Photovoltaic system

Abstract

A photovoltaic system comprising: - a first row (1) of rectangular photovoltaic panels; - a second row (2) of rectangular photovoltaic panels; The photovoltaic panels of the first and of the second row are gripped by gripping brackets along the longer sides of the photovoltaic panels. The brackets allow connection to underlying ballasts made of concrete.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEM

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention invention relates to a photovoltaic system comprising a plurality of side-by-side rows of photovoltaic panels.

[0005] Background art

[0006] Systems are known in which the rows of panels follow one another inclined with respect to the horizontal so as to define a succession of valleys and peaks two by two. In the technical sector they are also called east-west panels (or modules).

[0007] Solutions are known in which each panel is rectangular with two long sides and two short sides. Concrete ballasts are also present at each vertex of the rectangle. In particular, the short sides are inclined with respect to the horizontal, while the long sides of each panel extend horizontally, one at the top and one at the lowest position of the panel.

[0008] The supports have laterally accessible grooves in which a gripping bracket is engageable. Four brackets allow gripping the panel at the short sides and tighten them to the underlying support.

[0009] A drawback of this solution is linked to the fact that over the years the photovoltaic panels have increased their sizes more and more. The panels must be supported by ballasts, but the larger the size of the panel, the greater the bending stresses. To overcome these drawbacks, use is sometimes made of additional supports placed halfway along the length of the panel. This solves the problem, but has the drawbacks of higher costs and more labour required.

[0010] Disclosure of the invention

[0011] In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a photovoltaic system that allows the installation of generously sized panels while optimizing components and costs. The defined technical task and the specified aims are substantially achieved by a photovoltaic system comprising the technical features set forth in one or more of the appended claims.

[0012] Brief description of drawings

[0013] Further characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative and thus non-limiting description of a preferred but not exclusive embodiment of a photovoltaic system, as schematically illustrated in the appended drawings, in which:

[0014] - figure 1 shows a perspective view of at least a portion of a system according to the present invention;

[0015] - figure 2 shows a plan view of figure 1 ;

[0016] - figure 3 shows a view according to the section C-C of figure 2;

[0017] - figures 4, 5, 6 show respectively details referred to by the letters D, E, F in figure 3;

[0018] - figures 7 and 8 show views respectively according to sections A-A and B- B of figure 2;

[0019] - figures 9 and 10 show two enlarged details of figure 1 .

[0020] A photovoltaic system is denoted in the attached drawings by reference number 10.

[0021] Detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention

[0022] The system 10 comprises a first row 1 of photovoltaic panels. The photovoltaic panels of the first row 1 have a rectangular plan with two longer sides and two shorter sides. Suitably the longer sides have a length that is greater than that of the shorter sides by at least 50%. The two longest sides of the rectangular plan are oriented along a main longitudinal extension direction 100 of the first row 1. This direction is horizontal. Suitably the longer sides are horizontal. The shorter sides, on the other hand, are inclined with respect to the horizontal. Suitably the panels of the first row 1 are inclined by less than 20°, preferably they are inclined between 5° and 15° with respect to the horizontal. The panels of the first row 1 are inclined with respect to the horizontal and one of the two longer sides is higher than the other. The first row 1 of photovoltaic panels comprises a first panel 11 in turn comprising a first, a second, a third and a fourth side 111 , 112, 113, 114.

[0023] The first and third side 111 , 113 are longer than the second and fourth side 112, 114. For example, the first and third side have a length comprised between 2 metres and 2.5 metres. The second and fourth side 112, 114 have a length comprised between 1 and 1.5 metres. The third side 113 is located at a greater height than the first side 111. Suitably the panels of the first row 1 are identical to each other. Suitably the panels of the first row 1 have the same dimensions.

[0024] The system 10 also comprises a second row 2 of photovoltaic panels. The photovoltaic panels of the second row 2 have a rectangular plan with two longer edges and two shorter edges. Suitably the panels of the second row have the same size as the panels of the first row.

