Disassembly method of photoelectric conversion module, cutting aid, and cutting system

Abstract

To provide a method for disassembling a photoelectric conversion module which can remove a frame with smaller force.SOLUTION: A photoelectric conversion module 10 has a panel 100, a plurality of frames 220 provided along a side part of the panel, and a connection tool 300 for connecting the mutually adjacent frames. A method for disassembling a photoelectric conversion module includes a cutting step of cutting the connection tool, and a frame separation step of applying external force to the frames after execution of the cutting step, and thereby removing the frames from the panel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 8

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a method for disassembling a photoelectric conversion module, a cutting aid, and a cutting system.

Background Art

[0002] With measures to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, an increase in the spread of photoelectric conversion modules such as solar cell modules, which are one type of renewable energy, is expected. Currently, it is being considered that solar cell modules are disassembled and recycled at the time of disposal.

[0003] A solar cell module generally includes a flat solar cell panel (photoelectric conversion panel) that converts light energy into electrical energy, and a frame provided at the outer peripheral end of the solar cell panel (see Patent Documents 1 and 2 below). The frame has a fitting portion into which the outer peripheral end of the solar cell panel is fitted. By filling an adhesive material (sealing material) into the fitting portion of the frame into which the outer peripheral portion of the solar cell panel is fitted, the solar cell panel is firmly adhered to the frame.

[0004] A plurality of frames surround the outer peripheral end of the solar cell panel. Adjacent frames are connected to each other by a fastening member such as a bolt or a connector such as a corner piece that is press-fitted into the hollow portion of the frame.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] In Patent Document 1, when disassembling the photoelectric conversion module, a strong pressing force is applied to the frame, and as a result, the frame is forcibly peeled off from the panel. However, since it is necessary to remove the frame from the panel against the connecting force of the connectors that connect the frames to each other, it is necessary to apply a very large force to the frame. In this case, a strong force is also applied to the end portion of the panel fixed to the frame, and the end portion of the panel may be cracked during disassembly. If the end portion of the panel is cracked during disassembly, the end portion of the panel may remain fixed to the frame.

[0007] Therefore, a disassembly method, a cutting aid, and a cutting system for a photoelectric conversion module that can remove the frame with a smaller force are desired.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0008] A disassembly method for a photoelectric conversion module according to one aspect relates to a disassembly method for a photoelectric conversion module including a panel, a plurality of frames provided along side portions of the panel, and connectors that connect the adjacent frames to each other. The disassembly method includes a cutting step of cutting the connectors, and a frame separation step of removing the frames from the panel by applying an external force to the frames after the cutting step is performed.

[0009] A cutting aid according to one aspect is a cutting aid used for cutting connectors that connect adjacent frames to each other in a photoelectric conversion module. The cutting aid has a guide portion that aligns a cutter capable of cutting the connectors with the position of the connectors.

[0010] A cutting system according to one aspect includes the above-described cutting aid and a cutter.

Advantages of the Invention

[0011] According to the above aspect, it is possible to provide a disassembly method, a cutting aid, and a cutting system for a photoelectric conversion module that can remove the frame with a smaller force.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0012]

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Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0013] Hereinafter, embodiments will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same or similar parts are denoted by the same or similar reference numerals. However, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and the ratios of the respective dimensions etc. may be different from the actual ones.

[0014] [Photoelectric Conversion Module] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a photoelectric conversion module according to one aspect. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the photoelectric conversion module taken along line 2A-2A of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a plan view of the photoelectric conversion module as viewed from the back side. In FIG. 3, the connectors provided inside the frame are not visible from the photoelectric conversion module, but are shown by dotted lines for the sake of explanation. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of the vicinity of a corner of the photoelectric conversion module as viewed from the back side. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5A-5A of FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a connector according to one aspect.

[0015] The photoelectric conversion module 10 may be, for example, a solar cell module that converts light energy into electrical energy. Such a solar cell module may be installed outdoors, for example, on the roof or wall surface of a building.

[0016] The photoelectric conversion module 10 has a flat panel 100 and a frame structure 200. The panel 100 may include a photoelectric conversion element that mutually converts light energy and electrical energy. In the present embodiment, the panel 100 is substantially rectangular when viewed from the direction (height direction) orthogonal to the surface of the panel 100. The height direction corresponds to the Z direction in the figure.

