solar cell module

Abstract

To improve strength during transportation and drainage after installation through a simple structure.SOLUTION: A solar cell module 10 comprises a tile body and a cover body 16. The tile body includes a first leg 27. The first leg 27 protrudes toward a third direction. The cover body comprises a covering portion and a gutter portion. The gutter portion comprises a bottom wall portion 44. The covering portion covers an edge of a first direction side of a solar cell panel from the opposite side of the third direction. The bottom wall portion 44 is located on the first direction side from the covering portion and on the third direction side from the covering portion. The cover body is made of metal or resin. The first leg 27 overlaps the gutter portion when seen through from the third direction.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 17

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a solar cell module. [Background technology]

[0002] From the viewpoint of resource conservation and improving earthquake resistance by reducing the weight of the upper part of a building, the widespread use of solar cell arrays using solar cell modules integrated into roofing materials is desired. Therefore, roofing tiles with solar cell units housed in the roofing tiles themselves have been proposed (see Patent Document 1). The configuration described in Patent Document 1 leaves room for improvement in terms of strength during transportation before installation and drainage after installation. [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2003-003612 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a solar cell module with a simple structure that has improved strength during transportation and improved drainage properties after installation. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] A solar cell module according to a first aspect comprises: a solar cell panel having a flat body portion parallel to a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to each other; a roof tile body having a panel support portion that supports the solar cell panel so as to face a first main surface of the main body portion, and a first leg portion that is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction and protrudes in a third direction from the solar cell panel toward the panel support portion; a cover body made of metal or resin, the cover body having a covering portion that covers an end portion of the solar cell panel on the first direction side from the side opposite to the third direction, and a gutter portion; the gutter portion has a bottom wall portion located on the first direction side of the cover portion and on the third direction side of the cover portion, and upright portions that are upright on both ends of the bottom wall portion in the first direction in a direction opposite to the third direction, When viewed from the third direction, the first leg portion overlaps the gutter portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to the present disclosure, a simple structure is achieved, improving strength during transportation and drainage performance after installation. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0007] [Figure 1] 1 is an external perspective view showing a state in which a solar cell array constituted by solar cell modules according to an embodiment is installed on the upper surface of a structure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is an external perspective view of the solar cell module of FIG. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the appearance of the solar cell panel of FIG. 2. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the solar cell panel of FIG. 3 as seen from the back side. [Figure 5] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exterior of the roof tile body of FIG. 2. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the roof tile body of FIG. 5, seen from the rear side. [Figure 7] 6 is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the end portions on the first direction side and the second direction side of the roof tile body of FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 8] 6 is a cross-sectional view of the roof tile body of FIG. 5 taken along a plane perpendicular to the second direction at a position near the center along the second direction. [Figure 9] 6 is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the end portions on the first direction side and the side opposite to the second direction of a modified example of the roof tile body of FIG. 5. FIG. [Figure 10] 3 is a partially enlarged view of the solar cell module of FIG. 2 viewed in a second direction. [Figure 11] FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of a modified example of the solar cell module of FIG. 2. [Figure 12] FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the cover body of FIG. 2. [Figure 13] 3 is another partially enlarged view of the solar cell module of FIG. 2 viewed in the second direction. FIG. [Figure 14] 3 is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the ends on the first direction side and the second direction side of the solar cell module of FIG. 2. FIG. [Figure 15] 3 is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the end portions of the solar cell module of FIG. 2 on the first direction side and the side opposite to the second direction, as viewed from a third direction. [Figure 16] 13 is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of the end portion of the cover body in FIG. 12 on the side opposite to the second direction. [Figure 17] 3 is yet another partially enlarged view of the solar cell module of FIG. 2 viewed in the second direction. [Figure 18] FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining the installation status of the solar cell array of FIG. [Figure 19] 19 is a partially enlarged view for explaining the installation process of the solar cell module when constructing the solar cell array of FIG. 18. FIG. [Figure 20] 2 is a cross-sectional view of some solar cell modules and the top surface of the solar cell array of FIG. 1, viewed in a second direction, and a side view of other solar cell modules. [Figure 21] 2 is a partially enlarged view showing the ends on the first direction side of two solar cell modules adjacent to each other along the second direction in the solar cell array of FIG. 1. FIG. [Figure 22] 3 is a side view of the stacked solar cell modules of FIG. 2, viewed in a second direction. [Figure 23] 23 is a partially enlarged view of the periphery of an end portion on the first direction side of the plurality of stacked solar cell modules in FIG. 22. FIG. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0008] Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following drawings, the same components are denoted by the same reference numerals.

[0009] A solar cell array 11 including solar cell modules 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of solar cell modules 10. As shown in FIG. 1 , the solar cell array 11 including solar cell modules 10 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure may include a plurality of solar cell modules 10. The solar cell array 11 may be installed on an upper surface 12 of a structure such as a house. The upper surface 12 may be, for example, an inclined surface, a horizontal surface, or the like. An inclined surface is a surface that is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane. The upper surface 12 may be, for example, a main surface of a sheathing board. A main surface is the surface with the largest area in a cube. The sheathing board may be covered with a roofing material for waterproofing. Furthermore, crosspieces 13 may be fixed to the sheathing board so as to extend in the longitudinal direction. Multiple crosspieces 13 may be arranged from the ridge side toward the eaves side. The longitudinal direction is a direction parallel to the upper surface 12 and the horizontal plane.

