JPH0945948A - Solar cell module - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To obtain a solar cell module in which a solar cell array can be assembled without being shielded and can be set easily in an operating state. SOLUTION: The solar cell module comprises a plurality of solar cells connected in series, and a terminal box 4 for housing a pair of output terminal plates 3p. The terminal box 4 is provided with means for switching between a state where the output of solar cell module is short-circuited and a state where the output is opened or a state where a diode is connected in parallel with the solar cell module wit reverse polarity. The solar cell module is short- circuited through a short circuit metal or between the terminal plates 3p of a forward diode. Switch means is the handle H of a diode connector 2c having a connecting pieces 2p at the opposite ends, a slide or a toggle switch.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solar cell module in which a large number of solar cells each having silicon or the like as a photoelectric conversion layer are connected.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Solar cells are known as an effective means for converting sunlight energy into electric power. Usually, a plurality of solar cells (hereinafter referred to as cells) are connected at least in series, and a solar cell module (hereinafter referred to as a module) is reinforced by using a frame or a sealing material, and a plurality of modules are further connected. It is used as a solar cell array. The output of the solar cell array affected by the sunlight is supplied to an inverter or the like so as to output a constant voltage according to the load.

The biggest difficulty in operating a solar cell array in which such modules are connected in series is that when a module in the module during solar radiation is partially shaded, the other That is, the total generated voltage from the power generating module is applied in the form of a reverse voltage. If this reverse voltage exceeds the breakdown voltage of the module, the cell will be destroyed. In order to prevent such an accident, normally, a diode is connected in parallel between the output terminals of the module in the direction opposite to the polarity of the module so that the reverse voltage is not applied. This is called a bypass diode.

In addition, a current may flow back from the load to the solar cell array due to some accident and destroy the module. Therefore, in order to prevent such an accident, a backflow prevention diode is connected in series to the solar cell array. There is a need.
A backflow prevention diode may be connected in series to each module. FIG. 5 is a connection diagram of a conventional solar cell module and a bypass diode. A bypass diode 2b is connected in parallel to the output terminal 3 of the solar cell module 1 including the solar cells 1c connected in series in the opposite polarity.

Normally, the bypass diode 2b is installed in a dedicated terminal box together with the terminal part of the module. Since the terminal box is attached to the module, both are collectively called a solar cell module. FIG. 6 is a plan view of the inside of a conventional terminal box. Two metal terminal plates 3p are fixed to the bottom or side surfaces of the terminal box 4. An input terminal 3i for connecting the output lead 11 of the module and an output terminal 3o for connecting the output lead coming out of the terminal box 4 (not shown) are connected to the terminal board 3p.
Are provided respectively. The bypass diode 2b has its lead wire fixed to the terminal plate 3p by soldering or the like.

The series connection of the modules 1 is repeated by connecting the negative terminal of the output terminal 3 and the positive terminal of the output terminal 3 of the adjacent module, and the positive terminal of the first module and the negative terminal of the last module are connected to the solar cell array. All output terminals.

[0007]

When assembling a solar cell moarray by connecting the above-mentioned modules outdoors in multiple stages, the work is usually carried out during the daytime when there is sunlight, but at this time the risk of electric shock is a problem. Has become. Since solar cells generate electric power even if there is a little solar radiation, they must be shielded so that light does not enter the solar cells when working in the daytime, and the work of attaching and detaching the shields is complicated.

An object of the present invention is to short-circuit the output terminals of the module during the assembling work so that there is no danger of electric shock even if such work is performed without shielding.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a solar cell module in which a bypass diode can be connected between output terminals after the work is completed or can be set to another predetermined state, and the connection direction of the bypass diode can be easily confirmed from the outside.

[0009]

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides a solar cell module having a terminal box having a plurality of solar cells connected in series and having a pair of output terminal plates built therein. In the terminal box, the output of the solar cell module is switched from a short-circuited state to a state where the output is opened or a diode is connected to the output in parallel in a direction opposite to the polarity of the solar cell module. Have means.

It is assumed that the short-circuited state is a forward connection with respect to the output polarity of the diode solar cell module. If the short circuit is due to a diode, the switching means may be a switch for rotating the diode between the output terminals. Similarly, the switching means may be a switch for sliding the diode between the output terminals.

Similarly, the switching means may be a toggle switch. Similarly, the diode used for the short circuit may be diverted to a backflow prevention diode. The switching means may include a switching operation unit outside the terminal box. In this case, the penetrating part of the switching operation part to the outside of the terminal box may have a waterproof structure.

It is assumed that a display indicating the above-mentioned state is written near the mounting portion of the switch in the terminal box of the switch. The short-circuited state may be a connection of a metal short-circuit element. In this case, the short circuit may be released by cutting or pulling out the short circuit element.

[0013]

According to the present invention, in a solar cell module having a terminal box having a plurality of solar cells connected in series and having a pair of output terminals, the output of the solar cell module is the terminal box. In the short-circuited state, each cell is generating electricity because it has means for switching from the short-circuited state to the state in which the output is opened or the diode is connected to the output in the reverse parallel connection with the solar cell. However, almost no voltage appears at the module output, and the operating state of the conventional module can be switched by activating the switching means.

Further, since the short-circuit is made by connecting the metal short-circuit element or the diode in the forward direction, only zero voltage or the forward-direction rising voltage of the diode appears at the output terminal of the module. Further, as the switching means, a switch for switching the polarity by rotating or sliding the diode connection body between terminals of different polarities is used, or a toggle switch is used, but the generated voltage of the module is 2 to 20.
Since these are about 0 V and the output current is several tens of amperes or less, these simple switches can be used.

[0015]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Example 1 FIGS. 1A and 1B are diagrams of a rotary switch of a diode connection body of an example according to the present invention, FIG. 1A is a plan view, and FIG.

The diode connecting body 2c is formed by integrating a connecting piece 2p of a metal plate having a J-shaped cross section, which is connected to each pole of the diode, with an insulating material. In addition, a handle H for rotating in the center is attached. A terminal plate 3p made of two L-shaped metal plates is fixed to the bottom of the box portion 4b of the terminal box 4, and the connecting piece 3v standing at a right angle to the bottom of the terminal plate 3p is elastic so that the diode connecting body 2c. It is designed to be pressed hard. An input terminal 3i is provided in the portion parallel to the bottom to which the output lead 11 from the module is connected, and an output terminal 3o is provided to which the output lead can be connected.

The rotating shaft of the handle H is the lid portion 41 of the terminal box 4.
Through the packing 4p fitted in the
Can be rotated 180 degrees to switch to a short-circuited state or an operating state (connection polarity that acts as a bypass diode). The packing 4p is made of soft rubber or silicone rubber to prevent rainwater from entering the terminal box.

In order that the connection state of the diode (the operating state at the time of bypass and the ready state for assembling at the time of short circuit) can be identified from the outside, it is located at one end of the handle H and its facing position, for example, in the operating state. , "Driving" and so on. The handle H is not always necessary, and in that case, the diode connection body 2c can be directly pulled out by hand and the polarity can be replaced. The identification mark is provided on the diode connection body 2c, and the lid 4l is provided so that the identification mark can be seen.
Is a transparent material such as glass.

It was possible to safely assemble the solar cell array without shielding the modules by keeping each module in a short-circuited state, and to confirm the state by the handle position and the identification mark. Was easy,
Further, the module could be put into the operating state simply by rotating the handle 180 degrees after the work was completed. Embodiment 2 FIG. 2 is a diagram of a main part of a slide switch of a diode-connected body of another embodiment according to the present invention, (a) is a plan view, and (b) is a BB sectional view in (a). is there.

The diode connecting body 2c is in the shape of a round bar, and has, at both ends thereof, a cylindrical metallic connecting piece 2q connected to each pole of the diode, which are integrated with an insulating material. In addition, a handle H for sliding is attached to the side surface. At the bottom of the box portion 4b of the terminal box 4, there are two Ls separated by a distance twice the distance of the connecting piece of the diode connecting body.
A terminal plate 32p having a letter-shaped portion and a terminal plate 31p having one connecting piece 3p are fixed, and the connecting pieces 3v standing at a right angle to their bottoms are arranged in a plane. These connecting pieces 3v
A guide 3g made of an insulating material having a concave portion in which the diode connector 2c slides is provided so as to face the diode connector 2c, and the diode connector 2c is pressed against the three connecting pieces 3v of the terminal plate.

Since the diode connecting body 2c is slid, the portion of the handle H that penetrates the packing 4p is made flat in the sliding direction, and the handle H has a large area so that the cut portion of the packing 4p is always tightly covered. Also, so that the connection polarity of the diode can be easily identified,
The handle H and the lid 4l are marked.

When the handle H is not used, it is the same as in the first embodiment. As in Example 1, the assembly work of the solar cell array could be safely performed without danger of electric shock.
It was easy to confirm the state by the handle position and the identification mark, and the module could easily be put into the operating state by simply sliding the handle after the work. Example 3 The polarity of the diode can be switched using a known toggle switch. In this case, the terminal plate may be a conventional flat plate, and there is a high degree of freedom in wiring between each terminal of the toggle switch and the diode and the terminal plate.The toggle switch can be attached to the lid or side of the terminal box. Since this is well known, a typical connection example according to the present invention will be described.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing an example of connection using the toggle switch according to the present invention. (A) is a circuit diagram for switching the polarity of the diode, (b) is a circuit diagram with or without a short circuit, and (c) is a backflow prevention. It is a circuit diagram of switching to a diode. FIG. 3 (a)
Then, there is one diode 2 and it is connected between two common terminals c of the toggle switch 52 of two circuits. The output lead 11 is connected to each of the two terminals a and b of the toggle switch 52, and a and b have opposite polarities.

