Ballasted structure for solar panels.

Abstract

The invention relates to a versatile solar energy harvesting system and installation, i.e., one that can be installed, in particular, on flat roofs without fixing or gluing and without heavy lifting equipment. According to the invention, each system comprises two rigid-frame solar panels and two cylindrical support elements, each having: - an elongated hollow body (210) intended to receive 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 fixing the solar panels, so that the solar panels are supported on the ground (S) by the end caps. Fig. 1.

Description

Title of the invention: Ballasted structure for solar panels.

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

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

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

[0004] US patent 9780719 describes a mesh network of rigid, small-section bars designed to be attached to supports that are themselves fixed to the roof by adhesive or fasteners inserted into the roof. Ballast blocks are provided but are indicated simply as optional. The bars of the mesh network are designed to receive panels that are attached to them on all four sides. This assembly is complex and time-consuming to install, as the bars must first be joined together to form the network, then attached to the supports, and finally the panels attached to the bars. US patent 8558101 presents other examples of some 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. Furthermore, the use of mechanical fasteners that pierce 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 adhesives or mechanical fasteners that could compromise the watertightness of the roof surface, some solar panel support structures are designed to be held in place simply by their own weight. For example, US patent 2018 / 0159464 shows solar panels attached to concrete rails that also serve as guide rails for cleaning robots. These rails are very heavy and require heavy lifting equipment. They are therefore not suitable for rooftop installation.

[0007] Solar panel support structures designed to be simply held in place by means of ballast blocks are also known. Examples include For example, patent documents US7921843 and US9249925 present examples of solar panel support structures designed to be fixed in place using concrete ballast blocks. However, the support structure in document US7921843 consists of open metal profiles attached to the solar panels along their entire length. Similarly, the support structure in document US9249925 consists of open metal cradles, with two cradles attached to each side of a solar panel and designed to receive concrete ballast blocks.

[0008] Both of these structures involve significant material costs, given either the profile length or the number of cradles required, as well as substantial costs for the transport, handling, and installation of a large number of concrete blocks. Furthermore, these solutions are not versatile, as they are unsuitable for rooftop use 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 solar panel support structures, shaped like a tank, are designed with thick walls to be filled with loose material such as sand, water, gravel, or soil. US patent documents 6105316 and 20120031469A1 show examples of plastic tank-type support structures. However, these types of plastic support structures require a large amount of raw material and are therefore heavy and expensive to produce. Furthermore, their one-piece structure requires complex handling, either by several people or with the aid of lifting equipment.

[0010] To overcome the main limitations of these prior art solutions, the present invention comprises a support structure based on the combination of a hollow, elongated, thin-walled structure, or body, and a pair of support elements arranged at the ends of the body, for mechanically assembling a pair of solar panels. The unique mechanical design of this new support structure allows for a significant reduction in weight and the amount 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 mounted without heavy lifting tools and easily installed by one or more installers and then loaded with ballast such as balloons or bags filled with water or loose materials such as sand, gravel, soil or solid ballast blocks.

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

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide a compact support structure and modular, devoid of long rail-type support elements to facilitate the installation of solar systems on large flat roofs which often include multiple flat surfaces or surfaces with different angles of inclination and to facilitate the placement of solar panels around areas unusable due to the presence of obstacles (such as air vents, skylights, air conditioning units...).

[0014] To this end, an object of the invention is to provide a solar energy harvesting system comprising a support structure, intended to be placed and not fixed to the ground, and two rigid-frame solar panels having a length and a width, wherein the support structure comprises two cylindrical elements, each having: - an elongated hollow body extending along a longitudinal direction, designed to receive ballast and - two end caps of the hollow body, each end cap comprising a rigid vertical wall, in the position of use, capable of supporting the weight of the solar panels, and a portion for fixing 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 borne solely by the end caps, allowing for a lightweight, elongated hollow body with thin metal or plastic walls, that is, walls of sufficient thickness to contain the ballast material and maintain the spacing between the end caps. The system according to the invention therefore lacks an intermediate support structure between the solar panels and the hollow cylindrical elements. According to the invention, 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 among several adjacent hollow cylindrical elements of the installation).Finally, the single fixing 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 through triangulation of the panels between each other and between the hollow cylindrical elements.

