Solar cell module panel

An object of the present invention is to provide a solar cell module panel which is mounted on a roof of a building and united with roof rafters at low cost, whose installation and maintenance can be easily done, and which has long term reliability, especially with respect to protection of the solar cell modules. The solar cell modules of the solar cell module panel are mounted and fixed on the roof rafters, wherein at least one side edge portion of each solar cell module is held and fixed between the roof rafter and a solar cell module fastener member fixed to the roof rafter.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to a solar cell module, more specifically, to 
a solar cell module panel which is installed on a roof of a building or 
the like at low cost, whose installation and maintenance can be easily 
done, and which has long-term reliability, especially with respect to 
protection of the solar cell modules. 
2. Related Background Art 
Recently, photoelectric conversion devices such as solar cells have been 
developed to serve as what is called a "clean energy source." Solar cell 
modules serving as a power source have a plurality of solar cells held 
between glass plates or the like, or have a thin film solar cell element 
formed on a substrate such as a stainless steel substrate and encapsulated 
with a high polymer resin. Such solar cell modules are installed on a 
foundation such as a roof, wherein an installation base is fixed to rising 
portions of the roof and the solar cell module is fixed to said 
installation base. If there are not such rising portions, portions are 
formed on the roof in order to mount the installation base on which the 
solar cell modules are mounted. 
FIG. 8 shows an example of the above solar cell module mounted on a roof by 
means of a solar cell installation base. The solar cell installation base 
34 is fixed to the tops of protruberanes 36, which are seam portions of 
roof battens, through fastening members 35. At said seam portions, edges 
of adjacent metal roof rafters are folded together so as to be fastened to 
each other. Each solar cell module 37 has an aluminum frame. These solar 
cell modules 37 are fixed to the solar cell installation base 34 with 
respective fasteners (not shown). 
The solar cell modules 37 are electrically connected through connectors 38 
provided beneath them. 
In the above-mentioned apparatus in which the solar cell installation base 
is used, since the connectors and cables are provided beneath the solar 
cell modules, they are not exposed to direct sunlight. Accordingly, the 
connectors and the cables do not have to be made of relatively expensive 
weather proof material, which is advantageous for reducing the cost of the 
connector units. In addition, as the connectors can be hidden beneath the 
solar cell modules, the external appearance of the installed solar cell 
modules is good. In this method of installation, however, the material 
cost and the manufacturing cost of the solar cell installation base 
cancels out the above-mentioned advantage of the low cost of the connector 
units, and even make the total cost of this type of installation higher. 
And the base fixed on the roof of the building is not preferable with 
respect to its appearance. Further, the solar cell module held between 
glass plates weighs as much as 13-15 kilograms per square meter, and thus, 
is hard to handle when set up on the roof, etc., and the heavy 
installation base must first be fixed on the roof and the solar cell 
modules then fixed thereon with fasteners such as bolts. Therefore, it 
takes a long time and is dangerous to set up and mount the solar cell, and 
the base is expensive. 
In order to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, a method by which the 
solar cell modules are directly fixed to the roof rafters, as shown in 
FIG. 9, has been devised. 
FIG. 9 shows an example in which the solar cell modules are directly fixed 
on the roof rafters with double-sided pressure sensitive adhesive tape. 
This method will be briefly described below with reference to FIG. 9. 
Reference numeral 39 indicates a roof rafter, 40 indicates a solar cell 
module, and 41 is double-sided adhesive coated tape for adhering the solar 
cell module to the roof rafter. Reference numerals 42, 43, and 44 indicate 
a connector, a cable, and a junction box for leading out a terminal, 
respectively. The connector, the cable, and the junction box connect solar 
cell modules with each other. 
In this method, as the solar cell modules are directly fixed to the roof 
rafters which can give the solar cell modules enough structural strength, 
the solar cell modules do not have frame and are as flexible as the solar 
cell elements sealed inside with resin. The solar cell modules are adhered 
to the roof rafters with double-sided adhesive coated tape, and are 
electrically connected with each other through said connectors 42 provided 
on the upper side of the modules. 
