Solar panel mounting structure

Abstract

To obtain a solar panel fixing structure capable of improving light condensing efficiency in a structure for fixing a plurality of solar panels at a predetermined inclination angle.SOLUTION: In a solar panel fixing structure 10, a top face of a trestle frame 30 consisting of a plurality of vertical bars 34 is a panel fixing face P having a predetermined inclination angle with respect to an installation surface G of a trestle 20. A first solar panel 16A and a second solar panel 16B aligned along an inclination direction are disposed on the same flat surface of the panel fixing surface P. Ends of the first solar panel 16A and the second solar panel 16B are fixed to the panel fixing surface P with a second fixture 50 disposed between the first solar panel and the second solar panel.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 4

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a fixing structure for a solar panel.

Background Art

[0002] When installing a solar panel on a flat installation surface such as a pitched roof or the ground of a house, it is desirable that the solar panel be supported at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the installation surface so as to receive sunlight easily.

[0003] Patent Document 1 discloses a support structure for supporting a plurality of solar panels at a predetermined inclination angle. This support structure has a first support member that supports the front end of the first solar panel, a second support member that supports the rear end of the first solar panel and the front end of a second solar panel located behind the first solar panel, and a third support member that supports the rear end of the second solar panel.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] However, in the technique described in Patent Document 1, the front end of the second solar panel arranged behind is supported at a position lower than the rear end of the first solar panel arranged in front. Therefore, since it is necessary to set a large distance between the panels so that the shadow generated by the first solar panel on the front side does not fall on the second solar panel, it is difficult to efficiently install a plurality of solar panels in a limited installation space. Therefore, in the above prior art, there is room for improvement in terms of reducing the distance between a plurality of solar panels and improving the light collection efficiency.

[0006] In consideration of the above facts, the present invention aims to provide a solar panel fixing structure that can improve light collection efficiency in a structure that fixes multiple solar panels at a predetermined tilt angle. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The solar panel fixing structure according to the first embodiment comprises a mounting frame composed of a plurality of struts, the upper surface of which has a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the mounting surface of the mounting frame is used as the panel fixing surface, a first solar panel and a second solar panel arranged in the same plane along the inclination direction of the panel fixing surface, and fixing fittings arranged between the first solar panel and the second solar panel for fixing the ends of the first solar panel and the second solar panel to the panel fixing surface.

[0008] In the first embodiment of the solar panel fixing structure, a mounting frame composed of multiple struts is provided. The upper surface of this mounting frame, which has a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the mounting surface, serves as the panel fixing surface, and multiple solar panels are fixed on this panel fixing surface.

[0009] Here, the first and second solar panels, which are arranged in the direction of inclination on the panel fixing surface, are fixed using fixing brackets while being positioned on the same plane. These fixing brackets are placed between the first and second solar panels and fix the ends of the first and second solar panels to the panel fixing surface.

[0010] According to the above configuration, by using the upper surface of the mounting frame, which is inclined with respect to the mounting surface of the mounting frame, as the panel fixing surface, multiple solar panels can be tilted and fixed at a predetermined angle. Furthermore, since solar panels aligned in the direction of inclination are fixed on the same plane using fixing brackets placed between the panels, there is no difference in height at the joint between the first solar panel located on the downstream side of the inclination and the second solar panel located on the upstream side. Consequently, the effect of shadows cast by adjacent solar panels in the direction of inclination is reduced, and the distance between panels held by the fixing brackets can be set to be smaller. As a result, multiple solar panels can be concentrated and installed in a limited installation space, improving light collection efficiency.

[0011] The solar panel fixing structure according to the second embodiment has the following configuration in the first embodiment: the fixing bracket includes a base portion fixed to the panel fixing surface; a pair of spacing wall portions erected from one downstream end and the other upstream end of the base portion, respectively, and facing each other in the inclination direction of the panel fixing surface; a first fixing portion provided at the tip of one of the spacing wall portions located downstream in the inclination direction, for fixing the end of the first solar panel to the panel fixing surface; and a second fixing portion provided at the tip of the other spacing wall portion located upstream in the inclination direction, for fixing the end of the second solar panel to the panel fixing surface.

