Solar cell array, cover parts and cover fixing devices

Abstract

To improve a structure for fitting a cover between solar cell modules.MEANS FOR SOLVING THE PROBLEM: A solar cell array comprises: a first solar cell module spaced apart from each other on an installation surface inclined in a first direction, a second solar cell module being adjacent to the first solar cell module; a cover installed between the first and second solar cell modules; and a cover fastener for fastening the cover to at least one of the first and second solar cell modules. The first and second solar cell modules are each provided with frames on the outer peripheral part. The cover fastener is provided with a first fastened part, which is fastened to the frame, and a second fastened part, which is fastened to the cover.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to solar cell arrays. [Background technology]

[0002] It has been proposed to attach a cover between adjacent solar cell modules (for example, Patent Document 1 or Patent Document 2). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] JP 2020-165280 A [Patent Document 2] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2002-364136 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] There is room for improvement in the structure for attaching covers between solar cell modules in a solar cell array. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] One aspect of the solar cell array includes a first solar cell module included in a plurality of solar cell modules installed spaced apart from each other on an installation surface inclined toward a first direction. One aspect of the solar cell array includes a second solar cell module included in the plurality of solar cell modules and adjacent to the first solar cell module below in the first direction. One aspect of the solar cell array includes a cover installed between the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module. One aspect of the solar cell array includes a cover fixing device that fixes the cover to at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module. In one aspect of the solar cell array, the first solar cell module includes a first frame on its outer periphery. In one aspect of the solar cell array, the second solar cell module includes a second frame on its outer periphery. In one aspect of the solar cell array, the cover fixing device includes a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion. In one aspect of the solar cell array, the first fixing portion is fixed to at least one of the first frame and the second frame, and the second fixing portion is fixed to the cover. In one embodiment of the solar cell array, when a direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plane parallel to the installation surface is defined as a second direction, the length of the cover in the second direction is greater than the length of the cover fixing device in the second direction, and is at least half the length of at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module in the second direction. In one embodiment of the solar cell array, the length of the cover along the first direction between the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module is smaller than the distance along the first direction between the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module. Another aspect of the solar cell array includes a first solar cell module included in a plurality of solar cell modules installed spaced apart from each other on an installation surface inclined toward a first direction. Another aspect of the solar cell array includes a second solar cell module included in the plurality of solar cell modules and adjacent to the first solar cell module below in the first direction. Another aspect of the solar cell array includes a cover installed between the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module. Another aspect of the solar cell array includes a cover fixing device that fixes the cover to at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module. In another aspect of the solar cell array, the first solar cell module includes a first frame on its outer periphery. In another aspect of the solar cell array, the second solar cell module includes a second frame on its outer periphery. In another aspect of the solar cell array, the cover fixing device includes a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion. In another aspect of the solar cell array, the first fixing portion is fixed to at least one of the first frame and the second frame, and the second fixing portion is fixed to the cover. In another aspect of the solar cell array, when a direction orthogonal to the first direction in a plane parallel to the installation surface is defined as a second direction, the length of the cover in the second direction is longer than the length of the cover fastener in the second direction and is at least half the length of at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module in the second direction. In another aspect of the solar cell array, when an end on a light-receiving surface side of a first frame side surface that is a side surface on the lower side in the first direction of the first solar cell module is defined as a first end and an end on a light-receiving surface side of a second cover side surface that is a side surface on the upper side in the first direction of the cover is defined as a second end, the magnitude of a first distance that is the distance between the installation surface and the first end is greater than or equal to a second distance that is the distance between the installation surface and the second end.

[0006] One aspect of the cover component includes a first solar cell module included in a plurality of solar cell modules installed spaced apart from each other on an installation surface inclined toward a first direction, and a cover installed between a second solar cell module included in the plurality of solar cell modules and adjacent to the first solar cell module below in the first direction. One aspect of the cover component includes a cover fixing device that fixes the cover to at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module. In one aspect of the cover component, the cover fixing device includes a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion. In one aspect of the cover component, the first fixing portion is fixed to at least one of a first frame provided on the outer periphery of the first solar cell module and a second frame provided on the outer periphery of the second solar cell module. In one aspect of the cover component, the second fixing portion is fixed to the cover, When the direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plane parallel to the installation surface is defined as the second direction, the length of the cover in the second direction is greater than the length of the cover fixing device in the second direction, and is at least half the length of at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module in the second direction. In one embodiment of the cover component, the length of the cover along the first direction between the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module is smaller than the distance along the first direction between the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module. Another aspect of the cover component includes a first solar cell module included in a plurality of solar cell modules installed spaced apart from each other on an installation surface inclined toward a first direction, and a cover installed between a second solar cell module included in the plurality of solar cell modules and adjacent to the first solar cell module below the first direction. Another aspect of the cover component includes a cover fastener that fastens the cover to at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module. In another aspect of the cover component, the cover fastener includes a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion. In another aspect of the cover component, the first fixing portion is fixed to at least one of a first frame provided on the outer periphery of the first solar cell module and a second frame provided on the outer periphery of the second solar cell module. In another aspect of the cover component, the second fixing portion is fixed to the cover, and when a direction orthogonal to the first direction in a plane parallel to the installation surface is defined as a second direction, the length of the cover in the second direction is longer than the length of the cover fixing member in the second direction and is at least half the length of at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module in the second direction. In another aspect of the cover component, when an end on a light-receiving surface side of a first frame side surface that is a side surface on the lower side in the first direction of the first solar cell module is defined as a first end, and an end on a light-receiving surface side of a second cover side surface that is a side surface on the upper side in the first direction of the cover is defined as a second end, the magnitude of a first distance that is the distance between the installation surface and the first end is greater than or equal to a second distance that is the distance between the installation surface and the second end.

[0007] One aspect of the cover fastener is a cover fastener that fastens a cover installed between a first solar cell module included in a plurality of solar cell modules that are installed spaced apart from each other on an installation surface that is inclined toward a first direction and a second solar cell module that is included in the plurality of solar cell modules and adjacent to the first solar cell module below the first solar cell module in the first direction. One aspect of the cover fastener includes a first fixing part that fixes the cover fastener to at least one of a first frame that is provided on the outer periphery of the first solar cell module and a second frame that is provided on the outer periphery of the second solar cell module. One aspect of the cover fastener includes a second fixing part that is fixed to the cover. In one aspect of the cover fastener, when a direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plane parallel to the installation surface is defined as a second direction, the length of the cover fastener in the second direction is shorter than the length of the cover that has a length in the second direction that is at least half the length in the second direction of at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module. In one embodiment of the cover fixing device, the length of the cover along the first direction between the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module is smaller than the distance along the first direction between the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module. Another aspect of the cover fastener is a cover fastener for fastening a cover installed between a first solar cell module included in a plurality of solar cell modules installed spaced apart from each other on an installation surface inclined toward a first direction and a second solar cell module included in the plurality of solar cell modules and adjacent to the first solar cell module below the first solar cell module in the first direction. Another aspect of the cover fastener includes a first fixing part that fixes the cover fastener to at least one of a first frame provided on the outer periphery of the first solar cell module and a second frame provided on the outer periphery of the second solar cell module. Another aspect of the cover fastener includes a second fixing part that is fixed to the cover. In another aspect of the cover fastener, when a direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plane parallel to the installation surface is defined as a second direction, the length of the cover fastener in the second direction is shorter than the length of the cover, which has a length in the second direction that is at least half the length in the second direction of at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module. In another aspect of the cover fixing device, when the end on the light receiving surface side of the first frame side, which is the side surface of the first solar cell module on the lower side in the first direction, is defined as the first end, and the end on the light receiving surface side of the second cover side, which is the side surface of the cover on the upper side in the first direction, is defined as the second end, the size of the first distance, which is the distance between the installation surface and the first end, is greater than or equal to the size of the second distance, which is the distance between the installation surface and the second end. [Effects of the Invention]

[0008] The present disclosure can simplify the structure for attaching covers between solar cell modules. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0009] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a plan view showing the solar cell module 4 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 is an end view showing the cross section of the solar cell module 4 according to the first embodiment taken along line III-III in FIG. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 is an enlarged plan view of the solar cell module 4 according to the first embodiment, taken along the line IV in FIG. [Figure 5]FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the cover fastener 5 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the cover 6 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 7] Fig. 7 is a perspective view showing a gantry fixture 7 according to embodiment 1. Fig. 7A is a perspective view of a first gantry fixture 7a. Fig. 7B is a perspective view of a second gantry fixture 7b. Fig. 7C is a perspective view of a third gantry fixture 7c. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view showing the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment taken along line VIII-VIII in FIG. 1, extending in depth to line VIII'-VIII'. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view showing the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 1, in a depth direction up to line IX'-IX'. [Figure 10] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment, viewed from the -X direction, with the first solar cell module 4a virtually removed. [Figure 11] FIG. 11 is an enlarged perspective view of the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment, showing the portion XI in FIG. [Figure 12] FIG. 12 is an enlarged perspective view of the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment, showing a portion XII in FIG. [Figure 13] FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment, showing a portion XIII in FIG. [Figure 14] FIG. 14 is an enlarged plan view of the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment, showing a portion XIII of FIG. [Figure 15] FIG. 15 is a flow diagram showing a method for installing the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 16] FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment with the stand 2 attached to the installation surface. [Figure 17]FIG. 17 is a perspective view showing the state in which the cover fastener 5 is attached to the second solar cell module 4b in the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 18] FIG. 18 is an enlarged perspective view of the solar cell module 4 according to the first embodiment, showing a portion XVII in FIG. [Figure 19] FIG. 19 is a perspective view showing a state in which the second solar cell module 4b is attached to the mount 2 in the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 20] FIG. 20 is a flow chart showing a method for fixing the cover 6 in the method for installing the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 21] FIG. 21 is a perspective view showing how the cover 6 is attached between the first solar cell module 4a and the second solar cell module 4b in the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 22] FIG. 22 is a perspective view showing how the cover 6 is attached to the cover fastener 5 in the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 23] FIG. 23 is a perspective view showing how the cover 6 is attached to the cover fastener 5 in the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 24] FIG. 24 is a perspective view showing how the cover 6 is attached to the cover fastener 5 in the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment. [Figure 25] FIG. 25 is a perspective view showing the solar cell array 3 according to the second embodiment. [Figure 26] FIG. 26 is a perspective view showing the solar cell array 3 according to the second embodiment with the first solar cell module 4a virtually removed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0010] Conventionally, there has been known a solar cell array that is installed on a mount fixed to an installation surface, and that has covers between the solar cell modules included in the solar cell array. In other words, there has been known a solar cell array that has covers between the solar cell modules that are adjacently fixed to the mount.

[0011] However, in the past, when attaching covers between solar cell modules, a special structure for attaching the covers was required on the mount fixture, which is a member for fixing the solar cell modules to the mount. Therefore, in solar cell arrays that do not have such a special structure for attaching covers, it has been difficult to attach covers between solar cell modules. In other words, there is room for improvement in the structure for attaching covers between solar cell modules in solar cell arrays.

[0012] Therefore, the inventors of the present disclosure have created a technology relating to a structure that makes it easy to attach covers between solar cell modules. This makes it possible to install covers between solar cell modules even in solar cell arrays that do not have a special structure for attaching covers. This will be described below with reference to the drawings in relation to Embodiments 1 and 2.

