JP2024117468A - Method and device for dismantling solar cell modules - Google Patents

Abstract

[Problem] To provide a method for dismantling a solar cell module that allows easy removal of a frame from the solar cell module. [Solution] The present invention is a method for dismantling a solar cell module that includes a solar cell panel 11 having a pair of parallel first side surfaces 15 and a pair of second side surfaces 16, and a pair of frames 17 attached so as to cover the pair of parallel first side surfaces 15, with at least one of the pair of second side surfaces 16 not covered by the frame, and uses a dismantling device 30 that includes a tapered member 31 having a pair of outer surfaces 34 tapered so that the distance increases from a front end 32 to a rear end 33, and a bottom surface 35 perpendicular to the pair of outer surfaces 34, with a distance L1 between the pair of outer surfaces 34 at the front end 32 being shorter than the distance LF between the pair of frames 17, and a distance L2 between the pair of outer surfaces 34 at the rear end 33 being longer than the distance LF between the pair of frames 17. [Selected Figure] Figure 5

Description

The present invention relates to a method for dismantling solar cell modules and a device for dismantling solar cell modules.

For the sake of durability and ease of installation, solar cell modules are usually constructed with a frame around the outer periphery of a plate-shaped solar cell panel. In solar cell modules of this type, the groove-shaped structure of the frame into which the solar cell panel is fitted is generally filled with a sealant to improve water resistance and water stoppage. In the future, it is expected that a large amount of solar cell modules will be discarded and recycled. However, as described above, in typical solar cell modules, the solar cell panel and frame are firmly fixed together with a sealant, making them very difficult to dismantle. In this context, inventions relating to methods for dismantling solar cell modules have been proposed (see Patent Documents 1 to 3).

JP 2018-30123 A JP 2019-205982 A JP 2021-197464 A

However, even conventional methods for dismantling solar cell modules have room for improvement in terms of practicality, etc., and there is a demand for a method for dismantling solar cell modules that allows the frame to be easily removed from the solar cell module.

The object of the present invention is to provide a method and device for dismantling a solar cell module that allows the frame to be easily removed from the solar cell module.

One aspect of the present invention, which has been made to solve the above problems, is a method for dismantling a solar cell module, the solar cell module comprising a solar cell panel having a pair of parallel first side surfaces and a pair of second side surfaces, and a pair of frames attached to cover the pair of parallel first side surfaces, at least one of the pair of second side surfaces being not covered by the frame, the method comprising dismantling a solar cell module comprising a dismantling device having a tapered member having a pair of outer surfaces tapered so that the distance between the outer surfaces increases from the front end to the rear end, and a bottom surface perpendicular to the pair of outer surfaces, the distance between the pair of outer surfaces at the front end being shorter than the distance between the inner surfaces of the pair of frames, and the distance between the pair of outer surfaces at the rear end being longer than the distance between the inner surfaces of the pair of frames. The method for dismantling a solar cell module includes a step of placing the tapered member on the solar cell module so that a part of the bottom surface of the tapered member faces the solar cell panel, the tip of the tapered member is located on the solar cell panel in a plan view, and each of the pair of outer surfaces of the tapered member intersects with one of the pair of second side surfaces of the solar cell panel that is not covered by the frame, and a step of moving at least one of the tapered member and the solar cell module in a direction in which the rear end of the tapered member approaches the solar cell module while maintaining a state in which a part of the bottom surface of the tapered member faces the solar cell panel.

In the above-mentioned positioning step, it is preferable to position the tapered member on the solar cell module with the solar cell module positioned so that the back surface of the solar cell panel faces up.

The pair of frames preferably have walls perpendicular to the solar panel, a panel support connected to the wall and into which the ends of the solar panel including the pair of side surfaces are fitted, and legs connected to the wall and parallel to the solar panel, and in the moving step, the pair of outer surfaces of the tapered member preferably come into contact with the wall of the pair of frames.

It is preferable that the tapered member is composed of a pair of rod-shaped metal members.

It is preferable that a friction reducing member is disposed on the pair of outer surfaces of the tapered member.

