Solar Cell Module

Abstract

To provide a solar cell module sealing a solar cell by resin and suppressing reduction of an output due to the lapse of time.SOLUTION: A solar cell module includes a solar cell, a glass material laminated on at least a main surface side of the solar cell, a tabular module body arranged between the solar cell and the glass material, and having a sealing material including an olefin-based material, and a resin holding member attached to a circumference of the module body and holding the module body. The holding member faces an end surface of the module body and includes an end surface side holding wall part arranged by avoiding an end surface of the sealing material exposed to the end surface of the module body.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a solar cell module in which solar cells are sealed with resin. [Background technology]

[0002] Conventionally, a solar cell module having solar cells and a structure that can withstand outdoor installation has been proposed (Patent Document 1). This solar cell module includes a module body having a main surface glass, a main surface sealing resin layer, a solar cell, an opposite surface sealing resin layer, and a sealing weather-resistant film, which are laminated in this order. The solar cell module also includes a frame-shaped fitting member fitted into the end face of the outer periphery of the module body, and a frame body that surrounds the module body into which the fitting member is fitted. The main surface sealing resin layer and the opposite surface sealing resin layer are made of an olefin-based material (ethylene vinyl acetate, EVA). The fitting member is made of a thermoplastic elastomer resin or a thermosetting elastomer resin.

[0003] In this solar cell module, a space is provided between the fitting member and the frame body, so that when the module is installed outdoors, rainwater and the like can be drained through this space. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0004] [Patent Document 1] JP 2011-159927 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] However, in this solar cell module, there was a risk that the thermoplastic resin of the embedding member would react with the olefin-based material of the main surface side sealing resin layer and the opposite surface side sealing resin layer, causing the module body to deteriorate and making it impossible to ensure the desired output.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide a solar cell module in which solar cells are sealed with resin, in which a decrease in output over time is suppressed. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The solar cell module of the present invention comprises a plate-shaped module body comprising a solar cell, a glass material laminated on at least a main surface side of the solar cell, and a sealing material containing an olefin-based material arranged between the solar cell and the glass material, and a resinous retaining member attached to the outer periphery of the module body and retaining the module body, the retaining member including an end face side retaining wall portion facing the end face of the module body and positioned to avoid the end face of the sealing material exposed at the end face of the module body.

[0008] With this configuration, by reducing the number of points of contact between the retaining member and the end face of the sealing material in the end face side retaining wall portion, the resin of the retaining member and the olefin-based material of the sealing material are less likely to react, thereby suppressing the decrease in output of the solar cell module over time.

[0009] The solar cell module of the present invention comprises a plate-shaped module body comprising a solar cell, a glass material laminated on at least a main surface side of the solar cell, and a sealing material containing an olefin-based material arranged between the solar cell and the glass material, and a resin holding member attached to the outer periphery of the module body and holding the module body, the holding member including: an end face side holding wall portion facing and spaced apart from the end face of the module body; an opposing holding wall portion facing the main surface of the module body or an opposite surface of the module body located on the opposite side to the main surface; and a holding convex portion protruding from the opposing holding wall portion so as not to cover the sealing material exposed at the end face of the module body in the thickness direction of the module body.

[0010] With this configuration, the retaining protrusion abuts against the end face of the glass material, thereby restricting movement toward the end face retaining wall of the module body. By reducing the number of points of contact between the retaining member and the end face of the sealing material, the resin of the retaining member and the olefin-based material of the sealing material are less likely to react, thereby suppressing the decrease in output of the solar cell module over time.

[0011] Moreover, in the solar cell module, when installed to generate electricity, the module body includes an upper end having the end face, and a lower end having an end face opposite to the end face, and the retaining member includes an upper main surface side retaining wall abutting the main surface of the upper end of the module body, and a lower main surface side retaining wall abutting the main surface of the lower end of the module body, and the lower main surface side retaining wall may have a larger dimension in the direction along the main surface of the module body than the upper main surface side retaining wall.