[0010] In the solar cell array 11, the multiple solar cell modules 10 may be arranged two-dimensionally. In the solar cell array 11, the multiple solar cell modules 10 may be arranged so as to be lined up in the girder direction. In the solar cell array 11, multiple rows formed by the multiple solar cell modules 10 lined up in the girder direction may be arranged so as to be lined up from the ridge side to the eave side. In the solar cell array 11, any solar cell module 10 may partially overlap another solar cell module 10 located on the eave side of the solar cell module 10. The multiple solar cell modules 10 may be arranged so as to be offset from each other in the direction from the ridge side to the eave side, or so as to be lined up.

[0011] The solar cell module 10 includes a solar cell panel 14 and a roof tile body 15. The solar cell module 10 may further include a cover body 16. For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , the solar cell module 10 may include a solar cell panel 14, a roof tile body 15, and a cover body 16. The solar cell module 10 has a first direction, a second direction, and a third direction that are perpendicular to each other. The solar cell module 10 is formed assuming that, when the solar cell array 11 is formed, the solar cell module 10 will be arranged so that the first direction faces the ridge side of the structure, the second direction is parallel to the longitudinal direction, and the third direction faces the top surface 12. Therefore, in the solar cell array 11, the first directions of the multiple solar cell modules 10 may be parallel to each other. Furthermore, in the solar cell array 11, the second directions of the multiple solar cell modules 10 may be parallel to each other. Furthermore, in the solar cell array 11, the third directions of the multiple solar cell modules 10 may be parallel to each other.

[0012] The solar cell panel 14 has a main body 17. As shown in Fig. 3, the solar cell panel 14 may have the main body 17. As shown in Fig. 4, the solar cell panel 14 may further have a terminal box 18 and a cable 19.

[0013] The main body 17 receives light and generates electricity. The main body 17 is a flat plate parallel to a first direction and a second direction. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the main body 17 may have a first main surface s1 and a second main surface s2. The first main surface s1 and the second main surface s2 may be perpendicular to a third direction. The first main surface s1 may face the third direction. The second main surface s2 may mainly receive light.

[0014] The terminal box 18 outputs the electric power generated by the light received by the main body 17 to the outside. The terminal box 18 may be provided on the first main surface s1 side of the main body 17. The terminal box 18 may be provided near the center of the main body 17 in the second direction. The terminal box 18 may be provided at a position closer to the first direction side of the main body 17.

[0015] The cable 19 outputs the power generated by the solar panel 14 to an external device. The cable 19 may be led out from the terminal box 18. The cable 19 may include a first polarity cable 20 and a second polarity cable 21. The first polarity cable 20 and the second polarity cable 21 may have polarities different from each other.

[0016] 2, the first polarity cable 20 may extend in a second direction in the solar cell module 10. The second polarity cable 21 may extend in a direction opposite to the second direction in the solar cell module 10. The first polarity cable 20 may terminate within a cable housing section 22, which will be described later, when viewed from a third direction in the solar cell module 10. The second polarity cable 21 may terminate beyond the cable housing section 22 when viewed from the third direction in the solar cell module 10.

[0017] The roof tile body 15 has a panel support portion 23. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the roof tile body 15 may have the panel support portion 23. The roof tile body 15 may further have a terminal box accommodating portion 24, a cable accommodating portion 22, a connecting portion 25, an underlap portion 26, a first leg portion 27, a second leg portion 28, and an exposed portion 29. The roof tile body 15 may have an overall square or rectangular shape when viewed in the third direction. In this specification, an overall square or rectangular shape means a shape that forms a square or rectangle in the absence of a partial cutout or the like.

[0018] The panel support portion 23 may support the solar cell panel 14 so as to face the first main surface s1. The panel support portion 23 may include a flat portion facing the opposite direction to the third direction. The panel support portion 23 may support the solar cell panel 14 with the flat portion in surface contact with the first main surface s1. The panel support portion 23 may be inclined toward the third direction at at least one end portion on both sides along the second direction, more specifically, at least one end portion on the second direction side and the opposite direction side.

[0019] As shown in Figure 6, on the third direction side surface of the panel support portion 23, at the end opposite to the second direction, a stepped overlap portion 30 may be formed that is recessed toward the opposite side of the third direction from other portions and extends along the first direction.

[0020] The length of the panel support portion 23 in the second direction may be a working width, i.e., the length of the portion that is not covered by the adjacent solar cell modules 10 on the second direction side when the solar cell modules 10 are installed on the upper surface 12 to form the solar cell array 11.

[0021] 5, the terminal box housing portion 24 may be recessed from the panel support portion 23. The terminal box housing portion 24 may house the terminal box 18 in the solar cell module 10 so as to cover the portion of the terminal box 18 on the third direction side.