[0013] In the following description, a direction parallel to the tilt direction of the installation surface 1, from the side of the installation surface 1 that is higher above sea level to the side of the installation surface 1 that is lower above sea level, is referred to as a first direction (hereinafter also referred to as the +X direction). A direction perpendicular to the first direction and parallel to the installation surface 1 is referred to as a second direction (hereinafter also referred to as the +Y direction). The normal direction of the installation surface 1 is referred to as a third direction (hereinafter also referred to as the +Z direction). In other words, the third direction is a direction that is perpendicular to the first direction and also perpendicular to the second direction. Note that the following description will be given taking as an example a case where the first direction, second direction, and third direction are in right-handed coordinates.

[0014] The direction opposite the +X direction may also be referred to as the -X direction. Similarly, the direction opposite the +Y direction may also be referred to as the -Y direction, and the direction opposite the +Z direction may also be referred to as the -Z direction.

[0015] Furthermore, the positive direction side along the first direction may be referred to as the lower side of the first direction or the +X direction side, and the negative direction side along the first direction may be referred to as the upper side of the first direction or the -X direction side. For example, if the installation surface 1 is the roof of a house or the like, the eaves side is the lower side of the first direction and the ridge side is the upper side of the first direction. Furthermore, the second direction, +Y direction, or -Y direction may be referred to as the girder direction. Furthermore, the positive direction side along the third direction may be referred to as the light-receiving surface side (light-receiving surface 11a side) or the +Z direction side, and the negative direction side along the third direction may be referred to as the non-light-receiving surface side (non-light-receiving surface 11b side), the installation surface 1 side, the opposite side of the light-receiving surface 11a, or the -Z direction side.

[0016] <Embodiment 1> <1-1. Solar cell array 3> Hereinafter, a solar cell array 3 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure may be, for example, a solar cell array 3 as shown in FIG.

[0017] The solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure is provided on an installation surface 1. Specifically, the solar cell array 3 may be installed on a mount 2 fixed to the installation surface 1. The solar cell array 3 includes a plurality of solar cell modules 4 (first solar cell module 4a, second solar cell module 4b) fixed to the mount 2. The plurality of solar cell modules 4 are fixed to the mount 2 by mount fixtures 7 (first mount fixture 7a, second mount fixture 7b, third mount fixture 7c). The plurality of solar cell modules 4 are arranged spaced apart from each other along the +X direction. The solar cell array 3 includes a cover 6 between the plurality of solar cell modules 4 adjacent to each other along the +X direction. The cover 6 is fixed to at least one of the solar cell modules 4 adjacent to each other along the +X direction by a cover fixture 5.

[0018] For simplicity of explanation, the following description will use a first solar cell module 4a and a second solar cell module 4b as examples of the multiple solar cell modules 4. The first solar cell module 4a is a solar cell module 4 included in the multiple solar cell modules 4. The second solar cell module 4b is a solar cell module 4 included in the multiple solar cell modules 4, and is the solar cell module 4 adjacent to the first solar cell module 4a on the +X direction side. In other words, the second solar cell module 4b may be considered to be the solar cell module 4 adjacent to the first solar cell module 4a on the eaves side of the first solar cell module 4a.

[0019] In this case, the solar cell array 3 includes a cover 6 between the first solar cell module 4a and the second solar cell module 4b. The cover 6 is fixed to at least one of the first solar cell module 4a and the second solar cell module 4b by a cover fixing device 5.

[0020] The mount 2, solar cell module 4, cover 6, cover fixing device 5, etc. that make up the solar cell array 3 may be provided or produced by a single business, or may be provided or produced by separate businesses. Also, the cover 6 and cover fixing device 5 may be provided or produced together as a cover part by a single business.

[0021] <Installation surface 1> The installation surface 1 is a surface that is inclined toward the first direction. In other words, the installation surface 1 is a surface that forms an angle greater than 0 degrees and less than 90 degrees with respect to the horizontal plane. The installation surface 1 may be, for example, the roof surface of a house or the like, or a sloped surface of a mountain, hill, etc. For example, if the installation surface 1 is a surface that is inclined toward the roof surface of a house, In the case of a roof of a house or the like, the +X direction may be the direction from the ridge side of the house or the like toward the eaves side of the house or the like. In this case, the installation surface 1 may include roofing materials, roofing boards, sheathing boards, and rafters. For example, in the case where the installation surface 1 is a sloping surface such as a mountain or hill, the first direction may be the direction from the side with a higher elevation toward the side with a lower elevation.

[0022] In this embodiment, an inclined surface is exemplified as the installation surface 1, but the solar cell array 3 may be installed on an installation surface 1 that is not inclined.

[0023] <Solar cell module 4> Hereinafter, the solar cell module 4 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The solar cell module 4 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure may be, for example, a solar cell module 4 as shown in Figures 2 and 3. When the solar cell array 3 includes a plurality of solar cell modules 4, the first solar cell module 4a and the second solar cell module 4b are included in the plurality of solar cell modules 4.

[0024] The solar cell module 4 includes a solar cell panel 11 and a frame 12 that fixes the outer periphery of the solar cell panel 11. For example, the first solar cell module 4A includes a first solar cell panel 11A and a first frame 12A that fixes the outer periphery of the first solar cell panel 11A. For example, the second solar cell module 4B includes a second solar cell panel 11B and a second frame 12B that fixes the outer periphery of the second solar cell panel 11B.

[0025] In the following description, the four sides of the frame 12 will be referred to as a first frame side 12L1, a second frame side 12L2, a third frame side 12L3, and a fourth frame side 12L4. Here, the first frame side 12L1 is the side of the four sides of the frame 12 that is parallel to the +Y direction and located on the +X direction side. In other words, the first frame side 12L1 is the side of the four sides of the frame 12 that is located on the eaves side. The second frame side 12L2 is the side of the four sides of the frame 12 that is parallel to the +Y direction and located on the -X direction side. In other words, the second frame side 12L2 is the side of the four sides of the frame 12 that is located on the ridge side. The third frame side 12L3 is the side of the four sides of the frame 12 that is parallel to the +X direction and located on the +Y direction side. The fourth frame side 12L4 is one of the four sides of the frame 12 that is parallel to the +X direction and located on the -Y direction side. In the following, the side of the first frame side 12L1 or the second frame side 12L2 that faces the third frame side 12L3 may be referred to as the first end side. On the other hand, the side of the first frame side 12L1 or the second frame side 12L2 that faces the fourth frame side 12L4 may be referred to as the second end side.

[0026] [Solar panel 11] The solar cell panel 11 has a light-receiving surface 11a (one main surface of the light-transmitting substrate 14) that mainly receives light, and a non-light-receiving surface 11b (one main surface of the back surface protection member 13) that corresponds to the back surface of the light-receiving surface 11a. In other words, of the two surfaces of the solar cell panel 11 that are orthogonal to the +Z direction, the surface that is closer to the installation surface 1 may be considered to be the non-light-receiving surface 11b, and the surface that is farther from the installation surface 1 may be considered to be the light-receiving surface 11a.

[0027] The solar cell panel 11 comprises, in order from the light-receiving surface 11a side, a translucent substrate 14 that also serves as the substrate of the solar cell module 4, a pair of sealing materials 15 made of thermosetting resin, and a plurality of solar cell elements 17 whose peripheries are protected by the sealing materials 15 and electrically connected by inner leads 16 (not shown).

[0028] Furthermore, the solar cell panel 11 includes a rear surface protection member 13 for protecting the non-light receiving surface 11b side of the solar cell module 4, and a terminal box for extracting the output obtained from the solar cell element 17 to the outside. and a box 18 (not shown).

[0029] In addition, the non-light-receiving surface 11b may be configured to receive a portion of the light incident from the non-light-receiving surface 11b side, for example, by forming the back surface protection member 13 and the sealing material 15 located between the solar cell element 17 and the back surface protection member 13 from a light-transmitting material.

[0030] For example, a flat substrate made of single crystal silicon or polycrystalline silicon is used as the solar cell element 17. When using such a silicon substrate, adjacent silicon substrates may be electrically connected to each other by inner leads 16, as described above.

[0031] The type of solar cell element 17 is not particularly limited, and may be, for example, a thin-film solar cell made of amorphous silicon, a CIGS solar cell, a CdTe solar cell, a solar cell element 17 in which a thin-film amorphous layer is formed on a crystalline silicon substrate, etc. For example, as the solar cell element 17 made of amorphous silicon, CIGS, or CdTe, an amorphous silicon layer, a CIGS layer, or a CdTe layer may be appropriately stacked on a light-transmitting substrate 14 in combination with a transparent electrode or the like.

[0032] The terminal box 18 also includes a box body made of modified polyphenylene ether resin (modified PPE resin, PPE: Poly-Phenylen Ether) or polyphenylene oxide resin (PPO resin, PPO: Poly-Phenylen Oxide), a terminal plate placed within the box body, and an output cable that conducts power to the outside of the box body.

[0033] Frame 12 The frame 12 has a function of fixing the solar cell panel 11. The frame 12 includes a panel fitting portion 12a that fits around the outer periphery of the solar cell panel 11, a frame bottom surface portion 12b that is located closer to the installation surface 1 than the panel fitting portion 12a, and a frame side surface portion 12c that connects the panel fitting portion 12a and the frame bottom surface portion 12b. The frame 12 may be formed by extruding aluminum or the like.

[0034] The panel fitting portion 12a fits around the outer periphery of the solar cell panel 11. By fitting the panel fitting portion 12a around the outer periphery of the solar cell panel 11, the solar cell panel 11 is fixed to the frame 12. The panel fitting portion 12a includes a fitting top surface portion 12a1, a fitting bottom surface portion 12a2, and a fitting side surface portion 12a3. The inner surface of the fitting top surface portion 12a1 contacts the light-receiving surface 11a of the outer periphery of the solar cell panel 11. The inner surface of the fitting bottom surface portion 12a2 contacts the non-light-receiving surface 11b of the outer periphery of the solar cell panel 11. The inner surface of the fitting side surface portion 12a3 contacts the end face of the outer periphery of the solar cell panel 11 in the thickness direction.

[0035] The panel fitting portion 12a may further include a notch 12d in the fitting upper surface portion 12a1. By including the notch 12d, the solar cell module 4 can discharge liquid remaining on the light-receiving surface 11a side of the solar cell module 4 to the outside. The notch 12d has a shape formed by cutting out a portion of the fitting upper surface portion 12a1 of the frame 12 of the solar cell module 4. The notch 12d may have a groove-like structure, for example, as shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 13. Specifically, the notch 12d may have a groove-like structure connecting a first notch end 12d1 located on the inner periphery of the fitting upper surface portion 12a1 and a second notch end 12d2 located on the outer periphery of the fitting side surface portion 12a3. Here, the inner periphery of the fitting upper surface portion 12a1 may be considered to be the inner periphery of the frame 12 (the center side of the solar cell panel 11). The outer periphery of fitting side surface portion 12a3 may be considered to be the outer periphery of frame 12. Cutout portion 12d may be provided so as to extend to the non-light-receiving surface 11b side of solar cell module 4. In other words, cutout portion 12d may also be provided in frame side surface portion 12c.

[0036] The notch 12d is provided at least on the first frame side 12L1 of the frame 12. The notch 12d may be provided on the end on the +Y direction side (first end side) or the end on the −Y direction side (second end side) of the first frame side 12L1, or may be provided in the center of the first frame side 12L1. The notch 12d may also be provided on the second frame side 12L2 of the frame 12.

