Patent Publication Number: US-2023163721-A1

Title: Solar power system and support housing thereof

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to Taiwanese Invention Patent Application No. 110143412, filed on November 22.2021. 
     FIELD 
     The disclosure relates to a system, and more particularly to a solar power system and a support housing thereof. 
     BACKGROUND 
     An existing vehicular solar panel is generally glued to an exterior of a vehicular body or fastened to the exterior of the vehicular body by screws, thereby causing subsequent maintenance and disassembly of the vehicular solar panel to be inconvenient. When a vehicular solar panel is replaced by another vehicular solar panel with different size, the vehicular body needs to be re-glued or re-drilled, thereby causing inconvenience. 
     Further, due to the limitation of an available space of the exterior of the vehicular body for a solar panel installation, the number of the solar panels installed to the vehicular body is few, and the solar panel dimension is restricted. As a result, the wattage generated by the solar panels installed to the vehicular body is low. 
     Besides, the solar panels are electrically connected to an electrical control box and a storage battery. However, the electrical control box and the storage battery have to be installed inside the vehicular body in order to avoid damage by rain, thereby occupying the limited space inside the vehicular body. 
     SUMMARY 
     Therefore, one object of the disclosure is to provide a support housing that can alleviate at least one of the drawbacks of the prior art. 
     According to one aspect of the disclosure, a support housing includes a housing body and at least one housing cover. 
     The housing body defines an accommodating space and has at least one opening spatially communicated with the accommodating space. 
     The at least one housing cover includes a cover plate and a plurality of retaining mechanisms. 
     The cover plate is connected to the housing body and operable to close and open the at least one opening. The cover plate is adapted to support at least one solar power panel. 
     The retaining mechanisms are connected to the cover plate and slidable in a first direction relative to the cover plate. The retaining mechanisms are spaced apart from one another in the first direction. Any two adjacent ones of the retaining mechanisms are movable toward and away from each other to adjust a distance therebetween so that the solar power panel is clamped therebetween. 
     Another object of the disclosure is to provide a solar power system. 
     According to another aspect of the disclosure, a solar power system includes a solar power apparatus and a support housing. 
     The solar power apparatus includes a control box, a rechargeable battery, and at least one solar power panel unit. The at least one solar power panel unit includes a plurality of solar power panels. 
     The support housing includes a housing body and at least one housing cover. 
     The housing body defines an accommodating space accommodating the control box and the rechargeable battery, and has at least one opening spatially communicated with the accommodating space. 
     The at least one housing cover includes a cover plate that is connected to the housing body, that is operable to close and open the at least one opening and that supports the solar power panels, and a plurality of retaining mechanisms connected to the cover plate and slidable in a first direction relative to the cover plate. The retaining mechanisms are spaced apart from one another in the first direction. Any two adjacent ones of the retaining mechanisms are movable toward and away from each other to adjust a distance therebetween so that one of the solar power panels is clamped therebetween. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is noted that various features may not be drawn to scale. 
         FIG.  1    is a perspective view illustrating a solar power system of an embodiment according to the disclosure; 
         FIG.  2    is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment; 
         FIG.  3    is a fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment illustrating a cap and two end plates; 
         FIG.  4    is a perspective view illustrating assembly of a solar power panel unit to a housing cover of the embodiment; 
         FIG.  5    is a view similar to  FIG.  4   , but taken from another angle; 
         FIG.  6    is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating a cover plate of the embodiment; 
         FIG.  7    is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating the cover plate of the embodiment; 
         FIG.  8    is a sectional view taken from line VIII-VIII of  FIG.  1   , illustrating housing covers of the embodiment in closed positions; 
         FIG.  9    is a fragmentary sectional view of the embodiment illustrating end frames of the cover plate respectively covering end plates of a housing body; 
         FIG.  10    is a view similar to  FIG.  8   , but illustrating one of the housing covers in an open position; 
         FIG.  11    is a fragmentary perspective view illustrating the cover plate, retaining mechanisms and a solar power panel; 
         FIG.  12    is a bottom view illustrating a retaining bar of the embodiment; 
         FIG.  13    is a fragmentary sectional view of the embodiment illustrating the cover plate, the retaining bar, and first and second securing sets; 
         FIG.  14    is a fragmentary perspective view of the embodiment illustrating the housing cover; 
         FIG.  15    is a schematic view of the embodiment illustrating how solar power panels of the solar power panel unit are assembled to the housing cover; 
         FIG.  16    is a fragmentary sectional view taken from line XVI-XVI of  FIG.  15   ; 
         FIG.  17    is a schematic view of the embodiment illustrating how a solar power panel of the solar power panel unit is assembled to the housing cover; 
         FIG.  18    is a fragmentary sectional view taken from line XVIII-XVIII of  FIG.  17   ; and 
         FIG.  19    is a schematic view of the embodiment illustrating the solar power panel unit being assembled to the cover plate by the retaining mechanisms. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to  FIG.  1   , a solar power system  100  of an embodiment according to the disclosure is used to be mounted on a mobile carrier (not shown), such as, but not limited to, a truck or ship, or to be mounted on an immobile carrier, such as a building. The solar power system  100  includes a solar power apparatus  1  and a support housing  2 . 
