Ballasting system for photovoltaic systems with adjustable space between arrays

Abstract

Installation system of photovoltaic systems, configured to install at least two arrays of photovoltaic modules (8) parallel to each other, and comprising a plurality of blocks in cement conglomerate (1, 2, 3, 4), said blocks being arranged along at least two longitudinal alignments parallel to each other and orthogonal to the direction of said arrays of photovoltaic modules, characterized in that each of said alignments comprises : a front block (1); at least a couple comprising a high central block (2) and a low central block (3); a rear block (4), configured so that a first array of photovoltaic modules can be installed between the front blocks (1) of each alignment and the first high central blocks (2) near the respective front blocks, and a second array of photovoltaic modules can be installed between the rear blocks (4) of each alignment and the last low central blocks (3) near said rear blocks (4), and in that each block of said at least one couple comprising a high central block (2) and a low central block (3) comprises, buried in concrete, at least a fastening element (9) configured to be coupled to a respective fastening element (10) buried in the other block of the couple, said fastening elements (9, 10) being couplable to each other in a plurality of positions, so that with the variation of the coupling position the relative distance varies as well, along the longitudinal direction, of the high central block (2) and low central block (3) of said at least one couple.

Description

[0001] BALLASTING SYSTEM FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC SYSTEMS WITH

[0002] ADJUSTABLE SPACE BETWEEN ARRAYS

[0003] The present invention relates to an installation and ballasting system for reali zing photovoltaic systems on flat surfaces .

[0004] In particular, the present invention relates to an installation system of photovoltaic systems which allows to fasten an array of photovoltaic panels to the previous and following ones , which allows to vary the mounting distance between arrays of panels , which allows to install photovoltaic modules both with vertical development and hori zontal development , and which allows a rapid and ef ficient installation at the same time .

[0005] State of the art

[0006] At the state of the art , it is known the usage of ballasts in cement conglomerate for the installation of photovoltaic systems on flat surfaces , such as for example buildings roofs or squares . Generally, a photovoltaic system comprises a plurality of arrays of photovoltaic modules , installed in parallel to each other at a definite distance in the design phase as a function of the available space and of the location where the system is to be installed . Each module of the photovoltaic array is also installed with a certain inclination to the flat surface on which the system is installed . The inclination of the module as well to the flat surface is defined in the design phase as a function of the inclination of the flat surface to the hori zontal and of the location where the system is to be installed .

[0007] Technical problem

[0008] A problem usually occurring in the installation of photovoltaic systems is to optimi ze the ef ficiency and rapidity of installation of ballasting systems . In fact , even i f it is known that fastening adj acent arrays of photovoltaic modules to each other increases resistance to turnover by the wind, such measure has anyway some practical di f ficulties since the ballasts known at the state of the art are not configured to allow a rapid coupling of ballasts relative to adj acent arrays , or are not configured to allow the variation of the distance between two arrays .

[0009] So , practically it is needed to avoid fastening adj acent arrays of photovoltaic modules ( thus reducing the resistance of the system to turnover by the wind) or to adapt the distance between the various arrays of the system to the coupling distance allowed by the ballast system used, thus avoiding the distance optimi zations which optimi ze the yield of the system and the use of the available space .

[0010] Similar problems arise concerning the fastening to each other of the various ballasts relative to the modules of the same array . Such fastening, useful to distribute ef forts avoiding the stresses of the modules frames , is not easy to be reali zed with the ballasting systems known at the state of the art . Aim of the invention

[0011] Therefore , aim of the present invention is to provide a ballasting system for the installation of photovoltaic systems on flat surfaces which overcomes the limits linked to the embodiments known at the state of the art , and in particular which allows to fasten adj acent arrays of photovoltaic modules to each other by varying their relative distance easily and immediately, and which allows to fasten to each other the various ballasts supporting the modules of the same array .

