Mounting system for installing an array of solar battery modules of a panel-like configuration on a roof

TECHNICAL FIELD

0001The present invention is directed to a mounting system for installing an array of solar battery modules on a roof, and more particular to such a system of installing the solar battery modules between laterally spaced vertical rails extending along a sloping direction of the roof.

BACKGROUND ART

0002There has been an increasing demand of utilizing a solar energy as a clean alternative for individual homes. Solar battery modules are of particular interest and are widely utilized as being installed on the roof of a house. Generally, each of the solar battery modules arranged in an array is held between vertical rails secured on the roof. However, a practical installation of the solar battery modules requires to avoid leaking of rainwater proceeding through a joint between the frame of the solar battery module and the vertical rail, as well as other problems encountered when mounting the modules on the roof.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

0003The present invention has been accomplished in view of the above and provides a mounting system which enables an easy installation of the solar battery modules, yet effectively draining the rainwater which proceeds between the solar battery modules. The mounting system in accordance with the present invention is adapted to install on the roof an array of the solar battery modules each of a panel-like configuration and each comprising a plurality of solar cells arranged within a rectangular frame. The system comprises a plurality of vertical rails which are secured to the roof and extend along a roof sloping direction towards eaves from a ridge of the roof for holding the solar battery module between a laterally spaced pair of the vertical rails in a spaced relation from a roof sheathing. Each of the vertical rails is formed on opposite sides thereof respectively with stepped shoulders which extend the full length of the vertical rail for supporting thereon the frame of the laterally adjoining solar battery modules. The vertical rail is further formed on opposite sides thereof with respective trough sections which extend the full length of the vertical rail and are disposed below and outwardly of the corresponding stepped shoulders for receiving the rainwater sneaking down through a joint between the frame and the vertical rail or through a possible gap between the frame and a panel carrying the solar cells. Thus, the rainwater is effectively prohibited from reaching the roof sheathing and leaking through the roof.

0004The solar battery modules are secured to the vertical rails by using a combination of a top cover and an anchor plate attached to the vertical rail. The vertical rail has a top opening defined between a pair of opposed fins upstanding from inward edges of the stepped shoulders. The top cover is fitted over the top opening to have its opposite ends overlapped with the frames of the adjoining solar battery modules. The anchor plate is disposed inside of the vertical rail with its opposite lateral ends abutting against behind the stepped shoulders. A bolt interconnects the top plate and the anchor plate so that the top cover presses the frames against the associated stepped shoulders as a result of the anchor plate being pulled towards the top cover by fastening the bolt. Thus, the solar battery modules can be readily and firmly secured to the vertical rail.

0005The system may include an end top cover adapted to cover the vertical rail bordering on an outer column of the solar battery modules in the array. The end top cover is formed on its one lateral side with a flange extending over the frame of the solar battery module and is also formed on the other lateral side with an extension flange extending laterally beyond the corresponding stepped shoulder and reaching shingles disposed laterally adjacent to the column of the solar battery module. The extension flange is formed with a shoe placed on the corresponding stepped shoulder as a counterpart of the frame. The end top cover is utilized in combination with the anchor plate and the bolt to secure the solar battery module to the laterally outermost vertical rail. With the use of the end top cover, the solar battery modules in the outer column of the array can have a neatly finished connection with the adjacent shingles.

0006The system further includes a plurality of horizontal rails extending in a direction perpendicular to the sloping direction each for engagement with an intermediate portion of the frame between the lateral ends of each of the vertically adjoining solar battery modules. Each horizontal rail is adapted to be secured at its bottom to the roof and is formed on opposite sides of the horizontal rail respectively with hooks for engagement with the frames of the adjoining solar battery modules. Thus, an easy interconnection can be made for the solar battery modules which are arranged vertically in the sloping direction of the roof.

0007At least one of the horizontal rails has a second top opening defined between a pair of opposite ledges each provided with the hook. The second top opening is utilized to secure the frame of the solar battery module to the horizontal rail by the use of a second top cover and an associated second anchor plate. The second top cover extends the full width between a pair of the adjacent vertical rails and is fitted over the frames of the adjoining solar battery modules or equivalents. The second anchor plate disposed inside of the horizontal rail with opposite ends the second anchor plate abutting respectively behind the ledges. A bolt extends through the second top opening for interconnecting the second top cover and the second anchor plate in such a manner that the second top cover presses the frames of the solar battery module and the equivalent against the corresponding ledges, thereby securing the solar battery module to the horizontal rail. Thus, the solar battery module can be easily secured to the horizontal rail with the second top cover hiding an interface between the vertically arranged solar battery modules or the equivalent thereof.