     For description convenience, regarding the solar power system  100 , a first direction (D 1 ) is defined, a second direction (D 2 ) is perpendicular to the first direction (D 1 ), and a third direction (D 3 ) is perpendicular to the first and second directions (D 1 , D 2 ). In this embodiment, the first direction (D 1 ) is a front-rear direction, the second direction (D 2 ) is a left-right direction, and the third direction (D 3 ) is a top-bottom direction. 
     Referring to  FIG.  2   , the solar power apparatus  1  includes a control box  11 , a rechargeable battery  12 , and two solar power panel units  13 ,  13 ′. The rechargeable battery  12  is electrically connected to the control box  11  by a plurality of conductive wires (not shown). The solar power panel unit  13  includes a plurality of solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′, and  131 ″ that are different from one another in size. The solar power panel unit  13 ′ includes a plurality of solar power panels  131  that are identical to one another in size. Each of the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′, and  131 ″ is a flexible solar panel or a semi-flexible solar panel. Each of the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′, and  131 ″ includes a flexible panel body  132  and a junction box  133  disposed on a surface of the flexible body  132  (see  FIG.  4   ). Along the first direction (D 1 ), the flexible body  132  of the solar power panel  131  has a width that is different from the widths of the flexible bodies  132  of the solar power panel s  131 ′ and  131 ″. Along the second direction (D 2 ), the flexible body  132  of the solar power panel  131 ″ has a length that is different from the lengths of the flexible bodies  132  of the solar power panels  131  and  131 ′. The junction box  133  of each of the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′, and  131 ″ is electrically connected to the control box  11  by a plurality of transmission cables (not shown). 
     In this embodiment, while the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′, and  131 ″ of the solar power panel unit  13  are different from one another in size, and while the solar power panels  131  of the solar power panel unit  13 ′ are identical to one another in size, the solar power panel units  13 ,  13 ′ are not limited hereto. The solar power panel unit  13  may include the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′, and  131 ″ different from one another in size, and the solar power panel unit  13 ′ may include the solar power panels  131  identical to one another in size. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2  and  3   , the support housing  2  includes a housing body  3 , two housing covers  4 , and a cap  5 . The housing body  3  includes a base plate  31 , two end plates  32 , and two pivoting units  33 . The base plate  31  is elongated in the first direction (D 1 ). The base plate  31  is fixed to a top surface of a vehicle body by screwing, tongue-and-groove engagement or welding. The dimension of the base plate  31  is designed in conformity with the dimension of the top surface of the vehicle body so as to maximize the effective use of space above the top surface of the vehicle body. 
     The end plates  32  are respectively disposed adjacent to two opposite ends of the base plate  31  in the first direction (D 1 ). Each end plate  32  has a plate body  321  and a limiting body  322 . The plate body  321  is substantially in the form of a bow plate projecting from the base plate  31 . The plate body  321  has a minor arc top surface  323 , a positioning slot  324  indented downwardly from a middle portion of the top surface  323 , and an engagement recess  325  spatially communicated with a bottom end of the positioning slot  324 . The limiting body  322  is disposed above the base plate  31  and is connected to an inner surface of the plate body  321 . The limiting body  322  is identical in shape to the top surface  323 , and has a positioning groove  326  in position corresponding to the positioning slot  324 . The positioning groove  326  is disposed below the positioning slot  324 . The pivoting units  33  are respectively disposed on two opposite sides of the base plate  31  in the second direction (D 2 ). Each pivoting unit  33  includes two pivoting bushings  331  spaced apart from each other in the first direction (D 1 ). 