Another aspect of the present invention, which has been made to solve the above problem, is a solar cell module dismantling device that includes a solar cell panel having a pair of parallel first side surfaces and a pair of second side surfaces, and a pair of frames attached to cover the pair of parallel first side surfaces, at least one of the pair of second side surfaces not covered by the frame, and includes a tapered member that has a pair of outer surfaces tapered so that the distance increases from the front end to the rear end, and a bottom surface perpendicular to the pair of outer surfaces, the distance between the pair of outer surfaces at the front end being shorter than the distance between the inner surfaces of the pair of frames, and the distance between the pair of outer surfaces at the rear end being longer than the distance between the inner surfaces of the pair of frames.

The present invention provides a method and device for dismantling a solar cell module that allows the frame to be easily removed from the solar cell module.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a typical solar cell module. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a solar cell panel provided in the solar cell module of FIG. FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the solar cell module of FIG. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a solar cell module to be dismantled in the solar cell module dismantling method according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing a state of an arrangement step in the solar cell module dismantling method according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side view of the state of FIG. FIG. 7 is a partial cross-sectional view of the state shown in FIG. FIG. 8 is a partial cross-sectional view of a state of an arrangement step in a solar cell module disassembly method according to another embodiment. FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a state of a moving step in the solar cell module dismantling method according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a schematic plan view of a tapered member according to another embodiment. FIG. 11 is a partial cross-sectional view of a state of an arrangement step in a solar cell module disassembly method according to another embodiment. FIG. 12 is a partial cross-sectional view of a solar cell module having a different shape from the solar cell module of FIG.

Below, we will explain in detail a solar cell module dismantling method and solar cell module dismantling device according to one embodiment of the present invention, with appropriate reference to the drawings.

<How to dismantle a solar cell module>
(Solar cell module)
First, a solar cell module to be disassembled in a solar cell module disassembly method according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described.

The solar cell module 10 shown in FIG. 1 etc. is a typical solar cell module, and has a plate-shaped solar cell panel 11 and a frame body 12 provided on the outer periphery of the solar cell panel 11. The solar cell module 10 is a device that converts light energy into electrical energy, and may convert light energy other than sunlight into electrical energy. The solar cell module 10 may be called a photovoltaic power generation module, a photoelectric conversion module, or the like. As will be described in detail later, the solar cell module 10 with at least one of the four sides of the frame body 12 removed is used in the method for dismantling a solar cell module according to one embodiment of the present invention. In the description of the embodiment of the present invention, a structure assembled into a square frame shape is basically referred to as a frame body, and each linear member that constitutes the frame body is distinguished as a frame.

The solar cell panel 11 has a known structure. The solar cell panel 11 has a layered structure in which, for example, a surface protection panel, a solar cell, and a back sheet are laminated in this order. In a solar cell panel 11 having such a structure, the front surface 13, which is the surface facing the surface protection panel, is the light-receiving surface, and the back surface 14, which is the surface facing the back sheet, is the non-light-receiving surface (see FIG. 3). The solar cell panel 11 may also be provided with a heater sheet or the like.

The surface protection panel is a plate or sheet having translucency. The surface protection panel has functions such as weather resistance and impact resistance on the surface 13 side. Examples of materials for the surface protection panel include glass and resin. Examples of resins include polycarbonate, polymethyl methacrylate, cyclic polyolefin, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene naphthalate, ethylene-tetrafluoroethylene copolymer, polytetrafluoroethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene, and the like. The surface protection panel may be a glass plate.

A solar cell is an element that generates electricity based on light incident on the surface 13. There are no particular limitations on the type of solar cell, so long as it can convert light energy into electrical energy and extract the converted electrical energy to the outside. Types of solar cells include single crystal silicon solar cells, polycrystalline silicon solar cells, ribbon silicon solar cells, spherical silicon solar cells, thin-film silicon solar cells, heterojunction (HIT) solar cells, CIGS solar cells, CdTe solar cells, dye-sensitized solar cells, organic semiconductor solar cells, and III-V multijunction solar cells.

The back sheet has functions such as weather resistance and impact resistance on the back surface 14 side. The back sheet may be made of the same material as the surface protection panel. However, the back sheet does not need to be translucent.

The solar cell panel 11 may have both the front surface 13 and the back surface 14 as light receiving surfaces. In the case of such a solar cell panel 11, a protective panel having translucency is also arranged on the back surface side. The back surface 14 of the solar cell panel 11 may be the surface on the leg 21 side of the frame body 12 (first frame 17 and second frame 18) described below. The back surface 14 of the solar cell panel 11 may usually be the back or lower surface when the solar cell module 10 is installed. The back surface 14 of the solar cell panel 11 may be the surface that receives less light than the front surface 13.

