Vertical row photovoltaic support arranged on steep gravel boulder mountain slope
By using vertical photovoltaic supports on steep, gravelly, and isolated rocky slopes, and forming a stable box-shaped structure using components such as micro-hole cast-in-place piles and steel wire rope anchors, the problem of construction difficulties for horizontal supports on steep slopes has been solved, and efficient use of mountain resources has been achieved.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- SHANXI ELECTRIC POWER CONSTR CO LTD (CEEC)
- Filing Date
- 2025-08-07
- Publication Date
- 2026-06-26
AI Technical Summary
Existing horizontal photovoltaic support structures are difficult to install on steep and irregular gravel and boulder slopes, resulting in high construction costs, low land utilization, and installation difficulties.
A vertical photovoltaic support system is adopted, which uses micro-perforated piles and connecting sleeves in the gravel and boulder layers, combined with wire rope anchors and inclined anchors to form a stable box-shaped structure, changing the traditional horizontal layout and adapting to slope changes.
It reduced construction difficulty and cost, increased the coverage of photovoltaic modules and land utilization, and ensured the stability and safety of the support structure.
Smart Images
Figure CN224418718U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This invention relates to a photovoltaic support structure, and more particularly to a vertical photovoltaic support structure and its installation method for use on steep hillsides mixed with gravel and boulders. Background Technology
[0002] With the promotion of photovoltaic power generation, the construction of large-scale photovoltaic power stations is developing vigorously in mountainous areas. Due to constraints related to protecting arable land and controlling land acquisition costs, many photovoltaic power generation companies are turning their attention to barren hillsides to fully utilize limited hillside land resources and keep construction costs low. Therefore, the poorly vegetated northern mountainous areas have become the preferred sites for large-scale photovoltaic power stations. These mountains are characterized by steep slopes, irregular terrain, and chaotic topography. The geology of the slopes consists of unpredictable and complex geological conditions such as gravel and boulders, and many are barren slopes unsuitable for cultivation with low tree survival rates. These areas are characterized by small diurnal temperature variations, good air quality, sufficient sunshine, and low-lying vegetation. Most photovoltaic (PV) supports are horizontal supports, which are long, narrow, horizontal strips with a wide profile. These horizontal supports, when tilted, can effectively receive sunlight. This structure is suitable for relatively flat ground. However, when encountering steep slopes, the steepness and dramatic changes in lateral orientation make installation extremely difficult, resulting in high construction costs and low utilization of the slope area. Furthermore, the surface of the slope is often composed of gravel or boulders, and the significant tilt of the PV support further complicates installation. Therefore, developing a PV support system well-suited for steep, irregularly shaped, and rocky slopes to achieve efficient utilization of the land has become a pressing issue that needs to be addressed on-site. Summary of the Invention
[0003] This invention provides a vertical photovoltaic support structure for installation on steep, rocky, and boulder slopes, solving the technical problem of how to develop a photovoltaic support structure that is well-suited for steep, irregularly shaped rocky slopes with varying gradients.
[0004] The present invention solves the above technical problems through the following technical solutions:
[0005] A vertical photovoltaic (PV) support system for installation on a steep, rocky hillside includes a steep slope with a rocky layer and a boulder layer. Micro-perforated piles are installed on the rocky layer, with pre-embedded sleeves embedded at the top of each pile. A left-side column of the PV support system is connected to the pre-embedded sleeve, and a lower clamp and an upper clamp are installed on the left-side column. A connecting sleeve is installed on the boulder layer, with a fixed connection at its bottom. A square base plate is connected, and expansion bolts pass through the square base plate and are then inserted into the boulder slope to fix the connecting sleeve to the boulder slope. A right-side column of the photovoltaic support is connected to the connecting sleeve, and a lower right-side clamp and an upper right-side clamp are respectively installed on the right-side column. Behind the left-side columns of the photovoltaic support, along the upward slope, left-side columns are installed at intervals. Behind the right-side columns of the photovoltaic support, along the upward slope, right-side columns are also installed at intervals. A support beam is installed between two corresponding photovoltaic support columns on the left and right sides. C-shaped steel purlins are installed on each support beam along the slope direction, and photovoltaic modules are installed on the C-shaped steel purlins. A left steel wire rope anchor is installed between the left-side columns of two adjacent photovoltaic support structures. The front end of the left steel wire rope anchor is connected to the top of the left-side column of the front photovoltaic support, and the rear end is connected to the pre-embedded sleeve of the left-side column of the rear photovoltaic support. A decorative pattern is installed on the left steel wire rope anchor. The structure includes a turnbuckle, a micro-hole grouting pile at the top of the slope, and a top left steel wire rope anchor between the left column of the last row of photovoltaic supports and the micro-hole grouting pile at the top of the slope. A right steel wire rope anchor is connected to the top of the right column of each photovoltaic support, and the other end of the right steel wire rope anchor is fixed to the isolated rock slope on the right rear side of the right column of the photovoltaic support by an expansion bolt. A second turnbuckle is installed on the right steel wire rope anchor. A long hole is provided on the clamp on the left column, and a pin is movably installed in the long hole.