0008The system may further include an eaves attachment which is connected to the horizontal rail extending along the eaves of the roof. The eaves attachment is of a unitary structure composed of a top flange and a bottom flange integrally connected by a web. The top flange and the bottom flange on one side of the web is cooperative to form therebetween a catch recess for receiving therein the frame of the solar battery module sitting on the horizontal frame extending along the eaves. The bottom flange on the other side of the web extends to define an apron which covers the eaves of the roof. With the provision of the catch recess, the eaves attachment can be readily attached to the horizontal rail.

0009The system may include a ventilation module for feeding outside air into an internal space between the roof sheathing and the solar battery modules located nearer to the ridge of the roof than the ventilation module. The ventilation module is of the same planar dimensions as that of the solar battery module and has a rectangular frame of the same configuration as utilized in the solar battery module so as to be held between the vertical rails. The ventilation module has an upper plate with a plurality of inlets of introducing the outside air and a lower plate shaped to flow thus introduced outside air towards the internal space. The outside air introduced by provision of the ventilation module is caused to flow the internal space behind the solar battery modules along the sloping direction of the roof to thereby cool the solar battery modules for maintaining an optimum efficiency of generating the electric energy.

0010Dummy modules may be utilized in the system to fill a gap between the uppermost row of the solar battery modules and a ridge cover at the ridge of the roof. The dummy module has the same horizontal width as the solar battery module to be supported between the vertical rails and is made of such a material as to be easily cut off for adjustment of the length along the sloping direction. With the use of the dummy module or modules, the array of the solar battery modules can be installed on the roof of varying sloping length without exposing undesired gap adjacent to the ridge of the roof.

0011The frame of the solar battery module is composed of a pair of opposed vertical channel members and a pair of opposed horizontal channel members integrally connected by the vertical channel members. Both members are of the same cross section having a fringe section and a drain section formed immediately below the fringe section. Formed in the fringe section is an inwardly open recess for receiving therein the periphery of a substrate carrying the solar cells of the solar battery module. The recess is defined between an upper fringe and a lower fringe which also forms an upper part of the drain section and is bent at its inward end downwardly to define an inclined edge thereat. The drain section is formed in its bottom with a slit for dripping the rainwater proceeding along the lower fringe and around the inclined edge off the drain section towards the trough section of the vertical rail. Each of the horizontal and vertical channel members is further formed with at least one screw hole extending along the full length thereof for receiving a screw securing the horizontal and vertical channel members to make a miter joint therebetween. With this arrangement of the frame, the rainwater sneaking between the frame of the solar battery module and the vertical rail can be successfully collected into the trough section of the vertical rail to be discharged outwardly of the eaves.

0012At least one solar collector module may be included in the array of the solar battery modules for accumulating the solar energy and heating the air flowing through a space between the solar collector module and the roof sheathing. The solar collector module is of the same planar configuration to be held between the vertical rails in a spaced relation from the roof sheathing. Baffle means is additionally provided on the bottom of the solar collector module to reduce a flow speed of the air flowing through the space from eaves towards the ridge. Thus heated air is collected through an opening at the ridge of the roof into a room below the roof for use in the house. The solar collector module comprises a glass plate, a corrugated metal sheet disposed below the glass plate, supporting strips secured to the metal sheet, and a frame of the same configuration as employed in the solar battery module. The supporting strips extend along one dimension of the solar collector module and are secured at their distal ends to the frame together with the corresponding ends of the glass plate.

