Ballasted structure for solar panels

Abstract

The invention relates to a system and facility for collecting solar energy, this system and facility being versatile which means that it can be installed, in particular, on flat roofs without mounts or adhesives, or heavy lifting equipment. According to the invention, each system comprises two rigid-frame solar panels and two cylindrical support members each having: - an elongate hollow body (210) intended to receive a ballast; and - two end caps (220) of the hollow body, each comprising a vertical rigid wall capable of supporting the weight of the solar panels and a portion for the attachment of the solar panels, such that the solar panels are supported on the ground (S) by the end caps.

Description

Ballasted structure for solar panels.

[0001] The present invention falls within the general field of recovery of solar thermal and / or photovoltaic energy by means of solar thermal and / or photovoltaic panels.

[0002] More specifically, a particularly important, although not exclusive, application of the invention lies in the field of thermal and / or photovoltaic solar energy recovery systems to be installed on fragile flat surfaces that need to be preserved, i.e. surfaces that must not be pierced or modified by adding a concrete slab or similar material.

[0003] Most solar photovoltaic systems installed on flat roofs rely on the use of structures that support a solar panel array at a fixed tilt angle. These support structures (or frames, or support frames) are typically attached to the roof using mechanical fasteners inserted into the roof or can be glued directly to the roof surface.

[0004] US9780719 describes a mesh network of small-section rigid bars, intended to be fixed to supports which are themselves fixed to the roof by gluing or by fasteners inserted into the roof. Ballast blocks are provided, but are simply indicated as optional. The bars of the mesh network are intended to receive panels which are fixed to them by the four sides of the panels. This assembly is complex and time-consuming to assemble, because the bars must be assembled together to form the network, then it must be fixed to the supports and finally the panels must be fixed to the bars. US8558101 presents other examples of certain standard solar panel support structures.

[0005] These types of mounting structures are difficult to dismantle when the roof surface needs to be repaired or replaced. In addition, the use of mechanical fasteners that puncture the roof surface is highly undesirable, as these perforating elements significantly increase the risk of water infiltration into the building.

[0006] To avoid the use of glue or mechanical fasteners that can compromise the waterproofing of the roof covering surface, some solar panel support structures are designed to be simply held in place by their own weight. For example, document US2018 / 0159464, where solar panels are attached to concrete rails that also allow the guidance of cleaning robots. These rails are very heavy and require heavy lifting tools. They are therefore not suitable for installation on a roof.

[0007] Solar panel support structures are also known that are designed to be simply held in place using ballast blocks. Examples of solar panel support structures designed to be secured in place using concrete ballast blocks are US7921843 and US9249925. However, the support structure of US7921843 consists of open metal profiles, secured to the solar panels along their entire length. Similarly, the support structure of US9249925 consists of open metal cradles, with two cradles being secured to each side of a solar panel and intended to receive concrete ballast blocks.

[0008] Both of these structures have a significant material cost, given either the profile length or the number of cradles required, as well as a significant cost for transporting, handling, and installing a large number of concrete blocks. Furthermore, these solutions are not versatile, as they are incompatible with use on a roof due to the prohibitive costs of lifting and placing the concrete blocks on the roof.

[0009] To avoid the use of solid ballast blocks, some plastic tank-shaped solar panel support structures are designed with thick walls to be filled with loose material such as sand, water, gravel, or soil. Patent documents US6105316 and US20120031469A1 present examples of plastic tank-type support structures. However, these types of plastic support structures require a lot of raw material and are therefore heavy and expensive to produce. In addition, their one-piece structure requires complex handling, either by several people or using lifting equipment.

[0010] In order to overcome the main limitations of these prior art solutions, the present invention comprises a support structure which relies on the combination of a hollow elongated structure, or body, with thin walls and a pair of support elements, arranged at the ends of the body, to mechanically assemble a pair of solar panels. The unique mechanical design of this new support structure allows a significant reduction in the weight and the quantity of raw material required to produce the main elements of this support structure, while providing a rigid structure ensuring the stability of the assembly.

[0011] Another object of the invention is to provide a support structure which can be erected without heavy lifting equipment and be easily installed by one or more installers and then loaded with ballast such as water-filled balloons or bags or loose materials such as sand, gravel, earth or solid ballast blocks.

[0012] The invention also aims to provide a simple structure comprising few parts, easy to assemble at the installation site in order to reduce the working time required for the installation of a solar system.

[0013] It is also another object of the invention to provide a compact and modular support structure devoid of long rail-like support elements in order to facilitate the installation of solar systems on large flat roofs which often comprise multiple flat surfaces or having different inclination angles and to facilitate the placement of solar panels around areas which are not usable due to the presence of obstacles (such as air vents, roof windows, air conditioning units...).

[0014] To this end, an object of the invention is to propose a solar energy recovery system comprising a support structure, intended to be placed and not fixed on a ground, and two rigid frame solar panels having a length and a width, in which the support structure comprises two cylindrical elements each having: - an elongated hollow body extending along a longitudinal direction, intended to receive a ballast and - two end caps of the hollow body, each end cap comprising a vertical rigid wall, in the use position, capable of supporting the weight of the solar panels, and a fixing portion of the frame of at least one of the solar panels, so that the solar panel(s) are fixed to the cylindrical elements by the end caps and are supported on the ground by the end caps.