[0025] The two longest edges of the rectangular plan are oriented along a main longitudinal extension of the second row 2. The second row 2 is parallel to the first row 1 . The panels of the second row 2 are inclined with respect to the horizontal and one of the two longer edges is higher than the other. The second row 2 of photovoltaic panels comprises a second panel 21 in turn comprising a first, a second, a third and a fourth edge 211 , 212, 213, 214. The first and third edge 211 , 213 are longer than the second and fourth edge 212, 214. The third edge 213 is located at a greater height than the first edge 211. An imaginary line orthogonal to the second panel 21 (meaning orthogonal to the lying plane of the second panel 21 ) is oriented in a different direction than an imaginary line orthogonal to the first panel 11 (meaning orthogonal to the lying plane of the first panel 11 ).

[0026] The first panel 11 defines an angle of inclination with respect to the horizontal that is comprised between 5° and 15° and facing the second ballast means 32. The second panel 21 defines an angle of inclination with respect to the horizontal that is comprised between 5° and 15° and facing the second ballast means 32. Suitably the space comprised between the first and the second panel 11 , 21 is comprised between 1 and 5 centimetres. The first and the second panel 11 , 21 are mutually converging upwards.

[0027] Suitably, this type of photovoltaic systems is also known as east-west systems.

[0028] The system 10 comprises first ballast means 31 supporting the first panel 11 . They keep it raised from a (horizontal) rest surface and at the same time retain it to prevent wind or anything else from moving it. The first ballast means 31 comprises a first and a second support 311 , 312 for the first panel 11. The first and the second support 311 , 312 are two distinct and separate bodies. The first and the second support 311 , 312 extend mainly along the main longitudinal extension direction 100 of the first row 1. The first support 311 extends along the first longitudinal extension direction 100 for a length greater than 50 centimetres (and advantageously less than 90 centimetres). The first and the second support 311 , 312 are advantageously equal to each other. Suitably the first and the second support 311 , 312 comprise concrete (preferably they are mainly or even almost entirely made of concrete).

[0029] The system 10 also comprises second ballast means 32 supporting the first and the second panel 11 , 21. The second ballast means 32 comprises a first and a second holder 321 , 322 both supporting the first and the second panel 11 , 21. The first and the second holder 321 , 322 mainly extend along the main longitudinal extension direction 100 of the first row 1 .

[0030] The first and the second holder 321 , 322 are advantageously equal to each other. Suitably the first and the second holder 321 , 322 comprise concrete (preferably they are mainly or entirely made of concrete). The first and the second panel 11 , 21 extend specularly with respect to at least one vertical plane (imaginary of symmetry) passing through the second ballast means 32. In particular, the imaginary vertical plane of symmetry transits through the first and the second holder 321 , 322. The system comprises third ballast means 33 supporting the second panel 21.

[0031] The third ballast means 33 comprises a first and a second rest 331 , 332 for the second panel 21. The first and the second rest 331 , 332 mainly extend along the main longitudinal extension direction 100 of the first row 1 . The third ballast means 33 are equal to the first ballast means 31.

[0032] In particular, the first and the second rest 331 , 332 are equal to the first and the second support 311 , 312, respectively. The first and the second rest 331 , 332 are advantageously equal to each other.

[0033] Suitably the first and the second rest 331 , 332 comprise concrete (preferably they are mainly or entirely made of concrete).

[0034] The system 10 comprises first retention means 41 which acts on the first side 111 of the first panel 11 and which is constrained to the first ballast means 31. The first retention means 41 suitably acts only on the first side 111.

[0035] The system 10 does not comprise retention means of the first panel 11 which acts on the second and / or on the fourth side 112, 114.

[0036] The retention means of the panels of the first row 1 with rest ballasts follow one another aligned only and exclusively along two parallel lines. The same can be repeated for the panels of the second and third row 2, 3.

[0037] The system comprises second retention means 42 which acts on the third side 113 and / or on the third edge 213 and which is constrained to the second ballast means 32. The second ballast means 32 extends more in height than the first and third ballast means 31 , 33 to position the third side 113 and the third edge 213 higher respectively than the first side 111 and the first edge 211.