0013These and still other objects and advantageous features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiment when taken in conjunction with the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0014<ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>FIG. 1 is a plan view of an array of solar battery modules installed on the roof of a house;</li><li>FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a vertical rail for connection of the laterally adjacent solar battery modules;</li><li>FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the vertical rail;</li><li>FIG. 4A is a plan view illustrating a miter joint at a corner of a frame of the solar battery module;</li><li>FIG. 4B is a sectional view at the corner of the frame;</li><li>FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a horizontal rail utilized in the present invention;</li><li>FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the horizontal rail for connection of the solar battery modules arranged along a sloping direction of the roof, shown with a water-seal fitting between the frames of the solar battery module;</li><li>FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a connection of the water-seal fittings with the vertical rail;</li><li>FIGS. 8A and 8B illustrate connection and disconnection of the solar battery modules with and from the associated horizontal rails, respectively;</li><li>FIGS. 9A and 9B illustrate front and bottom views of an end portion of horizontal top cover utilized to secure the solar battery module to the horizontal rail;</li><li>FIG. 10 is a sectional view of a modified horizontal rail;</li><li>FIG. 11 is a sectional view illustrating an advantage of utilizing the modified horizontal rail;</li><li>FIG. 12 is a sectional view of an end top cover secured to the vertical rail and extending over an adjacent shingles;</li><li>FIG. 13 is a sectional view of another end top cover secured to the vertical rail and extending over an adjacent shingles;</li><li>FIG. 14 is a sectional view of a gable end cover secured to the vertical rail for covering the gable end of the roof;</li><li>FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a ventilation module which may be included in the array of the solar battery modules;</li><li>FIG. 16 is a sectional view of an eaves attachment connected to the horizontal rail;</li><li>FIG. 17 is a sectional view of the eaves attachment and an associated portion of the frame of the solar battery module;</li><li>FIG. 18 is a front view of the eaves attachment shown with associated portion of the roof;</li><li>FIG. 19 is a sectional view of the eaves attachment connected to the horizontal rail of supporting the solar battery module;</li><li>FIG. 20 is a sectional view illustrating a connection of the array of the solar battery module and a dummy module shown with a ridge cover;</li><li>FIG. 21 is a sectional view of the dummy module connected to the vertical rail;</li><li>FIG. 22 is a plan view illustrating another array of the solar battery modules and solar collector modules installed on a roof;</li><li>FIG. 23 is a side view of the roof installed with the array of FIG. 22;</li><li>FIG. 24 is a sectional view of the solar collector module;</li><li>FIG. 25 is a further array of the solar battery modules and the solar collector modules installed on a roof;</li><li>FIG. 26 is a portion of the array of FIG. 25 illustrating an air flow beneath the solar collector module;</li><li>FIG. 27 is a view illustrating a coupling member disposed on the roof sheathing for electrical connection of the solar battery modules; and</li><li>FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the coupling member.</li></ul>

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

0015Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown an array of solar battery modules <b>10</b> arranged in two dimensions on a roof <b>1</b> of a house and supported by a plurality of vertical rails <b>40</b> and a plurality of horizontal rails <b>60</b> both made of aluminum and secured to the roof. The array may include dummy modules <b>80</b> and one or more ventilation module <b>90</b> analogous to the solar battery module <b>10</b>. Each solar battery modules <b>10</b> is of a panel-like configuration including a rectangular frame enclosing therein a substrate <b>12</b> for carrying a number of solar cells, as shown in FIG. 2. The frame is composed of a pair of vertical channel members <b>20</b> and a pair of horizontal channel members <b>30</b> connected by the vertical channel members <b>20</b> to have four corners of miter joints as shown in FIG. 4A. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the vertical and horizontal channel members <b>20</b> and <b>30</b> (hereinafter referred to simply as vertical frame and horizontal frame) are made of aluminum to have the same cross section having a hollow section <b>21</b>, <b>31</b> integrally formed on the inner face thereof with a vertically spaced pair of a fringe section <b>22</b>, <b>32</b> and a drain section <b>23</b>, <b>33</b>. The fringe section <b>22</b>, <b>32</b> is formed with a channel or inwardly open recess <b>26</b>, <b>36</b> defined between an upper fringe <b>24</b>, <b>34</b> and a lower fringe <b>25</b>, <b>35</b> for receiving the periphery of the substrate <b>12</b> of the solar battery module <b>10</b>. Any suitable sealing rim may be provided around the periphery of the substrate <b>12</b> to be received in the recesses. The lower fringe <b>25</b>, <b>35</b> defines itself an upper part of the drain section <b>23</b>, <b>33</b> and is bent downwardly at its inner end to define an inclined edge <b>27</b>, <b>37</b>. The drain section <b>23</b>, <b>33</b> is provided in its bottom with a slit <b>28</b>, <b>38</b> for dripping rainwater proceeding along the lower fringe and the inclined edge for the vertical frame <b>20</b>. The slit <b>38</b> of the horizontal frame <b>30</b> is utilized for engagement with the horizontal rail <b>60</b>, as will be explained later. The hollow section <b>21</b>, <b>31</b> are formed with a pair of screw holes <b>29</b> respectively for receiving screws of fastening the vertical and horizontal channel members at the miter joint therebetween.