[0022] The cable housing section 22 may house the cable 19 so as to cover the portion of the cable 19 on the third direction side. The cable housing section 22 may also function as a cable support section that supports the cable 19 including the first polarity cable 20 and the second polarity cable 21. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 7 , the cable housing section 22 may have a surface that intersects with the third direction. More specifically, the cable housing section 22 may have a bottom wall section 31 that is a plane perpendicular to the third direction. The cable housing section 22 may further have an upright section 32 that is located at the end on the first direction side and stands in the direction opposite to the third direction. Specifically, the upright section 32 may be wall-shaped and extend along the second direction.

[0023] The cable housing 22 may be located on the first direction side of the panel support portion 23. The cable housing 22 may be directly or indirectly continuous with the panel support portion 23. In a configuration in which a terminal box housing 24 is formed, the cable housing 22 may be located on the first direction side of the terminal box housing 24. The cable housing 22 may be continuous with the terminal box housing 24. The cable housing 22 may extend continuously along the second direction. The cable housing 22 may extend from the end of the roof tile body 15 on the second direction side.

[0024] 8 , the cable housing 22 may have an intermediate portion 33 between the cable housing 22 and the terminal box housing 24 and a portion connecting the cable housing 22 and the terminal box housing 24. In a configuration without the connecting portion 25, the portion connecting the cable housing 22 and the terminal box housing 24 may be a portion of the terminal box housing 24 closer to the first direction. In a configuration with the connecting portion 25, the portion connecting the cable housing 22 and the terminal box housing 24 may be a portion of the connecting portion 25 closer to the first direction.

[0025] The intermediate portion 33 may be located on the surface of the cable housing 22 closest to the third direction, for example, on the opposite side in the third direction from the bottom wall portion 31. More specifically, the intermediate portion 33 is erected on the opposite side in the third direction from the bottom wall portion 31 and includes a wall surface of a height that does not reach the surface of the panel support portion 23 on the opposite side in the third direction. Therefore, the cable housing 22 is located on the third direction side from the intermediate portion 33.

[0026] In a state where another solar cell module 10 is arranged in at least one of both directions along the second direction to form the solar cell array 11, the cable housing portion 22 may be covered by the other solar cell module 10 from the opposite side in the third direction. For example, one end of the cable housing portion 22 of an arbitrary solar cell module 10 may be overlapped with an end of the cable housing portion 22 of another solar cell module 10 adjacent to the arbitrary solar cell module 10. To achieve such a configuration, the length of the cable housing portion 22 in the second direction may be equal to or greater than the length of the panel support portion 23.

[0027] 9, the cable housing portion 22 may have a step portion 34 on at least one end thereof along the second direction. The step portion 34 may be provided, for example, on the end opposite to the second direction.

[0028] The step portion 34 may be offset in the third direction relative to the other end at which the step portion 34 is provided. For example, the step portion 34 may be positioned offset in the third direction relative to the bottom wall portion 31, or offset in the direction opposite to the third direction. The step portion 34 may extend from the end of the bottom wall portion 31 in the direction opposite to the second direction.

[0029] An extended standing portion 35 may be provided at the end of the step portion 34 on the first direction side, extending along the second direction and standing on the side opposite to the third direction. The extended standing portion 35 may be positioned, for example, offset toward the first direction side from the standing portion 32, or offset toward the side opposite to the first direction. The extended standing portion 35 may extend from the end of the standing portion 32 in the direction opposite to the second direction.

[0030] When another solar cell module 10 is disposed at the end on the step portion 34 side to form the solar cell array 11, the step portion 34 may overlap the other end of the cable housing portion 22 of the other solar cell module 10 when viewed from the third direction. More specifically, in a configuration in which the step portion 34 is provided, the length of the cable housing portion 22 in the second direction excluding the step portion 34 may be equal to or less than the length of the panel support portion 23. Furthermore, in this configuration, the length of the cable housing portion 22 in the second direction including the step portion 34 may be equal to or greater than the length of the panel support portion 23.

[0031] Alternatively, the length of the cable housing portion 22 in the second direction may be shorter than the value obtained by subtracting the diameter of the second polarity cable 21 from the length of the panel support portion 23 in the second direction. Therefore, the value obtained by subtracting the length of the cable housing portion 22 in the second direction from the length of the panel support portion 23 in the second direction may be greater than the diameter of the second polarity cable 21. Furthermore, the length of the cable housing portion 22 in the second direction may be equal to or less than the value obtained by subtracting the length of the underlap portion 26 in the second direction from the length of the roof tile body 15 in the second direction.

[0032] 5, the connecting portion 25 may be formed between the terminal box housing 24 and the cable housing 22 in the first direction. The connecting portion 25 may connect the terminal box housing 24 and the cable housing 22. The connecting portion 25 may house the cable 19 so as to cover a portion of the cable 19 on the third direction side.

[0033] The connecting portion 25 has, for example, a groove-like structure extending along the first direction. The length of the connecting portion 25 in the second direction may be shorter than the length of the terminal box housing portion 24 in the second direction as long as it can accommodate the cable 19.

[0034] The underlap portion 26 may be located on the second direction side of the panel support portion 23. The underlap portion 26 may extend along the first direction. The underlap portion 26 may be groove-shaped along the first direction. The underlap portion 26 may be open on the side opposite to the first direction.

