JP7836749B2 - Solar panel mounting structures and solar power generation roofs - Google Patents

Description

This disclosure relates to solar panel mounting structures and solar power generation roofs.

Conventionally, solar power roofs equipped with solar panel mounting frames to support solar panels are known. When using solar panels of different thicknesses on a solar power roof, existing mounting frames may not be able to accommodate them. In such cases, the crossbars and other profiles used in new mounting frames may need to be replaced with new profiles that can accommodate the thickness of the solar panels.

Furthermore, in solar panel mounting systems, there is a technology that allows for adjustment of the clamping position in the thickness direction of the solar panels when the thickness of the solar panels differs, thereby accommodating the different thicknesses of the solar panels (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Publication No. 2016-118091

Here, after forming the crossbars and other profiles used in solar panel mounting systems, additional processing such as hole drilling may be performed on the formed profiles at the production site. In such cases, if the shape of the new profile differs from that of the existing profile, it becomes necessary to change the processing equipment for hole drilling and other additional processing at the production site. Therefore, changing the processing equipment at the production site prolongs the development period of the solar panel mounting system, resulting in a longer time before sales can begin.

Furthermore, if a new retaining mechanism is to be added that allows for adjustment of the position of the solar panel in the thickness direction, as described in Patent Document 1, it becomes necessary to create new components, thus extending the development period. Moreover, if a retaining mechanism is to be added that allows for adjustment of the position of the solar panel in the thickness direction, there are concerns that the strength supporting the solar power generation panel may decrease, as the retaining mechanism's position will be moved.

This disclosure aims to provide a solar panel mounting system and a solar power generation roof that can accommodate the thickness of solar panels, suppress strength reduction, and shorten the development period.

This disclosure relates to a solar panel mounting system comprising: vertical battens extending in the direction of the roof's slope and fixed to the roof; horizontal battens extending in a direction perpendicular to the slope and connected to the upper part of the vertical battens, supporting the solar panels from below; and spacer members positioned at least on the ridge side of the horizontal battens and positioned between the horizontal battens and the solar panels.

This is a perspective view showing a solar power generation roof according to one embodiment of this disclosure. This is a plan view of a solar power generation roof according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. This is a plan view of the solar panel mounting structure according to this embodiment. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A in Figure 2. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B in Figure 2. This is a perspective view showing the spacer members positioned on the horizontal bars. This is a perspective view showing the positional relationship between the spacer member, the drainage holes in the solar power generation panel, and the drainage holes in the horizontal support bars. This is a schematic diagram showing the positional relationship between the spacer member and the drainage holes in the solar power generation panel and the horizontal support bars. This diagram shows the state in which solar power generation panels are attached to horizontal bars on which spacer members are placed. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C in Figure 2. This is a cross-sectional view taken along line D-D in Figure 2.

The configuration of a solar power generation roof 1 according to one embodiment of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

The solar power generation roof 1 is formed by integrally integrating the roof of the building 10 with the solar power generation panels 4. The solar power generation roof 1 has roof surfaces that slope from the ridge to both sides, and substantially the entire surface of the roof on the sunny side is integrally formed with the solar power generation panels. The configuration of the roof surface 11 on the sunny side of the solar power generation roof 1 will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 1 to 4. In this embodiment, the eaves side is referred to as the eaves side X1, and the ridge side as the ridge side X2.

As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the solar power generation roof 1 comprises the roof 2 of the building 10 (see Figure 4), a solar panel mounting frame 3, solar power generation panels 4 (solar panels), and decorative materials 6 (see Figure 1).

As shown in Figure 4, roof 2 comprises a roof decking board 21, a waterproof sheet 22, and multiple slates 23 (roofing material).

The roof sheathing 21 is laid on top of the rafters 20, which form the framework of the roof 2 of the building 10. The roof sheathing 21 covers the entire surface of the solar power generation roof 1. Plywood or other board material is used for the roof sheathing 21.

The waterproof sheet 22 is placed on the roof decking 21. The waterproof sheet 22 enhances the waterproofing of the solar power generation roof 1. As the waterproof sheet 22, waterproofing materials such as asphalt roofing, which is made by impregnating cardboard with asphalt, are used.

The slate 23 is formed from flat, plate-like material. Multiple slates 23 are arranged continuously in a sloping direction on the waterproof sheet 22, overlapping with a predetermined overlap width. The multiple slates 23 are arranged continuously, with the upper surface of the ridge-side X2 (upper side) end of one slate 23 overlapping the eaves-side X1 (lower side) end of another slate 23.

The solar panel mounting frame 3 is used to fix the solar power generation panels 4 to the roof 2. As shown in Figure 4, the solar panel mounting frame 3 is fixed to the aforementioned slates 23 by being screwed in by multiple support structures 7. The solar panel mounting frame 3 also securely supports the solar power generation panels 4. As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the solar panel mounting frame 3 is constructed by framing multiple vertical bars 31 and multiple horizontal bars 32 in a grid pattern. The vertical bars 31 and horizontal bars 32 are formed, for example, by extrusion molding of metal such as aluminum.