[0012] According to this configuration, the larger dimensional holding lower wall portion can ensure waterproofing of the lower portion of the module main body, which is more susceptible to the effects of rainwater and the like.

[0013] In addition, in the solar cell module, the module body has a plurality of adjacent solar cells spaced apart, the holding member includes a main surface side holding wall portion facing the main surface of the module body and an opposite surface side holding wall portion facing the opposite surface of the module body located opposite the main surface of the module body, and the end surface side holding wall portion includes a connecting portion connecting the main surface side holding wall portion and the opposite surface side holding wall portion, and the connecting portion may be located between adjacent solar cell cells.

[0014] With this configuration, even if the connecting portion of the holding member comes into contact with the sealing material, it is possible to prevent the influence of this contact from reaching the solar cell. Effect of the Invention

[0015] As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a solar cell module in which solar cells are sealed with a glass material, and in which a decrease in output over time is suppressed. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0016] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of a solar cell module according to this embodiment. [Diagram 2] FIG. 2 is a side view of the solar cell module according to this embodiment. [Diagram 3] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the upper part of the solar cell module. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lower part of the solar cell module. [Diagram 5] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a gasket in the solar cell module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0017] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0018] The solar cell module 1 comprises a module body 2 and a resin holding member 3 that is attached to the outer periphery of the module body 2 and holds the module body 2. The solar cell module 1 of this embodiment comprises a frame 4 on which the module body 2 is placed, and a cover 5 that covers the holding member 3. The solar cell module 1 is installed, for example, on the roof of a building such as a private home with its main surface (light-receiving surface) facing upward.

[0019] The module body 2 is plate-shaped. The module body 2 includes a solar cell 20, a glass material 21 laminated on at least the main surface side of the solar cell 20, and a sealing material 22 that is disposed between the solar cell 20 and the glass material 21 and contains an olefin-based material. The olefin-based material contained in the sealing material 22 is, for example, a thermoplastic resin.

[0020] Furthermore, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, when the module body 2 is installed to generate power, it includes an upper end portion 24 having an upper end surface 240, and a lower end portion 25 having a lower end surface 250 opposite the upper end surface 240.

[0021] Furthermore, the module body 2 includes a plurality of solar cells 20 adjacent to each other at intervals (see FIG. 1). Specifically, the module body 2 includes a plurality of strings 23, which are an assembly of a plurality of solar cells 20. In this module body 2, the plurality of strings 23 are arranged at intervals. Note that the solar cells 20 are, for example, rectangular (long plate-like). The strings 23 are configured by connecting the solar cells 20 in a shingle-like manner.

[0022] In the module body 2 of this embodiment, the sealing material 22 covers both the main surface 200 side of the solar cell 20 and the opposite surface side opposite the main surface 200 of the solar cell 20. The sealing material 22 also covers the end faces (outer peripheries) of the solar cell 20. Specifically, the sealing material 22 covers the main surface side, opposite surface side, and end faces of the multiple solar cells 20 (specifically, the multiple strings 23).

[0023] Moreover, the module body 2 of this embodiment includes, as glass materials 21, a main surface side glass material 210 laminated on the main surface side of the solar cell 20, and an opposite surface side glass material 211 laminated on the opposite surface side of the solar cell 20 (see Figs. 3 and 4). Both glass materials 21 are plate-shaped. The main surface side glass material 210 covers the main surface side of the multiple solar cell 20 (specifically, the string 23) with a sealing material 22 interposed therebetween. The opposite surface side glass material 211 covers the opposite surface side of the multiple solar cell 20 (specifically, the string 23) with the sealing material 22 interposed therebetween.

[0024] In this module body 2, the glass material 21 and the sealing material 22 are at approximately the same position at least in the vertical direction. That is, the upper end surfaces of the glass material 21 and the sealing material 22 are flush with each other, and the lower end surfaces of the glass material 21 and the sealing material 22 are flush with each other.