The method in which the solar cell modules are directly fastened to the 
roof rafters by means of double-sided adhesive coated tape or the like 
does not require the solar cell installation base, whose cost can thus be 
eliminated. In this method, however, the solar cell modules do not have 
frames but are made of flexible solar cell elements sealed with resin; 
that is, the edge portions of the modules are not fixed nor protected by 
fasteners. Thus, if a worker hits a module with a tool or scratches it 
with a spiked shoe during installation of the solar cell, the module may 
be damaged; for example, the surface coating material can come off at the 
edge portion of the module. Accordingly, in order to improve long-term 
reliability, members for fixing and protecting the edge portions of the 
modules should be provided. 
Further, as shown in FIG. 9, since the clearances between the solar cell 
modules and the roof rafters, which are provided by the double-sided 
adhesive coated tape are as narrow as about 1 mm, the connectors cannot be 
arranged or hidden behind the solar cell modules. Thus, relatively 
expensive weather proofed connectors must be used. And, when the solar 
cell module is set up in a windy area, the connectors or the cables have 
to be fixed with adhesive tapes or the like so that the connector units do 
not sway in the wind. 
In addition, some users are not pleased with the appearance when the 
connector units are exposed. 
As described above, there have been no methods of installing the solar cell 
modules in which the cost is low and, at the same time, long-term 
reliability is improved with respect to fixation and protection of the 
edge portions and electrically connecting units of the solar cell modules, 
especially with respect to protection of the solar cell modules. 
Accordingly, a method of installing the solar cell on a roof or the like 
of a building is desired in which the cost is low and, at the same time, 
long-termed reliability is improved especially with respect to protection 
of the solar cell modules. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention was made to solve the above-mentioned problems. An 
object of the present invention is to provide a solar cell module panel 
which can realize lost cost, facility of installation and maintenance, and 
at the same time, long-term reliability especially with respect to 
protection of the solar cell module. Said solar cell module panel is to be 
unitary with a roof rafter, so it can be preferably applied to 
installation on a roof or the like of a building. 
A solar cell module panel according to the present invention comprises: a 
substrate; a plurality of solar cell modules arranged on said substrate; 
connecting members for electrically connecting said solar cell modules 
with each other; and fastener members for fixing said solar cell modules, 
wherein said connecting members are contained in said fastener members for 
mounting said solar cell modules, and edge portions of the solar cell 
modules are held between said substrate and said fastener members which 
are fixed thereto. 
Another solar cell module panel according to the present invention is 
characterized in that the cross-sectional form of said substrate has flat 
bottom portions and rising portions, and the solar cell module fastener 
members are fixed to said rising portions. 
Another solar cell module panel according to the present invention is 
characterized in that said solar cell modules are flexible and are held 
and fixed to both the flat portions and the rising portions of the roof 
rafters. 
Another solar cell module panel according to the present invention has 
waterproof sealing members between said solar cell module fastener members 
and the solar cell modules. 
Still another solar cell module panel according to the present invention is 
characterized in that magnets are used to assist mounting of the solar 
cell modules to the roof rafters. 
And still another solar cell module panel according to the present 
invention is characterized in that the solar cell modules are fixed to 
said substrate with the help of double-sided pressure sensitive adhesive 
coated tape. 
Since the solar cell module panel according to the present invention 
comprising a plurality of solar cell modules; the connecting units for 
electrically connecting the solar cell modules with each other; and solar 
cell module fasteners members capable of containing said connecting units, 
is united with the roof rafters, wherein the solar cell modules are 
mounted on and fixed to the roof rafters, and since the edge portions of 
the solar cell modules are held and fixed between the roof rafters and the 
solar cell module fastener members fixed thereto, the following effects 
can be obtained. 
