WALL CLADDING KIT USING PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS

Abstract

The invention relates to a wall cladding kit (1) using photovoltaic panels (9) comprising at least one photovoltaic panel (9), a support for said photovoltaic panel (9), a means for attaching the photovoltaic panel (9) to the support, and a means for fixing the support to a wall (1). The kit includes at least one wall cladding element (2 to 7), an element called a cassette (8) into which a photovoltaic panel (9) is permanently inserted. Each cladding element (2 to 7) or cassette (8) is independent and provided with a removable means for attaching the cladding element (2 to 7) or cassette (8) to the support, and in that the principal plane of the photovoltaic panel (9) attached to the support is oriented angularly with respect to the principal plane (P) of the wall (1) to which the support is fixed. Figure to be published with the abstract: Fig. 1

Description

Description Title of the invention: KIT FOR COVERING WALLS WITH PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS

[0001] = The invention relates to a kit for covering walls with photovoltaic panels. Here the term wall designates a wall that is vertical or inclined relative to the horizontal. or even completely horizontal, whatever the nature of this wall, whether it is in concrete, cinder block, brick, wood, metal or any other material. Such a wall can be a structural part of a building whether for domestic, commercial, or in- industrial or other. It can also be an insulated wall such as a boundary wall or separation or other, In all cases, the wall is located outside. Subsequently, in order to facilitate reading, the invention will be more particularly described in the case of an exterior wall constituting a structure such as a building. Such walls are frequently referred to by the term facade which will be used here interchangeably alternating with the term wall.