0016The vertical rails <b>40</b> are mounted parallel on the roof to extend the full length along a sloping direction from the ridge to the eaves of the roof. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the vertical rail <b>40</b> includes a generally rectangular base <b>41</b> secured to an roof sheathing <b>2</b> by means of screws <b>3</b> extending through the bottom of the base <b>41</b>. The base <b>41</b> is formed with an opposed pair of inwardly projecting shelves and an opposed pair of fins <b>43</b> upstanding from the inward edge of the shelves to form a pair of stepped shoulders <b>44</b> outwardly of the fins <b>43</b> for receiving thereon the vertical frame <b>20</b> of the laterally adjoining solar battery modules <b>10</b>, and at the same time to form a top opening <b>45</b> between the fins <b>43</b>. The base <b>41</b> is also formed on its opposite ends with trough sections <b>47</b> which are offset laterally outwardly of the stepped shoulders <b>44</b> so as to be located below the drain section <b>23</b> of the vertical frame <b>20</b> for collecting the rainwater dripped from the drain section <b>23</b> of the vertical frame <b>20</b> and flowing it along the sloping direction into a gutter <b>5</b> at the eaves of the roof. As will be explained later, the fins <b>43</b> at the front end of the vertical rail <b>40</b> is removed for connection with an eave attachment <b>150</b>. It is noted in this connection that, as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B, at least one of the vertical frame <b>20</b> and horizontal frame <b>30</b> is finished to cut off a portion (indicated by phantom lines) of the drain section <b>23</b>, <b>33</b>, in order to avoid the rainwater from advancing from the vertical frame <b>20</b> to the horizontal frame <b>30</b>, or vice versa. Further, the vertical rail <b>40</b> may be modified to be secured by screws at the opposite ends of the base outwardly of the trough sections, as shown in FIGS. 7, 13, and 14.

0017The laterally adjacent solar battery modules <b>10</b> or equivalent modules <b>80</b> and <b>90</b> are secured to the vertical rail <b>40</b> by use of a top cover <b>50</b> which closes the top opening thereof and is fastened to an anchor plate <b>53</b> disposed inside of the vertical rail <b>40</b> by means of a bolt <b>54</b>, as shown in FIG. 2. A plurality of the top covers <b>50</b> are attached to the single vertical rail <b>40</b> to extends the full length of the vertical rail. The top cover <b>50</b> has a pair of studs <b>51</b> engaged with the upper end of the fins <b>43</b> and is placed upon the vertical rail <b>40</b> with the opposite ends of the top cover extending over the vertical frame <b>20</b> of the laterally adjoining modules. The anchor plate <b>53</b> has its opposite ends abutting behind the stepped shoulders <b>44</b> so that the fastening of the bolt <b>54</b> will press the top cover <b>50</b> against the fins <b>43</b> as well as the vertical frames <b>20</b> of the adjoining modules, thereby securing the modules to the vertical rail <b>40</b>. Sealing members of a rubber or the like are held on the bottom of the top cover <b>50</b> for giving an effective water-tight seal against the vertical frames <b>20</b>.

0018As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the horizontal rail <b>60</b> is of a length shorter than the width of the solar battery module <b>10</b> and is secured to the roof sheathing <b>2</b> by screws <b>4</b> extending through the bottom of the horizontal rail to support thereon the intermediate portions of the horizontal frame <b>30</b> of the solar battery module <b>10</b> or equivalent module. The horizontal rail <b>60</b> includes a hollow base <b>61</b> with a pair of parallel hooks <b>62</b> projecting on the upper surface of the base <b>61</b> for engagement with slits <b>38</b> of the horizontal frame <b>30</b> to secure the module <b>10</b> to the horizontal rail <b>60</b>. As shown in FIG. 6, a water-seal fitting <b>70</b> is held between the horizontal frames <b>30</b> of the vertically adjoining modules on the horizontal rails <b>60</b>, and extends the full width of the module between the adjacent pair of the vertical rails <b>40</b> for sealing a gap therebetween. The water-seal fitting <b>70</b> is of a generally H-shaped cross section with an upper flange <b>71</b> and a lower flange <b>72</b> connected by a web <b>73</b>. The upper flange <b>71</b> covers the hollow sections <b>31</b> of the adjoining horizontal frames <b>30</b>, while the lower flange <b>72</b> is held between the hollow sections <b>31</b> and the upper end of the horizontal rail <b>60</b>. As shown in FIG. 7, the lower flange <b>72</b> of the water-seal fitting <b>70</b> is formed with a notch <b>74</b> at opposite lengthwise ends of the fitting in order to drip the rainwater accidentally advancing along the fitting for collection into the trough sections <b>47</b> of the vertical rail <b>40</b>. Sealing members <b>75</b> is provided on both sides of the web <b>73</b> to give a tight water-seal with the corresponding horizontal frames <b>30</b>.