[0025] The holding member 3 includes an upper holding member 31 arranged on the upper end 24 side of the module body 2, and a lower holding member 32 arranged on the lower end 25 side of the module body 2. The material of the holding member 3 is, for example, a thermoplastic resin.

[0026] The upper holding member 31 includes an end face side holding wall 310 that faces the upper end surface 240 of the module body 2 while being spaced apart from it (see FIG. 3). The upper holding member 31 also includes a main surface side holding wall 311 that faces the main surface 26 of the module body 2. In the solar cell module 1 of this embodiment, the upper holding member 31 also includes an opposite surface side holding wall 312 (opposing holding wall) that faces the opposite surface 27 of the module body 2 located on the side opposite to the main surface 26 of the module body 2. In this upper holding member 31, the end face side holding wall 310, the main surface side holding wall 311, and the opposite surface side holding wall 312 are continuous.

[0027] Furthermore, the upper holding member 31 includes a holding protrusion 313 that protrudes from the opposite surface holding wall portion 312 (opposing holding wall portion) so as not to cover the sealing material 22 exposed on the upper end surface 240 of the module body 2 in the thickness direction of the module body 2.

[0028] The lower holding member 32 faces the lower end surface 250 of the module body 2 and includes an end surface side holding wall portion 320 arranged to avoid the lower end surface 221 of the sealing material 22 exposed at the lower end surface 250 of the module body 2 (see FIG. 4). "The end surface side holding wall portion 320 is arranged to avoid the lower end surface 221 of the sealing material 22" means that the end surface side holding wall portion 320 does not overlap the lower end surface 221 in the vertical direction, that is, the end surface side holding wall portion 320 does not cover the lower end surface 221. Specifically, the lower holding member 32 is provided with a notch 321 that exposes the lower end surface 221. Furthermore, at the notch portion 321, the upper and lower spaces of the lower holding member 32 communicate with each other.

[0029] The lower holding member 32 includes a main surface side holding wall portion 322 facing the main surface 26 of the module body 2, and an opposite surface side holding wall portion 323 facing the opposite surface 27 of the module body 2. In addition, the end surface side holding wall portion 320 includes a connecting portion 324 that connects the main surface side holding wall portion 322 and the opposite surface side holding wall portion 323 (see FIG. 5). The connecting portion 324 is located between adjacent solar cell cells 20 (specifically, adjacent strings 23).

[0030] The holding member 3 further includes a main surface side holding wall portion 311 (main surface side holding wall upper portion) which abuts against the main surface 26 of the upper end portion 24 of the module body 2, and a main surface side holding wall portion 322 (main surface side holding wall lower portion) which abuts against the main surface 26 of the lower end portion 25 of the module body 2 (see Figs. 3 and 4). The main surface side holding wall portion 322 (main surface side holding wall lower portion) has a larger dimension L1 in the direction along the main surface of the module body 2 than the main surface side holding wall portion 311 (main surface side holding wall upper portion). That is, the dimension L1 of the main surface side holding wall portion 322 in the direction along the main surface 26 is larger than the dimension L2 of the main surface side holding wall portion 311 in the direction along the main surface 26.

[0031] The frame 4 has a vertical frame 40 arranged on the opposite surface 27 of the module body 2 , an upper frame 41 surrounding the upper end 24 of the module body 2 , and a lower frame 42 surrounding the lower end 25 of the module body 2 .

[0032] 4, in the solar cell module 1 described above, the end face side holding wall 320 of the lower holding member 32 is formed so as to avoid the lower end face 221 of the sealing material 22 (specifically, a notch 321 is formed in the end face side holding wall 320), thereby reducing the number of places in the end face side holding wall 320 where the holding member 3 and the lower end face 221 of the sealing material 22 come into contact with each other, making it difficult for the resin of the holding member 3 to react with the olefin-based material of the sealing material 22. This makes it possible to suppress a decrease in the output of the solar cell module 1 over time.