[0012] Aim of the present invention is also to provide a ballasting system for the installation of photovoltaic systems on flat surfaces which reaches the prefixed aims , and which allows also the installation of modules both with horizontal development and vertical development, fastening them both on the short and long side of the frame. Brief description of the invention

[0013] The invention realizes the prefixed aims since it is an installation system of photovoltaic systems, configured to install at least two arrays of photovoltaic modules (8) parallel to each other, and comprising a plurality of blocks in cement conglomerate (1, 2, 3, 4) , said blocks being arranged along at least two longitudinal alignments parallel to each other and orthogonal to the direction of said arrays of photovoltaic modules, characterized in that each of said alignments comprises: a front block (1) ; at least a couple comprising a high central block (2) and a low central block (3) ; a rear block (4) , configured so that a first array of photovoltaic modules can be installed between the front blocks (1) of each alignment and the first high central blocks (2) near the respective front blocks, and a second array of photovoltaic modules can be installed between the rear blocks (4) of each alignment and the last low central blocks (3) near said rear blocks (4) , and in that each block of said at least one couple comprising a high central block (2) and a low central block (3) comprises, buried in concrete, at least a fastening element (9) configured to be coupled to a respective fastening element (10) buried in the other block of the couple, said fastening elements (9, 10) being couplable to each other in a plurality of positions, so that with the variation of the coupling position the relative distance varies as well, along the longitudinal direction, of the high central block (2) and low central block (3) of said at least one couple.

[0014] Brief description of the figures The following description will refer to the appended drawings .

[0015] Figure 1 (a-f) and figure 6 (a - b) show installation examples by means of the present invention; figures 2 to 5 show details of the single blocks constituting the system; figure 7 shows a detail of a preferred embodiment of the coupling system between the blocks supporting different arrays; figure 8 shows an installation detail of the windbreak cover; figure 9 shows installation details of the clamps for fixing the photovoltaic systems; figures 10 to 12 show installation details of a photovoltaic system by means of using the system according to the invention and the usage of an optional fixing device .

[0016] Detailed description of the invention

[0017] With reference to the appended drawings , the installation system of photovoltaic systems according to the present invention comprises a plurality of many types of ballasts in cement conglomerate , configured to install at least two arrays of photovoltaic modules ( 8 ) .

[0018] As it will be described in the following, the system according to the invention is modular, meaning that it can be used for the installation of any number of modules arrays , each arrays comprising any number of modules . So , the system is now described with reference to a single ballasts alignment , which can be repeated in the same way as many times as needed, as a function of the number of photovoltaic modules of each array .

[0019] The definition "ballast alignment" refers to the group of ballasts which, when the system is installed, are substantially in longitudinal direction to each other, precising that the definition " longitudinal direction" is used to indicate the main direction of ballasts development in conglomerate, which with the system installed is orthogonal to the direction of development of the arrays of photovoltaic modules. It is also to be precised that the word "panel" and the definition "photovoltaic module" are used as synonyms in the present description.

[0020] It is also to be specified that where it is indicated the presence of threaded bushings, if not explicitly otherwise described, it is intended that these bushings are introduced in the execution step of the cement conglomerate casting and so are included in the ballasts.

[0021] As it is shown in the appended drawings, each ballast alignment of the installation system of photovoltaic systems according to the present invention comprises: a front block (1) , at least a couple comprising a high central block (2) and a low central block (3) , a rear block (4) .

[0022] Preferably each alignment comprises a plurality of couples of central blocks (2, 3) , so to be able to install a plurality of modules arrays, according to what described in the following.

[0023] The front block (1) comprises a supporting base (If) which allows its stable installation on a flat surface and comprises also an inclined surface (1c) configured to allow the support and fastening of the side frame of a photovoltaic module (8) . To such aim, at the inclined surface (1c) the block comprises at least a threaded bushing (1-a, 1-b) , to which a mounting clamp of a photovoltaic module can be fastened.

[0024] The inclination of the inclined surface (1c) to the supporting base (If) defines the inclination of the module to the flat installation surface, as for example a square or a building roof.

[0025] The front block (1) comprises also a body (1g) extending in longitudinal direction, so to guarantee a sufficient ballast weight.

[0026] With different geometries of the ballasted blocks (both the front block and the other ones, as it will be described in the following) , it is possible to mount the panels with different inclinations. Preferred embodiments provide inclinations of 5°, 10°, 15°.

[0027] The high central block (2) comprises a supporting base (2f) which allows its stable installation on a flat surface and comprises also an inclined surface (2c) , with the same inclination as the inclined surface (1c) of the first block, and configured to allow the fastening of the side frame of a photovoltaic module (8) .

[0028] Considering now a plurality of ballast alignments, it is to be observed that between the front blocks (1) and the high central blocks (2) a first array of photovoltaic modules can be installed. To such aim, two ballast alignments are preferably provided at each module.

