Solar cell modules and photovoltaic systems

Abstract

To improve the ease of installation of solar cell modules. [Solution] A solar cell module 10 comprising multiple solar cells 14 is configured to be electrically connected wirelessly to other solar cell modules 10. The solar cell module 10 includes a power receiving device 20 that wirelessly receives power from a first other solar cell module 10, and a power transmitting device 22 that wirelessly sends power to a second other solar cell module 10.

Description

Technical Field

[0007] , , ,

[0001] This disclosure relates to a solar cell module and a solar cell system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a plurality of solar cell modules have been installed on the roof of a building or the like to construct a solar power generation system. In such a solar power generation system, a plurality of solar cell modules are electrically connected by connecting the cables of adjacent solar cell modules to each other with a connector (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] However, the work of connecting the cables of adjacent solar cell modules with a connector is complicated and has been a factor in reducing the installability of the solar cell modules. [[ID=3⑧]]

[0005] This disclosure has been made in view of such problems, and an object thereof is to improve the installability of solar cell modules.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0006] In order to solve the above problems, a solar cell module according to an aspect of this disclosure is a solar cell module including a plurality of solar cells, and is configured to be wirelessly and electrically connectable to other solar cell modules.

[0007] Another aspect of this disclosure is a photovoltaic power generation system comprising a plurality of the above-mentioned solar cell modules. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is a schematic diagram showing a photovoltaic power generation system using a solar cell module according to the embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0009] The present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings, based on preferred embodiments. The following configurations are illustrative for understanding the present disclosure, and the scope of the present disclosure is determined solely by the attached claims. Identical or equivalent components and members shown in each drawing are denoted by the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions are omitted where appropriate. In addition, the dimensions of members in each drawing are shown enlarged or reduced as appropriate for ease of understanding. Furthermore, some members that are not important for explaining the embodiments are omitted in each drawing.

[0010] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram showing a photovoltaic power generation system 100 using a solar cell module 10 according to an embodiment. As shown in Figure 1, the photovoltaic power generation system 100 comprises a plurality (in this case, three) of solar cell modules 10 and a power conditioner (PCS: Power Conditioning System).

[0011] Each solar cell module 10 comprises multiple solar cells 14. The solar cells 14 are configured to utilize the photovoltaic effect to convert light energy into electricity. The solar cells 14 may be, for example, crystalline silicon solar cells.

[0012] Multiple solar cells 14 are arranged in a matrix as shown in Figure 1 and connected in series with each other by wiring 16. The matrix-arranged solar cells 14 are sealed with a sealing material (not shown) such as EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate), and further sandwiched between a cover glass 18 and a back sheet (not shown). The glass is covered with a frame (not shown).

[0013] In this embodiment, the solar cell module 10 is configured to be electrically connected wirelessly to other solar cell modules. In the photovoltaic power generation system 100 shown in Figure 1, three solar cell modules 10 are installed side by side in the left-right direction. The solar cell module 10 includes a power receiving device 20 that wirelessly receives power from an adjacent first solar cell module 10, and a power transmitting device 22 that wirelessly sends power to an adjacent second solar cell module 10. The power receiving device 20 is connected to one end of the wiring 16 and is located at one side end (left end) 18a of the cover glass 18. The power transmitting device 22 is connected to the other end of the wiring 16 and is located at the other side end (right end) 18b of the cover glass 18.

[0014] The power receiving device 20 includes a power receiving coil and a power receiving control board. The power transmitting device 22 includes a power transmitting coil and a power transmitting control board. The solar cell module 10 is arranged such that the power receiving device 20 faces the power transmitting device 22 of the first solar cell module 10, and the power transmitting device 22 faces the power receiving device 20 of the second solar cell module 10. Wireless power transmission is performed between the power transmitting device 22 and the power receiving device 20 by arranging the power transmitting coil of the power transmitting device 22 and the power receiving coil of the power receiving device 20 facing each other. The wireless power transmission method may be an electromagnetic induction method, a magnetic field resonance method, or a microwave wireless method.