Because a separate base for installation of the solar cell is not required, 
the facility and safety of the work can be remarkably improved, and the 
cost can be reduced. And as the edge portions of the solar cell modules, 
especially those adjacent to each other, are fixed and protected by the 
module fastener members, the modules are not mechanically damaged, and 
long-term reliability is improved. 
Further, since the cross-sectional form of the roof rafters has the flat 
bottom portions and the rising portions and the solar cell module fastener 
members are fixed to the rising portions of the roof rafters, mounting can 
be easily carried out without drilling holes through the roof rafters. 
In addition, as the solar cell modules can be mounted without drilling 
holes for bolts, nails, or the like, moisture does not enter the solar 
cell modules through holes and delamination can be prevented. 
Furthermore, the solar cell modules are flexible and are held and fixed to 
both the flat portions and the rising portions of the roof rafters. That 
is, each solar cell module is held and fixed by the force at least in two 
different directions, thereby further ensuring fixation. 
Members, such as connectors, for electrically connecting the solar cell 
modules with each other are arranged beneath the solar cell module 
fastener members so as not to be exposed to sunlight. Accordingly, 
weatherproof materials do not have to be employed and the cost can be 
reduced. At the same time, not only is the external appearance of the 
installation good, but also attachment and detachment of the connectors 
for electrically connecting the adjacent solar cell modules with each 
other can be facilitated. 
Also, the waterproof seal members provided between the solar cell module 
fastener members and the solar cell modules prevent rain water from coming 
into the solar cell elements through the edge portions of the solar cell 
modules and producing a deleterious effect on said solar cell elements. 
Further, if the members such as the connectors for electrically connecting 
the solar cell modules with each other are provided beneath the module 
fastener members as described above, said connecting members do not get 
wet by the rain, thereby preventing leakage caused by the connecting 
members and material deterioration thereof. 
Besides, the solar cell module according to the present invention can be 
applied to various kinds of well-known roof rafters such as folded plates, 
batten seam roofs, and so on.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 show an example in which the solar cell modules are held 
and fixed to metal roof rafters with solar cell module fastener members. 
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the example according to the present 
invention, FIG. 2 is a sectional view cut along the line A--A' in FIG. 1, 
and FIG. 3 is a enlarged view showing the configuration of a rising 
portion of the roof rafter. 
In FIGS. 1, 2, and 3, reference numeral 1 denotes the solar cell module, 2 
denotes the roof rafter, 3 denotes a solar cell module fastener member, 
and 4 and 5 denote the connector and the cable, respectively, which serve 
as the members for electrically connecting the solar cell modules with 
each other. Reference numeral 6 denotes a cap member, 7 denotes a bracket, 
8 denotes a frame, 9 denotes a tie bolt, and 10 denotes a purlin. 
The roof rafters 2 used in this example according to the present invention 
are constructed according to a method similar to the known folded plate 
construction method. The procedure for preparation of the solar cell 
module of this example which is united with the roof rafter, including the 
above folded plate construction method, will be briefly described below. 
First, flexible solar cell modules 1 are mounted on the flat portions 2a 
and the rising portions 2b of the roof rafters 2, and are connected with 
the connectors 4 so as to be electrically connected with the adjacent 
solar cell modules. 
Then, the solar cell module fastener members 3 are mounted at positions 
where modules are adjacent to each other so that said connectors 4 may be 
properly contained beneath the connector receptacles 11 formed in the 
middle of respective solar cell module fastener members 3. As shown in 
FIG. 3, the edge portions of the fastener members 3 and those of the 
rising portions 2b of the roof rafters 2 are bent together in order to fix 
the solar cell module fastener members 3 to the roof rafters 2, thereby 
holding and fixing the solar cell modules 1 between the roof rafters 2 and 
the solar cell module fastener members 3. Incidentally, in this example, 
the solar cell modules mounted on the lower end of the roof rafters (that 
is, those aligned along the eaves) are electrically connected with each 
other under the eaves through holes which are drilled through the roof 
rafters. Accordingly, the lower edge portions of the solar cell modules on 
the eaves, where the connectors are not provided, are fixed by the solar 
cell module fastener members without the connector receptacles 11. 