[0015] Thus, the weight is carried only by the end caps, which makes it possible to have a lightweight elongated hollow body, made of thin metal or plastic walls, i.e. of sufficient thickness to contain the ballast material and to maintain the spacing between the end caps. The system according to the invention is therefore devoid of an intermediate support structure between the solar panels and the hollow cylindrical elements. According to the invention also, each hollow cylindrical element supports either the weight of a single solar panel, or half the weight of two solar panels (the weight being distributed between several adjacent hollow cylindrical elements of the installation).Finally, the simple attachment of the solar panels to the end caps of the hollow cylindrical elements makes installation easy, while ensuring an overall weight compatible with installation on a roof and ensuring perfect rigidity of the assembly by triangulating the panels between them and between the hollow cylindrical elements.

[0016] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the cylindrically shaped support structures are loaded with water-filled balloons. In another embodiment of the invention, the cylindrically shaped support structures are loaded with solid blocks or loose materials such as sand, earth or waste.

[0017] According to particular embodiments: - the rigid wall and the fixing portion of at least one of the end caps can be carried by a single rigid part constituting the end cap; - the end cap can be made up of two separate parts: • a first part comprising the rigid wall and a support collar perpendicular to the rigid wall, the support collar being intended to be inserted inside and against the hollow body, in the position of use, and • a second part consisting of a clamping collar provided with means for fixing the solar panel(s) to the frame, the clamping collar being intended to be arranged, in the position of use, around the hollow body and tightened against the hollow body above the support collar, so as to secure the solar panel(s) resting on the rigid wall of the first part;- with reference to the position of use, the end cover may be constituted by two separate parts:• a first support part comprising the vertical rigid wall, at least two locking tabs coplanar with the rigid wall and intended to be inserted inside complementary slots provided in the wall of the hollow body, and at least two locking tabs coplanar with the rigid wall and extending upwards, intended to be inserted inside complementary slots provided in a second part for fixing the solar panels,• the second part for fixing the solar panels being constituted by a fixing clip provided with means for fixing the solar panel(s) to the frame, the fixing clip being intended to be arranged, in the position of use, above the locking tabs of the first part, so as to secure the solar panel(s) resting on the rigid wall of the first part;- the hollow body elongated in a longitudinal direction may have a length of between 50% and 90%, preferably between 65% and 85%, advantageously 70%, of the length of the solar panels;- each solar panel may be fixed to the end caps of a separate cylindrical element, the two solar panels being fixed to each other by an attached fixing means;- each solar panel may be fixed by a first edge to the end caps of a separate cylindrical element, the solar panels being fixed to each other by a second edge opposite the first edge;- each solar panel may be fixed to the end caps of a separate cylindrical element by two opposite edges in the longitudinal direction, the solar panels being fixed to each other by a third edge perpendicular to the two opposite edges by which each solar panel is fixed to the end caps of the cylindrical elements;- the fixing portion of each end cap may comprise first and second fixing means for the frame of two separate solar panels, a first solar panel being fixed to the first fixing means of the end caps of a first cylindrical element by a first edge, and to the second fixing means of the end caps of a second cylindrical element by a second edge opposite the first edge, the second solar panel being fixed to the first fixing means of the end caps of the second cylindrical element by a first edge and fixed to the second fixing means of the end caps of a cylindrical element of a second adjacent solar energy harvesting system; - the solar panels may be photovoltaic panels, thermal panels, hybrid photovoltaic / thermal panels, or a mixture thereof;- a solar panel being fixed by a first edge to the end caps of a cylindrical element, the fixing portion of at least one end cap may further comprise a fixing means for a stiffening means intended to be fixed, in the position of use, between said fixing means on the end cap and a second edge of the solar panel opposite the first edge, so as to form a rigid triangle delimited by the solar panel, the stiffening means and a rigid end cap;- two solar panels being fixed by a first edge to the end caps of a cylindrical element, at least one stiffening means may be fixed, in the position of use, between a second edge of each solar panel, opposite the first edge, so as to form a rigid triangle delimited by the two solar panels and the stiffening means;- two solar panels each being fixed by a first edge to the end caps of a respective cylindrical element and fixed to each other by a second edge, at least one stiffening means can be fixed, in the position of use, between the first edge of each solar panel, so as to form a rigid triangle delimited by the two solar panels and the stiffening means; and / or- the stiffening means can be a thin-section mechanical element, such as a bar, a chain or a cable, sized to take up tensile forces between two solar panels or between a solar panel and the cylindrical element which carries said solar panel.;

[0018] The invention also relates to a solar installation, comprising a plurality of previous solar energy recovery systems, mounted in series and / or in parallel.

[0019] Other characteristics of the invention will be set out in the detailed description below given with reference to the appended figures, given by way of example, and which represent, respectively:

[0020] , a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a solar energy harvesting system according to the invention, comprising two hollow cylindrical support elements supporting a pair of solar panels, the solar panels between the hollow cylindrical elements being arranged "in a valley";

[0021] , an exploded side schematic view of the system of the;

[0022] , a schematic perspective view of a solar energy recovery installation comprising four solar energy recovery systems according to the invention provided with eight solar panels, as well as four end lateral solar panels.