0019A horizontal rail <b>60A</b> of another type is utilized to interconnect the upper two horizontal rows of the modules, i.e., the solar battery module <b>10</b> and the dummy module <b>80</b>. As shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, the horizontal rail <b>60A</b> of this type is analogous to the vertical rail <b>40</b> and includes a base <b>61A</b> with a top opening between a pair of ledges <b>63</b> each provided with a hook <b>62A</b> for engagement with the horizontal frames <b>30</b>. A water-seal fitting or top cover <b>70A</b> is employed to positively connect the horizontal frames <b>30</b> of the vertically adjoining modules <b>10</b> and <b>80</b> to the horizontal rail <b>60A</b> as well as to extends the full width of the modules for sealing the gap therebetween. The top cover <b>70A</b> has a pair of legs <b>76</b> abutting against the inward ends of the ledges <b>63</b> and is secured to an anchor plate <b>77</b> by a bolt <b>78</b>. The anchor plate <b>77</b> is disposed inside of the rail <b>60A</b> with its opposite ends engaged behind the ledges <b>63</b> so that fastening the bolt <b>78</b> will press the ends of the top cover <b>70A</b> against the horizontal frames <b>30</b> to secure the modules to the horizontal rail <b>60A</b>, in the like manner as the top cover <b>50</b> for the vertical rail <b>40</b>. As shown in FIGS. 9A and 9B, it is also contemplated to provide notches <b>74A</b> in the legs <b>76</b> at the lengthwise ends of the top cover <b>70A</b> to drain the rainwater for collection into the trough sections <b>47</b> of the associated vertical rails <b>40</b>. Like sealing member <b>75A</b> is formed on opposite ends of the cover <b>70A</b> for water-seal contact with the associated horizontal frames <b>30</b>. Installation of the array of the modules are made to connect the modules in the upper two horizontal rows last to the horizontal rail <b>60A</b> before which the modules in the other horizontal rows are connected to the horizontal rails <b>60</b>, simply by the engagement of the hooks <b>62</b> to the horizontal frames <b>30</b>. Accordingly, when demounting the arrays of the modules, the top cover of the horizontal rail <b>60A</b> is first removed to disconnect the associated module <b>10</b>, as shown in FIG. 8B, and subsequently disengaging the other modules in the lower horizontal rows. It is noted in this connection, each of the vertical rails <b>40</b> is fitted with two or more separate top covers <b>50</b> in order to facilitate the mounting and demounting of the modules. It is noted at this time that horizontal rail as well as the vertical rail may be provided on its bottom with a suitable sealing member such as a rubber sheet.

0020FIG. 10 illustrates a modified horizontal rail <b>60B</b> provided additionally with a brim <b>66</b> projecting from the end of the hook <b>62B</b>. With the provision of the brim <b>66</b>, the horizontal frame <b>30</b> would ride over the brim <b>66</b> to make the whole module inclined to a greater extent than otherwise, when it is not correctly engaged with the hook <b>62B</b> of the horizontal rail <b>60</b>, as shown in FIG. 11. Accordingly, it is readily confirmed of misconnection of the module for enhanced workability on the roof.

0021As shown in FIG. 12, the vertical rail <b>40</b> bordering on the outermost vertical column of the modules is fitted with at least one end top cover <b>100</b> which is fastened to an anchor plate <b>103</b> by a bolt <b>104</b>. The end top cover <b>100</b> includes a flange <b>101</b> extending over the vertical frames <b>20</b> of the modules <b>10</b> sitting on one of the shoulder <b>44</b> of the vertical rail <b>40</b> and an extension flange <b>102</b> extending laterally beyond the other shoulder <b>44</b> and reaching shingles <b>6</b>. The extension flange <b>102</b> includes a shoe <b>105</b> which is made analogous to the vertical frame <b>20</b> for sitting on the shoulder <b>44</b>. The end of the extension flange <b>102</b> is a bent to overlap the end of the shingles <b>6</b>. Secured to the vertical rail <b>60</b> by screws <b>111</b> is an underlayment <b>110</b> which extends between the horizontal rail <b>40</b> and the shingles <b>6</b> for collecting the rainwater proceeding through a gap between the end top cover <b>100</b> and the shingles <b>6</b> and for draining the same towards the eaves.

0022FIG. 13 shows an alternative end top cover <b>100A</b> with a like extension flange <b>102A</b> having a like shoe <b>105A</b> and a pad <b>106</b> at the distal end of the extension flange. The pad <b>106</b> abuts against a complementary underlayment <b>110A</b> so as to press it down as the end top cover <b>100A</b> is fastened to the vertical rail <b>40</b>, thereby engaging a bent portion <b>112</b> of the underlayment intimately with the edges of the shingles <b>6</b>. The end top cover <b>100A</b> is secured to the fin <b>43</b> of the vertical rail <b>40</b> by screw <b>111A</b>.