     The base plate  31  and the ends plates  32  cooperatively define an accommodating space  34 , and two openings  35  that are spatially communicated with the accommodating space  34  and that are arranged in the second direction (D 2 ). The accommodating space  34  accommodates the control box  11 , the rechargeable battery  12 , and backup solar panels (not shown). In some embodiments, the openings  35  may, but not limited to, be arranged in the first direction (D 1 ). By virtue of the control box  11  and the rechargeable battery  12  being accommodated within the accommodating space  34  disposed outside the vehicle body, an inside space of the vehicle body is prevented from being occupied by the control box  11  and the rechargeable battery  12 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  2 ,  4  to  6   , the housing covers  4  respectively support the solar power panel units  13 ,  13 ″. The housing covers  4  are spaced apart from each other in the second direction (D 2 ) and are pivotally connected to the housing body  3 . Each housing cover  4  includes a cover plate  6  and a plurality of retaining mechanisms  7 . Each cover plate  6  is pivotally connected to the housing body  3 , and is operable to close and open a respective one of the openings  35 . The retaining mechanisms  7  of each housing cover  4  are spaced apart from one another in the first direction (D 1 ), are connected to the corresponding cover plate  6 , and are slidable in the first direction (D 1 ) relative to the corresponding cover plate  6 . Any two adjacent ones of the retaining mechanisms  7  are movable toward and away from each other to adjust a distance therebetween so that one of the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′, and  131 ″ is clamped therebetween. 
     In this embodiment, the cover plate  6  of each housing cover  4  is elongated in the first direction (D 1 ) and has an arcuate cross section in the second direction (D 2 ). Each cover plate  6  includes a cover body  61 , two end frames  62 , a first guide rail  63 , a second guide rail  64 , a pivot unit  65 , and a lateral wall  66 . The cover body  61  of each cover plate  6  has a supporting surface  611  supporting the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′, and  131 ″ and having an arcuate cross section in the second direction (D 2 ). The end frames  62  of each cover plate  6  are disposed on the corresponding cover body  61  and are opposite to each other in the first direction (D 1 ). The end frames  62  of the cover plates  6  of the housing covers  4  respectively cover the plate bodies  321  of the end plates  32 . Each end frame  62  includes a top wall  621  to shield the top surface  323  of the plate body  321  of a respective one of the end plates  32  (see  FIG.  3   ), an outer wall  622  that extends downwardly from an outer end of the top wall  621  and that abuts against an outer surface of the plate body  321  of the respective end plate  32 , and an inner wall  623   that extends downwardly from the top wall  621  and that abuts against an inner surface of the plate body  321 . The inner wall  623  of each end frame  62  is formed with an end slot  624 . The end slots  624  of the end frames  62  are spaced apart from each other in the first direction (D 1 ). Each end slot  624  is engageable with a corresponding one of the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′, and  131 ″. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4  to  7   , for each housing cover  4 , the first guide rail  63  is disposed on a long side of the cover body  61 , extends in the first direction (D 1 ), and is connected between the end frames  62 . The first guide rail  63  defines a first lateral slot  631  spatially communicated with the end slots  624  of the end frames  62 . The first lateral slot  631  is engageable with corresponding ones of the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′, and  131 ″. The first guide rail  63  has a guide wall  632  spaced apart from the supporting surface  611  of the cover body  61 . The second guide rail  64  is connected between the inner walls  623  of the end frames  62 , is spaced apart from the cover body  61  in the third direction (D 3 ), and is spaced apart from the first guide rail  63  in the second direction (D 2 ). The second guide rail  64  includes a guide plate  641  and a stop strip  642 . The guide plate  641  is elongated in the first direction (D 1 ) and is spaced apart from the supporting surface  611 . The guide plate  641  has a guide surface  643  facing away from the supporting surface  611 . The stop strip  642  projects from the guide plate  641  toward the supporting surface  611 , and is disposed to a side of the guide plate  641  closer to the first guide rail  63 . 