As shown in Figure 3, the vertical battens 31 are formed extending in the direction of the slope of the roof surface 11 and are installed continuously from the ridge to the eaves. Multiple vertical battens 31 are formed extending along the direction of the slope of the roof surface 11 and are arranged at regular intervals in a direction perpendicular to the slope direction. As shown in Figure 4, they are fixed to multiple slates 23 by multiple support structures 7. Each support structure 7 includes a pair of support members 71 positioned on the sides of both ends in the width direction of the vertical battens 31, and fixing members 72, such as screws, for fixing the pair of support members 71 to the vertical battens 31. The lower ends of the pair of support members 71 are fixed to the slates 23, roof sheathing 21, and rafters 20 by screws, and their sides are fixed to the sides of the ends of the vertical battens 31 in the width direction by the fixing members 72.

As shown in Figure 3, multiple horizontal rails 32 are provided to bridge adjacent vertical rails 31. The horizontal rails 32 are formed extending in a direction perpendicular to the slope direction of the roof surface 11 and are connected to the upper part of the vertical rails 31 by screws via vertical-horizontal conductive fittings 323 and eaves-side fixing fittings 324. The horizontal rails 32 support the solar power generation panels 4 from below at their upper and lower ends in the direction of the slope. Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3, the horizontal rails 32 are constructed by connecting multiple horizontal rail components 321 laterally using connecting members 322.

As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the multiple horizontal bars 32 include an eave-side horizontal bar 33 positioned at the eave-side end X1 of the solar power generation panel 4 closest to the eaves, a ridge-side horizontal bar 35 positioned at the ridge-side end X2 of the solar power generation panel 4 closest to the ridge, and one or more intermediate horizontal bars 34 positioned directly below the horizontal connecting section 42 (see Figures 1 and 2), which is the connecting section of the lateral sides of adjacent solar power generation panels 4, as described later. Details of the horizontal bars 32 (eave-side horizontal bar 33, intermediate horizontal bar 34, and ridge-side horizontal bar 35) will be described later.

Multiple solar power generation panels 4 are fixedly supported by a solar panel mounting frame 3. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, multiple solar power generation panels 4 are arranged parallel to each other in the direction of the slope of the roof surface 11 of the solar power generation roof 1, and multiple panels are arranged parallel to each other in a direction perpendicular to the slope.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the vertical edges of the solar power generation panel 4 that are aligned with the slope direction of the roof surface 11 form a vertically extending joint 41 between them and the vertical edges of adjacent solar power generation panels 4. Furthermore, the horizontal edges of the solar power generation panel 4 that are aligned perpendicular to the slope direction of the roof surface 11 are connected to the horizontal edges of adjacent solar power generation panels 4, with the horizontal bars 32 constituting the solar panel mounting frame 3 in between, thereby forming a horizontal connection portion 42.

As shown in Figure 1, the decorative material 6 comprises an eave-side frame member 61, a ridge-side frame member 62, and a pair of gable-side frame members 63, 63. These eave-side frame member 61, ridge-side frame member 62, and the pair of gable-side frame members 63, 63 constitute the surrounding frame that encloses the solar power generation panel 4, which will be described later.

The details of the horizontal rail 32 will now be explained. As described above, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the multiple horizontal rails 32 include a eaves-side horizontal rail 33, one or more intermediate horizontal rails 34, and a ridge-side horizontal rail 35.

The eaves-side horizontal rail 33 is the horizontal rail closest to the eaves (X1) among the multiple horizontal rails 32. The ridge-side horizontal rail 35 is the horizontal rail closest to the ridge (X2) among the multiple horizontal rails 32. The intermediate horizontal rail 34 is a horizontal rail among the multiple horizontal rails 32 that is positioned between the eaves-side horizontal rail 33 and the ridge-side horizontal rail 35 in the direction of the slope of the roof surface 11. The intermediate horizontal rail 34 and the ridge-side horizontal rail 35 are constructed using common members and are formed in the same shape.

First, the configuration of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33 will be explained. As shown in Figure 5, the eaves-side horizontal rail 33 has a hollow main body portion 331 formed in the shape of a hollow frame, an eaves-side cover portion 335 formed on the eaves side X1, a panel retaining piece 336 protruding from the upper end of the ridge side X2 of the main body portion 331 toward the ridge side X2, and a plurality of grounding fittings 337.

As shown in Figures 3 and 5, a connecting member 322 is positioned inside the hollow section 331 of the main body between adjacent horizontal rail components 321 (see Figure 3) that constitute the eaves-side horizontal rail 33. The connecting member 322 is screw-fixed to each adjacent horizontal rail component 321, connecting the adjacent horizontal rail components 321.

