FR3114204A3 - Photovoltaic panel system comprising a plurality of support structures. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a system of photovoltaic panels (P) comprising bifacial photovoltaic panels (P) intended to be installed on a framework comprising horizontal purlins, and a plurality of structures (30) supporting the panels (P), each comprising a carrier profile (34), each structure (30) being intended to be arranged transversely with respect to the horizontal purlins, characterized in that each carrier profile (34) is configured to support two adjacent photovoltaic panels (P). Figure to be published with abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Photovoltaic panel system comprising a plurality of support structures.

Technical area.

The subject of the invention is a system of photovoltaic panels intended to be installed on a framework comprising horizontal purlins, in particular on buildings of the residential, industrial or agricultural type and more particularly buildings to receive photovoltaic panels on their roof.

The invention relates to the technical field of support structures for photovoltaic panels.

Prior art.

Photovoltaic solar panels produce electrical energy from solar radiation. Generally, several photovoltaic cells are connected together on a photovoltaic solar panel, and several panels are connected to create a solar installation. This facility produces electricity that can be consumed on site or fed into a distribution network.

Most of the time, these photovoltaic panels are installed on the roofs of buildings such as dwellings, industrial buildings or hangars and in particular on the already existing roof of these buildings.

The document FR2924729 is known in particular, which describes a support structure for solar panels installed on the roof of an industrial-type building.

A disadvantage of the installation on the existing roof is that rodents have the possibility of easily accessing the underside of the solar panels. These rodents settle in the interstices and deteriorate the various cables of the system, making it unusable. Thus, a user would be obliged to change the damaged panels.

The user wishing to protect himself from rodents, has the possibility of setting up traps or repellents but these protective measures have an additional cost.

In addition, the type of panels used in this document is exposed to direct sunlight through its upper face.

A user wishing to make the most of his voltaic panels is forced to cover the entire roof of his building. Indeed, the larger the surface covered by the panels, the larger the surface receiving solar radiation.

To achieve satisfactory performance, it is necessary to have a roof of substantial dimensions, which is not always the case.

An object of the invention is to respond to the aforementioned drawbacks. Another object of the invention is to make it possible to increase the efficiency of photovoltaic panels while preventing rodents from damaging them.

Summary of the Invention.

The solution proposed by the invention is a system of photovoltaic panels comprising bifacial photovoltaic panels intended to be installed on a framework comprising horizontal purlins, and a plurality of panel support structures, each comprising a supporting section, each structure being intended to be placed transversely to the horizontal purlins.

The system is remarkable in that each supporting profile is configured to support two adjacent photovoltaic panels.

The use of a structure comprising carrying profiles configured to support two adjacent photovoltaic panels makes it possible to remove the functional constituent parts of the roof and to keep only the horizontal purlins.

Thus, it is possible to maintain the photovoltaic panels in a position in which the lower face which does not normally receive the light rays, can receive the indirect rays of the sun arriving after reflection on the various surfaces of the building.

The electricity production efficiency is increased compared to an installation already known to those skilled in the art.

In addition, the fact of using a structure making it possible to dispense with the constituent parts of the roof, makes it possible to arrange the photovoltaic panels directly on the horizontal purlins, thus preventing rodents from being able to access them by passing through said existing roof.

Advantageously, each structure comprises a body intended to extend over several purlins of the framework and supporting the profile of said structure, at least two fixing supports extending laterally on either side of said body, said supports being configured to fix the said structure to the horizontal purlins.

The horizontally extending fixing brackets allow the fixing of the structure to the horizontal purlins and therefore to the frame.

Advantageously, each fixing support extends vertically, so as to form a gutter extending along the body.

Gutters collect water from solar panels

Advantageously, each gutter is defined by a flange extending from the mounting bracket, said flange of one of said gutters extends over a greater height than that of the flange of the other of said gutters.

Having one rim higher than the other rim creates a slope to facilitate the eventual flow of water.

The structure comprises at least a third groove, in particular a third groove and a fourth groove of substantially similar structures, and each being in the form of a separate piece. The third groove has a U-shape with one edge higher than the other. The highest edge is arranged perpendicular to the profile, against the lowest face of the photovoltaic panel. The arrangement of the third groove and, if necessary, the fourth groove makes it possible to create a slope under the photovoltaic panel in order to recover the rainwater that has infiltrated between the panels. The third groove, and where appropriate the fourth groove, are intended to bear against the profile, in particular on the respectively left and right flanges and under the photovoltaic panels. The third and fourth grooves make it possible to recover any water that may infiltrate between said panels.