[0002] — In the field of energy production by photovoltaic panels, we knows devices for equipping the roofs of buildings with photovoltaic panels. These devices are generally fixed on the tiles or on the constituent elements of the roof or even integrated directly into the tiles or elements constituents of the roof. We also know of photovoltaic panels equipping supports dedicated to this purpose and located in areas reserved for energy production solar. Such areas are frequently referred to as "solar farms" ", We also know of devices equipping parking protection canopies exterior or parking areas. In all cases, these photo- The solar panels are generally oriented to the south in order to optimize energy production. Such photovoltaic panels are tilted according to the inclination of their supports, roofs, canopies or others. In the case of vertical walls such as the facades of buildings, we know of photovoltaic panels which are fixed on the facades. thus knows from EP-A-3 182 580 photovoltaic panels fixed on a facade ventilated. EP-A-4 002 684 discloses photovoltaic panels mounted on masts and covering at least part of a facade. WO-A-2011016777 relates to a structure mounted on a facade and intended to support both photo- photovoltaic panels and a facade greening system. Known solutions include take photovoltaic panels which are fixed on supporting structures so- facades. Such photovoltaic panels are fixed parallel to the plane main part of the vertical wall, therefore de facto in a vertical position. Even if the wall so equipped is oriented to the south a vertical orientation of the panels is not optimal for maximum capture of solar rays, In addition, these photovoltaic panels are generally permanently fixed to the entire wall or supporting structure, which does not facilitate the equipment of the wall or supporting structure or maintenance, resulting in high costs. Indeed, the implementation of state-of-the-art photovoltaic panels on a facade is more expensive and takes longer in terms of handling and labor than, for example, equipping a roof. The invention aims to meet these needs by offering a wall cladding kit using photovoltaic panels that is easy to install and maintain, modular and adaptable to any wall while optimizing the capture of solar rays. To this end, the invention relates to a kit for covering a wall with photovoltaic panels comprising at least one photovoltaic panel, a support for said photovoltaic panel, a means for attaching the photovoltaic panel to the support, a means for fixing the support to a wall, characterized in that the kit comprises at least one element for covering the wall, an element called a cassette in which a photovoltaic panel is permanently inserted, each covering element or cassette is independent and provided with a means for removable attachment of the covering element or the cassette to the support and in that the main plane of the photovoltaic panel attached to the support is oriented angularly relative to the main plane of the wall on which the support is fixed. Thus, thanks to the invention, a kit is available for covering all or part of a wall, regardless of the dimensions and / or nature of this wall. The kit is easy to transport and install. It is possible to remove one or more elements without having to dismantle all the elements. In addition, since the photovoltaic panel is oriented angularly relative to the wall, this inclination optimizes the orientation of the photovoltaic panel relative to the solar rays, independently of the orientation of the wall. According to advantageous but not mandatory aspects of the invention, such a kit may comprise one or more of the following characteristics: the angle of inclination of the photovoltaic panel relative to the wall is fixed. The tilt angle of the photovoltaic panel relative to the wall is adjustable. The angle of inclination of the photovoltaic panel relative to the wall is between 2° and 15° The visible face of at least one cladding element can be replaced by a photovoltaic panel. At least one cladding element may comprise at least one member chosen from a lighting member, a water jet, a display screen, a speaker. The means for attaching the covering element and / or the cassette to the support comprises at least one cutout defining a hook of complementary shape to a tab secured to the support. The leg is movable along the support. The cassette and the cladding element are combined into a single element having a pyramidal shape, one face being provided with the photovoltaic panel and another face with a cladding element. The fixed tilt angle of the photovoltaic panel relative to the wall is defined by edges of non-constant width of the cassette and / or the cladding element. The invention will be better understood and other advantages thereof will appear more clearly on reading the description which follows, given solely by way of non-limiting example and made with reference to the appended drawings in which: [Fig.1] is a perspective view of a wall partially equipped with a kit according to one embodiment of the invention, [Fig.2] is a perspective view similar to [Fig.1], on the same scale of a wall fully equipped with a kit in accordance with the invention, [Fig.3] is a front view, on another scale, of a wall fully equipped with a kit in accordance with another embodiment of the invention, [Fig.4] is a perspective view, on another scale, of the rear face of a constituent element or cassette of the kit according to an embodiment of the invention, [Fig.5] is a partial perspective view, on another scale and from one side of the cassette of |Fig.4] in place on a support according to an embodiment of the invention, [Fig.6] is a front view, on another scale, of a wall being equipped with the kit according to an embodiment of the invention, the support being in place on a wall, [Fig.7] is a partial, perspective view, on a larger scale, of the installation on the support of the cassette illustrated in [Fig.4], [Fig.8] is a sectional view, at another scale, of the wall illustrated in [Fig.2] and [Fig.9] is a perspective view, partial and on another scale of a cassette