[0012] In the solar panel fixing structure according to the second embodiment, the fixing bracket has a base portion fixed to the panel fixing surface and a pair of spacing-retaining wall portions erected from one end on the downstream side and the other end on the upstream side of the base portion, respectively, and facing each other in the direction of inclination. A first fixing portion and a second fixing portion are provided at the tips of the pair of spacing-retaining wall portions, respectively. The end of the first solar panel is fixed by the first fixing portion located on the downstream side in the direction of inclination, and the end of the second solar panel is fixed by the second fixing portion located on the upstream side in the direction of inclination. In this way, the base portion fixed to the panel fixing surface and the fixing portions that fix each solar panel can be formed as a single component by connecting them with a pair of spacing-retaining wall portions. This reduces the number of parts.

[0013] The solar panel fixing structure according to the third embodiment has, in the configuration described in the second embodiment, a fixing bracket having a connecting reinforcing portion that connects and reinforces the pair of spacing-holding wall portions.

[0014] Incidentally, in structures where solar panels are fixed in an inclined position relative to the mounting surface, stress may concentrate on the spacing wall of the fixing brackets due to wind pressure from below the mounting frame.

[0015] In the third embodiment of the solar panel fixing structure, the fixing bracket has a connecting reinforcement part that connects and reinforces the space between a pair of spacing-retaining wall sections. As a result, even if wind pressure acts on the underside of the solar panel from below the mounting frame, the spacing between the pair of spacing-retaining wall sections is firmly maintained by the connecting reinforcement part, thereby suppressing the solar panel from falling off or shifting position due to wind pressure. Therefore, it has excellent environmental performance.

[0016] The solar panel fixing structure according to the fourth embodiment is configured in the configuration described in the third embodiment, wherein the connecting reinforcement portion is configured to be separable from the pair of spacing wall portions, the pair of spacing wall portions extend from each spacing wall portion across the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion and have a slit portion that opens on the upper side of the mounting frame, and the connecting reinforcement portion is configured to be inserted through the slit portion and connect the pair of spacing wall portions while the ends of the first solar panel and the second solar panel are fixed by the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion.

[0017] In the solar panel fixing structure according to the fourth embodiment, the connecting reinforcement portion of the fixing bracket is configured to be separable from a pair of spacing wall portions. Furthermore, the pair of spacing wall portions extend from each spacing wall portion across the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion and have a slit portion that opens on the upper side of the mounting frame. Therefore, with each end of the first solar panel and the second solar panel fixed by the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion, the pair of spacing wall portions can be connected by inserting the connecting reinforcement portion through the slit portion. This allows the fixing bracket to be suitably reinforced according to the structure of the mounting frame and the inclination angle.

[0018] The solar panel fixing structure according to the fifth embodiment is configured in the configuration described in the fourth embodiment, wherein the connecting reinforcing portion includes a bolt that spans between the pair of spacing wall portions and a pair of nuts that are screwed onto the bolt and positioned inside the pair of spacing wall portions.

[0019] In the solar panel fixing structure according to the fifth embodiment, the connecting reinforcement portion that connects the solar panel to a pair of spacing wall portions is composed of bolts and nuts. Specifically, the bolts of the connecting reinforcement portion are inserted into slits formed in the pair of spacing wall portions, thereby spanning between the pair of spacing wall portions. A pair of nuts are screwed onto these bolts and positioned inside the pair of spacing wall portions, thereby effectively reinforcing the pair of spacing wall portions against stress in the inclined direction. Furthermore, tolerances during the assembly of multiple solar panels can be absorbed by adjusting the screwing position of the nuts. This allows the fixing bracket to be reinforced while absorbing tolerances during assembly, and furthermore, it is possible to suppress the detachment or displacement of solar panels due to wind pressure. [Effects of the Invention]

[0020] As described above, the solar panel fixing structure according to the first embodiment has the excellent effect of improving light collection efficiency in a structure that fixes multiple solar panels at a predetermined tilt angle.

