System comprising a photovoltaic panel and a rainwater distributor

Abstract

The invention relates to a system (1) comprising: a photovoltaic panel (2), a distributor (4) for collecting rainwater that has previously fallen on the photovoltaic panel (2), the distributor (4) having a free edge (16) and a surface (12) ending in the free edge (16), the distributor (4) being able to be placed in a position of use in which the free edge (16) overhangs the ground and in which the surface (16) is inclined with respect to the ground in order to convey the collected rainwater to the free edge (16), the system being characterized in that the distributor (4) defines a plurality of channels (28) on the surface (12) for distributing the collected rainwater to different portions of the free edge (16), and in that a projection of the free edge (16) on the ground is non-rectilinear when the distributor (4) is in the position of use.

Description

[0001] System comprising a photovoltaic panel and a rainwater distributor

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0004] This disclosure relates to the field of agrivoltaics.

[0005] Agrivoltaics, or "Agri-PV," is a field that combines agriculture and photovoltaic electricity production on a shared surface. The principle is to install photovoltaic panels on an agricultural production area capable of artificially creating shade and shelter while simultaneously producing electricity.

[0006] STATE OF THE ART

[0007] Systems comprising a photovoltaic panel and a water distributor configured to collect rainwater that has flowed over the photovoltaic panel are known from the prior art. The water distributor has a surface ending in the free edge. In a position of use, the distributor's free edge overhangs a soil to be irrigated, and the surface forms an inclined slope relative to the soil.

[0008] Several forms of water distributors have been proposed.

[0009] A first known water distributor is in the form of a perforated gutter. The gutter has a concave upper surface forming a channel for the flow of collected rainwater. A disadvantage of such a gutter is that it tends to concentrate the collected rainwater along a central line at the bottom of the concave surface. The collected water tends to fall into holes arranged along this central line. As a result, crops located below the gutter are irrigated only in a restricted area. The concentration of rainwater in this restricted area can result in the formation of a cavity in the soil through erosion. Such erosion is harmful to crops.

[0010] A second known water distributor has a flat surface inclined relative to the ground and ending in a straight edge. Rainwater collected by the second distributor is conveyed via the flat surface to the free edge. However, rainwater falling from the straight edge can only reach a relatively small straight area. Due to potential surface imperfections or the presence of residual dust on the flat surface, rainwater flowing over the flat surface may tend to concentrate, so that rainwater may only reach a small portion of the free edge. DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[0011] One aim of the invention is to propose an agrivoltaic system which irrigates crops while limiting soil erosion.

[0012] This goal is achieved by a system comprising:

[0013] - a photovoltaic panel,

[0014] - a distributor for collecting rainwater having previously flowed over the photovoltaic panel, the distributor having a free edge and a surface ending in the free edge, the distributor being suitable for being placed in a position of use in which the free edge overhangs a ground, and in which the surface is inclined relative to the ground to convey the collected rainwater to the free edge, in which the distributor delimits a plurality of channels on the surface to distribute the collected rainwater to different portions of the free edge, and in that a projection of the free edge on the ground is non-rectilinear, when the distributor is in the position of use.

[0015] The various channels have the effect of distributing rainwater in a controlled manner along the entire length of the free edge. In addition, the fact that the projection of the free edge onto the ground is non-rectilinear in the position of use has the effect of allowing raindrops falling from the free edge to reach an area of ​​the ground extending in two mutually orthogonal directions whose area is larger than that which would be obtained with a free edge whose projection onto the ground is rectilinear. Consequently, the water is distributed homogeneously over the ground. The crops on this soil are therefore better irrigated, the formation of cavities in the soil by erosion is limited.

[0016] The proposed system may also include the following features, taken alone or in combination whenever such a combination makes sense.

[0017] Preferably, the free edge is zigzag.

[0018] Preferably, at least two of the channels have different lengths.

[0019] Preferably, the channels are straight.

[0020] Preferably, the channels are parallel.

[0021] Preferably the free edge is located under the photovoltaic panel in the position of use.

[0022] Preferably, the system comprises a second photovoltaic panel, and the free edge is located under the second photovoltaic panel in the position of use. Preferably the distributor comprises a polycarbonate plate, the channels being formed in the plate.

[0023] Preferably, the surface is flat.

[0024] Preferably, the surface is inclined at an angle of between 5 and 50 degrees relative to the ground in the position of use.

[0025] DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

[0026] Other characteristics, aims and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description, which is purely illustrative and non-limiting, and which must be read in conjunction with the appended drawings in which:

[0027] Figure 1 is a schematic longitudinal sectional view of a system according to one embodiment.

[0028] Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of a downstream portion of a rainwater distributor of the system of Figure 1.

[0029] Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view of the distributor of Figure 2.

[0030] Figure 4 is a partial top view of a distributor surface, according to one embodiment.

[0031] Throughout the figures, similar elements have identical references.

[0032] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0033] With reference to Figure 1, a system 1 according to one embodiment comprises a photovoltaic panel 2 and a rainwater distributor 4.