[0035] The underlap portion 26 may further extend in the opposite direction to the first direction than the cable housing portion 22. More specifically, the underlap portion 26 may extend along the edge of the panel support portion 23 on the second direction side. The length of the underlap portion 26 in the second direction may be constant, or may change so as to widen or narrow in the direction opposite to the first direction.

[0036] The underlap portion 26 may not entirely overlap the overlap portion 30 when viewed from the second direction. In other words, the underlap portion 26 may be positioned offset from the overlap portion 30 in the third direction. The length of the underlap portion 26 in the second direction may be equal to or less than the length of the overlap portion 30 in the second direction.

[0037] 6, the first leg portion 27 may be located on the first direction side of the panel support portion 23. The first leg portion 27 may be located near the opposite side of the cable housing portion 22 in the first direction. The first leg portion 27 may protrude in the third direction. The first leg portion 27 may be ridge-shaped and extend along the second direction.

[0038] The second leg 28 may be located at the end of the roof tile body 15 on the side opposite to the first direction. The second leg 28 may protrude in a third direction. The second leg 28 may extend along the second direction.

[0039] As shown in FIG. 5, the exposed portion 29 may be located at the end of the roof tile body 15 on the side opposite to the first direction. As shown in FIG. 2, in the solar cell module 10, the exposed portion 29 may be exposed from the solar cell panel 14 when viewed in the third direction. The exposed portion 29 may extend along the second direction. As shown in FIG. 8, the exposed portion 29 may protrude from the flat portion of the panel support portion 23 on the side opposite to the third direction. When viewed from the third direction, the exposed portion 29 may overlap with the second leg portion 28.

[0040] The position of the exposed surface of the exposed portion 29 in the third direction may be determined so that the second difference is greater than the first difference at any position as viewed from the third direction, as described below. The first difference is the difference obtained by subtracting the position of the exposed portion 29 in the third direction from the position of the portion of the solar cell module 10 on the opposite side of the third direction. The second difference is the difference obtained by subtracting the position of the bottom surface of the second leg portion 28 in the third direction from the position of the portion of the solar cell module 10 on the third direction side. For example, as shown in FIG. 10 , at a first position p1 arbitrarily selected as viewed from the third direction, the second difference Δ21 is greater than the first difference Δ11. Also, for example, at a second position p2 arbitrarily selected as viewed from the third direction, the second difference Δ22 is greater than the first difference Δ12.

[0041] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, the roof tile body 15 may have at least a notch (second notch) 36 formed in a corner on the first direction side and the opposite side to the second direction. When viewed from the third direction, the notch 36 may overlap with a position where an opening formed on the opposite side to the second direction of the gutter portion 39, which will be described later, is formed. The length of the notch 36 in the second direction may be equal to or greater than the length of the underlap portion 26 in the second direction. The length of the underlap portion 26 in the second direction compared to the length of the second notch 36 in the second direction may be the length in the second direction of the end of the underlap portion 26 on the first direction side.

[0042] The roof tile body 15 may be non-combustible. The "non-combustible" nature of the roof tile body 15 refers to the property of being a non-combustible material as defined by laws and regulations (e.g., the Building Standards Act or the Enforcement Order of the Building Standards Act in Japan). A non-combustible roof tile body 15 is, for example, a composite of particles. A composite of particles is an object formed by bonding rock particles together through the effect of chemical changes. Examples of composite of particles include concrete and pottery. Concrete is a composite material formed by solidifying coarse aggregates such as gravel and crushed stone, and fine aggregates such as sand and crushed sand, using a binder such as cement, lime, gypsum, asphalt, sulfur, or plastic. Sand is rock particles measuring 1 / 16 mm to 2 mm.

[0043] As shown in Fig. 2, the cover body 16 may be located closer to the first direction than the solar cell panel 14. As shown in Fig. 11, the cover body 16 may have an overall rectangular flat plate shape. The cover body 16 may extend along the second direction.

[0044] 2, the cover body 16 may cover at least a part of the connecting portion 25, or even at least the entire connecting portion 25, from the side opposite to the third direction. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 11, the cover body 16 may cover the cable housing portion 22 from the side opposite to the third direction.

[0045] The cover body 16 may be non-flammable or flame-retardant. A non-flammable cover body 16 is made of metal, such as an aluminum alloy. A flame-retardant cover body 16 is made of flame-retardant resin, such as polyvinyl chloride. When the cover body 16 is made of metal, it may be fixed to the tile body 15 by any method. When the cover body 16 is made of resin, it may be fixed by adhering it to the tile body 15 using an adhesive.

[0046] As shown in FIG. 12, the cover body 16 may have a covering portion 37, a protrusion 38, a groove portion 39, and a grip portion 40.

[0047] The covering portion 37 may be a flat plate parallel to the first direction and the second direction. The covering portion 37 may extend continuously in the second direction. As shown in Fig. 13 , in the solar cell module 10, the covering portion 37 may cover the end of the solar cell panel 14 on the first direction side from the side opposite to the third direction.