according to another embodiment of the invention. [Fig. 1] illustrates a wall or part of a wall 1. In the example, it is the facade of a building for commercial, industrial or other use equipped with at least part of a wall cladding kit using photovoltaic panels according to an embodiment of the invention. The wall 1 may be made of any known material, for example concrete, stone, wood, metal, concrete blocks, bricks, a polymer, used in the construction of a building or an insulated wall such as a wall. Here, the wall 1 comprises several cladding elements 2 to 7. These elements 2 to 7 are made of one or more materials that are inert with respect to the environment and the wall and relatively light. This material(s) may be metal, for example aluminum, copper, stainless steel, thermo-lacquered steel, zinc or other metal, wood, polymers, a composite or any other material or combination of several materials. The elements 2 to 7 may all be made of the same material or different materials. The cladding elements 2 to 7, in addition to a function of protecting the wall, the latter thus being able to be raw and therefore not covered with a coating or a protective member, also have a decorative function. These elements 2 to 7 are here of varied shapes and dimensions. The elements 2 to 7 are in the form of polyhedra whose main visible face is flat but not parallel with respect to the main plane P of the wall 1. The main visible faces of the elements 2 to 7 are not coplanar but are arranged angularly with respect to each other, in a non-regular manner in order to achieve an aesthetic visual effect. Alternatively, the faces of the elements 2 to 7 are parallel to each other and / or to the plane P. We note the presence on the wall 1 illustrated in [Fig.1] of two elements or cassettes 8 constituting a wall cladding kit with photovoltaic panels. Subsequently, to facilitate reading the term cassette will be mainly used to designate these elements. The cassettes 8 are here identical in terms of shape and dimensions. They are placed substantially in the central position of the wall 1 relative to its length L1 and its height H1. It is understood that this is a choice responding to an overall aesthetic need of the wall 1. Alternatively, the number and / or the position of the cassettes 8 on the wall 1 are different. Similarly, the cassettes 8 may not all be identical in terms of their shapes and / or dimensions, for example to adapt to the different types of photovoltaic panels existing when installing the kit on the facade.In all cases, the cassettes 8 comprise a photovoltaic panel 9, known per se and permanently integrated into the cassette 8. The main plane P9 of the photovoltaic panel 9 forms the visible and active face of the photovoltaic panel 9 and de facto of the cassette 8. For the record, a photovoltaic panel 9 is made up of photovoltaic cells composed of silicon. This semiconductor material has a behavior such that when solar radiation, therefore photons, strike the photovoltaic cells, this induces a movement of the electrons of the material which produces a direct electric current. The direct current produced is transformed into alternating current by micro-transformers, generally located at the rear of the photovoltaic panel 9. Advantageously, in the invention, the other electrical and electronic components ensuring the management of the photovoltaic panel 9 and the transport of electricity are placed in the internal volume of the cassette 8 receiving said panel 9. In this way, obtains an independent and autonomous cassette 8 with regard not only to the production of electricity but also with regard to the peripheral equipment necessary for the transport and management of the alternating current produced by the photovoltaic panel 9, this with a total size corresponding substantially to that, nominal, of the cassette 8 alone. Each cassette 8 defines, with the photovoltaic panel 9 integrated into the cassette 8, an autonomous electricity production unit. The visible faces, therefore the photovoltaic panels 9 of all the cassettes 8, are arranged angularly relative to the main plane P of the wall 1. The angle A, referenced in [Fig.8], formed between the planes P9 of the photovoltaic panels and the plane P of the wall 1 is at least 2° and at most 15°, it is generally between 2° and 8°. It should be noted that the angle A may or may not be identical to an angle formed between the visible face of at least one of the cladding elements 2 to 7 and the plane P of the wall 1, when this face of an element 2 to 7 is inclined. Thus when the wall 1 is oriented generally to the south, that is to say between the south-east and the south-west, to capture the maximum brightness and solar rays throughout a day, such an angular orientation of the photovoltaic panel 9 in each cassette 8 optimizes the capture of photons striking each photovoltaic panel 9 over the longest possible period in a day, provided that the sun or at least the brightness is at its maximum. [Fig. 2] illustrates a wall 10 similar to that of [Fig. 1] but in which the cladding elements are limited to elements 5, 6, 7, identical to those illustrated in [Fig. 1] and located on the edges 11 of the wall 10 defining the height of the wall 10. Alternatively, the cladding elements are either absent or different from those of [Fig. 1]. The remainder of the wall 10 is occupied by photovoltaic panels 9 inserted in cassettes 8. Here, the cassettes 8 and the panels 9 are all identical and arranged in parallel rows. Furthermore, in order to simplify reading, the cassettes 8 and photovoltaic panels 9 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 are identical. It is understood that, alternatively, they are different. In other words, by removing the cladding elements 2 to S shown in [Fig. 1] and replacing them with cassettes 8 in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, we thus move from a wall 1 as illustrated in [Fig.1] to a wall 10 as illustrated in [Fig.2]. Thanks to the invention, it is easy to modulate the quantity of cassettes 8 and / or their arrangements on a wall 1 or 10 according to the wishes of the owner of