[0034] The photovoltaic panel 2, known in itself, has the function of converting light energy into electrical energy.

[0035] The system comprises a structure (not shown) on which the photovoltaic panel 2 is mounted, this structure being suitable for being placed on the ground.

[0036] The photovoltaic panel 2 has a receiving surface 6 for receiving sunlight, the energy of which can be converted into electrical energy. The receiving surface 6 is flat, for example rectangular in shape.

[0037] In Figure 1, the system 1 is shown in a position of use. In this position of use, the system 1 is placed or fixed on a ground, such that the photovoltaic panel 2 is located at a distance from the ground, with the receiving surface 6 inclined relative to the ground and oriented towards the sky.

[0038] The photovoltaic panel 2 is preferably rotatable relative to the structure, such that the angle of inclination of the receiving surface relative to the ground can vary. Alternatively, the photovoltaic panel 2 is fixed relative to the structure (and therefore relative to the ground). Whatever the embodiment, there is at least one orientation of the photovoltaic panel 2 in which the receiving surface is inclined relative to the ground by an angle strictly greater than zero, when the system is in the position of use, such that rainwater can flow by simple gravity onto the receiving surface 6.

[0039] The receiving surface 6 has a free edge 8. The free edge 8 is, for example, rectilinear when the receiving surface is rectangular. This free edge 8 is an edge of the receiving surface 6 which is closest to the distributor 4 (and to the ground in the position of use of the system). When rainwater flows over the receiving surface 6, this water is directed by gravity towards the free edge 8, and it is from this free edge 8 that the water falls towards the ground.

[0040] The function of the distributor 4 is to collect the rainwater that has previously flowed over the photovoltaic panel 2, when the system is in the position of use, and to distribute it to different areas of the ground.

[0041] When the system 1 is in the operating position, the distributor 4 is arranged between the photovoltaic panel 2 and the ground. Furthermore, the distributor is located under the photovoltaic panel 2, so that it can irrigate plants located under the photovoltaic panel 2.

[0042] The distributor 4 comprises a first wall 10 having a first upper surface 12 and a first lower surface 14 opposite the first lower surface.

[0043] The first upper surface 12 comprises an upstream portion and a downstream portion which extends the upstream portion. The upstream portion constitutes a portion for receiving water having fallen from the photovoltaic panel 2. For this purpose, the upstream portion may have a concave profile forming a half-gutter, as shown in FIG. 1.

[0044] The downstream portion of the first upper surface ends with a first free edge 16. The first free edge 16 connects the first upper surface 12 to the first lower surface. The downstream portion of the upper surface 12 is preferably planar.

[0045] The angle of inclination a of the upper surface 12 (at least in its downstream part) relative to the ground in the position of use of the system 1 is preferably between 5 and 50 degrees, for example 20 degrees.

[0046] When the system is in the position of use, the first upper surface 12 is oriented towards the photovoltaic panel 2, and inclined relative to the ground, while the lower surface 14 is facing the ground. Furthermore, in this position, the upstream part is at a higher altitude than the downstream part. In this position, when rainwater flows over the first upper surface 12, this water is directed by gravity towards the first free edge 16, and it is from this first free edge 16 that the water then falls below the distributor 4 towards the ground S.

[0047] The distributor 4 also comprises a second wall 18.

[0048] Referring to Figure 2, the second wall 18 has a second lower surface 20, and a second upper surface 22 opposite the second lower surface.

[0049] The second wall 18 further has a second free edge 24 connecting the first lower surface 20 to the first upper surface 22.

[0050] The second lower surface 20 faces the first upper surface 12, so as to delimit between them a flow space in which rainwater coming from the photovoltaic panel 2 can flow by gravity.

[0051] More precisely, the second lower surface is opposite the downstream part of the first upper surface 12.

[0052] The second free edge 24 faces the first free edge 16. The first free edge 16 and the second free edge 24 delimit between them an exit zone of the flow space, that is to say a zone through which water can exit the space after having flowed therein.

[0053] With reference to Figure 3, the distributor 4 comprises a plurality of partitions 26 connecting the first wall 10 to the second wall 18, so as to divide the flow space into a plurality of separate channels 28. More precisely, each partition 26 extends from the downstream part of the first upper surface 12 to the second lower surface 20.

[0054] Figure 3 shows an exemplary embodiment in which the number of partitions 26 is equal to five, so as to delimit four distinct channels 28. It is understood that this is only an example: the number of channels and partitions may be different. The partitions 26 are parallel. Thus, the average directions of water flow in the different channels 28 are parallel.

[0055] Each channel 28 thus has one input and one output.

[0056] Each channel inlet 28 constitutes a portion of the inlet area. In this way, the channels receive rainwater from different areas of the photovoltaic panel 2.

[0057] The bottom of each channel 28 is formed by a portion of the first upper surface 12 extending between two adjacent partitions 26, in the downstream part.