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

[0017] According to particular embodiments: - the rigid wall and the fixing portion of at least one of the end caps can be supported by a single rigid piece 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 equipped with means 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; - with reference to the position of use, the end cap can be made up of two separate parts: • a first support piece comprising the vertical rigid wall, at least two locking tabs coplanar to the rigid wall and intended to be inserted inside additional slots provided in the wall of the hollow body, and at least two locking tabs coplanar to the rigid wall and extending upwards, intended to be inserted inside additional slots provided in a second added piece for fixing the solar panels, • the second solar panel fixing piece being constituted by a fixing bracket equipped with means for fixing to the frame of the solar panel(s), the fixing bracket being intended to be arranged, in the position of use, above the locking tabs of the first piece, so as to secure the solar panel(s) resting on the rigid wall of the first piece; - the hollow body elongated in a longitudinal direction may have a length between 50% and 90%, preferably between 65% and 85%, advantageously 70%, of the length of the solar panels; - each solar panel can be attached to the end caps of a separate cylindrical element, the two solar panels being attached to each other by an added fastening means; - each solar panel can 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 to the first edge; - each solar panel can 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 fastening portion of each end cap may include a first and a second fastening means for the frame of two separate solar panels, a first solar panel being fixed to the first fastening means for the end caps of a first cylindrical element by a first edge, and to the second fastening means for the end caps of a second cylindrical element by a second edge opposite to the first edge, the second solar panel being fixed to the first fastening means for the end caps of the second cylindrical element by a first edge and fixed to the second fastening means for the end caps of a cylindrical element of a second adjacent solar energy harvesting system; - solar panels can be photovoltaic panels, thermal panels, hybrid photovoltaic / thermal panels, or a mixture of these; - 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 include 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 to 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 can be fixed, in the position of use, between a second edge of each solar panel, opposite to the first edge, so as to form a rigid triangle delimited by the two solar panels and the stiffening means; - two solar panels being each 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 may be fixed, in the operating position, 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, dimensioned to withstand tensile forces between two solar panels or between a solar panel and the cylindrical element that supports said solar panel.

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

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

[0020] [Fig. 1], a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of a solar energy recovery 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] [Fig.2], an exploded schematic side view of the system of the [Fig.1];

[0022] [Fig.3], a schematic perspective view of a recovery installation solar energy comprising four solar energy recovery systems according to the invention of [Fig.1] equipped with eight solar panels, as well as four end-side solar panels.

[0023] [Fig.4], 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] [Fig.5], a schematic exploded perspective view of the cylindrical support element of the [Fig.4];

[0025] [Fig.6], a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of a thin-walled cylindrical support element with polygonal cross-section according to a first variant in several parts;

[0026] [Fig.7], a schematic exploded perspective view of the cylindrical element of the [Fig.6] and its ballast;

[0027] [Fig.8], a schematic perspective view of a second variant of a thin-walled cylindrical support element with a cylindrical cross-section according to the invention, the body of which is in one piece and includes an opening on its upper side;

[0028] [Fig.9], a schematic side view of a cylindrical support element according to [Fig.6] or [Fig.8], supporting a pair of solar panels, as well as a detailed exploded enlarged schematic view of a fixing of the pair of solar panels to the thin-walled cylindrical support element of the assembly;

[0029] [Fig. 10], 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] [Fig. 11], a schematic front view of the solar energy recovery installation of the [Fig. 10];

[0031] [Fig. 12], a schematic perspective view of a third embodiment of a thin-walled cylindrical support element with a cylindrical cross-section according to a first variant whose body is in several pieces and fitted with a top cover;

[0032] [Fig. 13], a schematic exploded perspective view of the cylindrical element of the [Fig.12];

[0033] [Fig. 14], a schematic perspective view of a cylindrical support element thin wall with cylindrical cross-section according to a second variant of the third embodiment, the body of which is in one piece and fitted with a top cover;

[0034] [Fig. 15], a schematic exploded perspective view of the cylindrical element of the [Fig.14];

[0035] [Fig. 16], a schematic perspective view of a recovery installation solar energy 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 a high position and, on the other hand, to a second cylindrical support element in a low position;

[0036] [Fig. 17], a schematic side view of the energy recovery installation solar of the [Fig. 16];

[0037] [Fig. 18], a schematic front view of a third system embodiment solar energy recovery system according to the invention, in which a single solar panel is fixed inclined by a central portion to the end caps of a cylindrical element and extends on either side of the cylindrical element in its length, the two solar panels of the system being rigidly fixed in line with each other;

[0038] [Fig.19], a schematic side view of the system of the [Fig.18];

[0039] [Fig.20], a schematic perspective view of a recovery installation solar energy comprising two solar energy recovery systems according to the third embodiment of the invention in Figures 18 and 19.