Advantageously, the section has two grooves extending on either side of the body.

The use of two grooves makes it possible to maintain two adjacent photovoltaic panels with the same profile.

Advantageously, each groove is defined by an outer edge and an inner edge, said outer edge being smaller than the inner edge.

The use of a groove with an outer edge smaller than the inner edge allows the photovoltaic panel to be correctly held in place. Indeed, said panel rests on the outer edge of the groove and abuts against the inner edge.

Advantageously, the structure comprises a glazing bead configured to hold said two adjacent panels against the profile, said glazing bead is configured to rest on the face of each said panel opposite the face of this said panel supported by said profile.

The glazing bead keeps the panels against the profile.

Advantageously, the two said adjacent panels come into abutment against the interior edges, the said interior edges being spaced from each other.

The spacing between the two internal edges makes it possible to form a cavity.

Advantageously, the glazing bead comprises two flanges arranged opposite the inner edges of the grooves.

The glazing bead closes the cavity. The edges of the glazing bead to seal this closure.

Advantageously, each structure comprises a central piece centered between the two inner edges forming the profile, said central piece and the glazing bead are configured to cooperate with each other via a clamping piece, in particular a clamping screw.

The central part makes it possible to cooperate with the clamping part in order to hold together the section of the structure and the glazing bead so as to form the structure.

Advantageously, the body has two open distal ends.

According to a variant embodiment, the body has two closed distal ends.

The use of a body whose ends are closed makes it possible to prevent pests, in particular wasps, from nesting there.

List of Figures.

Other advantages and characteristics of the present invention are now described using examples which are purely illustrative and in no way limit the scope of the invention, and based on the accompanying drawings, drawings in which the various figures represent:

shows an overview of a system of photovoltaic panels according to one embodiment of the invention.

shows a front sectional view of the structure of the system of the .

shows a profile sectional view of the structure of the third groove.

In the following description, the identical elements, by structure or by function, appearing in different figures retain, unless otherwise specified, the same references.

Detailed description of the invention.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinal adjectives "first", "second", etc., to describe an object merely indicates that different occurrences of similar objects are mentioned and does not imply that the objects so described must be in a given sequence, whether in time, space, ranking or otherwise.

As used herein, unless otherwise specified, the use of the adjectives "superior" and "inferior" to describe an object merely indicates that different occurrences of similar objects are mentioned and does not imply that the objects so described should be in a given sequence, whether in time, in space, in a ranking or in any other way.

With reference to the , the photovoltaic panel system P which is the subject of the invention comprises bifacial photovoltaic panels P intended to be installed on a framework comprising horizontal purlins, and a plurality of panel support structures. The functional constituent parts of the roof ensuring the sealing of the latter, that is to say, the sheets constituting the actual protection of the building at the places where it is desired to place the panels P, are removed. At this point, only the load-bearing part of the framework is left, in particular the horizontal purlins arranged horizontally, on which the plurality of structures are installed.

The structure 30 visible at is arranged on the horizontal purlins, perpendicular to them. The structure 30 is in particular in the form of a set of first and second longitudinal parts configured to cooperate together.

The first part of the structure 30 comprises in particular a body 31. The body 31 is intended to extend over several purlins of the framework. The body 31 is preferably a hollow tube of circular section, but could be a tube of square, octagonal or other oval section. The body 31 has a lower part and an upper part. It is specified that the body 31 is not necessarily tubular in shape, but may be conical in shape, or formed from portions of tubes or cones for example. Preferably, the extremities of the body are sealed.

In another embodiment, body 31 is in the form of a solid tube.

The advantage of using a solid body 31 or a hollow body 31 whose ends are closed is to prevent pests, in particular wasps, from nesting there, especially when this system is installed on buildings of the residential type or agricultural greenhouses.

The first part of the structure 30 comprises at least two fixing brackets 32 extending symmetrically and laterally on either side of said body 31. The fixing brackets 32 are configured to fix the structure 30 to the horizontal purlins by means of fixing such as screws, bolts, welding, rivets, etc. Thus, the fixing brackets 32 make it possible to maintain the structure 30 to the framework.

