JPH0617324Y2 - Solar cell module - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Industrial field of application] The present invention relates to a structure of a solar cell module provided with a metal frame in its peripheral portion.

[Conventional technology and problems]

Conventionally, silicone sealant-based, polyurethane-based, polysulfide-based, and butyl rubber-based sealing materials have been known as sealing materials for sealing the solar cell panel and the metal frame. Although it has the drawback of being large, the polysulfide sealant has good initial characteristics,
It is unsuitable because pinholes are generated in the boiling test. Butyl rubber-based sealing materials are excellent in various properties such as water vapor transmission rate and are inexpensive, and are used in most modules. However, it was unavoidable that the butyl rubber softened and the panel settled under its own weight in an environment where the operating temperature was 60 ° C to 70 ° C.

As a solution to such a drawback, a solar cell module in which a protrusion is provided inside a concave portion of a metal frame has been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 58-84469). There is almost no gap or a very small gap in the raised part. Therefore, if the thickness variation of the transparent substrate and the support member is on the + side, it may not be possible to insert it, and if the dimensional accuracy is such that it can be inserted. However, it was difficult to insert it because there was almost no gap in the convex portion.

Also, due to the difference in expansion coefficient between the metal frame made of aluminum or the like and the glass used as the transparent substrate supporting member, the raised portion may be in contact with the panel, or even if there is a gap, it is extremely small, so that thermal cracking may occur. It was

[Purpose of device]

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above problems. By using butyl rubber, which is low in permeation of water vapor and has a low price, as a sealing material, the settling of panels due to softening is completely prevented even at high temperatures. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a solar cell module in which a metal frame can be easily inserted into a panel.

[Means for solving problems]

The present invention relates to a solar cell module in which a U-shaped metal frame is fitted around a panel provided with a solar cell element between a transparent substrate and a supporting member via a butyl rubber-based sealing material. It is characterized in that a gap between the lower surface and the metal frame is filled with an elastic member in the vicinity of the butyl rubber-based sealing material.

[Action]

By using a butyl rubber-based sealing material as the sealing material in the peripheral part of the panel, it exhibits excellent characteristics as a sealing material such as water vapor transmission rate. Furthermore, an elastic member that has elasticity at the maximum operating temperature of the panel, for example 70 ° C, is made of butyl rubber. By filling the gap between the bottom surface of the panel and the metal frame close to the system sealing material, the initial gap is maintained even at the maximum operating temperature, and even if the butyl rubber sealing material softens, it goes out of the metal frame. Can completely be prevented from flowing.

Further, the gap between the panel and the metal frame, that is, the U-shaped upper and lower sealing layers is 1 in total as in the embodiment.
Since it can be set to about mm, it is possible to easily insert the metal frame into the panel and prevent thermal cracking due to the difference in expansion coefficient between the metal frame and the panel.

〔Example〕

 Hereinafter, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

1, 2 and 3 are cross-sectional views showing the main part of the solar cell module of the present invention.

Example 1 Cell glass having a solar cell element 2 formed of amorphous silicon or the like on a glass substrate as a transparent substrate 1,
A support member 3 such as tempered glass is laminated via a laminated film 4 such as an EVA (ethylene vinyl acetate) film, and pressure-bonded by an ordinary laminator, a solar cell panel
Get 5 .

Prepare a metal frame 6 made of A1 for which four steps are formed by notching the tip of the lower surface of the U-shaped recess, and insert rod-shaped butyl rubber sealing 7 into each and heat the butyl rubber to approximately 80 ° C. Soften. In this state, a jig having a shape substantially equal to the shape of the silicone sealant-based sealing material to be filled thereafter is engaged with the step portion 6a, and each metal frame 6 is inserted into the solar cell panel 5 . After that, a silicone sealant-based sealing material is filled in the step portion 6a as an elastic member 7'to obtain a solar cell module 8 having a metal frame inserted all around.

In the solar cell module thus obtained, the silicone sealant-based sealing material 7'remains in an elastic state even when the module temperature reaches 70 ° C., and the butyl rubber-based sealing material 7 flows out of the metal frame, so that the panel Can be completely prevented from settling.

Example 2 An elastic tape made of polyethylene foam is used as an elastic member 7'on the entire periphery of the lower surface of the solar cell panel 5 having the same configuration as in Example 1.
As an adhesive.

Prepare a metal frame 6 having U-shaped parts on four sides, and insert a rod-shaped butyl rubber-based sealing material 7 into each part, approximately 80 ° C.
Heat to soften the sealant. In this state, each metal frame 6 is inserted into the solar cell panel 5 to obtain the solar cell module 8 .

The solar cell module thus obtained is also in Example 1.
It has the same effect as.

Example 3 On the solar cell panel 5 having the same structure as that of Example 1, a silicone sealant-based sealing material as an elastic member 7'is applied to the entire peripheral portion of the lower surface, adjusted to a constant thickness, and then cured.

Hereinafter, the solar cell module 8 is obtained by the same method as in Example 2.

The solar cell module 8 thus obtained has the same effects as those of Examples 1 and 2, and since the elastic members are provided on the panel and the lower surface, the upper and lower gaps of the metal frame 6 and the panel 5 are always constant. Can be

The preferred embodiments have been described above, but the present invention is not limited to these, and various applications are possible.

Regarding the elastic member, in addition to the silicone sealant type as the sealing material, polyurethane type, polysulfide type, etc., and the elastic tape may be made of polyurethane foam, neoprene foam, etc., in addition to polyethylene foam.

In addition to the solar cell panel of the embodiment, a large number of crystalline solar cell elements connected in series or in parallel are filled with polyvinyl butyral or the like between a transparent substrate such as tempered glass and a supporting member such as synthetic resin. It may be enclosed together with the material.

[Effect of device]

As described above, the solar cell module of the present invention has excellent sealing properties and uses a low-priced butyl rubber-based sealing material to eliminate the flow of the sealing material during high-temperature use.
The settling of the panel can be completely prevented, and thermal cracking due to the difference in expansion coefficient between the panel and the metal frame can be prevented.

Further, there is an effect that the metal frame can be easily inserted into the panel.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are cross-sectional views showing the main parts of the solar cell modules of Example 1, Example 2 and Example 3 of the present invention, respectively. 1 ... Transparent substrate, 2 ... Solar cell element 3 ... Support member, 5 ... Solar cell panel 6 ... Metal frame 7 ... Butyl rubber sealing material 7 '... Elastic member 8 ... Solar cell module

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A solar cell module in which a U-shaped metal frame is fitted to a peripheral portion of a panel provided with a solar cell element between a transparent substrate and a supporting member via a butyl rubber-based sealing material. In the gap between the lower surface of and the metal frame,
A solar cell module, characterized in that an elastic member is filled near the butyl rubber-based sealing material.