[0040] The invention essentially provides a set of weighted cylindrical structures to support a solar panel array which minimizes the use of materials, simplifies on-site assembly, has an optimized wind profile design reducing the mass of ballast weight required, tolerates variations in surface inclination and allows for optimized installation arrangements around obstructed areas in order to improve the competitiveness of solar power plants on a ground S (flat roof or other surface).

[0041] In what follows, the same reference numbers will preferably be used to designate identical or similar elements.

[0042] Figures 1 and 2 show respectively a perspective view and an exploded side view of a first embodiment of a solar energy recovery system 1000 according to the invention, comprising two hollow cylindrical support elements 200, 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".

[0043] In the first embodiment of the solar energy recovery 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 to the first edge 101.

[0044] The solar energy recovery 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 caps 220 of the hollow body.

[0045] Generally, each end cover 220 includes a vertical rigid wall 221, in the position of use, 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.

[0046] The rigid wall 221 and the fixing portion 222 of the end caps can be supported either by a single rigid piece constituting the end cap, as in Figures 6 to 9, or by two separate pieces as in Figures 1 to 5 and 14 to 15. In this case, a first support piece includes the vertical rigid wall, in the position of use, and capable of supporting the weight of the solar panels, and a second fixing piece attached to the support piece and provided with the means for fixing to the frame of the solar panel(s), so as to secure the solar panel(s) supported on the rigid wall of the first piece.

[0047] In Figures 1 and 2, each solar panel 100a-100b is fixed by a first side 101, by means of four mounting clips 110, to the end caps 220 of the cylindrical support elements 200, and on their opposite edge 102 to a pair of inter-row connection supports 300. Each inter-row connection support 300 includes two mounting points 301 and 302 which are used to mechanically interconnect several systems 1000 in series in order to form a larger network ([Fig.3]) constituting a solar energy harvesting installation.

[0048] In the case of solar systems installed on a roof, flexible rubber pads 310 can 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 watertight.

[0049] 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 west.

[0050] At the ends of the network, that is to say where a 100c solar panel is fixed only by an edge 101 to a cylindrical support element 200, each pair of inter-row connecting supports 300 can be interconnected with a pair of stiffening means 400.

[0051] In other words, when two solar panels 100a-100c are fixed by a first edge 101 to the end caps 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 lOOc-lOOa opposite to 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 [Fig.2]).

[0052] In this embodiment as in the others concerned and described thereafter, the stiffening means is advantageously a thin section mechanical element, such as a bar, a chain or a cable, dimensioned to withstand tensile forces between two solar panels or between a solar panel and the cylindrical element which carries said solar panel.

[0053] 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.

[0054] This stiffening element 400 is unnecessary for the systems located at the core 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 by the inter-row connection supports 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.

[0055] [Fig.3] shows a perspective view of a solar energy recovery installation according to the invention comprising two rows RI and R2 and two columns Cl and C2 of solar energy recovery systems 1000 of [Fig.1].

[0056] This installation therefore comprises four solar energy recovery systems 1000 equipped with eight solar panels 100a-100b (in grey in the figure), six hollow cylindrical elements 200 (two of which are common to two adjacent systems), as well as four end-side solar panels 100c (in white in the figure).

[0057] For sites exposed to strong winds or for building roofs with limited weight-bearing capacity, the north and south edges of the support structure assemblies 1000 can be fitted with wind deflectors 500 (hatched in the figure) in order to reduce wind uplift forces and thus the weight of ballast needed to prevent the 1000 systems from being blown away by the wind.

[0058] 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, which is intended to receive ballast. This hollow body, as such, does not support the solar panels 100a-100b-100c, and therefore can have thin walls. This reduces the overall weight, as well as the cost due to material savings.

