GREEN PHOTOVOLTAIC ROOFS AND FACADES

Abstract

The present invention relates to a green roof system characterized in that it comprises: a support formed by an assembly of folded metal sheets; vegetated modules, each comprising a waterproofing membrane and a multi-layered growing system comprising successively at least a first fibrous synthetic material and a flexible mesh; and a plurality of adjustable photovoltaic panels. Figure to be published: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: Photovoltaic green roofs and facades Scope of the invention

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of value-added roofs and more particularly to green roofs equipped with photovoltaic panels.

[0002] An example is illustrated by the PROOF (Photovoltaic and green ROOF) project led by the National Institute of Solar Energy (INES), combining extensive green roof (TVE) and photovoltaic panel, to meet various benefits: - The solar energy incident during the summer period, dissipated by a green roof mainly in the form of latent heat flux, creates a localized decrease in air temperature and provides favorable conditions for increasing the electrical efficiency of a photovoltaic panel; - An extensive green roof with a structure capable of storing rainwater promotes evapotranspiration flows and can therefore further improve the panel's performance; - At the building level, the overall energy balance (energy production / consumption in use + embodied energy) is more advantageous for a combined system than for a standard bare or green roof terrace; - Compared to a classic roof configuration, a combined system provides additional ecosystem services that can be assessed and valued at the neighborhood level.

[0003] The combination of a green roof and solar panels improves energy performance: The vegetation captures dust and particles, which therefore end up less on the solar panels. As an added bonus, the plants' water retention keeps the air cooler, which helps to cool the solar panels. They thus absorb more heat, resulting in better efficiency. The combination of vegetation near solar equipment therefore increases energy production while improving the building's insulation.

[0004] In Sydney, for example, a difference of nearly 20 degrees Celsius was observed between a solar surface and a hybrid vegetation / solar panel surface. State of the art

[0005] French patent FR2945303A1 relates, in general, to a green roof, the word "roof" here referring to both a flat roof and a pitched roof or yet another roof of any shape. The roof in question is, in particular, a roof equipped with photovoltaic panels for the production of electricity; this green roof includes, above the substrate and the plants growing on the substrate, a set of photovoltaic panels.

[0006] Chinese patent CN101892725 discloses a thermal insulation system combining a green roof and the installation of a photovoltaic cell panel, and relates to a roof thermal insulation system. It comprises a vegetated layer of vegetation arranged on the roof and an array of photovoltaic cell panels erected on the vegetated layer, wherein the array of cell panels comprises a plurality of cell panels that are spaced at intervals to allow the vegetated layer to be irradiated by residual light. A rainwater collection device is arranged between the cell panels and the vegetated layer.

[0007] Patent application WO2011016777A1 relates to another support structure for mounting on a green building facade. The support structure comprises two parts: the first part is covered with a photovoltaic system and the second part is covered with a vegetation system. The photovoltaic system generates an electric current from sunlight to reduce the building's energy load, while the vegetation system cools the ambient temperature.

[0008] French patent FR3053568 describes a device for installing a system of trays for growing plants on the roofs or facades of buildings. It relates to a tray for growing plants, manufactured by folding thin sheets of stainless steel, and an installation method that provides a watertight surface. Furthermore, the installation method of said trays is compatible with the installation of photovoltaic modules. This results in a watertight and energy-autonomous plant growing system.

[0009] French patent FR2942487 describes a wall or facade comprising, on the one hand, areas receiving plants and, on the other hand, photovoltaic panels. These panels, arranged alternately with respect to the areas covered by plants, are cooled by an airflow circulating in contact with the plants, which allows the photovoltaic panels to operate under optimal conditions.

[0010] Chinese patent CN106879446 also relates to a process for greening roofs for the co-construction of an ecological mat and a solar panel.

[0011] Disadvantages of the prior art

[0012] Prior art solutions have several drawbacks. First, they add a significant load to the roof and the building structure, making the solution inapplicable for many buildings whose resistance is insufficient.

[0013] Prior art solutions also degrade rapidly because solar panels create shading that is not favorable to plant growth.

[0014] Finally, the wind resistance of these prior art solutions is significant, and in areas with known severe atmospheric conditions (strong winds, storms, cyclones), these solutions are not appropriate.

[0015] Solution provided by the invention

[0016] In order to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art, the present invention, in its most general sense, relates to a green roof system characterized in that it comprises: a. a support formed by an assembly of bent sheet metal b. vegetated modules, each comprising a waterproofing membrane and a multilayer culture complex comprising successively at least a first fibrous synthetic material and a flexible mesh c. a plurality of adjustable photovoltaic panels.

[0017] Preferably, each of said adjustable photovoltaic panels is hinged with respect to its lower edge to tilt between a position parallel to said support, and a position oriented towards the sun.