[0033] 3, in the solar cell module 1 of this embodiment, the holding protrusions 313 of the upper holding member 31 abut against the upper end surface 212 of the glass material 21 to restrict movement toward the end face side holding wall 310 of the module body 2, thereby reducing the number of contact points between the holding member 3 and the upper end surface 220 of the sealing material 22, making it difficult for the resin of the holding member 3 to react with the olefin-based material of the sealing material. This makes it possible to suppress the decrease in output of the solar cell module 1 over time.

[0034] Furthermore, in the solar cell module 1 of this embodiment, the dimension L1 along the main surface 26 of the module main body 2 of the main surface side retaining wall portion 322 (lower part of the main surface side retaining wall) is larger than that of the main surface side retaining wall portion 311 (upper part of the main surface side retaining wall) (see Figures 3 and 4), and therefore the main surface side retaining wall portion 322 (lower part of the main surface side retaining wall) which has a larger dimension can ensure waterproofing of the lower end portion 25 of the module main body 2, which is more susceptible to the effects of rainwater, etc.

[0035] Furthermore, in the solar cell module 1 of this embodiment, the connecting portion 324 of the lower holding member 32 is located between adjacent solar cell 20, so that even if the connecting portion 324 and the sealing material 22 come into contact with each other, the influence of this contact on the solar cell 20 can be suppressed.

[0036] The solar cell module of the present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. For example, the configuration of one embodiment can be added to the configuration of another embodiment, and part of the configuration of one embodiment can be replaced with the configuration of another embodiment. Furthermore, part of the configuration of one embodiment can be deleted.

[0037] In the solar cell module 1 of the above embodiment, the upper holding member 31 has a structure having a holding protrusion 313, and the lower holding member 32 has a structure having an end face side holding wall portion 320 shaped to avoid the lower end face 221 of the sealing material 22, but the holding member 3 may have only one of a structure having a holding protrusion 313 and a structure having an end face side holding wall portion 320 shaped to avoid the end face of the sealing material 22.

[0038] For example, both the upper holding member 31 and the lower holding member 32 may have a structure having a holding protrusion 313. Also, both the upper holding member 31 and the lower holding member 32 may have a structure having an end face side holding wall portion 320 shaped to avoid the end face of the sealing material 22.

[0039] Furthermore, the upper holding member 31 may have a structure having a holding protrusion 313, and the lower holding member 32 may have a structure having an end face side holding wall portion 320 shaped to cover the end face of the sealing material 22. In this case, at least on the upper side of the holding member 3, the resin of the holding member 3 and the olefin-based material of the sealing material are less likely to react with each other, so that a decrease in the output of the solar cell module 1 over time can be suppressed.

[0040] Moreover, the upper holding member 31 may have a structure without holding protrusions 313, and the lower holding member 32 may have a structure with end face side holding wall portions 320 shaped to avoid the end faces of the sealing material 22. In this case, at least on the lower side of the holding member 3, the resin of the holding member 3 and the olefin-based material of the sealing material are less likely to react with each other, so that the decrease in output of the solar cell module 1 over time can be suppressed.

[0041] Although the holding protrusion 313 protrudes from the opposite surface side holding wall 312, it may protrude from the main surface side holding wall 311. That is, the holding protrusion 313 may protrude from the main surface 26 of the module body 2 or the opposing holding wall opposing the opposite surface 27 of the module body 2 located on the opposite side of the main surface 26 so as not to cover the sealing material 22 exposed at the end face of the module body 2 in the thickness direction of the module body 2. Also, the holding protrusion 313 may include a holding protrusion 313 protruding from the main surface side holding wall 311 and a holding protrusion 313 protruding from the opposite surface side holding wall 312.