The mounting brackets 32 are slender parts and consist of a light structure.

Each mounting bracket 32 extends vertically, so as to form a gutter 330, 331 extending along the body 31. Each gutter 330, 331 is defined by a flange 3300, 3310 extending from each mounting bracket 32 of so that it is concave in shape. The concavity is turned towards the photovoltaic panel P.

The use of gutters 330, 331 makes it possible to recover the water coming from the photovoltaic panels P.

A first gutter 330 is defined by a first flange 3300 and a second gutter 331 is defined by a second flange 3310. The first flange 3300 extends over a height greater than that of the second flange 3310.

Use of two gutters 330, 331 with edges 3300, 3310 of different heights. The use of gutters 330, 331 comprising edges 3300, 3310 of different heights makes it possible to create a slope for the possible flow of water.

Each first part of the panel support structure 30 P comprises at least one carrying section 34. Preferably, each structure 30 comprises a section 34 intended to be arranged perpendicularly with respect to the horizontal purlins. Each profile 34 is configured to support two adjacent photovoltaic panels P. The profile 34 is arranged at the level of the upper part of the body 31, said profile is centered on said body. The profile 34 is therefore supported by the body 31.

Preferably, the profile 34 is formed of two symmetrical grooves 35 extending on either side of the body 31. The grooves 35 are arranged in a linear manner.

Each groove 35 is defined by an outer edge 350 and an inner edge 351. Each outer edge 350 is disposed distally relative to the axis of symmetry of the body 31 and each inner edge 351 is disposed proximally relative to the axis of symmetry of the body 31. The outer edge 350 is smaller than the inner edge 351 allowing the photovoltaic panel P to be correctly held in place. The inner edges 351 of two grooves 35 of the same section 34 are arranged opposite one another.

The advantage of using a profile 34 comprising two grooves 35 is that it is possible to maintain two adjacent photovoltaic panels P with the same profile 34.

Due to the conformation of the groove 35 with the outer edge 350 smaller than the inner edge 351, the photovoltaic panel P rests on said outer edge 350 and abuts against said inner edge 351. The adjacent inner edges 351 are spaced apart each other.

The body 31 of the first part of the structure 30 comprises at its upper end a central part 36, centered between the two inner edges 351 of the two adjacent grooves 35 . The central piece 36 has a thread in its center.

The structure 30 includes a glazing bead 38 forming the second part of said structure. The glazing bead 38 comprises two flanges 380 arranged opposite the inner edges 351 of the grooves 35. Thus, the glazing bead 38 is configured to rest on the face of each panel P opposite the face of this panel P supported by the profile 34. The glazing bead 38 is configured to hold the two adjacent panels P against the profile 34.

Due to the arrangement of the internal edges 351 of the grooves 35 and the conformation of the bead 38, two adjacent photovoltaic panels P are spaced from each other by a cavity 37.

The glazing bead 38 is therefore configured to close the cavity 37 and the edges 380 of said glazing bead ensure its tightness.

The first part and the second part of the structure 30 are configured to cooperate with each other via a clamping part 39. The clamping part 39 is preferably in the form of a threaded rod passing through the central part 36 at the level of the thread and crossing the glazing bead 38. The clamping part 39 makes it possible to hold the first part and the second part together so as to form the structure 30.

The central piece 36 is configured to cooperate with the clamping piece 39. Thus the whole of the structure 30 is held by said clamping piece.

The cavity 37 formed between the photovoltaic panels P makes it possible to protect the clamping part 39, thus reinforcing the structure 30. Indeed the clamping part 39 is protected from external attacks.

The structure 30 includes a third groove 40 described in and a fourth groove 40', each of which is in the form of a separate piece intended to cooperate with the profile 34. The third groove 40 has a U-shape, one rim 400 of which is higher than the other. The highest rim 400 is arranged perpendicular to the profile 34, against the lowest face of the photovoltaic panel P of the structure. The arrangement of the third groove 40 and, where applicable, of the fourth groove 40' makes it possible to create a slope under the photovoltaic panel P in order to recover the rainwater that has infiltrated between said panels. The third groove 40 and the fourth groove 40' come to rest against the profile 34, on the respectively left and right flanges 3300, 3310 and under the photovoltaic panels P to recover any water that may infiltrate between said panels. The third groove 40 and the fourth groove 40' are arranged to be arranged on either side of the profile 34.