[0037] Cutout 12d may be composed of one groove or multiple grooves. The width of cutout 12d may be constant from first cutout end 12d1 to second cutout end 12d2, or may vary midway from first cutout end 12d1 to second cutout end 12d2. The cross-sectional shape of cutout 12d may be rectangular, trapezoidal, or partially curved.

[0038] The notch 12d may be formed by further cutting out the length of the notch 12d by machining the fitting upper surface 12a1 of the frame 12. Alternatively, the notch 12d may be formed by punching out the fitting upper surface 12a1 of the frame 12 by press working.

[0039] In this way, by further providing the notch 12d in the upper fitting surface 12a1 of the panel fitting portion 12a, rainwater present on the light-receiving surface 11a of the solar cell module 4 passes through the notch 12d and is discharged from the light-receiving surface 11a of the solar cell module 4 to the outside of the solar cell module 4. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of rainwater present on the light-receiving surface 11a of the solar cell module 4 remaining on the light-receiving surface 11a of the solar cell panel 11. Therefore, the evaporation of the accumulated liquid reduces the amount of dirt or dust mixed in the liquid remaining as stains on the light-receiving surface 11a of the solar cell module 4.

[0040] <1-1-2. Cover fixing tool 5> The cover fastener 5 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The cover fastener 5 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure may be, for example, the cover fastener 5 shown in FIG.

[0041] The cover fastener 5 is a component that fastens the cover 6 to the solar cell module 4. For example, when the cover 6 is provided between the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B, the cover fastener 5 fastens the cover 6 to at least one of the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B. In other words, the cover fastener 5 is fixed to at least one of the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B.

[0042] The cover fastener 5 may be formed by pressing or bending an alloy steel such as stainless steel or a plated steel plate. Alternatively, the cover fastener 5 may be formed by extruding or pressing a metal such as an aluminum alloy.

[0043] The cover fastener 5 includes a first fastening portion 21 that fastens the cover fastener 5 to the solar cell module 4, a second fastening portion 22 that fastens the cover fastener 5 to the cover 6, and a fastener side portion 23 that connects the first fastening portion 21 and the second fastening portion 22.

[0044] The first fixing portion 21 is a portion that fixes the cover fastener 5 to the solar cell module 4. For example, the first fixing portion 21 may be connected to the frame 12 of the solar cell module 4. For example, the first fixing portion 21 may be connected to the frame bottom surface portion 12b of the frame 12 of the solar cell module 4. In this case, the first fixing portion 21 may be a plate-like portion that extends in the +X direction and that can contact the frame bottom surface portion 12b. Also, for example, the first fixing portion 21 may be , may be connected to frame side surface portion 12c of frame 12 of solar cell module 4. In this case, first fixing portion 21 may be a plate-like portion extending in the +Y direction that can contact frame side surface portion 12c. Furthermore, first fixing portion 21 may include first region 21a that is a region that contacts frame 12, and second region 21b that is a region that does not contact frame 12. In this case, second region 21b may be connected to fixing tool side surface portion 23.

[0045] First fixing portion 21 may be fixed to frame 12 using, for example, frame fastening member 25. Frame fastening member 25 may be composed of a bolt and a nut. In this case, first region 21a may have a through-hole with an internal thread for fastening the bolt. First fixing portion 21 may fix cover fixing device 5 to solar cell module 4, for example, by fastening a grounding through-hole provided in frame bottom portion 12b to a through-hole provided in first region 21a with a bolt.

[0046] The method by which the first fixing portion 21 fixes the cover fastener 5 to the solar cell module 4 is not limited to fastening using the frame fastening member 25. For example, the cover fastener 5 may be fixed to the solar cell module 4 by welding the first region 21a of the first fixing portion 21 to the frame 12. For example, the cover fastener 5 may be fixed to the solar cell module 4 by bonding the first region 21a of the first fixing portion 21 to the frame 12 with an adhesive or the like. For example, if a convex portion is formed in the first region 21a of the first fixing portion 21, the cover fastener 5 may be fixed to the solar cell module 4 by fitting the convex portion provided in the first region 21a into a recess in the frame 12. For example, if the frame 12 is magnetic, the cover fastener 5 may be made of a magnetic material. The cover fastener 5 may be fixed to the solar cell module 4 by magnetic force.

[0047] The position where the first fixing portion 21 is fixed to the solar cell module 4 is not limited to the frame bottom surface portion 12b of the frame 12. For example, the position where the first fixing portion 21 is fixed to the solar cell module 4 may be the frame side surface portion 12c of the frame 12. Furthermore, the position where the first fixing portion 21 is fixed to the solar cell module 4 may be the panel fitting portion 12a of the frame 12.

[0048] Furthermore, the position to which the first fixing portion 21 is fixed is not limited to the second frame side 12L2 of the second solar cell module 4B as shown in FIG. 12. For example, the position to which the first fixing portion 21 is fixed may be the third frame side 12L3 or the fourth frame side 12L4 of the second solar cell module 4B. Furthermore, the first fixing portion 21 may be fixed to the first solar cell module 4A. In this case, for example, the position to which the first fixing portion 21 is fixed may be the first frame side 12L1, the third frame side 12L3, or the fourth frame side 12L4 of the first solar cell module 4A.

[0049] The first fixing portion 21 may be fixed to the first solar cell module 4A or the second solar cell module 4B at a plurality of positions. For example, the first fixing portion 21 may be fixed to the frame bottom portion 12b at the first frame side 12L1 of the first solar cell module 4A and the frame bottom portion 12b at the second frame side 12L2 of the second solar cell module 4B. For example, the first fixing portion 21 may be fixed to the frame bottom portion 12b at the second frame side 12L2 of the second solar cell module 4B and the frame bottom portion 12b at the third frame side 12L3 of the second solar cell module 4B.

[0050] The second fixing portion 22 is a portion that fixes the cover fixing device 5 to the cover 6. For example, the second fixing portion 22 may be connected to the back surface of the cover fixing portion 32 of the cover 6. Here, the back surface of the cover fixing portion 32 of the cover 6 may be the surface of the cover main body portion 31 of the cover 6 on the installation surface 1 side. In this case, the second fixing portion 22 can contact the back surface of the cover fixing portion 32, + It may be a plate-like portion extending in the Y direction.

[0051] The second fixing portion 22 may be fixed to the cover fixing portion 32 by, for example, a cover fastening member 26. In this case, the second fixing portion 22 has a fastening mechanism that fastens to the cover fastening member 26. In other words, the second fixing portion 22 may be fixed to the cover fixing portion 32 by fastening the cover fastening member 26 to the fastening mechanism. In this manner, the cover 6 can be fixed to the solar cell module 4 via the cover fixing device 5. The cover fastening member 26 may be formed, for example, by a bolt. In this case, the fastening mechanism may be, for example, a through-hole drilled in the second fixing portion 22 and having an internal thread. Such a structure can be formed by forming a through-hole by a burring method and then forming the thread by a tapping method. Alternatively, the fastening mechanism may be a structure in which a nut is welded to a through-hole drilled in the second fixing portion 22. In this case, the diameter of the through-hole is larger than the diameter of the threaded portion of the bolt and smaller than the diameter of the nut to be welded.

[0052] The method by which the second fixing portion 22 fixes the cover fixing device 5 to the cover 6 is not limited to fastening using the cover fastening member 26. For example, the cover fixing device 5 may be fixed to the cover 6 by welding the second fixing portion 22 and the cover fixing portion 32 together. For example, the cover fixing device 5 may be fixed to the cover 6 by adhering the second fixing portion 22 and the cover fixing portion 32 together with an adhesive or the like. For example, if the second fixing portion 22 has a protrusion, the cover fixing device 5 may be fixed to the cover 6 by fitting the protrusion provided on the second fixing portion 22 into a recess of the cover fixing portion 32. For example, if the cover 6 is magnetic, the cover fixing device 5 may be fixed to the cover 6 by magnetic force by using a magnetic material for the cover fixing device 5.

[0053] Fixing tool side surface portion 23 connects first fixing portion 21 and second fixing portion 22. By adjusting the length of fixing tool side surface portion 23 in the +Z direction, it is possible to adjust the position of cover 6 in the +Z direction relative to solar cell module 4. For example, fixing tool side surface portion 23 may be a plate-like portion extending in the +Z direction that can connect first fixing portion 21 and second fixing portion 22.

[0054] Fixture side surface portion 23 may be connected to a side surface along the +X direction of second region 21b of first fixing portion 21. When fixture side surface portion 23 is connected to a side surface along the +X direction of second region 21b, cover fixture 5 can serve as a spacer between first solar cell module 4A and second solar cell module 4B.

[0055] The fastener side surface portion 23 may be connected to a side surface along the +Y direction of the second region 21b of the first fastening portion 21. When the fastener side surface portion 23 is connected to a side surface along the +Y direction of the second region 21b, it is possible to easily form the cover fastener 5.

[0056] The fastener side surface portion 23 includes a third region 23a that is located between the first cover side surface 31b and the second cover side surface 31c of the cover main body portion 31 when the cover fastener 5 is fixed to the cover 6, and a fourth region 23b that is not located between the first cover side surface 31b and the second cover side surface 31c of the cover main body portion 31 when the cover fastener 5 is fixed to the cover 6. The third region 23a is a portion of the fastener side surface portion 23 on the second fixing portion 22 side. In other words, the third region 23a is a portion of the fastener side surface portion 23 on the +Z direction side. The fourth region 23b is a portion of the fastener side surface portion 23 on the first fixing portion 21 side. In other words, the third region 23a is a portion of the fastener side surface portion 23 on the -Z direction side. The width of the third region 23a and the width of the fourth region 23b may be the same or different. Typically, the width of the second region 21b of the first fixing portion 21 is greater than the lateral width of the cover main body 31, so the width of the third region 23a may be smaller than the width of the fourth region 23b. Note that the width of the third region 23a is equal to or less than the distance between the first cover side surface 31b and the second cover side surface 31c of the cover main body 31.

[0057] When the width of the third region 23a is smaller than the width of the fourth region 23b, the third region 23a may be biased toward either the +X direction or the −X direction relative to the fourth region 23b. In other words, a center line connecting points equidistant from both the end of the third region 23a on the +X direction side and the end of the third region 23a on the −X direction side does not have to coincide with a center line connecting points equidistant from both the end of the fourth region 23b on the +X direction side and the end of the fourth region 23b on the −X direction side. This allows the distance between the first solar cell module 4A and the second cover side surface 31c of the cover 6 and the distance between the second solar cell module 4B and the first cover side surface 31b of the cover 6 to be adjusted.

[0058] The cover fastener 5 may further include an inclined portion 24 connected to the first fastener 21. The inclined portion 24 intersects with a plane along the first fastener 21 and is inclined in a direction away from the second fastener 22. For example, the inclined portion 24 may be formed so that the angle formed between the inclined portion 24 and the first fastener 21 is greater than 90 degrees and less than 180 degrees. For example, the angle formed between the inclined portion 24 and the first fastener 21 may be 120 degrees. The inclined portion 24 may be connected to the second region 21b of the first fastener 21 or the fourth region 23b of the fastener side surface portion 23.

[0059] By providing the inclined portion 24, rainwater running down the second cover side surface 31c of the cover main body portion 31 or rainwater running down the frame side surface portion 12c of the first solar cell module 4A can be made to flow down the inclined portion 24 to the installation surface 1. This makes it possible to reduce the amount of rainwater that passes through the second region 21b of the first fixing portion 21 and flows into the portion where the first fixing portion 21 and the frame bottom surface portion 12b are connected, thereby reducing corrosion caused by rainwater at the portion where the first fixing portion 21 and the frame bottom surface portion 12b are connected.