Next, the edge portions of the roof rafters and those of the solar cell 
module fastener members are held by the brackets 7, which are, in turn, 
fixed to the frames 8 with tie bolts 9. The frames 8 are fixed to the 
purlin 10 with bolts (not shown). Finally, the caps 6 are fitted so as to 
cover the edge portions of the roof rafters and those of the solar cell 
module fastener members. 
In this case, as shown in FIG. 3, the solar cell modules 1 are held and 
fixed not only by the force in the direction indicated by the arrow B but 
also by the force in the direction indicated by the arrow C and the 
direction symmetrical thereto with respect to the rising portions, thereby 
further ensuring fixation. 
And, as shown in FIG. 2, since waterproof sealing members 13 are provided 
under the solar cell module fastener members 3, rainwater cannot enter the 
inner space 14 through the edge portions 15 of the solar cell modules, 
through which moisture could otherwise easily enter inside. Accordingly, 
deleterious effects on the solar cell elements caused by moisture as well 
as deterioration of the connectors and the cables can be prevented. 
In this example of the present invention, double sided pressure sensitive 
adhesive coated tape whose base body has a thickness of 1 mm and which 
contains closed cells of acrylic foam is used as the waterproof sealing 
members 13. Since the double coated tape contains bubbles which are not 
communicated with each other, it can exhibit a sufficient waterproofing 
function to act as sealing members. Also, since the waterproof sealing 
members 13 are made of double sided adhesive tape, the solar cell module 
fastener members 3 and the solar cell modules 1 are fixed to each other, 
thereby further ensuring fixation of the solar cell modules 1. 
The present invention is not limited to the above-mentioned example. Now, 
each component will be described below. 
Solar Cell Module 
Preferably, the solar cell modules employed in the present invention are 
mounted on both the flat portions and the rising portions of the roof 
rafters, as described above, and thus, are preferably flexible. 
Accordingly, as the solar cell module to be employed in the present 
invention, a solar cell element which comprises a flexible, conductive 
substrate, on which an amorphous silicon semiconductor layer serving as a 
photoelectric transfer member is formed, is preferably used. The front 
surface of this solar cell element on which light is incident is coated 
with a weather-proof, flexible and transparent material, including: 
fluororesin film/EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) having a two-layer 
structure in which a fluororesin film is the front surface on which light 
is incident; silicone resin; fluororesin; acrylic silicone; polyester; 
nylon, etc. Glass nonwoven fabric cloth may be sandwiched between said 
resins in order to protect the module. 
As a backing material, any flexible material such as EVA may be employed. 
Though, in this example, the power generation region 50 of the solar cell 
module indicated by the slanted lines is arranged over the flat potion of 
the roof rafter, the power generation region may be extended over the 
rising portions of the roof rafters so as to have a larger light receiving 
surface, thereby making good use of the roof surface. 
Panel for Mounting the Solar Cell Module 
Though, in this example according to the present invention, a plurality of 
solar cell modules are arranged in one line on each roof rafter serving as 
the base member, they may be arranged in several lines so as to easily 
obtain desirable combinations with respect to voltage and make good use of 
the roof surface. 
Also, the solar cell modules may be arranged with their edge portions 
overlapping each other: the lower edge portion of the upper module (nearer 
to the ridge) is laid over the upper edge portion of the lower module 
(nearer to the eaves). In this case, as the upper edge portion of the 
lower solar cell module on the eave side is pressed down by the upper 
solar cell module on the ridge side, only the lower edge portions of the 
solar cell modules have to be held and fixed by the solar cell module 
fastener members. 
The edge portions 51 parallel with the slope of the roof are preferably 
protected by members such as the caps 6 provided to the rising portions of 
the roof rafters so as to be protected during installation and maintenance 
work. 