[0048] The protrusion 38 may protrude in the opposite direction to the third direction from the portion of the cover body 16 where the protrusion 38 is provided. For example, the protrusion 38 may protrude in the opposite direction to the third direction from the covering portion 37. The protruding tip of the protrusion 38 may be bent or curved in the opposite direction to the first direction.

[0049] As shown in FIG. 12 , the protrusion 38 may extend along the second direction. The protrusion 38 may have a notch (first notch) 41 formed at a portion in the second direction. A protrusion 38 included in a straight line parallel to the second direction may be regarded as a single protrusion 38, and multiple protrusions 38 may be provided on the cover body 16. The multiple protrusions 38 may be arranged side by side along the first direction. The notch 41 may be formed at least in the protrusion 38 of the multiple protrusions 38 that is located furthest from the first direction.

[0050] The gutter portion 39 may be located closer to the first direction than the protrusion portion 38. As shown in Fig. 2, in the solar cell module 10, the gutter portion 39 may be located between the panel support portion 23 and the cable housing portion 22 along the first direction when viewed in the third direction.

[0051] The gutter portion 39 may extend continuously along the second direction. An opening may be formed at the end of the gutter portion 39 on the second direction side, connecting the underlap portion 26 and the gutter portion 39. Connecting the underlap portion 26 and the gutter portion 39 means connecting the space defined by the bottom wall portion and side wall portion of the underlap portion 26 with the space defined by the bottom wall portion, side wall portion, and imaginary ceiling wall of the gutter portion 39. The bottom wall portion is a wall having a surface located on the third direction side. The side wall portion is a wall portion erected along the outer edge of the bottom wall portion on the opposite side of the third direction. The imaginary ceiling wall is a planar imaginary wall passing through the end of the side wall portion on the opposite side of the third direction. For example, as shown in FIG. 14 , a first opening 42 may be formed at the end of the gutter portion 39 on the second direction side without forming a side wall portion.

[0052] As shown in FIG. 15 , the end of the gutter portion 39 on the opposite side of the second direction may reach the notch 36 of the roof tile body 15 when viewed from the third direction in the solar cell module 10. Furthermore, the gutter portion 39 may terminate at a position on the opposite side of the second direction that is displaced in the second direction from the end of the roof tile body 15 on the opposite side of the second direction by a length equal to or less than the length of the underlap portion 26 in the second direction. The end of the roof tile body 15 on the opposite side of the second direction may refer to the portion of the entire roof tile body 15 that is furthest toward the opposite side of the second direction. This end is, for example, the portion of the roof tile body 15 on the opposite side of the second direction from the point where the length of the roof tile body 15 along the second direction at any position in the first direction is greatest. Alternatively, this end is the portion on the end side of the panel support portion 23 in the second direction.

[0053] An opening may be formed at the end of the gutter portion 39 on the side opposite to the second direction. For example, as shown in Fig. 16, a second opening 43 may be formed without forming a side wall at the end of the gutter portion 39 on the side opposite to the second direction.

[0054] As shown in Fig. 13, the gutter portion 39 may have a bottom wall portion 44 and an upright portion 45. The bottom wall portion 44 may be located on the first direction side of the cover portion 37. The bottom wall portion 44 may be located on the third direction side of the cover portion 37. The upright portion 45 may be provided on both ends of the bottom wall portion 44 in the first direction. The upright portion 45 may be upright in the direction opposite to the second direction.

[0055] The inner bottom surface ib of the gutter portion 39 may be located on the third direction side of the solar cell panel 14 in the solar cell module 10. The inner bottom surface ib is the surface of the bottom wall portion 44 on the opposite side of the third direction. As shown in FIG. 2 , the gutter portion 39 may be located on the opposite side of the third direction of the underlap portion 26.

[0056] 17 , the height of the bottom wall portion 44 of the gutter portion 39 may be determined so that, in the solar cell module 10, the height difference δ1 between the first leg portion 27 and the second leg portion 28 in the third direction is equal to the height difference δ2 between the exposed portion 29 and the bottom wall portion 44. The height difference δ1 between the first leg portion 27 and the second leg portion 28 in the third direction is the difference in the positions in the third direction of the portions of the first leg portion 27 and the second leg portion 28 that are closest to the third direction. The height difference δ2 between the exposed portion 29 and the bottom wall portion 44 in the third direction is the difference in the positions in the third direction of the exposed surface of the exposed portion 29 and the inner bottom surface ib of the bottom wall portion 44.

[0057] When viewed from the third direction, the first leg 27 may overlap the gutter 39. Specifically, the first leg 27 may overlap the gutter 39 in the first direction, and the first leg 27 may overlap the gutter 39 in the second direction.

[0058] 13, the gripping portion 40 may grip the solar cell panel 14 from the first direction side. The gripping portion 40 may have a shape that protrudes from the covering portion 37 in the third direction side and bends in the direction opposite to the first direction.

[0059] A method for forming a solar cell array 11 by installing a plurality of solar cell modules 10 having the above-described configuration on the upper surface 12 will be described below. As shown in Fig. 18, the solar cell modules 10 may be installed on the upper surface 12 starting from the eaves side. Alternatively, the solar cell modules 10 may be installed in order along the longitudinal direction from the side opposite the second direction with the first direction facing the ridge side.