     The cover body  61 , the end frames  62 , and the second guide rail  64  cooperatively define a second lateral slot  67  that is spatially communicated with the end slots  624  of the end frames  62 . The second lateral slot  67  is an open-ended slot, and has a first slot portion  671  disposed between the guide plate  641  and the supporting surface  611 , and a second slot portion  672  disposed between the supporting surface  611  and the stop strip  642 . A distance of the second slot portion  672  between the supporting surface  611  and the stop strip  642  is smaller than a distance of the first slot portion  671  between the guide plate  641  and the supporting surface  611 . The first slot portion  671  accommodates the junction boxes  133  of the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′, and  131 ″ while the second slot  672  allows the flexible bodies  132  of the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′, and  131 ″ to extend therethrough. Because the distance of the second slot  672  between the supporting surface  611  and the stop strip  642  is smaller than a thickness of the junction box  133  of each of the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′, and  131 ″, the junction box  133  of each of the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′, and  131 ″ is confined in the first slot portion  671  of the second lateral slot  67  by the stop strip  642 . 
     For the cover plate  6  of each housing cover  4 , the pivot unit  65  includes two pivot pins  651  that are disposed on the first guide rail  63  and that are spaced apart from each other in the first direction (D 1 ). Each pivot pin  651  is pivotally connected to a respective one of the pivoting bushings  331  (see  FIG.  2   ). The lateral wall  66  is disposed on a long side of the cover body  61  opposite to the first guide rail  63 , is connected between the inner walls  623  of the end frames  62 , and has a wire management groove  661 . The wire management groove  661  accommodates the transmission cables (not shown) connecting the junction boxes  133  of the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′, and  131 ″ to the control box  11  . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  8  to  10   , by virtue of the pivot pins  651  respectively pivotally connected to the pivoting bushings  331  (see  FIGS.  2  and  5   ), each housing cover  4  is rotatable relative to the housing body  3  between a closed position (see  FIG.  8   ), where a respective one of the openings  35  is closed, and an open position (see  FIG.  10   ), where the respective one of the openings  35  is opened. When each of the housing covers  4  is in the closed position, the lateral walls  66  of the cover plates  6  of the housing covers  4  are adjacent to each other and respectively engaged within the positioning grooves  326  of the limiting bodies  322  of the end plates  32 , the end frames  62  of the cover plates  6  respectively cover the plate bodies  321  of the end plates  32 , the top walls  621  of the end frames  62  of the cover plates  6  respectively cover the top surfaces  323  of the plate bodies  321  of the end plates  32 , and the outer and inner walls  622 ,  623  of each end frame  62  respectively abut against the outer and inner surfaces of the plate body  321  of the respective end plate  32 , thereby positioning each housing cover  4  in the closed position. 
     When each housing cover  4  is in the closed position, the top walls  621  of the end frames  62  of the cover plates  6  respectively shield the top surfaces  323  of the plate bodies  321  of the end plates  32  from rain water. By virtue of the outer surfaces of the plate bodies  321  of the end plates  32  in abutment with the outer walls  622  of the end frames  62 , the outer wall  622  of each end frame  62  can greatly reduce the rain water flowing through a gap between the top wall  621  of each end frame  62  and the top surface  323  of the plate body  321  of the respective end plate  32 . By virtue of the inner surfaces of the plate bodies  321  of the end plates  32  in abutment with the inner walls  623  of the end frames  62 , even if the rain water seeps through the gap between the top wall  621  of each end frame  62  and the top surface  323  of the plate body  321  of the respective end plate  32 , the inner wall  623  of each end frames  62  blocks the rain water. As a result, the rain water is effectively prevented from seeping into the accommodating space  34  of the housing body  3 . 