[0006] Diagonal anchor rods are installed on the diagonal lines between the four adjacent rectangular photovoltaic support columns. The front end of the diagonal anchor rod is connected to a first angle steel, which is connected to the clamp on the left column. The rear end of the diagonal anchor rod is connected to a second angle steel, which is connected to the clamp on the right column of the second row. Anchor bars are connected to the pre-embedded sleeve.
[0007] A concrete block is poured between the square base plate and the connecting sleeve. The concrete block is integrated with the boulder slope and covers the square base plate, the lower part of the connecting sleeve, and the bolt heads of the expansion bolts. A triangular connector is installed between the top of the left column of the photovoltaic bracket and the bracket beam.
[0008] A method for installing vertical photovoltaic (PV) supports on a steep, scree-covered, boulder-covered hillside, wherein the PV supports are generally rectangular in shape, with their long sides arranged along the slope direction, and the left-side support column is installed on the scree slope surface, while the right-side support column is installed on the boulder slope surface. The method is characterized by the following steps:
[0009] Step 1: Drill the pile holes for micro-hole cast-in-place piles on the gravel slope and pre-embed the pre-embedded sleeves in the pile holes. Vertically fix the upper part of the pre-embedded sleeves above the top surface of the micro-hole cast-in-place piles. Fix the lower clamp and upper clamp of the left column to the upper part of the pre-embedded sleeves respectively.
[0010] The second step is to install a row of pre-embedded sleeves at intervals along the upward slope using the method from the first step.
[0011] The third step is to use expansion bolts to pass through the square base plate and fix the connecting sleeve on the boulder slope, and make the connecting sleeve and the pre-embedded sleeve correspond to each other on the left and right.
[0012] Fourth step: Along the upward slope, install a row of connecting sleeves at intervals using the method from the second step;
[0013] Step 5: Install support beams between the two corresponding photovoltaic support columns on the left and right. On each support beam, install C-shaped steel purlins parallel to each other along the direction of the hillside. Install photovoltaic modules on each C-shaped steel purlin.
[0014] Step 6: Install left wire rope anchors between the left columns of two adjacent photovoltaic supports. The front end of the left wire rope anchor is connected to the top of the left column of the front photovoltaic support, and the rear end of the left wire rope anchor is connected to the pre-embedded sleeve of the left column of the rear photovoltaic support. The left wire rope anchor is tightened by adjusting the turnbuckles installed on the left wire rope anchor. Install the top left wire rope anchor between the left column of the last row of photovoltaic supports and the micro-hole grouting pile at the top of the slope.
[0015] Step 7: Connect a right steel wire rope anchor to the top of the right column of each photovoltaic support. The other end of the right steel wire rope anchor is fixed to the isolated rock slope on the right rear side of the right column of the photovoltaic support by expansion bolts and rivets. Tighten the right steel wire rope anchor by setting a second turnbuckle on the right steel wire rope anchor.
[0016] Step 8: Install diagonal anchor rods on the diagonal lines between the four adjacent rectangular photovoltaic support columns. The front end of the diagonal anchor rod is connected to a first angle steel, which is connected to the clamp on the left column of the first row. The rear end of the diagonal anchor rod is connected to a second angle steel, which is connected to the clamp on the right column of the second row. The two diagonal anchor rods, which are arranged in an X-shape, stably connect the left column and the right column of the photovoltaic support together.