[0023] , a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a thin-walled cylindrical support element according to the invention in the form of a tube, in the mounted position;

[0024] , an exploded perspective schematic view of the cylindrical support element of the;

[0025] , a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a thin-walled cylindrical support element with polygonal section according to a first variant in several parts;

[0026] , a schematic exploded perspective view of the cylindrical element of the and its ballast;

[0027] , a schematic perspective view of a second variant of a thin-walled cylindrical support element with cylindrical section according to the invention, the body of which is in one piece and comprises an opening on its upper side;

[0028] , a side schematic view of a cylindrical support member according to la or la, supporting a pair of solar panels, as well as an enlarged detailed exploded schematic view of an attachment of the pair of solar panels to the thin-walled cylindrical support member of the assembly;

[0029] , a schematic perspective view of a variant of a solar energy recovery installation of the first embodiment of the system according to the invention, comprising for each system two hollow cylindrical support elements supporting a pair of solar panels, the solar panels between the hollow cylindrical elements being arranged “in a mountain”;

[0030] , a schematic front view of the solar energy recovery installation of the;

[0031] , a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of a thin-walled cylindrical support element with a cylindrical section according to a first variant, the body of which is in several pieces and provided with an upper cover;

[0032] , a schematic exploded perspective view of the cylindrical element of the;

[0033] , a schematic perspective view of a thin-walled cylindrical support element with a cylindrical section according to a second variant of the third embodiment, the body of which is in one piece and provided with an upper cover;

[0034] , a schematic exploded perspective view of the cylindrical element of the;

[0035] , a schematic perspective view of a solar energy recovery installation comprising several solar energy recovery systems according to a second embodiment of the invention, in which the solar panels are fixed on the one hand to a first cylindrical support element in the upper position and, on the other hand, to a second cylindrical support element in the lower position;

[0036] , a schematic side view of the solar energy recovery installation of the;

[0037] , a schematic front view of a third embodiment of a solar energy recovery system according to the invention, in which a single solar panel is fixed inclined by a central portion to the end covers of a cylindrical element and extends on either side of the cylindrical element in its length, the two solar panels of the system being fixed rigidly in the extension of one another;

[0038] , a schematic side view of the system of the;

[0039] , a schematic perspective view of a solar energy recovery installation comprising two solar energy recovery systems according to the third embodiment of the invention of figures 18 and 19;

[0040] , a schematic perspective view of three different solar panel support structures: a first structure a) in accordance with the invention and two structures b) and c) in accordance with the prior art; and

[0041] , a graph illustrating the results of mechanical deformation simulation of solar panel support structures of the.

[0042] The invention essentially provides a set of ballasted cylindrical structures for supporting a solar panel array that minimizes material usage, simplifies on-site assembly, has an optimized wind profile design reducing the mass of the required ballast weight, tolerates variations in surface inclination, and allows for optimized installation layouts around obstructed areas to improve the competitiveness of solar power plants on S-ground (flat roof or other surface).

[0043] In the following, the same reference numbers will preferably be used to designate identical or similar elements.

[0044] Generally speaking, the solar energy recovery system according to the invention comprises a support structure, intended to be placed and not fixed on a ground S, and two rigid frame solar panels having a length L and a width l.

[0045] Figures 1 and 2 respectively show a perspective view and an exploded side view of a first embodiment of a solar energy harvesting system 1000 according to the invention, comprising two hollow cylindrical support elements 200, of length L1, extending in a longitudinal direction 201, and supporting a pair of solar panels 100a-100b, the solar panels 100a-100b between the adjacent hollow cylindrical elements 200 being arranged in a “valley” manner.

[0046] In the first embodiment of the solar energy harvesting system 1000 according to the invention, each solar panel 100a-100b is fixed to the end caps 220 of a separate cylindrical element 200 by a first edge 101, the solar panels 100a-100b being fixed to each other by a second edge 102 opposite the first edge 101. The edges 101 and 102 are in the direction of the length L of the solar panels 100a-100b.

[0047] The solar energy harvesting system 1000 according to the invention, which is configured to support a pair of solar panels 100, comprises two cylindrical support elements 200 each having an elongated hollow body 210 extending in a longitudinal direction 201 and intended to receive a ballast, and two end covers 220 of the hollow body.

[0048] Generally speaking, each end cover 220 comprises a vertical rigid wall 221, in the use position, capable of supporting the weight of the solar panels 100a-100b, and a fixing portion 222 of the frame of the solar panel(s) 100a-100b.

[0049] The rigid wall 221 and the fixing portion 222 of the end covers can be carried either by a single rigid part constituting the end cover, as in figures 6 to 9, or by two separate parts as in figures 1 to 5 and 14 to 15. In this case, a first support part comprises the vertical rigid wall, in the position of use, and capable of supporting the weight of the solar panels, and a second fixing part attached to the support part and provided with means for fixing to the frame of the solar panel(s), so as to secure the solar panel(s) resting on the rigid wall of the first part.

[0050] In Figures 1 and 2, each solar panel 100a-100b is attached by a first side 101, by means of four mounting clips 110, to the end caps 220 of the cylindrical support members 200, and on their opposite edge 102 to a pair of inter-row connection brackets 300. Each inter-row connection bracket 300 comprises two mounting points 301 and 302 which are used to mechanically interconnect several systems 1000 in series to form a larger array () constituting a solar energy harvesting installation.

[0051] In the case of solar systems installed on a roof, flexible rubber pads 310 may be placed under the hollow cylindrical elements 200 and under the connection supports 300 in order to protect the surface of the outer layer of the roof which must remain waterproof.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the main axis 201 of the hollow cylindrical elements 200 is directed along a north-south longitudinal direction and the pair of solar panels 100a-100b is thus individually inclined towards the east and the west.

[0053] At the ends of the array, i.e. where a solar panel 100c is attached only by an edge 101 to a cylindrical support element 200, each pair of inter-row connection supports 300 may be interconnected with a pair of stiffening means 400.

[0054] In other words, when two solar panels 100a-100c are fixed by a first edge 101 to the end covers 220 of a cylindrical element 200, at least one stiffening means 400 is fixed, in the position of use, between a second edge 102 of each solar panel 100c-100a opposite the first edge 101, so as to form a rigid triangle delimited by the two solar panels 100a-100c and the stiffening means 400 (see).