[0060] The cover fixing device 5 may be fixed to only one of the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B. In this way, the person installing the cover 6 can fix the cover fixing device 5 to one of the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B before fixing both the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B to the mounting frame 2. This allows the person installing the cover 6 to fix the cover fixing device 5 to one of the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B on the ground, rather than on the inclined installation surface 1. This makes it easier for the installer to install the cover fixing device 5.

[0061] Furthermore, the cover fastener 5 may be fixed to both the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B. In this way, the cover fastener 5 can serve to fasten the solar cell modules 4 together. This can reduce, for example, the occurrence of misalignment of the first solar cell module 4A relative to the second solar cell module 4B or the occurrence of twisting of the first solar cell module 4A relative to the second solar cell module 4B.

[0062] Furthermore, the cover fixing device 5 may be a separate member from the gantry fixing device 7 (first gantry fixing device 7a) described below, or may be a member integrated with the gantry fixing device 7 (first gantry fixing device 7a). When the cover fixing device 5 is a separate member from the gantry fixing device 7 (first gantry fixing device 7a), the structure of the cover fixing device 5 can be simplified. This is because, by making the cover fixing device 5 and the gantry fixing device 7 separate members, the structural constraints of the cover fixing device 5 are alleviated compared to when the cover fixing device 5 and the gantry fixing device 7 are an integrated member. On the other hand, when the cover fixing device 5 is a member integrated with the gantry fixing device 7 (first gantry fixing device 7a), the total number of members required during installation can be reduced, thereby reducing the cost required for transporting the members.

[0063] When the cover fixing device 5 is a separate member from the frame fixing device 7 (first frame fixing device 7a), the cover fixing device 5 may be fixed to the solar cell module 4 (either the first solar cell module 4A or the second solar cell module 4B, or both) at a position different from that of the frame fixing device 7 (first frame fixing device 7a). In this way, the position at which the cover fixing device 5 is fixed is not affected by the position of the frame 2, thereby improving ease of installation when fixing the cover 6. For example, the cover fixing device 5 may be located closer to the end of the solar cell module 4 (either the first solar cell module 4A or the second solar cell module 4B, or both) to which the cover fixing device 5 is fixed than the frame fixing device 7 (first frame fixing device 7a). Also, for example, the frame fixing device 7 (first frame fixing device 7a) may be located closer to the end of the solar cell module 4 (either the first solar cell module 4A or the second solar cell module 4B, or both) to which the cover fixing device 5 is fixed than the cover fixing device 5.

[0064] When the cover fastener 5 is a separate member from the frame fastener 7 (first frame fastener 7a), the cover fastener 5 may be located closer to the end of the solar cell module 4 (either one or both of the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B) to which the cover fastener 5 is fixed than the frame fastener 7 (first frame fastener 7a). For example, in the example of Fig. 1, the cover fastener 5 (first cover fastener 51) located closer to the third frame side 12L3 (first end side) than the center line of the second solar cell module 4B in the Y-axis direction may be fixed at a position closer to the third frame side 12L3 than the frame fastener 7 (first frame fastener 7a). From another perspective, for example, the cover fixing device 5 may be fixed to the second solar cell module 4B so that the distance between the end of the second frame side 12L2 of the first solar cell module 4A on the third frame side 12L3 side (first end side) and the cover fixing device 5 (first cover fixing device 51) is smaller than the distance between the end of the second frame side 12L2 of the second solar cell module 4B on the third frame side 12L3 side and the frame fixing device 7 (first frame fixing device 7a). This makes it easier for a worker to fix the cover 6 to the cover fixing device 5 (first cover fixing device 51) from the third frame side 12L3 side (first end side) when installing the cover 6. This is because the worker who fixes the cover 6 will fix the cover 6 after fixing the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B to the mount 2, and therefore will work from the third frame side 12L3 side (first end side) or the fourth frame side 12L4 side (second end side) of the second solar cell module 4B in order to fix the cover 6. Therefore, if the cover fixing device 5 (first cover fixing device 51) is located close to the third frame side 12L3, it will be easier for the worker to perform the work.

[0065] On the other hand, the cover fastener 5 (second cover fastener 52) located closer to the fourth frame side 12L4 (second end side) than the center line of the second solar cell module 4B in the Y-axis direction may be fixed at a position closer to the fourth frame side 12L4 (second end side) than the frame fastener 7 (first frame fastener 7a). From another perspective, the cover fastener 5 (second cover fastener 52) may be fixed to the second solar cell module 4B so that, for example, the distance between the end of the second frame side 12L2 of the first solar cell module 4A that is closer to the third frame side 12L3 and the cover fastener 5 (second cover fastener 52) is shorter than the distance between the end of the second frame side 12L2 of the second solar cell module 4B that is closer to the third frame side 12L3 and the frame fastener 7 (first frame fastener 7a). This makes it easier for the worker to install the cover 6 by fixing the cover 6 to the cover fixing tool 5 from the fourth frame side 12L4 side (second end side).

[0066] Here, when the cover fixing device 5 is located on the end side of the solar cell module 4 (either one or both of the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B) to be fixed, the cover 6 is fixed to the second fixing portion 22 of the cover fixing device 5 by the cover fastening member 26. From another perspective, when the cover fixing device 5 is located on the end side of the solar cell module 4 to be fixed (either one or both of the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B), the second fixing portion 22 may have a fastening mechanism, and the cover fixing device 5 and the cover 6 may be fixed by fastening the cover fastening member 26 to the fastening mechanism. By doing so, for example, a worker working from the third frame side 12L3 side (first end side) can fix the cover 6 using the fastening member 26 close to his or her body, making it easier for the worker to apply force to the fastening member 26, making installation by the worker easier.

[0067] <1-1-3. Cover 6> The cover 6 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described below with reference to the drawings. The cover 6 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure may be, for example, a cover 6 as shown in FIG.

[0068] The cover 6 is provided between two adjacent solar cell modules 4. For example, when the cover 6 is provided between a first solar cell module 4A and a second solar cell module 4B, the cover 6 is fixed to at least one of the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B by a cover fixing device 5. The cover 6 includes a cover main body portion 31 and a cover fixing portion 32.

[0069] In the solar cell array 3, gaps occur between the solar cell modules 4. For this reason, for example, snow may get caught between the solar cell modules 4 when snow accumulates. If the snow remains trapped for a long period of time, sunlight reaching the solar cell modules 4 may be blocked, which may reduce the amount of power generated by the solar cell modules 4. Furthermore, if the weight of snow is applied to the solar cell modules 4 for a long period of time, this may cause damage such as distortion to the solar cell modules 4 or the mount 2.

[0070] Here, in order to reduce the likelihood of snow getting caught between the solar cell modules 4, it is conceivable to install covers 6 between the solar cell modules 4. Installing the covers 6 between the solar cell modules 4 allows snow to slide over the covers 6, thereby reducing the likelihood of snow getting caught between the solar cell modules 4.

[0071] The cover 6 may be formed by pressing, roll forming, or bending an alloy steel such as stainless steel or a plated steel plate, or by extruding a metal such as an aluminum alloy.

[0072] The cover main body 31 includes a main body surface 31a, a first cover side surface 31b connected to the main body surface 31a, and a second cover side surface 31c connected to the main body surface 31a. The main body surface 31a is a plate-like portion extending along the +Y direction. The main body surface 31a may be substantially parallel to the installation surface 1, the light-receiving surface 11a of the first solar cell module 4A, or the light-receiving surface 11b of the second solar cell module 4B. The main body surface 31a may be inclined relative to the installation surface 1, the light-receiving surface 11a of the first solar cell module 4A, or the light-receiving surface 11b of the second solar cell module 4B. The first cover side surface 31b is a plate-like portion connected to the main body surface 31a in the +X direction and extending along the +Y direction. In other words, the first cover side surface 31b is a side surface of the cover main body 31 located opposite the second frame edge 12L2 of the second solar cell module 4B. The second cover side surface 31c is a plate-like portion that is connected to the main body surface 31a in the -X direction and extends along the +Y direction. In other words, the second cover side surface 31c is a side surface of the cover main body 31 that is located opposite to the first frame side 12L1 of the first solar cell module 4A.

[0073] The length of the cover main body 31 in the +Y direction is greater than the length of the cover fastener 5 in the +Y direction and is at least half the length of the solar cell module 4 in the +Y direction. Here, the length of the cover main body 31 in the +Y direction refers to the length of the cover 6 in the +Y direction when the cover 6 is fixed to the solar cell module 4 with the cover fastener 5. The length of the cover fastener 5 in the +Y direction refers to the length of the cover fastener 5 in the +Y direction when the cover 6 is fixed to the solar cell module 4 with the cover fastener 5. For example, the length of the cover fastener 5 in the +Y direction may be the length of the first fixing portion 21 of the cover fastener 5 in the +Y direction, or may be the length of the second fixing portion 22 of the cover fastener 5 in the +Y direction. The length of the solar cell module 4 in the +Y direction refers to the length of the solar cell module 4 in the +Y direction when the cover 6 is fixed to the solar cell module 4 with the cover fastener 5. For example, the length of the solar cell module 4 in the +Y direction may be the length of the solar cell panel 11 in the +Y direction, or may be the length of the side of the frame 12 that is parallel to the +Y direction (first frame side 12L1 or second frame side 12L2). In this way, by having the cover 6 have a constant length extending in the +Y direction between adjacent solar cell modules 4 on the +X direction side, it is possible to reduce the amount of snow that gets caught in the gaps between adjacent solar cell modules 4. The length of the cover 6 in the +Y direction may be approximately the same as the length of the solar cell module 4 in the +Y direction.

[0074] Furthermore, the length of the cover 6 in the +Y direction may be greater than the length of the solar cell module 4 in the +Y direction, as long as it does not interfere with other solar cell modules 4 or other covers 6. In other words, the length of the cover 6 in the +Y direction may be greater than the length of the solar cell module 4 in the +Y direction, as long as it does not extend beyond the solar cell array 3 in the +Y direction. In other words, when multiple solar cell modules 4 are arranged adjacent to each other in the +Y direction, the length of the cover 6 in the +Y direction may be greater than the length of one solar cell module 4 in the +Y direction. In this case, the maximum length of the cover 6 in the +Y direction may be the length of the solar cell array 3 in the +Y direction.

[0075] The cover fixing portion 32 is a portion that fixes the cover fixing device 5 to the cover 6. The cover fixing portion 32 may fix the second fixing portion 22 of the cover fixing device 5 using, for example, a cover fastening member 26. The cover fastening member 26 may be composed of a bolt and a nut. In this case, the cover fixing portion 32 may be a through hole for fastening the bolt. The cover fixing portion 32 may fix the cover fixing device 5 to the solar cell module 4 by, for example, fastening a through hole provided in the cover fixing portion 32 to a through hole provided in the second fixing portion 22 with a bolt. In this case, the through hole provided in the cover fixing portion 32 may be larger than the through hole provided in the second fixing portion 22. This facilitates alignment between the through hole provided in the cover fixing portion 32 and the through hole provided in the second fixing portion 22, facilitating fastening with a bolt.