     When one of the housing covers  4  is in the open position, the corresponding opening  35  is opened and the first guide rail  63  of the cover plate  6  abuts against the base plate  31  for positioning the corresponding housing cover  4 , so that the control box  11  and the rechargeable battery  12  accommodated in the corresponding accommodating space  34  can be inspected, maintained or replaced through the corresponding opening  35 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  4 ,  11  to  13   , each of the retaining mechanisms  7  includes a retaining bar  71 , a first securing set  72 , and a second securing set  73 . The retaining bar  71  is arcuate and elongated in the second direction (D 2 )., and is slidably connected between the first and second guide rails  63 ,  64  of the cover plate  6  so as to retain two adjacent ones of the power solar panels  131 ,  131 ′ and  131 ″. The retaining bar  71  has a bar body  711 , a first sliding member  712 , and a second sliding member  713 . The bar body  711  is arcuate and elongated in the second direction (D 2 ), is slidable within the second lateral slot  67 , and conforms in shape with the supporting surface  611  of the cover body  61 . The bar body  711   has two engaging slots  714  that are opposite to each other in the first direction (D 1 ). Each engaging slot  714  is engaged with the flexible body  132  of a corresponding one of said solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′ and  131 ″. As shown in  FIG.  13   , an end of the bar body  711  is slidable between the second guide rail  64  and the supporting surface  611  of the cover plate  6  by extending through the first and second slot portions  671 ,  672  of the second lateral slot  67 , and an opposite end of the bar body  711  is inserted into and slidable within the first lateral slot  631  of the first guide rail  63 . As a result, the bar body  711  is slidably engaged with the first and second lateral slots  631 ,  67 . The first and seconds sliding members  712 , 713  are connected respectively to two opposite ends of the bar body  711 . 
     The first sliding member  712  is slidably hung on the first guide rail  63 , is L-shaped, and has a first abutment portion  715  and a first pressing portion  716 . The first abutment portion  715  is perpendicular and fixed to the bar body  711  by welding, and abuts against an inner side of the first guide rail  63 . The first pressing portion  716  is perpendicularly connected to the first abutment portion  715 , is spaced apart from the bar body  711 , and contacts the guide wall  632  of the first guide rail  63 . The second sliding member  713  is slidably hung on the second guide rail  64 , is also L-shaped, and has a second abutment portion  717  and a second pressing portion  718 . The second abutment portion  717  is integrally connected to the bar body  711  and abuts against an outside of the guide plate  641  of the second guide rail  64 . The second pressing portion  718  is perpendicularly connected to the second abutment portion  717 , is spaced apart from the bar body  711 , and contacts the guide surface  643  of the second guide rail  64 . 
     By virtue of the retaining bar  71  of each retaining mechanism  7  being slidably engaged with the first and second lateral slots  631 ,  67 , any two adjacent ones of the retaining mechanisms  7  are movable toward and away from each other in the first direction (D 1 ) to adjust a distance therebetween so that one of the solar power panels  131 ,  131 , and  131 ″ is clamped therebetween. Besides, by virtue of the first and second sliding members  712 ,  713  respectively and slidably hung on the first and second guide rails  63 ,  64 , the sliding stability of the retaining bar  71  is enhanced in the first direction (D 1 ) while the bar body  711  is prevented from disengaging from the first and second lateral slots  631 ,  67 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  11 ,  13 , and  14   , the first securing set  72  includes a first holding block  721 , a first bolt  722 , a first nut  723 , and a first stop nut  724 . The first holding block  721  is an inverted U-shaped block and abuts against the guide wall  632  of the first guide rail  63  to hold the first pressing portion  716  in a non-rotational manner. The first bolt  722  is movably inserted through the first holding block  721  and abuts against the first pressing portion  716  by welding an end of the first bolt  722  to the first pressing portion  716 . The first nut  723  is threadedly connected to the first bolt  722  and abuts against a side of the first holding block  721  distal from the first guide rail  63 . The first nut  723  is operably rotatable to drive movement of the first bolt  722  until the first bolt  722  locks the first pressing portion  716  on the guide wall  632  of the first guide rail  63 . The first stop nut  724  is threadedly connected to the first bolt  722  and abuts against the first nut  723 , thereby preventing the first nut  723  from being detached from the first bolt  722 . 