Base 
According to the present invention, any weather-proof material can be used 
for the base, including: a galvanized iron plate; a galvanized steel 
plate; a galvanized iron or steel plate coated with a weather-proof 
material such as fluororesin or vinyl chloride; a titanium plate; a 
stainless steel plate; a ceramic plate; a weather-proof resin sheet; and 
so on. 
The cross-sectional form of the roof rafters according to the present 
invention preferably has flat portions and rising portions, as described 
above. For example, long roof rafters used with standing seam roofing such 
as the folded plate construction method, the batten seam roofing method, 
and the like, are preferable. However, the roof rafters are not limited 
thereto. 
Solar Cell Module Fastener Member 
The solar cell module fastener members used in the present invention are 
preferably made of weather-proof material with sufficient rigidity to hold 
and fix the solar cell modules, and are preferably applied to the 
above-described bending process. For example, a galvanized iron plate, a 
galvanized steel plate, a galvanized iron or steel plate coated with 
weather-proof material such as fluororesin, vinyl chloride, and the like, 
a titanium plate, a stainless steel plate, and so on, may be used. 
If the fastener members are fixed on the roof rafters without bending, the 
material to be used is not limited to those described above, but may be 
any material having sufficient rigidity as described before. For example, 
a weather-proof resin such as silicone resin, glass, ceramics, carbon 
fiber, and the like may be employed. 
The solar cell module fastener members according to the present invention 
are preferably formed so as to hold the solar cell modules on the flat 
portions and the rising portions of the roof rafters, and to be fixed to 
the rising portions of the roof rafters, as described before. Further, the 
solar cell module fastener members preferably have a form capable of being 
fitted to the sectional form of the roof rafters so that rainwater running 
over the flat portions of the roof rafters does not stagnate. 
Further, though in this example one fastener member is provided to each 
roof rafters, one long fastener member may be provided to a plurality of 
adjacent roof rafters. 
In addition, the position and the shapes of the connector receptacles for 
holding the connectors beneath the solar cell module fastener members are 
not limited exclusively to the middle portions of the fastener members nor 
to the convex shape shown in FIG. 1. For example, if the connectors are 
arranged in the boundary portions between the flat portions and the rising 
portions of the roof rafters, the connector receptacles do not have to be 
formed in the middle of the stopper members, thereby improving the 
external appearance. Or, if concave channels are formed in the roof 
rafters at positions where the connectors are arranged, the protrusions of 
the connector receptacles can be smaller or even removed. Further, when a 
long fastener member is attached to a plurality of adjacent roof rafters, 
the connectors can be arranged on the rising portions of the roof rafters, 
and the connector receptacles are formed in the fastener member at 
positions corresponding to said connectors on the rising portions. 
Mounting of Solar Cell Module Fastener Member on Roof Rafter 
The solar cell module fastener members used in the present invention are 
fixed to the roof rafters preferably in a way such that they are certainly 
fixed by the mechanical force to the rising portions of the roof rafters, 
which can be easily carried out without drilling holes through the roof 
rafters according to the method of fixation employed in the example of the 
present invention. Yet, the method of fixation is not limited thereto, but 
includes a method in which the fastener members and the roof rafters are 
further held and fixed by means of nipping fastener members, a method in 
which fasteners such as bolts for fixing the roof rafters are used to fix 
the solar cell module fastener members, a method in which the fastener 
members and the roof rafters are welded to each other, etc. 
Auxiliary Fixation of Solar Cell Module 
In order to further ensure fixation of the solar cell modules by holding 
and fixing the solar cell module fastener members and the roof rafters, 
auxiliary fixation may be performed, wherein the roof rafters and the 
solar cell modules, and the solar cell module fastener members and the 
solar cell modules are fixed to each other in the following ways. 
