. The solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the reinforcing member has a plate shape, and one plate is arranged along one side of the solar cell in a direction along that side.

3. Two of the aforementioned cables are connected to the terminal box. The reinforcing members are arranged in pairs so as to sandwich the solar cell in a plan view. The solar cell module according to claim 2, wherein each of the two cables is held by the retaining member, which is fixed to the mounting object by the fixing member that passes through each of the two reinforcing members.

4. The aforementioned solar panel is composed of multiple solar cells arranged in parallel. The solar cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reinforcing member is arranged along the direction in which the plurality of solar cells are arranged side by side.

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