2, the solar cell panel 11 is substantially rectangular in plan view (viewed in a direction perpendicular to the front surface 13 and the back surface 14 of the solar cell panel 11). The solar cell panel 11 has a pair of parallel first side surfaces 15 and a pair of second side surfaces 16. The pair of second side surfaces 16 may be parallel or may not be parallel. The solar cell panel 11 may be trapezoidal, rectangular, or square in plan view. In this embodiment, the solar cell panel 11 is rectangular in plan view. In this embodiment, the pair of parallel first side surfaces 15 correspond to the long sides of the rectangle, and the pair of second side surfaces 16 correspond to the short sides of the rectangle. The length of the first side surface 15 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 80 cm or more and 300 cm or less, or 100 cm or more and 200 cm or less. The length of the second side surface 16 is not particularly limited, but may be, for example, 50 cm or more and 200 cm or less, or 60 cm or more and 150 cm or less.

The frame body 12 is provided on the outer periphery of the solar panel 11. The frame body 12 is composed of a pair of linear first frames 17 attached to cover a pair of parallel first side surfaces 15, and a pair of linear second frames 18 attached to cover a pair of second side surfaces 16. The pair of first frames 17 and the pair of second frames 18 form the frame body 12 in the shape of a rectangular frame.

As the material for the frame body 12 (first frame 17 and second frame 18), metals such as aluminum and stainless steel are preferred from the standpoint of strength, durability, etc., with aluminum being more preferred.

3, the frame body 12 has a wall portion 19 perpendicular to the solar cell panel 11, a panel support portion 20 connected to the wall portion 19 and into which an end portion 24 (end portion 24 including the first side surface 15 or the second side surface 16) of the solar cell panel 11 is fitted, and a leg portion 21 connected to the wall portion 19 and parallel to the solar cell panel 11. The first frame 17 and the second frame 18, which are components of the frame body 12, have the same structure. That is, the first frame 17 and the second frame 18 each have a wall portion 19 perpendicular to the solar cell panel 11, a panel support portion 20 connected to the wall portion 19 and into which an end portion 24 (end portion 24 including the first side surface 15 or the second side surface 16) of the solar cell panel 11 is fitted, and a leg portion 21 connected to the wall portion 19 and parallel to the solar cell panel 11.

The wall portion 19 is a long, narrow plate that runs along the first side 15 or the second side 16.

The panel support 20 may be composed of a pair of flanges 22 arranged parallel to each other from one end (upper end in FIG. 3) of the wall 19 in the height direction (vertical direction in FIG. 3) toward the solar cell panel 11. The pair of flanges 22 may be plates arranged perpendicular to the wall 19. A groove-shaped structure is formed by a part of the wall 19 and the panel support 20 (the pair of flanges 22). The end 24 of the solar cell panel 11 is fitted into the panel support 20 (between the pair of flanges 22). A sealant 25 is filled in the gap between the panel support 20 and the end 24 of the solar cell panel 11. There is no particular limitation on the sealant 25, but for example, a silicone-based adhesive or the like is used.

The legs 21 are provided parallel to the solar cell panel 11 from the other end (the lower end in FIG. 3) of the wall 19 in the height direction (the vertical direction in FIG. 3) toward the solar cell panel 11. The legs 21 may be a plate provided perpendicular to the wall 19. When the solar cell module 10 is attached, the legs 21 are placed on the lower side, such as on a roof.

As described above, in the solar cell module dismantling method according to one embodiment of the present invention, the solar cell module 10 is dismantled with at least one of the four sides (a pair of first frames 17 and a pair of second frames 18) of the frame body 12 removed. That is, the solar cell module 110 of FIG. 4 used in the solar cell module dismantling method according to one embodiment of the present invention includes a solar cell panel 11 having a pair of parallel first side surfaces 15 and a pair of second side surfaces 16, and a pair of first frames 17 attached to cover the pair of parallel first side surfaces 15 of the solar cell panel 11, and at least one of the pair of second side surfaces 16 is not covered by the frame. In the solar cell module 110 of FIG. 4, a pair of first frames 17 are attached to the pair of first side surfaces 15 corresponding to the pair of long sides of the solar cell panel 11. On the other hand, no frame is attached to both of the pair of second side surfaces 16 corresponding to the pair of short sides of the solar cell panel 11. That is, the pair of second frames 18 are removed. Note that the second frame 18 may be attached to one of the second side surfaces 16. In another embodiment, the solar cell module dismantling method according to one embodiment of the present invention may be applied to a solar cell module from which the frame on the side corresponding to the long side of the solar cell panel 11 has been removed.