Auxiliary fixation can be performed by: using double sided pressure 
sensitive adhesive coated tape: mechanical fixation with fastener members 
such as rivets; using silicone resin adhesive, etc.; a method in which 
magnets are attached to or embedded in the solar cell modules in order to 
fix the modules magnetically; etc. Also, a combination of the 
above-mentioned methods of fixation may be employed. 
Waterproof Sealing Member 
The waterproof sealing members used in the present invention need not be 
particularly specified. As the material of the sealing members, silicon 
resin, acrylic resin, and the like may be used. And, the waterproof 
sealing members may adhere to either the solar cell module fastener 
members or the solar cell modules, or may also adhere to both. 
Further, materials such as sealing materials and adhesive materials which 
are cured from liquid to solid may be used. 
Photoelectric Conversion Element 
The solar cell module used in the panel according to the present invention 
which is united with the roof rafter consists of at least one 
photoelectric conversion element, which may be a tandem cell or a triple 
cell. FIG. 10 is a schematic cross-sectional view showing an example of 
the constitution of the solar cell module. In FIG. 10, reference numeral 
49 indicates a conductive substrate, 48 indicates a back electrode layer, 
47 is a semiconductor layer serving as a photoelectric conversion member, 
46 is a transparent conductive layer, and 45 indicates collecting 
electrodes. The conductive substrate 49 may also serve as a reflecting 
back surface of the back electrode layer 48. 
Said conductive substrate 49 can be made of: molybdenum, tungsten, cobalt, 
chromium, iron, tantalum, zirconium, stainless steel, aluminum, copper, 
titanium, a carbon sheet, a galvanized sheet steel of an alloy of the 
above-mentioned metals, a film or a plate of resin such as polyimide, 
polyester, polyethylene naphthalide, and epoxy coated with a conductive 
layer; and so on. 
As said thin film semiconductor layer 47, an amorphus silicon 
semiconductor, a crystalline silicon semiconductor, a compound 
semiconductor such as copper indium selenite, or the like may be used. 
Especially, a thin film amorphous silicon semiconductor is preferable. The 
amorphous silicon semiconductor can be formed by reacting a mixture of 
silane gas and a dopant gas selected to obtain a desired conductivity type 
by the plasma CVD method. The polycrystalline silicon semiconductor can be 
formed by forming a sheet from fused silicon, heat treatment of an 
amorphous silicon semiconductor, etc. A CuInSe.sub.2 /CdS heterojunction 
can be formed by electron beam deposition, sputtering, electrolytic 
deposition (in which electrolysis of an electrolyte is performed), etc. 
The semiconductor layer 47 is sandwiched between at least the back 
electrode layer 48 and the transparent electrode layer 46. As the back 
electrode layer 48, a metal layer, a metal oxide layer, or a laminate of 
metal and metal oxide is used. Metals used here include Ti, Al, Ag, Ni, 
Fe, Cu, Cr, Mo, etc., and usable metal oxides include ZnO, TiO.sub.2, 
SnO.sub.2, ITO, and the like. The metal layer and the metal oxide layer 
can be formed by resistance heating deposition, electron beam deposition, 
sputtering, spraying, CVD, impurity diffusion, etc. As the material for 
the grid type collecting electrodes 45 provided on the transparent 
conductive layer for effectively collecting the current generated by the 
photoelectromotive force, a conductive metal can be used, including Ti, 
Cr, Mo, W, Al, Ag, Ni, Cu, Sn, Ag, etc. Methods of forming the grid type 
electrodes include: deposition methods such as sputtering using mask 
patterns, resistance heating, CVD, etc.; a method in which a metal layer 
deposited over the entire surface is etched to obtain a pattern; a method 
of directly forming a pattern of the grid electrode by photo-chemical 
vapor deposition; a method in which a negative pattern mask of the grid 
electrode is formed and coating is performed through the mask; a method of 
printing conductive paste: and so on. A typical conductive paste contains: 
fine powder of Au, Ag, Cu, Ni, or C; fine powder of an alloy thereof; or a 
mixture thereof, which is dispersed in a polymeric binder. As the 
polymeric binder, resins are used, including polyester resin, epoxy resin, 
acrylic resin, alkyd resin, poly vinyl acetate, rubber, urethane, phenolic 
resin, etc. 