As shown in Figure 5, the hollow main body portion 331 has an upper component portion 332, a ridge-side projection portion 333 that protrudes from the ridge-side end X2 of the lower part of the upper component portion 332 toward the ridge-side X2, and an eaves-side cover portion 335 formed on the eaves-side X1. The upper surface of the ridge-side projection portion 333 constitutes the horizontal rib ridge-side support portion 334. An earth fitting 337 is screw-fixed to the ridge-side end X2 of the ridge-side projection portion 333.

As shown in Figures 3 and 5, the eaves-side horizontal rail 33 is connected to the solar power generation panel 4 by multiple grounding fittings 337 to ensure electrical conductivity. The multiple grounding fittings 337 are positioned only on the ridge side X2 of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33, in the direction of the slope of the roof surface 11. As shown in Figure 3, the multiple grounding fittings 337 are positioned at predetermined locations in the direction in which the eaves-side horizontal rail 33 extends, electrically connecting the eaves-side horizontal rail 33 to the solar power generation panel 4.

As shown in Figure 4, the eaves cover portion 335 has an inclined surface 335a at the end of the eaves side X1 of the eaves horizontal rail 33, which is positioned at the eaves side X1 in the direction of the slope of the roof surface 11. The inclined surface slopes downward from the ridge side X2 towards the eaves side X1. The eaves cover portion 335 is positioned at the eaves of the solar power generation roof 1. The eaves cover portion 335 extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the slope of the roof surface 11 of the solar power generation roof 1, covering the eaves and protecting them. This enhances the aesthetic appearance of the eaves.

As shown in Figure 5, the upper surface of the ridge-side projection 333 constitutes the horizontal rib ridge-side support portion 334 (ridge-side support portion). The horizontal rib ridge-side support portion 334 is formed on the ridge side X2 of the eaves-side horizontal rib 33.

The horizontal rib ridge support portion 334 has, on its upper surface, an extended surface 334a (horizontal rib support surface) that extends a predetermined length toward the ridge side X2 parallel to the inclination direction of the roof surface 11 from the lower end of the ridge side vertical surface 332a of the upper component portion 332 of the main body hollow portion 331, and an inclined surface 334b (horizontal rib inclined surface) that extends toward the ridge side X2 from the end of the extended surface 334a toward the ridge side X2 with a downward slope relative to the extended surface 334a.

The extending surface 334a is formed parallel to the lower surface of the solar power generation panel 4. The inclined surface 334b is arranged continuously with the ridge side X2 of the extending surface 334a. The inclined surface 334b slopes downward from the eaves side X1 to the ridge side X2 relative to the lower surface of the solar power generation panel 4. Spacer members 5 are placed on the extending surface 334a and the inclined surface 334b of the horizontal ridge-side support portion 334.

The spacer member 5 is positioned on the ridge-side support portion 334 formed on the ridge-side X2 of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33. The spacer member 5 is fixed to the upper surface of the ridge-side support portion 334 formed on the ridge-side X2 of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33. For example, the spacer member 5 is adhesively fixed to the upper surface of the ridge-side support portion 334. Because the solar power generation panel 4 is positioned above the spacer member 5, the spacer member 5 is positioned between the eaves-side horizontal rail 33 and the solar power generation panel 4.

The spacer member 5 is positioned along the horizontal beam support portion 334 and is formed in a roughly C-shaped frame with an open lower end. The spacer member 5 is formed in a roughly C-shape, as if the open lower frame has been flattened in the vertical direction. The spacer member 5 is formed, for example, by extrusion molding of a metal such as aluminum.

The spacer member 5 has an extending surface arrangement frame portion 51 that is positioned along the extending surface 334a of the horizontal beam ridge-side support portion 334, and an inclined surface arrangement frame portion 52 that is positioned along the inclined surface 334b of the horizontal beam ridge-side support portion 334.

The extending surface arrangement frame portion 51 has a spacer-side arrangement surface 511. The spacer-side arrangement surface 511 is formed by the upper surface of the extending surface arrangement frame portion 51. The spacer-side arrangement surface 511 is formed parallel to the roof surface 11 and parallel to the extending surface 334a of the horizontal rib ridge-side support portion 334. The spacer-side arrangement surface 511 is formed parallel to the lower surface of the solar power generation panel 4. The lower surface of the eaves-side end X1 of the solar power generation panel 4 is positioned on the spacer-side arrangement surface 511. The spacer member 5, positioned on the ridge-side X2 of the eaves-side horizontal rib 33, supports the eaves-side end X1 of the solar power generation panel 4 by positioning the eaves-side end X1 of the solar power generation panel 4 on the spacer-side arrangement surface 511 of the spacer member 5.

The inclined surface arrangement frame 52 has a spacer-side inclined surface 521. The spacer-side inclined surface 521 is formed by the upper surface of the inclined surface arrangement frame 52. The spacer-side inclined surface 521 is formed continuously with the ridge side X2 of the spacer-side arrangement surface 511. The spacer-side inclined surface 521 is inclined at the same angle as the horizontal bar-side inclined surface.

