Solar cell module attachment structure and solar cell apparatus

A solar cell module attachment structure according to one embodiment of the present invention is a solar cell module attachment structure for attaching, face-to-face, edges of two solar cell modules (2) that are disposed adjacent and spaced from each other on a top face (12) of an attachment base (11) disposed along the edges in a front-rear direction, wherein with the use of an upper fixing fitting 3a including a pressing plate 31 and protrusion pieces 32, a lower fixing fitting 4 including an upper plate 40 and a lower plate 50, and a bolt 8, the bolt 8 inserted from above into a pressing plate hole 33 formed in the pressing plate 31 is inserted and fixed in a lower plate connecting hole 51 formed in the lower plate 50 of the lower fixing fitting 4.

This application is the U.S. national phase of International Application No.

PCT/JP2009/1064450, filed 18 Aug. 2009, which designated the U,S. and claims priority to JP Application No. 2008-222615, filed 29 Aug. 2008, the entire contents of each of which are hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a solar cell module attachment structure for attaching a solar cell module onto a stand, and a solar cell apparatus.

BACKGROUND ART

Solar cell modules are generally made up of a rectangular solar cell panel and a frame member that holds the solar cell panel. As the frame member holding the solar cell panel, a frame member having a structure including a wall portion formed vertically along one side of the solar cell panel and a holding portion that is formed on the upper portion of the wall portion and that has a quadrangular cross section having one side open is generally used (see, for example, FIGS. 2 and 5 of Patent Document 1).

The holding portion of the frame member is constituted by a vertically formed holding wall, and an upper holding piece and a lower holding piece that extend inward from the upper end and the lower end of the holding wall, respectively, and that hold the solar cell panel with the side edge fitted therebetween.

With a solar cell module using the frame member configured to include a holding portion with a quadrangular cross section having one side open, the edge of the solar cell panel is inserted into the holding portion with a quadrangular cross section having one side open, and thereby the solar cell panel is vertically sandwiched.

Generally, stands are used for installation of solar cell modules configured as described above, and a solar cell module is placed and fixed onto a stand by bringing the bottoms of the wall portions of the solar cell module into contact with the upper face of the stand (see, for example, FIG. 7 of Patent Document 1). In the case where a plurality of solar cell modules are used, the solar cell modules are laid out on the stand.

PRIOR ART DOCUMENTS

Patent Documents

Patent Document 1: JP H9-148612 A

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

The above-described solar cell module using the frame member configured to include a holding portion with a quadrangular cross section having one side open is installed on the roof or the like, in the state of being installed on the stand. Accordingly, the solar cell module may be exposed to strong wind.

When the solar cell module is exposed to strong wind, the wind blowing into the backside of the solar cell panel constituting the solar cell module may act as a force trying to lift the solar cell panel up from below. In such a case, in the frame member of the solar cell module, the distal end of the upper holding piece of the holding portion with a quadrangular cross section having one side open to which the edge of the solar cell panel has been inserted may be lifted up from below, raised and deformed, causing a possibility that the edge of the solar cell panel might be detached upward.

The present invention has been conceived to cope with the above situations and provides a solar cell module attachment structure with which a solar cell module can be easily attached to a stand, and in a state in which the solar cell module is attached to the stand, even if the wind blowing into the backside of the solar cell panel tries to lift the solar cell panel up from below, the edge portion of the solar cell panel is prevented from being detached from the holding portion of the frame member holding the solar cell panel, and a solar cell apparatus.

Means for Solving the Problems

Hereinafter, a solar cell module attachment structure according to the present invention will be described. In the following description, reference numerals, which are used in the drawings used to illustrate Modes for Carrying out the Invention in this specification, are shown in parentheses for reference.

A first solar cell module attachment structure according to the present invention is a solar cell module attachment structure for attaching, face-to-face, edges of two adjacently disposed solar cell modules (2) onto a top face (12) of an attachment base (11) disposed along the edges.

In the first solar cell module attachment structure of the present invention, each edge of the solar cell modules (2) is provided with a frame member (21) including: a holding portion (29) holding the solar cell panel (20); a wall portion (23) provided continuously with the holding portion (22); and a bottom portion (24) that is provided continuously with the wall portion (23) on a side opposite to the holding portion (22) and that is attached onto the top face (12).

In the first solar cell module attachment structure of the present invention, at least a lower fixing fitting (4) is used.

In the first solar cell module attachment structure of the present invention, with the use of the lower fixing fitting (4), the bottom portion (24) of the frame member (21) is fixed on the top face (12) of the attachment base (11), and the edges of the two solar cell modules (2) are positioned relative to each other.

A second solar cell module attachment structure according to the present invention is a solar cell module attachment structure for attaching, face-to-face, edges of two solar cell modules (2) that are disposed adjacent and spaced from each other on a top face (12) of an attachment base (11) disposed along the edges.

In the second solar cell module attachment structure of the present invention, each edge of the solar cell modules (2) is provided with a frame member (21) including: a holding portion (22) holding the solar cell panel (20); a wall portion (23) provided continuously with the holding portion (22); and a bottom portion (24) that is provided continuously with the wall portion (23) on a side opposite to the holding portion (22) and that is attached onto the top face (12).

In the second solar cell module attachment structure of the present invention, an upper fixing fitting (3a) and a lower fixing fitting (4) are used.

The upper fixing fitting (3a) is disposed so as to extend across a gap (7) formed between the frame members (21) of the two adjacent solar cell modules (2) in a direction in which the solar cell modules (2) are adjacent and presses from above the holding portions (22) of the frame members (21) of the two adjacent solar cell modules (2).

The lower fixing fitting (4) vertically sandwiches the top face (12) of the attachment base (11).

In the second solar cell module attachment structure of the present invention, the solar cell modules (2) are attached to the attachment base (11) in the manner described below using the upper fixing fitting (3a) and the lower fixing fitting (4).

Specifically, the two adjacent solar cell modules (2) are attached to the attachment base (11) by inserting a connecting member (8), such as a bolt, inserted into the upper fixing fitting (3a) from above into the lower fixing fitting (4) via the gap (7) formed between the frame members (21) of the two adjacent solar cell modules (2), the lower fixing fitting (4) and the top face (12) of the attachment base (11).

A third solar cell module attachment structure according to the present invention is a solar cell module attachment structure for attaching, face-to-face, edges of two solar cell modules (2) that are disposed adjacent and spaced from each other on a top face (12) of an attachment base (11) disposed along the edges.

In the third solar cell module attachment structure of the present invention, each edge of the solar cell modules (2) is provided with a frame member (21) including: a holding portion (22) that is formed of an upstanding holding wall (22a), and an upper holding piece (22b) and a lower holding piece (22c) respectively extending from an upper end and a lower end of the holding wall (22a) in the same lateral direction, and that has a quadrangular cross section having one side open so that an edge of a solar cell panel (20) is sandwiched inside the quadrangular shape having one side open; an upright wall portion (23) provided continuously below the holding portion (22); and a bottom portion (24) extending from a lower end of the wall portion (23) in the same direction as the upper holding piece (22b) and the lower holding piece (22c).

In the third solar cell module attachment structure of the present invention, an upper fixing fitting (3a) and a lower fixing fitting (4) are used.