[0021] According to the fixing structure of the solar panel according to the second aspect, it has an excellent effect of being able to reduce the number of parts.

[0022] According to the fixing structure of the solar panel according to the third aspect, it has an excellent effect of being excellent in environmental performance.

[0023] According to the fixing structure of the solar panel according to the fourth aspect, it has an excellent effect of being able to suitably reinforce the fixing bracket according to the structure of the pedestal and the tilt angle.

[0024] According to the fixing structure of the solar panel according to the fifth aspect, it has an excellent effect of being able to reinforce the fixing bracket while absorbing the tolerance during assembly, and further suppressing the dropping and displacement of the solar panel due to wind pressure.

Brief Description of the Drawings

[0025] [Figure 1] It is a perspective view showing the installation state of the solar panel to which the fixing structure of the solar panel according to the embodiment is applied. [Figure 2] It is a side view of the pedestal according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] It is an enlarged side view showing the fixing structure of the end of the pedestal according to the embodiment. [Figure 4] It is an enlarged side view showing the fixing structure of the middle part of the pedestal according to the embodiment. [Figure 5] It is an exploded perspective view showing the fixing bracket according to the embodiment in an enlarged manner. [Figure 6] It is an enlarged plan view of the fixing bracket according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] It is an enlarged plan view corresponding to FIG. 6 showing a modified example of the fixing bracket according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] It is an enlarged side view corresponding to FIG. 4 showing a modified example of the fixing bracket according to the embodiment.

Modes for Carrying Out the Invention

[0026] 〔First Embodiment〕 The solar panel fixing structure 10 according to this embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 to 6. This solar panel fixing structure 10 relates to a fixing structure for a plurality of solar panels 16 that are supported at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to a flat installation surface G. The flat installation surface G is, for example, a flat roof 14 provided on the roof of a building 12, as shown in Figure 1, or a flat ground surface.

[0027] (Stand 20) As shown in Figures 1 and 2, multiple solar panels 16 are fixed on a mounting frame 20 installed on a flat roof 14. The mounting frame 20 consists of multiple support members 22 fixed to the mounting surface G and a mounting frame 30 supported by the multiple support members 22.

[0028] (Support member 22) The support member 22 is composed of a lower fixing bracket 24 fixed to the foundation (not shown in the reference numerals) of the flat roof 14, a column portion 26 fixed to the upper side of the lower fixing bracket 24, and an upper fixing bracket 28 fixed to the upper side of the column portion 26.

[0029] The lower fixing bracket 24 is formed by cutting a structural steel, such as a channel steel or H-beam, to a predetermined length. The lower fixing bracket 24 is fixed to the foundation of the flat roof 14 by inserting anchor bolts (not shown) through mounting holes (not shown) in the flange that abuts against the installation surface G.

[0030] The column section 26 is formed, for example, by cutting a pipe-shaped steel material to a predetermined length. The column section 26 is fixed to the flange that constitutes the upper surface of the lower fixing bracket 24 by welding or other means, and is erected on the upper side.

[0031] The upper fixing bracket 28 is formed by cutting a structural steel, such as an L-shaped steel, to a predetermined length, and has an open cross-section that is open horizontally and upward. The lower flange of the upper fixing bracket 28, which abuts against the upper end of the column 26, is fixed to the column 26 by welding or other means. In addition, the crossbar 32 of the support frame 30, which will be described later, is housed inside the open cross-section of the upper fixing bracket 28 and fixed by welding or other means.

[0032] In the above configuration, the height (vertical) dimension of the support member 22 can be easily adjusted by changing the dimensions of the column portion 26 welded between the lower fixing bracket 24 and the upper fixing bracket 28. In this embodiment, multiple support members 22 are arranged linearly in the horizontal direction and set to the same height, and are installed in three rows in the vertical direction to support the frame 30.

[0033] Figure 2 shows a side view of the support frame 30, which is supported by support members 22A to 22C set at different heights along the inclination direction of the support frame 30.

[0034] (Support frame 30) The support frame 30 is composed of multiple horizontal bars 32 and multiple vertical bars 34, and is formed in the shape of a rectangular grid frame by arranging the horizontal bars 32 and vertical bars 34 in a grid pattern.

[0035] The crossbars 32 are structural members that extend along the lateral direction (width direction) of the support frame 30, and are made of structural steel such as channel steel or H-beams. The crossbars 32 are arranged linearly in the lateral direction and are supported by being spanned across a plurality of support members 22 set at the same height. As described above, the crossbars 32 are housed within the open cross section of the upper fixing brackets 28 of the support members 22, and are fixed by joining the contact surfaces together by welding or by fastening bolts.

[0036] The vertical braces 34 are skeletal members that extend along the vertical direction (inclination direction) of the support frame 30. The vertical braces 34 are made of structural steel such as channel steel or H-beams, and have an upper flange 34A that forms the upper surface, a lower flange 34B that forms the lower surface, and a web 34C that connects the upper flange 34A and the lower flange 34B in the height direction (see Figure 3, etc.).

[0037] The vertical bar 34 is positioned on top of the horizontal bar 32, with its lower flange 34B in contact with the upper surface of the horizontal bar 32. The horizontal bar 32 and the vertical bar 34 are joined and fixed together by welding or by bolting at their contact surfaces.

[0038] With the above configuration, the vertical bar 34 extends in a vertical direction perpendicular to the extending direction of the horizontal bar 32, and therefore the vertical bar 34 is indirectly supported by a plurality of support members 22 of different heights in the vertical direction. Accordingly, the upper flange 34A that constitutes the upper surface of the vertical bar 34 is inclined to have a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the installation surface G of the frame 20.

[0039] In this embodiment, ten vertical supports 34 are arranged at predetermined intervals in the lateral direction of the mounting frame 30. The upper flanges 34A of these multiple vertical supports 34 are arranged on the same plane having a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the installation surface G, and constitute the panel fixing surfaces P of the multiple solar panels 16.

[0040] As described above, multiple solar panels 16 are fixed to a panel fixing surface P having a predetermined inclination angle, arranged in the horizontal and vertical directions. In other words, multiple solar panels 16 are laid out on the same plane.

[0041] (Method of securing solar panels) As shown in Figure 2, in this embodiment, four solar panels 16 are arranged along the vertical direction (inclination direction) of the mounting frame 30 and laid on the vertical supports 34. Here, if the downstream side in the inclination direction is considered the front side of the mounting frame 20 and the upstream side is considered the rear side of the mounting frame 20, then the front end of each solar panel 16 is located on the downstream side in the inclination direction, and the rear end is located on the upstream side in the inclination direction. The front and rear ends of each solar panel 16 are fixed to the panel fixing surface P using the first fixing bracket 40 or the second fixing bracket 50, which will be described later.

[0042] The first fixing bracket 40 secures the front end of the solar panel 16, which is positioned at the front end of the vertical support 34, and the rear end of the solar panel 16, which is positioned at the rear end of the vertical support 34. Referring to Figure 3, the first fixing bracket 40 that secures the front end of the solar panel 16, which is positioned at the front end of the vertical support 34, will be described.

[0043] As shown in Figure 3, the first fixing bracket 40 is, for example, a bracket formed by bending sheet metal into a roughly Z-shape. This first fixing bracket 40 is composed of a base portion 42 fixed to the upper flange 34A of the vertical rail 34, a vertical wall portion 44 erected from one end of the base portion 42, and a fixing portion 46 provided at the tip of the vertical wall portion 44.

[0044] The base portion 42 is formed in a plate shape with the height direction being the thickness direction, and is placed on the upper flange 34A of the vertical bar 34. The base portion 42 is fastened and fixed by inserting bolts 60 through mounting holes (not shown) formed in the base portion 42 and the upper flange 34A of the vertical bar 34, and screwing nuts 62 onto them from the lower side of the upper flange 34A. The nuts 62 may be weld nuts welded to the lower surface of the upper flange 34A.

