SOLAR CELL MODULE AND PHOTOVOLTAIC POWER GENERATION SYSTEM INCLUDING THE SAME

• US 20150214889A1
• Filed: 09/05/2014
• Published: 07/30/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 01/28/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Trina Solar Limited
• Original Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc. (LG Corporation)
• Inventors: NAM, Hyukjin, KIM, Jungguen, JEON, Joonho, CHO, Jinyoung, SHIN, Daehyun, WOO, Byungwook, MUN, Hyunrok
• Granted Patent: US 10,644,646 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 3/33507 with automatic control of the output voltage or current, e.g. flyback converters H02M3/33561, H02M3/33569 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02M 7/5387 in a bridge configuration
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 30/10 Frame structures
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/32 comprising DC/AC inverter means associated with the PV module itself, e.g. AC modules
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/34 comprising specially adapted electrical connection means to be structurally associated with the PV module, e.g. junction boxes
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 40/36 characterised by special electrical interconnection means between two or more PV modules, e.g. electrical module-to-module connection
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/56 Power conversion systems, e.g. maximum power point trackers

Abstract

Discussed is a solar cell module including a solar cell panel, a frame fixed to an outer rim portion of the solar cell panel, an integral inverter including a terminal connected to the solar cell panel to receive direct current, an inverter member electrically connected to the terminal to convert the direct current into alternating current and an alternating current (AC) output cable configured to transmit the alternating current and a trunk cable connected to the AC output cable and fixed to the integral inverter, at least a portion of the trunk cable being located in a space inside the frame.

Claims

1. A solar cell module comprising:

a solar cell panel;

a frame fixed to an outer rim portion of the solar cell panel;

an integral inverter including a terminal connected to the solar cell panel to receive direct current, an inverter member electrically connected to the terminal to convert the direct current into alternating current, and an alternating current (AC) output cable configured to transmit the alternating current; and

a trunk cable connected to the AC output cable and fixed to the integral inverter, at least a portion of the trunk cable being located in a space inside the frame.

2. The module according to claim 1, wherein the integral inverter includes a fastener located in the space inside the frame, the fastener being fastened to the frame, and

wherein the at least a portion of the trunk cable is located in an inner space of a frame portion provided with the fastener and an inner space of the fastener.

3. The module according to claim 2, wherein the inner space of the frame portion or the inner space of the fastener has a width equal to or greater than a diameter of the trunk cable.

4. The module according to claim 2, wherein the fastener has one open side, and

wherein the solar cell module further comprises a bracket member configured to cover the open side of the fastener such that the trunk cable is located between the fastener and the bracket member.

5. The module according to claim 4, wherein the bracket member is separably fixed to the fastener.

6. The module according to claim 4, wherein the fastener has a holding recess and the bracket member has a latch configured to be caught by the holding recess, or the fastener and the bracket member are fixed to each other via a fastening member.

7. The module according to claim 2, wherein the integral inverter includes a case having an inner space portion and the fastener, the terminal and the inverter member being received in the inner space portion,

wherein the fastener includes a fastening portion fastened to the frame and an extension portion bent plural times from the fastening portion to extend to the inner space portion, and

wherein the trunk cable is located to pass through an inner space defined by the fastening portion and the extension portion.

8. The module according to claim 7, wherein the extension portion is provided with a guide member to guide a position of the trunk cable.

9. The module according to claim 1, wherein the AC output cable protrudes from one side of the integral inverter, and

wherein the trunk cable is located in the inner space of the frame portion to extend along the frame portion, one side of the trunk cable is fixed to one side of the frame portion adjacent to the AC output cable protruding side of the integral inverter and the other side of the trunk cable is fixed to the other side of the frame portion.

10. The module according to claim 1, wherein the AC output cable includes a first cable part and a first connector located at an end of the first cable part, and

wherein the trunk cable includes a second cable part corresponding to the solar cell module, a connector unit including a second connector located at one end of the second cable part, the second connector being configured to be connected to the first connector, a third connector having a different structure from the second connector, and a fourth connector located at the other end of the second cable part, the fourth connector being configured to be connected to the third connector.

11. The module according to claim 1, wherein the frame includes a cable holder configured to fix the trunk cable.

12. The module according to claim 11, wherein the cable holder takes the form of a loop fixed to the frame, is formed by bending a portion of the frame, or includes a cable insertion portion configured to allow the cable to be separable inserted thereinto.

13. A photovoltaic power generation system comprising a plurality of solar cell modules including a first solar cell module and a second solar cell module next to each other,

wherein each of the solar cell modules includes:

a solar cell panel;

an integral inverter including a terminal connected to the solar cell panel to receive direct current, an inverter member electrically connected to the terminal to convert the direct current into alternating current and an alternating current (AC) output cable configured to transmit the alternating current; and

a trunk cable connected to the AC output cable and fixed to the integral inverter, at least a portion of the trunk cable being located in a space inside the frame, and

wherein the trunk cable of the first solar cell module and the trunk cable of the second solar cell module are connected to each other via separable coupling connectors so as to connect the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module to each other.

14. The system according to claim 13, wherein the AC output cable includes a first cable part and a first connector located at an end of the first cable part,

wherein the trunk cable includes a second cable part corresponding to the solar cell module, a connector unit including a second connector located at one end of the second cable part, the second connector being configured to be connected to the first connector, a third connector having a different structure from the second connector, and a fourth connector located at the other end of the second cable part, the fourth connector being configured to be connected to the third connector, and

wherein the third connector of the first solar cell module is connected to the fourth connector of the second solar cell module so as to connect the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module to each other.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the third connector and the fourth connector are connected to each other above adjacent frame portions of the first solar cell module and the second solar cell module.

16. The system according to claim 14, wherein the second cable part corresponds to the solar cell module in a one to one ratio.

17. The system according to claim 13, wherein the integral inverter includes a fastener located in the space inside the frame, the fastener being fastened to the frame, and

wherein at least a portion of the trunk cable is located in an inner space of a frame portion provided with the fastener and an inner space of the fastener.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the inner space of the frame portion or the inner space of the fastener has a width equal to or greater than a diameter of the trunk cable.

19. The system according to claim 17, wherein the fastener has one open side, and

wherein the photovoltaic power generation system further comprises a bracket member configured to cover the open side of the fastener such that the trunk cable is located between the fastener and the bracket member.

20. The system according to claim 17, wherein the solar cell modules are connected to one another in parallel.