The upper fixing fitting (3a) includes: a pressing plate (31) that is disposed so as to extend across a gap (7) formed between the frame members (21) provided at the facing edges of the two adjacent solar cell modules (2) in a direction in which the solar cell modules (2) are adjacent, such as the right-left direction, and that presses from above the upper holding pieces (22b) of the frame members (21) of the two adjacent solar cell modules (2); and protrusion pieces (32) that are formed at both front and rear edges of the pressing plate (31) so as to protrude downward and that are inserted into the gap (7) from above.

The lower fixing fitting (4) includes an upper plate (40) and a lower plate (50) that vertically sandwich the top face (12) of the attachment base (11), the upper plate (40) is sandwiched between the top face (12) of the attachment base (11) and the bottom portions (24) of the frame members (21) of the two adjacent solar cell modules (2), the upper plate (40) includes holding pieces (41) formed by bending both edges thereof upward, an inner face of one of the holding pieces (41) is abutted by a distal end face (24a) of the bottom portion (24) of the frame member (21) of one of the adjacent solar cell modules (2), and an inner face of the other holding piece (41) is abutted by a distal end face (24a) of the bottom portion (24) of the frame member (21) of the other of the adjacent solar cell modules (2).

In the third solar cell module attachment structure of the present invention, the solar cell modules (2) are attached to the attachment base (11) in the manner described below using the upper fixing fitting (3a) and the lower fixing fitting (4).

Specifically, the two adjacent solar cell modules (2) are attached to the attachment base (11) by inserting, for example, a bolt (8) as a connecting member inserted from above into a pressing plate hole (33) formed in the pressing plate (31) of the upper fixing fitting (3a) into a lower plate connecting hole (51) formed in the lower plate (50) of the lower fixing fitting (4) via the gap (7) formed between the frame members (21) of the two adjacent solar cell modules (2), an upper plate hole (42) formed in the upper plate (40) of the lower fixing fitting (4) and a top face hole (13) formed in the top face (12) of the attachment base (11).

The third solar cell module attachment structure of the present invention employs a structure in which the pressing plate (31) of the upper fixing fitting (3a) presses, from above, the upper holding pieces (22b) of the frame members21of two adjacent solar cell modules (2).

Accordingly, in a state in which the solar cell module (2) is attached to the attachment base (11), even if the wind blowing into the backside of the solar cell panel (20) tries to lift the solar cell panel (20) up from below, the pressing plate (31) of the upper fixing fitting (3a) prevents the edge of the solar cell panel20from being detached from the holding portion (22) of the frame member (21) holding the solar cell panel20.

With the third solar cell module attachment structure of the present invention, in the case of using a bolt, for example, it is possible to attach two adjacent solar cell modules (2) to the attachment base (11) with a simple operation of inserting and screwing a bolt (8) inserted from above in the pressing plate hole (33) formed in the pressing plate (31) of the upper fixing fitting (3a) into the lower plate connecting hole (51) of the lower plate (50) of the lower fixing fitting (4) via the gap (7) between the frame members (21), the upper plate hole (42) of the upper plate (40) of the lower fixing fitting (4) and the top face hole (13) of the top face (12) of the attachment base (11). Accordingly, the solar cell modules (2) can be easily attached to the attachment base (11), achieving reduction of the time required for the attachment work.

The third solar cell module attachment structure of the present invention can also be applied to solar cell modules (2a) as described above using frame members (21) including hook pieces (25). In this case, the structure is configured as follows.

Specifically, firstly, a frame member (21a) obtained by providing a hook piece (25) protruding outward from the wall portion (23), with a distal end thereof being bent upward and forming a protruding wall (26), to the wall portion (23) of the frame member (21) of the solar cell module (2) described above is used (the frame member (21a) is used in the solar cell module (2a)).

In such a solar cell module (2a), the pressing plate (31) of the upper fixing fitting (3a) is disposed so as to extend across a gap (7) formed between the protruding walls (26) of the hook pieces (25) of the two solar cell modules (2a) in the direction in which the solar cell modules (2a) are adjacent, instead of being disposed so as to extend across the gap (7) formed between the holding walls (22a) of the frame members (21a) provided at the facing edges of the two adjacent solar cell modules (2a) in the direction in which the solar cell modules (2) are adjacent.

Also, the pressing plate (31) of the upper fixing fitting (3a) presses from above upper end faces of the protruding walls (26) of the hook pieces (25), instead of pressing from above the upper holding pieces (22b) of the frame members (21a) of the two adjacent solar cell modules (2a).

Furthermore, the protrusion pieces (32) of the upper fixing fitting (3a) are inserted into the gap (7) formed between the protruding walls (26) of the hook pieces (25) instead of being inserted into the gap (7) formed between the holding walls (22a) of the frame members (21a) provided at the facing edges of the two adjacent solar cell modules (2a).

The solar cell module attachment structure has substantially the same basic structure as the third solar cell module attachment structure of the present invention described above. Accordingly, the solar cell module attachment structure also has the same actions and effects as those of the third solar cell module attachment structure described above.

The third solar cell module attachment structure of the present invention can also be applied to a case where one of two adjacent solar cell modules (2) in a state in which edges of the solar cell modules (2) can be attached, face-to-face, onto a top face (12) of an attachment base (11) is absent. In this case, the structure is configured as follows.

In other words, this is a case where one of two solar cell modules (2) disposed adjacent and spaced from each other in a state in which edges of the two adjacently disposed solar cell modules (2) can be attached, face-to-face, onto a top face (12) of an attachment base (11) disposed along the edges is absent.

In this case as well, as the solar cell module (2), the same solar cell module (2) as that used in the third solar cell module attachment structure of the present invention can be used.

In this structure, an upper fixing fitting (3b) and a lower fixing fitting (4) are used. As the lower fixing fitting (4), the same lower fixing fitting (4) as that used in the third solar cell module attachment structure of the present invention can be used.

The upper fixing fitting (3b) used in this structure includes a pressing plate (31) that presses from above the upper holding piece (22b) of the frame member (21) provided at the edge of the solar cell module (2); protrusion pieces (32) that are formed so as to be bent downward at edges of the pressing plate (31); an upstanding wall (34) extending downward at an edge of the pressing plate (31) in which the solar cell module (2) is not present; and a bottom portion (35) extending laterally from a lower end of the upstanding wall (34) in a direction opposite to the direction in which the pressing plate (31) is present, and is formed such that either of two side faces (32a) of the protrusion pieces (32) pressing the frame member (21) of the solar cell module (2) in a lateral direction.

In the solar cell module attachment structure described above, the solar cell module (2) is attached to the attachment base (11) in the manner described below using the upper fixing fitting (3b) and the lower fixing fitting (4) described above.

Specifically, the solar cell module (2) is attached to the attachment base (11) by inserting and fixing a bolt (8) inserted from above into a pressing plate hole (33) formed in the pressing plate (31) of the upper fixing fitting (3b) into a lower plate connecting hole (51) formed in the lower plate (50) of the lower fixing fitting (4) via a gap (7) formed between the frame member (21) of the solar cell module (2) and the upstanding wall (34) of the upper fixing fitting (3b), an upper plate hole (42) formed in the upper plate (40) of the lower fixing fitting (4) and a top face hole (13) formed in the top face (12) of the attachment base (11).

The solar cell module attachment structure has substantially the same basic structure as the third solar cell module attachment structure of the present invention described above. Accordingly, the solar cell module attachment structure also has the same actions and effects as those of the third solar cell module attachment structure described above.