The solar cell module 10 in FIG. 1 is obtained by removing the pair of second frames 18 covering the pair of second side surfaces 16 of the solar cell panel 11. The pair of second frames 18 can be removed by a conventional method. The solar cell module 110 in FIG. 4 has the same structure as the solar cell module 10 in FIG. 1, except that the pair of second frames 18 have been removed (the pair of second side surfaces 16 of the solar cell panel 11 are not covered by the frames). The solar cell module 10 in FIG. 1 and the solar cell module 110 in FIG. 4 may be provided with a junction box or the like (not shown). In the solar cell module 110 in FIG. 4 that is used in the solar cell module dismantling method according to one embodiment of the present invention, the junction box or the like may be removed in advance or may remain attached.

(Dismantling equipment)
Next, a dismantling device 30 used in the solar cell module dismantling method according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

The dismantling device 30 includes a tapered member 31. The tapered member 31 has a pair of outer surfaces 34 tapered so that the distance (the distance between the pair of outer surfaces 34) increases from the tip 32 (right side in FIG. 5) to the rear end 33 (left side in FIG. 5), and a bottom surface 35 (see FIGS. 6 and 7) perpendicular to the pair of outer surfaces 34. The distance L1 between the pair of outer surfaces 34 at the tip 32 of the tapered member 31 is shorter than the distance LF between the inner surfaces 39 of the pair of first frames 17. On the other hand, the distance L2 between the pair of outer surfaces 34 at the rear end 33 of the tapered member 31 is longer than the distance LF between the inner surfaces 39 of the pair of first frames 17.

The inner surface 39 of the first frame 17 refers to the inner surface of the first frame 17 that contacts the outer surface 34 of the tapered member 31 in this disassembly method. For example, the inner surface 39 of the first frame 17 may be the inner surface of the wall portion 19 (see FIG. 7).

In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the tapered member 31 is composed of a pair of rod-shaped members. The rod-shaped tapered member 31 may be a metal rod-shaped member. The shape of the rod-shaped member may be any shape that has an outer surface 34, and for example, a substantially rectangular column shape may be used.

Taper member 31 is preferably made of a metal such as aluminum, stainless steel, or hardened steel in terms of strength, durability, etc. Tapered member 31 may be made of a single material or may be made of multiple materials. Tapered member 31 may be made of, for example, a pair of rod-shaped members made of metal.

Typically, the tapered member 31 has a structure that is line-symmetrical in plan view. The angle θ between the symmetry axis X of the tapered member 31 and the outer surface 34 in plan view can be, for example, 1° or more and 45° or less. The lower limit of this angle θ may be 5°, 10°, 20°, or 30°. The upper limit of this angle θ may be 40°, 30°, or 20°. When the angle θ is a relatively large value, the movement distance of the tapered member 31 or the solar cell module 110 can be relatively short to perform the frame removal work. On the other hand, when the angle θ is a relatively small value, the frame removal work can be performed with a relatively small force. The tapered member 31 may have a structure in which the angle θ between the symmetry axis X and the outer surface 34 in plan view can be adjusted or changed.

The length of the outer surface 34 of the tapered member 31 (the length from the leading end 32 to the trailing end 33) is set appropriately depending on the size of the solar cell module 110 to be disassembled. The length of the outer surface 34 may be, for example, 40 cm to 300 cm, or 60 cm to 200 cm. When the tapered member 31 is composed of a pair of rod-shaped members as shown in FIG. 5, the length of the outer surface 34 of the tapered member 31 is the length of the rod-shaped members.

A friction reducing member may be arranged on the pair of outer surfaces 34 of the tapered member 31. The tapered member 131 shown in FIG. 10, which is another embodiment of the tapered member 31, includes a tapered member body 132 and a plurality of rolling elements 133 as friction reducing members. The tapered member body 132 is a linear member having a structure (e.g., a groove structure) that allows the rolling elements 133 to be arranged on the outer surface 134 of the tapered member 131. The rolling elements 133 are arranged so that a part of them is exposed on the outer surface 134 of the tapered member 131. The rolling elements 133 may be balls or rollers. The tapered member 131 of this embodiment has a so-called linear bearing structure, and the rolling elements 133 can come into contact with the pair of first frames 17, which are the objects to be removed, while rolling, thereby reducing friction and making it possible to remove the frames more easily. In addition, by arranging the friction reducing members on the pair of outer surfaces 34 of the tapered member 31, deterioration and wear due to wear of the tapered member 31 can be suppressed. Other examples of configurations in which friction-reducing materials are arranged on the pair of outer surfaces 34 of the tapered member 31 include those coated with a film made of a low-friction material, those coated with a lubricant, etc.

