Open-field photovoltaic system

Abstract

Open-field photovoltaic installation with a support system (2) for holding photovoltaic modules (4), wherein the support system (2) comprises ground posts (5) for anchoring in the ground (6) and module supports (3) for receiving the photovoltaic modules (4), characterized in that at least one module support (3) has a rail guide (7) on its upper side for guiding and supporting the photovoltaic modules (4) and that at least one photovoltaic module (4) is connected to the module support (3) via at least one connecting element (11), wherein the connecting element (11) is attached to the underside of the module support (3) or laterally to the module support (3) and connects the module support (3) to a module frame (9) of the photovoltaic module (4).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a ground-mounted photovoltaic system according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] German patent application DE 20 2021 104 628 U1 describes a photovoltaic system with a support system and several photovoltaic modules mounted within the support system. The support system comprises several ground posts and module carriers attached to the ground posts for mounting the photovoltaic modules. The module carriers are inclined at an angle of approximately 20° to the ground. The photovoltaic modules are mounted on the inclined module carriers and screwed to support rails of the module carriers.

[0003] DE 20 2022 102 108 U1 also discloses a ground-mounted photovoltaic system with a support system for holding multiple photovoltaic modules. The support system comprises a module carrier standing on ground posts, which has two mounting brackets, each lying in the same plane, for holding a photovoltaic module. The photovoltaic module is located on top of the mounting brackets.

[0004] Another open-field photovoltaic system is described in DE 20 2023 102 930 U1. This open-field photovoltaic system has a support system for holding several photovoltaic modules, wherein the support system comprises several ground posts for anchoring in the ground and several module supports for receiving the photovoltaic modules, which are attached to the module supports at an angle.

[0005] Reference is also made to DE 20 2024 106 756 U1, which also shows an open-field photovoltaic system.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of making open-field photovoltaic installations easy to assemble using simple design measures, while at the same time ensuring a secure and permanent stand.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by the features of claim 1. The dependent claims specify advantageous further developments.

[0008] The ground-mounted photovoltaic system according to the invention can be used outdoors, for example on agricultural land that can also be used for other purposes, such as grazing animals. The ground-mounted photovoltaic system comprises a support system and several photovoltaic modules held by the support system. The support system includes several ground posts for anchoring in the ground and several module carriers for receiving and holding the photovoltaic modules, which are attached to the ground posts. The module carriers, which are exemplified as support rails, are connected directly or indirectly to the ground posts on their underside and accommodate the photovoltaic modules on their upper side. Crossbeams, on which the module carriers are mounted, can be located between the ground posts and the module carriers.

[0009] In the ground-mounted photovoltaic system according to the invention, at least one module support has a rail guide for guiding and supporting the photovoltaic modules, and at least one photovoltaic module is connected to the module support via at least one connecting element. The connecting element is attached to the underside of the module support or to the side of the module support and connects the module support to a module frame of the photovoltaic module.

[0010] This design offers several advantages. The rail guide directs and holds the photovoltaic module perpendicular to its longitudinal axis, preventing it from sliding laterally or away from the module, which is mounted or placed on the upper side of the module carrier facing away from the ground. The rail guide allows the photovoltaic module to be placed on the module carrier at one of its edges and moved along the rail until the desired, final mounting position is reached. Advantageously, the photovoltaic module is bounded on both sides by a rail guide and is therefore guided in opposite transverse directions.

[0011] In the mounting position, the photovoltaic module is connected to the module carrier. This connection is made using a connecting element located on the underside of the module carrier facing the ground. This element connects the module carrier to a module frame of the photovoltaic module, which holds one or more solar cells of the photovoltaic module. Alternatively, the connecting element can be attached to the side of the module carrier, connecting the module carrier to the module frame of the photovoltaic module.

[0012] The inventive ground-mounted photovoltaic system thus offers two installation advantages: Firstly, the photovoltaic module can be ergonomically placed onto the module carrier from above by the installers and moved along the rail guide until the desired mounting position is reached. Secondly, the photovoltaic module can be fixed in place using the connecting element, which is inserted from below or from the side, in an equally user-friendly manner. It is not necessary to fix the module from above, which would normally require the use of aids such as ladders. In contrast, the connecting element can be attached from below or from the side by an installer standing on the ground.

[0013] In an advantageous embodiment, the connecting element is designed as a rivet that is inserted into corresponding recesses in the module support and the module frame of the photovoltaic module. The rivet is inserted into the recesses from below and plastically deformed using a riveting tool in such a way that a portion of the rivet protrudes laterally or radially beyond the recesses in the module support and the module frame on both the upper side of the upper module frame and the lower side of the lower module support, thereby creating a tight, positive-locking connection.

[0014] As alternatives to a rivet connection, a screw or a clamp can also be used as a fastener. In this case, too, the fastener is inserted or attached from the underside or side. The fastener is, for example, designed as a clamp that is inserted laterally into one or more recesses in the module carrier and partially surrounds the module frame.

[0015] In a further advantageous embodiment, the rail guide is formed integrally with the module carrier. The rail guide is specifically designed as a raised cross-sectional profile that projects beyond the top surface of the module carrier. The cross-sectional profile of the rail guide, for example, has a hat shape. The integral design of the rail guide with the module carrier has the advantage that no additional components are required for its implementation.

[0016] In yet another advantageous embodiment, a groove-shaped recess is provided in the module carrier immediately adjacent to the rail guide. This groove creates space so that the module frame of the photovoltaic module rests in contact with the rail guide. Optionally, a sealing element or a flexible support element can be accommodated in the groove, allowing the module frame to be supported against the module carrier. The sealing or support element can be attached to the module frame. Advantageously, a groove-shaped recess is located in the module carrier on both sides of the rail guide. The recesses in the module carrier, designed to receive the connecting element, are preferably arranged adjacent to the groove-shaped recess.

[0017] According to yet another advantageous embodiment, the module carrier has a C-shaped or hat-shaped cross-sectional profile with a central leg and two laterally adjoining side legs, which together form the C-shape. The rail guide is located on the central leg and is preferably formed integrally with the central leg.

[0018] Advantageously, the free ends of the side legs of the C-shaped module support are bent outwards. The rail guide on the central leg is C- or hat-shaped and, on a smaller scale, has the same basic cross-sectional shape as the C-shaped module support on a larger scale.

[0019] Advantageously, the module carrier is made of metal. The rail guide, which is formed as a single unit with the module carrier, can be created by deforming the metallic module carrier.

[0020] In yet another advantageous embodiment, the module support is arranged at an angle to a horizontal plane or to the ground, for example at an angle of 10° to 30°, preferably 12° to 20°. Accordingly, the photovoltaic module on the module support also has a corresponding inclination.

[0021] According to a further advantageous embodiment, the rail guide in the module support extends from one end of the ground-mounted photovoltaic system to the opposite end. The rail guide is thus continuous and uninterrupted. Alternatively, the rail guide can also consist of several rail guide sections with intermediate breaks, the breaks being advantageously shorter than the photovoltaic modules to ensure uninterrupted guidance of the photovoltaic modules from the edge of the module support to the point where they reach the mounting position.

[0022] Further advantages and practical designs can be found in the additional requirements, the figure description, and the drawings. These show: Fig. 1. A perspective view of a ground-mounted photovoltaic installation, Fig. 2 in top view a module carrier of a support system of the open field photovoltaic installation, Fig. 3 of the module carriers in a opposite Fig. 2 unfolded side view, Fig. 4 of the module carriers in enlarged side view, Fig. 5 a section through the connection area between the module carrier and two adjacent photovoltaic modules, Fig. 6 a perspective partial view of a module support with an additional recess for the lateral reception of a connecting element designed as a clamp, Fig. 7 in perspective of the module carrier from Fig. 6 with a module frame and a connecting clamp, Fig. 8 module carriers, module frames and connecting brackets in side view, Fig. 9 a section through the connection area with clamps between the module carrier and two adjacent photovoltaic modules.

[0023] In the figures, identical components are labelled with the same reference symbols.

[0024] In the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. Figure 5, as a first embodiment, shows a ground-mounted photovoltaic system 1 that can be installed directly on the ground 6 of an open area, for example, agricultural land. The ground-mounted photovoltaic system 1 comprises a support system 2, which includes several module supports 3 for receiving photovoltaic modules 4 and ground posts 5 that support the module supports 3 and are anchored in the ground 6. Crossbeams can be arranged between the ground posts 5 and the module supports 3, on which the module supports 3 are mounted. Several photovoltaic modules 4 are arranged side by side and one behind the other, each supported by module supports 3. In this embodiment, the ground posts 5 extend in two parallel rows.

[0025] How the Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. As can be seen from Figure 5, the module support 3 has a C-shaped cross-sectional profile with a central leg 3a and two laterally adjoining side legs 3b, 3c, which are bent outwards at their free ends. The module support 3 is provided with a rail guide 7, which is formed integrally with the module support 3. The rail guide 7 is located on the central leg 3a, which is at the top in the assembled state, with the rail guide 7 projecting beyond the top surface of the module support 3. The rail guide 7 is preferably formed by deforming the module support 3 in the region of the central leg 3a. The rail guide 7 has a raised, hat-shaped cross-sectional profile in the form of an inverted "U". The rail guide 7 serves for the lateral guidance and support of the photovoltaic modules 4 ( Fig. 5) Advantageously, photovoltaic modules 4 are located on both the left and right sections of the rail guide 7. Several parallel rail guides 7 are located in the transverse direction within the open-field photovoltaic installation 1.

[0026] The module supports 3 are arranged at an angle to a horizontal surface, such as the ground 6. The angle between the horizontal surface and the module supports 3 is preferably 12° to 20°. The photovoltaic modules 4 placed on the module supports 3 also have a corresponding inclination to the horizontal surface. The longitudinal extension of the rail guides 7 runs in an upward direction on the inclined module supports 3 and extends in this upward direction from one end of the ground-mounted photovoltaic system 1 to the opposite end.