0023When the outer vertical columns of the modules <b>10</b> is adjacent closely to a gable of the roof, a gable apron <b>120</b> is secured to the outermost vertical rail <b>40</b> by screws <b>121</b> , as shown in FIG. 14. A corresponding gable top cover <b>130</b> is also secured to the vertical rail <b>40</b> by means of a bolt <b>134</b> and an anchor plate <b>133</b>. The gable top cover <b>130</b> includes an extension flange <b>132</b> with a shoe <b>135</b> which presses a portion of the gable apron <b>120</b> against the shoulder <b>44</b> of the vertical rail <b>40</b>. In the like manner as the top cover <b>50</b> and the end top cover <b>100</b>, the gable top cover <b>130</b> includes a flange <b>131</b> which is pressed against the vertical frame <b>20</b> to hold the frame between the flange <b>131</b> and the shoulder <b>44</b> of the vertical rail <b>40</b>.

0024Now, reference is made to the ventilation module <b>90</b> which, as shown in FIG. 15, is of a panel-like configuration of the identical planar dimensions as the solar battery module <b>10</b> and includes the frame of the identical structure to that of the solar battery module <b>10</b>. The ventilation module <b>90</b> is included in the lower horizontal row of the array in order to introduce the outside air and allowing it to flow upwardly along the sloping direction through a space between the upper rows of the solar battery modules <b>10</b> and the sheathing <b>2</b> for cooling the solar battery modules <b>10</b> and therefore maintaining an optimum efficiency of generating the electric energy. As shown in FIG. 16, the ventilation module <b>90</b> includes an upper plate <b>91</b> and a lower plate <b>95</b> which are connected at the front and rear ends of the module <b>90</b>. The periphery of the thus combined upper and lower plates <b>91</b> and <b>95</b> is held in the channels of the frame composed of vertical frames <b>20</b> and horizontal frames <b>30</b>. The upper plate <b>91</b> is provided with drain holes <b>92</b> and air inlets <b>93</b> for introducing the outside air between the plates <b>91</b> and <b>95</b>. The lower plate <b>95</b> is shaped to flow the introduced outside air through rear openings <b>96</b> as well as discharging the rainwater out through the drain holes <b>92</b>. The outside air thus taken into the space between the ventilation module <b>90</b> and the sheathing <b>2</b> is allowed to flow upwardly along the sloping direction while passing around the lateral ends of the horizontal rails <b>60</b> to go through the space between the upper rows of the solar battery modules <b>10</b> and the sheathing <b>2</b>, after which it is discharged outwardly at the ridge of the roof, for example, an exhaust opening <b>141</b> formed in a ridge cover <b>140</b>, as shown in FIG. 20.

0025The lower horizontal frame <b>30</b> of the lower rows of the modules is engaged with the lower hook <b>62</b> on the lowermost horizontal rail <b>60</b> to project the hollow section <b>31</b> forwardly of the horizontal rail <b>60</b>, as shown in FIG. 16. It is this projecting hollow section <b>31</b> that holds an eaves attachment <b>150</b> which extends along the full width of the horizontal row of the modules. As shown in FIG. 17, the eaves attachment <b>150</b> has a top flange <b>151</b> and a bottom flange <b>152</b> connected by a web <b>153</b>. The top flange <b>151</b> and the bottom flange <b>152</b> is cooperative to form on one side of the web a catch recess for receiving therein the hollow section <b>31</b> of the horizontal frame <b>30</b>. The bottom flange <b>152</b> on the other side of the web extends to define an apron <b>154</b> which covers the eaves of the roof and guide the rainwater into the gutter <b>5</b>. The eaves attachment <b>150</b> thus engaged with the horizontal frame <b>30</b> is secured by screws to the vertical rails <b>40</b>.

0026When the lower horizontal row of the array includes the solar battery module <b>10</b>, the eaves attachment can be secured in the like manner to the horizontal frame <b>30</b> of the solar battery module <b>10</b>, as shown in FIG. 19. It is noted in this connection that all the ventilation module <b>90</b> may be replaced with the solar battery modules <b>10</b>.

0027The dummy module <b>80</b> is provided to adjust the vertical length of the array to the sloping length of the roof in order to extend a path of flowing the intake air from the eaves to the ridge of the roof beneath the array, as shown in FIG. 20. For this purpose, the dummy module <b>80</b> is made of a material capable of easily cut off, for example, cement, wood or glass plate. In this instance, the dummy module <b>80</b> includes a cement plate <b>81</b> on a wood frame <b>82</b>. As shown in FIG. 21, the lateral ends of the dummy module <b>80</b> are secured to the vertical rails <b>40</b> in a like fashion as the solar battery module <b>10</b> with the use of the top cover <b>50</b> and the anchor plate <b>53</b>. As shown in the figure, no horizontal rail is necessary for the upper end of the dummy module <b>80</b>. Further, the dummy modules may be replaced with the solar battery modules <b>10</b> when the overall length of the array of the solar battery modules <b>10</b> matches with the sloping length of the roof. In any case, the ridge cover <b>140</b> overlaps the portions of the modules in the uppermost horizontal row.