[0018] Advantageously, each of said adjustable photovoltaic panels is driven in rotation between a position parallel to said support, and a position oriented towards the sun by a drive cable fixed by connectors on the upper edges of each of said photovoltaic panels.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the system further comprises profiles arranged transversely on said support, said profiles comprising a hinge for the articulation of one of said photovoltaic panels, said profiles separating two consecutive vegetated modules.

[0020] According to a particular embodiment, said photovoltaic panels are of the bifacial type.

[0021] Advantageously, said support is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.

[0022] Detailed description of a non-limiting example of embodiment

[0023] The present invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, concerning a non-limiting example of an embodiment illustrated by the accompanying drawings where:

[0024] Fig. 1 represents a three-quarter top perspective view of a system according to the invention.

[0025] Figure [Fig. 2] represents a cross-sectional view of a system according to the invention.

[0026] General principle of the invention

[0027] The invention is based on a modular system for constructing a roof, in particular a flat roof or a roof terrace, consisting of laying a support formed by folded metal sheet plates (10), for example sheets of Roofing or cladding sheets with parallel ribs. Such sheets are commonly used for building coverings, whether roofs or facades. Sheets with identical, adjacent ribs are known to exist. This uniformity allows for stacking multiple sheets, facilitating storage and transport. However, it also means that sheets of a specific type must be transported and / or stored to achieve a uniform building cladding, at least with regard to the rib configuration.

[0028] The term "ribbed" should be understood here as designating a relief, positive or negative, i.e., a hollow or a raised area, formed on the sheet metal. This relief is at a different height than the average plane of the sheet metal. The shape, number, and / or distribution of the ribs on the sheet metal are variable. The ribs are parallel to each other. The ribs are identical on the same sheet metal or form a repeating pattern on each sheet metal.

[0029] The system also includes photovoltaic panels (21, 22, 23) articulated with respect to transverse axes (31 to 33) forming hinges with respect to the support (10), to allow adjustment of the orientation of the photovoltaic panels (21 to 23).

[0030] The connection between the axes (31 to 33) and the support (10) is ensured by angle brackets which are fixed on ribs of the support for example.

[0031] The photovoltaic panels (21 to 23) can be folded flat, parallel to the plane (10) of the support, or erected to be directed towards the sun, the panels being moved angularly to maintain parallelism between them. The actuation of the panels (21 to 23) is controlled by belts (20) driven by motors (24 to 27) and fixed to the upper edge of the photovoltaic panels (21 to 23).

[0032] The system also includes vegetated modules, for example of the type described in patent EP3755140. This module includes a base (41) that rests on the support (10). This rigid and waterproof base (41) is completed by a multilayer growing complex comprising successively at least a first fibrous synthetic material (42) and a flexible mesh (43) and optionally a second fibrous synthetic material (44).

[0033] These vegetated modules (40) are interspersed between the hinges (31 to 33) of the photovoltaic panels (21 to 23).

[0034] During electricity production, the motors (24 to 27) control the tilting of the photovoltaic panels (21 to 23) into the active position, oriented towards the sun, with an orientation that can change to follow the sun's path.

[0035] Outside of these periods, the photovoltaic panels (21 to 23) can either be folded horizontally to reduce wind resistance and protect the vegetated modules (40), or on the contrary placed in a position allowing the sun to illuminate the vegetated modules (40).

[0036] The vegetated modules (40) may also include an irrigation system controlled by a pump powered by a battery recharged by the photovoltaic panels (21 to 23).

[0037] Sloping roof

[0038] An alternative embodiment relates to the greening of inclined roofs of the BACACIER type (trade name) for example.

[0039] The invention is particularly suited to equipping sloping roofs, which are impossible to vegetate with solutions using soil as a growing medium and difficult to equip with photovoltaic panels (installations on sloping roofs are mainly placed in a fixed position, parallel to the slope of the roof).

[0040] The invention is adapted to the renovation of an existing building stock mainly located in the hottest regions and where solar radiation is most direct.

Claims

Demands

1. Green roof system characterized in that it comprises: a. a support (10) formed by an assembly of folded sheets b. vegetated modules (40) each comprising a waterproofing membrane and a multi-layered growing complex comprising successively at least a first fibrous synthetic material and a flexible mesh c. a plurality of adjustable photovoltaic panels (21 to 23) d. and in that each of said adjustable photovoltaic panels is hinged with respect to its lower edge to tilt between a position parallel to said support, and a position oriented in the direction of the sun.

2. Green roof system according to claim 1 characterized in that each of said adjustable photovoltaic panels is driven in rotation between a position parallel to said support, and a position oriented in the direction of the sun by a drive cable fixed by connectors on the upper edges of each of said photovoltaic panels.

3. Green roof system according to claim 1 characterized in that it further comprises profiles arranged transversely on said support, said profiles comprising a hinge for the articulation of one of said photovoltaic panels, said profiles separating two consecutive green modules.

4. Green roof system according to claim 1 characterized in that said photovoltaic panels are of the bifacial type.

5. Green roof system according to claim 1 characterized in that said support (10) is inclined with respect to a horizontal plane.

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