the building, for example for aesthetic reasons and / or to increase or decrease the energy production by thus playing on the number of photovoltaic panels 9 and the surface of the wall covered by cassettes 8. The invention therefore makes it possible, in an easy and simple manner, to change not only the aesthetic appearance of a wall over time but also to adapt the production. of energy. [Fig. 3] illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which a wall 12 is entirely covered on its surface by cassettes 13 according to the invention, arranged in parallel rows. Here the orientation and / or the dimensions of the cassettes 13, also of rectangular shape like those 8 illustrated in Figures 1 and 2 are different, the cassettes 13 being oriented with their length L13 parallel to the height H12 of the wall 12. Here, in front view, it is noted that reinforcements 14 are placed regularly, parallel to the height H12 of the wall 12. Advantageously, the reinforcements 14 are part of the support making it possible to fix the cassettes 13 to the wall 12. The reinforcements 14 are here configured as metal bars. Spaces 15, namely hollow joints, for functional and / or aesthetic purposes, are regularly provided between the cassettes 13, on either side of certain of the reinforcements 14.This gives a checkerboard appearance to the wall 12, while having optimal energy production in relation to the surface area available on the wall 12. For example, an 8 or 13 cassette with a 9 photovoltaic panel measuring 110 cm by 175 cm provides an output power of 400 W, i.e. an efficiency of approximately 20%. In other words, a 1, 10 or 12 wall measuring 10 m long and 4 m high, fully equipped with 8 or 13 cassettes, can provide between 2000 W and 5000 W over a period of 8 hours of sunshine. In another embodiment of the invention, the cladding elements 2 to 7 may be painted and / or of a different nature and / or with non-smooth and / or flat visible surfaces. In all cases, the number and / or arrangement of the cassettes 8, 13, and therefore de facto of the photovoltaic panels 9, optimize the cladding of the wall 1, 10, 12 and the production of energy. [Fig. 4] illustrates an advantageous embodiment of a means for attaching the cassettes 8 or 13 to supports 16, visible in figures 6 to 9. The supports 16 are integral with the wall 1, 10, 12. They are made of a light material, resistant to corrosion and inert with respect to the wall 1, 10, 12 and the cassette 8, 13. Advantageously, they are made of galvanized steel, stainless steel, aluminum, polymer, composite material. The supports 16 are here rails or profiled bars with an omega cross section with a flat bottom. Flat tabs, particularly visible in [Fig. 7], are mounted perpendicular to the largest dimension of the support 16 and so as to be movable in translation along the support 16. These tabs 17 thus define adjustable attachment members for the cassettes 8 or 13 on the supports 16. As can be seen from [Fig. 4], the rear face of the cassette 8, 13 is open so as to define a volume V allowing the insertion of the cables and technical ducts connected to the photovoltaic panels 9 as well as other elements such as control modules and / or management of the electrical production by the panels 9 mounted on the cassette 8, 13. Advantageously, each cassette 8, 13 is equipped with its own means of connection to the domestic or public network. In the upper part of the cassette 8, 13, looking at [Fig. 4], the edge 18 of the cassette is configured in an L, one of the branches of the L extending towards the outside of the cassette 8, 13 from the open rear face 19 of the cassette 8, 13. The edge 18 is provided with orifices 20 allowing the passage of means for fixing, advantageously in a non-definitive manner, the cassette 8, 13 on the support 16. As fixing means, one can cite for example bolts, screws, studs or others. It is thus possible to hang, in a non-definitive manner, the cassette 8 or 13 and to secure it by resting on the support 16 which is itself integral with the wall 1, 10, 12. On each of two parallel edges 21, 22 of the cassette 8 or 13, for example those defining the long sides of the latter with reference to [Fig.4], at least one cutout 23 is provided. In this case, each edge 21, 22 comprises two identical cutouts 23 distributed along the length of the edge. Alternatively, the number and / or shape of the cutouts are different, and the cutouts may also be non-identical on each edge or between the edges. Each cutout 23 is generally L-shaped with an open angle greater than 90° between the small and large branch of the L. The cutouts 23 are made so that the largest branch of the L is parallel to the length of the edge 21, 22, which makes it possible to define a tab 24. This tab 24 forms a hook allowing the cassette 8, 13 to be hooked onto an element of complementary shape, i.e. of dimensions and shapes adapted to be easily inserted into the notch of the hook 24 and retained by the latter. Here, two identical hooks 24 are made on each edge 21, 22. It is thus possible either to fix the cassette 8, 13 at different heights on a support 16 or to fix it on two different parallel supports.Alternatively, the number and / or arrangement of the hooks 24 are different, knowing that in all cases with such a system a user takes the cassette 8, 13 and fixes it easily on a support 16 which has been previously secured to the wall 1, 10 or 12. [Fig. 5] thus illustrates the cassette 8, 13 in place and secured to a part of the support 16, namely with the edge 18 fixed, for example by screwing, bolting or otherwise, on the lateral parts 160 of the support 16, while at least one of the hooks 24 is engaged with at least one of the tabs 17, the latter being positioned at the desired height on the support 16. Alternatively, the tabs 17 are coated with a flexible material allowing blocking by wedging of the hook 24 of the cassette 8, 13 on the tab 17, thus avoiding any movement of the cassette 8, 13 in place on the support 16, this independently of the securing of the cassette 8, 13 by fixing the tab 18 on the support 16. [Fig.7] illustrates the installation