The spacer-side inclined surface 521 is formed by an inclined surface that slopes downward from the eaves side X1 towards the ridge side X2 with respect to the slope direction of the roof surface 11. The spacer-side inclined surface 521 is formed parallel to the inclined surface 334b of the horizontal rib ridge side support portion 334. The inclination angle of the spacer-side inclined surface 521 is such that when the solar power generation panel 4 is attached to the ridge side X2 of the eaves side horizontal rib 33, even if the solar power generation panel 4 is tilted by a predetermined angle so that the eaves side X1 is downward, the lower corner of the end of the eaves side X1 of the solar power generation panel 4 will hit the spacer-side inclined surface 521 and be guided towards the spacer-side placement surface 511. The spacer-side inclined surface 521 shown in this disclosure is inclined at the same inclination angle as the inclined surface 334b of the horizontal rib ridge side support portion 334 of the eaves side horizontal rib 33, but is not limited to this, and may be inclined at a different angle than the inclined surface 334b of the horizontal rib ridge side support portion 334 of the eaves side horizontal rib 33. The procedure for attaching the solar power generation panels 4 to the eaves-side horizontal rail 33, where the spacer members 5 are positioned, will be described later.

As shown in Figure 6, the spacer member 5 is formed extending in a direction perpendicular to the inclination direction of the roof surface 11, which is the direction in which the eaves-side horizontal rail 33 extends. As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the spacer member 5 is positioned in a direction perpendicular to the inclination direction of the roof surface 11, which is the direction in which the eaves-side horizontal rail 33 extends, avoiding the drainage holes 334d formed at both ends in the longitudinal direction of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33, among the multiple drainage holes 334c of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33.

In this embodiment, as shown in the schematic diagram of Figure 8, multiple drainage holes 43 are formed on the lower surface of the solar power generation panel 4 along its peripheral edge. Figure 8 shows only a portion of the multiple drainage holes 43 of the solar power generation panel 4. Furthermore, multiple drainage holes 334c are provided along the longitudinal direction of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33 on the extended surface 334a of the ridge-side support portion 334 of the ridge-side projection 333 of the hollow portion 331 of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33.

In this embodiment, the spacer member 5 is formed to be shorter than the length of the eaves-side crossbar 33 so as to avoid the drainage holes 334d formed at both ends of the eaves-side crossbar 33 in the longitudinal direction in which the eaves-side crossbar 33 extends. The length of both ends in the direction in which the eaves-side crossbar 33 extends is shorter than the length in the direction perpendicular to the inclination direction of the eaves-side crossbar 33. The spacer member 5 is not positioned within a predetermined distance inward from both ends of the eaves-side crossbar 33 in the longitudinal direction. In this way, as shown in Figures 6 and 7, the spacer member 5 is positioned to avoid the drainage holes 334d formed at both ends of the eaves-side crossbar 33 in the longitudinal direction.

Furthermore, in the direction perpendicular to the slope direction of the roof surface 11, the length of the spacer member 5 is formed to be shorter than that of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33. Therefore, in the range from both ends of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33 in the longitudinal direction to a predetermined distance inward, the spacer member 5 is not positioned between the solar power generation panel 4 and the eaves-side horizontal rail 33. As a result, a step is formed between the end of the spacer member 5 and the eaves-side horizontal rail 33 in the direction perpendicular to the slope direction of the roof surface 11. This means that even if water flows from the drainage hole 43a at the end of the solar power generation panel 4 in the direction perpendicular to the slope direction, the obstruction of water movement is suppressed because the spacer member 5 is not positioned in that range, and water is more easily guided to the drainage hole 334d of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33. Thus, drainage performance can be improved.

As shown in Figure 5, the panel retaining piece 336 is formed to protrude from the upper end of the ridge side X2 of the hollow portion 331 of the main body, and holds down the upper end of the eaves side X1 of the solar power generation panel 4, which is positioned on top of the spacer member 5.

In the eaves-side horizontal rail 33 of the solar panel mounting frame 3 configured as described above, if the thickness of the solar power generation panel 4 is changed, this can be accommodated by adding a spacer member 5 between the horizontal rail ridge-side support portion 334 of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33 and the solar power generation panel 4, or by changing the thickness of the spacer member 5. In this case, the height of the grounding bracket 337 is also changed.

When accommodating the thickness of the solar power generation panel 4, in addition to adding or changing the thickness of the spacer member 5, the height of the grounding fitting 337 needs to be changed. However, since the shape of the main body hollow section 331 does not need to be changed, the shape of the connecting member 322, which is placed inside the main body hollow section 331, does not need to be changed. This has the advantage of reducing the cost required to change the connecting member 322. Furthermore, since the shape of the ridge-side protrusion 333 of the main body hollow section 331 does not need to be changed, the processing equipment at the production site for adding drainage holes 334c to the upper surface of the ridge-side support section 334 of the ridge-side protrusion 333 of the intermediate crossbar 34 profile after molding does not need to be changed, thus shortening the development period.