[0076] The method by which the cover fixing portion 32 fixes the cover fixing device 5 to the cover 6 is not limited to fastening using the cover fastening member 26. For example, the cover fixing device 5 may be fixed to the cover 6 by welding the second fixing portion 22 and the cover fixing portion 32 together. For example, the cover fixing device 5 may be fixed to the cover 6 by bonding the second fixing portion 22 and the cover fixing portion 32 together with an adhesive or the like. For example, if a convex portion is formed on the cover fixing portion 32, the cover fixing device 5 may be fixed to the cover 6 by fitting the convex portion provided on the cover fixing portion 32 into a recess of the second fixing portion 22. For example, if the cover 6 is magnetic, the cover fixing device 5 may be fixed to the cover 6 by magnetic force by using a magnetic material as the material for the cover fixing device 5.

[0077] The cover 6 may further include a fastener fitting portion 33. The fastener fitting portion 33 is a portion that fits into the cover fastener 5 to fix the cover fastener 5 to the cover 6. A method for fixing the cover fastener 5 to the cover 6 using the fastener fitting portion 33 will be described later in <1.3. Cover The method for installing the cover 6 will be explained in the section entitled "Installation Method of the Cover 6." By using the fixture fitting portion 33 to fix the cover fixture 5 to the cover 6, the number of fixing points that need to be fixed by fastening with the cover fastening members 26 or the like can be reduced, which makes it easier to install the cover 6.

[0078] The fastener fitting portion 33 includes a first protruding portion 33a protruding from the first cover side surface 31b of the cover main body portion 31 and a second protruding portion 33b protruding from the second cover side surface 31c of the cover main body portion 31. The first protruding portion 33a includes a fifth region 33a1 protruding from the first cover side surface 31b in the -Z direction (the direction from the main body surface 31a of the cover main body portion 31 toward the installation surface 1) and a sixth region 33a2 protruding from an end of the fifth region 33a1 on the -Z direction side in the +Y direction. The second protruding portion 33b includes a seventh region 33b1 protruding from the second cover side surface 31c in the -Z direction (the direction from the main body surface 31a of the cover main body portion 31 toward the installation surface 1) and an eighth region 33b2 protruding from an end of the seventh region 33b1 on the -Z direction side in the +Y direction.

[0079] The fastener fitting portion 33 is provided at the end of the cover main body 31 opposite to the cover fixing portion 32. For example, if the cover fixing portion 32 is provided at the end on the +Y direction side, the fastener fitting portion 33 may be provided at the end on the -Y direction side. In this manner, after the cover fixing device 5 and the cover 6 are fitted and fixed using the fastener fitting portion 33, the cover fixing device 5 can be fixed to the cover 6 using the cover fixing portion 32 (for example, by fastening with the cover fastening member 26), thereby fixing both ends of the cover 6. This allows the worker installing the cover 6 to complete the installation work on only the side where the cover fixing portion 32 is located.

[0080] Furthermore, in the case where the fastener fitting portion 33 is not further provided (where the cover fixing portions 32 are provided on both ends of the cover 6), for example, a worker installing the cover 6 must first fix the cover fixing portion 32 at the end on the +Y direction side of the two cover fixing portions 32, and then fix the cover fixing portion 32 at the end on the -Y direction side. In this case, if the worker installing the cover 6 moves in the -Y direction while passing over the solar cell module 4, there is a risk that the worker installing the cover 6 will damage the solar cell module 4. On the other hand, if the fastener fitting portion 33 is further provided, the cover 6 can be fixed without standing on the solar cell module 4 to which the cover 6 is to be attached. This can be considered to reduce the risk of damage to the solar cell module 4 due to contact between the cover 6 and the solar cell module 4 during the installation work of the cover 6.

[0081] <1-1-4. Mounting fixture 7> Hereinafter, a gantry fixture 7 according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The gantry fixture 7 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure may be, for example, a gantry fixture 7 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. For example, the gantry fixture 7 may be a first gantry fixture 7a as shown in FIG. 7A. Furthermore, the gantry fixture 7 at the end on the +X direction side may be a second gantry fixture 7b as shown in FIG. 7B. The gantry fixture 7 at the end on the -X direction side may be a third gantry fixture 7c as shown in FIG. 7C.

[0082] The frame fixture 7 is a component that fixes the solar cell module 4 to the frame 2. The first frame fixture 7a is provided between the multiple solar cell modules 4. For example, the first frame fixture 7a may be provided between the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B, in contact with the first frame side 12L1 of the first solar cell module 4A and the second frame side 12L2 of the second solar cell module 4B. The second frame fixture 7b is provided in contact with the first frame side 12L1 of the solar cell module 4. For example, the second frame fixture 7b may be provided on the +X direction side of the second solar cell module 4B, in contact with the first frame side 12L1 of the second solar cell module 4B. The third frame fixture 7c is provided in contact with the second frame side 12L2 of the solar cell module 4. For example, the third frame fixture 7c may be provided on the +X direction side of the second solar cell module 4B, in contact with the first frame side 12L1 of the second solar cell module 4B. It may be provided in contact with the second frame side 12L2 of the first solar cell module 4A on the −X direction side of the first solar cell module 4A.

[0083] The frame fixture 7 may be formed by roll forming or bending an alloy steel such as stainless steel or a plated steel sheet. Alternatively, the frame fixture 7 may be formed by extruding a metal such as an aluminum alloy. The first frame fixture 7a, the second frame fixture 7b, and the third frame fixture 7c may be formed in the same manner.

[0084] The structure of the frame fixture 7 is not particularly limited as long as it can fix the solar cell module 4 to the frame 2 on the installation surface 1. Similarly, the structures of the first frame fixture 7a, the second frame fixture 7b, and the third frame fixture 7c are not particularly limited.

[0085] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7A , for example, the first frame fixture 7a includes a module conduction portion 41a, a frame fastening portion 42a, a bottom surface portion 43a, a first side surface portion 44a, and a second side surface portion 45a. The module conduction portion 41a is a portion for electrically connecting the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B. The frame fastening portion 42a is a portion for fastening the bottom surface portion 43a to the frame 2 when the first frame fixture 7a is fixed to the frame 2. The bottom surface portion 43a is a portion that connects the first side surface portion 44a and the second side surface portion 45a. The first side surface portion 44a is a portion that faces the +X direction side of the first frame fixture 7a. The first side surface portion 44a may include a portion where an upper portion on the +Z direction side protrudes toward the +X direction. The second side surface portion 45a is a portion facing the -X direction side of the first frame fixture 7a. The second side surface portion 45a may have an upper portion on the +Z direction side that protrudes toward the -X direction side.

[0086] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 7B , the second frame fixture 7b includes a module conduction portion 41b, a frame fastening portion 42b, a bottom surface portion 43b, a first side surface portion 44b, and a second side surface portion 45b. The module conduction portion 41b is a portion that electrically connects the frame 2 and the second solar cell module 4B. The frame fastening portion 42b is a portion that fastens the bottom surface portion 43b to the frame 2 when the second frame fixture 7b is fixed to the frame 2. The bottom surface portion 43b is a portion that connects the first side surface portion 44b and the second side surface portion 45b. The first side surface portion 44b is a portion that faces the +X direction side of the second frame fixture 7b. The second side surface portion 45b is a portion that faces the -X direction side of the second frame fixture 7b. The second side surface portion 45b may have an upper portion on the +Z direction side that protrudes toward the -X direction side.

[0087] 7C , the third frame fixture 7c includes a module conduction portion 41c, a frame fastening portion 42c (not shown), a bottom surface portion 43c, a first side surface portion 44c, and a second side surface portion 45c. The module conduction portion 41c provides electrical continuity between the first solar cell module 4A and the frame 2. The frame fastening portion 42c fastens the bottom surface portion 43c to the frame 2 when the third frame fixture 7c is fixed to the frame 2. The bottom surface portion 43c connects the first side surface portion 44c and the second side surface portion 45c. The first side surface portion 44c faces the +X direction side of the third frame fixture 7c. An upper portion of the first side surface portion 44c on the +Z direction side may include a portion that protrudes toward the +X direction. The second side surface portion 45c is a portion facing the -X direction side of the third frame fixture 7c.

[0088] The first frame fixture 7a, the second frame fixture 7b, and the third frame fixture 7c sandwich and fix the first solar cell module 4A between the second side surface portion 45a of the first frame fixture 7a and the first side surface portion 44c of the third frame fixture 7c. The first frame fixture 7a, the second frame fixture 7b, and the third frame fixture 7c sandwich and fix the second solar cell module 4B between the first side surface portion 44a of the first frame fixture 7a and the second side surface portion 45b of the second frame fixture 7b.

[0089] Specifically, as shown in FIGS. 7A and 9 , the first frame fixture 7a is fixed to the frame 2 by fastening the bottom surface 43a to the frame 2 with the frame fastening portion 42a. The first side surface portion 44a may be disposed facing the second frame edge 12L2 of the panel fitting portion 12a of the second solar cell module 4B, and the second side surface portion 45a may be disposed facing the first frame edge 12L1 of the panel fitting portion 12a of the first solar cell module 4A. The relationship between the first side surface portion 44a and the second frame edge 12L2 of the panel fitting portion 12a of the second solar cell module 4B is not limited to facing each other, and the first side surface portion 44a and the second frame edge 12L2 of the panel fitting portion 12a of the second solar cell module 4B may be disposed in abutting relation. When the first side surface portion 44a and the second frame edge 12L2 of the panel fitting portion 12a of the second solar cell module 4B abut each other, the second solar cell module 4B can be more firmly fixed to the frame 2 than when they are disposed facing each other. Similarly, the relationship between the second side surface portion 45a and the first frame edge 12L1 of the panel fitting portion 12a of the first solar cell module 4A is not limited to being arranged opposite to each other, and they may be arranged in abutting contact with each other. When the second side surface portion 45a and the first frame edge 12L1 of the panel fitting portion 12a of the first solar cell module 4A abut each other, the first solar cell module 4A can be fixed to the mount 2 more firmly than when they are arranged opposite to each other.

[0090] 7B , for example, the second frame fixture 7b is fixed to the frame 2 by fastening the bottom surface 43b to the frame 2 with the frame fastening portion 42b. The second side surface 45b may be disposed facing the first frame edge 12L1 of the panel fitting portion 12a of the second solar cell module 4B. The relationship between the second side surface 45b and the first frame edge 12L1 of the panel fitting portion 12a of the second solar cell module 4B is not limited to facing each other, and the second side surface 45b may be disposed in abutting contact with the first frame edge 12L1 of the panel fitting portion 12a of the second solar cell module 4B. When the second side surface 45b and the first frame edge 12L1 of the panel fitting portion 12a of the second solar cell module 4B abut each other, the second solar cell module 4B can be fixed to the frame 2 more firmly than when they are disposed facing each other.

[0091] 7C , for example, the third frame fixture 7c is fixed to the frame 2 by fastening the bottom surface portion 43c to the frame 2 with the frame fastening portion 42c. The first side surface portion 44c may be disposed facing the first frame edge 12L1 of the panel fitting portion 12a of the first solar cell module 4A. The relationship between the first side surface portion 44c and the first frame edge 12L1 of the panel fitting portion 12a of the first solar cell module 4A is not limited to facing each other, and the first side surface portion 44c and the first frame edge 12L1 of the panel fitting portion 12a of the first solar cell module 4A may be disposed in abutting contact with each other. When the first side surface portion 44c and the first frame edge 12L1 of the panel fitting portion 12a of the first solar cell module 4A abut each other, the first solar cell module 4A can be fixed to the frame 2 more firmly than when they are disposed facing each other.

