Solar panel maintenance system

Abstract

To provide a solar panel maintenance method and a maintenance system capable of efficiently cleaning a wide range of solar panels and performing maintenance.SOLUTION: A solar panel maintenance system includes a transport robot 100 that includes a carriage body 110 that can freely travel, and an attachment / detachment mechanism 120 for a solar panel P installed on a pedestal 300, and transports the solar panel P removed from the pedestal 300 by attachment / detachment mechanism 120, and a maintenance facility 200 that includes an inspection unit 210 that performs a power generation test of the solar panel P transported by the transport robot 100 and determines whether the solar panel is normal, and a cleaning unit 220 that cleans the solar panel P that has been determined to be normal by the power generation test performed by the inspection unit 210.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a solar panel. Maintenance System This is regarding. [Background technology]

[0002] In recent years, interest in renewable energy has been growing in an effort to curb the progress of global warming, and large-scale photovoltaic power generation facilities with outputs exceeding 1 MW, known as mega solar power generation facilities, have been constructed.

[0003] Generally, a solar panel is made up of a solar cell module, which is a group of solar cells, which are the smallest structural unit of a solar panel. In the case of the mega solar system, a solar cell array, which is a group of solar cell modules, is installed on a stand in large numbers.

[0004] The solar panels are naturally installed outdoors, and as a result, they are inevitably subject to the accumulation of dust and other particles, and therefore require regular cleaning.

[0005] Conventionally, methods for cleaning the solar panels have included using large self-propelled cleaning machines (see, for example, Patent Document 1) and using cleaning machines equipped with a cleaning device attached to heavy machinery such as a backhoe (see, for example, Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-145873 A [Patent Document 2] JP 2016-78013 A Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] However, in the case of the system described in Patent Document 1, the large-scale cleaning machine is attached to one row of solar cell arrays and self-propelled to clean the solar panels, so that every time cleaning of one row of solar cell arrays is finished, the large-scale cleaning machine must be reattached to the other rows of solar cell arrays, which is troublesome. In addition, in one row of solar cell arrays, it is necessary to use bridging plates to span the gaps between the solar cell arrays that are not continuous. Furthermore, the higher the stand on which the solar cell arrays are installed, the more difficult it becomes to attach and maintain the large-scale cleaning machine.

[0008] On the other hand, in the case of the system described in Patent Document 2, cleaning cannot be performed unless there is space immediately next to the solar cell array for heavy machinery to pass through, and maintenance of the area around the solar cell array is required.

[0009] Furthermore, the task of replacing a solar cell module whose power generation amount falls below a set value with a new solar cell module usually has to be done manually, which is time-consuming and laborious.

[0010] The present invention has been made in consideration of the above-mentioned problems of the conventional solar panels, and provides a method for cleaning a wide range of solar panels efficiently and for performing maintenance. Maintenance System The aim is to provide the following: [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] The present invention relates to a transport robot having a freely movable cart body and a mechanism for attaching and detaching a solar panel installed on a mount, the transport robot transporting the solar panel detached from the mount by the attachment and detachment mechanism; a maintenance facility including an inspection unit that performs a power generation test on the solar panels transported by the transport robot and judges whether or not they are normal, and a cleaning unit that cleans the solar panels that have been subjected to the power generation test by the inspection unit and judged to be normal; This relates to a solar panel maintenance system equipped with the above.

[0012] In the solar panel maintenance system, the solar panel is supported by a support bracket that is switched between a support position and an open position with respect to a rack, The attachment / detachment mechanism of the transport robot includes: a lifting mechanism that is disposed on the carriage body and that lifts and lowers a base on which the solar panel is placed; an opening / closing mechanism that is disposed on the base of the lifting mechanism and is capable of switching the support bracket between a support position and an open position; It can be provided with:

[0013] In the solar panel maintenance system, the inspection unit can include a light that irradiates light onto the solar panel, an ammeter that measures the amount of power generated by the solar panel irradiated with light from the light, and a judgment controller that outputs a command to replace the solar panel if the amount of power generated measured by the ammeter is less than a set value.

[0014] The present invention also relates to a crane having a hoisting wire, a transport attachment having a base suspended from a hoisting wire of the crane, a mechanism for attaching and detaching the solar panel installed on the frame, and a transport unit capable of transporting the solar panel detached by the attachment and detachment mechanism; a transport robot having a freely movable carriage body and configured to transport a solar panel detached from a rack by an attachment / detachment mechanism of a transport attachment suspended from the crane; a maintenance facility including an inspection unit that performs a power generation test on the solar panels transported by the transport robot and judges whether or not they are normal, and a cleaning unit that cleans the solar panels that have been subjected to the power generation test by the inspection unit and judged to be normal; This relates to a solar panel maintenance system equipped with the above.

[0015] In the solar panel maintenance system including the crane, the solar panel is supported by a support bracket that is switched between a support position and an open position relative to a rack, The attachment / detachment mechanism for the transport attachment suspended from the crane can include an opening / closing mechanism that is disposed on the base and can freely switch the support bracket between a support position and an open position.

[0016] In the solar panel maintenance system equipped with the crane, the transport unit is A suction cup that holds the solar panel, A suction pump that creates negative pressure inside the suction cup; It can be provided with:

[0017] In the solar panel maintenance system equipped with the crane, the inspection unit can include a light that irradiates light onto the solar panel, an ammeter that measures the amount of power generated by the solar panel irradiated with light from the light, and a judgment controller that outputs a command to replace the solar panel if the amount of power generated measured by the ammeter is less than a set value. Effect of the Invention

[0018] The solar panel of the present invention Maintenance System This provides the excellent effect of being able to efficiently clean and maintain a wide range of solar panels. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0019] [Figure 1] 1 is an overall schematic perspective view showing a first embodiment of a solar panel maintenance system of the present invention. [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view showing a transport robot in a first embodiment of the solar panel maintenance system of the present invention; FIG. [Diagram 3] 1 is a perspective view showing an opening / closing mechanism and a support bracket in a first embodiment of the solar panel maintenance system of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 4] 1 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which an opening / closing mechanism is engaged with a support bracket in a first embodiment of the solar panel maintenance system of the present invention. FIG. [Diagram 5]1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a support bracket has been switched from a support position to an open position by an opening / closing mechanism in a first embodiment of the solar panel maintenance system of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 6] 1 is a perspective view showing an inspection unit of a maintenance equipment in a first embodiment of the solar panel maintenance system of the present invention; FIG. [Figure 7] 1 is a perspective view showing a cleaning unit of a maintenance equipment in a first embodiment of the solar panel maintenance system of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 8] 1 is a flowchart of a first embodiment of a solar panel maintenance system of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is an overall schematic perspective view showing a second embodiment of a solar panel maintenance system according to the present invention. [Figure 10] 11 is a perspective view showing a transport attachment suspended from a crane in a second embodiment of the solar panel maintenance system of the present invention. FIG. [Figure 11] 11 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the opening / closing mechanism of the transport attachment suspended from a crane is engaged with the support bracket in a second embodiment of the solar panel maintenance system of the present invention. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0020] Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0021] 1 to 8 show the solar panel of the present invention. Maintenance System This is a first embodiment.

[0022] The first embodiment is characterized in that it includes a transport robot 100 and a maintenance facility 200, as shown in FIG.

[0023] The transport robot 100 is capable of slipping under a stand 300 on which a large number of solar panels P (solar cell modules M each consisting of a plurality of solar panels P which constitute a solar cell array A) are installed, and as shown in FIG. 2, is equipped with a freely movable cart body 110 and an attachment / detachment mechanism 120.

[0024] The solar panel P is supported by a support bracket 310 that can be switched between a support position (see Figs. 2, 3, and 4) and an open position (see Fig. 5) relative to the stand 300. As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the support bracket 310 includes a main body 311 and a support plate 312. The main body 311 of the support bracket 310 is a cylindrical member, and a through hole 313 is drilled in its axial core portion. The main body 311 is provided so as to be rotatable about an axis extending in the vertical direction relative to a holding frame 314 extending from the stand 300. A key groove 313a extending in the axial direction is engraved on one circumferential side of the through hole 313. The support plate 312 of the support bracket 310 horizontally extends from the outer periphery of the main body 311 and is adapted to clamp the edge portion of the solar cell module M from above and below.

[0025] The attachment / detachment mechanism 120 includes a lifting mechanism 130 and an opening / closing mechanism 140 .

[0026] The lifting mechanism 130 has a plurality of links 131 pin-connected in a pantograph shape on the cart body 110, and a pedestal 132 on which the solar panel P is placed is raised and lowered by a lifting drive device (not shown) such as a cylinder. A spacer 133 is provided on the upper surface of the pedestal 132, and with the solar cell module M placed on the spacer 133, a fork 230 (described later) of the maintenance equipment 200 can be inserted under and removed from the solar cell module M. Note that the lifting mechanism 130 is not limited to the pantograph-shaped links 131, and it goes without saying that, for example, a telescopic type or other type can be adopted.

[0027] 3, 4 and 5, the opening / closing mechanism 140 includes a key member 141 that can be inserted into the through hole 313 and the key groove 313a, and the key member 141 is rotated by a motor 142 to switch the support bracket 310 between a support position and an open position. The motor 142 is disposed on a bracket 143 that protrudes laterally from the base 132 of the lifting mechanism 130.

[0028] The maintenance facility 200 includes an inspection unit 210 and a cleaning unit 220 .

[0029] 6, the inspection unit 210 is a unit that performs a power generation test on the solar panel P transported by the transport robot 100, and includes a light 211, an ammeter 212, and a judgment controller 213. The light 211 is configured to irradiate light onto the solar panel P lifted up from the transport robot 100 by the fork 230. The ammeter 212 is configured to measure the amount of power generated by the solar panel P irradiated with light from the light 211. The judgment controller 213 is configured to output a command to replace the solar panel P when the amount of power generation measured by the ammeter 212 is less than a set value.

[0030] 7, the cleaning unit 220 is equipped with a plurality of cleaning nozzles 221, and is configured to clean the solar panel P that has been subjected to a power generation test in the inspection unit 210 and determined to be normal (power generation amount is equal to or greater than a set value). Note that a new solar panel P replaced in response to a replacement command output from the determination controller 213 is handed over to the transport robot 100 by the forks 230 as is, without being cleaned.

[0031] Furthermore, in this embodiment Maintenance process using As shown in the flow chart of FIG. 8, the process includes a removal step, a first transportation step, an inspection step, a cleaning step or an exchange step, a second transportation step, and an installation step.

[0032] The removal step is a step of removing the solar panel P installed on the mounting stand 300.

[0033] The first transportation step is a step of transporting the solar panel P removed from the rack 300 in the removal step to a maintenance facility 200.

[0034] The inspection step is a step of conducting a power generation test on the solar panel P transported to the maintenance facility 200 in the first transportation step to determine whether or not the solar panel P is normal.

[0035] The cleaning step is a step of cleaning the solar panel P that has been subjected to the power generation test in the inspection step and determined to be normal.

[0036] The replacement process is a process of replacing a solar panel P, which has been subjected to a power generation test in the inspection process and whose power generation amount is less than a set value, with a new solar panel P.

[0037] The second transportation step is a step of transporting the solar panel P cleaned in the cleaning step or the new solar panel P replaced in the replacement step to the rack 300.

[0038] The mounting step is a step of installing the solar panel P transported in the second transportation step on the mounting stand 300.

[0039] Next, the operation of the first embodiment will be described.

[0040] First, as shown in FIG. 1, the cart body 110 of the transport robot 100 moves, slips under a stand 300 on which a large number of solar panels P (solar cell modules M which are assembled together to form a solar cell array A) are installed, and moves under the target solar panel P.

[0041] Next, the lifting mechanism 130 of the mounting / dismounting mechanism 120 of the transport robot 100 is operated to lift the base 132 (see FIG. 2).

[0042] When the base 132 is raised, the key member 141 is inserted into the through hole 313 as shown in Fig. 4 from the state shown in Fig. 3. At the same time, the solar panel P is placed on the base 132 via the spacer 133 and is slightly floating above the support bracket 310.

[0043] The key member 141 inserted into the through hole 313 is rotated by a motor 142, and as shown in FIG. 5, the support bracket 310 is rotated and switched from the support position to the release position.

[0044] When the support bracket 310 is rotated from the support position to the open position, the lifting mechanism 130 is operated to lower the base 132, and the solar panel P is removed from the stand 300 (see the removal process in FIG. 8).

[0045] The carriage body 110 of the transport robot 100 carrying the solar panel P travels to the maintenance facility 200 (see the first transport step in FIG. 8).

[0046] The solar panel P placed on the pedestal 132 of the transport robot 100 that has been moved to the maintenance facility 200 is lifted up from the transport robot 100 by a fork 230, as shown in FIG.

[0047] Light is irradiated onto the solar panel P from a light 211 of an inspection unit 210, and the amount of power generated by the solar panel P is measured by an ammeter 212 to determine whether or not it is normal (see the inspection process in FIG. 8).

[0048] If the amount of power generation measured by the ammeter 212 is equal to or greater than the set value, the solar panel P is normal, so no replacement command is output from the judgment controller 213, and the solar panel P is sent to the cleaning unit 220. If the amount of power generation measured by the ammeter 212 is less than the set value, a replacement command is output from the judgment controller 213, and the solar panel P is replaced with a new solar panel P (see the replacement process in FIG. 8).

[0049] A solar panel P that is determined to be normal (power generation amount equal to or greater than a set value) in a power generation test performed by the inspection unit 210 is cleaned by spraying water from a cleaning nozzle 221 of the cleaning unit 220 as shown in Fig. 7 (see the cleaning process in Fig. 8). The cleaned solar panel P is transferred to the transport robot 100 by the fork 230. Note that a new solar panel P replaced by a replacement command output from the judgment controller 213 is transferred to the transport robot 100 by the fork 230 as is without being cleaned.

[0050] The solar panel P cleaned in the cleaning unit 220 (or a new replaced solar panel P) is returned to its original position on the mounting base 300 by the transport robot 100, as shown in FIG. 1 (see the second transport process in FIG. 8), and is attached to the mounting base 300 in the reverse order of removal (see the installation process in FIG. 8).

[0051] In the first embodiment, unlike the one described in Patent Document 1, a large-scale cleaning machine is attached to a row of solar cell arrays A and self-propelled to clean the solar panels P. Instead, a transport robot 100 removes the solar cell modules M from the stand 300, carries them to a maintenance facility 200, and returns them to the stand 300 after replacement or cleaning. This eliminates the need to reattach the large-scale cleaning machine to other rows of solar cell arrays A every time cleaning of one row of solar cell arrays A is completed, which saves time and effort. In addition, it is also unnecessary to use a bridge plate to span the gaps between the solar cell arrays A in one row. Furthermore, even if the stand 300 on which the solar cell arrays A are installed becomes high, it can be handled by the lifting mechanism 130, and replacement or cleaning work can be smoothly carried out.

[0052] Meanwhile, unlike the technique described in Patent Document 2, there is no need to secure an endless space right next to the solar cell array A for heavy machinery to pass through. In the first embodiment, however, it is only necessary to secure a route for the transport robot 100 to slip under the stand 300 and transport the removed solar cell module M to the maintenance facility 200, and thus the solar cell module M can be replaced or cleaned, and maintenance work around the solar cell array A can be simplified to a minimum.

[0053] Furthermore, the task of replacing a solar cell module whose power generation falls below a set value with a new solar cell module does not need to be performed manually, which saves time and effort.

[0054] In this way, a wide range of solar panels P can be efficiently cleaned and maintained.

[0055] 9 to 11 show the solar panel of the present invention. Maintenance System 1 to 8 denote the same parts. The basic configuration is the same as that of the first embodiment shown in Fig. 1 to 8, but the second embodiment is characterized in that, as shown in Fig. 9 to 11, a crane 400 is used to remove the solar panel P from the stand 300 and attach it to the stand 300, and the solar panel P is handed over between the crane 400 and the transport robot 100.

[0056] In the second embodiment, the crane 400 is a traveling crane in which a mast 430 is erected on a traveling frame 420 having a traveling device 410. A rotating body 440 is arranged to be freely rotatable on the top of the mast 430. A jib 450 is attached to the rotating body 440 so as to be freely raised and lowered. A hoisting wire 460 hangs down from the tip of the jib 450 so as to be freely hoisted up and down.

[0057] The traveling device 410 includes an equalizer beam 411 and traveling wheels 412, and the traveling wheels 412 are disposed at both ends of the equalizer beam 411 in the traveling direction so as to be able to roll along rails 413, and are rotated by a traveling drive motor (not shown). Note that the traveling device 410 may be of a type equipped with tires or crawlers, instead of the traveling wheels 412 which are able to roll along the rails 413.

[0058] As shown in FIG. 10, a transport attachment 500 having a base 510, an attachment / detachment mechanism 520, and a transport unit 530 is suspended from the winding up / down wire 460.

[0059] The base 510 of the transport attachment 500 is suspended by the winding up / down wire 460 connected to an eyebolt 511 embedded in the upper surface, so that it can be raised and lowered.

[0060] The mounting / removing mechanism 520 does not include the lifting mechanism 130 (see FIG. 2) like the transport robot 100 because the base 510 is lifted and lowered by the winding / lowering wires 460, but only includes an opening / closing mechanism 540.

[0061] The opening / closing mechanism 540 has a structure obtained by turning upside down the opening / closing mechanism 140 of the first embodiment shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, and, like the first embodiment, is provided with a key member 541 that can be inserted into the through hole 313 and key groove 313a as shown in Figure 11, and the key member 541 is rotated by a motor 542 to switch the support bracket 310 between a support position and an open position. The motor 542 is disposed on a bracket 543 that protrudes laterally from a base 510 of the transport unit 530.

[0062] 11, the transport unit 530 includes a suction cup 531 that suctions the solar panel P, and a suction pump 532 that creates negative pressure inside the suction cup 531. A power supply cable 533 is connected to the suction pump 532.

[0063] In the second embodiment, the transport robot 100 is the same as that in the first embodiment, but since the transport attachment 500 suspended from the crane 400 has an opening / closing mechanism 540 as the attachment / detachment mechanism 520, it is not necessarily required to provide the opening / closing mechanism 140 in the attachment / detachment mechanism 120 of the transport robot 100, and it can be omitted.

[0064] Next, the operation of the second embodiment will be described.

[0065] First, the crane 400 is driven by the traveling device 410 and stopped at the desired position, and the transport attachment 500 is suspended from the tip of the jib 450 and set above the target solar panel P (a solar cell module M which is a collection of multiple panels that constitute the solar cell array A).

[0066] Next, the hoisting wire 460 of the crane 400 is lowered, and the base 510 of the transport attachment 500 is lowered.

[0067] 11, the key member 541 is inserted into the through hole 313. At the same time, the suction pump 532 of the transport unit 530 is driven to suck the solar panel P with the suction cup 531, so that the solar panel P is slightly lifted from the support bracket 310.

[0068] The key member 541 inserted into the through hole 313 is rotated by a motor 542, and the support bracket 310 is rotated and switched from the support position to the release position (not shown).

[0069] When the support bracket 310 is rotated from the support position to the open position, the hoisting wire 460 of the crane 400 is wound up to raise the base 510, and the solar panel P is removed from the frame 300 (see the removal process in Figure 8).

[0070] The solar panel P removed from the stand 300 is transported by the crane 400 while being sucked by the suction cups 531, and is lowered onto the base 132 of the transport robot 100 that is waiting.

[0071] The carriage body 110 of the transport robot 100 carrying the solar panel P travels to the maintenance facility 200 (see the first transport step in FIG. 8).

[0072] The solar panel P placed on the pedestal 132 of the transport robot 100 that has been moved to the maintenance facility 200 is lifted up from the transport robot 100 by a fork 230, as shown in FIG.

[0073] Light is irradiated onto the solar panel P from a light 211 of an inspection unit 210, and the amount of power generated by the solar panel P is measured by an ammeter 212 to determine whether or not it is normal (see the inspection process in FIG. 8).

[0074] If the amount of power generation measured by the ammeter 212 is equal to or greater than the set value, the solar panel P is normal, so no replacement command is output from the judgment controller 213, and the solar panel P is sent to the cleaning unit 220. If the amount of power generation measured by the ammeter 212 is less than the set value, a replacement command is output from the judgment controller 213, and the solar panel P is replaced with a new solar panel P (see the replacement process in FIG. 8).

[0075] A solar panel P that is determined to be normal (power generation amount equal to or greater than a set value) in a power generation test performed by the inspection unit 210 is cleaned by spraying water from a cleaning nozzle 221 of the cleaning unit 220 as shown in Fig. 7 (see the cleaning process in Fig. 8). The cleaned solar panel P is transferred to the transport robot 100 by the fork 230. Note that a new solar panel P replaced by a replacement command output from the judgment controller 213 is transferred to the transport robot 100 by the fork 230 as is without being cleaned.

[0076] The solar panel P cleaned in the cleaning unit 220 (or a new replaced solar panel P) is transported by the transport robot 100 to a location near where the crane 400 is waiting in order to return it to its original position on the stand 300, as shown in FIG. 11 (see the second transport process in FIG. 8), and is attached to the stand 300 by the crane 400 in the reverse procedure to that of removal (see the installation process in FIG. 8).

[0077] In the second embodiment, unlike the one described in Patent Document 1, a large-scale cleaning machine is attached to a row of solar cell arrays A and self-propelled to clean the solar panels P. Instead, a crane 400 removes the solar cell module M from the stand 300, and then transfers it to the transport robot 100. The transport robot 100 transports the solar panel P to the maintenance facility 200, and after replacement or cleaning, transports it to the vicinity of the crane 400, and the crane 400 picks up the solar panel P and returns it to the stand 300. By repeating the coordinated operation of the crane 400 and the transport robot 100, it is not necessary to reattach the large-scale cleaning machine to another row of solar cell arrays A every time cleaning of one row of solar cell arrays A is finished, as in the one described in Patent Document 1, and this saves time and effort. In addition, it is not necessary to span the bridging plate across the gaps between the solar cell arrays A in one row. Furthermore, even if the stand 300 on which the solar cell arrays A are installed becomes high, the crane 400 can handle it, and the replacement or cleaning work can be smoothly carried out.

[0078] On the other hand, in the case of the second embodiment, the working range of the crane 400 is wider than that of the heavy machinery of Patent Document 2. Therefore, by combining the crane 400 with the transport robot 100, it is possible to replace or clean the solar cell module M without having to secure an endless space right next to the solar cell array A for the heavy machinery to pass through, as in Patent Document 2, and maintenance work around the solar cell array A can be simplified to the bare minimum.

[0079] Furthermore, the task of replacing a solar cell module whose power generation amount falls below a set value with a new solar cell module does not need to be performed manually, which saves time and effort.

[0080] Thus, in the second embodiment as well, similarly to the first embodiment, it is possible to efficiently clean and maintain a wide range of solar panels P.

[0081] In the first and second embodiments, a power generation test is performed in the inspection process, and a replacement process is performed to replace the solar panel P whose power generation amount is less than a set value with a new solar panel P, and the new solar panel P replaced in the replacement process is subjected to the second transportation process without being subjected to the cleaning process. With this configuration, it is possible to avoid cleaning a faulty solar panel P, and it is possible to further increase efficiency.

[0082] In the first embodiment, the solar panel P is supported by a support bracket 310 that can be switched between a support position and an open position with respect to the stand 300, and the attachment / detachment mechanism 120 of the transport robot 100 includes a lifting mechanism 130 that is disposed on the cart body 110 and that raises and lowers a pedestal 132 on which the solar panel P is placed, and an opening / closing mechanism 140 that is disposed on the pedestal 132 of the lifting mechanism 130 and can freely switch the support bracket 310 between a support position and an open position. With this configuration, even if the stand 300 on which the solar cell array A is installed becomes high, it is possible to handle it with the lifting mechanism 130, which is effective in smoothly proceeding with replacement or cleaning work.

[0083] In the first and second embodiments, the inspection unit 210 includes a lighting 211 that irradiates light onto the solar panel P, an ammeter 212 that measures the amount of power generated by the solar panel P irradiated with light from the lighting 211, and a determination controller 213 that outputs a command to replace the solar panel P if the amount of power generated measured by the ammeter 212 is less than a set value. With this configuration, it is possible to correctly determine whether or not the solar panel P has a malfunction.

[0084] In the second embodiment, the solar panel P is supported by a support bracket 310 that can be switched between a support position and an open position with respect to the stand 300, and the attachment / detachment mechanism 520 of the transport attachment 500 suspended from the crane 400 is provided with an opening / closing mechanism 540 that is disposed on the base 510 and can freely switch the support bracket 310 between the support position and the open position. This configuration is effective in more efficiently attaching and detaching the solar panel P using the crane 400 with a wide working range.

[0085] Furthermore, in the case of the second embodiment, the transport unit 530 is equipped with suction cups 531 that suction the solar panel P, and a suction pump 532 that creates negative pressure inside the suction cups 531. With this configuration, a broken solar panel P can be sucked by the suction cups 331 by driving the suction pump 532 of the transport unit 530, and removal from and installation onto the stand 300 can be stably performed.

[0086] In addition, the solar panel of the present invention Maintenance System It is needless to say that the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. [Explanation of symbols]

[0087] 100 Transport Robot 110 Cart body 120 Detachable mechanism 130 Lifting mechanism 131 Link 132 Pedestal 133 Spacer 140 Opening and closing mechanism 141 Key member 142 Motor 143 Bracket 200 Maintenance Equipment 210 Inspection Unit 211 Lighting 212 Ammeter 213 Decision Controller 220 Cleaning Unit 221 Cleaning nozzle 230 Fork 300 Mount 310 Support bracket 311 Main body 312 Support plate part 313 Through hole 313a Keyway 314 Retaining frame 331 Sucker 400 Crane 410 Running gear 411 Equalizer Beam 412 Running wheels 413 Rail 420 Running Frame 430 Mast 440 Swivel 450 Jib 460 Winding upper and lower wires 500 Transport Attachment 510 Foundation 511 Eyebolt 520 Detachable mechanism 530 Transport Unit 531 Sucker 532 Suction Pump 533 Power Cable 540 Opening and closing mechanism 541 Key parts 542 Motor 543 Bracket P Solar panel A Solar cell array M Solar Cell Module

Claims

1. a transport robot having a freely movable cart body and a mechanism for attaching and detaching a solar panel installed on a mount, the transport robot transporting the solar panel detached from the mount by the attachment and detachment mechanism; a maintenance facility including an inspection unit that performs a power generation test on the solar panels transported by the transport robot and judges whether or not they are normal, and a cleaning unit that cleans the solar panels that have been subjected to the power generation test by the inspection unit and judged to be normal; A solar panel maintenance system equipped with

2. The solar panel is supported by a support bracket that can be switched between a support position and an open position relative to the mounting base, The attachment / detachment mechanism of the transport robot includes: a lifting mechanism that is disposed on the carriage body and that lifts and lowers a base on which the solar panel is placed; an opening / closing mechanism that is disposed on the base of the lifting mechanism and is capable of switching the support bracket between a support position and an open position; The solar panel maintenance system according to claim 1 , comprising:

3. 3. The solar panel maintenance system of claim 1 or 2, wherein the inspection unit comprises a light that irradiates light onto the solar panel, an ammeter that measures the amount of power generated by the solar panel irradiated with light from the light, and a judgment controller that outputs a command to replace the solar panel if the amount of power generated measured by the ammeter is less than a set value.

4. A crane having a hoisting wire; a transport attachment having a base suspended from a hoisting wire of the crane, a mechanism for attaching and detaching the solar panel installed on the frame, and a transport unit capable of transporting the solar panel detached by the attachment and detachment mechanism; a transport robot having a freely movable carriage body and configured to transport a solar panel detached from a rack by an attachment / detachment mechanism of a transport attachment suspended from the crane; a maintenance facility including an inspection unit that performs a power generation test on the solar panels transported by the transport robot and judges whether or not they are normal, and a cleaning unit that cleans the solar panels that have been subjected to the power generation test by the inspection unit and judged to be normal; A solar panel maintenance system equipped with

5. The solar panel is supported by a support bracket that can be switched between a support position and an open position relative to the mounting base, 5. A solar panel maintenance system as described in claim 4, wherein an attachment / detachment mechanism for a transport attachment suspended from the crane is provided with an opening / closing mechanism arranged on the base and capable of freely switching the support bracket between a support position and an open position.

6. The transport unit includes: A suction cup that holds the solar panel, A suction pump that creates negative pressure inside the suction cup; The solar panel maintenance system according to claim 4 or 5, further comprising:

7. The solar panel maintenance system according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the inspection unit comprises a light that irradiates light onto the solar panel, an ammeter that measures the amount of power generated by the solar panel irradiated with light from the light, and a judgment controller that outputs a command to replace the solar panel if the amount of power generated measured by the ammeter is less than a set value.

Images