[0060] The newly installed solar cell module 10a is installed vertically from above so that its overlap portion 30 covers the entire underlap portion 26 of the solar cell module 10b already installed on the upper surface 12. As shown in FIG. 19 , the newly installed solar cell module 10a may be installed vertically from above so that its overlap portion 30 covers the entire underlap portion 26 of the solar cell module 10b already installed on the upper surface 12. The newly installed solar cell module 10a may also be installed so that the panel support portions 23 of the solar cell module 10b adjacent to it along the girder direction are in close contact with each other. As shown in FIG. 20 , the newly installed solar cell module 10a may be installed so that its second leg 28 rests on the cover body 16 of the solar cell module 10c on the eaves side. The newly installed solar cell module 10a may also be installed so that its first leg 27 engages with the crosspiece 13.

[0061] As shown in FIG. 21, the second polarity cable 21 of the newly installed solar cell module 10a may be connected to the first polarity cable 20 of the adjacent already installed solar cell module 10b along the longitudinal direction after installation on the upper surface 12.

[0062] The solar cell module 10 installed on the upper surface 12 may be fixed to the upper surface 12 by any means. For example, the solar cell module 10 may be fixed to the upper surface 12 via a crosspiece 13 using a fastener such as a nail.

[0063] The solar cell module 10 configured as described above includes a roof tile body 15 having a panel support portion 23 supporting a solar cell panel 14 and a first leg portion 27 protruding in the third direction, and a metal or resin cover body 16 having a covering portion 37 and a gutter portion 39 covering the end of the solar cell panel 14 on the first direction side from the side opposite the third direction. The gutter portion 39 has a bottom wall portion 44 located on the first direction side of the covering portion 37 and on the third direction side of the covering portion 37, and an upright portion 45 standing in the direction opposite the third direction. When viewed from the third direction, the first leg portion 27 overlaps the gutter portion 39. As shown in FIG. 22 , multiple solar cell modules 10 are expected to be stacked in the third direction during transportation. If multiple solar cell modules 10 are transported in a stacked state, impact loads due to vibrations or the like may be concentrated at the locations where the first leg portions 27 abut. Impact loads on roof tile bodies 15 and the like can cause damage such as cracks and chips. Furthermore, in a solar cell array 11, rainwater can flood the roofing joints covered by adjacent solar cell modules 10 in the first direction during a rainstorm. To address these issues, as shown in FIG. 23 , the solar cell module 10 configured as described above can use the gutter 37, which captures and drains flooding rainwater, as a mounting location for the first leg 27 of the solar cell module 10 stacked on the opposite side of the third direction when multiple solar cell modules 10 are stacked. Therefore, when the solar cell modules 10 are stacked, the cover body 16 including the gutter 37 can mitigate impact loads on the roof tile bodies 15 directly below the first leg 27 (in the third direction). Furthermore, when the solar cell modules 10 are stacked, the first leg 27 can engage with the upright portion 45 of the gutter 37 on the third direction side of the first leg 27. Therefore, when the solar cell modules 10 are stacked, the possibility of the load collapsing due to lateral shaking occurring during transportation can be reduced, thereby improving transportability.

[0064] Furthermore, in the solar cell module 10, the roof tile body 15 has a second leg 28 protruding toward the third direction at its end opposite the first direction and an exposed portion 29 exposed from the solar cell panel 14 when viewed in the third direction at its end opposite the first direction. When viewed from the third direction, the second leg 28 overlaps the exposed portion 29. The height difference δ1 between the first leg 27 and the second leg 28 in the third direction is equal to the height difference δ2 between the exposed portion 29 and the bottom wall portion 44. With this configuration, as shown in FIG. 22 , the solar cell module 10 allows the orientations of multiple solar cell modules 10 stacked for transportation to be parallel. Parallel orientation of the solar cell modules 10 means that the third direction of the multiple solar cell modules 10 is parallel. Therefore, the solar cell modules 10 can be stacked in a rectangular parallelepiped package with multiple solar cell modules 10 stacked tightly together, making them easy to handle during transportation. Furthermore, since the solar cell modules 10 can be stacked without any gaps between them that would cause them to swing due to vibration, even if vibrations are applied during transportation in a rectangular parallelepiped package, the possibility of collisions due to swinging of the solar cell modules 10 can be reduced. Therefore, the possibility of damage to the solar cell modules 10 due to collisions can be reduced. Furthermore, since the solar cell modules 10 stabilize the stacked solar cell modules 10, the number of solar cell modules 10 that can be stacked can be increased.

[0065] Furthermore, in the solar cell module 10, at any position viewed from the third direction, the difference between the position of the portion of the solar cell module 10 on the opposite side of the third direction and the position of the exposed portion 29 in the third direction is greater than the difference between the position of the portion of the solar cell module 10 on the opposite side of the third direction and the position of the second leg portion 28 in the third direction. With this configuration, when another solar cell module 10 is stacked on the opposite side of the third direction, the solar cell module 10 can come into contact with another solar cell module 10 only at the exposed portion 29 and the gutter portion 39. Therefore, the solar cell module 10 can reduce the area that may be scratched by rubbing against another stacked solar cell module 10. As a result, the solar cell module 10 can reduce the amount of slip sheets and films used to package the solar cell module 10, thereby improving transportability.