[0038] Suitably the third side 113 and the third edge 213 are at the same height. Suitably they are parallel. For example, the distance is comprised between 1 and 10 centimetres. Suitably the first side 111 and the first edge 211 are at the same height. The second side 112 and the second edge 212 are mutually converging by moving upwards. Preferably the angle defined by the second side 112 and the second edge 212 is comprised between 150° and 170°.

[0039] The system 10 does not comprise retention means of the first and of the second panel 11 , 21 which acts on the second and / or on the fourth side 112, 114 and / or on the second and / or on the fourth edge 212, 214. The system 10 comprises third retention means 43 which acts on the first edge 211 of the second panel 21 and which is constrained to the third ballast means 33.

[0040] The system 10 does not comprise retention means of the second panel 21 which acts on the second and / or on the fourth edge 212, 214.

[0041] The first row 1 of photovoltaic panels comprises an additional photovoltaic panel 12 having a rectangular plan in which there are two sides longer than the other two. The second support 312 and the second holder 322 contribute to supporting the additional photovoltaic panel 12.

[0042] The system 10 comprises first gripping means 44 constrained to the second support 312 which constrains the additional photovoltaic panel 12 at one of said two longer sides.

[0043] Suitably the second row 2 comprises an additional photovoltaic panel 22. It adjoins the additional panel 12 and the second panel 21. The second holder 322 contributes to the support of the additional panel 22 as well as the first panel 11 , the second panel 21 and the additional panel 12.

[0044] Suitably the first and / or the second holder 321 , 322 comprise a lower base 327 from which two arms 328, 329 extend upwards. A similar thing can be repeated for the first and / or the second support 311 , 312. It can also be repeated for the first and / or the second rest 331 , 332.

[0045] The two arms 328, 329 are preferably, but not necessarily, vertical. The inner base 327 is preferably horizontal. The two arms 328, 329 extend from two opposite ends of the base 327.

[0046] Advantageously, the second retention means 42 comprises a first bracket which, on the one hand, constrains the first panel 11 and, on the other hand, constrains the second panel 21. This first bracket is advantageously placed on the first holder 321. Advantageously, the second retention means 42 also comprises a second bracket 422. The second bracket 422 is placed on the second holder 322. The second bracket 422 on the one hand constrains the first panel 21 and on the other hand constrains the second panel 22. Suitably the first bracket and the second bracket 422 are identical to each other.

[0047] Advantageously, the system 10 also comprises a third row 3 of photovoltaic panels. The third row 3 extends parallel to the first row 1.

[0048] Advantageously, the system 10 also comprises a fourth row 4 of photovoltaic panels. The fourth row 4 extends parallel to the first row 1 .

[0049] The second row 2 is interposed between the first and third rows 1 , 3. The third row 3 is interposed between the second and fourth row 2, 4. The combination of the first and the second row 1 , 2 defines a dual-pitched canopy. The combination of the third and fourth row 3, 4 defines a dualpitched canopy. The combination of the second and third row 2, 3 defines a valley. Suitably the panels of the third row 3 are oriented parallel to those of the first row 1 . Suitably the panels of the fourth row 4 are oriented parallel to those of the second row 2. Suitably the panels of the third row 3 and / or of the fourth row 4 are identical in sizes to those of the first row 1 .

[0050] Suitably, the first and the second rest 331 , 332 have a first face and a second upper face 324, respectively (the second face 324 is shown in figure 5, but the first face is completely similar); both the first face and the second upper face 324 comprise a first abutment step 325 of the second panel 21 and a second abutment step 326 of a panel of the third row 3. The present invention achieves important advantages.

[0051] First of all, it allows to optimize the necessary components and also allows a construction that is as modular as possible.

[0052] The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variants, all falling within the scope of the inventive concept that characterises it. Furthermore, all the details may be replaced with other technically equivalent elements. All the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may in practice be any whatsoever according to needs.