[0045] The vertical wall portion 44 is erected vertically upward from one end of the base portion 42 and is positioned opposite the front side of the solar panel 16. The fixing portion 46 is formed into a hook shape by folding the tip of the vertical wall portion 44 toward the front side of the solar panel 16. A locking piece 18A protruding from the side of the module case 18 is provided on the front side of the solar panel 16. The first fixing bracket 40 secures the front end of the solar panel 16 to the vertical support 34 by hooking the hook-shaped fixing portion 46 onto the locking piece 18A and pressing down on it from above.

[0046] The first fixing bracket 40 can also similarly fix the solar panel 16 positioned at the rear end of the vertical support 34. That is, the rear end of the solar panel 16 is fixed to the vertical support 34 by hooking the fixing part 46 onto the locking piece 18A provided on the side of the rear end of the solar panel 16 (see Figure 2).

[0047] Next, with reference to Figure 4, the second fixing bracket 50, which is a key part of the present invention, will be described. The second fixing bracket 50 corresponds to the "fixing bracket" according to the present invention.

[0048] The second fixing bracket 50 is positioned between two solar panels 16 aligned along the inclination direction of the vertical support 34, and fixes the rear end of the downstream solar panel 16 to the front end of the upstream solar panel 16. In Figure 4, for the sake of clarity, the solar panel positioned downstream in the inclination direction is indicated by the symbol "16A" as the "first solar panel," and the solar panel positioned upstream in the inclination direction is indicated by the symbol "16B" as the "second solar panel."

[0049] As shown in Figure 4, the second fixing bracket 50 has a bracket-shaped main body portion 50A and a connecting reinforcing portion 50B that is configured to be detachable from the main body portion 50A.

[0050] The main body 50A is, for example, a bracket formed by bending sheet metal, and has an inverted hat shape in which the above-mentioned first fixing fittings 40 are integrated as a pair. The main body 50A is composed of a base portion 52 fixed to the upper flange 34A of the vertical bar 34, a pair of spacing-retaining wall portions 54 erected from one end and the other end of the base portion 52, and a first fixing portion 56 and a second fixing portion 58 provided at the tips of the pair of spacing-retaining wall portions 54.

[0051] The base portion 52 is formed in a plate shape with the height direction being the thickness direction, and is placed on the upper flange 34A of the vertical bar 34. The base portion 52 is fastened and fixed by inserting bolts 60 through mounting holes (not shown) formed in the base portion 52 and the upper flange 34A of the vertical bar 34, and screwing nuts 62 onto them from the lower side of the upper flange 34A. The nuts 62 may be weld nuts welded to the lower surface of the upper flange 34A.

[0052] The pair of spacing-maintaining wall sections 54 are erected vertically upward from one end on the downstream side and one end on the upstream side of the base section 52, respectively, and are positioned opposite each other in the direction of the inclined surface of the vertical bar 34.

[0053] The first fixing portion 56 is provided at the tip of one of the spacing-holding wall portions 54 located on the downstream side (left side in Figure 4) in the direction of inclination. This first fixing portion 56 is formed in a hook shape by folding the tip of the spacing-holding wall portion 54 toward the rear end side of the first solar panel 16A which is located downstream. The second fixing bracket 50 secures the rear end of the first solar panel 16A to the vertical bar 34 by hooking the hook-shaped first fixing portion 56 onto the locking piece 18A provided on the rear end side of the first solar panel 16A.

[0054] On the other hand, the second fixing portion 58 is provided at the tip of the other spacing wall portion 54 located on the upstream side (right side in Figure 4) in the direction of inclination. This second fixing portion 58 is formed in a hook shape by folding the tip of the spacing wall portion 54 toward the side surface of the front end of the second solar panel 16B which is located on the upstream side. The second fixing bracket 50 secures the front end of the second solar panel 16B to the vertical bar 34 by hooking the hook-shaped second fixing portion 58 onto the locking piece 18A provided on the side surface of the front end of the second solar panel 16B, thereby pressing down on the front end of the second solar panel 16B from above.

[0055] As shown in Figures 5 and 6, each pair of spacing wall sections 54 extends from each spacing wall section 54 across the first fixing section 56 and the second fixing section 58, and has a slit section 70 that opens on the upper side of the frame 20. For the sake of clarity, here we will refer to the slit section formed across one of the spacing wall sections 54 located on the downstream side and the first fixing section 56 as the first slit section 72, and the slit section formed across the other spacing wall section 54 located on the upstream side and the second fixing section 58 as the second slit section 74.

[0056] The first slit portion 72 and the second slit portion 74 are provided penetrating the pair of spacing-holding wall portions 54, the first fixing portion 56, and the second fixing portion 58 in the thickness direction of the plate, and are open to the upper side. Furthermore, the first slit portion 72 and the second slit portion 74 are positioned opposite each other along the inclination direction of the vertical rib 34. Both ends of the bolt 64, which constitutes the connecting reinforcement portion 50B described later, are inserted through the first slit portion 72 and the second slit portion 74.

[0057] The connecting reinforcement section 50B is a reinforcing member that connects and reinforces the pair of spacing-holding wall sections 54 of the main body section 50A. The connecting reinforcement section 50B in this embodiment includes, for example, a bolt 64 made of a fully threaded bolt and a pair of nuts 66 screwed onto the bolt 64, and is configured to be separable from the pair of spacing-holding wall sections 54.

[0058] The bolt 64 is inserted through the slit 70 so as to span across the pair of spacing wall sections 54. In this state, both ends of the bolt 64 are inserted through the first slit 72 and the second slit 74, and are positioned to penetrate the pair of spacing wall sections 54. In addition, the pair of nuts 66 are positioned inside the pair of spacing wall sections 54 and are screwed onto the bolt 64. As a result, the pair of spacing wall sections 54 are connected by the connecting reinforcement section 50B, so that even if a load is applied to the spacing wall sections 54 along the inclination direction of the vertical bars 34, the distance between the pair of spacing wall sections 54 is firmly maintained.

[0059] The second fixing bracket 50, configured as described above, is first attached by hooking the first fixing part 56 onto the rear end of the first solar panel 16A, which is positioned on the downstream side in the direction of the incline, and temporarily fastening the base part 52 to the vertical support 34. Then, the second solar panel 16B is positioned on the upstream side of the second fixing bracket 50, and the second fixing part 58 is hooked onto the front end of the second solar panel 16B to secure it. The bolts 60 of the base part 52 are then fastened. Finally, with the rear end of the first solar panel 16A and the front end of the second solar panel 16B fixed by the first fixing part 56 and the second fixing part 58, the connecting reinforcement part 50B is inserted through the slit part 70, and the pair of nuts 66 are fastened to a predetermined tightening torque to complete the installation.

[0060] (Effects / Actions) As described above, the solar panel fixing structure 10 according to this embodiment is configured to fix a plurality of solar panels 16 that are supported at a predetermined inclination angle with respect to a flat installation surface G.

[0061] Specifically, the solar panel fixing structure 10 includes a mounting frame 30 composed of multiple horizontal bars 32 and vertical bars 34. The upper surface of this mounting frame 30, which has a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the installation surface G of the mounting frame 20, is designated as the panel fixing surface P, and multiple solar panels 16 are fixed on this panel fixing surface P.

[0062] Here, as shown in Figure 4, the first solar panel 16A and the second solar panel 16B, which are arranged in the direction of inclination on the panel fixing surface P, are fixed using the second fixing bracket 50 while being positioned on the same plane. This second fixing bracket 50 is positioned between the first solar panel 16A and the second solar panel 16B, and fixes the rear end of the first solar panel 16A and the front end of the second solar panel 16B to the panel fixing surface P.

[0063] According to the above configuration, by using the upper surface of the mounting frame 30, which is inclined with respect to the installation surface G of the mounting frame 20, as the panel fixing surface P, multiple solar panels 16 can be tilted and fixed at a predetermined angle. Furthermore, since the solar panels 16 (16A, 16B) arranged in the direction of inclination are fixed on the same plane using the second fixing bracket 50 placed between the panels, there is no difference in height at the joint between the first solar panel 16A, which is located on the downstream side in the direction of inclination, and the second solar panel 16B, which is located on the upstream side. Consequently, the effect of shadows cast by adjacent solar panels 16 in the direction of inclination is reduced, and the distance between panels held by the second fixing bracket 50 can be set to be smaller. As a result, multiple solar panels can be concentrated and installed in a limited installation space, improving light collection efficiency.

[0064] Furthermore, the second fixing bracket 50 has a base portion 52 fixed to the panel fixing surface P, and a pair of spacing-retaining wall portions 54 that are erected from one end on the downstream side and the other end on the upstream side of the base portion 52, respectively, and are opposed to each other in the direction of inclination. The tips of the pair of spacing-retaining wall portions 54 are provided with a first fixing portion 56 and a second fixing portion 58, respectively. The rear end of the first solar panel 16A is fixed by the first fixing portion 56 located on the downstream side in the direction of inclination, and the front end of the second solar panel 16B is fixed by the second fixing portion 58 located on the upstream side in the direction of inclination. In this way, the base portion 52 fixed to the panel fixing surface P and the first fixing portion 56 and second fixing portion 58 that fix each solar panel 16 can be formed as a single part by connecting them with the pair of spacing-retaining wall portions 54. This reduces the number of parts.

[0065] Incidentally, in a structure in which the solar panel 16 is fixed in an inclined position with respect to the mounting surface G, stress may concentrate on the spacing wall portion 54 of the second fixing bracket 50 due to wind pressure from below the mounting frame 20.

[0066] In contrast, according to this embodiment, the second fixing bracket 50 has a connecting reinforcement part 50B that connects and reinforces the space between the pair of spacing-holding wall parts 54. As a result, even if wind pressure acts on the lower surface of the solar panel 16 from below the mounting frame 20, the spacing between the pair of spacing-holding wall parts 54 is firmly maintained by the connecting reinforcement part 50B, thereby suppressing the detachment or displacement of the solar panel 16 due to wind pressure. Therefore, it has excellent environmental performance.

[0067] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the connecting reinforcement portion 50B of the second fixing bracket 50 is configured to be separable from the pair of spacing wall portions 54. The pair of spacing wall portions 54 extend from the respective spacing wall portions 54 located on the downstream and upstream sides, straddling the first fixing portion 56 and the second fixing portion 58, and have a slit portion 70 that opens on the upper side of the mounting frame 20. Therefore, with each end of the first solar panel 16A and the second solar panel 16B fixed by the first fixing portion 56 and the second fixing portion 58, the pair of spacing wall portions 54 can be connected by inserting the connecting reinforcement portion 50B through the slit portion 70. This allows the second fixing bracket 50 to be suitably reinforced according to the structure of the mounting frame 20 and the inclination angle.

[0068] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, the connecting reinforcement part 50B that connects the pair of spacing wall portions 54 is composed of a bolt 64 and a nut 66. Specifically, the bolt 64 of the connecting reinforcement part 50B is inserted through a slit portion 70 formed in the pair of spacing wall portions 54, thereby spanning between the pair of spacing wall portions 54. A pair of nuts 66 are screwed onto this bolt 64 and positioned inside the pair of spacing wall portions 54, thereby effectively reinforcing the pair of spacing wall portions 54 against stress in the inclined direction. In addition, tolerances during the assembly of multiple solar panels 16 can be absorbed by adjusting the screwing position of the nuts 66. This makes it possible to reinforce the second fixing bracket 50 while absorbing tolerances during assembly.

[0069] [supplementary explanation] While embodiments of the present invention have been described above, each configuration of the above embodiments can be modified or combined without departing from the spirit of the present invention. For example, in the above embodiments, the connecting reinforcement portion 50B is configured to be separable from the pair of spacing-holding wall portions 54, but the present invention is not limited thereto.

[0070] (Modified example of a connecting reinforcement section) As shown in Figure 7, the connecting reinforcement part 82 may be configured to be inseparable from the second fixing bracket 80. In Figure 7, the same components as in the above embodiment are given the same numbers and their descriptions are omitted. The connecting reinforcement part 82 according to the modified example is made up of a plate-shaped plate that spans the widthwise ends of the pair of spacing-holding wall parts 54 and is joined to the pair of spacing-holding wall parts 54 by welding. In Figure 7, the connecting reinforcement part 82 is spanned across both widthwise ends of the pair of spacing-holding wall parts 54, but it may also be configured to span across only one widthwise end of the pair of spacing-holding wall parts 54.

[0071] (Modified versions of the first and second fixing parts) Furthermore, although the first fixing portion 56 and the second fixing portion 58 in the above embodiment are formed in the shape of a plate bent into a hook shape, the invention is not limited to this. As shown in the second fixing bracket 90 in Figure 8, the first fixing portion 92 and the second fixing portion 94 may be made of plate-shaped portions formed by bending the tips of a pair of spacing-holding wall portions 54 at approximately a right angle. In this configuration, the first fixing portion 92 and the second fixing portion 94 can be fixed by contacting the upper surface of the rear end portion of the first solar panel 16A and the front end portion of the second solar panel 16B and pressing them downward. In Figure 8, the same component parts as those in the above embodiment are given the same numbers and their descriptions are omitted.

[0072] Furthermore, in the above embodiment and its various modifications, the base portion 42 of the first fixing bracket 40 and the base portion 52 of the second fixing brackets 50, 80, and 90 are fixed to the vertical beam 34 using bolts 60 and nuts 62. However, the configuration is not limited to this, and the brackets may be fixed to the vertical beam 34 by welding or other methods. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0073] 20 mounting units 30 mounting frames 32 horizontal bars (bars) 34 Vertical slats (slats) 16A First solar panel (multiple solar panels 16) 16B Second solar panel (multiple solar panels 16) 50 Second fixing bracket (fixing bracket) 50B Connection reinforcement part 52 Base section 54 Pair of spacing-maintaining wall sections 56 1st fixed part 58 Second fixed part 64 volts 66 Pair of nuts 80. Second fixing bracket (fixing bracket) 82 Connecting reinforcement section 90 Second fixing bracket (fixing bracket) 92 1st fixed part 94 Second fixed part G Installation surface P panel fixing surface

Claims

1. A frame consisting of multiple crossbars, with an upper surface having a predetermined inclination angle with respect to the mounting surface of the frame serving as the panel fixing surface, The first and second solar panels are arranged along the inclination direction of the panel fixing surface and are positioned on the same plane, The system includes a fixing bracket positioned between the first solar panel and the second solar panel, which fixes the ends of the first solar panel and the second solar panel to the panel fixing surface, The aforementioned fixing bracket is A base portion fixed to the panel fixing surface, A pair of spacing-retaining wall portions are erected from one end on the downstream side and the other end on the upstream side of the base portion, respectively, and are opposed to each other in the inclination direction of the panel fixing surface, A first fixing portion is provided at the tip of one of the spacing-holding wall portions located on the downstream side in the inclined direction, and fixes the end of the first solar panel to the panel fixing surface, A second fixing portion is provided at the tip of the other spacing-holding wall portion located on the waterward side in the inclined direction, and fixes the end of the second solar panel to the panel fixing surface, A connecting reinforcing part that connects and reinforces the pair of spacing-holding wall parts, A fixing structure for solar panels having the following features.

2. The connecting reinforcement portion is configured to be separable from the pair of spacing-holding wall portions. The pair of spacing-retaining wall portions extend from each spacing-retaining wall portion across the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion, and have slit portions that open on the upper side of the frame. The solar panel fixing structure according to claim 1, wherein the connecting reinforcement portion is configured to be inserted through the slit portion and connect the pair of spacing-holding wall portions while the ends of the first solar panel and the second solar panel are fixed by the first fixing portion and the second fixing portion.

3. The aforementioned connecting reinforcement portion is A bolt is stretched between the pair of spacing-maintaining wall portions, The solar panel fixing structure according to claim 2, comprising: a pair of nuts that are screwed onto the bolt and positioned inside the pair of spacing-retaining wall portions.

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