of a cassette 8, 13 on two supports 16 pa- alleles, the various elements being partially illustrated. The legs 17 of each support 16 have been previously positioned at the desired height, this by translating the legs 17 along the support 16. the installation of the cassette 8, 13 is carried out by presenting the hooks 24 opposite the legs 17 then, without tools, by inserting the legs 24 in the cutouts 23, the hooks 24 passing behind the legs 17. It is thus easy for a single person to hang one or more cassettes 8, 13 in a short time, on the supports 16. In addition, as appears in particular in [Fig. 6], the number of constituent elements of the support 16 is reduced to equip a wall since only vertical supports 16 regularly spaced, according to the width of the cassette 8, 13, are required. Advantageously, the supports or rails 16 are originally equipped with a defined number of legs 17, it being understood that the user can remove or add some if necessary.In this way, the installation of the support is quick and simple, while having a compact and lightweight support which does not modify the structural characteristics of the wall. It is easily understood that the means for attaching the cladding elements 2 to 7 are configured in a manner entirely similar to those of a cassette 8, 13, so that hooks 24 also equip the elements 2 to 7. The user can thus easily and quickly equip, at any time, a wall 1, 10, 12 indifferently with a cassette 8, 13 or a cladding element 2 to 7 and change a cassette 8, 13 for an element 2 to 7 or vice versa. Advantageously, in order to limit the number of parts to be produced, at least one cladding element 2 to 7 is a cassette 8 or 13 without a photovoltaic panel 9, the latter being replaced by a surface corresponding to the desired visual effect. When the angles of inclination of the visible faces of the cladding elements 2 to 7 and / or the photovoltaic panels 9 are identical, with an inclination oriented in the same direction, arranged in rows and all being provided with the same means of attachment to the support 16, a wall 1, 10, 12 is obtained, the profile of which, in section, is visible in [Fig.8]. As noted, the main plane P9 of the cassette 8, 13, therefore the active surface of the photovoltaic panel 9 or the plane P25 of the visible face 25 of the cladding element 2 to 7 is oriented angularly relative to the main plane P of the wall 1, 10, 12 with an angle of between 2° and 15°. The point of the triangle formed by the cassette 8, 13 or the cladding element 2 to 7 and the plane P of the wall 1, 10, 12 is oriented towards the top of this wall 1, 10, 12 when looking at [Fig. 7]. Alternatively, the inclination of the cassette is carried out in another direction, vertical or horizontal.It is noted that each cassette 8, 13 or element 2 to 7 is in the vicinity of at least one other cassette 8, 13 or element 2 to 7 but in a non-integral manner. It is thus possible to change one or more cassettes 8, 13 and / or element 2 to 7. Such a configuration also makes it possible, if necessary, to insert an insulating, thermal and / or acoustic material from the rear face 19. of the cassette 8, 13 or of the element 2 to 7 and / or at the level of the support 16 between the uprights of the latter. [Fig.8] also illustrates the fact that the edges 21, 22 of the cassettes 8, 13 and the edges of the cladding elements 2 to 7 are not of constant width but in the shape of a triangle. It is this configuration which ensures the inclination of the photovoltaic panel 9 and the visible face 25 of the elements 2 to 7. Thus, during manufacture, the angle λ is defined and constant for all the elements 2 to 7 and cassette 8, 13. Alternatively, the angle is different between the cassettes 8, 13 and the elements 2 to 7. In another embodiment, the inclination angle is variable, the user being able to independently adjust the angle of each cassette 8, 13 and / or element 2 to 7. For this, a known inclination means equips the rear of the photovoltaic panel 9 and / or the face 25. This may be, for example, jacks, a rack, a compass or other. Such a solution makes it possible to precisely adapt the inclination to the position of the wall and to the sunlight received. It is also possible to equip at least one cassette 8, 13 or a cladding element 2 to 7 and / or the support 16 with lighting devices or other devices such as water jets, display screens, loudspeakers, painted decorations or others. In all cases, the open hollow configuration of each cassette 8, 13 makes it possible to provide air circulation at the rear of the cassette, which makes it possible to ventilate and cool the photovoltaic panel 9. [Fig. 9] illustrates another embodiment of the invention in which a cassette 80 is generally pyramidal in shape with a rectangular base with one face 90 incorporating the photovoltaic panel, the other face 91 being for aesthetic purposes. Here, the face 91 is flat. Alternatively, it includes reliefs and / or colors and / or includes another element such as for example a display screen, lighting, a loudspeaker, water jets or others. In other words, only a part of the cassette 80 is in this case dedicated to the production of energy by a photovoltaic panel 90. It is understood that, if necessary, the cassette 80 can be equipped, temporarily or permanently, with another photovoltaic panel on its face 91, it being understood that the inclination being different, this second photovoltaic panel will have a different yield. Alternatively, the attachment of the cassettes 8, 13, 90 and / or the covering elements 2 to 7 is carried out by a magnetic connection with the support or by another means such as a tenon / mortise system, clips or other. According to one embodiment, the kit comprises several cladding elements and cassettes according to several dimensions, corresponding to three center distances between the rails constituting the support 16, for example center distances of 20 cm, 30 cm and 100 cm, which makes it possible to cover all lengths and heights of walls. It is understood that the number of dressing elements and / or cassettes with a modifiable according to needs.