Now, referring to Figure 9, the procedure for attaching the solar power generation panel 4 to the eaves-side crossbar 33 on which the spacer member 5 is positioned will be explained.

Conventionally, when the spacer member 5 is not positioned on the eaves-side crossbar 33, even if the solar power generation panel 4 is mounted at a predetermined angle with the eaves-side X1 facing downwards when the end of the eaves-side X1 of the solar power generation panel 4 is attached to the eaves-side crossbar 33, the inclined surface 334b is formed on the ridge-side support portion 334 of the eaves-side crossbar 33. Therefore, the lower corner of the end of the eaves-side X1 of the solar power generation panel 4 contacts the inclined surface 334b of the ridge-side support portion 334 of the eaves-side crossbar 33 and is guided towards the extended surface 334a of the ridge-side support portion 334. As a result, the end of the eaves-side X1 of the solar power generation panel 4 is smoothly inserted between the ridge-side support portion 334 of the eaves-side crossbar 33 and the panel retaining piece 336, allowing the eaves-side X1 of the solar power generation panel 4 to be easily attached to the eaves-side crossbar 33.

In contrast, in this embodiment, as shown in Figure 9, a spacer member 5 is placed on the eaves-side horizontal rail 33. The spacer member 5 has a spacer-side inclined surface 521 parallel to the inclined surface 334b of the horizontal rail ridge-side support portion 334 of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33. Therefore, even when the spacer member 5 is provided, the inclined surface 334b of the horizontal rail ridge-side support portion 334 of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33 and the spacer-side inclined surface 521 of the spacer member 5 are formed at the same inclination angle. Thus, similar to the case where the spacer member 5 is not provided, even if the solar power generation panel 4 is installed at a predetermined angle with the eaves side X1 facing downwards, as shown in Figure 9, the lower corner of the end of the eaves-side X1 of the solar power generation panel 4 will first contact the spacer-side inclined surface 521 of the spacer member 5 and be guided towards the extended surface 334a of the horizontal rail ridge-side support portion 334.

As a result, even when the spacer member 5 is provided on the eaves-side crossbar 33, the eaves-side end X1 of the solar power generation panel 4 can be smoothly inserted between the spacer member 5 and the panel retaining piece 336 of the eaves-side crossbar 33, just as in the case where the spacer member 5 is not provided, allowing the eaves-side X1 of the solar power generation panel 4 to be easily attached to the eaves-side crossbar 33.

Next, the configuration of the intermediate crossbar 34 will be described. As shown in Figure 10, the intermediate crossbar 34 has a hollow main body portion 341 formed in the shape of a hollow frame, a crossbar eaves-side support portion 348 formed on the eaves side X1, a panel retaining piece 346 protruding from the upper end of the ridge side X2 of the main body hollow portion 341 toward the ridge side X2, an earth fitting 347, and a panel retaining member 349. The configuration of the earth fitting 347 is the same as that of the earth fitting 337 of the eaves-side crossbar 33, so its description will be omitted.

As shown in Figures 3 and 10, a connecting member 322 is positioned between adjacent crossbar components 321 (see Figure 3) that constitute the intermediate crossbar 34 within the hollow section 341 of the main body. The connecting member 322 is screw-fixed to each adjacent crossbar component 321, connecting the adjacent crossbar components 321.

As shown in Figure 10, the hollow section 341 of the main body comprises an upper component 342, a ridge-side projection 343 extending from the lower ridge-side X2 end of the upper component 342 toward the ridge-side X2, and an eaves-side projection 341a extending from the lower eaves-side X1 end of the upper component 342 toward the eaves-side X1.

The upper surface of the ridge-side projection 343 constitutes the horizontal rail ridge-side support portion 344 (ridge-side support portion). The horizontal rail ridge-side support portion 344 is formed on the ridge side X2 of the intermediate horizontal rail 34. A spacer member 5 is positioned on the horizontal rail ridge-side support portion 344. Since the horizontal rail ridge-side support portion 344 and the spacer member 5 have the same configuration as the horizontal rail ridge-side support portion 334 and spacer member 5 of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33, corresponding reference numerals are used, and their explanation is omitted.

The panel retaining piece 346, similar to the panel retaining piece 336 of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33, is formed to protrude from the upper end of the ridge-side X2 of the hollow portion 341 of the main body toward the ridge-side X2, and holds down the upper end of the eaves-side X1 of the solar power generation panel 4, which is positioned on top of the spacer member 5.

The horizontal sill-side support portion 348 is formed projecting outwards from the end of the sill-side X1 at the upper end of the sill-side projection portion 341a of the intermediate horizontal sill 34. The horizontal sill-side support portion 348 is formed in a U-shape with the lower side open. The horizontal sill-side support portion 348 includes an upward projection plate 348a projecting upward for a predetermined length from the end of the sill-side X1 at the upper end of the sill-side projection portion 341a of the intermediate horizontal sill 34, a sill-side support surface 348b extending parallel to the roof surface 11 for a predetermined length from the upper end of the upward projection plate 348a, and a downward projection piece 348c projecting downward from the end of the sill-side X1 of the sill-side support surface 348b.

The eaves-side support surface 348b is formed above the upper surface 341b of the eaves-side projection 341a, with the upper projection plate 348a acting as a step, and is formed on the eaves side X1 of the upper surface 341b of the eaves-side projection 341a. The eaves-side support surface 348b is formed parallel to the lower surface of the solar power generation panel 4. The eaves-side support surface 348b supports the lower surface of the ridge-side end X2 of the solar power generation panel 4. The ridge-side end X2 of the solar power generation panel 4 is positioned on the eaves-side support surface 348b.

The panel retaining member 349 is attached to the upper part of the intermediate horizontal rail 34. The panel retaining member 349 is screw-fixed to the upper end of the upper component 342 of the intermediate horizontal rail 34, where it is fitted into place. The panel retaining member 349 has a panel retaining projection 349a that protrudes toward the eaves side X1. The panel retaining projection 349a presses against the upper end of the ridge-side X2 end of the solar power generation panel 4, which is positioned on the upper part of the horizontal rail eaves-side support portion 348.

In the intermediate horizontal bar 34 of the solar panel mounting frame 3 configured as described above, if the thickness of the solar power generation panel 4 is changed, this can be accommodated by adding a spacer member 5 between the horizontal bar ridge-side support portion 344 of the intermediate horizontal bar 34 and the solar power generation panel 4, or by changing the thickness of the spacer member 5. In this case, the height of the eaves-side support surface 348b of the horizontal bar eaves-side support portion 348 is changed, as well as the height of the grounding fitting 347.

When accommodating the thickness of the solar power generation panel 4, in addition to adding or changing the thickness of the spacer member 5, it becomes necessary to change the height of the eaves-side support surface 348b of the horizontal bar eaves-side support portion 348 and the height of the earth fitting 347. However, since the shape of the main body hollow portion 341 does not need to be changed, the shape of the connecting member 322, which is placed inside the main body hollow portion 341, does not need to be changed. This has the advantage of reducing the cost required to change the connecting member 322. Furthermore, since the shape of the ridge-side projection 343 of the main body hollow portion 341 does not need to be changed, it is not necessary to change the processing equipment at the production site for adding drainage holes 344c (see Figure 8) to the upper surface of the horizontal bar ridge-side support portion 344 of the ridge-side projection 343 of the molded intermediate horizontal bar 34 profile, similar to the eaves-side horizontal bar 33, thus shortening the development period.

Next, the configuration of the ridge-side horizontal rail 35 will be described. As shown in Figure 11, the ridge-side horizontal rail 35 is constructed with the same shape as the intermediate horizontal rail 34. In this embodiment, from the viewpoint of reducing manufacturing costs, the ridge-side horizontal rail 35 and the intermediate horizontal rail 34 are made of common components.

In describing the configuration of the ridge-side horizontal rail 35, the description of configurations similar to those of the intermediate horizontal rail 34 may be omitted. The ridge-side horizontal rail 35 comprises a hollow main body portion 351 formed in a hollow frame shape, a horizontal rail eaves-side support portion 358 formed on the eaves side X1, a panel retaining piece 356 protruding from the upper end of the ridge side X2 of the main body hollow portion 351 toward the ridge side X2, an earth fitting 357, and a panel retaining member 359. The configuration of the earth fitting 357 is the same as that of the earth fitting 347 of the intermediate horizontal rail 34, therefore its description is omitted.

A ridge-side cover member 36 is attached to the ridge-side end X2 of the ridge-side horizontal rail 35. Inside the hollow section 351 of the main body, as shown in Figures 3 and 11, connecting members 322 are positioned between adjacent horizontal rail components 321 (see Figure 3) that constitute the ridge-side horizontal rail 35.

As shown in Figure 11, the hollow section 351 of the main body comprises an upper component 352, a ridge-side projection 353 extending from the lower ridge-side X2 end of the upper component 352 toward the ridge-side X2, and an eaves-side projection 351a extending from the lower eaves-side X1 end of the upper component 342 toward the eaves-side X1.

The upper surface of the ridge-side projection 353 constitutes the horizontal rail ridge-side support portion 354 (ridge-side support portion). The horizontal rail ridge-side support portion 354 is formed on the ridge side X2 of the ridge-side horizontal rail 35. A spacer member 5 is positioned on the horizontal rail ridge-side support portion 354. The horizontal rail ridge-side support portion 354 and the spacer member 5 have the same configuration as the horizontal rail ridge-side support portion 334 and spacer member 5 of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33, and also the same configuration as the horizontal rail ridge-side support portion 344 and spacer member 5 of the intermediate horizontal rail 34; therefore, corresponding reference numerals are used, and their explanations are omitted.

In this embodiment, the ridge-side horizontal rail 35 is the horizontal rail closest to the ridge (X2) among the multiple horizontal rails 33. Since no solar power generation panels 4 are positioned on the ridge-side X2 of the ridge-side horizontal rail 35, it is not necessary to place the spacer member 5 on the horizontal rail ridge-side support portion 354. However, in this embodiment, the ridge-side horizontal rail 35 and the intermediate horizontal rail 34 are configured as common components. Combinations of the ridge-side horizontal rail 35 and the spacer member 5, and combinations of the intermediate horizontal rail 34 and the spacer member 5, are prepared in advance and configured as common parts. The reason for this is to eliminate mix-ups at the construction site and to handle the ridge-side horizontal rail 35 and the intermediate horizontal rail 34 without distinction.

As shown in Figure 10, the ridge-side cover member 36 is positioned on the ridge X2 closest to the ridge of the solar power generation roof 1. The ridge-side cover member 36 extends in the direction of the slope of the roof surface 11, then slopes downwards towards the ridge X2 of the roof surface, extending for a predetermined length. From the end that has extended for the predetermined length, it extends in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the slope of the solar power generation roof 1, covering the ridge and protecting it. This enhances the aesthetic appearance of the ridge. The ridge-side cover member 36 is fixed to the ridge-side horizontal rail 35 closest to the ridge X2, while being locked to the panel retaining piece 356.

The horizontal bar eaves-side support portion 358 and the panel retaining member 359 have the same configuration as the horizontal bar eaves-side support portion 348 and the panel retaining member 349 of the intermediate horizontal bar 34; therefore, they are given corresponding reference numerals, and their explanations are omitted.

The panel retaining piece 356 has a similar shape to the panel retaining piece 346 of the intermediate horizontal rail 34, but the object it holds is different. While the panel retaining piece 346 of the intermediate horizontal rail 34 holds the upper end of the eaves-side X1 of the solar power generation panel 4, the panel retaining piece 356 of the ridge-side horizontal rail 35 holds the upper end of the eaves-side X1 of the ridge-side cover member 36.

The solar panel mounting system 3 of this embodiment, as described above, provides the following effects.

The solar panel mounting frame 3 of this embodiment comprises vertical battens 31 that extend in the direction of the roof's slope and are fixed to the roof; horizontal battens 32 (eave-side battens 33, intermediate battens 34) that extend in a direction perpendicular to the slope and are connected to the upper part of the vertical battens 31, supporting the solar power generation panels 4 from below; and spacer members 5 that are positioned at least on the ridge side X2 of the horizontal battens 32 (eave-side battens 33, intermediate battens 34) and positioned between the horizontal battens 32 (eave-side battens 33, intermediate battens 34) and the solar power generation panels 4.

Therefore, by simply placing a spacer member 5 between the horizontal rails 32 (eaves-side horizontal rails 33 and intermediate horizontal rails 34) and the solar panels 4, the thickness of the solar power generation panels 4 can be accommodated. As a result, since the basic structure of the horizontal rails 32 (eaves-side horizontal rails 33 and intermediate horizontal rails 34) is not changed by simply placing the spacer member 5, a reduction in strength can be suppressed. In addition, since the shape of the ridge-side protrusions 333 and 343 of the hollow parts 331 and 341 of the main body of the horizontal rails 32 (eaves-side horizontal rails 33 and intermediate horizontal rails 34) does not need to be changed, it is not necessary to change the processing equipment at the production site for adding drainage holes 334c to the upper surface of the ridge-side protrusions 333 and 343 of the molded horizontal rails 32 (eaves-side horizontal rails 33 and intermediate horizontal rails 34), and the development period can be shortened. Furthermore, since the shape of the hollow sections 331 and 341 of the main body of the horizontal bars 32 (eaves-side horizontal bars 33 and intermediate horizontal bars 34) does not need to be changed, for example, in a configuration where adjacent horizontal bar components 321 constituting the horizontal bar 32 are connected by connecting members 322, the shape of the connecting members 322 does not need to be changed, thus reducing the cost required to change the connecting members 322. Therefore, it is possible to accommodate the thickness of the solar power generation panel 4, suppress the reduction in strength, and shorten the development period.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the eaves-side horizontal rail 33 has a horizontal rail ridge-side support portion 334 formed on the ridge-side X2 of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33, which supports the solar power generation panel 4 from below by interposing a spacer member 5. The horizontal rail ridge-side support portion 334 has an extended surface 334a formed parallel to the lower surface of the solar power generation panel 4, and an inclined surface 334b positioned on the ridge-side X2 of the extended surface 334a and formed with a downward slope from the eaves-side X1 towards the ridge-side X2 relative to the lower surface of the solar power generation panel 4. The spacer member 5 is positioned on the horizontal rail ridge-side support portion 334 and has a spacer-side arrangement surface 511 formed parallel to the lower surface of the solar power generation panel 4 on which the solar power generation panel 4 is arranged, and a spacer-side inclined surface 521 positioned on the ridge-side X2 of the spacer-side arrangement surface 511.

As a result, by providing the spacer-side inclined surface 521 on the spacer member 5, when attaching the solar power generation panel 4 to the ridge side X2 of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33, even with the spacer member 5 in place, the lower corner of the end of the eaves-side X1 of the solar power generation panel 4 will contact the spacer-side inclined surface 521 and be guided towards the spacer-side placement surface 511, just as in the case without the spacer member 5. This makes it possible to achieve the same ease of installation of the solar power generation panel 4 as in the case without the spacer member 5, even with the spacer member 5 in place.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the spacer-side inclined surface 521 is positioned on the ridge side X2 of the spacer-side arrangement surface 511 and inclined at the same angle as the inclined surface 334b. This allows for the provision of a spacer-side inclined surface 521 parallel to the inclined surface 334b of the eaves-side horizontal rail 33, thereby achieving an even greater ease of installation of the solar power generation panel 4, comparable to the case without the spacer member 5, even in a configuration with the spacer member 5.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the spacer member 5 is positioned to avoid the drainage holes 334d of the eaves-side crossbar 33. This improves drainage performance.

Furthermore, in this embodiment, the spacer member 5 is made of aluminum. This allows for better sliding when attaching the ends of the solar power generation panel 4 compared to when it is made of rubber, for example, making it easier to attach the solar power generation panel 4. Additionally, by forming the spacer member 5 from aluminum, the manufacturing cost of extrusion molding using metals such as aluminum is lower than that of forming it from rubber, for example. Therefore, the manufacturing cost of the spacer member 5 can be reduced compared to when it is made from rubber, for example.

The above describes a preferred embodiment of the solar panel mounting system 3 of this disclosure. However, this disclosure is not limited to the embodiment described above and can be modified as appropriate.

For example, in the above embodiment, the spacer member 5 was placed on the ridge side X2 of the horizontal rail 32, but the embodiment is not limited to this. In addition to placing the spacer member 5 on the ridge side X2 of the horizontal rail 32, the spacer member 5 may also be placed on the eaves side X1 of the horizontal rail 32.

In the above embodiment, the spacer member 5 was formed from a metal such as aluminum, but it is not limited to this. The spacer member 5 may also be formed from a resin material, for example.

In the above embodiment, the spacer member 5 was formed in a substantially C-shape with an open lower side, but it is not limited to this. The spacer member 5 may also be configured as a hollow structure with a closed lower section.

1. Solar power generation roof, 3. Solar panel mounting frame, 4. Solar power generation panel (solar panel), 5. Spacer member, 31. Vertical battens, 32. Horizontal battens, 33. Eaves-side horizontal battens (horizontal battens), 334. Horizontal batten ridge-side support part (eaves-side support part), 334a. Extended surface (horizontal batten-side support surface), 334b. Inclined surface (horizontal batten-side inclined surface), 334d. Drainage hole (single drainage hole), 51. (Spacer-side placement surface), 52. (Spacer-side inclined surface)

Claims (5)

A vertical batten extending in the direction of the roof's slope and fixed to the roof,
A horizontal bar is formed extending laterally from the vertical bar and connected to the upper part of the vertical bar, supporting the solar panel from below,
The system comprises a spacer member positioned at least on the ridge side of the horizontal beam and positioned between the horizontal beam and the solar panel ,
The horizontal rail has a ridge-side support portion formed on the ridge side of the horizontal rail, which supports the solar panel from below by interposing the spacer member.
The ridge-side support portion has a horizontal support surface formed parallel to the lower surface of the solar panel, and a horizontal inclined surface positioned on the ridge side of the horizontal support surface and inclined downwards from the eaves side towards the ridge side relative to the lower surface of the solar panel.
The spacer member is positioned on the ridge-side support portion and has a spacer-side mounting surface formed parallel to the lower surface of the solar panel on which the solar panel is positioned, and a spacer-side inclined surface positioned on the ridge side of the spacer-side mounting surface . The solar panel mounting frame according to claim 1 , wherein the spacer-side inclined surface is positioned on the ridge side of the spacer-side arrangement surface and inclined at the same angle as the horizontal brace-side inclined surface. Multiple drainage holes are formed on the upper surface of the aforementioned horizontal bar.
The solar panel mounting frame according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the spacer member is formed to extend in the direction in which the horizontal bar extends and is positioned to avoid at least one of the drainage holes of the horizontal bar. The solar panel mounting frame according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the spacer member is made of aluminum. A solar panel mounting frame according to claim 1 or 2 ,
A solar power generation roof comprising solar panels supported on the aforementioned solar panel mounting frame.