[0015] In this solar power generation system 100, multiple solar cell modules 10 are wirelessly and electrically connected in series. By connecting multiple solar cell modules 10 in series, the voltage can be increased. Multiple solar cell modules 10 connected in series are also called a "solar cell string". At the downstream solar cell module 10 (the solar cell module 10 on the far right in Figure 1), the output terminal of the wiring 16 is connected to a power conditioner (PCS: Power Conditioning System) 12 via a cable 24. The power conditioner 12 performs processing such as converting DC to AC. In Figure 1, one solar cell string is connected to the power conditioner 12, but multiple solar cell strings may be connected in parallel to the power conditioner 12 in order to obtain a predetermined amount of power.

[0016] In the solar power generation system 100 shown in Figure 1, the downstream solar cell module 10 and the power conditioner 12 are connected by a cable 24. However, if the power conditioner 12 can be placed near the solar cell module 10, the solar cell module 10 and the power conditioner 12 may be electrically connected wirelessly. That is, a power transmission device 22 may be provided at the output terminal of the wiring 16 of the downstream solar cell module 10, and wireless power transmission may be performed between it and a power receiving device 20 provided on the power conditioner 12.

[0017] As described above, the solar cell module 10 according to this embodiment is configured to be electrically connected wirelessly to other solar cell modules. Therefore, when installing the solar power generation system 100 on the roof of a building or the like, the solar cell modules 10 can be arranged so that the power receiving device 20 faces the power transmitting device 22 of the adjacent solar cell module 10, eliminating the need to connect cables extending from the solar cell modules with connectors as in the past, thus improving installation efficiency. Furthermore, since the cables connecting the solar cell modules themselves are not required, costs can be reduced, and there is no need to consider cable routing, significantly improving installation efficiency.

[0018] In the above embodiment, the solar cell modules 10 are arranged side by side in the left - right direction. However, the installation direction is not particularly limited, and the solar cell modules 10 may be installed in the vertical direction in FIG. 1. Also, a plurality of solar cell modules 10 arranged side by side in the left - right direction may be arranged in two stages, and only the portions connecting the upper stage and the lower stage may be connected vertically, and all the two - stage solar cell modules 10 may be connected in series.

[0019] The solar cell module 10 according to this embodiment can be applied not only to the roof of a building but also to the outer wall of a building such as a curtain wall and window glass. Also, the solar cell module 10 according to this embodiment can be applied not only to buildings but also to unused land such as vacant lots. The greater the number of solar cell modules 10 to be installed, the higher the superiority of not using cables for connecting the solar cell modules to each other.

[0020] One aspect of the present disclosure is as follows. (Item 1) A solar cell module including a plurality of solar cells, characterized in that it is configured to be electrically connected wirelessly to other solar cell modules. (Item 2) A power receiving device for wirelessly receiving power from a first other solar cell module, and a power transmitting device for wirelessly transmitting power to a second other solar cell module, the solar cell module according to Item 1. ] (Item 3) The power receiving device includes a power receiving coil, the power transmitting device includes a power transmitting coil, the solar cell module according to Claim 2. (Item 4) A solar power generation system characterized by including a plurality of solar cell modules according to any one of Items 1 to 3.

[0021] The above has been described based on the embodiments of the present invention. These embodiments are illustrative, and it is understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications and changes are possible within the scope of the claims of the present invention, and such modifications and changes are also within the scope of the claims of the present invention. Therefore, the descriptions and drawings in this specification should be treated as illustrative rather than restrictive.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0022] 10 Solar cell module, 12 Power conditioner, 14 Solar cell, 16 Wiring, 18 Cover glass, 20 Power receiving device, 22 Power transmitting device, 24 Cable, 100 Photovoltaic power generation system.

Claims

1. A solar cell module comprising multiple solar cells, A solar cell module characterized by being configured to be electrically and wirelessly connectable with other solar cell modules.

2. A power receiving device that wirelessly receives power from another solar cell module, The solar cell module according to claim 1, further comprising a power transmission device for wirelessly transmitting power to a second solar cell module.

3. The power receiving device includes a power receiving coil, The solar cell module according to claim 2, wherein the power transmission device includes a power transmission coil.

4. A photovoltaic power generation system characterized by comprising a solar cell module according to any one of the multiple claims 1 to 3.

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