[0017] This invention targets steep, irregularly shaped slopes covered with gravel and isolated rocks. By altering the traditional horizontal arrangement of photovoltaic (PV) supports, it arranges them vertically, resulting in a smaller horizontal length and a larger vertical length. This adapts well to steep, irregularly shaped slopes, significantly reducing the difficulty of on-site installation and saving on steel structure costs. To ensure the stability of the vertically arranged supports at significant inclination angles, longitudinal anchor cables and two X-shaped intersecting anchor rods are used to create a stable box-shaped structure, guaranteeing the stability and safety of the PV modules on the supports. Since adjacent supports do not interfere with each other's sunlight reception, a dense arrangement of vertical supports on the hillside is achieved, greatly increasing the coverage of PV panels on the slope, improving land utilization, and significantly reducing land acquisition costs. Attached Figure Description
[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention in the main viewing direction;
[0019] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention viewed from the left.
[0020] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention viewed from the right.
[0021] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the present invention from a top view.
[0022] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the connection between the connecting sleeve 14 and the boulder slope 3 of the present invention;
[0023] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the square base plate 15 of the present invention;
[0024] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the pre-embedded sleeve 5 of the present invention;
[0025] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the clamp 9 on the left column of the present invention;
[0026] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the elongated hole 22 on the clamp 9 of the left column of the present invention. Detailed Implementation
[0027] The present invention will now be described in detail:
[0028] A vertical photovoltaic support system is installed on a steep, gravelly hillside. The system includes a steep slope 1 with a slope greater than 45 degrees. The slope 1 has a gravelly layer 2 and a boulder slope 3, with these two geological features irregularly intersecting. Micro-hole cast-in-place piles 4 are installed on the gravelly layer 2. The pile holes for the micro-hole cast-in-place piles 4 are drilled manually using a handheld drill, with a hole diameter of approximately 30 cm. After drilling, a pre-embedded sleeve 5 with anchor bars 6 is placed into the pile hole, and concrete is manually poured to fix the pre-embedded sleeve 5 to the gravelly hillside. The pre-embedded sleeve 5 is also pre-embedded at the top of the micro-hole cast-in-place pile 4, and is vertically installed along the vertical direction. A left-side column 7 of the photovoltaic support is connected to the sleeve 5. A lower left-side clamp 8 and an upper left-side clamp 9 are respectively installed on the left-side column 7. Both clamps have connecting ears with elongated through holes for connecting diagonal braces or anchor rods. A connecting sleeve 14 is installed on the boulder slope 3. A square base plate 15 is fixedly connected to the bottom of the connecting sleeve 14. Expansion bolts 16 pass through the square base plate 15 and are then inserted into the boulder slope 3, fixing the connecting sleeve 14 to the boulder slope 3. Because the boulder is large and hard, drilling holes in it is difficult. Therefore, directly fixing the connecting sleeve 14 to the boulder is convenient for construction and provides stability. The right-side column 26 of the photovoltaic support is connected to the cylinder 14. A lower clamp and an upper clamp are installed on the right-side column 26. Behind the left-side column 7 of the photovoltaic support, left-side columns are spaced out along the hillside. Behind the right-side columns, right-side columns are spaced out along the hillside, with the two columns arranged parallel to each other to ensure the photovoltaic modules on the support receive ample sunlight on the hillside. A support beam 11 is installed between corresponding left and right photovoltaic support columns. C-shaped steel purlins 12 are installed on each support beam 11 along the hillside, spaced out according to the width of the support. Multiple C-shaped steel purlins 12 are installed, and photovoltaic modules 13 are mounted on adjacent C-shaped steel purlins 12. Left steel wire rope anchors 18 are installed between the left-side columns of two adjacent photovoltaic support structures. The front end of the left steel wire rope anchor 18 is connected to the top of the left-side column of the front photovoltaic support structure, and the rear end is connected to the pre-embedded sleeve 5 of the left-side column of the rear photovoltaic support structure. Each left steel wire rope anchor 18, supported by pile foundations, forms a tensile support for the column downhill, ensuring the stability of each support column and resisting the downhill force exerted on the column by the weight of the photovoltaic modules. It also has the function of resisting flash flood impact. Turnbuckles are installed on the left steel wire rope anchors 18.