     In this embodiment, the first nut  723  is clockwise rotated to drive movement of the first bolt  722  until the first bolt  722  locks the first pressing portion  716  on the guide wall  632  of the first guide rail  63 . As a result, the first securing set  72  is converted to a locking state and locks the first pressing portion  716  on the first guide rail  63 . By counterclockwise rotation of the first nut  723 , the first bolt  722  is driven by the first nut  723  to move together with the first pressing portion  716  away from the guide wall  632  of the first guide rail  63 , thereby unlocking the first pressing portion  716  from the guide wall  632  of the first guide rail  63  and converting the first securing set  72  to an unlocking state. 
     The second securing set  73  is identical in structure to the first securing set  72 , and includes a second holding block  731 , a second bolt  732 , a second nut  733 , and a second stop nut  734 . The second holding block  731  is an inverted U-shaped block and abuts against the guide surface  643  of the second guide rail  64  to hold the second pressing portion  718  in a non-rotational manner. The second bolt  732  is movably inserted through the second holding block  731  and abuts against the second pressing portion  718  by welding an end of the second bolt  732  to the second pressing portion  718 . The second nut  733  is threadedly connected to the second bolt  732  and abuts against a side of the second holding block  731  distal from the first guide rail  64 . The second nut  733  is operably rotatable to drive movement of the second bolt  732  until the second bolt  732  locks the second pressing portion  718  on the guide surface  643  of the second guide rail  64 . The second stop nut  734  is threadedly connected to the second bolt  732  and abuts against the second nut  733 , thereby preventing the second nut  733  from being detached from the second bolt  732 . 
     In this embodiment, the second nut  733  is clockwise rotated to drive movement of the second bolt  732  until the second bolt  732  locks the second pressing portion  718  on the guide surface  643  of the second guide rail  64 . As a result, the second securing set  73  is converted to a locking state and locks the second pressing portion  716  on the second guide rail  64 . By counterclockwise rotation of the second nut  733 , the second bolt  732  is driven by the second nut  733  to move together with the second pressing portion  718  away from the guide surface  643  of the second guide rail  64 , thereby unlocking the second pressing portion  718  from the guide surface  643  of the second guide rail  64  and converting the second securing set  73  to an unlocking state. 
     Because the end of the first bolt  722  of the first securing set  72  is welded to the first pressing portion  716 , and because the end of the second bolt  732  of the second securing set  73  is welded to the second pressing portion  718 , when the first and second securing sets  72 ,  73  are converted to the unlocking states, the retaining bar  71  drives the first and second securing sets  72 ,  73  to move together therewith during sliding movement of the retaining bar  71  in the first direction (D 1 ). When the retaining bar  71  slides to a retaining position to retain the flexible body  132  of one of the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′ and  131 ″, the first and second securing sets  72 ,  73  are converted to the locking states to lock the retaining bar  71  at the retaining position. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  1  to  3 , and  8   , the cap  5  includes a cap body  51 , two positioning plates  52 , and two hooks  53 . The cap body  51  is elongated in the first direction (D 1 ). The positioning plates  52  project from a bottom side of the cap body  51  and are spaced apart from each other in the first direction (D 1 ). The hooks  53  are respectively disposed on bottom ends of the positioning plates  52  and respectively extend toward each other in the first direction (D 1 ). When each housing cover  4  is in the closed position, to assemble the cap  5  to the end plates  32  of the housing body  3 , the cap body  51  abuts against the top walls  621  of the end frames  62  of the cover plates  6  of the housing covers  4  and covers the second guide rails  64  and the wire management grooves  661  of the lateral walls  66  of the cover plates  6 , the positioning plates  52  respectively abut against the top surfaces  323  of the plate bodies  321  of the end plates  32  and engage the positioning slots  324  of the end plates  32 , and the hooks  53  respectively engage the engagement recesses  325  of the end plates  32 , thereby fixing the cap  5  to the end plates  32 . Each hook  53  is pressable to bend relative to a respective one of the positioning plates  52 . When the hooks  53  are pressed to disengage from the engagement recesses  325  of the end plates  32 , the cap  5  can be removed from the end plates  52 . 
     By virtue of the hooks  53  being pressable to disengage from the engagement recesses  325  of the end plates  32 , the cap  5  can be removably assembled to the end plates  32  without assistance of other tools, thereby effectively increasing convenience of assembly. 