The diode 2, toggle switch 52 and output terminal 3 are housed in a terminal box (not shown). The toggle of the toggle switch 52 may be placed inside or outside the box, but in order to easily distinguish between the bypass state and the short circuit state, an identification mark is attached so that the direction of the toggle of the toggle is clear. If ac is connected, the diode 2 acts as a bypass and the module is in operation, if ab is connected it is in short circuit.

In FIG. 3B, the number of the diode 2 is one, and the output lead 11 and the output lead 12 are connected to each other in a direction to be a bypass diode. The output leads 11 are respectively connected to the terminal a and the common terminal c of the toggle switch 61 of one circuit.
And the output lead 12 were connected. When the ac is connected, the output lead 11 and the output lead 12 are short-circuited, and bc
If is connected, the toggle switch is off and in operation.

In FIG. 3 (c), there is one diode 2, which is connected between the two common terminals c of the toggle switch 62 of two circuits, and the positive side of the diode 2 is connected to the negative output terminal of the module. The output lead 11 and the output lead 12 are connected to the two terminals a of the toggle switch 62,
The output lead 12 was connected to one of the terminals b. Thus
When ac is connected, the diode acts as a backflow preventer to the module, the module is in operation and a
When b is connected, the output of the module is short-circuited, with current flowing as diode forward current.

In any connection, as in the first embodiment, the module is not shielded, and the assembly work of the solar cell array can be safely performed without danger of electric shock. It was easy to confirm the status by the display, and the module could easily be put into the operating status by simply tilting the toggle after the work was completed. Example 4 FIG. 4 is a plan view of a terminal box of another example according to the present invention, in which a short-circuit element 6 is attached to a terminal plate 3p in a conventional terminal box. The diode 2 is connected to the polarity of the bypass diode.

The short-circuit element 6 is a thin metal plate or wire, and a constriction 61 is attached near the terminal plate so that it can be cut by the constriction 61 by pulling strongly with a hand. Since most of the short-circuit element 6 is out of the terminal box 4, it is possible to eliminate the short-circuit by a simple work after assembling the solar cell array, and whether or not the short-circuit element 6 can be seen is the short-circuit state and the identification is It was easy.

[0029]

According to the present invention, in a solar cell module having a terminal box having a plurality of solar cells connected in series and having a pair of output terminals built therein, the terminal box is a solar cell module. Since the output has been short-circuited, the output has been opened, or the output has a diode connected in reverse parallel to the solar cells. You can assemble the solar cell array without the risk of electric shock without attaching
You can easily enter the operating state by activating the switching means. Also, since the status identification display is attached at a position that is easy to see, the status can be easily confirmed without any error.

Further, as the parts to be used, the diode which has been conventionally used can be used except for the toggle switch. Therefore, since it is carried out, no extra material is required, and there is no problem in cost.

[Brief description of drawings]

1A and 1B are diagrams of a rotary switch of a diode-connected body according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1A is a plan view, and FIG.

2A and 2B are diagrams of a main part of a slide switch of a diode-connected body according to another embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 2A is a plan view, and FIG.
Is a cross-sectional view taken along line BB in (a)

FIG. 3 is a diagram of a connection example using a toggle switch according to the present invention, FIG. 3A is a circuit diagram of polarity switching of a diode, and FIG.
Is a circuit diagram with or without a short circuit, and (c) is a circuit diagram for switching to a backflow prevention diode.

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a terminal box according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a wiring diagram of a conventional solar cell module and a bypass diode.

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the inside of a conventional terminal box.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 solar cell module 11 output lead 2 diode 2c diode connection body 2b bypass diode 2r backflow prevention diode 3p terminal plate 31p terminal plate 32p terminal plate 3i input terminal 3o output terminal 3v connection piece 4 terminal box 4l terminal box lid 4b terminal box Bottom 4p packing 51 toggle switch 52 toggle switch 6 short-circuit H handle

Claims (11)

[Claims] 1. A solar cell module having a plurality of solar cells connected at least in series and having a terminal box containing a pair of output terminal plates, wherein the output of the solar cell module is short-circuited in the terminal box. A solar cell module comprising means for switching from a state to a state where the output is opened or a state where a diode is connected to the output in parallel in a direction opposite to the polarity of the solar cell module. 2. The solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the short-circuited state is a forward connection with respect to the output polarity of the solar cell module of the diode. 3. The solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the switching means is a switch for rotating a diode between the output terminals. 4. The solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the switching means is a switch for sliding a diode between the output terminals. 5. The solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the switching means is a toggle switch. 6. The solar cell module according to claim 5, wherein the diode used for the short circuit is diverted to a backflow prevention diode. 7. The solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the switching means includes a switching operation section outside the terminal box. 8. The solar cell module according to claim 7, wherein the penetrating portion of the switching operation portion to the outside of the terminal box has a waterproof structure. 9. The solar cell module according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein a display indicating the state is provided near a mounting portion of the switch in a terminal box of the switch. 10. The solar cell module according to claim 1, wherein the short-circuited state is a connection of a metal short-circuit element. 11. The solar cell module according to claim 10, wherein the short circuit is released by cutting or pulling out the short-circuit element.