[0029] The tension of the left wire rope anchor 18 can be easily adjusted by rotating the turnbuckle. Since the left slope top also has a gravel layer geological condition, a micro-hole grouting pile 19 is installed at the slope top. A top left wire rope anchor is installed between the left column 7 of the last row of photovoltaic supports and the top micro-hole grouting pile 19, forming a tension around the entire inclined photovoltaic support. A right wire rope anchor 20 is connected to the top of the right column 26 of each photovoltaic support, and the other end of the right wire rope anchor 20 is riveted with an expansion bolt. Nail 21 is fixed to the isolated rock slope 3 on the right rear side of the right column of the photovoltaic support, so that the right wire rope anchor 20 pulls the support towards the top of the slope. A second turnbuckle 24 is provided on the right wire rope anchor 20. Long holes 22 are provided on the upper clamp 9 and the lower clamp 8 of the left column, and pins 23 are movably installed in the long holes 22. The lower end of the horizontal diagonal brace of the support can be connected to the lower clamp 8 of the left column, and the upper end of the horizontal diagonal brace is connected to the middle of the crossbeam 11 of the support.
[0030] Diagonal anchor rods 25 are installed on the diagonal lines between four adjacent rectangular photovoltaic support columns. The front end of the diagonal anchor rod 25 is connected to a first angle steel, which is connected to the clamp 9 on the left column. The rear end of the diagonal anchor rod 25 is connected to a second angle steel, which is connected to the clamp on the right column of the second row. The four photovoltaic support columns, the left wire rope anchor cable 18, the right wire rope anchor cable 20, and the diagonal anchor rods 25 form a stable box frame structure of the support from six directions: up and down, left and right, front and back. This provides a stable support system for the vertical photovoltaic module units on steep slopes, resistant to flood impact and mountain wind pull. Anchor bars 6 are connected to the pre-embedded sleeves 5.
[0031] A concrete block 17 is poured between the square base plate 15 and the connecting sleeve 14. The concrete block 17 is connected to the boulder slope 3 as one unit, covering the square base plate 15, the lower part of the connecting sleeve 14 and the bolt head of the expansion bolt 16 in the concrete block 17. At the same time, the concrete block 17 also serves to further secure the right connecting sleeve. A triangular connector 10 is provided between the top of the left column 7 of the photovoltaic bracket and the bracket beam 11.
[0032] A method for installing vertical photovoltaic (PV) supports on a steep, scree-covered, boulder-covered hillside, wherein the PV supports are generally rectangular in shape, with their long sides arranged along the slope direction, and the left-side column 7 of the PV supports is installed on the scree slope surface 2, and the right-side column 26 of the PV supports is installed on the boulder slope surface 3, characterized by the following steps:
[0033] Step 1: Drill the pile hole for micro-hole cast-in-place pile 4 on the gravel layer slope 2, and pre-embed the pre-embedded sleeve 5 in the pile hole. Vertically fix the upper part of the pre-embedded sleeve 5 above the top surface of the micro-hole cast-in-place pile 4. Fix the lower clamp 8 and the upper clamp 9 of the left column to the upper part of the pre-embedded sleeve 5 respectively.
[0034] The second step is to install a row of pre-embedded sleeves 5 at intervals along the upward direction of the hillside, using the method from the first step.
[0035] The third step is to use expansion bolts 16 to pass through the square base plate 15 and fix the connecting sleeve 14 on the boulder slope 3, and make the connecting sleeve 14 and the pre-embedded sleeve 5 correspond to each other on the left and right.
[0036] Fourth step: Along the upward slope, install a row of connecting sleeves 14 at intervals using the method of the second step;
[0037] Step 5: Install support beams 11 between the two corresponding photovoltaic support columns on the left and right. On each support beam 11, C-shaped steel purlins 12 are installed parallel to each other along the direction of the hillside. Install photovoltaic modules 13 on each C-shaped steel purlin 12.
[0038] Step 6: Install a left steel wire rope anchor 18 between the left columns 7 of two adjacent photovoltaic brackets. The front end of the left steel wire rope anchor 18 is connected to the top of the left column of the front photovoltaic bracket, and the rear end of the left steel wire rope anchor 18 is connected to the pre-embedded sleeve 5 of the left column of the rear photovoltaic bracket. The left steel wire rope anchor 18 is tightened by adjusting the turnbuckles installed on the left steel wire rope anchor 18. Install a top left steel wire rope anchor between the left column 7 of the last row of photovoltaic brackets and the micro-hole grouting pile 19 at the top of the slope.
[0039] Step 7: Connect a right steel wire rope anchor 20 to the top of the right column 26 of each photovoltaic support. The other end of the right steel wire rope anchor 20 is fixed to the isolated rock slope 3 on the right rear side of the right column of the photovoltaic support by expansion bolts and rivets 21. The right steel wire rope anchor 20 is tightened by setting a second turnbuckle 24 on the right steel wire rope anchor 20.