[0017] The frame structure 200 is attached around the panel 100 and is provided along the side portion of the panel 100. The frame structure 200 may have at least a plurality of frames 220 connected to each other. The frames 220 are provided along the edges of the panel 100.

[0018] In the example shown in FIG. 1, two frames 220 extend in a first direction (hereinafter, may also be referred to as the "lateral direction") along the first edge of the panel 100, and the remaining two frames 220 extend in a second direction (hereinafter, may also be referred to as the "longitudinal direction") along a second edge adjacent to the first edge of the panel 100. Here, the lateral direction corresponds to the X direction in the figure, and the longitudinal direction corresponds to the Y direction in the figure. The first direction (lateral direction) and the second direction (longitudinal direction) may be directions intersecting each other, and preferably may be directions orthogonal to each other.

[0019] The frames 220 adjacent to each other are connected to each other at the ends of the frames 220. In the example shown in FIG. 1, a substantially rectangular frame is formed by connecting four frames 220 to each other.

[0020] Each frame 220 may have a holding portion 221, a leg portion 222, a side wall portion 223, a flange 224, and a panel receiving portion 225 (see particularly FIG. 2). The holding portion 221, the leg portion 222, the side wall portion 223, and the flange 224 extend along the direction in which the frame 220 extends (extending direction). The holding portion 221, the leg portion 222, the side wall portion 223, and the flange 224 may be integrally formed inseparably from each other.

[0021] The panel receiving portion 225 may be constituted by the holding portion 221, the side wall portion 223, and the flange 224. Specifically, the panel receiving portion 225 has a substantially "C" - shaped cross - section in a cross - section orthogonal to the extending direction of the frame 220 (see FIG. 2). Thereby, the panel receiving portion 225 is configured to be able to receive the end portion of the panel 100.

[0022] The flange 224 protrudes from the upper part of the side wall portion 223 toward the inside of the panel 100 and covers the surface of the end portion of the panel 100. The holding portion 221 protrudes from the side wall portion 223 toward the inside of the panel 100 and faces the flange 224. The holding portion 221 is configured to support the end portion of the panel 100 from below.

[0023] The inside of the panel receiving portion 225 may be filled with an adhesive 229. Thereby, the panel receiving portion 225 can hold the panel 100 in a state where the end portion of the panel 100 is received.

[0024] The adhesive 229 may be provided over the entire panel receiving portion 225 in the extending direction of the frame 220, or may be provided only in a partial region of the panel receiving portion 225 in the extending direction of the frame 220. The adhesive 229 may be an adhesive containing a thermoplastic resin. Examples of such adhesives include silicone-based adhesives and butyl rubber-based adhesives.

[0025] The leg portion 222 may extend from the holding portion 221 away from the panel 100. That is, the leg portion 222 may extend from the panel receiving portion 225 toward the back side of the photoelectric conversion module.

[0026] The frame 220 has a hollow portion 222h and wall portions 222a, 222b surrounding the hollow portion 222h (see FIGS. 2 and 5). The hollow portion 222h extends along the extending direction of the frame 220. In the present embodiment, the wall portions 222a, 222b surrounding the hollow portion 222h are provided on the leg portion 222.

[0027] Specifically, the wall portion surrounding the hollow portion 222h, that is, the wall portion constituting the leg portion 222, may have an outer wall portion 222a exposed on the outside of the photoelectric conversion module 10 and an inner wall portion 222b facing the inside of the photoelectric conversion module. The outer wall portion 222a and the inner wall portion 222b may extend from the holding portion 221 toward the back side of the photoelectric conversion module. The hollow portion 222h is defined by the space between the outer wall portion 222a and the inner wall portion 222b.

[0028] The leg portion 222 may include an end portion 222c bent along the surface of the panel at the farthest position from the panel 100. The end portion 222c may extend from the outer wall portion 222a toward the inside of the photoelectric conversion module beyond the inner wall portion 222b.

[0029] The outer wall portion 222a of the leg portion 222 abuts against the outer wall portion 222a of the adjacent frame 220 at both ends of the frame 220 (see FIGS. 1 and 4). When adjacent frames 220 are connected to each other, the hollow portions 222h of the frames 220 are aligned and communicate with each other.

