Abstract: AC module makers must prepare two types of AC modules for the 100-V and 200-V outputs only for domestic supply. For foreign countries, the makers must manufacture AC modules compatible with more system voltages. To solve these problems, the control circuit of an AC module controls the operation of an inverter circuit and/or the transformation ratio of a transforming circuit, and ON/OFF-controls a switch on the basis of the system voltage and connection state of an electric power system.

Abstract: A solar cell assembly including a plurality of solar cells is formed on a common substrate, and a DC/DC converter which converts the output from the solar cell is connected to each solar cell to constitute a solar power generation apparatus. The output from the solar power generation apparatus is converted into an AC power by an inverter and supplied to a load or commercial AC power system. Since the arrangement is simplified, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the influence of partial shade or a variation in characteristic decreases.

Abstract: In an inductor having a core and first and second coils wound upon the core, the wire of the first coil and the wire of the second coil lie are wound so as to lie parallel to each other and contact the core. The winding starting position of the first coil is made to coincide with the winding starting position of the second coil along the axial direction of the core and is offset from the winding starting position of the second coil along the winding direction of the core. As a result, the area factor of the coils in the winding area of the inductor can be improved and the size of the inductor reduced.

Abstract: AC module makers must prepare two types of AC modules for the 100-V and 200-V outputs only for domestic supply. For foreign countries, the makers must manufacture AC modules compatible with more system voltages. To solve these problems, the control circuit of an AC module controls the operation of an inverter circuit and/or the transformation ratio of a transforming circuit, and ON/OFF-controls a switch on the basis of the system voltage and connection state of an electric power system.

Abstract: In a transformer assembly formed by using a plurality of transformers each formed by winding a primary coil and a secondary coil around a winding core, one terminal and the other terminal of the primary coil are arranged on opposite sides of the winding core, one terminal and the other terminal of the secondary coil are arranged on opposite sides of the winding core, and N transformers in which the coils and the terminals are laid out are arrayed in the lead-out direction of the terminals of the primary coil while M transformers in which the coils and the terminals are laid out are arrayed in the lead-out direction of the terminals of the secondary coil so as to make a line which connects one terminal and the other terminal of the primary coil cross a line which connects one terminal and the other terminal of the secondary coil.

Abstract: A photovoltaic power generating apparatus is provided which comprises a single solar cell element formed on a substrate and a plurality of power conversion devices individually connected to the solar cell element for converting an output of the solar cell element.

Abstract: In an inductor having a core and first and second coils wound upon the core, the wire of the first coil and the wire of the second coil lie are wound so as to lie parallel to each other and contact the core. The winding starting position of the first coil is made to coincide with the winding starting position of the second coil along the axial direction of the core and is offset from the winding starting position of the second coil along the winding direction of the core. As a result, the area factor of the coils in the winding area of the inductor can be improved and the size of the inductor reduced.

Abstract: A solar cell assembly including a plurality of solar cells is formed on a common substrate, and a DC/DC converter which converts the output from the solar cell is connected to each solar cell to constitute a solar power generation apparatus. The output from the solar power generation apparatus is converted into an AC power by an inverter and supplied to a load or commercial AC power system. Since the arrangement is simplified, the manufacturing cost can be reduced, and the influence of partial shade or a variation in characteristic decreases.

Abstract: In a transformer assembly formed by using a plurality of transformers each formed by winding a primary coil and a secondary coil around a winding core, one terminal and the other terminal of the primary coil are arranged on opposite sides of the winding core, one terminal and the other terminal of the secondary coil are arranged on opposite sides of the winding core, and N transformers in which the coils and the terminals are laid out are arrayed in the lead-out direction of the terminals of the primary coil while M transformers in which the coils and the terminals are laid out are arrayed in the lead-out direction of the terminals of the secondary coil so as to make a line which connects one terminal and the other terminal of the primary coil cross a line which connects one terminal and the other terminal of the secondary coil.

Abstract: In a power conversion apparatus having a plurality of transformers, each of the plurality of transformers includes an input terminal having a first polarity, an input terminal having a second polarity, a wiring unit to connect one end of a primary winding of the transformer to the input terminal having the first polarity and the other end of the primary winding of the transformer to the input terminal having the second polarity, and a switching element which is arranged in series between the wiring unit and the other end to control voltage application to the primary winding of the transformer. Part of the wiring unit is connected to one end or the other end to surround the transformer connected to the wiring unit. A solar power generation system includes a solar cell and the above power conversion apparatus.