[0059] In the illustrated embodiment, the hollow body 210a has a circular section and forms a tube, but it can have any other cross-sectional shape and, in particular, polygonal as in figures 6 to 8 and 12 to 15.

[0060] According to the invention, the elongated hollow body 210a is closed at its two ends by end caps 220.

[0061] In this embodiment, the end caps 220 comprise two separate parts.

[0062] 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.

[0063] A second part 222 is here constituted by a clamping collar equipped with means 230 for fixing 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 flange 221b which provides counter-pressure which prevents the hollow body from being crushed by tightening and secures the solar panel(s) 100a-100b-100c in support against the rigid wall 221a of the first part 221.

[0064] 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 adjacent, unjoined longitudinal 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 can be manufactured using a thin, flexible composite material. By thin material, we mean a material having a thickness less than or equal to 2 mm, or preferably on the order of a millimeter.

[0065] Figures 6 and 7 are schematic perspective views of a second embodiment of a thin-walled cylindrical support element 200b with a cross-section po- lygonal according to a first variant in several parts.

[0066] In this embodiment of the invention, the thin-walled hollow tube 210b comprises a pair of sheets that are bent into two half-tubes 211 and 212 having several sections of flat segments. 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 may be round. A pair of end fittings 250 is connected to the two 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 caps 250 are equipped with quick-locking means 251 (here tabs) which are designed to snap into corresponding locking means 211a-212a (here notches) which are provided near the end edges of the half-tubes 211 and 212.Alternatively, the 250 end caps can be attached to the 211 and 212 half-tubes using standard mechanical fasteners such as screws or rivets.

[0067] The end caps 250 are here in one piece, comprising a vertical rigid wall 252 with a peripheral rim carrying fastening means 230 for attaching to the frame of the solar panel(s). As in the previous embodiment, the fastening means are positioned on the upper side of the caps 250. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastening means 230 are metal inserts designed to receive mounting clips for the rigid frame of the solar panels 100a-100b.

[0068] In this preferred embodiment, the mounting clips 110 and the metal inserts of the mounting points 230 ensure electrical ground continuity between the two solar panels 100a-100b which are attached to the cylindrical support element 200.

[0069] 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.

[0070] In an advantageous embodiment, a central opening 254 may be provided in the end caps 250 so as 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.

[0071] In a preferred embodiment, the 250 tips are made of plastic and manufactured by injection molding. In another embodiment, the 250 end caps can be made of metal, for example, cast aluminum.

[0072] In a preferred embodiment, the tips 250 include a wide lower foot 253 to increase the contact area with the ground S. The soft rubber pads (illustrated by reference numeral 310 in [Fig. 1]) may not be included. necessary to protect the waterproof layer of the roof when the 250 end caps are fitted with this wide 253 lower foot.

[0073] The [Fig.8] is a schematic perspective view of a second variant of a cylindrical support element 200c, the body 210c of which is in a single tubular piece 211c.

[0074] This figure also illustrates the possibility of providing an opening 215 on its upper side. This opening can also be provided in the other embodiments described in this text.

[0075] This opening 215 can be used to fill (or empty) the hollow cavity 214 of the thin-walled hollow tube 210c either directly with loose material such as sand, gravel or soil, or with a flexible bag itself filled with loose material or a liquid.

[0076] In another embodiment of the invention, the end caps 250a may have specific features to integrate the means for fixing the frame of the solar panels directly onto the end caps 250a of the cylindrical support elements 200, as illustrated in the associated detailed exploded view.

[0077] In this embodiment of the invention, the returns 103 of the side frames of the solar panels 100a-100b are directly attached to the end caps 250a by inserting them into retaining grooves 255 formed in the end caps 250a. Once a pair of solar panels 100a-100b is mounted on the end caps 250a of the cylindrical support element 200, a pair of locking clips 120 is then inserted between the two solar panels to complete the assembly. The locking clips 120 prevent the two solar panels 100a-100b from moving parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal direction 201 by holding their side frames 103 in the grooves 255.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the locking clips 120 include grounding means 121 to ensure continuous grounding between the two side frames 103 of the solar panels 100a-100b. These grounding means 121 may include a pair of sharp metal teeth that can penetrate the oxide of the metal frames of the solar panels 103.