[0030] The photoelectric conversion module 10 has a coupler 300 for connecting adjacent frames 220 to each other (see FIGS. 3, 5, and 6). The coupler 300 may be provided on the leg portion 222 of the frame 220. Specifically, the coupler 300 has a shape that can be inserted into the hollow portion 222h of the frame 220. Specifically, the coupler 300 is inserted across the hollow portions 222h of both adjacent frames 220. The coupler 300 may be bent in an L shape when viewed from a direction perpendicular to the surface of the panel 100.

[0031] The coupler 300 may be press-fitted into the hollow portions 222h of both adjacent frames 220. Thereby, the adjacent frames 220 are connected to each other by the coupler 300. As shown in FIG. 6, the coupler 300 may have a plurality of convex portions 310 that abut against the wall portion surrounding the hollow portion 222h, specifically, the inner wall portion 222b in the illustrated manner.

[0032] When the connector 300 has the convex portion 310, the inner wall portion 222b is not essential, but may have a recess (not shown) that engages with the convex portion 310.

[0033] The configuration of the photoelectric conversion module has been described with reference to the drawings. It should be noted that the configuration of the photoelectric conversion module is not limited to the above-described configuration, and can be variously changed as long as the following disassembly method is applicable.

[0034] [Disassembly Method of Photoelectric Conversion Module] [First Embodiment] Next, with reference to FIGS. 7 to 11, a method for disassembling the photoelectric conversion module will be described. FIG. 7 is a schematic plan view for explaining a cutting step according to the first embodiment. FIG. 8 is a schematic side view for explaining a cutting step according to the first embodiment. FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram for explaining a frame separation step according to the first embodiment. FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state following FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a position where an external force is applied to the frame in the frame separation step.

[0035] The method for disassembling the photoelectric conversion module may include a preprocessing step, a cutting step, and a frame separation step, which are executed as necessary. The configuration of the photoelectric conversion module is as described above.

[0036] (Preprocessing Step) First, prepare the photoelectric conversion module to be disassembled. Accessories such as a terminal box (not shown) provided in the photoelectric conversion module may be removed in advance as necessary. Instead, the steps described below may be executed without removing the accessories.

[0037] (Cutting Step) In the cutting step, the connector 300 is cut. Specifically, the connector 300 is cut in a state where the frame 220 is attached to the panel 100. The connector 300 may be cut together with the frame 220.

[0038] The cutting of the connector 300 can be carried out by inserting a cutter 500 into the connecting part of the frames 220 that are connected to each other or near the connecting part (see FIGS. 7 and 8). In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7, the cutting position C (thick dotted line in FIG. 7) by the cutter 500 is located at the connecting part of the frame 220.

[0039] The cutting position C may be at any position as long as the connector 300 can be cut. Preferably, the cutting position C is a position along the boundary between adjacent frames 220. As shown in FIG. 7, it is preferable that the connector 300 is cut at all the connecting parts of adjacent frames 220.

[0040] In the cutting step, it is preferable that the connector 300 is cut without cutting the panel 100. For example, the cutting step includes moving the cutter 500 from the end 222c of the leg part 222 that is farthest from the panel 100 towards the connector 300 (see FIG. 8). By moving the cutter 500 to the area (area A1 in FIG. 8) before reaching the panel 100 from the end 222c of the leg part 222, the connector 300 can be cut without cutting the panel 100. In this case, the cutter 500 does not reach the position of the panel 100, that is, the position of area A2 in FIG. 8. Thereby, cracking of the panel 100 during the cutting step can be suppressed.

[0041] (Frame separation step) In the frame separation step, the frame 220 is removed from the panel 100 by applying an external force to the frame 220 after the cutting step is carried out. Specifically, an external force F is applied to the frame 220 in a direction away from the panel 100 so that the holding part 221 of the frame 220 receives a force in the direction of moving away from the panel 100. Since the connector 300 has been cut in the above-mentioned cutting step, the frame 220 can be removed from the panel 100 with a smaller external force F.

[0042] Figures 9 and 10 show how an external force F is applied to the frame 220 using the disassembling device 400. The disassembling device may have, for example, a pressing portion 410 that presses the frame 220 outward.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 9 and 10, the pressing portion 410 moves outward from the center of the photoelectric conversion module 10 and abuts against the inner wall portion 222b of the frame 220. The pressing portion 410 further moves outward from the center of the photoelectric conversion module 10 and presses the inner wall portion 222b of the frame 220 outward. Due to this external force F, the frame 220 detaches from the panel 100 (see FIG. 10). Note that the pressing portion 410 may be manually operated or automatically operated.