[0042] Furthermore, the end surface side holding wall portion 320 of the lower holding member 32 includes the connecting portion 324 connecting the main surface side holding wall portion 322 and the opposite surface side holding wall portion 323, but the end surface side holding wall portion 320 does not need to include the connecting portion 324. In this case, the lower holding member 32 may include the main surface side holding wall portion 322 and the opposite surface side holding wall portion 323, each of which has an L-shaped cross section.

[0043] The module body 2 is not limited to the above configuration as long as it includes the solar cell 20, the glass material 21, and the sealing material 22. For example, the module body 2 includes a plurality of solar cells 20, but may include one solar cell 20. Also, the module body 2 includes two glass materials 210, 211, but may include only one glass material 21. In this case, for example, the glass material 21 may be laminated on the main surface side of the solar cell 20, and a film material may be laminated on the opposite surface side of the solar cell 20.

[0044] The solar cell module 1 includes, as holding members 3, an upper holding member 31 arranged on the upper end 24 side of the module body 2, and a lower holding member 32 arranged on the lower end 25 side of the module body 2, but it may include only the upper holding member 31, or only the lower holding member 32. [Explanation of symbols]

[0045] 1...solar cell module, 2...module body, 3...holding member, 4...frame, 5...cover, 20...solar cell, 21...glass material, 22...sealing material, 23...string, 24...upper end, 25...lower end, 26...main surface, 27...opposite surface, 31...upper holding member, 32...lower holding member, 40...vertical frame, 41...upper frame, 42...lower frame, 200... Main surface, 210...main surface side glass material, 211...opposite surface side glass material, 212...upper end surface, 220...upper end surface, 221...lower end surface, 240...upper end surface, 250...lower end surface, 310...end surface side holding wall portion, 311, 322...main surface side holding wall portion, 312, 323...opposite surface side holding wall portion (opposing holding wall portion), 313...holding protrusion, 320...end surface side holding wall portion, 324...connecting portion, L1, L2...dimension

Claims

1. a plate-shaped module body including a solar cell, a glass material laminated on at least a main surface side of the solar cell, and a sealing material disposed between the solar cell and the glass material and containing an olefin-based material; a resin holding member attached to the outer periphery of the module body and holding the module body; the holding member includes an end face side holding wall portion that faces the end face of the module body and is disposed to avoid an end face of the sealing material exposed at the end face of the module body, A solar cell module, characterized in that a notch is formed in the end face side holding wall portion.

2. a plate-shaped module body including a solar cell, a glass material laminated on at least a main surface side of the solar cell, and a sealing material disposed between the solar cell and the glass material and containing an olefin-based material; a resin holding member attached to the outer periphery of the module body and holding the module body; the holding member includes an end face side holding wall portion facing the end face of the module body while being spaced apart from the end face, an opposing holding wall portion facing a main face of the module body or an opposite face of the module body located on the opposite side to the main face, and a holding protrusion portion protruding from the opposing holding wall portion in a thickness direction of the module body so as not to cover the sealing material exposed at the end face of the module body, The solar cell module, wherein the holding protrusion is located above an upper end surface of the glass material and abuts against the upper end surface of the glass material.

3. the module body includes, when installed to generate power, an upper end portion having the end surface and a lower end portion having an end surface opposite to the end surface; the retaining member includes a main surface side retaining wall upper portion that abuts against a main surface of an upper end portion of the module body, and a main surface side retaining wall lower portion that abuts against a main surface of a lower end portion of the module body, The solar cell module according to claim 1 , wherein the lower portion of the main surface side retaining wall has a larger dimension in a direction along the main surface of the module body than the upper portion of the main surface side retaining wall.

4. The module body includes a plurality of adjacent solar cells spaced apart from one another, the holding member includes a main surface side holding wall portion facing a main surface of the module body, and an opposite surface side holding wall portion facing an opposite surface of the module body located on the opposite side of the main surface of the module body, the end surface side holding wall portion includes a connecting portion that connects the main surface side holding wall portion and the opposite surface side holding wall portion, The solar cell module according to claim 1 , wherein the connecting portion is located between adjacent solar cells.

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