[0055] In this embodiment as in the others concerned and described subsequently, the stiffening means is advantageously a thin-section mechanical element, such as a bar, a chain or a cable, sized to take up tension forces between two solar panels or between a solar panel and the cylindrical element which carries said solar panel.

[0056] In this way, it is possible to stiffen the solar panels 100c arranged at the edge of the installation on the hollow cylindrical elements 200, by triangulation with the stiffening element 400.

[0057] This stiffening element 400 is unnecessary for systems located at the heart of the installation since the solar panels 100a-100b of each system are fixed by triangulation at three non-aligned points: the edge fixings 101 at the top of the end caps 220 of the two hollow cylindrical elements 200 of each system, and the edge fixing 102 between the solar panels 100a-100b of each system. Thus, the solar panels 100a-100b are mechanically interconnected with each other by the inter-row connection brackets 300. In this specific triangular geometric configuration, the assembled structure effectively resists wind uplift forces, because the opposite edges of the solar panels are mechanically connected with each other.

[0058] Lamontre a perspective view of a solar energy recovery installation according to the invention comprising two rows R1 and R2 and two columns C1 and C2 of solar energy recovery systems 1000 of the.

[0059] This installation therefore comprises four solar energy recovery systems 1000 equipped with eight solar panels 100a-100b (in gray in the figure), six hollow cylindrical elements 200 (two of which are common to two adjacent systems), as well as four lateral end solar panels 100c (in white in the figure).

[0060] For sites exposed to high winds or for building roofs with limited weight-absorbing capacity, the north and south edges of the support structure assemblies 1000 may be equipped with wind deflectors 500 (hatched in the figure) to reduce wind uplift forces and thus the ballast weight required to prevent the systems 1000 from being blown away.

[0061] Figures 4 and 5 show perspective views of a first embodiment of a cylindrical support element 200a according to the invention. It comprises an elongated hollow body 210a extending along a longitudinal direction 201, and which is intended to receive a ballast. This hollow body as such has no function of supporting the solar panels 100a-100b-100c so that it can have thin walls. This reduces the weight of the assembly, as well as the cost due to the savings in materials achieved.

[0062] In the illustrated embodiment, the hollow body 210a has a circular section and forms a tube, but it can have any other section shape and, in particular, polygonal as in figures 6 to 8 and 12 to 15.

[0063] According to the invention, the elongated hollow body 210a is closed at its two ends by end caps 220.

[0064] In this embodiment, the end covers 220 comprise two separate pieces.

[0065] A first part 221 comprises the rigid wall 221a and a support collar 221b perpendicular to the rigid wall 221a, the support collar being intended to be inserted inside and against the hollow body 210a, in the position of use.

[0066] A second part 222 is here constituted by a clamping collar provided with the fixing means 230 to the frame of the solar panel(s) 100a-100b-100c. In the position of use, the clamping collar 222 is intended to be arranged around the hollow body 210a and tightened against the hollow body above the support collar 221b which ensures a counter-pressure which prevents the crushing of the hollow body by tightening and secures the solar panel(s) 100a-100b-100c resting on the rigid wall 221a of the first part 221.

[0067] In an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the thin-walled hollow tube 210a is manufactured in a factory or directly at the installation site using a spiral tube forming machine that deforms a metal strip into a spiral. The unjoined longitudinal adjacent elongated edges of the metal strip are mechanically crimped together to manufacture said thin-walled spiral tube element 210a. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the thin-walled cylindrical elements 210a are made of metal such as galvanized steel or aluminum. Alternatively, these thin-walled cylindrical elements 210a may be manufactured using a thin flexible composite material. By thin material is meant a material having a thickness less than or equal to 2 mm, or preferably in the order of a millimeter.

[0068] Figures 6 and 7 are schematic perspective views of a second embodiment of a thin-walled, polygonal-section cylindrical support element 200b according to a first variant in several parts.

[0069] In this embodiment of the invention, the thin-walled hollow tube 210b comprises a pair of sheets which are bent into two half-tubes 211 and 212 having several flat segment sections. These half-tubes 211 and 212 can be manufactured in a factory using a roll forming machine or a flat sheet bending machine. In another embodiment of the invention, the two half-tubes 211 and 212 can have a round shape. A pair of end caps 250 is connected at both ends in order to mechanically assemble the two half-tubes 211 and 212 to form said support tube assembly 200b. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the end covers 250 are equipped with quick-locking means 251 (here tabs) which are designed to engage in corresponding locking means 211a-212a (here notches) which are provided near the end edges of the half-tubes 211 and 212.Alternatively, the end covers 250 may be attached to the half-tubes 211 and 212 using standard mechanical fasteners such as screws or rivets.

[0070] The end covers 250 are here in a single piece which comprises a vertical rigid wall 252 provided with a peripheral rim carrying means 230 for fixing to the frame of the solar panel(s). As in the previous embodiment, the fixing means are positioned on the upper side of the covers 250. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fixing means 230 are metal inserts which are designed to receive mounting clips of the rigid frame of the solar panels 100a-100b.

[0071] In this preferred embodiment, the mounting clips 110 and the metal inserts of the mounting points 230 provide electrical ground continuity between the two solar panels 100a-100b which are attached to the cylindrical support member 200.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a ballast 240 is placed inside the hollow cavity 214 delimited by the two half-tubes 211 and 212. It may be, for example, a balloon filled with water.