The height H1 of the tapered member 31 (height perpendicular to the bottom surface 35) is not particularly limited, but is preferably smaller than the height H2 from the back surface 14 of the solar cell panel 11 to the leg 21 of the first frame 17 in the solar cell module 110 to be dismantled (see FIG. 7). In such a case, as shown in FIG. 7, the pair of outer surfaces 34 of the tapered member 31 can come into contact with the wall portions 19 of the pair of first frames 17 during dismantling work, and the first frame 17 can be more easily removed while suppressing deformation of the first frame 17. In other words, it is preferable that the tapered member 31 has a structure in which the pair of outer surfaces 34 of the tapered member 31 can come into contact with the wall portions 19 of the pair of first frames 17 during dismantling work.

The dismantling device 30 shown in Figures 5 and 6 further includes a tapered member 31, a tapered member fixing device (not shown), a solar cell module transport device 36, etc. The tapered member fixing device may be a known tool or device for fixing the position, angle, etc., of the tapered member 31. The solar cell module transport device 36 may be a roller conveyor or the like. The solar cell module transport device 36 shown in Figures 5 and 6 is configured to be able to transport the solar cell module 110 placed on the roller conveyor 37 by driving the drive roller 38. Note that in Figure 5, the rollers that make up the roller conveyor 37 are omitted (the same applies to Figure 9).

(Dismantling method)
Next, a procedure for a method for dismantling a solar cell module according to one embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figures 5 to 9. The dismantling method includes a step of arranging the tapered member 31 on the solar cell module 110 ((1) arrangement step), and a step of moving at least one of the tapered member 31 and the solar cell module 110 ((2) movement step).

(1) Placement process In the placement process, as shown in Figures 5 to 7, the tapered member 31 is placed on the solar cell module 110 so that a portion of the bottom surface 35 of the tapered member 31 faces the solar cell panel 11, so that the tip 32 of the tapered member 31 is located on the solar cell panel 11 in a planar view (see Figure 5), and so that each of a pair of outer surfaces 34 of the tapered member 31 intersects with one of a pair of second side surfaces 16 of the solar cell panel 11 that are not covered by the frame.

In one embodiment, the solar cell module 110 is placed on the roller conveyor 37 of the solar cell module transport device 36 so that the orientation of the first frame 17, which is still attached to the solar cell panel 11, coincides with the transport direction (left-right direction in FIG. 5). That is, the solar cell module 110 is placed on the solar cell module transport device 36 so that the longitudinal direction of the solar cell module 110 and the solar cell panel 11 coincides with the transport direction. In addition, the solar cell module 110 is pressed from both sides by the drive rollers 38 to prevent the occurrence of a shift in orientation during the dismantling work using the dismantling device 30 (during the (2) moving process). The solar cell module transport device 36 may be equipped with other means for preventing the orientation of the solar cell module 110 from shifting.

In one embodiment, the solar cell module 110 is placed on the solar cell module transport device 36 so that the back surface 14 of the solar cell panel 11 faces upward. This makes it easier for the force of the tapered member 31 to be applied to the first frame 17, making it easier to remove the first frame 17.

The tapered member 31 is positioned so that its bottom surface 35 faces downward, its tip 32 is located on the solar cell panel 11, and its rear end 33 is not located on the solar cell panel 11. This results in a state in which a part of the bottom surface 35 of the tapered member 31 faces the solar cell panel 11, the tip 32 of the tapered member 31 is located on the solar cell panel 11 in a plan view, and the pair of outer surfaces 34 of the tapered member 31 intersect with one of the pair of second side surfaces 16 of the solar cell panel 11 that is not covered by the frame.