0028FIGS. 22 and 23 illustrate another array including the solar battery module <b>10</b> and solar collector modules <b>160</b> installed on the roof <b>1</b> with the use of the vertical rails <b>40</b>, the horizontal rails <b>60</b>, and associated parts as explained hereinbefore. The array is composed of lower horizontal rows of the solar battery modules <b>10</b> and upper horizontal rows of the solar collector modules <b>160</b> and the dummy modules <b>80</b>. The solar collector module <b>160</b> is included to accumulate solar energy and heat the air flowing along the sloping direction towards the ridge of the roof, and is configured to have the identical planar dimensions as the solar battery module <b>10</b>. As shown in FIG. 24, the solar collector module <b>160</b> comprises a glass plate <b>161</b> and a corrugated metal sheet <b>162</b> confined within the frame of the same structure as that of the solar battery module. The corrugated metal sheet <b>162</b> is preferably made of aluminum and is backed with a plurality of parallel aluminum-made supporting strips <b>163</b> each provided at its opposite ends with hooks <b>164</b> for engagement with slits <b>28</b> of the vertical frames <b>20</b>. The glass plate <b>161</b> has its periphery inserted into recesses <b>26</b> of the same vertical frames <b>20</b>. Thus, the parts of the solar collector module can be held together by the vertical frames <b>20</b>. The air heated by the solar collector modules <b>160</b> is collected through an opening <b>8</b> formed below a ridge cover <b>140A</b> for use in the room of the house such as for heating water. The ridge cover <b>140A</b> includes no air outlet for escaping the heated air outwardly of the house and is therefore of a different structure from the ridge cover <b>140</b> as illustrated in FIG. 20.

0029FIG. 25 illustrates a further combination array of the solar battery modules <b>10</b>, solar collector modules <b>160</b>, and the dummy modules <b>80</b>. The array includes inner columns of the solar battery modules <b>10</b>, the outer columns of the solar collector modules <b>160</b>, and a top row of the dummy modules <b>80</b> of which length is adjusted to the sloping length of the roof. As shown in FIG. 26, each of the solar collector modules <b>160</b> is provided on its bottom with baffles <b>165</b> which are arranged in rows with the baffles <b>165</b> of a row staggered with respect to those in adjacent rows in order to reduce the flow speed of the air moving from the eaves towards the ridge of the roof. The baffles <b>165</b> is preferably formed as integral parts of the solar collector module, but may be formed separately on the roof. The air introduced from the eaves is successively heated while passing below the columns of the solar collector modules <b>160</b> and is collected through the opening below the ridge cover <b>140A</b>. The ridge cover <b>140</b> with the air outlet is mounted in association with the inner two columns of the solar battery modules <b>10</b>.

0030FIGS. 27 and 28 illustrate a joint protector <b>170</b> for protecting a joint of making electrical connection of cables <b>15</b> extending from the individual solar battery modules <b>10</b>. The joint is composed of a plug <b>16</b> at the end of one cable <b>15</b> and a socket <b>17</b> at the end of the other cable <b>15</b>. The joint protector <b>170</b> comprises a pair of metal disks <b>171</b> connected by rods <b>172</b> and spaced by a distance equal to a length of the joint. Each disk <b>171</b> has a center hole <b>173</b> of a diameter approximately equal to the diameter of the cable <b>15</b> and smaller than the diameters of the rear ends of the plug <b>16</b> and the socket <b>17</b>. Also formed in each disk <b>171</b> is a slit <b>174</b> of such a width as to allow the cable <b>15</b> to be forcibly inserted into the hole <b>173</b> while resiliently deforming the disk but to retain the cable thereafter. With the use of the joint protector <b>170</b>, the joint can be kept out of contact with the roof underlayment and can be therefore protected from receiving from the heat which would otherwise melt plastic insulation of the joint and result in electrical interruption of the solar modules. The use of the joint protector is particularly advantageous when the cables are routed adjacent the solar collector modules which inherently heat the nearby underlayment to a considerable extent. Further, the disks <b>171</b> can serve to retain the joint in its connected position, ensuring perpetual electrical connection.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