As the material of a bus bar for concentrating and transmitting the current 
collected by the grid electrode, tin, solder coated paper, solder coated 
nickel, etc., can be used. The bus bar is connected with the grid 
electrode by soldering or with a conductive adhesive agent. 
Embodiment 1 
In this embodiment, the solar cell modules are mounted on the metal roof 
rafters of batten-seam roofing type, the modules are fixed end-to-end by 
the solar cell module fastener members. 
FIGS. 4 and 5 show the solar cell modules of this embodiment which are 
united with the roof rafters. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view cut along 
the direction vertical to the slope of the roof, and FIG. 5 shows a cross 
section cut along the direction of the slope. 
In this embodiment, reference numerals 16a and 16b denote solar cell 
modules, 17a, 17b, and 17c denote metal roof rafters, 18 is the solar cell 
module fastener member, 19 is the waterproof sealing members, 20 is the 
connector, and 21 denotes the roof sheathing. 
The metal roof rafters 17 of the batten-seam roofing type employed here are 
galvanized sheet steel (55% aluminum-zinc alloyed iron plate) having a 
thickness of 0.4 mm. Each flexible solar cell module 16 consists of a 
stainless steel substrate and amorphous silicon semiconductor element(s) 
formed on said substrate and sealed with resin. The light incident surface 
of the solar cell module is covered with a fluororesin film and the back 
surface thereof is covered with a laminated film in which an aluminum foil 
is sandwiched between fluororesin films. Between the amorphous silicon 
semiconductor element(s) and the films covering its front and back 
surfaces, EVA (ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer) is filled as adhesive 
layers. The above-mentioned laminated structure is prepared by the vacuum 
lamination method. 
Thus prepared solar cell modules 16 are installed so that the upper solar 
cell module 16a nearer to the ridge is laid on part of the lower solar 
cell module 16b nearer the eaves and both the solar cell modules 16a and 
16b cover the rising portions 17b of the roof rafter. 
In this case, the solar cell modules 16 in this embodiment were prepared so 
as to have the power generation regions in the area D shown in FIG. 4. 
Next, the two solar cell modules were electrically connected with each 
other through a cylindrical waterproof connector 20, which was placed in 
the boundary portion between the flat portion 17a and the rising portion 
17b of the roof rafter. 
Subsequently, the waterproof sealing members 19 of double sided pressure 
sensitive adhesive coated tape whose substrate had a thickness of 1 mm and 
which contained closed cells of acrylic foam were adhered to the solar 
cell module fastener member 18. Then, the fastener member 18 was mounted 
so that the connector 20 could be contained properly in the connector 
receptacle 22, and was fixed by bending its edge portions with the edge 
portions of the rising portions 17b of the roof rafter. 
In this embodiment, as the fastener member 18, galvanized sheet steel (55% 
aluminum--galvanized iron plate) having a thickness of 1 mm was used. 
The photoelectromotive force element was prepared according to the 
following procedure. 
A layer of Al/ZnO serving as the reflecting back layer was formed on a 
stainless steel substrate having a thickness of 0.125 mm by the sputtering 
method. Then, by the plasma CVD method, an n-type- a-Si semiconductor 
layer, an i-type- a-Si semiconductor layer, and a p-type- crystalline Si 
semiconductor layer were formed in this order. After that, a layer of 
In.sub.2 O.sub.3 serving as the transparent electrode layer was deposited 
under an O.sub.2 atmosphere by the resistance heating method to complete 
the photoelectromotive force element. Further, screen printing of silver 
paste serving as the collecting electrodes was performed to form the solar 
cell element, which is an amorphous silicon photoelectromotive element. 