[0058] Furthermore, each channel outlet 28 constitutes a portion of the outlet zone of the space, and is delimited by a specific portion of the first free edge 16. In this way, the channels 28 distribute rainwater coming from the photovoltaic panel 2 towards these different portions of the free edge 16.

[0059] For example, when the first upper surface and the second lower surface are parallel, and the partitions are parallel, each channel 28 may have a rectangular section (as shown in FIG. 3), or even a square section. In a particular embodiment, each channel 28 has a width of 10 millimeters and a height of 10 millimeters.

[0060] The walls 10 and the partitions 26 may constitute different parts of a polycarbonate plate. Thus, in this embodiment, the channels 28 are formed inside this plate. The second wall 18 may also be part of this plate. Alternatively, the second wall 18 is made of aluminum.

[0061] With reference to Figure 4, the free edge 16 is not rectilinear (in particular in the plane of the first upper surface 12). Consequently, the projection of this free edge 16 onto the ground is not rectilinear either.

[0062] Said another way, the free edge 16 comprises points which occupy different positions along an axis parallel to an average direction of water flow on the first upper surface 12.

[0063] Figure 4 shows two dotted arrows showing the path followed by water flowing in a first channel and a second channel, both delimited by the distributor 4.

[0064] As shown by these dotted arrows, the first channel has a first length and terminates in a first portion of the free edge 16. The second channel, shown to the right of the first channel in Figure 4, has a second length greater than the first length, and terminates in a second portion of the free edge 16 different from the first portion. The second portion of the free edge 12 is further downstream than the first portion of the free edge 12.

[0065] Thus, at least two of the channels of the distributor 8 have different lengths.

[0066] Preferably, the free edge 16 has a zigzag shape, that is to say it comprises convex and concave portions arranged alternately. In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, this shape is sawtooth, that is to say the free edge 16 is made up of rectilinear segments. Alternatively, the zigzag shape could be wholly or partly curved, for example sinusoidal.

[0067] Figure 4 shows a level line of the upper surface 12 (represented in Figure 4 by a horizontal line), i.e. a line having a constant altitude relative to the ground. The level line is a projection of the free edge 8 of the photovoltaic panel 2 onto the upper surface 12.

[0068] Let us assume that a first drop of water is conveyed through the first channel (following the dotted arrow on the left in Figure 4), that a second drop of water is conveyed through the second channel (following the dotted arrow on the right in Figure 4), after these two drops of water have left the level line at the same time. The first drop reaches the first portion of the free edge 16 before the second drop of water reaches the second portion of the free edge 16. Furthermore, the first drop of water will reach a first zone of the ground and the second drop of water will reach a second zone of the ground located further than the first zone, if we consider the direction of flow of the drops.

[0069] More generally, all the drops reaching the ground after falling from the distributor 4 at the non-rectilinear free edge 12 cover a substantial surface area, in all higher than if the free edge 12 were rectilinear and parallel to the level line discussed previously. In particular, the fact that the free edge 12 has a zig-zag shape makes it possible to significantly increase the area of ​​the irrigated soil surface.

[0070] The present disclosure is not limited to the embodiments shown in the figures.

[0071] The upper wall 18 is optional (but remains advantageous for providing rigidity to the distributor 4). • In one embodiment, the plurality of channels of the distributor is formed by a corrugated wall 10. This shows that the wall 18 is optional, as are the partitions 26.

[0072] • In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, the free edge 16 of the distributor 14 is located below the photovoltaic panel 2 which supplies it with rainwater. Consequently, the distributor 4 irrigates an area of ​​the ground which is located below the photovoltaic panel 2. However, this is not obligatory. The free edge 16 may be located elsewhere in other embodiments, in particular under another photovoltaic panel of the system 1 adjacent to the photovoltaic panel 2.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. System (1) comprising: - a photovoltaic panel (2), - a distributor (4) for collecting rainwater having previously flowed over the photovoltaic panel (2), the distributor (4) having a free edge (16) and a surface (12) ending with the free edge (16), the distributor (4) being suitable for being placed in a position of use in which the free edge (16) overhangs a ground, and in which the surface (16) is inclined relative to the ground to convey the collected rainwater to the free edge (16), the system being characterized in that the distributor (4) delimits a plurality of channels (28) on the surface (12) to distribute the collected rainwater to different portions of the free edge (16), and in that a projection of the free edge (16) on the ground is non-rectilinear, when the distributor (4) is in the position of use, wherein at least two of the channels (28) have different lengths.

2. System (1) according to claim 1, in which the free edge (16) is zigzag.

3. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the channels (28) are rectilinear.

4. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the channels (28) are parallel.

5. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the free edge is located under the photovoltaic panel in the position of use.

6. System according to any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a second photovoltaic panel, in which the free edge is located under the second photovoltaic panel in the position of use.

7. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the distributor (4) comprises a polycarbonate plate, the channels being formed in the plate.

8. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface (12) is flat.

9. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the surface is inclined at an angle of between 5 and 50 degrees relative to the ground in the position of use.

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