[0092] As described above, the adjacent first solar cell module 4A and second solar cell module 4B are fixed to the mount 2 by the first mount fixture 7a, the second mount fixture 7b, and the third mount fixture 7c. At this time, the distance between the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B may be selected appropriately depending on the shape of the cover fixture 5 or the shape of the cover 6. In this case, the distance between the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B can be adjusted by adjusting the position at which the first mount fixture 7a, the second mount fixture 7b, or the third mount fixture 7c is fixed to the mount 2. For example, the distance between the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B may be adjusted between several millimeters (mm) and 5 centimeters (cm).

[0093] <1-2. Explanation of the state when cover 6 is fixed> Hereinafter, the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure with the cover 6 fixed will be described with reference to the drawings. The solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure with the cover 6 fixed may be, for example, the solar cell array 3 shown in FIGS. 8 to 13. good.

[0094] First, the positional relationship between the first solar cell module 4A, the second solar cell module 4B, the cover fastener 5, and the cover 6 in the solar cell array 3 with the cover 6 fixed will be described. Note that the following description will be given taking as an example a case where the cover fastener 5 is fixed to the second solar cell module 4B using a frame fastening member 25, and the cover fastener 5 is fixed to the cover 6 with a cover fastening member 26, as shown in Fig. 8.

[0095] As shown in Fig. 8, the frame bottom surface portion 12b of the second solar cell module 4B and the first fixing portion 21 of the cover fixing device 5 are fixed by a frame fastening member 25. The first fixing portion 21 of the cover fixing device 5 extends in the +X direction into the gap between the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B. In this gap, the fixing device side surface portion 23 connected to the first fixing portion 21 extends in the +Z direction. The second fixing portion 22 connected to the fixing device side surface portion 23 extends in the +Y direction. The second fixing portion 22 of the cover fixing device 5 and the cover fixing portion 32 of the cover 6 are fixed by a cover fastening member 26.

[0096] Cover 6 is positioned in the gap between first solar cell module 4A and second solar cell module 4B. First cover side surface 31b and second cover side surface 31c of cover 6 are positioned to sandwich third region 23a of fastener side surface portion 23. In this case, a portion of third region 23a of fastener side surface portion 23 may be positioned between first cover side surface 31b of cover 6 and second cover side surface 31c of cover 6, or the entire third region 23a of fastener side surface portion 23 may be positioned between first cover side surface 31b of cover 6 and second cover side surface 31c of cover 6.

[0097] The main body surface 31a of the cover 6 is located on the +Z direction side of the light-receiving surface 11a of the first solar cell module 4A or the light-receiving surface 11a of the second solar cell module 4B. In other words, the distance between the main body surface 31a of the cover 6 and the installation surface 1 may be greater than the distance between the light-receiving surface 11a of the first solar cell module 4A and the installation surface 1 or the distance between the light-receiving surface 11a of the second solar cell module 4B and the installation surface 1. Furthermore, the main body surface 31a of the cover 6 is located on the -Z direction side of the upper surface of the fitting upper surface 12a1 of the frame 12 of the first solar cell module 4A or the upper surface of the fitting upper surface 12a1 of the frame 12 of the light-receiving surface 11a of the second solar cell module 4B. In other words, the distance between the main body surface 31a of the cover 6 and the installation surface 1 may be smaller than the distance between the upper surface of the fitting upper surface portion 12a1 of the frame 12 of the first solar cell module 4A and the installation surface 1 or the distance between the upper surface of the fitting upper surface portion 12a1 of the frame 12 of the second solar cell module 4B and the installation surface 1. By determining the position of the main body surface 31a of the cover 6 in this manner, it is possible to reduce the chance of snow sliding down the light-receiving surface 11a of the first solar cell module 4A getting caught in gaps.

[0098] In other words, if the position of the first frame side 12L1 of the frame 12 of the first solar cell module 4A on the +Z direction side of the light receiving surface 11a is defined as the first position P1, and the position of the second cover side surface 31c of the cover 6 on the +Z direction side of the light receiving surface 11a is defined as the second position P2, the first distance d1 between the installation surface 1 and the first position P1 may be equal to or greater than the second distance d2 between the installation surface 1 and the second position P2. This reduces the likelihood of snow sliding down the first solar cell module 4A from getting caught on the cover 6.

[0099] The distance between the fourth region 23b of the fixture side surface portion 23 of the cover fixture 5 and the first solar cell module 4A may be greater than the distance between the fourth region 23b of the fixture side surface portion 23 of the cover fixture 5 and the second solar cell module 4B. In other words, the distance between the fourth region 23b of the fixture side surface portion 23 of the cover fixture 5 and the first frame side 12L1 of the first solar cell module 4A may be greater than the distance between the fourth region 23b of the fixture side surface portion 23 of the cover fixture 5 and the second solar cell module 4B. The distance between the cover fastener 5 and the second frame side 12L2 may be greater than the distance between the cover fastener 5 and the second frame side 12L2. By doing so, when the first solar cell module 4A is installed after the second solar cell module 4B is installed, it is possible to reduce damage to the first solar cell module 4A or the cover fastener 5 due to the first solar cell module 4A coming into contact with the cover fastener 5.

[0100] Next, the positional relationship between the cover 6 and the gantry fixture 7 will be described. Specifically, as shown in Fig. 9, the cover 6 is located between the first side surface portion 44a and the second side surface portion 45a of the first gantry fixture 7a. Furthermore, one end of the gantry fastening portion 42a is located between the first cover side surface 31b and the second cover side surface 31c of the cover 6. In other words, the first cover side surface 31b of the cover 6 is located between the first side surface portion 44a and the gantry fastening portion 42a. Furthermore, the second cover side surface 31c of the cover 6 is located between the second side surface portion 45a and the gantry fastening portion 42a.

[0101] Next, the positional relationship in the +Y direction among the solar cell module 4, cover 6, cover fixing device 5, and frame fixing device 7 will be described. As shown in Fig. 10, on the second frame side 12L2 of the second solar cell module 4B, the cover fixing device 5 is located closer to the outer periphery of the second solar cell module 4B than the frame fixing device 7. In other words, on the second frame side 12L2 of the second solar cell module 4B, the cover fixing device 5 is located closer to at least one of the third frame side 12L3 of the second solar cell module and the fourth frame side 12L4 of the second solar cell module 4B than the frame fixing device 7.

[0102] 11 is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between the fastener fitting portion 33 of the cover 6 and the cover fastener 5. Note that the colored portion (colored gray) in FIG. 11 indicates the cover fastener 5. In this case, the first protrusion 33a and the second protrusion 33b of the fastener fitting portion 33 contact the first fixing portion 21 and the fixing device side surface portion 23 of the cover fastener 5. Specifically, the fifth region 33a1 of the first protrusion 33a and the seventh region 33b1 of the second protrusion 33b contact the fourth region 23b of the fixing device side surface portion 23, and the sixth region 33a2 of the first protrusion 33a and the eighth region 33b2 of the second protrusion 33b contact the second region 21b of the first fixing portion 21.

[0103] 12 is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the second solar cell module 4B, the cover fastener 5, and the cover 6. The cover fastener 5 is fixed to the frame bottom surface portion 12b of the second frame side 12L2 of the second solar cell module 4B by a frame fastening member 25. Specifically, the first region 21a of the first fixing portion 21 of the cover fastener 5 is fixed to the frame bottom surface portion 12b. Here, the cover fastener 5 is fixed closer to the third frame side 12L3 than the frame fixing member 7. The cover 6 is fixed to the second fixing portion 22 of the cover fastener 5 by a cover fastening member 26. Specifically, the cover fixing portion 32 of the cover 6 is fixed to the second fixing portion 22 of the cover fastener 5.

[0104] FIG. 13 is a diagram showing an example of the positional relationship between the cutout 12d of the frame 12 and the cover 6. FIG. 14 is a top view of FIG. 13 viewed from the +Z direction. In this case, the cover 6 extends in the +Y direction to a position facing the cutout 12d. In other words, when viewed in the +X direction from the cutout 12d of the first solar cell module 4A, the cover 6 is present between the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B. In this case, the length of the cover 6 in the +X direction is shorter than the distance between the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B. In other words, there are gaps between the first solar cell module 4A and the cover 6 and between the second solar cell module 4B and the cover 6. By doing this, there are gaps between the cutout 12d of the first solar cell module 4A and the cover 6, and between the cutout 12d of the second solar cell module 4B and the cover 6, which reduces the amount of rainwater, etc. that passes through the cutout 12d of the first solar cell module 4A and flows down the cover 6 into the second solar cell module 4B.

[0105] <1-3. How to install the solar cell array 3> Hereinafter, a method for installing the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0106] For example, as shown in FIG. 15, the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment can be installed by performing the processes from step S1 to step S5 in the order shown.

[0107] In the following, an example will be described in which there are two cover fasteners 5 fixed to the second solar cell module 4B. Of the two cover fasteners 5, the cover fastener 5 on the +Y direction side will be referred to as the first cover fastener 51, and the cover fastener 5 on the -Y direction side will be referred to as the second cover fastener 52.

[0108] In step S1, the mounts 2 are installed on the installation surface 1. For example, as shown in FIG. 16, the mounts 2 may be arranged along the +X direction and the +Y direction. The intervals between the mounts 2 in the +Y direction may or may not be constant. The installation positions of the mounts 2 may be determined based on the shape of the solar cell modules 4.

[0109] In step S2, the cover fastener 5 is fixed to the second solar cell module 4B. By fixing the cover fastener 5 to the second solar cell module 4B before installing the second solar cell module 4B, it is possible to more easily fix the cover fastener 5 than by fixing the cover fastener 5 after fixing the solar cell module 4 to the mounting frame 2. Furthermore, by attaching the cover fastener 5 to the solar cell module 4 on the ground, safety can be improved compared to working on the installation surface 1.

[0110] For example, as shown in Figures 17 and 18, a first cover fastener 51 and a second cover fastener 52 may be fixed onto the second frame side 12L2 of the second solar cell module 4B. Figure 18 is a view of the portion XVII indicated by the dashed line in Figure 17 as viewed from the non-light-receiving surface 11b side of the second solar cell module 4B. Note that in Figure 18, the second cover fastener 52 is fastened to the second solar cell module 4B with a frame fastening member 25, but the fastening method is not limited to fastening. For example, the cover fastener 5 may be fixed to the solar cell module 4 by adhesion using an adhesive or the like.

[0111] In this example, the first cover fastener 51 and the second cover fastener 52 are attached to the second frame side 12L2 of the second solar cell module 4B. However, the attachment position of the cover fastener 5 is not limited to this. For example, the cover fastener 5 may be attached to the first frame side 12L1 of the first solar cell module 4A.

[0112] In step S3, the second solar cell module 4B is fixed to the mount 2. Specifically, for example, as shown in FIG. 19 , the first frame side 12L1 of the frame 12 of the second solar cell module 4B is fixed to the mount fixture 7 (second mount fixture 7b) on the +X direction side. Thereafter, the second frame side 12L2 of the frame 12 of the second solar cell module 4B is fixed to the mount fixture 7 (first mount fixture 7a) on the −X direction side. Here, the mount fixture 7 (first mount fixture 7a) on the −X direction side is temporarily fastened by the mount fastening portion 42a. This is to enable the position where the first solar cell module 4A is fixed to be adjusted in step S4 while the second solar cell module 4B is fixed.

[0113] In step S4, the first solar cell module 4A is fixed to the mount 2. Specifically, the first frame side 12L1 of the frame 12 of the first solar cell module 4A is fixed to the mount fixture 7 (first mount fixture 7a) on the +X direction side. Specifically, the mount fastening part 42a temporarily fixed in step S3 is fixed with a stronger force than when temporarily fixed. Thereafter, the first solar cell module The second frame side 12L2 of the frame 12 of the module 4A is fixed to the gantry fixture 7 (third gantry fixture 7c) on the -X direction side.