Embodiment 2 
In this embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the solar cell modules are also 
arranged on the metal roof rafters of batten-seam roofing type, as in 
Embodiment 1. However, in this embodiment the solar cell modules mounted 
on two adjacent roof rafters are also held and fixed by a solar cell 
module fastener member. 
The solar cell module fastener member 23 in this embodiment holds and fixes 
the solar cell modules 25a and 25b as well as the solar cell modules 25c 
and 25d respectively mounted on the adjacent metal roof rafters 24a and 
24b. 
In this case, the solar cell modules 25a and 25b are electrically connected 
through a waterproof connector 20a, the solar cell modules 25b and 25c are 
electrically connected through a waterproof connector 25b, and modules 25c 
and 25d are electrically connected through a connector 20c. As shown in 
FIG. 6, the waterproof connector 20b is arranged on the cap 26 provided in 
the rising portion of the roof rafter, and is contained in the fastener 
member 23. 
Note that, if not mentioned in particular, the procedure, methods, etc. in 
this embodiment, for example, the material of the roof rafters, are the 
same as those in Embodiment 1. 
Embodiment 3 
In this embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the solar cell modules are arranged on 
the metal roof rafters of the standing seam roofing type, and are held and 
fixed by the solar cell module fastener members. 
In this embodiment, reference numerals 32a and 32b denote the solar cell 
modules, 33 denotes the waterproof connectors, which are similar to those 
in Embodiment 1. The solar cell module fastener member 27 used in this 
embodiment is fixed on the metal roof rafter 29 not only by the bracket 30 
and the cap 31 provided in the rising portion but also by a gripping type 
fastener member 28. 
The gripping fastener member 28 consists of an aluminum gripping base 28a 
and a bolt 28b engaged therewith, wherein the gripping fastener member 
grips and fixes the solar cell module fastener member when the bolt 28b is 
tightened. 
Note that, if not mentioned in particular, the procedure, methods, and so 
on in this embodiment, for example, the material of the roof rafters, are 
the same as those in Embodiment 1. 
As described above, the solar cell module panel which is united with the 
roof rafters, wherein the solar cell modules are mounted and fixed on the 
roof rafters, comprises: a plurality of solar cell modules; connecting 
units for electrically connecting said solar cell modules with each other; 
and solar cell module fastener members which can contain said connecting 
units. The edge portions of the solar cell modules are held and fixed 
between the roof rafters and the solar cell module fastener members fixed 
to the roof rafters. Accordingly, the following effects can be obtained. 
As a base for installation of the solar cell modules is not required, the 
facility and safety of the work can be remarkably improved, and the cost 
can be reduced. And because the edge portions of the solar cell modules 
are fixed and protected by the solar cell module fastener members, the 
solar cell modules are not mechanically peeled especially during 
installation and maintenance work, and long term reliability is improved. 
Further, by fixing the solar cell module fastener members to the rising 
portions of the sectional form of the roof rafters, the solar cell modules 
can be easily fixed without drilling holes through the roof rafters or the 
solar cell modules so that the delamination does not occur and moisture is 
prevented from entering through holes. 
In addition, since the solar cell modules are flexible and are held and 
fixed to both the flat portions and the rising portions of the roof 
rafters, fixation is further ensured. 
As the members such as the connectors for electrically connecting the solar 
cell modules with each other are arranged beneath the solar cell module 
fastener members so as not to be exposed to sunlight, weather-proof 
material does not have to be used and the cost can be reduced. Also, the 
external appearance of the installation is good. 
Furthermore, because waterproof sealing members are provided between the 
solar cell module fastener members and the solar cell modules, rainwater 
does not come into the solar cell elements through the edge portions of 
the solar cell modules, and deleterious effects on the solar cell elements 
can be prevented. Further, if the members such as the connectors for 
electrically connecting the solar cell modules with each other are 
provided beneath the module fastener members as described above, said 
connecting members do not get wet by the rain, thereby preventing leaks 
caused by the connecting members and deterioration of the material 
thereof.