[0027] The projection of the rail guide 7 beyond the top surface of the center leg 3a is significantly less than the width of the center leg 3a. The projection of the rail guide 7 is also less than the height of the photovoltaic module 4.

[0028] On both sides of the rail guide 7, a groove-shaped recess 8 is provided in the module carrier 3. The groove-shaped recess 8 provides space and allows a module frame 9 of the photovoltaic module 4 to be in contact with the rail guide 7. The module frame 9, together with a solar cell 10, forms the photovoltaic module 4.

[0029] The photovoltaic modules 4 are connected to the module carrier 3 via connecting elements 11, which are designed as rivets 11. As shown in the sectional view. Fig. As can be seen from Figure 5, the rivets 11 are inserted into corresponding recesses in the module support 3 and the module frame 9. During the assembly of the ground-mounted photovoltaic system 1, the rivets 11 are inserted using a riveting tool 12 from the underside of the module support 3. A rivet 11, in its undeformed state, is inserted from below into the corresponding recesses in the module support 3 and the module frame 9 and then plastically deformed by the riveting tool 12 such that a portion of the rivet 11 protrudes laterally or radially beyond the recesses in the module support 3 and the module frame 9 on both the upper side of the module frame 9 and the underside of the module support 3, thus creating a secure, positive-locking connection. The connection can be made quickly and ergonomically.

[0030] In the Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 to Fig.Figure 9 shows a further embodiment with the connection between the module carrier 3 and two adjacent photovoltaic modules 4, wherein the connection to each photovoltaic module 4 is realized via a clamp 11. Recesses 13 are provided in the module carrier 3 at the transition between the central leg 3a and the side leg 3b, into which a lower part of the clamp 11 projects. The upper part of the clamp 11 overlaps the module frame 9, which rests on the central leg 3a of the module carrier 3.

[0031] The clamp 11 has a cross-sectional shape with two adjacent V-shaped sections connected by a horizontal section. A horizontal slot is provided in each V-shaped section, allowing the clamp 11 to be slid laterally such that the part below the slot passes through the recesses 13 in the module support 3, and the part above the slot rests on the module frame 9, pressing it against the central leg 3a of the module support 3. To improve the clamping and holding force, the wall sections of the clamp 11 bordering the slot are formed with a sawtooth structure. QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 20 2021 104 628 U1

[0002] DE 20 2022 102 108 U1

[0003] DE 20 2023 102 930 U1

[0004] DE 20 2024 106 756 U1

[0005]

Claims

[1] Ground-mounted photovoltaic installation with a support system (2) for holding photovoltaic modules (4), wherein the support system (2) comprises ground posts (5) for anchoring in the ground (6) and module supports (3) for receiving the photovoltaic modules (4), characterized by , that at least one module support (3) has a rail guide (7) on its upper side for guiding and supporting the photovoltaic modules (4) and that at least one photovoltaic module (4) is connected to the module support (3) via at least one connecting element (11), wherein the connecting element (11) is attached to the underside of the module support (3) or laterally to the module support (3) and connects the module support (3) to a module frame (9) of the photovoltaic module (4). [2] Ground-mounted photovoltaic system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the connecting element (11) is designed as a rivet (11) which is inserted into corresponding recesses in the module carrier (3) and in the module frame (9). [3] Ground-mounted photovoltaic system according to claim 1, characterized by , that the connecting element (11) is designed as a clamp (11) which is inserted laterally into one or more recesses (13) in the module carrier (3) and partially surrounds the module frame (9). [4] Ground-mounted photovoltaic system according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the rail guide (7) is formed in one piece with the module carrier (3). [5] Ground-mounted photovoltaic system according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the rail guide (7) has a raised cross-sectional profile that extends beyond the top of the module support (3). [6] Ground-mounted photovoltaic system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by , that a groove-shaped recess (8) is provided in the module carrier (3) immediately adjacent to the rail guide (7). [7] Ground-mounted photovoltaic system according to claim 6, characterized by, that a groove-shaped recess (8) is provided in the module carrier (3) on both sides of the rail guide (7). [8] Ground-mounted photovoltaic system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized by , that the recesses in the module carrier (3) for receiving the connecting element (11) are arranged adjacent to the groove-shaped recess (8). [9] Ground-mounted photovoltaic system according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , that the module carrier (3) has a C-shaped or hat-shaped cross-sectional profile with a central leg (3a) and two laterally adjoining side legs (3b, 3c), wherein the rail guide (7) is located on the central leg (3a). [10] Ground-mounted photovoltaic system according to claim 9, characterized by , that the free ends of the side legs (3b, 3c) of the C-shaped cross-sectional profile are bent outwards. [11] Ground-mounted photovoltaic system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by, that the module supports (3) are arranged at an angle to a horizontal. [12] Ground-mounted photovoltaic system according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized by , that the rail guidance (7) in the module carrier (3) extends from one end of the open-field photovoltaic installation (1) to the opposite end.

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