Claims

CLAIMS1 . A photovoltaic system comprising:- a first row (1 ) of photovoltaic panels; the photovoltaic panels of the first row (1 ) having a rectangular plan with two longer sides and two shorter sides; the two longer sides of the rectangular plan being oriented along a main longitudinal extension direction (100) of the first row (1 ); the panels of the first row (1 ) being inclined with respect to the horizontal and one of the two longer sides being higher than the other; the first row (1 ) of photovoltaic panels comprises a first panel (11 ) in turn comprising a first, a second, a third and a fourth side (111 , 112, 113, 114); the first and the third side (111 , 113) being longer than the second and the fourth side (112, 114); the third side (113) being at a greater height than the first side (111 );- a second row (2) of photovoltaic panels; the photovoltaic panels of the second row (2) having a rectangular plan with two longer edges and two shorter edges; the two longer edges of the rectangular plan being oriented along a main longitudinal extension of the second row (2); the panels of the second row (2) being inclined with respect to the horizontal and one of the two longer edges being higher than the other; the second row (2) of photovoltaic panels comprising a second panel (21 ) in turn comprising a first, a second, a third and a fourth edge (211 , 212, 213, 214); the first and the third edge (211 , 213) being longer than the second and the fourth edge (212, 214); the third edge (213) being at a greater height than the first edge (211 ); an imaginary straight line orthogonal to the second panel (21 ) being oriented in a different direction with respect to an imaginary straight line orthogonal to the first panel (11 );- first ballast means (31 ) supporting the first panel (11 );- second ballast means (32) supporting the first and the second panel (11 , 21 );- third ballast means (33) supporting the second panel (21 );- first retention means (41 ) acting on the first side (111 ) of the first panel(11 ) and constrained to the first ballast means (31 );- second retention means (42) acting on the third side (113) and / or on the third edge (213) and constrained to the second ballast means (32);- third retention means (43) acting on the first edge (211 ) of the second panel (21 ) and constrained to the third ballast means (33). characterized in that the first ballast means (31 ) comprises a first and a second support (311 , 312) for the first panel (11 ); the first and the second support (311 , 312) comprising concrete; the second ballast means 32 comprising first and second holder 321 , 322 both supporting the first and the second panel 11 , 21. the first row (1 ) of photovoltaic panels comprising an additional photovoltaic panel (12) having a rectangular plan in which there are two sides longer than the other two; the second support (312) and the second holder (322) contributing to supporting the additional photovoltaic panel(12);2. The system according to claim 1 , characterized in that the first and the second support (311 , 312) mainly extend along the main longitudinal extension direction (100) of the first row (1 ).

3. The system according to claim 2, characterized in that the first and the second support (311 , 312) are mainly made of concrete.

4. The plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the third ballast means (33) is the same as the first ballast means (31 ).

5. The system according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and the second holder (321 , 322) mainly extend along the main longitudinal extension direction (100) of the first row (1 ).

6. The system according to claim 5, characterized in that the first row (1 ) of photovoltaic panels comprises an additional photovoltaic panel (12) having a rectangular plan in which there are two sides longer than the other two; the second support (322) and the second holder (312) contributing tosupporting the additional photovoltaic panel (12); said system (1 ) comprising first gripping means (44) constrained to the second support (312) which constrains the additional photovoltaic panel (12) at one of said two longer sides.

7. The system according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the first holder (321 ) and the second holder (322) comprise a lower base (327) from which two arms (328, 329) extend upwards.

8. The plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second ballast means (32) extends more in height than the first and third ballast means (31 , 33) to position the third side (113) and the third edge (213) higher than the first side (111 ) and the first edge (211 ), respectively.

9. The plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and the second panel (11 , 21 ) extend specularly with respect to at least one imaginary vertical plane of symmetry passing through the second ballast means (32).

10. The plant according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second retention means (42) comprises a bracket (422) which, on the one hand, constrains the first panel (11 ) and, on the other hand, constrains the second panel (21 ).

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