Due to the use of this structure resting directly on the purlins of the frame, the user can use two-sided photovoltaic panels P for his installation, an upper face receiving direct radiation from the sun and a lower face, opposite to the upper side. The arrangement of the panels P, due to the use of the structures according to the invention, allows the lower face to be accessible. Thus, the two faces of each panel P can be used by the user to receive solar radiation. It is indeed possible to maintain the photovoltaic panels P in a position in which the lower face which does not normally receive the light rays, can receive the indirect rays of the sun arriving after reflection on the various surfaces of the building. In addition to receiving direct radiation known to those skilled in the art, the user can use the lower face which is configured to receive indirect radiation from the sun. Indirect radiation is collected after reflection of direct radiation on building surfaces.

The interest is increased tenfold when the structure according to the invention is used on transparent buildings such as, for example, agricultural greenhouses. Indeed, due to the transparency of the walls of the building, the sun's rays pass through them and after reflection on the ground and the various walls, the indirect rays are increased tenfold. The electrical energy production efficiency is therefore improved compared to an installation already known to those skilled in the art.

In addition, such an installation making it possible to dispense with the constituent parts of the roof, makes it possible to arrange the photovoltaic panels P directly on the horizontal purlins, thus preventing rodents from being able to access them by passing through said roof.

The preceding description clearly explains how the invention makes it possible to achieve the objectives that it has set itself, namely to increase the yield of the photovoltaic panels P while preventing rodents from damaging them, by proposing a plurality of support structures for bifacial photovoltaic panels P, each comprising a carrier profile 34 supporting two adjacent panels.

In any event, the invention cannot be limited to the embodiments specifically described in this document, and extends in particular to all equivalent means and to any technically effective combination of these means. It may in particular be envisaged that in another embodiment, the body 31 is in the form of a hollow tube, the ends of which are open.

In a variant embodiment, the profile 34 is in the form of a single piece.

In another alternative embodiment, the clamping part 39 is a self-drilling screw which passes through the glazing bead 38 and the central part 36.

Claims (12)

System of photovoltaic panels (P) comprising bifacial photovoltaic panels (P) intended to be installed on a framework comprising horizontal purlins, and a plurality of structures (30) supporting the panels (P), each comprising a carrier profile (34) , each structure (30) being intended to be arranged transversely with respect to the horizontal purlins, characterized in that each carrying profile (34) is configured to support two adjacent photovoltaic panels (P). A system according to claim 1 wherein each structure (30) includes

1. a body (31) intended to extend over several purlins of the framework and supporting the section (34) of said structure (30),
2. at least two mounting brackets (32) extending laterally on either side of said body (31), said brackets are configured to secure said structure to horizontal purlins.

System according to Claim 2, in which each fixing support (32) extends vertically, so as to form a gutter (330, 331) extending along the body (31). System according to one of the preceding claims taken in combination with claim 3 in which each gutter (330, 331) is defined by a flange (3300, 3310) extending from the fixing support (32), said flange of one of said gutters extends over a height greater than that of the rim of the other of said gutters. System according to one of Claims 2 to 4, in which the profile (34) has two grooves (35) extending on either side of the body (31). A system according to claim 5 wherein each groove (35) is defined by an outer edge (350) and an inner edge (351), said outer edge being smaller than the inner edge. System according to one of the preceding claims, in which the structure (30) comprises a glazing bead (38) configured to hold the said two adjacent panels (P) against the profile (34), the said glazing bead is configured to rest on the face of each said panel opposite the face of said said panel supported by said profile. System according to one of the preceding claims taken in combination with claim 6, in which the two said adjacent panels (P) come into abutment against the interior edges (351), the said interior edges are spaced from each other. System according to one of the preceding claims taken in combination with claim 8, in which the glazing bead (38) comprises two flanges (380) arranged opposite the inner edges (351) of the grooves (35). System according to one of Claims 7 to 9, in which each structure (30) comprises a central part (36) centered between the two inner edges (351) forming the profile (34), the said central part and the glazing bead (38) are configured to cooperate with each other via a clamping piece (39). System according to one of Claims 2 to 10, in which the body (31) has two open distal ends. System according to one of Claims 2 to 10, in which the body (31) has two closed distal ends.