[0114] In step S5, the cover 6 is fixed to the cover fixing device 5. Step S5 further includes steps S51 to S53, as shown in Fig. 20, for example. Note that in the following Figs. 22 to 24, the second solar cell module 4B is omitted from the drawings for ease of explanation.

[0115] In step S51, the cover 6 is placed on the first cover fastener 51 and the second cover fastener 52 fixed to the second solar cell module 4B. As shown in Figures 21 and 22, the cover 6 is placed on the first cover fastener 51 and the second cover fastener 52. Figure 22 is an enlarged view of the fastener fitting portion 33 of the cover 6 and the area around the first cover fastener 51. Note that the thick black arrows in Figure 21 simply indicate the movement of each component during installation. Similar descriptions may be used in the following figures.

[0116] 22 , the cover 6 is placed on the first cover fastener 51, the second cover fastener 52, and the frame fastener 7 from the +Z direction side so that the fastener fitting portion 33 does not interfere with the first cover fastener 51 or the frame fastener 7. In this case, the cover main body portion 31 of the cover 6 is supported by the second fastening portion 22 of the first cover fastener 51 and the second fastening portion 22 of the second cover fastener 52.

[0117] In step S52, the fastener fitting portion 33 of the cover 6 is fitted into the second cover fastener 52. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 23 , with the cover 6 placed on the second cover fastener 52, the cover 6 is slid in the +Y direction, whereby the fastener fitting portion 33 of the cover 6 is fitted into the second cover fastener 52. In this case, the fastener fitting portion 33 is hooked onto the first fixing portion 21 and the fastener side surface portion 23 of the second cover fastener 52, whereby the fastener fitting portion 33 of the cover 6 is fitted into the second cover fastener 52.

[0118] In step S53, the cover fastening portion 32 of the cover 6 is fixed to the first cover fastener 51. For example, as shown in FIG. 24, the cover fastening portion 32 of the cover 6 and the second fastening portion 22 of the first cover fastener 51 may be fastened together to fix the cover 6. Note that in FIG. 24, the cover fastening portion 32 is fastened with the cover fastening member 26, but the fastening method is not limited to fastening. For example, the fastening method may be adhesion using an adhesive or the like.

[0119] In the present disclosure, the cover 6 is fixed after the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B are fixed to the mount 2. This is because, as shown in steps S3 and S4, the mount fasteners 7 (first mount fasteners 7a) are temporarily fastened with the mount fastening portions 42a in step S4, and the mount fastening portions 42a are finally fastened in step S4. Therefore, the cover 6 cannot be fixed between steps S3 and S4. This is because if the cover 6 were fixed before step S4, the mount fastening portions 42a would be covered by the cover 6, making it impossible to finally fasten the mount fastening portions 42a. On the other hand, if the cover 6 has a structure that allows the mount fastening portions 42a to be fixed even when the cover 6 is fixed, the cover 6 may be fixed between steps S3 and S4. In other words, if the cover 6 has a structure that allows the mount fastening portions 42a to be fixed even when the cover 6 is fixed, the order of steps S4 and S5 may be reversed.

[0120] <1-4. Summary of Embodiment 1> The solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment is installed on an installation surface 1 that is inclined toward a first direction. The solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment includes a first solar cell module 4A, a second solar cell module 4B adjacent to the first solar cell module 4A, a cover 6 installed between the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B, and a cover 6 for covering the first solar cell module 4A. The solar cell array 3 includes a cover fastener 5 for fastening a cover 6 to at least one of the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B. The first solar cell module 4A includes a first frame 12A on its outer periphery. The second solar cell module 4B includes a second frame 12B on its outer periphery. The cover fastener 5 includes a first fastening portion 21 and a second fastening portion 22. The first fastening portion 21 is fixed to at least one of the first frame 12A and the second frame 12B. The second fastening portion 22 is fixed to the cover 6. The length of the cover 6 in the second direction is longer than the length of the cover fastener 5 in the second direction and is at least half the length of at least one of the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B in the second direction. With this configuration, the cover 6 can be attached between the solar cell modules 4 even if the solar cell array 3 does not include a structure for installing the cover 6, thereby simplifying the structure for attaching the cover 6 between the solar cell modules 4. Specifically, even if the solar cell modules 4 or the mount 2 included in the solar cell array 3 do not have a structure for installing the cover 6, it is possible to attach the cover 6 between the solar cell modules 4, thereby simplifying the structure for attaching the cover 6 between the solar cell modules 4.

[0121] In the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment, the length of the cover 6 along the first direction may be smaller than the distance along the first direction between the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B. By doing so, a gap is formed between the frame 12 of the solar cell module 4 and the cover 6 after the cover 6 is installed. Therefore, when it rains, rainwater flows down through the gap, making it difficult for dirt to accumulate on the solar cell module 4 or the cover 6.

[0122] In the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment, the first frame 12A of the first solar cell module 4A may further include a cutout 12d formed by cutting out at least a part of the upper portion of the first frame 12A on the first frame side 12L1 of the first frame 12A. This allows rainwater to flow down from the cutout 12d when it rains, thereby making it difficult for dirt to accumulate on the first solar cell module 4A.

[0123] In the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment, the cover 6 may further include a fixture fitting portion 33 that is at least partially fitted with the cover fixture 5 along the second direction. This makes it possible to easily install the cover 6.

[0124] In the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment, the cover fastener 5 may be fixed to at least one of the first solar cell module 4A or the second solar cell module 4B. In this way, the cover fastener 5 can be fixed to the solar cell module 4 before the solar cell module 4 is fixed onto the mount 2. This makes it easier to fix the cover fastener 5 to the solar cell module 4.

[0125] In the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment, when the first end is the end of the light-receiving surface 11a of the first frame side surface (corresponding to the side surface of the frame 12 connected to the first frame edge 12L1) that is the side surface on the lower side in the first direction of the frame 12 of the first solar cell module 4A and the second end is the end of the light-receiving surface 11a of the second cover side surface 31c that is the side surface on the upper side in the first direction of the cover 6, the first distance d1 that is the distance between the installation surface 1 and the first end may be equal to or greater than the second distance d2 that is the distance between the installation surface 1 and the second end. This reduces the likelihood that snow sliding down the first solar cell module 4A will get caught on the cover 6.

[0126] The solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment further includes a mount fixture 7 for fixing the first solar cell module 4A and the second solar cell module 4B to a mount 2 located on the installation surface 1. By making the cover fixing device 5 and the frame fixing device 7 separate members, the structural constraints on the cover fixing device 5 are alleviated compared to when the cover fixing device 5 and the frame fixing device 7 are made into an integrated member, and therefore the structure of the cover fixing device 5 can be simplified.

[0127] In the solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment, the distance between the end of the second frame side 12L2 of the second frame 12B on the +Y direction side and the cover fixing device 5 is smaller than the distance between the end of the second frame side 12L2 of the second frame 12B on the +Y direction side and the frame fixing device 5. This makes it easier for a worker to install the cover 6 by fixing the cover 6 to the cover fixing device 5 (first cover fixing device 51) from the third frame side 12L3 side (first end side).

[0128] The solar cell array 3 according to the first embodiment further includes a cover fastening member 26 that fastens the second fixing portion 22 and the cover 6. The second fixing portion 22 has a fastening receiving mechanism that fastens with the cover fastening member 26. By doing so, for example, a worker working from the third frame side 12L3 side (first end side) can fasten using the fastening member 26 close to his or her body, making it easier for the worker to apply force to the fastening member 26, making installation by the worker easier.

[0129] <Embodiment 2> The following describes the second embodiment, focusing mainly on the differences from the first embodiment.

[0130] 25 is a schematic diagram of a solar cell array 3 according to embodiment 2. In the solar cell array 3 according to embodiment 2, in addition to the components of the solar cell array 3 according to embodiment 1, a support member 61 is installed between the installation surface 1 and the solar cell module 4. The support member 61 supports the load applied to the solar cell module 4, thereby reducing damage to the solar cell module 4.

[0131] The support member 61 supports the +Y direction end of the solar cell module 4. The support member 61 may support the solar cell module 4 on the +Y direction end side relative to the frame 2.

[0132] The support member 61 may be formed by roll forming or bending an alloy steel such as stainless steel or a plated steel sheet. Alternatively, the support member 61 may be formed by extruding a metal such as an aluminum alloy. The support member 61 may have the same shape as the gantry 2 or may have a different shape from the gantry 2.

[0133] The support member 61 has a support surface extending in the first direction. The support surface is in contact with the solar cell module 4. The support surface may be in contact with the frame bottom surface portion 12b of the solar cell module 4, or may be in contact with the non-light-receiving surface 11b of the solar cell panel 11 of the solar cell module 4.

[0134] The support member 61 may be installed on the installation surface 1 when installing the mount 2 in step S1 of the installation method for the solar cell array 3 according to embodiment 1. Note that Fig. 26 is an example of a diagram showing the state at the time when step S3 in embodiment 2 is completed.

[0135] <Other embodiments> Although the present disclosure has been described based on the drawings and embodiments, it should be noted that those skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations based on the present disclosure. Therefore, it should be noted that these modifications and alterations are included in the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the functions included in each functional unit, each step, etc. can be rearranged so as not to be logically inconsistent, and multiple functional units, steps, etc. can be combined into one or divided into two or more. Furthermore, the above-described embodiments of the present disclosure are not limited to being implemented faithfully according to the respective described embodiments, but may be implemented by appropriately combining the respective features or omitting some of them.

[0136] Summary of this disclosure This disclosure includes the following:

[0137] In one embodiment, (1) a solar cell array includes: a first solar cell module included in a plurality of solar cell modules installed spaced apart from each other on an installation surface inclined toward a first direction; a second solar cell module included in the plurality of solar cell modules and adjacent to the first solar cell module below in the first direction; a cover installed between the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module; and a cover fastener that fastens the cover to at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module. The first solar cell module includes a first frame on its outer periphery. The second solar cell module includes a second frame on its outer periphery. The cover fastener includes a first fastening portion and a second fastening portion. The first fastening portion is fixed to at least one of the first frame and the second frame. The second fastening portion is fixed to the cover. When the direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plane parallel to the installation surface is defined as the second direction, the length of the cover in the second direction is greater than the length of the cover fixing device in the second direction, and is at least half the length of at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module in the second direction.

[0138] (2) In the solar cell array of (1) above, the length of the cover along the first direction between the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module is smaller than the distance along the first direction between the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module.

[0139] (3) In any of the solar cell arrays (1) to (2) above, the first frame further includes a cutout portion formed by cutting out at least a portion of an upper portion of the first frame on a first edge that is the lower edge of the first frame in the first direction.

[0140] (4) In the solar cell array of any one of (1) to (3) above, the cover further includes a fixture fitting portion that is at least partially fitted with the cover fixture along the second direction.

[0141] (5) In the solar cell element according to any one of (1) to (4) above, the cover fastener is fixed to at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module.

[0142] (6) In any of the solar cell arrays (1) to (5) above, when the end on the light receiving surface side of the first frame side, which is the side surface of the first solar cell module on the lower side in the first direction, is defined as the first end, and the end on the light receiving surface side of the second cover side, which is the side surface of the cover on the upper side in the first direction, is defined as the second end, the magnitude of the first distance, which is the distance between the installation surface and the first end, is equal to or greater than the magnitude of the second distance, which is the distance between the installation surface and the second end.

[0143] (7) In any one of the solar cell arrays (1) to (6) above, the solar cell array further comprises a mount fixing device that fixes the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module to a mount located on the installation surface.

[0144] (8) In any one of the solar cell arrays (1) to (7), the second frame The distance between the cover fixing device and a first end portion, which is one of the ends of the second side, which is the side on the upper side in the first direction, is smaller than the distance between the first end portion and the gantry fixing device.

[0145] (9) In any of the solar cell arrays (1) to (8) above, a fastening member is further provided for fastening the second fixing portion to the cover, and the second fixing portion has a fastening receiving mechanism for fastening to the fastening member.

[0146] In one embodiment, (10) a cover component includes: a first solar cell module included in a plurality of solar cell modules installed spaced apart on an installation surface inclined toward a first direction; a cover installed between a second solar cell module included in the plurality of solar cell modules and adjacent to the first solar cell module below the first direction; and a cover fastener that fastens the cover to at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module. The cover fastener includes a first fastening portion and a second fastening portion. The first fastening portion is fixed to at least one of a first frame provided on an outer periphery of the first solar cell module and a second frame provided on an outer periphery of the second solar cell module. The second fastening portion is fixed to the cover. When a direction perpendicular to the first direction on a plane parallel to the installation surface is defined as a second direction, the length of the cover in the second direction is longer than the length of the cover fastener in the second direction and has a length that is at least half the length of at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module in the second direction.

[0147] (11) The cover component of (10) above further includes a fastening member that fastens the second fixing portion and the cover, and the second fixing portion has a fastening receiving mechanism that is fastened to the fastening member.

[0148] In one embodiment, (12) a cover fastener fastens a cover installed between a first solar cell module included in a plurality of solar cell modules installed spaced apart from each other on an installation surface inclined toward a first direction and a second solar cell module included in the plurality of solar cell modules and adjacent to the first solar cell module below the first solar cell module in the first direction. The cover fastener includes a first fixing portion that fixes the cover fastener to at least one of a first frame provided on an outer periphery of the first solar cell module and a second frame provided on an outer periphery of the second solar cell module. The cover fastener includes a second fixing portion that is fixed to the cover. When a direction perpendicular to the first direction on a plane parallel to the installation surface is defined as a second direction, the length of the cover fastener in the second direction is shorter than the length of the cover, which has a length in the second direction that is at least half the length of at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module.

[0149] (13) In the cover fixing device of (12) above, the second fixing portion has a fastening receiving mechanism that is fastened with a fastening member that fastens the second fixing portion and the cover. [Explanation of symbols]

[0150] 1: Inclined surface 2: Stand 3: Solar cell array 4: Solar cell module 4A: First solar cell module 4B: Second solar cell module 5: Cover fixing device 6: Cover 7: Mounting fixture 7a: First mounting fixture 7b: Second mounting fixture 7c: 3rd frame fixture 11: Solar panel 11A: First solar panel 11B: Second solar panel 11a: Light receiving surface 11b: Non-light receiving surface 12: Frame 12A: First frame 12B: Second frame 12a: Panel fitting part 12a1: Fitting top surface part 12a2: Mating bottom part 12a3: Mating side part 12b: Frame bottom part 12c: Frame side 12d: Notch 12d1: 1st notch end 12d2: 2nd notch end 12L1: First frame edge 12L2: Second frame edge 12L3: Third frame edge 12L4: 4th frame edge 13: Back surface protection material 14: Transparent substrate 15: Encapsulating material 16: Inner lead 17: Solar cell element 18: Terminal box 21: 1st fixed part 21a: 1st area 21b:Second area 22:Second fixed part 23: Fixture side part 23a: Third area 23b: 4th area 24: Inclined part 25: Frame fastening member 26: Cover fastening member 31: Cover body 31a: Main body surface 31b: Side of the first cover 31c: Second cover side 32: Cover fixing part 33: Fixture fitting part 33a: 1st protrusion 33a1: 5th area 33a2: 6th area 33b: Second protrusion 33b1 :7th area 33b2 :8th area 41a: Module conduction part 42a: Mounting fastening part 43a: Bottom part 44a: First side part 45a: Second side part 41b: Module conduction part 42b: Mounting fastening part 43b: Bottom part 44b: First side part 45b: Second side part 41c: Module conduction part 42c: Mounting fastening part 43c: Bottom part 44c: 1st side part 45c: 2nd side part 51: First cover fixing device 52: Second cover fixing device 61: Support member P1: 1st position P2: 2nd position

Claims

1. a first solar cell module included in a plurality of solar cell modules installed spaced apart from each other on an installation surface inclined toward a first direction; a second solar cell module included in the plurality of solar cell modules and adjacent to the first solar cell module on a lower side in the first direction; a cover installed between the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module; a cover fixing device that fixes the cover to at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module, the first solar cell module includes a first frame on an outer periphery thereof; the second solar cell module includes a second frame on its outer periphery, The cover fixing device includes a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion, the first fixing portion is fixed to at least one of the first frame and the second frame, the second fixing portion is fixed to the cover, When a direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plane parallel to the installation surface is defined as a second direction, the length of the cover in the second direction is longer than the length of the cover fastener in the second direction, and has a length that is equal to or greater than half the length of at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module in the second direction; a length of the cover in the first direction between the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module is smaller than a distance in the first direction between the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module; Solar array.

2. the first frame further includes a notch formed by cutting out a part of an upper portion of the first frame on a first side that is a lower side of the first frame in the first direction, The solar cell array according to claim 1 .

3. a first solar cell module included in a plurality of solar cell modules installed spaced apart from each other on an installation surface inclined toward a first direction; a second solar cell module included in the plurality of solar cell modules and adjacent to the first solar cell module on a lower side in the first direction; a cover installed between the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module; a cover fixing device that fixes the cover to at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module, the first solar cell module includes a first frame on an outer periphery thereof; the second solar cell module includes a second frame on its outer periphery, The cover fixing device includes a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion, the first fixing portion is fixed to at least one of the first frame and the second frame, the second fixing portion is fixed to the cover, When a direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plane parallel to the installation surface is defined as a second direction, the length of the cover in the second direction is longer than the length of the cover fastener in the second direction, and has a length that is equal to or greater than half the length of at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module in the second direction; When an end on the light receiving surface side of a first frame side surface that is a side surface on the lower side in the first direction of the first solar cell module is defined as a first end, and an end on the light receiving surface side of a second cover side surface that is a side surface on the upper side in the first direction of the cover is defined as a second end, a first distance between the installation surface and the first end is equal to or greater than a second distance between the installation surface and the second end; Solar array.

4. The cover further includes a fastener fitting portion that is at least partially fitted with the cover fastener along the second direction. The solar cell array according to claim 1 .

5. the cover fastener is fixed to only one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module; The solar cell array according to claim 1 .

6. further comprising a mount fixing tool that fixes the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module to a mount located on the installation surface; The solar cell array according to claim 1 .

7. a distance between a first end portion, which is one of the ends of a second side of the second frame that is an upper side in the first direction, and the cover fixing device is shorter than a distance between the first end portion and the frame fixing device; The solar cell array according to claim 6.

8. a fastening member that fastens the second fixing portion and the cover; The second fixing portion has a fastening receiving mechanism to be fastened with the fastening member. The solar cell array according to claim 7.

9. a first solar cell module included in a plurality of solar cell modules that are installed spaced apart from each other on an installation surface that is inclined toward a first direction; and a cover that is installed between a first solar cell module and a second solar cell module that is included in the plurality of solar cell modules and adjacent to the first solar cell module on a lower side in the first direction; a cover fixing device that fixes the cover to at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module, The cover fixing device includes a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion, the first fixing portion is fixed to at least one of a first frame provided on an outer periphery of the first solar cell module and a second frame provided on an outer periphery of the second solar cell module; the second fixing portion is fixed to the cover, When a direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plane parallel to the installation surface is defined as a second direction, the length of the cover in the second direction is longer than the length of the cover fastener in the second direction, and has a length that is equal to or greater than half the length of at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module in the second direction; a length of the cover in the first direction between the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module is smaller than a distance in the first direction between the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module; Cover parts.

10. a first solar cell module included in a plurality of solar cell modules that are installed spaced apart from each other on an installation surface that is inclined toward a first direction; and a cover that is installed between a first solar cell module and a second solar cell module that is included in the plurality of solar cell modules and adjacent to the first solar cell module on a lower side in the first direction; a cover fixing device that fixes the cover to at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module, The cover fixing device includes a first fixing portion and a second fixing portion, the first fixing portion is fixed to at least one of a first frame provided on an outer periphery of the first solar cell module and a second frame provided on an outer periphery of the second solar cell module; the second fixing portion is fixed to the cover, When a direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plane parallel to the installation surface is defined as a second direction, the length of the cover in the second direction is longer than the length of the cover fastener in the second direction, and has a length that is equal to or greater than half the length of at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module in the second direction; When an end on the light receiving surface side of a first frame side surface that is a side surface on the lower side in the first direction of the first solar cell module is defined as a first end, and an end on the light receiving surface side of a second cover side surface that is a side surface on the upper side in the first direction of the cover is defined as a second end, a first distance between the installation surface and the first end is equal to or greater than a second distance between the installation surface and the second end; Cover parts.

11. a fastening member that fastens the second fixing portion and the cover; The second fixing portion has a fastening receiving mechanism to be fastened with the fastening member. The cover part according to claim 9 or 10.

12. A cover fastener for fastening a cover installed between a first solar cell module included in a plurality of solar cell modules installed spaced apart from each other on an installation surface inclined toward a first direction, and a second solar cell module included in the plurality of solar cell modules and adjacent to the first solar cell module on a lower side in the first direction, a first fixing portion that fixes a self-cover fixing device to at least one of a first frame provided on an outer periphery of the first solar cell module and a second frame provided on an outer periphery of the second solar cell module; a second fixing portion fixed to the cover; Equipped with When a direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plane parallel to the installation surface is defined as a second direction, the length of the cover fixing device in the second direction is shorter than the length of the cover in the second direction, which has a length equal to or greater than half the length of at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module in the second direction; a length of the cover in the first direction between the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module is smaller than a distance in the first direction between the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module; Cover fixings.

13. A cover fastener for fastening a cover installed between a first solar cell module included in a plurality of solar cell modules installed spaced apart from each other on an installation surface inclined toward a first direction, and a second solar cell module included in the plurality of solar cell modules and adjacent to the first solar cell module on a lower side in the first direction, a first fixing portion that fixes a self-cover fixing device to at least one of a first frame provided on an outer periphery of the first solar cell module and a second frame provided on an outer periphery of the second solar cell module; a second fixing portion fixed to the cover; Equipped with When a direction perpendicular to the first direction in a plane parallel to the installation surface is defined as a second direction, the length of the cover fixing device in the second direction is shorter than the length of the cover in the second direction, which has a length equal to or greater than half the length of at least one of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module in the second direction; When an end on the light receiving surface side of a first frame side surface that is a side surface on the lower side in the first direction of the first solar cell module is defined as a first end, and an end on the light receiving surface side of a second cover side surface that is a side surface on the upper side in the first direction of the cover is defined as a second end, a first distance between the installation surface and the first end is equal to or greater than a second distance between the installation surface and the second end; Cover fixings.

14. the second fixing portion has a fastening receiving mechanism that is fastened with a fastening member that fastens the second fixing portion and the cover; The cover fixing device according to claim 12 or 13.

Images