[0040] Step 8: Install diagonal anchor rods 25 on the diagonal lines between the four adjacent rectangular photovoltaic support columns. The front end of the diagonal anchor rod 25 is connected to a first angle steel, which is connected to the clamp 9 on the left column of the first row. The rear end of the diagonal anchor rod 25 is connected to a second angle steel, which is connected to the clamp on the right column of the second row. The two diagonal anchor rods 25, which are X-shaped, stably connect the left column and the right column of the photovoltaic support together.
[0041] The construction of this invention is simple to operate, low in cost, requires no large or medium-sized equipment, can be completed manually, and can achieve dense arrangement of photovoltaic power generation modules on steep mountain slopes. The support structure has good stability and strong resistance to wind and flood impact.
Claims
1. A vertical row photovoltaic support arranged on a steep gravel boulder mountain slope, comprising a steep mountain slope land (1), wherein a gravel layer slope surface (2) and a boulder slope surface (3) are respectively arranged on the steep mountain slope land (1); characterized in that, Micro-hole cast-in-place piles (4) are installed on the gravel slope (2). A pre-embedded sleeve (5) is pre-embedded at the top of the micro-hole cast-in-place pile (4). A left column (7) of the photovoltaic support is connected to the pre-embedded sleeve (5). A left column lower clamp (8) and a left column upper clamp (9) are respectively installed on the left column (7) of the photovoltaic support. A connecting sleeve (14) is installed on the boulder slope (3). A square base plate (15) is fixedly connected to the bottom of the connecting sleeve (14). An expansion bolt (16) passes through the square base plate (15) and is then connected to the boulder slope (3). The connecting sleeve (14) is fixed on the boulder slope (3). A photovoltaic support right column (26) is connected to the connecting sleeve (14). A right column lower clamp and a right column upper clamp are respectively installed on the photovoltaic support right column (26). On the rear side of the photovoltaic support left column (7), photovoltaic support left columns are set at intervals along the upward direction of the hillside. On the rear side of the photovoltaic support right column, photovoltaic support right columns are set at intervals along the upward direction of the hillside. A support beam (11) is set between the two corresponding photovoltaic support columns on the left and right. 1) Along the slope direction, C-shaped steel purlins (12) are installed, and photovoltaic modules (13) are installed on the C-shaped steel purlins (12); a left wire rope anchor (18) is installed between the left columns of two adjacent photovoltaic supports. The front end of the left wire rope anchor (18) is connected to the top of the left column of the front photovoltaic support, and the rear end of the left wire rope anchor (18) is connected to the pre-embedded sleeve (5) of the left column of the rear photovoltaic support. Turnbuckles are installed on the left wire rope anchor (18), and micro-hole grouting piles (19) are installed at the top of the slope. A top left steel wire rope anchor is provided between the left column (7) of the photovoltaic support and the micro-hole grouting pile (19) at the top of the slope; a right steel wire rope anchor (20) is connected to the top of the right column (26) of each photovoltaic support, and the other end of the right steel wire rope anchor (20) is fixed to the isolated rock slope (3) on the right rear side of the right column of the photovoltaic support by expansion bolt rivet (21), and a second turnbuckle (24) is provided on the right steel wire rope anchor (20); a long hole (22) is provided on the clamp (9) on the left column, and a pin (23) is movably provided in the long hole (22).
2. The vertical photovoltaic support structure for installation on a steep, rocky hillside according to claim 1, characterized in that, Diagonal anchor rods (25) are installed on the diagonal between the four adjacent photovoltaic support columns arranged in a rectangular pattern. The front end of the diagonal anchor rod (25) is connected to a first angle steel, which is connected to the clamp (9) on the left column. The rear end of the diagonal anchor rod (25) is connected to a second angle steel, which is connected to the clamp on the right column of the second row. Anchor bars (6) are connected to the pre-embedded sleeve (5).
3. A vertical photovoltaic support structure for installation on a steep, rocky hillside, as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that... A concrete block (17) is poured between the square base plate (15) and the connecting sleeve (14). The concrete block (17) is connected to the boulder slope (3) as a whole, and the square base plate (15), the lower part of the connecting sleeve (14) and the bolt head of the expansion bolt (16) are covered in the concrete block (17). A triangular connector (10) is provided between the top of the left column (7) of the photovoltaic bracket and the bracket beam (11).