In the arrangement process, a part of the bottom surface 35 of the tapered member 31 may be in contact with the solar cell panel 11 (see FIG. 7). A part of the bottom surface 35 of the tapered member 31 may be in contact with the solar cell panel 11 via another member. In another embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, a gap may be present between a part of the bottom surface 35A of the tapered member 31A and the solar cell panel 11. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the tapered member 31A is arranged on the solar cell module 110 so that a part of the bottom surface 35A of the tapered member 31A faces the solar cell panel 11. The tapered member 31A shown in FIG. 8 is substantially the same member as the tapered member 31 shown in FIG. 7, etc., except that the cross-sectional shape is different.

As described above, the tapered member 31 typically has a structure that is line-symmetrical in plan view. In general, the tapered member 31 is preferably arranged on the solar cell module 110 so that the symmetry axis X of the tapered member 31 in plan view is parallel to the pair of first frames 17 (the pair of parallel first side faces 15). The tapered member 31 is preferably arranged on the solar cell module 110 so that the symmetry axis X is located at a position equidistant from the pair of first frames 17 (the pair of parallel first side faces 15). The tapered member 31 may be fixed by a tapered member fixing device (not shown) so that its position and angle do not shift during dismantling work.

(2) Moving Step In the moving step, at least one of the tapered member 31 and the solar cell module 110 is moved in a direction in which the rear end 33 of the tapered member 31 approaches the solar cell module 110 while maintaining a state in which a part of the bottom surface 35 of the tapered member 31 faces the solar cell panel 11 (see FIG. 9). In this embodiment, the tapered member 31 is fixed, and the solar cell module 110 moves in a direction in which it approaches the rear end 33 of the tapered member 31 (leftward in FIG. 9) by operating the solar cell module transport device 36. In this moving step, too, a part of the bottom surface 35 of the tapered member 31 and the solar cell panel 11 may be in contact with each other, or there may be a gap between them. Also, a part of the bottom surface 35 of the tapered member 31 and the solar cell panel 11 may be in contact with each other via another member.

This movement process applies a force from the pair of outer surfaces 34 of the tapered member 31 in a direction that separates the ends 40 of the pair of first frames 17, so that the pair of first frames 17 gradually peel off from the solar cell panel 11 starting from the ends 40. Therefore, according to this solar cell module dismantling method, it is possible to easily remove the frame 17 from the solar cell module 110. Each component (solar cell panel, frame, etc.) dismantled by this solar cell module dismantling method can be recycled, disposed of, or otherwise disposed of according to conventionally known methods.

In this moving process, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, it is preferable that the pair of outer surfaces 34, 34A of the tapered members 31, 31A contact the wall portion 19 (the inner surface 39 of the wall portion 19) of the pair of first frames 17. For example, as shown in Figure 11, if the outer surface 234 of the tapered member 231 contacts the leg portion 21 of the first frame 17 but does not contact the wall portion 19, the force from the tapered member 231 is applied to the leg portion 21, which makes it easier for the leg portion 21 and the wall portion 19 to bend, and the force from the tapered member 231 is less likely to act in a direction that causes the pair of first frames 17 to come off. In contrast, as shown in Figures 7 and 8, when the outer surfaces 34, 34A of the tapered members 31, 31A come into contact with the wall portions 19 (inner surfaces 39 of the wall portions 19) of the first frame 17, the force from the tapered members 31, 31A tends to act in a direction that disengages the pair of first frames 17, making it particularly easy to remove the frames 17. In this way, in order to make the pair of outer surfaces 34, 34A of the tapered members 31, 31A come into contact with the wall portions 19 (inner surfaces 39 of the wall portions 19) of the pair of first frames 17, it is sufficient to use tapered members 31, 31A of an appropriate size according to the shape and size of the pair of first frames 17.

<Solar cell module dismantling device>
The solar cell module dismantling device according to one embodiment of the present invention is the dismantling device 30 used in the solar cell module dismantling method according to one embodiment of the present invention. The dismantling device makes it possible to easily remove the frame from the solar cell module.

<Other embodiments>
The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and the configuration may be changed without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, the tapered member of the solar cell module dismantling device does not have to be composed of a pair of rod-shaped members. The tapered member may be a single plate-shaped member having a trapezoidal shape in a plan view.

In addition, in a method for dismantling a solar cell module, the solar cell module may be fixed and the tapered member may be moved, or both the solar cell module and the tapered member may be moved and the frame may be removed.