[0073] In an advantageous embodiment, a central opening 254 may be provided in the end caps 250 in order to be able to fill (or empty) the balloon 240 with water through the opening 254 of the end cap 250 when the support tube 200b is already closed with two end caps 250.

[0074] In a preferred embodiment, the end caps 250 are made of plastic and manufactured by injection molding. In another embodiment, the end caps 250 may be made of metal, for example, cast aluminum.

[0075] In a preferred embodiment, the end caps 250 include a wide bottom foot 253 to increase the contact area with the ground S. The soft rubber pads (illustrated by reference 310 in the) may not be necessary to protect the waterproof layer of the roof when the end caps 250 are equipped with this wide bottom foot 253.

[0076] This is a schematic perspective view of a second variant of a cylindrical support element 200c, the body 210c of which is made of a single tubular piece 211c.

[0077] This figure also illustrates the possibility of providing an opening 215 on its upper side. This opening can also be provided on the other embodiments described in this text.

[0078] This opening 215 can be used to fill (or empty) the hollow cavity 214 of the thin-walled hollow tube 210c either directly with a loose material such as sand, gravel or earth, or with a flexible bag itself filled with loose material or a liquid.

[0079] In another embodiment of the invention, the end covers 250a may have specific features in order to integrate the means for fixing the frame of the solar panels directly onto the end covers 250a of the cylindrical support elements 200, as illustrated in the associated detailed exploded view.

[0080] In this embodiment of the invention, the returns 103 of the side frames of the solar panels 100a-100b are directly fixed to the end covers 250a by inserting them into holding grooves 255 which are formed in the end covers 250a. Once a pair of solar panels 100a-100b is mounted on the end covers 250a of the cylindrical support element 200, a pair of locking clips 120 is then inserted in abutment between the two solar panels in order to complete the assembly. The locking clips 120 prevent the translation parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 201 of the two solar panels 100a-100b by holding their side frames 103 in place in the grooves 255.

[0081] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking clips 120 comprise grounding means 121 to ensure grounding continuity between the two side frames 103 of the solar panels 100a-100b. These grounding means 121 may comprise a pair of sharp metal teeth which can penetrate through the oxide of the metal frames of the solar panels 103.

[0082] Figures 10 and 11 show a variant of a solar energy recovery installation of the first embodiment of system 1000 illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. In this variant, the solar panels 100a-100b of the system 1001 located between the hollow cylindrical elements 200-200' are arranged "in a mountain". In other words, the second edge 102 for fixing the solar panels to each other is arranged above the hollow cylindrical elements 200-200', i.e. above the first edge 101 for fixing the solar panels to their respective cylindrical support element 200-200'.

[0083] As before, the cylindrical support elements 200-200' are placed on either side of each pair of solar panels 100a-100b. In this embodiment of the invention, the edges 102 of the frame of the solar panels 100a-100b are fixed together in pairs using two connecting brackets 300b and the lower edge of their frames 101 is fixed to two separate and adjacent hollow cylindrical elements 200-200' with a pair of lower fixing brackets 300c.

[0084] At the edges of the installation, it is desirable to stiffen the solar panels of the 1001 system at the edge of the installation. Those located at the heart of the installation are naturally stiffened together.

[0085] In this case, either the fixing portion of the end covers further comprises a specific fixing means for a stiffening means 401, or the latter is fixed to the lower fixing supports 300c with the solar panels.

[0086] Thus, in the position of use, the stiffening means 401 is fixed between two fixing means on the end cap of two adjacent cylindrical elements 200-200' so as to form a rigid triangle delimited by the solar panels and the stiffening means 401 fixed to the rigid end caps of the cylindrical elements 200-200'.

[0087] The embodiments of the cylindrical support elements 200a-200b-200c previously described can be applied to this implementation illustrated in Figures 10 and 11.

[0088] Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a third embodiment of cylindrical support elements 200d applicable to the implementation illustrated in Figures 10 and 11.

[0089] In this embodiment, the cylindrical support element 200d comprises a body 210d in several parts and advantageously provided with an upper cover 216. In accordance with the invention, the cylindrical support element 200d also comprises at each end of the body 210d an end cover 260 clipped by slots and tabs in the parts of the body.

[0090] More specifically, in this embodiment, the end cover 260 is made up of two separate pieces.

[0091] A first support piece 261 (with reference to its function of transmitting the weight of the solar panels to the ground) comprises, with reference to the position of use:

[0092] - the vertical rigid wall 261a,

[0093] - at least two locking tabs 261b coplanar with the rigid wall 261a and intended to be inserted inside complementary slots 211d provided in the wall of the parts of the hollow body 210d, and

[0094] - at least two locking tabs 261c coplanar with the rigid wall 261a and extending upwards, intended to be inserted inside complementary slots 262a provided in a second part 262 for fixing the solar panels 100a-100b-100c, and optionally inside complementary slots provided in the wall of the parts of the hollow body opposite the slots.

[0095] The second fixing part 262 of the solar panels is advantageously constituted by a fixing clip provided with slots 262a to be immobilized horizontally above the first part 261.

[0096] Advantageously, the rider 262 also comprises vertical portions 262b provided with slots 262c complementary to locking tabs 261d carried by the first part 261, coplanar with the rigid wall 261a and extending laterally to be immobilized vertically above the first part 261.

[0097] According to the invention, the rider is also provided with means 230 for fixing to the frame of the solar panel(s) 100a-100b-100c.

[0098] Thus, in the position of use, the fixing clip is intended to be arranged above the locking tabs 261c and, advantageously 261d, of the first part 261, so as to secure the solar panel(s) 100a-100b-100c by bearing on the rigid wall 261a of the first part 261.