Abstract: In a printed circuit board which has two layers with wiring patterns formed thereon and on which components of a booster circuit that boosts a voltage of an input power are mounted, within a plurality of wiring patterns which connect the input terminal of the input power to the terminal of a component to which the input power is supplied, patterns formed on the two layers are connected by a through hole formed near the input terminal and the terminal of the component. Accordingly, in the patterns to which a relatively large current flows upon receiving the input power, currents flowing to the patterns formed on the two layers are almost uniformed. For this reason, loss due to the wiring resistance in the patterns can be reduced.

Abstract: To improve the conversion efficiency of a power converter in a solar cell module in which a solar cell module main body containing a solar cell is integrated with a power converter for converting the output power from the solar cell module main body, a material having small thermal conductivity is used as a member (205) of a protective case for protecting the power converter to be fixed to the solar cell module main body containing the solar cell, thereby preventing easy conduction of heat from the solar cell module main body heated to high temperatures to a power conversion circuit (201). A material having large thermal conductivity is used as a member (206) of a protective case for fixing the power conversion circuit (201), thereby allowing easy radiation of heat generated in the power conversion circuit (201).

Abstract: A photovoltaic power generating apparatus is provided which comprises a single solar cell element formed on a substrate and a plurality of power conversion devices individually connected to the solar cell element for converting an output of the solar cell element.

Abstract: AC module makers must prepare two types of AC modules for the 100-V and 200-V outputs only for domestic supply. For foreign countries, the makers must manufacture AC modules compatible with more system voltages. To solve these problems, the control circuit of an AC module controls the operation of an inverter circuit and/or the transformation ratio of a transforming circuit, and ON/OFF-controls a switch on the basis of the system voltage and connection state of an electric power system.

Abstract: A solar cell module is provided with at least one power conversion unit having a plurality of solar cell elements and a power converter provided in a position corresponding to a region surrounded by all the solar cell elements. Because the wiring distance from the output terminal of each solar cell element up to the input terminal of the power converter can be shortened, it is possible to reduce the loss of a wiring through which a low-voltage large current flows and provide an inexpensive solar cell module having a less collecting loss between the solar cell element and the power converter.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for manufacturing a solar panel including a solar cell and an outer housing and an inspection method for inspecting a solar panel generating system, include a step of performing one of a withstand voltage test and an insulation resistance test between a live electrical section electrically connected to the solar cell and a conductor section of the outer housing, and thereafter a step of applying a voltage between the live electrical section and the conductor section. In this way, a residual charge left subsequent to the withstand voltage test or the insulation resistance test is reliably removed within a short period of time.

Abstract: If an inverter is merely attached to the back side of a solar battery module, the inverter becomes an obstacle to transport and installation, it may be broken if it strikes a building structure at the time of installation and it may malfunction owing to impact with an object. Accordingly, a weather-resistant film, a first filler, a solar battery element, a second filler and a back reinforcing material are stacked in the order mentioned and the fillers are melted using a vacuum laminator to thereby seal the solar battery element in resin between the back reinforcing material and weather-resistant film. At this time an inverter is placed on the surface of the back reinforcing material that opposes the solar battery element.

Abstract: Although increasing the switching frequency is effective to downsize a power supplying apparatus, the switching loss of a switching element increases if the switching frequency is increased. In a power supplying apparatus including a transformer having a very high boosting ratio, and a plurality of switching elements for supplying AC power to the primary side of the transformer, the frequency of the AC power is set to 0.25 to 2 times the self-resonance frequency of the transformer.

Abstract: A solar cell-bearing roof includes a roof base member provided on a partition wall which partitions a building into an indoor portion and an outdoor portion, a solar cell module provided on the roof base member, and electric wiring with one end portion being electrically connected with the solar cell module. The end portion of the electric wiring is drawn to the outside from between the roof base member and the solar cell module and at an outdoor-sided position than an indoor side face of the partition wall.

Abstract: To improve the conversion efficiency of a power converter in a solar cell module in which a solar cell module main body containing a solar cell is integrated with a power converter for converting the output power from the solar cell module main body, a material having small thermal conductivity is used as a member (205) of a protective case for protecting the power converter to be fixed to the solar cell module main body containing the solar cell, thereby preventing easy conduction of heat from the solar cell module main body heated to high temperatures to a power conversion circuit (201). A material having large thermal conductivity is used as a member (206) of a protective case for fixing the power conversion circuit (201), thereby allowing easy radiation of heat generated in the power conversion circuit (201).