The structure of the frame body (frame) of the solar cell module to be dismantled is not limited to the above structure. For example, the frame body 112 shown in FIG. 12 has two walls 119A and 119B perpendicular to the solar cell panel 11, a panel support part 120 connected to the walls 119A and 119B and into which the end 24 of the solar cell panel 11 is fitted, and a leg part 121 connected to the walls 119A and 119B and parallel to the solar cell panel 11. The same applies to each frame that is a component of the frame body 112. The solar cell module dismantling method of the present invention can also be applied to a solar cell module 210 having a frame body 112 with such a structure. In this case, it is preferable that the pair of outer surfaces of the tapered member contact the inner surface 139 of the inner wall part 119B in the moving process.

The solar cell module dismantling method and solar cell module dismantling device of the present invention can be suitably used when dismantling solar cell modules for disposal, recycling, etc.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 10, 110, 210 Solar cell module 11 Solar cell panel 12, 112 Frame body 13 Front surface 14 Back surface 15 First side surface 16 Second side surface 17 First frame 18 Second frame 19, 119A, 119B Wall portion 20, 120 Panel support portion 21, 121 Leg portion 22 Flange 24 End portion 25 Sealing material 30 Dismantling device 31, 31A, 131, 231 Tapered member 32 Front end 33 Rear end 34, 34A, 134, 234 Outer surface 35, 35A, Bottom surface 36 Solar cell module transport device 37 Roller conveyor 38 Drive roller 39, 139 Inner surface 40 One end 132 Tapered member body 133 Rolling body H1 Height of tapered member H2 Height from the back surface of the solar cell panel to the leg of the first frame L1 Distance between a pair of outer surfaces at the tip of the tapered member L2 Distance between a pair of outer surfaces at the rear end of the tapered member LF Distance between a pair of inner surfaces of the first frame X Symmetry axis of the tapered member in a plan view θ Angle between the symmetry axis and the outer surfaces

Claims (6)

A method for dismantling a solar cell module, comprising: a solar cell panel having a pair of parallel first side surfaces and a pair of second side surfaces; and a pair of frames attached so as to cover the pair of parallel first side surfaces, and at least one of the pair of second side surfaces is not covered by the frame, comprising:
a dismantling device including a tapered member having a pair of outer surfaces tapered such that the distance between the pair of outer surfaces increases from the front end to the rear end, and a bottom surface perpendicular to the pair of outer surfaces, the distance between the pair of outer surfaces at the front end being shorter than the distance between the inner surfaces of the pair of frames, and the distance between the pair of outer surfaces at the rear end being longer than the distance between the inner surfaces of the pair of frames;
a step of: placing the tapered member on the solar cell module so that a portion of the bottom surface of the tapered member faces the solar cell panel, so that a tip of the tapered member is located on the solar cell panel in a planar view, and so that each of the pair of outer surfaces of the tapered member intersects with one of the pair of second side surfaces of the solar cell panel that is not covered by a frame; and a step of moving at least one of the tapered member and the solar cell module in a direction such that a rear end of the tapered member approaches the solar cell module while maintaining a state in which the portion of the bottom surface of the tapered member faces the solar cell panel. The method for dismantling a solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein in the placing step, the solar cell module is placed so that the back surface of the solar cell panel faces up, and the tapered member is placed on the solar cell module. the pair of frames have a wall portion perpendicular to the solar cell panel, a panel support portion connected to the wall portion and into which an end portion including the pair of side surfaces of the solar cell panel is fitted, and a leg portion connected to the wall portion and parallel to the solar cell panel;
The solar cell module disassembly method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein in the moving step, the pair of outer surfaces of the tapered member come into contact with the wall portions of the pair of frames. The method for dismantling a solar cell module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the tapered member is composed of a pair of rod-shaped metal members. The method for dismantling a solar cell module according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a friction reducing member is disposed on the pair of outer surfaces of the tapered member. A solar cell module dismantling device comprising: a solar cell panel having a pair of parallel first side surfaces and a pair of second side surfaces; and a pair of frames attached so as to cover the pair of parallel first side surfaces, and at least one of the pair of second side surfaces is not covered by the frame;
A solar cell module dismantling device comprising a tapered member having a pair of outer surfaces tapered so that the distance between them increases from the front end to the rear end, and a bottom surface perpendicular to the pair of outer surfaces, wherein the distance between the pair of outer surfaces at the front end is shorter than the distance between the inner surfaces of the pair of frames, and the distance between the pair of outer surfaces at the rear end is longer than the distance between the inner surfaces of the pair of frames.

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