[0044] In the frame separation step, it is preferable that the external force F is applied at a position closer to the panel receiving portion 225 than the middle between the end portion 222c of the leg portion 222 that is farthest from the panel 100 and the panel receiving portion 225 of the leg portion 222 in the direction orthogonal to the panel 100.

[0045] If the external force is applied near the end portion 222c of the leg portion 222 that is farthest from the panel 100, the frame 220 receives a force that causes it to rotate about the vicinity of the panel receiving portion 225. As a result, the panel 100 near the panel receiving portion 225 receives a force in a direction to be bent from the flange 224 of the frame 220. Therefore, the panel 100 may crack, and a part of the panel 100 may remain in the panel receiving portion 225. In the above-described aspect, since the external force F is applied near the panel receiving portion 225 of the leg portion 222, cracking of the panel 100 is suppressed, and the material of the panel 100 is easily separated cleanly from the frame 220. This is effective for recycling the materials constituting the photoelectric conversion module 10.

[0046] Instead of the above-described aspect, when the panel 100 is difficult to crack, the external force F may be applied near the end portion 222c of the leg portion 222 that is farthest from the panel 100, or may be applied near the center of the leg portion 222 in the height direction.

[0047] In the frame separation step, the external force F may be applied to the inner wall portion 222b of the leg portion 222 while the outer wall portion 222a of the leg portion 222 is held by the back plate 480. As shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, the back plate 480 may be in contact with at least the outer wall portion 222a of the leg portion 222. The back plate 480 may have a substantially U-shaped configuration along the end portion 222c and the flange 224 of the leg portion 222 (see FIGS. 9 and 10).

[0048] The back plate 480 is used to suppress the rotation of the frame 220 due to the external force F by supporting the frame 220 from the outside. That is, the back plate 480 suppresses the panel 100 near the panel receiving portion 225 from receiving a force in the direction in which the panel 100 is bent from the flange 224 of the frame 220. Therefore, cracking of the panel 100 is suppressed, and the material of the panel 100 is easily separated cleanly from the frame 220.

[0049] Instead of the above-described aspect, when the panel 100 is less likely to crack, the back plate 480 is unnecessary in the frame separation step.

[0050] Next, an example of the position where an external force is applied to the frame 220 in the frame separation step will be described with reference to FIG. 11. In the frame separation step, the external force F is preferably applied at a position closer to the end of the frame 220 than the middle between the center of the frame 220 and the end of the frame in the extending direction of the frame 220. In other words, the external force F is preferably applied in a range of a length of 1 / 4 of the length of the frame 220 from the end of the frame 220 (the region of the symbol L1 in FIG. 10). In this case, the external force F acts near the end of the frame 220.

[0051] The external force F may be applied near one end of the frame 220 and then near the other end of the frame 220. In this case, after one end of the frame 220 is disengaged from the panel 100, the other end of the frame 220 is disengaged from the panel 100. Alternatively, the external force F may be applied simultaneously near both ends of the frame 220.

[0052] By the method described above, all the frames 220 may be removed from the panel 100. Also, in the above-described manner, the pressing portion 410 of the disassembling device 400 disengages the frame 220 from the panel 100. Alternatively, if possible, the frame 220 may be removed from the panel 100 by hand.

[0053] (Cutting Device and Cutting Aid) Next, the cutting aid and the cutting device will be described with reference to FIGS. 12 to 16. The cutting aid and the cutting device are used for cutting the connector in the above-described cutting step.

[0054] FIG. 12 is a schematic plan view of a cutting aid according to one aspect. In FIG. 12, a part of the photoelectric conversion module to which the cutting aid is attached is shown by a dotted line. FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of a cutting aid according to one aspect. FIG. 14 is a schematic plan view of the cutting aid as viewed from the direction of arrow 14A in FIG. 12. FIG. 15 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the cutting aid along line 15A-15A in FIG. 12. In FIG. 15, for the sake of explanation, a part of the photoelectric conversion module together with the cutting aid is shown. FIG. 16 is a schematic perspective view of a cutting device used together with the cutting aid.

[0055] The disassembly aid 600 is used for cutting the connector 300 that connects adjacent frames 220 in the photoelectric conversion module 10. The disassembly aid 600 may have a plate surface 610, a guide portion 620, a pair of side plates 630, a pressing mechanism 640, and a top plate 650. The plate surface 610 is configured to support at least a part of the photoelectric conversion module 10 from below. Specifically, the plate surface 610 may be configured to support the connection portion between adjacent frames 220 from below.

[0056] The pair of side plates 630 may be erected on the plate surface 610. In other words, the pair of side plates 630 may extend in a direction intersecting the plate surface 610. Preferably, the pair of side plates 630 are provided at an angle adapted to the angle between adjacent frames 220. That is, the pair of side plates 630 extend along each of the adjacent frames 220. The pair of side plates 630 may be provided between the plate surface 610 and the top plate.

[0057] As shown in FIGS. 12 and 15, the corner portion of the photoelectric conversion module 10, that is, the connection portion between adjacent frames 220, is installed on the plate surface 610. At this time, the adjacent frames 220 are arranged along the pair of side plates 630. The adjacent frames 220 may be arranged in contact with the pair of side plates 630.

[0058] The top plate 650 may be constituted by a plate substantially parallel to the plate surface 610. The corner portion of the photoelectric conversion module 10, that is, the connection portion between adjacent frames 220, is installed between the plate surface 610 and the top plate 650.

[0059] The cutting aid 600 may have a pressing mechanism 640 capable of pressing the photoelectric conversion module 10 toward the plate surface 610. The pressing mechanism 640 may have a lever 642 and a pressing portion 644. The lever 642 may be connected to the pressing portion 644 by a screw portion 646.

[0060] The lever 642 is provided above the top plate 650, and the pressing part 644 is provided below the top plate 650 (see FIG. 15). The screw part 646 connects the pressing part 644 and the lever 642 through the top plate 650. The pressing part 644 is configured to be movable up and down with respect to the top plate 650 by turning the lever 642. Thereby, the pressing part 644 can press the end 222c of the leg part of the frame 220 placed on the plate surface 610 toward the plate surface 610. Thereby, the photovoltaic conversion module 10 is firmly fixed to the cutting aid 600.

[0061] The guide part 620 is configured to align the cutter 500 capable of cutting the connector 300 with the position of the connector 300. Specifically, the guide part 620 is constituted by a gap extending in the height direction intersecting the plate surface 610 and into which the cutter 500 can be introduced. A pair of wall parts 622 are provided sandwiching the gap constituting the guide part 620. At the position of this gap, the connecting part between adjacent frames 220 of the photovoltaic conversion module 10 is arranged.

[0062] By introducing the cutter 500 into the gap as the guide part 620 from above in the height direction, the cutter 500 can be pressed against the frame 220 of the photovoltaic conversion module 10 attached to the cutting aid 600. Specifically, as described above, the cutter 500 can cut the connector 300 connecting the frames 220 to each other.

[0063] The gap as the guide part 620 preferably terminates at a position above the plate surface 610 in the height direction (see FIG. 14). Specifically, the distance G between the lower end of the gap and the plate surface 610 is preferably equal to or greater than the distance from the flange 224 to the holding part 221 of the leg part 220. Thereby, even if the cutter 500 is introduced to the lower end of the gap as the guide part 620, the cutter 500 does not hit the panel 100. Thereby, the connector 300 can be cut without cutting the panel 100.

[0064] Note that the cutter 500 may be of any type as long as it can cut the coupler 300. FIG. 16 shows a reciprocating saw as an example of the cutter. The reciprocating saw includes a contact portion 510 and a cutter 500. In this case, the cutting aid 600 may have a contacted portion 660 that contacts the contact portion 510 of the reciprocating saw (see FIGS. 13 and 14). The gap as the guide portion 620 may be provided at a position where the cutter 500 can be introduced in a state where the contact portion 510 of the reciprocating saw contacts the contacted portion 660.

[0065] It should be noted that the combination of the cutter 500 and the cutting aid 600 constitutes the cutting system of the present invention. That is, the cutting system includes the above-described cutting aid 600 and a cutter 500 used together with the cutting aid 600.

[0066] In the above-described aspect, the cutter 500 is a separate tool from the cutting aid 600. Instead, a cutting system in which the above-described cutting aid 600 and the cutter 500 are integrated may be used in the above-described cutting step.

[0067] Next, a method for disassembling the photoelectric conversion module according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 17 to 20. FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the photoelectric conversion module according to the second embodiment. FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of the region 18A in FIG. 17. FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram for explaining an example of a cutting position in the cutting step according to the second embodiment. FIG. 20 is a schematic diagram for explaining another example of a cutting position in the cutting step according to the second embodiment.

[0068] In the second embodiment, the same reference numerals are given to the same configurations as those in the first embodiment. Also, it should be noted that the description of the same configurations as those in the first embodiment may be omitted.

[0069] In the second embodiment, the configuration of the photoelectric conversion module 10, specifically the configuration of the coupler 300 and the frame 220 near the coupler 300, is different from that of the first embodiment. In the second embodiment, the coupler 300 is constituted by a fastening member such as a bolt. That is, the frames 220 adjacent to each other are connected by a fastening member such as a bolt.

[0070] Specifically, at the corner of the photoelectric conversion module 10, the frame 220 has a hole 226 through which the fastening member passes (see FIG. 18). The holes through which the fastening member passes are provided in both of the frames 220 adjacent to each other. By passing the fastening member through the holes 226 of both of the frames 220 adjacent to each other, the frames 220 are connected to each other.

[0071] The disassembly method of the photoelectric conversion module may include a preprocessing step, a cutting step, and a frame separation step, which are executed as necessary. The preprocessing step and the frame separation step can be carried out in the same manner as in the first embodiment.

[0072] In the second embodiment, the cutting step can be carried out in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Specifically, the cutting of the coupler 300 can be carried out by inserting a cutter 500 into the connection part or near the connection part of the frames 220 connected to each other (see FIGS. 19 and 20).

[0073] In the example shown in FIG. 19, the cutter 500 cuts the coupler 300 together with the frame 220 at an angle obliquely with respect to the frame 220 (see reference symbol C in FIG. 19). Even in this case, since the connection force between the frames 220 is reduced, in the frame separation step, the external force F for pulling the frame away from the panel can be reduced.

[0074] In the example shown in FIG. 20, the cutter 500 cuts the coupler 300 together with the frame 220 in a direction orthogonal to the direction in which the fastening member as the coupler 300 extends (see reference C in FIG. 20). In this case, the cutting position C is a position along the boundary between adjacent frames 220. In this case, since the fastening force by the fastening member as the coupler 300 no longer functions, in the frame separation step, an external force F for pulling the frame away from the panel can be made smaller.

[0075] Also in the second embodiment, in the cutting step, it is preferable that the coupler 300 is cut without cutting the panel 100. Also, in the second embodiment, note that the above-described connection assisting tool 600 and cutter 500 can be used. When the cutting position C is different as shown in FIG. 20, the position of the gap as the guide portion 620 of the connection assisting tool 600 may be changed according to the cutting position C.

[0076] As described above, the content of the present invention has been disclosed through the embodiments, but the discussions and drawings forming part of this disclosure should not be understood as limiting the present invention. Various alternative embodiments, examples, and operation techniques will be apparent to those skilled in the art from this disclosure. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention specific matters according to the proper claims derived from the above description.

Explanation of Reference Numerals

[0077] 10 Photoelectric conversion module 100 Panel 220 Frame 222 Leg 300 Coupler 500 Cutter 600 Connection assisting tool 620 Guide portion

Claims

1. A method for disassembling a photoelectric conversion module, comprising: a panel; a plurality of frames provided along side portions of the panel; and a connector for connecting the adjacent frames to each other, the method comprising: a cutting step of cutting the connector; a frame separation step of removing the frame from the panel by applying an external force to the frame after the cutting step is performed.

2. The method for disassembling a photoelectric conversion module according to claim 1, wherein in the cutting step, the connector is cut without cutting the panel.

3. The frame has a leg portion extending away from the panel, the connector is provided on the leg portion, the cutting step includes moving a cutter from an end of the leg portion farthest from the panel toward the connector, the method for disassembling a photoelectric conversion module according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The method for disassembling a photoelectric conversion module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the cutter is moved in the height direction of the photoelectric conversion module while the cutter is aligned with a boundary between the adjacent frames.

Images