     As shown in  FIG.  8   , when each housing cover  4  is in the closed position and when the cap  5  is assembled to the end plates  32  of the housing body  3 , because the cap body  51  abuts against the top walls  621  of the end frames  62  of the cover plates  6  of the housing covers  4  and covers the second guide rails  64  and the wire management grooves  661  of the lateral walls  66  of the cover plates  6 , the cap  5  not only prevents the rain water from flowing past a gap between the lateral walls  66  of the cover plates  6  and into the accommodating space  34  to adversely affect the control box  11  and the rechargeable battery  12 , but also prevents the rain water from flowing into the wire management grooves  661  of the lateral walls  66  of the cover plates  6  to adversely affect the transmission cables accommodated in the wire management grooves  661 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  10 ,  15  and  16   , to assemble one of the solar power panel units  13 ,  13 ′ to a corresponding one of the housing covers  4 , the corresponding housing cover  4  is first rotated to the open position so that the first slot portion  671  of the second lateral slot  67  is oriented upwardly. As exemplified, the solar power panel  131 ″ with the length thereof shorter than a distance between the first and second guide rails  63 ,  64  is first assembled. The flexible panel body  132  of the solar power panel  131 ″ is brought into alignment with the first slot portion  671  and a corresponding one of the end slots  624 . Subsequently, the solar power panel  131 ″ is moved through the second guide rail  64  and the first and second slot portions  671 ,  672  of the second lateral slot  67 , and the flexible panel body  132  thereof is engaged with the corresponding end slot  624 . During movement of the flexible body  132  toward the first guide rail  63 , the flexible body  132  is guided and deformed by the walls defining the corresponding end slot  624  so that the flexibly body  132  is suspended smoothly along the supporting surface  611  of the cover plate  6 . As shown in  FIG.  16   , the solar power panel  131 ″ is moved until the junction box  133  thereof comes into contact with the stop strip  624 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  15  and  17   , a corresponding one of the retaining mechanisms  7  is moved toward the flexible panel body  132  of the solar power panel  131 ″ in the first direction (D 1 ) until a corresponding one of the engaging slots  714  of the corresponding retaining mechanism  7  is engaged with the flexible panel body  132 . Subsequently, the first and second securing sets  72 ,  73  of the corresponding retaining mechanism  7  are converted to the locking states to lock the retaining bar  71  of the corresponding retaining mechanism  7  on the cover plate  6 . Because the flexible panel body  132  is retained between the corresponding engaging slot  714  of the corresponding retaining mechanism  7  and the corresponding end slot  624 , the solar power panel  131 ″ is firmly fixed to the cover plate  6 . 
     Referring to  FIGS.  17  and  18   , to assemble the solar power panel  131 ′, the flexible panel body  132  of the solar power panel  131 ′ is moved through the second guide rail  64  and the first and second slot portions  671 ,  672  of the second lateral slot  67 . By bending the flexible panel body  132  of the solar power panel  131 ′, a side of the flexible panel body  132  of the solar power panel  131 ′ is engaged with the first lateral slot  631  of the first guide rail  63 . Afterwards, the solar power panel  131 ′ is moved in the first direction (D 1 ) toward the corresponding retaining mechanism  7  that retains the solar power panel  131 ″, so that the flexible panel body  132  of the solar power panel  131 ′ engages with the other one of the engaging slots  714  of the corresponding retaining mechanism  7  that retains the solar power panel  131 ″. 
     As shown in  FIGS.  17  and  19   , an adjacent retaining mechanism  7  is moved in the first direction (D 1 ) toward the flexible panel body  132  of the solar power panel  131 ′ until a corresponding one of the engaging slots  714  of the adjacent retaining mechanism  7  engages the flexible panel body  132  of the solar power panel  131 ′. Afterwards, the first and second securing sets  72 ,  73  of the adjacent retaining mechanism  7  are converted to the locking states to lock the retaining bar  71  of the adjacent retaining mechanism  7  on the cover plate  6 . Because two opposite sides of the flexible panel body  132  of the solar power panel  131 ′ respectively engage the engaging slots  714  of the two adjacent retaining mechanisms  7 , the solar power panel  131 ′ is firmly fixed to the cover plate  6 . 
     Referring to  FIG.  19   , the solar power panel  131  is assembled and firmly fixed in the same manner as the solar power panel  131 ′ to the cover plate  6 . 