In each of the solar cell module attachment structures described above, it is preferable that the top face hole (13) formed in the top face (12) of the attachment base (11) is a long hole that is long in the direction in which the solar cell modules (2) are adjacent. With this configuration, it is possible to easily perform fine adjustment in the process of attaching solar cell modules (2) to the attachment base (11).

Each of the solar cell module attachment structures described above is preferably configured as follows. Specifically, first, a positioning slit (14) for the lower fixing fitting (4) is formed in front of the top face hole (13) in the top face (12) of the attachment base (11).

Then, a downwardly bent positioning piece (43) is formed at a frontal edge of the upper plate (40) of the lower fixing fitting (4), and positioning in the lengthwise direction of the attachment base of the lower fixing fitting (4) is performed by inserting from above the positioning piece (43) into the positioning slit (14) in the top face (12) of the attachment base (11). With this configuration, the attachment work of the solar cell modules (2) to the attachment base (11) can be facilitated.

Also, each of the solar cell module attachment structures described above is preferably configured as follows. Specifically, the lower fixing fitting (4) is configured such that the upper plate (40) and the lower plate (50) of the lower fixing fitting (4) are joined via a joint portion (60) having, in the middle, an easily bendable waist portion (61). According to this configuration, the upper plate (40) and the lower plate (50) of the lower fixing fitting (4) are joined, and thereby they can be handled as a single component, and thus the attachment work of the solar cell modules (2) to the attachment base (11) can be facilitated.

The above solar cell module attachment structure using the lower fixing fitting (4) having the joint portion (60) is preferably configured as follows. Specifically, first, a rear edge of the upper plate (40) and a rear edge of the lower plate (50) of the lower fixing fitting (4) are joined by the joint portion (60), and a connecting portion connecting the upper plate (40) and the joint portion (60) is vertically bent. Also, an attachment aid hole (15) allowing insertion of the joint portion (60) and the lower plate (50) of the lower fixing fitting (4) is formed in the top face (12) of the attachment base (11).

Then, the joint portion (80) and the lower plate (50) of the lower fixing fitting (4) are inserted into the attachment aid hole (15) in the top face (12) of the attachment base (11), with a lower plate frontal edge (50a) inserted first, and thereafter the waist portion (61) of the joint portion (60) of the lower fixing fitting (4) is bent so as to bring the lower plate (50) into close contact with the upper plate (40), whereby the top face (12) of the attachment base (11) is vertically sandwiched between the upper plate (40) and the lower plate (50).

With this configuration, the attachment work of the solar cell modules (2) to the attachment base (11) can be facilitated.

The solar cell module attachment structure using the attachment base (11) having an attachment aid hole (15) in the top face (12) of the attachment base (11) is preferably configured as follows.

Specifically, the attachment aid hole (15) in the top face (12) of the attachment base (11) has a size that allows insertion of the joint portion (60) and the lower plate (50of the lower fixing fitting (4), with the right-left direction of the lower plate (50) of the lower fixing fitting (4) aligned parallel to the lengthwise direction of the top face (12) of the attachment base (11), and a width in a direction that intersects the lengthwise direction of the attachment aid hole (15) is wider than the width of the joint portion (60) of the lower fixing fitting (4).

Then, the joint portion (60) and the lower plate (50) of the lower fixing fitting (4) are inserted with a direction that intersects the lengthwise direction of the lower plate (50) of the lower fixing fitting (4) aligned parallel to the lengthwise direction of the top face (12) of the attachment base (11), after the insertion, the entire lower fixing fitting (4) is rotated at a right angle about the joint portion (60) as an axis of rotation, and the waist portion (61) of the joint portion (60) of the lower fixing fitting (4) is bent so as to bring the lower plate (50) into close contact with the upper plate (40).

With this configuration, the mounting work of the lower fixing fitting (4) onto the top face (12) of the attachment base (11) can be facilitated. Accordingly, the attachment work of the solar cell modules (2) to the attachment base (11) can be facilitated.

Also, the solar cell module attachment structure using the attachment base (11) having an attachment aid hole (15) in the top face (12) of the attachment base (11) is preferably configured as follows.

Specifically, first, a positioning slit (14) for the lower fixing fitting (4a) is formed in front of the top face hole (13) in the top face (12) of the attachment base (11).

A downwardly bent positioning piece (43) is formed at a frontal edge of the upper plate (40) of the lower fixing fitting (4a), positioning in the front-rear direction of the lower fixing fitting (4a) is performed by inserting from above the positioning piece (43) into the positioning slit (14) in the top face (12) of the attachment base (11) so that a distal end of the positioning piece (43) of the upper plate (40) of lower fixing fitting (4a) inserted into the positioning slit (14) in the top face (12) of the attachment base (11) protrudes downward from the positioning slit (14).

Also, a frontal edge piece (52) having a fitting slit (53) allowing fitting of the distal end, protruding downward from the positioning slit (14), of the positioning piece (43) of the upper plate (40) of the lower fixing fitting (4a) is formed at the lower plate frontal edge (50a) of the lower fixing fitting (4a).

Then, the waist portion (61) of the joint portion (60) of the lower fixing fitting (4a) is bent so as to bring the lower plate (50) into close contact with the upper plate (40) by fitting the distal end, protruding downward from the positioning slit (14), of the positioning piece (43) of the upper plate (40) of the lower fixing fitting (4a) into the fitting slit (53) of the lower plate frontal edge piece (52) of the lower fixing fitting (4).

With this configuration, the waist portion (61) of the joint portion (60) of the lower fixing fitting (4a) can be bent so as to bring the lower plate (50) into close contact with the upper plate (40) so that the lower plate (50) is positioned near the center immediately below the upper plate (40). Accordingly, the top face (12) of the attachment bar (11) of the stand (10) can be sandwiched by the lower plate (50) and upper plate (40) of the lower fixing fitting (4a) with accuracy and ease. Therefore, the attachment work of the solar cell modules (2) to the attachment base (11) can be facilitated.

A solar cell apparatus according to the present invention will be described next.

A first solar cell apparatus according to the present invention is a solar cell apparatus in which edges of adjacent solar cell modules (2) are attached pairwise onto an attachment base (11) including a top face (12) disposed along the edges.

The first solar cell apparatus of the present invention includes: a frame member (21) provided at each edge of the solar cell modules (2); an upper fixing fitting (3a) provided between the frame members (21) of the two adjacent solar cell modules (2); a lower fixing fitting (4) including an upper plate (40) that is held on the top face (12) of the attachment base (11), and a connecting member (8) that is inserted between the frame members (21) of the two adjacent solar cell modules (2) to connect the upper fixing fitting (3a) and the lower fixing fitting (4).

In the first solar cell apparatus of the present invention, the upper plate (40) includes holding pieces (41) formed by bending both edges thereof, an inner face of one of the holding pieces (41) is abutted by a part of the frame member (21) of one of the adjacent solar cell modules (2), and an inner face of the other holding piece (41) is abutted by a part of the frame member (21) of the other of the adjacent solar cell modules (2).

On the other hand, a second solar cell apparatus according to the present invention is also a solar cell apparatus in which edges of adjacent solar cell modules (2) are attached pairwise onto an attachment base (11) including a top face (12) disposed along the edges, similar to the first solar cell apparatus of the present invention.

The second solar cell apparatus of the present invention includes: a frame member (21) provided at each edge of the solar cell modules (2) and including a holding portion (22) holding an edge of a solar cell panel (20), an upright wall portion (23) provided continuously below the holding portion (22), and a bottom portion (24) provided at a lower end of the wall portion (23); an upper fixing fitting (3a) provided between the frame members (21) of the two adjacent solar cell modules (2); a lower fixing fitting (4) including an upper plate (40) and a lower plate (50) that vertically sandwich the top face (12) of the attachment base (11); and a connecting member (8) that connects the upper fixing fitting (3a) and the lower fixing fitting (4) via a gap (7) formed between the frame members (21) of the two adjacent solar cell modules (2).

In the second solar cell apparatus of the present invention, the upper plate (40) includes holding pieces (41) formed by bending both edges thereof, an inner face of one of the holding pieces (41) is abutted by a part of the frame member (21) of one of the adjacent solar cell modules (2), and an inner face of the other holding piece (41) is abutted by a part of the frame member (21) of the other of the adjacent solar cell modules (2).

Effects of the Invention

With the first solar cell module attachment structure of the present invention, the lower fixing fitting (4) fixes the bottom portion (24) of the frame member (21) on the top face (12) of the attachment base (11), and the edges of the two solar cell modules (2) are positioned relative to each other, and thus the resistance to up-blowing wind load can be enhanced. In some cases, the upper fixing fitting (3a) may be omitted, thereby achieving simplified attachment work and low cost.

On the other hand, the second and third solar cell module attachment structures of the present invention employ a structure in which the pressing plate (31) of the upper fixing fitting (3a) presses, from above, the upper holding pieces (22b) of the frame members21of two adjacent solar cell modules (2).

Accordingly, in a state in which the solar cell module (2) is attached to the attachment base (11), even if the wind blowing into the backside of the solar cell panel (20) tries to lift the solar cell panel (20) up from below, the pressing plate (31) of the upper fixing fitting (3a) prevents the edge of the solar cell panel20from being detached from the holding portion (22) of the frame member (21) holding the solar cell panel20.

Also, with the solar cell module attachment structure described above, it is possible to attach two adjacent solar cell modules (2) to the attachment base (11) with a simple operation of inserting and fixing a bolt (8) inserted from above in the pressing plate hole (33) formed in the pressing plate (31) of the upper fixing fitting (3a) into the lower plate connecting hole (51) formed in the lower plate (50) of the lower fixing fitting (4) via the gap (7) between the frame members (21), the upper plate hole (42) formed in the upper plate (40) of the lower fixing fitting (4), and the top face hole (13) formed in the top face (12) of the attachment base (11). Accordingly, the solar cell modules (2) can be easily attached to the attachment base (11), achieving reduction of the time required for the attachment work.

MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

General Description of Solar Cell Module Attachment Structure

A solar cell module attachment structure according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described next with reference to the drawings.FIG. 1is an exterior view of a solar cell apparatus1to which the solar cell module attachment structure according to the present embodiment is applied, andFIG. 2is a side view of the solar cell apparatus1.

InFIGS. 1 and 2, four solar cell modules2are attached onto three stands10, thus constituting the solar cell apparatus1. Each solar cell module2is constituted by a solar cell panel20and frame members21for holding the solar cell panel20.

Each stand10is constituted by an attachment bar11(corresponding to the attachment base mentioned above) and a vertical bar16, and is formed such that, as shown inFIG. 2, the attachment bar11is supported by the vertical bar16. Specifically, one stand10is formed by fixing, to the upper one-quarter in the lengthwise direction of an obliquely disposed attachment bar11, the distal end of the vertical bar16that is disposed at an incline in a direction opposite to the inclination of the attachment bar11.

As described above, in the solar cell apparatus1, four solar cell modules2are attached at positions corresponding to the left edge, the right edge and the center of the solar cell apparatus1, using three stands10disposed parallel to each other.

In other words, two solar cell modules2are arranged one directly above the other between an attachment bar11of a stand10disposed at the left edge and an attachment bar11of a stand10disposed at the center and between the attachment bar11of the stand10disposed at the center and an attachment bar11of a stand10disposed at the right edge so as to bridge the bars, and the edges of each solar cell module2are placed and attached onto top faces12of the attachment bars11of the stands10.

In two of the three stands10, namely, the attachment bar11of the stand10disposed at the left edge and the attachment bar11of the stand10disposed at the right edge, an edge of only one solar cell module2is mounted and attached, in the right-left direction, onto the top face12of the attachment bar11, whereas in the stand10disposed at the center, the edges of two solar cell modules2are placed and attached, in the right-left direction, on the top face12of the attachment bar11.

The solar cell module attachment structure according to the present embodiment is characterized by the configuration described above in which an edge of a solar cell module2placed on the top face12of the attachment bar11of a stand10is attached to the attachment bar of the stand10.

Next, in the solar cell apparatus1, the configuration in which an edge of a solar cell module2placed on the top face12of the attachment bar11of a stand10is attached to the attachment bar11of the stand10will be described.

In the following description, it is assumed that the solar cell panels20of the solar cell modules2of the solar cell apparatus1are disposed horizontally. Herein, the lengthwise direction of the attachment bar11of the stand10is referred to as the “front-rear direction”. The direction in which the three stands10are disposed parallel to each other is referred to as the “right-left direction”. The direction toward which the surface of the solar cell module2is facing is referred to as “upward”, and the direction toward which the underside of the solar cell module2is facing is referred to as “downward”.

As described above, the solar cell apparatus1has an attachment structure in which the edges of two solar cell modules2are placed and attached in the right-left direction, and there are two types of attachment structures.

One is the attachment structure for the attachment bar11of the stand10disposed at the center of the solar cell apparatus1, in which the edges of two solar cell modules2are placed and attached onto the attachment bar11of the stand10in the right-left direction. The other is the attachment structure for the attachment bar11of the stand10disposed at the left or right edge of the solar cell apparatus1, in which an edge of one solar cell module2is placed and attached onto the attachment bar11of the stand10in the right-left direction. The former will be hereinafter referred to as the center attachment structure, and the latter will be referred to as the side attachment structure. The center attachment structure will be described first, and thereafter the side attachment structure will be described.

Description of Center Attachment Structure

The center attachment structure will be described first. The center attachment structure is a solar cell module attachment structure with which the edges of two solar cell modules2that are disposed adjacent in the right-left direction and spaced from each other are attached, face-to-face, onto the top face12of an attachment bar11that is long, for example, in the front-rear direction and disposed along the edges.

FIG. 3is a cross-sectional view showing a configuration of an edge of a solar cell module2used in the center attachment structure. As shown inFIG. 3, the solar cell module2used in the center attachment structure is constituted by a solar cell panel20and a frame member21for holding the solar cell panel20. The configuration of the solar cell module2is also applied to solar cell modules2used in the side attachment structure, which will be described later.

InFIG. 3, the frame member21is constituted by a holding portion22, a wall portion23provided continuously and upright below the holding portion22and a bottom portion (bottom piece)24extending from the lower end of the wall portion23in the same direction as an upper holding piece22band a lower holding piece22c.

The holding portion22is formed by an upright holding wall22a, and the upper holding piece22band the lower holding piece22cthat extend from the upper end and the lower end of the holding wall22ain the same lateral direction, and has a quadrangular cross section having one side open. An edge of the solar cell panel20is sandwiched in the quadrangular shape having one side open.

FIG. 4(a) is a perspective view of a state in which the edges of two solar cell modules2arranged in the right-left direction are placed and attached onto the attachment bar11of the centrally disposed stand10in the solar cell apparatus1as viewed from the solar cell module2side.FIG. 4(b) is a perspective view of the same as viewed from the underside of the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10.FIG. 5is a cross-sectional view of the same.

InFIGS. 4(a),4(b) and5, in the attachment bar11of the centrally disposed stand10in the solar cell apparatus1, two adjacent solar cell modules2are attached onto the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10by using an upper fixing fitting3a, a lower fixing fitting4and a bolt as a connecting member8. Next, the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10, the upper fixing fitting3aand the lower fixing fitting4will be described.

The top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10will be described first. The top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10is provided with a top face hole13, an attachment aid hole15for attachment of the lower fixing fitting (4), and a positioning slit14.FIG. 6is a perspective view showing an exterior of the attachment bar11having the top face12.

The attachment aid hole15is T-shaped, and an I-shaped portion at the center of the T shape is sized as follows. Specifically, the I-shaped portion is sized to allow insertion of a joint portion (60) and a lower plate (50) of the lower fixing fitting (4), which will be described later, with the right-left direction of the lower plate (50) aligned parallel to the lengthwise direction of the top face (12) of the attachment base (11). The I-shaped portion at the center of the T shape has a width in the right-left direction slightly wider than the width of the joint portion (60) of the lower fixing fitting (4), which will be described later.

A narrow portion at the top that is perpendicular to the I-shaped portion at the center of the T-shaped attachment aid hole15and that is long in the right-left direction is formed to allow fine adjustment when the lower fixing fitting (4) is attached to the top face12of the attachment bar11, which will be described later.

The top face hole13is a hole for insertion of the bolt8. The top face hole13is a long hole that is long in the right-left direction, and is formed to allow fine adjustment when the bolt8is inserted. The positioning slit14has a shape that is long in the right-left direction. A positioning piece43formed at a frontal edge of the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4by being bent downward, which will be described later, is inserted into the positioning slit14. The positioning slit14is formed longer than the positioning piece43to also allow fine adjustment when the positioning piece43is inserted.

As the connecting member8, other than a bolt, a connecting pin may be used. To fix the lower portion, other than a nut, a tapping plate, a speed nut or the like may be used.

Next, the upper fixing fitting3awill be described.FIG. 7is a perspective view showing an exterior of the upper fixing fitting3a. The upper fixing fitting3ais formed to include protrusion pieces32formed so as to protrude downward at the front and rear edges of a flat pressing plate31and a pressing plate hole33vertically penetrating the pressing plate31at the center thereof.

The pressing plate31is used to press, from above, the frame members21provided at the edges of two solar cell modules2that are disposed adjacent and spaced from each other on the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10. The pressing plate hole33is a hole for insertion of the bolt8.

The protrusion pieces32of the upper fixing fitting3aare inserted into a gap7formed between the frame members21provided at the facing edges of the two solar cell modules2disposed adjacent and spaced from each other.

Next, the lower fixing fitting4will be described.FIG. 8is a perspective view showing an exterior of the lower fixing fitting4. The lower fixing fitting4is constituted by the upper plate40, the lower plate50and the joint portion60that joins the upper plate40and the lower plate50. More specifically, a rear edge40aof the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4and a rear edge (lower plate rear wall)50bof the lower plate50are joined by the joint portion60, and a connecting portion connecting the upper plate40and the joint portion60is vertically bent.

The joint portion60is provided with, in the middle thereof, a waist portion61capable of being easily bent. The lower fixing fitting4is used by being mounted on the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10when solar cell modules2are attached to the attachment bar11of the stand10.

Between the lower plate50and the joint portion60of the lower fixing fitting4is formed the lower plate rear wall50bbent vertically at the rear edge of the lower plate50and a lower plate frontal wall50abent vertically at the frontal edge of the lower plate50of the lower fixing fitting4.

Also, holding pieces41bent upward are formed at the right and left edges of the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4. The upwardly bent holding pieces41are used in a state in which the lower fixing fitting4is mounted on the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10.

Specifically, in the state in which the lower fixing fitting4is mounted on the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10, the inner face of the left side holding piece41of the holding pieces41formed at the right and left edges of the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4is abutted by a distal end face24aof the bottom portion24of the frame member21of the left side solar cell module2of two solar cell modules2disposed adjacent and spaced from each other on the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10. Likewise, the inner face of the right side holding piece41is abutted by the distal end face24aof the bottom portion24of the frame member21of the adjacent right side solar cell module2. The holding pieces41may be formed in an L shape by being bent upward, or in a U shape by being bent upward and folded back. In the case of the holding pieces41formed into a U shape, each holding piece41preferably surrounds and fits a part of the bottom portion24. By inserting the bottom portion24into the U-shaped holding pieces, the bottom portion24itself can be fixed against vertical displacement, obtaining a structure more resistant to wind loads and the like. The structure for causing the holding pieces41and the bottom portion24to abut each other may be a structure in which, for example, catch grooves as recess portions are provided in a part of the bottom of the bottom portion24, and the holding pieces41are latched to the recess portions.

At the frontal edge of the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4, the downwardly bent positioning piece43is formed. Furthermore, a vertically penetrating upper plate hole42is formed at the center of the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4, and the lower plate50of the lower fixing fitting4is provided with a lower plate connecting hole51. The upper plate hole42formed in the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4is a hole for insertion of the bolt8, and the lower plate connecting hole51formed in the lower plate50of the lower fixing fitting4is, for example, a screw hole for insertion of the bolt8as a connecting member.

Next, an attachment structure assembling method in the attachment bar11of the stand10disposed at the center of the solar cell apparatus1employing the center attachment structure will be described. As the assembling method in the center attachment structure, firstly, the lower fixing fitting4is mounted onto the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10.

FIGS. 9 to 12show a process of attaching the lower fixing fitting4to the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10. It should be noted that, inFIGS. 9 to 12, the lower fixing fitting4is shown being rotated by 180° about the joint portion60serving as the axis of rotation from that ofFIG. 8.

InFIGS. 9 to 12, firstly, the lower fixing fitting4is oriented such that the right-left direction of the lower plate50of the lower fixing fitting4is parallel to the lengthwise direction of the top face12of the attachment base11(FIG. 9). Then, the lower plate50and the joint portion60of the lower fixing fitting4are inserted into the attachment aid hole15formed in the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10by inserting the lower plate frontal edge50afirst (FIG. 10).

After completing insertion of the lower plate50and the joint portion60, the entire lower fixing fitting4is rotated at a right angle about the joint portion60serving as the axis of rotation (FIG. 11). Then, the positioning piece43of the lower fixing fitting4is inserted into the positioning slit14formed in the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10to position the lower fixing fitting4in the front-rear direction.

Then, the waist portion61of the joint portion60of the lower fixing fitting4is bent so as to bring the lower plate50into close contact with the upper plate40, whereby the top face12of the attachment bar11is vertically sandwiched by the upper plate40and the lower plate50(FIG. 12).

FIGS. 13 to 16show a state in which the lower fixing fitting4has been mounted on the top face12. Specifically,FIG. 13is a plan view showing a state in which the lower fixing fitting4has been mounted on the top face12.FIG. 14is a front view of the same,FIG. 15is a side view of the same, andFIG. 16is a perspective view of the same.FIG. 17is a perspective view showing the state in which the lower fixing fitting4has been mounted on the face12, showing only the shape of the lower fixing fitting4.

When mounting of the lower fixing fitting4onto the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10is completed, two solar cell modules2are installed next such that the edges of the frame members21of the two solar cell modules2are adjacent and spaced apart from each other on the lower fixing fitting4mounted on the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10.

In this state, as shown inFIGS. 4(a),4(b) and5, the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4is sandwiched between the top face12of the attachment bar11and the bottom portions24of the frame members21of the two adjacent solar cell modules2. The inner face of the left side holding piece41, of the holding pieces41formed at the right and left edges of the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4, is abutted by the distal end face24aof the bottom portion24of the frame member21of the left side solar cell module2of the two solar cell modules2disposed adjacent and spaced from each other on the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10. Likewise, the inner face of the right side holding piece41is abutted by the distal end face24aof the bottom portion24of the frame member21of the right side solar cell module2of the adjacent solar cell modules2.

When installation of the two solar cell modules2is completed, the upper fixing fitting3ais installed next on the edges of the frame members21of the two solar cell modules2. Specifically, inFIGS. 4(a) and5, the pressing plate31of the upper fixing fitting3ais disposed so as to extend in the right-left direction across the gap7formed between the frame members21provided at the edges of the two adjacent solar cell modules2.

Then, the protrusion pieces32of the upper fixing fitting3aare inserted from above into the gap7formed between the frame members21provided at the facing edges of the two adjacent solar cell modules2. The edges of the two solar cell modules2are pressed from above by the pressing plate31of the upper fixing fitting3aand fixed with the bolt8.

Specifically, as shown inFIGS. 4(a),4(b) and5, the bolt8inserted from above into the pressing plate hole33formed in the pressing plate31of the upper fixing fitting3ais inserted and fixed into the lower plate connecting hole51formed in the lower plate50of the lower fixing fitting4via the gap7formed between the frame members21of the two adjacent solar cell modules2, the upper plate hole42formed in the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4and the top face hole13formed in the top face12of the attachment base11, whereby the two adjacent solar cell modules2are attached to the attachment base11.

By fastening the upper fixing fitting3aand the lower fixing fitting4with the bolt8as described above, the edges of the two solar cell modules2sandwiched by the upper fixing fitting3aand the lower fixing fitting4are fixed to the attachment bar11of the stand10on which the lower fixing fitting4is mounted.

The center attachment structure described above employs a configuration in which the pressing plate31of the upper fixing fitting3apresses, from above, the upper holding pieces22bof the frame members21of two adjacent solar cell modules2.

Accordingly, in a state in which the solar cell modules2are attached to the attachment base11, even if the wind blowing into the backside of the solar cell panels20tries to lift the solar cell panels20up from below, the pressing plate31of the upper fixing fitting3acan prevent the edges of the solar cell panels20from being detached from the holding portions22of the frame members21holding the solar cell panels20.

Also, with the solar cell module attachment structure described above, it is possible to attach two adjacent solar cell modules2to the attachment base11with a simple operation of inserting and fixing a bolt8inserted from above in the pressing plate hole33formed in the pressing plate31of the upper fixing fitting3ainto the lower plate connecting hole51formed in the lower plate50of the lower fixing fitting4via the gap7between the frame members21, the upper plate hole41formed in the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4, and the top face hole13formed in the top face12of the attachment base11. Accordingly, the solar cell modules2can be easily attached to the attachment base11, achieving reduction of the time required for the attachment work.

In the solar cell module attachment structure described above, instead of the lower fixing fitting4, a lower fixing fitting4aobtained by forming a frontal edge piece52having a fitting slit53provided therein at the frontal edge of the lower plate50of the lower fixing fitting4may be used.FIG. 18is a perspective view showing an exterior of the lower fixing fitting4a.

The fitting slit53formed in the frontal edge piece52of the lower fixing fitting4ais a slit for allowing fitting of the distal end of the positioning piece43that is inserted in the positioning slit14of the top face12of the attachment base11and that extends downward from the positioning slit14.

Specifically, in the solar cell module attachment structure using the lower fixing fitting4adescribed above, the waist portion61of the joint portion60of the lower fixing fitting4ais bent such that the distal end of the positioning piece43of the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4aextending downward from the positioning slit14formed in the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10is fitted to the fitting slit53formed in the lower plate frontal edge piece52of the lower fixing fitting4a.FIG. 19is a perspective view showing the lower fixing fitting4ain the state in which the lower fixing fitting4ais mounted on the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10.

With this configuration, the waist portion61of the joint portion60of the lower fixing fitting4acan be bent so as to bring the lower plate50into close contact with the upper plate40such that the lower plate50is positioned directly below the upper plate40and near the center of the upper plate40. Accordingly, the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10can be sandwiched by the lower plate50and the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4awith accuracy and ease.

Description of Side Attachment Structure

The side attachment structure will be described next. The side attachment structure is a solar cell module attachment structure used when one of two solar cell modules2disposed adjacent in the right-left direction is absent in a state in which the edges of the two solar cell modules2disposed adjacent in the right-left direction and spaced from each other can be attached, face-to-face, onto the top face12of an attachment bar11that is long in the front-rear direction and that is disposed along the edges.

FIG. 20is a perspective view showing an exterior of an upper fixing fitting3bused in this side attachment structure. In other words, the side attachment structure uses the upper fixing fitting3b, instead of the upper fixing fitting3aand the left side solar cell module2inFIG. 5showing the center attachment structure described above.FIG. 21is a cross-sectional view showing the side attachment structure.

The side attachment structure uses the upper fixing fitting3bmentioned above and a lower fixing fitting4. As the lower fixing fitting4, the same lower fixing fitting4used in the center attachment structure described above can be used.

The upper fixing fitting3bused in the side attachment structure is constituted by, as shown inFIG. 20, a pressing plate31that presses the upper holding piece22bof the frame member21of the edge of the solar cell module2, protrusion pieces32formed by being bent downward at the front and rear edges of the pressing plate31, an upstanding wall34extending downward at one of the right and left edges of the pressing plate31in which the solar cell module2is not present, and a bottom portion (bottom piece)35extending laterally from the lower end of the upstanding wall34in a direction opposite to the direction in which the pressing plate31is present.

The upper fixing fitting3bis formed such that either a right or left side face32a(the right side face inFIG. 21) of the protrusion piece32presses the frame member21of the solar cell module2in a lateral direction.

With the side attachment structure, a solar cell module2is attached to an attachment bar11in the following manner using the upper fixing fitting3band the lower fixing fitting4. Specifically, the solar cell module2is attached to the attachment bar11by inserting and fixing a bolt8inserted from above into the pressing plate hole33formed in the pressing plate31of the upper fixing fitting3binto the lower plate connecting hole51formed in the lower plate50of the lower fixing fitting4via a gap7formed between the frame member21of the solar cell module2and the upstanding wall34of the upper fixing fitting3b, the upper plate hole42formed in the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4and the top face hole13formed in the top face12of the attachment bar11.

The side attachment structure has substantially the same basic structure as the center attachment structure described above. Accordingly, the side attachment structure also has the same actions and effects as those of the center attachment structure described above.

Description of Solar Cell Module Attachment Structure in the Case where Frame Member Provided with Hook Piece is Used

In the above description, solar cell modules2configured as shown inFIG. 3are used in the solar cell apparatus1. However, it is also possible to obtain a solar cell apparatus as described above by using solar cell modules2ausing a frame member21provided with a hook piece25protruding outward from the wall portion23of the frame member, with the distal end thereof being bent upward and forming a protruding wall26as shown inFIG. 22, as a frame member for a solar cell module. A solar cell module center attachment structure in this case will be described next.

In the solar cell module center attachment structure in the case where a frame member provided with a hook piece25is used, as described above, the wall portion23of the frame member21aof a solar cell module2ais provided with a hook piece25protruding outward from the wall portion23, with the distal end thereof being bent upward and forming a protruding wall26.

As shown inFIG. 23, the pressing plate31of the upper fixing fitting3ais disposed so as to extend in the right-left direction across a gap7formed between the protruding walls26of the hook pieces25of two solar cell modules2a, rather than extending in the right-left direction across the gap7formed between the holding walls22aof the frame members21provided at the facing edges of two adjacent solar cell modules2in the center attachment structure described above.

Also, the pressing plate31of the upper fixing fitting3apresses, from above, the upper end faces of the protruding walls26of the hook pieces25of the solar cell modules2a, rather than pressing from above the upper holding pieces22bof the frame members21aof the two adjacent solar cell modules2ain the center attachment structure.

Then, the protrusion pieces32of the upper fixing fitting3aare inserted into the gap7formed between the protruding walls26of the hook pieces25of the solar cell module2a, rather than being inserted in the gap7formed between the holding walls22aof the frame members21aprovided at the facing edges of two adjacent solar cell modules2ain the center attachment structure described above.

The solar cell module attachment structure in the case where a frame member provided with a hook piece is used has substantially the same structure as the center attachment structure described above. Accordingly, the solar cell module center attachment structure in the case where a frame member provided with a hook piece is used also has the same actions and effects as the center attachment structure described above.

The solar cell module center attachment structure in the case where a frame member provided with a hook piece is used has been described above, but a solar cell module side attachment structure in the case where a frame member provided with a hook piece can be achieved in the same manner as the side attachment structure described above.

Description of Solar Cell Module Attachment Structure in the Case where Lower Fixing Fitting Having Bent U-Shaped Holding Pieces is Used

In the above description, the lower fixing fitting4configured as shown inFIG. 8orFIG. 18is used in the solar cell apparatus1. However, it is also possible to obtain a solar cell apparatus as described above by using a lower fixing fitting having bent U-shaped holding pieces41, which is shown as a lower fixing fitting4binFIG. 24.

In a solar cell module center attachment structure in the case where a lower fixing fitting4bhaving bent U-shaped holding pieces41is used, as shown in the perspective view ofFIG. 25(a) and the partial cross-sectional view ofFIG. 25(b), each U-shaped holding piece41surrounds and fits a part of the distal end face24aof the bottom portion24.

Specifically, by inserting the distal end face24aof the bottom portion24into the U-shaped holding piece41, the bottom portion24itself can be fixed against vertical displacement, obtaining a structure more resistant to wind loads and the like.

When the lower fixing fitting4bis configured such that the distance between the frame members21indicated by L inFIG. 25(b) and the lengths of the folded edges of the holding pieces41indicated by L1and L2in the same diagram satisfy the relationship: L≧L1+L2, the frame members21can be more easily attached to the lower fixing fitting4b.

The solar cell module attachment structure in the case where a lower fixing fitting having bent U-shaped holding pieces is used has substantially the same basic structure as the center attachment structure described above. Accordingly, the solar cell module attachment structure in the case where a lower fixing fitting having bent U-shaped holding pieces is used also has the same actions and effects as the center attachment structure described above.

Description of Solar Cell Module Attachment Structure in the Case Where Lower Fixing Fitting Having L-Shaped Holding Pieces is Used

In the above description, as the frame member21in the solar cell apparatus1, the frame member constituted by a holding portion22, a wall portion23provided continuously and upright below the holding portion22and a bottom portion (bottom piece)24extending from the lower end of the wall portion23in the same direction as an upper holding piece22band a lower holding piece22cis used. In other words, the bottom portion24is a bottom piece provided with a horizontally extending fin.

However, as shown in the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 26, it is also possible to obtain a solar cell apparatus1as described above by using a solar cell module2bin which the bottom portion24is not provided with such a fin.

In a solar cell module center attachment structure in the case where the bottom portion24is provided with no fin, a lower fixing fitting4chaving upstanding L-shaped holding pieces41formed by bending the right and left edges of the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4as shown inFIG. 27is used.

Specifically, a solar cell module2is positioned by, as shown in the cross-sectional view ofFIG. 28, causing the upstanding holding piece41of the lower fixing fitting4cto abut the side face of the bottom portion24.

Thereby, even when a structure in which the bottom portion24is provided with no fin portion is used (for example, a hollow structure without a fin) as a frame member of a solar cell module, a solar cell apparatus as described above can be obtained.

The solar cell module attachment structure in the case where a lower fixing fitting having L-shaped holding pieces is used has substantially the same structure as the center attachment structure described above. Accordingly, the solar cell module attachment structure in the case where a lower fixing fitting having L-shaped holding pieces is used also has the same actions and effects as the center attachment structure described above.

Description of Solar Cell Module Attachment Structure in the Case of Using Only Lower Fixing Fitting

A solar cell module attachment structure in the case of using only a lower fixing fitting will be described next.FIG. 29(a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the edges of two solar cell modules2care mounted and attached, in the right-left direction, to the attachment bar11of the centrally disposed stand10in the solar cell apparatus1, as viewed from the solar cell module2side.FIG. 29(b) is a perspective view of the same as viewed from the underside of the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10.FIG. 30is a partial cross-sectional view of the same.

This center attachment structure is a solar cell module attachment structure with which the edges of two solar cell modules2cdisposed adjacent in the right-left direction (with almost no gap) are attached, face-to-face, onto the top face12of an attachment bar11that is long, for example, in the front-rear direction and that is disposed along the edges.

In this attachment structure, only a lower fixing fitting4dis used. Hereinafter, the lower fixing fitting4dwill be described.

FIG. 31(a) is a perspective view showing an exterior of an upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4d, andFIG. 31(b) is a perspective view showing an exterior of a lower plate50of the lower fixing fitting4d. The lower fixing fitting4dis used by being mounted to the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10when the solar cell module2cis attached to the attachment bar11of the stand10.

The upper plate40includes a fin piece45that is bent vertically at the lower end of the upper plate40and a holding piece41that is bent in the same direction as the fin piece45at the upper end of the upper plate40and folded back to form a U shape. Such an upper plate40having the same shape is used pairwise.

On the other hand, the lower plate50includes two edge pieces55that are bent vertically downward and has a quadrangular shape having one side open as viewed in cross section. Upwardly bent positioning pieces54are provided at the side edges of the top face.

Furthermore, an upper plate hole42is formed at the center of the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4d. On the other hand, lower plate connecting holes51are formed in the bent edge pieces55of the lower plate50of the lower fixing fitting4d. The upper plate hole42in the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4dis a hole for insertion of a bolt8, and each lower plate connecting hole51of the lower plate50of the lower fixing fitting4dis, for example, a screw hole for insertion of a bolt8as a connecting member.

An attachment structure assembling method in the attachment bar11of the stand10disposed at the center of the solar cell apparatus1employing the center attachment structure will be described. As the assembling method in the center attachment structure, firstly, two solar cell modules2care installed on the top face12of the attachment bar11of the stand10such that the edges of the frame members21are adjacent.

Next, positioning of the lower plate50in the front reardirection is performed by inserting the lower plate50of the lower fixing fitting4dinto the attachment bar11(the inside of the top face12), and inserting the positioning pieces53into the positioning slits14formed in the top face12. A recess is provided in the attachment bar11along the length direction thereof, so that the positioning pieces53do not come into contact with the bottoms of the solar cell modules2c.

Then, two upper plates40of the lower fixing fitting4dare brought into close contact with both side faces of the attachment bar11such that each U-shaped holding piece41surrounds and fits the distal end24aof the bottom portion of the frame member21.

Finally, a bolt8is inserted into the pressing plate hole33of each upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4d, and inserted and fixed into the lower plate connecting hole51formed in the lower plate50of the lower fixing fitting4via the hole13formed in the side face of the attachment bar11, whereby the two adjacent solar cell modules2care attached to the attachment base11.

In this attachment structure, the lower fixing fitting fixes the bottom portions of the frame members on the top face of the attachment base, and positions the edges of the two solar cell modules relative to each other, and thus the resistance to up-blowing wind load can be enhanced. It is also possible to omit the upper fixing fitting, thereby achieving simplified attachment work and cost reduction. Furthermore, the attachment work can be performed from the underside and lateral sides of the attachment bar, and thus the efficiency of attachment work can be increased. There is also another advantage that the attachment work can be carried out easily even at a fixing position where the rear ends of the modules are higher.

Particularly, because there is no gap between the adjacent solar cell modules, and thus other advantages can be obtained such as a good exterior appearance and reduced array size.

The solar cell module attachment structure that uses only the lower fixing fitting has substantially the same structure as the center attachment structure described above. Accordingly, the solar cell module attachment structure that uses only the lower fixing fitting also has the same actions and effects as the center attachment structure described above.

In the solar cell apparatus1employing the solar cell module attachment structure according to the embodiment described above, as shown inFIG. 1, four solar cell modules2are attached using three stands10that are disposed parallel to each other at positions corresponding to the left edge, the right edge and the center of the solar cell apparatus1.

However, the configuration of the solar cell apparatus1employing the solar cell module attachment structure according to the present embodiment is not limited thereto, and the number of attachable solar cell modules2can be increased, for example, inFIG. 1, by increasing the number of stands10disposed parallel to each other or by using stands10having longer attachment bars11.

The modes for carrying out the invention have been described above by way of examples, but the stand10may have an attachment bar11that is disposed directly on an inclined roof instead of the attachment bar11disposed at an incline, and the attachment bar11may be installed in the horizontal plane such as a flat roof without an incline. Also, the lengthwise direction of the attachment bar11may not necessarily be the direction of inclination, and the attachment bar11may be installed, for example, perpendicular to the inclination direction of the inclined roof.

Also, the examples in which the holding pieces41formed at both edges of the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4are formed along the lengthwise direction of the attachment bar11have been described, but the holding pieces41may be formed along a direction that intersects the lengthwise direction of the attachment bar11. In other words, in this case, as shown inFIG. 34(FIG. 35in the case of the side attachment structure), the lower fixing fitting4may be disposed such that the gap7formed between the frame members21of adjacent solar cell modules and the attachment bar11intersect with each other.

In one of the examples described above, the attachment bar11and the lower fixing fitting4are attached such that the top face12of the attachment bar11and the lower face of the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4come into contact with each other, but as shown inFIG. 32, the lower fixing fitting4may be configured to have side plate portions44extending downward from the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4so that the side plate portions44can surround the attachment bar11, and the lower fixing fitting4may be fitted and fixed to the attachment bar11.

In this case, the lower fixing fitting4is fitted and fixed such that the outer side of side face portions17extending downward from the top face12of the attachment bar11and the inner side of the side plate portions44extending downward from the upper plate40come into contact with each other. Also, in this case, it is preferable to provide a bent fin piece45at the distal end of each side plate portion44for reinforcement against torsion.

Also, the examples in which the upper plate40and the lower plate50of the lower fixing fitting (4) are integrated have been described, but the upper plate40and the lower plate50may be implemented as separate parts. Also, the examples in which the positioning piece43is provided in the upper plate40have been described, but the positioning piece for positioning of the attachment bar11in the lengthwise direction may be provided in the lower plate50.

Also, in the case where the attachment bar11is fitted to the side plate portions44of the lower fixing fitting4and the direction that intersects the lengthwise direction of the attachment bar11is fixed as shown inFIG. 34, it is effective to provide protrusion pieces54in the lower plate50as shown inFIG. 33and insert them into attachment aid holes15formed in the vertical bar, because positioning of the lower plate50in the lengthwise direction can be carried out easily.

Furthermore, it is also effective to cause flange-like positioning pieces43protruding downward from the upper plate40to abut the protrusion pieces54of the lower plate50because the upper plate40is thereby locked by the protrusion pieces54of the lower plate50, and positioning of the upper plate40can be carried out easily.

In the case of providing the protrusion pieces54in the plate50, it is preferable that the height of protrusion of the protrusion pieces54from the attachment bar11is equal to the height of protrusion of the positioning pieces43, protruding downward from the upper plate40, from the lower face of the upper plate40, whereby a predetermined space can be maintained easily between the top face12of the attachment bar11and the upper plate40of the lower fixing fitting4.

Alternatively, it is also possible to employ a configuration in which fin pieces18corresponding to the fin pieces45are provided in the attachment bar11, and the fin pieces45at the distal ends of the side plate portions44are caused to abut the fin pieces18. In this case, by making the height of the side plate portions44greater than that of the side face portions17, positioning in the height direction can be carried out easily.

It is also possible to form an upwardly bent fin piece19at the distal end of each fin piece18such that the in piece18and the fin piece19together form an L shape. In this case, by forming such an L shape, the overall strength of the attachment bar11can be increased, and the fin pieces19prevent the side plate portions44from opening in such a direction that a gap is created between the side plate portion44and the side face portion17of the attachment bar11, whereby the integration of the attachment bar11and the upper plate40can be increased, and solar cell modules2can be reliably attached.

Similarly, as shown inFIG. 33, lower plate side walls50cmay be formed in the lower plate50, and the outer side faces of the lower plate side walls50cmay be caused to abut the inner faces of the side face portions17of the attachment bar11. In this case, the integration of the attachment bar11and the lower plate50can be increased, and solar cell modules2can be reliably attached.

It is also possible to employ a configuration in which the outer side faces of the lower plate side walls50care caused to abut the inner faces of the side face portions17of the attachment bar11, and the inner faces of the side plate portions44are caused to abut the outer faces of the side face portions17, whereby the integration between the attachment bar11and the lower fixing fitting4constituted by the upper plate40and the lower plate50can be increased, and solar cell modules2can be reliably attached.

DESCRIPTION OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

1Solar Cell Apparatus

2Solar Cell Module

2aSolar Cell Module

2bSolar Cell Module

2cSolar Cell Module

13Top Face Hole

15Attachment Aid Hole

20Solar Cell Panel

22bUpper Holding Piece

22cLower Holding Piece

24aDistal End Face of Bottom Portion

24aDistal End Face of Bottom Portion

26aUpper End Face of Protruding Wall

33Pressing Plate Hole

35aDistal End Face of Bottom Portion

42Upper Plate Hole

44Side Plate Portion

50aLower Plate Frontal Wall

50bLower Plate Rear Wall

50cLower Plate Side Wall

51Lower Plate Connecting Hole

52Frontal Edge Piece