[0066] Furthermore, in the solar cell module 10, the cover body 16 has multiple protrusions 38 that protrude from the covering portion 37 toward the opposite side of the third direction and extend along the second direction. This configuration allows the solar cell module 10 to reduce the amount of rainwater blowing into the roofing joint, in other words, into the area covered by another solar cell module 10 or ordinary roofing tiles on the opposite side of the third direction, thereby suppressing deterioration of the terminal box 18, cables 19, etc. due to water wetting. Furthermore, in the solar cell module 10, the protrusion 38 furthest away from the first direction among the multiple protrusions 38 has a notch 41 formed in a portion of the second direction. This configuration allows the solar cell module 10 to drain water that seeps into the first direction from the protrusion 38 in the opposite direction of the first direction. Therefore, the solar cell module 10 can suppress overflow of rainwater at the roofing joint. As a result, the solar cell module 10 can reduce the amount of rainwater that seeps in further (in the first direction) than the roof joint.

[0067] Furthermore, in the solar cell module 10, the roof tile body 15 has an underlap portion 26, and a notch 36 is formed in the roof tile body 15 at a corner on the first direction side and the opposite side in the second direction of the roof tile body 15, the length of the notch 36 in the second direction being equal to or greater than the length of the underlap portion 26 in the second direction, and the end of the gutter portion 39 on the opposite side in the second direction as viewed from the third direction reaches the notch 36. With this configuration, the solar cell module 10 can drain rainwater that seeps into the gutter portion 39 to the underlap portion 26 or the top surface 12 of another solar cell module 10 installed on the opposite side in the second direction in the solar cell array 11. Therefore, the solar cell module 10 prevents rainwater flowing into the gutter portion 39 from accumulating, thereby reducing the amount of rainwater that seeps into the first direction side of the gutter portion 39, where the cable 19 may be placed.

[0068] Furthermore, in the solar cell module 10, the cover body 16 is made of resin and is adhered to the roof tile body 15. With this configuration, the solar cell module 10 does not require an earth connection when being installed on the top surface 12. Therefore, the installation process for the solar cell module 10 can be simplified.

[0069] Furthermore, in the solar cell module 10, the panel support portion 23 is inclined in the third direction at at least one end portion on both sides along the second direction. With this configuration, the solar cell module 10 can drain rainwater that may seep into the panel support portion 23 to at least one of its own underlap portion 26 and the underlap portion 26 of another solar cell module 10 installed on the opposite side of the second direction. Therefore, the solar cell module 10 prevents water that seeps in between the panel support portion 23 and the solar cell panel 14 from remaining there for a long period of time due to capillary action, thereby preventing deterioration of the solar cell panel 14.

[0070] In one embodiment, (1) the solar cell module comprises: a solar cell panel having a flat body portion parallel to a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to each other; a roof tile body having a panel support portion that supports the solar cell panel so as to face a first main surface of the main body portion, and a first leg portion that is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction and protrudes in a third direction from the solar cell panel toward the panel support portion; a cover body made of metal or resin, the cover body having a covering portion that covers an end portion of the solar cell panel on the first direction side from the side opposite to the third direction, and a gutter portion; the gutter portion has a bottom wall portion located on the first direction side of the cover portion and on the third direction side of the cover portion, and upright portions that are upright on both ends of the bottom wall portion in the first direction in a direction opposite to the third direction, When viewed from the third direction, the first leg portion overlaps the gutter portion.

[0071] (2) In the solar cell module described in (1) above, the roof tile body has a second leg portion that protrudes toward the third direction at an end portion opposite to the first direction, and an exposed portion that is exposed from the solar cell panel when viewed toward the third direction at an end portion opposite to the first direction, When viewed from the third direction, the second leg portion overlaps the exposed portion, The difference in height between the first leg portion and the second leg portion in the third direction is equal to the difference in height between the exposed portion and the bottom wall portion.

[0072] (3) The solar cell module described in (2) above is At any position viewed from the third direction, the difference obtained by subtracting the position of the exposed portion in the third direction from the position of the portion of the solar cell module on the opposite side of the third direction from the position of the second leg in the third direction is greater than the difference obtained by subtracting the position of the exposed portion in the third direction from the position of the portion of the solar cell module on the third direction side.

[0073] (4) In the solar cell modules (1) to (3) above, the cover body has a plurality of protrusions that protrude from the covering portion in a direction opposite to the third direction and extend along the second direction, The protruding portion that is furthest from the plurality of protruding portions in the direction opposite to the first direction has a first notch formed at a portion thereof in the second direction.

[0074] (5) In the solar cell modules described in (1) to (4), The roof tile body further has an underlap portion located on the second direction side of the panel support portion and extending along the first direction, A second notch is formed in the tile body at a corner of the tile body on the side of the first direction and on the side of the tile body opposite to the second direction, The length of the second notch in the second direction is equal to or greater than the length of the underlap portion in the second direction, When viewed from the third direction, the end of the gutter portion on the side opposite to the second direction reaches the second notch.

[0075] (6) In the solar cell modules described in (1) to (5), The cover body is made of resin and is adhered to the roof tile body.

[0076] (7) In the solar cell modules described in (1) to (6), The panel support portion is inclined in the third direction at least at one end portion on both sides along the second direction.

[0077] The drawings illustrating the embodiments of the present disclosure are schematic, and the dimensional ratios and the like in the drawings do not necessarily correspond to the actual ones.

[0078] Although the embodiments of the present disclosure have been described based on the drawings and examples, it should be noted that those skilled in the art could make various modifications or alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications or alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each component can be rearranged so as not to cause logical inconsistencies, and multiple components can be combined or divided into one.

[0079] Furthermore, embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to the specific configurations of any of the above-described embodiments, but rather extend to any novel feature or combination thereof described herein, or any novel method or process step or combination thereof described herein.

[0080] In this disclosure, descriptions such as "first" and "second" are identifiers for distinguishing the configuration. In this disclosure, the configurations distinguished by descriptions such as "first" and "second" can have their numbers interchanged. For example, the first main surface can have its identifiers "first" and "second" interchanged with the second main surface. The identifiers are interchanged simultaneously. The configurations remain distinguished even after the identifiers are interchanged. The identifiers may be deleted. A configuration from which the identifiers have been deleted is distinguished by a symbol. The identifiers "first" and "second" in this disclosure should not be used solely to interpret the order of the configurations or to justify the existence of an identifier with a smaller number. [Explanation of symbols]

[0081] 10. Solar cell modules 10a Newly installed solar cell modules 10b Installed solar modules 10c Eaves side solar cell module 11 Solar array 12 Top side 13. Crosspiece 14. Solar Panels 15 Tile body 16 Cover body 17 Main body 18 Terminal box 19 Cable 20 First polarized cable 21 Second Polarity Cable 22 Cable storage section 23 Panel support 24 Terminal box housing 25 Connecting part 26 Underlap section 27 First Leg 28 Second Leg 29 Exposed part 30 Overlap section 31 Bottom wall 32 Standing section 33 Middle section 34 Step part 35 Extension standing section 36 Notch (second notch) 37 Cover part 38 Convex part 39 Hibe 40 Gripping part 41 Notch (first notch) 42 Aperture 43 Aperture 44 Bottom wall 45 Standing section ib inner bottom surface p1 1st position p2 second position s1 First principal surface s2 Second principal surface

Claims

1. a solar cell panel having a flat body portion parallel to a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to each other; a roof tile body having a panel support portion that supports the solar cell panel so as to face a first main surface of the main body portion, and a first leg portion that is perpendicular to the first direction and the second direction and protrudes in a third direction from the solar cell panel toward the panel support portion; a cover body made of metal or resin, the cover body having a covering portion that covers the end portion of the solar cell panel on the first direction side from the side opposite to the third direction and a gutter portion; the gutter portion has a bottom wall portion located on the first direction side of the cover portion and on the third direction side of the cover portion, and upright portions that are upright on both ends of the bottom wall portion in the first direction in a direction opposite to the third direction, When viewed from the third direction, the first leg portion overlaps the gutter portion. Solar cell module.

2. The solar cell module according to claim 1 , the roof tile body has a second leg portion that protrudes toward the third direction at an end portion opposite to the first direction, and an exposed portion that is exposed from the solar cell panel when viewed toward the third direction at an end portion opposite to the first direction, When viewed from the third direction, the second leg portion overlaps the exposed portion, a difference in height between the first leg portion and the second leg portion and a difference in height between the exposed portion and the bottom wall portion in the third direction are equal to each other; Solar cell module.

3. The solar cell module according to claim 2, At any position viewed from the third direction, a difference obtained by subtracting a position of the exposed portion in the third direction from a position of a portion of the solar cell module on the opposite side of the third direction from a position of the second leg in the third direction is greater than a difference obtained by subtracting a position of the exposed portion in the third direction from a position of the portion of the solar cell module on the opposite side of the third direction from a position of the second leg in the third direction. Solar cell module.

4. The solar cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, the cover body has a plurality of protrusions that protrude from the covering portion in a direction opposite to the third direction and extend along the second direction, The protrusion located furthest from the plurality of protrusions in the opposite direction to the first direction has a first notch formed in a portion thereof in the second direction. Solar cell module.

5. The solar cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The roof tile body further has an underlap portion located on the second direction side of the panel support portion and extending along the first direction, A second notch is formed in the tile body at a corner of the tile body on the side of the first direction and on the side of the tile body opposite to the second direction, The length of the second notch in the second direction is equal to or greater than the length of the underlap portion in the second direction, When viewed from the third direction, the end of the groove portion opposite to the second direction reaches the second notch. Solar cell module.

6. The solar cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The cover body is made of resin and is adhered to the roof tile body. Solar cell module.

7. The solar cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, The panel support portion is inclined in the third direction at at least one end portion on both sides along the second direction. Solar cell module.

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