[0099] The shape of the first part 261 is chosen to ensure fixing of the solar panels 100a-100b-100c with a determined East and West angle.

[0100] The hollow body parts are advantageously metal sheets folded into two half-tubes having several sections of flat segments.

[0101] In one embodiment of the invention, an optional top cover 216 may be added to close the upper face of the assembly. Thus, the interior volume of the hollow body 210d may be easily filled with material from its upper opening and then closed with this optional top cover 216.

[0102] Thus, in this embodiment, the end caps 260 are equipped with several quick-lock tabs 261b-261c-261d which are adapted to engage in corresponding slots 211d carried by the walls of the half-tubes.

[0103] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastening means 230 carried by the second part 262 comprise slots adapted to secure the solar panels using a pair of quick-release mounting clips. Alternatively, the solar panels may be secured to the second part 262 using standard clips and / or metal screws.

[0104] Figures 14 and 15 show an alternative embodiment of the previous embodiment.

[0105] This alternative of a cylindrical support member 200e is distinguished from the cylindrical support member 200d only by the fact that the hollow body comprises a single sheet of metal folded into an open tube 210e having a "U" shaped profile comprising three flat sections, and a cover 217. The end caps 260 are similar to those of Figures 12 and 13.

[0106] Figures 16 and 17 illustrate a solar energy harvesting installation comprising several solar energy harvesting systems according to a second embodiment of systems.

[0107] In this second embodiment of solar energy recovery system 2000, the solar panels 2100a-2100b are fixed on the one hand to a first cylindrical support element 2200 in the upper position and, on the other hand, to a second cylindrical support element 2200 in the lower position.

[0108] As in the other embodiments, the cylindrical support elements 2200 comprise an elongated hollow body 210 extending along a longitudinal direction 201 and intended to receive a ballast, and two end caps 270 of the hollow body. Each end cap 270 comprises a vertical rigid wall 271, in the use position, capable of supporting the weight of the solar panels, and a fixing portion 272 of the frame of the solar panels 2100a-2100b-2100c.

[0109] More specifically, in this second embodiment, the fixing portion 272 of each end cap comprises two fixing means 272a and 272b for the frame of two separate solar panels 2100a-2100b-2100c: the first solar panel 2100a is fixed on the one hand to the end caps 270 of a first cylindrical element 2200a by a first edge 2101 via the first fixing means 272a, and on the other hand to the end caps 270 of the second cylindrical element 2200b by a second edge 2102 opposite the first edge 2101, via the second fixing means 272b.Likewise, the second solar panel 2100b is fixed to the end covers 270 of the second cylindrical element 2200b by a first edge 2101 via the first fixing means 272a and fixed to the end covers 270 of a cylindrical element 2200c of a second adjacent solar energy recovery system according to the invention (the cylindrical element 2200b is here common to the two adjacent solar energy recovery systems according to the invention).

[0110] As for the first embodiment, the system structure proposed for the invention makes it possible to provide a solar panel 2100c at the edge of the installation, fixed to a single cylindrical element 2200a of an adjacent system 2000 by two points: by an edge 2102 via the fixing means 272b, and by an edge 2101 fixed to a free end of a stiffening means 402 itself fixed to each end cap of the cylindrical element 2200a by a fixing means 272c.

[0111] The cylindrical elements 2200a-2200b-2200c may be aligned along an East-West direction 201 to support solar panels inclined towards the South direction (or towards the North in the Southern Hemisphere). The shows a perspective view of this configuration with a solar energy harvesting installation comprising three rows of systems according to the invention.

[0112] Figures 18 to 20 illustrate schematic views of a third embodiment of a solar energy harvesting system according to the invention.

[0113] In this third embodiment of the system, a single solar panel is fixed in an inclined manner, by a central portion of the panel, that is to say by two opposite edges in the width of the frame of the panel, to the end caps of a cylindrical element extending in a longitudinal direction 3201. The solar panel therefore extends on either side of the cylindrical element in its length. The set of two panels each fixed on a cylindrical element composes a third embodiment of a system according to the invention, the two solar panels of the system being rigidly fixed in the extension of one another.

[0114] In other words, each solar panel 3100 is fixed to the end caps 380 of the hollow body 390 of a cylindrical element 3200 by two opposite edges 3101 and 3103 in the longitudinal direction 3201, by fixing means 300d-300e. The solar panels 3100 are also fixed to each other, via a fixing means 300f, of the fishplate type, by a third edge 3102-3104 perpendicular to the two edges 3101 and 3103 by which each solar panel 3100 is fixed to the end caps 380 of the cylindrical elements 3200.

[0115] In this embodiment, the cylindrical elements 3200, their hollow bodies and their end caps may be chosen from the examples previously described and illustrated in the appended figures. They will not be described in more detail.

[0116] However, in this third embodiment of a solar energy recovery system of the invention, each cylindrical element 3200 is arranged perpendicular to the solar panel that it carries. One of the end covers therefore comprises a fixing means 300e provided with an extension 381, so as to ensure an inclination of the panel. This extension is illustrated in.

[0117] Thus, the support structures of the energy recovery systems are arranged so that the solar panels are inclined towards the south (or towards the north for sites located in the southern hemisphere).

[0118] This specific configuration creates a mechanically stable assembly, as the pivoting of each structure along the longitudinal axis of their cylindrical element is prevented by the mechanical connection between the panels and the spacing of the cylindrical elements 3200.

[0119] This shows an illustration of an installation comprising two solar energy recovery systems according to the third embodiment of the invention.

[0120] In the embodiments of the invention illustrated in Figures 1 to 17, the hollow body of the cylindrical elements, elongated in a longitudinal direction, has a length L1 of between 50% and 90% of the length L of the solar panels.

[0121] In other words, this length remains less than the length of the solar panels to save material, but is sufficient to ensure the stability of the assembly.

[0122] Preferably, this length is between 65% and 85%, and is advantageously 70% of the length of the solar panels which presents the best weight / stability compromise.

[0123] In the embodiment of figures 18 to 20, the length of the solar panels being perpendicular to the cylindrical elements, the hollow body of the cylindrical elements has a length between 60% and 95% of the width of the solar panels, preferably between 70% and 80% which presents the best weight / stability compromise in this embodiment.

[0124] Figures 21 and 22 illustrate the particularly advantageous effect in terms of rigidity obtained by the embodiment of a system according to the invention in which each solar panel is fixed to the end caps of a separate cylindrical element, the two solar panels being fixed to each other by an added fixing means, as illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and 10 and 11.

[0125] Presents mechanical deformation simulation results of different rigid frame solar panel support structures illustrated in.

[0126] The solar panels illustrated in Figure 21a) are supported by a support structure according to the invention in a mounting configuration in which the two solar panels 100a-100b have a rigid frame and are secured to each other along their edge 102. Each panel 100a-100b is also fixed by an edge 101 to the end caps 220 of a cylindrical element 200.

[0127] The solar panels 100a-100b are inclined oppositely with respect to the edges 102. They therefore form an angle with each other and generally have a "roof" structure. This two-solar panel pattern can be repeated to obtain a solar energy harvesting installation.

[0128] The solar panel support mode illustrated in Figure 21b) represents the standard fixing method in which each panel 100 is fixed to two metal support rails 500. This pattern can be repeated to obtain a solar energy harvesting installation.

[0129] The solar panel support mode illustrated in Figure 21c) shows a rigid frame solar panel 100 placed on four support points 600. This pattern can be repeated to obtain a solar energy harvesting installation.

[0130] These three cases of mechanical deformation simulations are carried out by applying the same uniform vertical load of 950 Pa to the middle of the structure of each 2m x 1m rigid frame solar panel pattern. The simulated panel model has a standard thickness aluminum frame (30 mm) and a glass sheet with a thickness equal to 3.2 mm.

[0131] Lamontre shows that the standard fixing method b) using two 500 support rails placed orthogonally to the long side of the panel allows to reduce the amplitude of the deformations of the glass of the panel (-47mm in the center – see) compared to the arrangement c) using four 600 support points (-57mm in the center – see).

[0132] This result confirms that the classic recommendation of fixing fixed-frame solar panels using support rails limits deformation of the solar panels. Conversely, four-point support is a deterrent because the solar panels can deform significantly. The maximum acceptable loads recommended by rigid-frame panel manufacturers are too high to allow four-point support, so the classic approach always prefers to use a fixing with two orthogonal support rails.

[0133] The invention takes the counterpoint to this conventional approach by proposing a four-point fixing (each end cap of the two elongated hollow bodies 200 constitutes a rigid fixing point for the assembly of the two solar panels) of a pair of solar panels (and not a single solar panel) fixed to each other along an edge 102 in a non-coplanar manner. The solar panels 100a-100b are then inclined relative to each other (symmetrically when they are of the same width) relative to the edges 102, and are rigidly fixed to the end caps of the two elongated hollow bodies 200.

[0134] Preferably, the two panels are connected together by a pair of flanges at their edges 102 which induces a compressive force in the glass of the two panels when they are subjected to a vertical load.

[0135] As shown, this arrangement provides much greater rigidity than the four-point fixing c) and the classic rail fixing b) because the deformation in the center of the panel is approximately 8.5 mm, i.e. 5 to 7 times less than structures b) and c).

[0136] The structure according to the invention induces a bidirectional mechanical deformation mode of the panel (similar to an arch effect) which makes it possible to very significantly reduce the overall deformation of the panel (-8.5mm in the center) compared to a standard fixing method.

[0137] The innovative structure and fixing method of the invention allowing a pair of solar panels to be fixed directly to the end covers of the elongated hollow bodies according to the invention (a) thus makes it possible to limit the amplitude of deformation of the panels much more effectively while lightening the assembly by avoiding the use of mechanical support rails.

[0138] This rigidity is further optimized by the distance D1 used between the two fixing flanges which is advantageously reduced to 1080mm compared to the standard recommendations D of 1400mm for this format of solar panel;

[0139] The effect obtained in terms of rigidity is similar with a roof structure according to the embodiment of figures 1 to 3.

[0140] The invention has been described with reference to various specific and preferred embodiments and methods of manufacture. However, it should be understood that variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0141] The present invention should not be limited by the disclosed embodiments, including those shown in the drawings or illustrated in the specifications, which are given by way of example or illustration and not limitation. What is important is that the structure of the cylindrical elements allows both solid support of the panels by the end caps, and both the holding and sheltering of a ballast which may be made of a loose material and not only of a solid material by a light structure (the hollow body). Furthermore, while each system may appear unstable due to its low weight, the installation resulting from the fixing of several systems together is extremely solid and stable thanks to the triangulation of the fixings.

Claims

A system (1000, 2000, 3000) for recovering solar energy comprising a support structure, intended to be placed and not fixed on a ground (S), and two solar panels (100a-100b-100d, 2100a-2100b-2100d, 3100) with a rigid frame having a length (L) and a width (l), characterized in that the support structure comprises two cylindrical support elements (200, 200', 200a, 200b, 200c, 200d, 210e, 390) each having:- an elongated hollow body (210, 210a, 210b, 210c, 210d, 200e, 2200a, 2200b, 2200c, 3200) extending along of a longitudinal direction (201, 3201), intended to receive a ballast (240) and- two end covers (220, 250, 250a, 260, 270, 380) of the hollow body, each end cover comprising a vertical rigid wall (221, 252, 261), in the position of use, capable of supporting the weight of the solar panels, and a fixing portion (222, 230, 255, 262) of the frame of at least one of the solar panels,such that the solar panel(s) are fixed to the cylindrical elements only by the end caps and are supported on the ground (S) by the end caps., The solar energy harvesting system (3000) of claim 1, wherein each solar panel (3100) is attached to the end caps (380) of a separate cylindrical member (3200), the two solar panels (3100) being attached to each other by an attached attachment means (300f). A solar energy harvesting system (1000, 2000, 3000) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the rigid wall (252) and the fixing portion (230) of at least one of the end caps are carried by a single rigid part constituting the end cap (250). Solar energy recovery system (1000, 2000, 3000) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the end cap (220) is constituted by two separate parts: • a first part (221) comprising the rigid wall (221a) and a support collar (221b) perpendicular to the rigid wall, the support collar being intended to be inserted inside and against the hollow body (210a), in the position of use, and • a second part constituted by a clamping collar (222) provided with means (230) for fixing to the frame of the solar panel(s), the clamping collar being intended to be arranged, in the position of use, around the hollow body and tightened against the hollow body above the support collar, so as to secure the solar panel(s) resting on the rigid wall of the first part. Solar energy recovery system (1000, 2000, 3000) according to any one of claims 1 or 2, wherein, with reference to the position of use, the end cover (260) is constituted by two separate parts:• a first support part comprising the vertical rigid wall (261), at least two locking tabs (261b) coplanar with the rigid wall and intended to be inserted inside complementary slots (211d) provided in the wall (210d) of the hollow body (200d), and at least two locking tabs (261c) coplanar with the rigid wall and extending upwards, intended to be inserted inside complementary slots (261b) provided in a second insert for fixing the solar panels,• the second part for fixing the solar panels being constituted by a fixing bracket (262) provided with the means (230) for fixing to the frame of the one or more solar panels, the fixing jumper being intended to be arranged,in the position of use, above the locking tabs (261c) of the first part, so as to secure the solar panel(s) resting on the rigid wall (261a) of the first part., Solar energy harvesting system (1000, 2000) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hollow body elongated in a longitudinal direction has a length of between 50% and 90%, preferably between 65% and 85%, advantageously 70%, of the length of the solar panels. A solar energy harvesting system (1000) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each solar panel (100a-100b) is secured by a first edge (101) to the end caps of a separate cylindrical member, the solar panels being secured to each other by a second edge (102) opposite the first edge. A solar energy harvesting system (3000) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each solar panel is attached to the end caps of a separate cylindrical member by two opposite edges (3101-3103) in the longitudinal direction (3201), the solar panels being attached to each other by a third edge (3102-3104) perpendicular to the two opposite edges by which each solar panel is attached to the end caps of the cylindrical members. A solar energy harvesting system (2000) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the attachment portion of each end cap comprises a first (272a) and a second (272b) attachment means for the frame of two separate solar panels (2100a-2100b-2100c), a first solar panel (2100a) being attached to the first attachment means (272a) of the end caps (270) of a first cylindrical element (2200a) by a first edge (2101), and to the second attachment means (272b) of the end caps of a second cylindrical element (2200b) by a second edge (2102) opposite the first edge (2101), the second solar panel (2100b) being attached to the first attachment means (272a) of the end caps of the second cylindrical element (2200b) by a first edge and attached to the second attachment means (272b) of the end covers of a cylindrical element (2200c) of a second adjacent solar energy harvesting system (2000). A solar energy harvesting system (1000, 2000, 3000) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the solar panels are photovoltaic panels, thermal panels, hybrid photovoltaic / thermal panels, or a mixture thereof. A solar energy harvesting system (2000) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, a solar panel (2100c) being fixed by a first edge (2102) to the end caps of a cylindrical element (270), the fixing portion of at least one end cap further comprises fixing means (272c) for a stiffening means (402) intended to be fixed, in the use position, between said fixing means (272c) on the end cap and a second edge (2101) of the solar panel opposite the first edge (2102), so as to form a rigid triangle delimited by the solar panel, the stiffening means and a rigid end cap. Solar energy harvesting system (1000) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, two solar panels (100a-100c) being fixed by a first edge (110) to the end caps of a cylindrical element (200), at least one stiffening means (400) is fixed, in the use position, between a second edge (102) of each solar panel, opposite the first edge (101), so as to form a rigid triangle delimited by the two solar panels (100a-100c) and the stiffening means (400). Solar energy harvesting system (1001) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, two solar panels (100a-100b) being each fixed by a first edge (110) to the end caps of a respective cylindrical element (200, 200') and fixed to each other by a second edge (102), at least one stiffening means (401) is fixed, in the use position, between the first edge (101) of each solar panel (100a-100b), so as to form a rigid triangle delimited by the two solar panels (100a-100b) and the stiffening means (401). Solar energy recovery system according to any one of claims 9 to 13, in which the stiffening means is a thin-section mechanical element, such as a bar, a chain or a cable, sized to take up tension forces between two solar panels or between a solar panel and the cylindrical element which carries said solar panel. Solar energy recovery installation, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of solar energy recovery systems according to any one of claims 1 to 14 connected in series and / or in parallel.

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