0031<dl id="dl0001" compact="compact"><dt>1</dt><dd>roof</dd><dt>2</dt><dd>roof sheathing</dd><dt>3</dt><dd>screw</dd><dt>4</dt><dd>screw</dd><dt>5</dt><dd>gutter</dd><dt>6</dt><dd>shingle</dd><dt>8</dt><dd>opening</dd><dt>10</dt><dd>solar battery module</dd><dt>12</dt><dd>substrate</dd><dt>15</dt><dd>cable</dd><dt>16</dt><dd>plug</dd><dt>17</dt><dd>socket</dd><dt>20</dt><dd>vertical channel member (vertical frame)</dd><dt>21</dt><dd>hollow section</dd><dt>22</dt><dd>fringe section</dd><dt>23</dt><dd>drain section</dd><dt>24</dt><dd>upper fringe</dd><dt>25</dt><dd>lower fringe</dd><dt>26</dt><dd>recess</dd><dt>27</dt><dd>inclined edge</dd><dt>28</dt><dd>slit</dd><dt>29</dt><dd>screw hole</dd><dt>30</dt><dd>horizontal channel member (horizontal frame)</dd><dt>31</dt><dd>hollow section</dd><dt>32</dt><dd>fringe section</dd><dt>33</dt><dd>drain section</dd><dt>34</dt><dd>upper fringe</dd><dt>35</dt><dd>lower fringe</dd><dt>36</dt><dd>recess</dd><dt>37</dt><dd>inclined edge</dd><dt>38</dt><dd>slit</dd><dt>39</dt><dd>screw hole</dd><dt>40</dt><dd>vertical rail</dd><dt>41</dt><dd>base</dd><dt>43</dt><dd>fin</dd><dt>44</dt><dd>shoulder</dd><dt>45</dt><dd>top opening</dd><dt>47</dt><dd>trough section</dd><dt>50</dt><dd>top cover</dd><dt>51</dt><dd>stud</dd><dt>53</dt><dd>anchor plate</dd><dt>54</dt><dd>bolt</dd><dt>60</dt><dd>horizontal rail</dd><dt>61</dt><dd>base</dd><dt>62</dt><dd>hook</dd><dt>63</dt><dd>ledge</dd><dt>66</dt><dd>brim</dd><dt>70</dt><dd>water-seal fitting</dd><dt>71</dt><dd>upper flange</dd><dt>72</dt><dd>lower flange</dd><dt>73</dt><dd>web</dd><dt>74</dt><dd>notch</dd><dt>75</dt><dd>sealing member</dd><dt>76</dt><dd>leg</dd><dt>77</dt><dd>anchor plate</dd><dt>78</dt><dd>bolt</dd><dt>80</dt><dd>dummy module</dd><dt>81</dt><dd>cement plate</dd><dt>82</dt><dd>wood frame</dd><dt>90</dt><dd>ventilation module</dd><dt>91</dt><dd>upper plate</dd><dt>92</dt><dd>drain hole</dd><dt>93</dt><dd>air inlet</dd><dt>95</dt><dd>lower plate</dd><dt>96</dt><dd>rear opening</dd><dt>100</dt><dd>end top cover</dd><dt>101</dt><dd>flange</dd><dt>102</dt><dd>extension flange</dd><dt>103</dt><dd>anchor plate</dd><dt>104</dt><dd>bolt</dd><dt>105</dt><dd>shoe</dd><dt>106</dt><dd>pad</dd><dt>110</dt><dd>underlayment</dd><dt>111</dt><dd>screw</dd><dt>112</dt><dd>bent portion</dd><dt>120</dt><dd>gable apron</dd><dt>121</dt><dd>screw</dd><dt>130</dt><dd>gable top cover</dd><dt>131</dt><dd>flange</dd><dt>132</dt><dd>extension flange</dd><dt>133</dt><dd>anchor plate</dd><dt>134</dt><dd>bolt</dd><dt>135</dt><dd>shoe</dd><dt>140</dt><dd>ridge cover</dd><dt>141</dt><dd>opening</dd><dt>150</dt><dd>eaves attachment</dd><dt>151</dt><dd>top flange</dd><dt>152</dt><dd>bottom flange</dd><dt>153</dt><dd>web</dd><dt>154</dt><dd>apron</dd><dt>160</dt><dd>solar collector module</dd><dt>161</dt><dd>glass plate</dd><dt>162</dt><dd>corrugated metal sheet</dd><dt>163</dt><dd>strip</dd><dt>164</dt><dd>hook</dd><dt>165</dt><dd>baffle</dd><dt>170</dt><dd>joint protector</dd><dt>171</dt><dd>disk</dd><dt>172</dt><dd>rod</dd><dt>173</dt><dd>hole</dd><dt>174</dt><dd>slit</dd></dl>