[0029] As it is shown in the appended drawings, preferably but not limitingly, the system comprises also a plurality of bracings (7) , configured to connect adjacent ballasts alignments to each other. The bracings, realized with metal profiles, are useful to optimize the distribution of stresses on the various components without overloading the panel frames, in addition to determine precisely the distance between the various ballast alignments.

[0030] In order to allow an easy mounting of the bracings (7) , all kinds of the blocks comprise threaded bushings (le) buried in concrete of each block, to which the bracings (7) can be fastened by means of suitable fixing means.

[0031] Each ballast alignment comprises also at least a low central block (3) and a rear block (4) .

[0032] The low central block (3) comprises a supporting base (3f) which allows its stable installation on a flat surface and comprises also an inclined surface (3c) configured to allow the support of the side frame of a photovoltaic module (8) . The height and orientation of the inclined surface (3c) of the low central block (3) are preferably identical to the ones of the inclined surface (1c) of the front block, so that the installation conditions of the second array of the photovoltaic modules are identical to the ones of the first one, in particular with reference to their inclination to the supporting surface.

[0033] The rear block (4) comprises a supporting base (4f) which allows its stable installation on a flat surface and comprises also an inclined surface (4c) , with the same inclination as the inclined surface (3c) of the low central block, and configured to allow the support of the side frame of a photovoltaic module (8) . The height and orientation of the inclined surface (4c) of the rear block (4) are preferably identical to the ones of the inclined surface (2c) of the high central block (2) , so that the installation conditions of the second array of photovoltaic modules are identical to the ones of the first one, in particular with reference to their inclination to the supporting surface.

[0034] Considering a plurality of ballast alignments, it is to be observed that between the low central blocks (3) and the rear blocks (4) a second array of photovoltaic modules can be installed.

[0035] The installation system of photovoltaic systems according to the present invention is characterized in that it allows an easy adjustment of the distance between an array of photovoltaic modules and the next one, so to optimize the shading distance between panels according to what defined by the system designer and as a consequence to optimize the usage of the available space and the yield of the system.

[0036] To such aim, the high central block (2) comprises a tube (9) , installed in parallel to the supporting surface (2f) and along the direction of longitudinal development of the block itself, and the low central block (3) comprises a metal profile (10) , installed in parallel to the supporting surface (3f) and along the direction of longitudinal development of the block itself, with such dimensions that it can be introduced inside the tube (9) of the high central block (2) . The tube (9) and profile (10) comprise also holes (9-a, 10-a, 10b, 10c) allowing to adjust the introduction length into each other.

[0037] Without departing from the aims of the invention, the profile and tube can be inverted between the high central block (2) and the low central block (3) . The essential aspect is that the high central block (2) and the low central block (3) comprise, buried in concrete, elements configured to be coupled to each other so that the relative distance between the blocks varies (for example by means of a telescopic coupling) along their longitudinal direction, and fixing means configured to adjust the position of said coupling. A detail of the telescopic coupling and of the possibility to fasten the high central block (2) to the low central block (3) is shown in figures 7-a to 7-d.

[0038] Figures 1-a to 1-f show instead the configuration of panels with horizontal orientation, 15° inclination and clamps blocking on the long side of the photovoltaic module.

[0039] In this configuration a long side (8-a) of the frame of the panel (8) of the first row rests on the two respective inclined surfaces (1c) provided on the front blocks (1) , while the opposite side (8b) of the frame of the same panel rests on the inclined surfaces (2c) of the high central blocks (2) . Similarly, the single panel of the last row rests on two low central blocks (3) and two rear blocks (4) . At each inclined surface of each block (1c, 2c, 3c, 4c) at least a threaded bushing is provided, configured to receive a mounting clamp (5) .

[0040] The frame of the photovoltaic module (8) can be blocked with mounting clamps (8) installed at each bushing (1-a, lb, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b) provided on each block.

[0041] The two long sides of the panel rest on inclined surfaces (3c, 4c) provided respectively on blocks of ballasts (3, 4) and are fixed with four clamps (5) at the threaded bushings (3a, 4b) provided on the inclined surfaces (3c, 4c) .

[0042] Instead, the panels of the intermediate rows (figs. 6-a and 6-b) rest and are fixed respectively on the low central block (3) and the high central one (2) . The fastening of the panels occurs identically to the one of the first and last row.

[0043] In order to reduce the sail effect (i.e. the panel lifting caused by the wind) , the ballasting system can comprise, as it is shown as a way of example in figure 1-b, at the rear row a windbreak cover (6) fastened to the rear blocks (4) by means of screws (12) screwed on bushings (4d, 4e) preassembled therefor in the concrete of the rear blocks (4) .

[0044] The inclined surfaces (1c, 2c, 3c, 4c) of each block (1, 2, 3, 4) are each preferably provided with two holes with threaded bushings (1-a, lb, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b) to allow the mounting of clamps, arranged at different distance from the end of the inclined surface.

[0045] The one or the other hole is used as a function of the orientation the panel is intended to be installed with and of the dimension of the same panel. Regardless of the inclination of the panel, which is determined by the geometry of the blocks and in particular by the inclination of the inclined surfaces, it is possible to install each module :

[0046] - with four clamps on the long side, as it is shown in figures 1-b and 6-b;

[0047] - with four clamps on the short side and two clamps on the long side, as it is shown in figure 8;

[0048] - with four clamps on the short side, as it is shown in figure 9.

[0049] The rear block (4) is preferably provided with a lower groove (4g) on the rear portion to make it easier both the movement during mounting and the introduction of the cables.

[0050] By using an additional fitting, as it is shown in figure 10, the installation system according to the present invention becomes compatible with any dimension of the panel, also of great dimensions. The fitting, preferably realized in aluminum, is made up of a base (13) and a higher profile (14) , coupled to each other by means of a hinge coupling (17, 19) so to vary the inclination to the supporting surface of the higher profile (14) to the base ( 13 ) .

[0051] The base (13) is fixed to the inclined surface (2c) of each block by means of a bolted connection (18) with the respective bushing buried in the block. Preferably the blocks in concrete (1, 2, 3 and 4) are jointed in the terminal portion of their inclined surface, and the base (13) comprises a terminal portion (13-a) jointed so to adhere to the terminal joint of the concrete blocks, so to guarantee the correct longitudinal alignment of the fitting to the block, avoiding its relative rotation .

[0052] The higher profile (14) comprises a central groove (14-a) flanked by two side tongues (14b, 14c) in which a fixing clamp can be received in a sliding way. The position of the fixing clamp is adjusted, before the tightening, so to bring it in abutment with the frame of the panel (8) .

[0053] The fitting allows the mounting of clamps (16) both on the long side of the panels (as it is shown in figure 10) and the short side (as it is shown in figure 11) . In the latter case, the frame of the short side of the panel rests on the single tongue (fig. 11- c) in case of terminal clamp, on the two tongues (fig. 11-d) in case of central clamp.

[0054] With reference to the appended figures 12-a, b, c, d, e it is observed that the device according to the invention allows advantageously also the installation of modules with vertical orientation, by using the just described ballast blocks and the additional fitting.

[0055] The preassembled fitting (figure 12-c) is fixed on each ballast block by means of a bolted connection (18) at the threaded bushing.

[0056] After the fittings fixing on respective blocks, by means of a rectilinear template, the fittings installed on the front block (1) and on the high central block (2) are aligned in couples. Similarly, by means of a template the fittings installed on the low central block (3) and on the rear block (4) are aligned.

[0057] In this way, the higher elements (14) of the fittings having to receive the same panel are coplanar .

[0058] Once the fittings are aligned in couples, by using a dowel (20) , the higher element (14) is blocked by screwing the same dowel in the provided groove (14d) up to the block on the lower element (13) .

[0059] Such connection guarantees the stability of the rear block (2-4) , avoiding a possible rotation movement caused by the excessive wind load.

[0060] To increase the safety of the hinge connection between the two elements (13, 14) , the rotation of the nut (19) is blocked by means of two ribs (14e,

[0061] 14f) provided on the higher element (14) .

Claims

CLAIMS1. Installation system of photovoltaic systems, configured to install at least two arrays of photovoltaic modules (8) parallel to each other, and comprising a plurality of blocks in cement conglomerate (1, 2, 3, 4) , said blocks being arranged along at least two longitudinal alignments parallel to each other and orthogonal to the direction of said arrays of photovoltaic modules, characterized in that each of said alignments comprises:- a front block (1) ,- at least a couple comprising a high central block (2) and a low central block (3) ,- a rear block (4) , configured so that a first array of photovoltaic modules can be installed between the front blocks(1) of each alignment and the first high central blocks (2) near the respective front blocks, and a second array of photovoltaic modules can be installed between the rear blocks (4) of each alignment and the last low central blocks (3) near said rear blocks (4) , and in that each block of said at least one couple comprising ahigh central block (2) and a low central block (3) comprises, buried in concrete, at least a fastening element (9) configured to be coupled to a respective fastening element (10) buried in the other block of the couple, said fastening elements (9, 10) being couplable to each other by means of a telescopic coupling in a plurality of positions, so that with the variation of the coupling position the relative distance varies as well, along the longitudinal direction, of the high central block (2) and low central block (3) of said at least one couple .

2. System according to claim 1, characterized in that said high central block (2) comprises a tube (9) , installed in parallel to the supporting surface (2f) and along the direction of longitudinal development of the block (2) itself, and said low central block (3) comprises a metal profile (10) , installed in parallel to the supporting surface (3f) and along the direction of longitudinal development of the block itself, with such dimensions that it can be introduced inside said tube (9) of the high central block (2) , and in that said tube (9) and said profile (10) comprisealso holes (9-a, 10-a, 10b, 10c) allowing to adjust the introduction length into each other by means of a suitable fixing means.

3. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that each alignment comprises a plurality of couples of central blocks (2, 3) , so that a plurality of arrays of modules can be installed .

4. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said front block (1) comprises :- a supporting base (If) which allows its stable installation on a flat surface,- an inclined surface (1c) at which said block (1) comprises at least a threaded bushing (1-a, 1-b) , to which a mounting clamp for a photovoltaic module can be fastened,- a body (1g) extending in longitudinal direction.

5. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one high central block (2) comprises:- a supporting base (2f) which allows its stableinstallation on a flat surface, an inclined surface (2c) , inclined to said supporting base with the same inclination as the inclined surface (1c) of said front block (1) of the first block, at which said high central block (2) comprises at least a threaded bushing (2-a, 2- b) to which a mounting clamp for a photovoltaic module can be fastened.

6. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises two alignments of blocks at each module of said arrays.

7. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises also a plurality of bracings (7) , configured to connect adjacent ballasts alignments to each other and in that said blocks (1, 2, 3, 4) comprise threaded bushings, (le) buried in concrete, to which said bracings (7) can be fastened with suitable fixing means.

8. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one low central block (3) comprises: a supporting base (3f) which allows a stableinstallation on a flat surface;- an inclined surface (3c) with a height to the supporting base and inclination identical to the ones of said inclined surface (1c) of the front block, and in that said at least one rear block (4) comprises : a supporting base (4f) which allows a stable installation on a flat surface,- an inclined surface (4c) , with a height to the supporting base and inclination identical to the ones of said inclined surface (4c) of said high central block (2) , so that the inclination to the supporting base of the second array of photovoltaic modules is identical to the ones of the first one.

9. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises also, at the row of the rear blocks (4) , a windbreak cover (6) fastened to said rear blocks (4) .

10. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said inclined surfaces (1c, 2c, 3c, 4c) of each of said blocks(1, 2, 3, 4) comprise each two holes with threaded bushings (1-a, lb, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b) to allow the mounting of fixing clamps of photovoltaic modules .

11. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said rear block (4) comprises a lower groove (4g) on the rear portion to make it easier the movement during the mounting and introduction of cables.

12. System according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises, at each block, a fixing fitting comprising a base (13) , configured to be able to be fixed on the inclined surface (1c, 2c, 3c, 4c) of the respective block and a higher profile (14) , coupled to said base (13) by means of a hinge coupling (17, 19) so to vary the inclination to the supporting surface of the higher profile (14) to the base (13) , said higher profile (14) being configured to be able to receive a fixing clamp in a sliding way for photovoltaic modules.

13. System according to claim 12, characterized inthat said blocks (1, 2, 3 and 4) are jointed in the terminal portion of their inclined surface (1c, 2c, 3c, 4c) , and said base (13) comprises a terminal portion (13-a) jointed so to adhere to the terminal joint of the respective block, so to guarantee the correct longitudinal alignment of the fitting to the block, avoiding its relative rotation.

14. System according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that said mounting fitting comprises also fixing means of the relative rotation of said higher profile (14) to said base (13) .

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