Claims

Claims

1. Wall cladding kit (1; 10; 12) using photovoltaic panels (9; 90) comprising at least one photovoltaic panel (9; 90), a support (16) of said photovoltaic panel (9; 90), a means for attaching (23, 24) the photovoltaic panel (9; 90) to the support (16), a means for fixing the support (16) to a wall (1; 10; 12), characterized in that the kit comprises at least one covering element (2 to 7; 91) of the wall (1; 10; 12), an element called cassette (8; 80; 13) in which a photo-panel is permanently inserted voltaic (9; 90), each dressing element (2 to 7; 91) or cassette (8; 80; 13) is independent and provided with a means of attachment (23, 24) removable from the covering element (2 to 7; 91) or from the cassette (8; 80; 13) on the support (16) and in that the main plane (P9) of the photovoltaic panel (9; 90) attached to the support (16) is oriented angularly (A) relative to the main plane (P) of the wall (1; 10; 12) on which the support (16) is fixed.

2. Kit according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle of inclination (A) of the photovoltaic panel (9; 90) relative to the wall (1; 10; 12) is fixed.

3. Kit according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle of inclination (A) of the photovoltaic panel (9; 90) relative to the wall (1; 10; 12) is adjustable.

4. Kit according to claim 1, characterized in that the angle of inclination (A) of the photovoltaic panel (9; 90) is between 2° and 15°.

5. Kit according to claim 1, characterized in that the visible face (25) of at least one covering element (2 to 7; 91) can be replaced by a photovoltaic panel (9; 90).

6. Kit according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one element of dressing (2 to 7; 91) can comprise at least one chosen organ among a lighting device, a water jet, a display screen, a speaker.

7. Kit according to claim 1, characterized in that the means attachment (23, 24) of the covering element (2 to 7; 91) and / or of the cassette {8; 80; 13) on the support (16) comprises at least one cutout (23) defining a hook (24) of complementary shape to a leg (17) secured to the support (16).

8. Kit according to claim 7, characterized in that the tab (17) is movable along the support (16).

9.

8. Kit according to claim 1, characterized in that the cassette (80) and the covering element (91) are combined into a single element (80) having a pyramidal shape, one face being provided with the panel photovoltaic (90) and another face of a covering element (91).

10. Kit according to claim 2, characterized in that the angle of inclination (A) fixed photovoltaic panel {9; 90) relative to the wall (1; 10; 12) is defined by edges (21, 22) of non-constant width of the cassette {8; 80; 13) and the dressing element (2 to 7; 91).