     Referring back to  FIGS.  17  to  19   , to disassemble the solar power panel  131  from the housing cover  4  for maintenance or replacement, the first and second securing sets  72 ,  73  of a corresponding one of the retaining mechanisms  7  are converted to the unlocking states. Subsequently, the retaining bar  71  of the corresponding retaining mechanism  7  is moved in the first direction (D 1 ) away from the flexible panel body  132  of the solar power panel  131 , so that the flexible panel body  132  of the solar power panel  131  is moved and disengaged from the engaging slots  714  of the two adjacent corresponding retaining mechanisms  7 . Afterwards, the solar power panel  131  is pulled and moved away from the first and second lateral slots  631 ,  67  in order to be maintained or replaced. 
     According to the disclosure, each of the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ″, and  131 ″ of the solar power panel unit  13 ′ can be assembled or disassembled with respect to the corresponding housing cover  4  without additional components, such as screws or glue, thereby increasing convenience for assembly or disassembly and effectively facilitating operation. 
     Referring to  FIGS.  15 ,  17  and  19   , by virtue of the retaining mechanisms  7  sliding in a first direction (D 1 ) relative to and being locked on the cover plate  6  according to the width of the flexible panel body  132  of each of the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′, and  131 ″ in the first direction (D 1 ), the flexible panel bodies  132  of the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′, and  131 ″ are assembled and fixed to the cover plate  6  by the retaining mechanisms  7  without width limitations, thereby greatly increasing flexibility of assembly. As shown in  FIGS.  15  and  16   , while the length of the flexible panel body  132  of the solar power panel  131 ″ is shorter than the distance between the first and second guide rails  63 ,  64 , because the stop strip  642  of the second guide rail  64  confines the junction box  133  of the solar power panel  131 ″, the flexible panel body  132  of the solar power panel  131 ″  can be assembled to and fixed on the cover plate  6  without a length limitation, thereby further increasing flexibility of assembly. In addition to the flexible panel body  132  of one of the solar power panel  131 ,  131 ′ and  131 ″ being retained between two adjacent ones of the retaining mechanisms  7 , one of the end frames  62  and an adjacent one of the retaining mechanisms  7  cooperate with each other to retain the flexible panel body  132  of one of the solar power panel  131 ,  131 ′ and  131 ”, thereby further increasing flexibility of assembly. 
     For each housing cover  4 , by virtue of the cover plate  6  elongated in the first direction (D 1 ) and having the arcuate cross section in a second direction (D 2 ), a large number of the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′,  131 ″ being different in size from one another can be assembled to the cover plate  6  by the retaining mechanisms  7  even when the size of the top surface of the vehicle body is limited. Therefore, the support housing  2  can be loaded with a large number of the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ″,  131 ″ by the two housing covers  4 , thereby supplying high wattage power and increasing a power generation efficiency. 
     In one variant embodiment of the solar power system  100  according to the disclosure, the number of solar power panel unit  13 ,  13 ′, each of the number of the openings  35  and the number of the housing covers  4  can be one. 
     In another variant embodiment of the solar power system  100 , the end slot  624  of each end frame  62  is omitted, and the flexible panel bodies  132  of the solar power panels  131 ,  131 ′ and  131 ″ are retained by only the retaining mechanisms  7 . 
     In still another variant embodiment of the solar power system  100 , the plate body  321  of each end plate  32  can be in the form of a long plate, the cover plate  6  of each housing cover  4  can have a rectangular cross section in the second direction (D 2 ), and the bar body  711  of each retaining mechanism  7  can be in the form of a long strip. 
     In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiment(s). It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal number and so forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be further appreciated that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of various inventive aspects; such does not mean that every one of these features needs to be practiced with the presence of all the other features. In other words, in any described embodiment, when implementation of one or more features or specific details does not affect implementation of another one or more features or specific details, the one or more features may be singled out and practiced alone without the another one or more features or specific details. It should be further noted that one or more features or specific details from one embodiment may be practiced together with one or more features or specific details from another embodiment, where appropriate, in the practice of the disclosure. 
     While the disclosure has been described in connection with what is (are) considered the exemplary embodiment(s), it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiment(s) but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements.