Photovoltaic panel system including an integrated irrigation system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a photovoltaic panel system comprising photovoltaic panels, a structure adapted for fixing photovoltaic panels above a support such as the ground, fixing means for fixing the photovoltaic panels to said structure at a predetermined inclination relative to the support, said photovoltaic panel system comprising an integrated watering system adapted for watering the support. Abstract Figure: 1

Description

Title of the invention: Photovoltaic panel system comprising an integrated watering system Field of the invention

[0001] The invention relates to a photovoltaic panel system comprising photovoltaic panels, a structure for fixing said photovoltaic panels above a support, such as the ground, and fixing means for fixing the photovoltaic panels to the structure at a determined inclination relative to said support.

[0002] More specifically, the photovoltaic panel system according to the invention is particularly suitable for installation on land or a meadow. State of the art

[0003] The use of systems comprising photovoltaic panels, arranged above a support at a determined inclination relative to said support, has already been disclosed in the prior art. Several systems of this type, provided with photovoltaic panels, are currently used in the creation of photovoltaic power plants suitable for the production of electricity.

[0004] Generally, to create a photovoltaic power plant, photovoltaic panels are fixed to structures positioned on the ground, said photovoltaic panels remaining close to the ground. This type of installation allows easy access to the photovoltaic panels for maintenance and possible replacement if necessary.

[0005] Photovoltaic power plants according to the prior art, as described above, allow the owner of a plot of land to use the space solely for the production of electrical energy.

[0006] In the prior art, systems provided with photovoltaic panels are known, in which said photovoltaic panels are fixed to a structure, at a determined distance from the ground. These systems have the advantage of freeing up the ground surface and allow the use of the surface present below said photovoltaic panels for a purpose other than that of producing electrical energy.

[0007] For example, positioning photovoltaic panels at a sufficiently large distance from the ground, in order to use the ground to allow the production of vegetation, is already known in the prior art. Photovoltaic panels have the characteristic on the one hand of forming a large surface area allowing sunlight to be received and on the other hand of creating zones shadows on the ground below the said photovoltaic panels. The presence of the photovoltaic panels also changes the way in which rainwater is received on the ground. The photovoltaic panels protect the ground, located directly below the said photovoltaic panels, against the runoff of rainwater, guiding this water onto the ground located between the photovoltaic panels.

[0008] There is a need to propose new solutions to manage the phenomena resulting from climatic conditions, thus optimizing the conditions of the plantations located under the photovoltaic panels. Summary of the invention

[0009] A first objective of the present invention consists in providing a system provided with photovoltaic panels making it possible to irrigate the ground located under the installation of said photovoltaic panels.

[0010] A second objective of the present invention is to provide a system for optimizing the climatic conditions of the spaces located under the photovoltaic panels of a photovoltaic panel power station. Subject of the invention

[0011] In view of the above observations, the subject of the present invention relates to a photovoltaic panel system comprising:

[0012] - photovoltaic panels,

[0013] - a structure suitable for fixing photovoltaic panels above a support, such as the ground,

[0014] - fixing means for fixing the photovoltaic panels to said structure, according to a specific inclination relative to the support,

[0015] characterized in that the photovoltaic panel system comprises an integrated watering system adapted to water the support.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the invention, the fixing means comprise support elements, such as beams, for fixing the photovoltaic panels to the structure and the watering system comprises pipes for supplying water, with nozzles at their ends for dispersing the water, wherein said nozzles are fixed to the support elements to allow said nozzles to disperse the water in a dispersion direction imposed by the determined inclination of the photovoltaic panels relative to the support.

[0017] According to one embodiment of the invention, the nozzles are fixed to the support elements in a movably manner so as to be able to move relative to the support elements and thus modify their direction of dispersion relative to the support.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the fixing means comprise a drive mechanism, such as an electric motor, to enable the elements support to move relative to the structure and thus modify the determined inclination of the photovoltaic panels relative to the support.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the invention, the support elements are assembled, movable in rotation relative to the structure, and the drive means are adapted to rotate said support elements relative to the structure.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the invention, the watering system comprises water supply means, such as a water pump, said water supply means being adapted to operate using electrical energy.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the watering system comprises an optional reservoir for the storage and reuse of rainwater.

[0022] According to one embodiment of the invention, the watering system comprises a drain for collecting rainwater, said drain being positioned on the support.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the photovoltaic panel system is adapted to position the photovoltaic panels at a determined height relative to the support, the determined height being between 1 and 10 meters, preferably between 2 and 8 meters, more preferably between 2 and 4 meters.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the photovoltaic panel system comprises a control device adapted to control the drive means, comprising, optionally, a computer.

[0025] According to one embodiment of the invention, the control device comprises a meteorological module provided with at least one sensor for collecting meteorological or other parameters.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the invention, the invention also relates to a photovoltaic shade comprising the system according to the invention. Brief description of the drawings

[0027] The aim, object and characteristics of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description given with reference to the figures in which:

[0028] [Fig-1] shows a schematic view of a photovoltaic panel system according to the invention, said system being installed in a field,

[0029] [Fig.2] represents a detailed top view of two rows of photovoltaic panels, including a schematic representation of the range of the nozzles of a watering system dispersing water under said photovoltaic panels,

[0030] [Fig.3] shows a perspective view of the range of the nozzles dispersing the water under the photovoltaic panels, said photovoltaic panels being presented at a first inclination relative to the ground,

[0031] [Fig.4] represents a perspective view of the range of the nozzles dispersing the water under the photovoltaic panels, said photovoltaic panels being presented at a second inclination relative to the ground, and

[0032] [Fig.5] shows a detailed view of the attachment of a nozzle for dispersing water under the photovoltaic panels, attached to attachment means of the system provided with photovoltaic panels according to the invention.

[0033] [Fig.l] shows a schematic view of a part of a photovoltaic panel system 10 according to the invention. Said photovoltaic panel system 10 comprises photovoltaic panels 1 held in support elements 2. As illustrated in Figures 2 to 5, the support elements 2 are adapted to fix the photovoltaic panels 1 on a structure itself fixed to the ground.

[0034] According to the example illustrated in [Fig.l], the photovoltaic panels 1 are, using support elements 2, fixed to posts 3, said posts 3 themselves being fixed to a support 5, potentially formed by the ground of a field or a meadow.

[0035] The fixing of the photovoltaic panels 1 on the posts 3 is carried out using the fixing means, not shown in figures 1 to 5, and this for reasons of simplicity.

[0036] It should be noted that the structure for fixing the photovoltaic panels 1 above the ground 5 comprises posts 3, as illustrated in [Fig.l]. It is entirely conceivable to use a structure having another shape comprising, for example, posts and cables, as disclosed, for example, in French patent application FR2202022.

[0037] The support elements 2, fixed on the posts 3, make it possible to modify the inclination of the photovoltaic panels 1 relative to the ground 5. By modifying this inclination, the photovoltaic panels 1 can be installed in a position making it possible to optimize the production of electricity using said photovoltaic panels 1. This means, for example, that the inclination of the photovoltaic panels 1 relative to the ground 5 can be modified according to a schedule defined during the day and the season during which said photovoltaic panels 1 are used to produce electricity.

[0038] According to the invention, the photovoltaic panels 1 are positioned at a determined distance from the ground 5. For information purposes, it is possible to define the height of the photovoltaic panels 1 relative to the support 5, this being able to be between 1 and 10 meters. The definition of said height can be a function of the use that is planned for the ground 5. In the case where the ground 5 is used to cultivate plantations of reduced height, the height of the photovoltaic panels 1 can be positioned close to the ground 5. In the case where, on the contrary, it is desired to cultivate plantations of a greater height, such as for example fruit trees, it is possible to adjust the height of the photovoltaic panels 1 accordingly. As a general rule, the height of the photovoltaic panels 1 can vary between 1 and 10 meters, preferably between 2 and 8 meters, with more preference between 2 and 4 meters above the ground 5.

[0039] Depending on their use, the photovoltaic panels 1 can be installed in a position that optimizes the production of electrical energy. In the context of growing crops under the photovoltaic panels 1, the choice of inclination can optimize the creation of protection by said photovoltaic panels 1. If a horizontal inclination of said photovoltaic panels 1 is chosen, as shown in Figures 2 and 3, it is possible to protect the crops located under said photovoltaic panels 1, thus avoiding overexposure to the sun or rainwater.

[0040] In order to produce electrical energy, thanks to the photovoltaic panels 1 and the use of the ground 5 located under said photovoltaic panels 1, the system 10 according to the present invention is provided with a control device adapted to control drive means intended to manage the inclination of the photovoltaic panels 1, said control device thus making it possible to obtain an optimal inclination.

[0041] A control device of this type is optionally provided with an on-board computer for receiving instructions from a user, for example from an operator. Furthermore, said control device may be supplemented by a meteorological module provided with at least one sensor for collecting meteorological or other parameters. Such a module may transmit meteorological data to the computer for the purpose of defining optimal positions of the photovoltaic panels 1.

[0042] Sensors 6 can be used to collect data relating to the humidity of the air (hygrometry) present between the photovoltaic panels 1 and the ground 5. This data can then be collated by the control device according to the invention.

[0043] The photovoltaic panel system 10 according to the present invention is provided with a watering system, comprising, among other things, a water reservoir such as an optional cistern 20 capable of holding a certain quantity of water. Alternatively, said watering system can be directly connected, by means of a connection, to the water network.

[0044] The watering system comprises water supply means, such as a pump 21. Said pump 21 can pump and direct a certain quantity of water, via pipes 22, towards the nozzles 23 adapted to disperse the water in a determined direction and surface. Other pipes (not shown in [Fig.l]) are also present between the pipes 22 and the nozzles 23. As shown in [Fig.l], the nozzles 23 of the watering system are fixed on the support elements 2. This means that in the case where the inclination 1 of the photovoltaic panels 10 is modified relative to the ground 5, the direction of dispersion of the nozzles 23 is automatically modified which means that the range of said nozzles 23 dispersing the water on the ground 5 can be modified by acting on the inclination of the photovoltaic panels 1 relative to the ground 5. The effect of these measures is shown in more detail in Figures 2 to 4.

[0045] [Fig.l] shows, between two rows of photovoltaic panels 1, the presence of a drain 30 on the ground 5, said drain being adapted to receive and direct rainwater towards the cistern by means of a pipe 31. The drain 30 makes it possible to regulate the quantity of water present on the ground 5 below the photovoltaic panels 1. The photovoltaic panels 1 provide natural protection of the areas located under the photovoltaic panels 1 against rainwater. The areas of the ground 5 not located under the photovoltaic panels 1 will therefore be more humid than the areas of the adjacent ground 5.

[0046] The drain 30 makes it possible to optimize the dispersion of water on the areas located under the photovoltaic panels 1 of the system 10 according to the invention.

[0047] [Fig. 2] shows a top view of a part of the system 10 of photovoltaic panels 1. [Fig. 2] represents two rows of photovoltaic panels 1 positioned side by side. Six circles, bearing the reference numbers 41 to 46, schematically represent the range of water dispersion under the two rows of photovoltaic panels 1. The example according to [Fig. 2] shows the presence of three nozzles, present on each of the two rows of photovoltaic panels 1, said nozzles making it possible to water the areas of the ground 5 located below the rows of photovoltaic panels 1.

[0048] [Fig.2] also shows that the set of nozzles covers a large area around the rows of photovoltaic panels 1 and an overlap of the watered areas. However, for a significant part, the nozzles are complementary and their range makes it possible to cover a large area of ​​the ground 5.

[0049] [Fig. 3] represents a perspective view of the two rows of photovoltaic panels 1 and the range of the nozzles installed on said rows of photovoltaic panels 1 according to [Fig. 2]. Each nozzle 23 allows the watering of an area, said area being represented by a dome in the figure. Even if only 2 nozzles 23 are visible in [Fig. 3], other nozzles 23 in total are present and produce watering in the form of domes 41 to 46, however the number and location / position of said nozzles 23 may change depending on the terrain, the need and the sizing of the irrigation system.

[0050] [Fig. 4] shows two rows of photovoltaic panels 1 according to figures 2 and 3, the inclination of which relative to the ground 5 has been modified. In figures 2 and 3, the photovoltaic panels 1 are essentially positioned in a horizontal orientation. In [Fig. 4], the photovoltaic panels 1 are oriented according to an inclination presenting an acute angle relative to the ground 5. [Fig. 4] shows that the range of the nozzles 23 is modified thanks to the change in orientation of the photovoltaic panels 1. This lies in the fact that said nozzles 23 are fixed to the support elements 2 of the system 10 of photovoltaic panels 1 so that they can disperse the water according to a dispersion direction imposed by the determined inclination of said photovoltaic panels 1 relative to the ground 5.It should be noted that, in addition to modifying the inclination of the photovoltaic panels 1 relative to the ground 5 to modify the range of the nozzles 23, the pressure and flow rate of the water can be used to modify said range, thus optimizing the watering of the areas of the ground 5 present below the photovoltaic panels 1. The modification of the irrigation parameters such as the pressure and flow rate of the water and the inclination of the photovoltaic panels 1 can be carried out automatically according to the sensors 6 or manually.

[0051] [Fig. 5] represents a detailed view of an embodiment of a nozzle 23 fixed on a support element 2, such as a beam, of the system 10 of photovoltaic panels 1 according to the invention. The nozzle 23 is positioned directly under the photovoltaic panels 1, their support 2 or other element.

[0052] According to the example illustrated by [Fig. 5], the nozzle 23 is installed on the support element 2 in a fixed position. According to an alternative embodiment, not shown in [Fig. 5], the nozzles 23 can be fixed on the support element 2, in a movably manner, thus allowing said nozzles 23 to move relative to the support element 2 and, as a result, modify the direction of dispersion of the water on the ground 5.

Claims

Claims

1. Photovoltaic panel system (10) comprising: - photovoltaic panels (1), - a structure (3) adapted to fix photovoltaic panels (1) above a support (5), such as the ground, - fixing means for fixing the photovoltaic panels (1) to said structure (3), at a determined inclination relative to the support (5), wherein the photovoltaic panel system (10) comprises an integrated watering system adapted to water the support (5), characterized in that the fixing means comprise support elements (2), such as beams, for fixing the photovoltaic panels (1) to the structure (3) and the watering system comprises pipes (22) for supplying water, with nozzles (23) at their ends for dispersing the water,wherein said nozzles (23) are fixed to the support elements (2) to enable said nozzles (23) to disperse the water in a dispersion direction imposed by the determined inclination of the photovoltaic panels (1) relative to the support (5) and wherein said nozzles (23) are fixed to the support elements (2) in a movably manner to enable said nozzles (23) to move relative to the support elements (2) to thereby modify the dispersion direction of said nozzles (23) relative to the support (5).,

2. A photovoltaic panel system (10) according to claim 1, wherein the fixing means comprises a drive mechanism, such as an electric motor, for enabling the support members (2) to move relative to the structure (3) to thereby change the determined inclination of the photovoltaic panels (1) relative to the support (5).

3. A photovoltaic panel system according to claim 2, wherein the support elements (2) are assembled to be rotatable relative to the structure (3), the drive mechanisms being adapted to rotate the support elements (2) relative to the structure (3).

4. Photovoltaic panel system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, in which the watering system comprises water supply means (21), such as a water pump, said water supply means (21) being adapted to operate using electrical energy.

5. A photovoltaic panel system (10) according to any preceding claim, wherein the watering system comprises a reservoir (20) for storing and reusing rainwater.

6. A photovoltaic panel system (10) according to claim 5, wherein the watering system comprises a drain (30) for collecting rainwater, said drain being positioned on the support (5).

7. Photovoltaic panel system (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the photovoltaic panel system (10) is adapted to position the photovoltaic panels (1) at a determined height relative to the support (5), the determined height being between 1 and 10 meters, preferably between 2 and 8 meters, more preferably between 2 and 4 meters.

8. A photovoltaic panel system (10) according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the photovoltaic panel system (10) comprises a control device adapted to control the drive mechanisms, optionally comprising a computer.

9. A photovoltaic panel system (10) according to claim 8, wherein the control device comprises a meteorological module provided with at least one sensor (6) for collecting meteorological or other parameters.

10. Photovoltaic shade comprising the photovoltaic panel system (10) according to one of the preceding claims.

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