[0079] Figures 10 and 11 show a variant of the solar energy harvesting installation of the first embodiment of system 1000 illustrated in Figures 1 to 3. In this variant, the solar panels lOOa-lOOb of system 1001 located between the hollow cylindrical elements 200-200' are arranged "in a mountain configuration". In other words, the second edge 102 for attaching the solar panels to each other is arranged above the hollow cylindrical elements 200-200', that is, above the first edge 101 for attaching the solar panels to their cylindrical support element. 200-200' respectively.

[0080] 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 supports 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 supports 300c.

[0081] At the edges of the installation, it is desirable to stiffen the solar panels of system 1001 at the edge of the installation. Those located in the center of the installation are naturally stiffened between each other.

[0082] In this case, either the end cap fixing portion further includes a specific fixing means for a stiffening means 401, or the latter is fixed to the lower fixing supports 300c with the solar panels.

[0083] 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'.

[0084] The embodiments of the cylindrical support elements 200a-200b-200c previously described can be applied to this implementation illustrated in figures 10 and 11.

[0085] Figures 12 and 13 illustrate a third embodiment of cylindrical support elements 200d applicable to the implementation illustrated in Figures 10 and 11.

[0086] In this embodiment, the cylindrical support element 200d comprises a body 210d in several parts and advantageously provided with a top cover 216. According to 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.

[0087] More specifically, in this embodiment, the end cap 260 is made up of two separate parts.

[0088] 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:

[0089] - the vertical rigid wall 261a,

[0090] - at least two locking tabs 261b coplanar to the rigid wall 261a and intended to be inserted inside additional slots 21 Id provided in the wall of the hollow body parts 210d, and

[0091] - at least two locking tabs 261c coplanar to the rigid wall 261a and extending upwards, intended to be inserted inside slots 262a complete comments provided in a second part 262 for fixing the solar panels 100a-100b-100c, and optionally inside additional slots provided in the wall of the hollow body parts opposite the slots.

[0092] The second fixing piece 262 of the solar panels is advantageously constituted by a fixing bracket provided with slots 262a to be immobilized horizontally above the first piece 261.

[0093] Advantageously, the rider 262 also includes vertical portions 262b provided with slots 262c complementary to locking tabs 26Id carried by the first piece 261, coplanar to the rigid wall 261a and extending laterally to be immobilized vertically above the first piece 261.

[0094] According to the invention, the rider is also provided with the means for fixing 230 to the frame of the solar panel(s) 100a-100b-100c.

[0095] Thus, in the position of use, the fixing bracket is intended to be arranged above the locking tabs 261c and, advantageously 26Id, of the first part 261, so as to secure the solar panel(s) 100a-100b-100c in support on the rigid wall 261a of the first part 261.

[0096] The shape of the first part 261 is chosen to ensure the fixing of the solar panels 100a-100b-100c with a determined East and West angle.

[0097] The parts of the hollow body are advantageously metal sheets folded into two half-tubes having several sections of flat segments.

[0098] In one embodiment of the invention, an optional top cover 216 can be added to close the top face of the assembly. Thus, the internal volume of the hollow body 210d can be easily filled with a material from its top opening and then closed with this optional top cover 216.

[0099] Thus, in this embodiment, the end caps 260 are equipped with several quick-locking tabs 261b-261c-261d which are designed to snap into corresponding slots 21 Id carried by the walls of the half-tubes.

[0100] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the fastening means 230 carried by the second part 262 include slots designed to secure the solar panels using a pair of quick-release mounting clips. Alternatively, the solar panels can be attached to the second part 262 using standard clamps and / or metal screws.

[0101] Figures 14 and 15 present an alternative embodiment of the previous embodiment.

[0102] This alternative of a cylindrical support element 200e differs from the cylindrical support element 200d only in 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 covers 260 are similar to those in figures 12 and 13.

[0103] Figures 16 and 17 illustrate a solar energy recovery installation comprising several solar energy recovery systems according to a second embodiment of systems.

[0104] In this second embodiment of the 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.

[0105] As in 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 operating position, capable of supporting the weight of the solar panels, and a mounting portion 272 for the frame of the solar panels 2100a-2100b-2100c.

[0106] More specifically, in this second embodiment, the fastening portion 272 of each end cap comprises two fastening 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 fastening means 272a, and on the other hand to the end caps 270 of the second cylindrical element 2200b by a second edge 2102 opposite to the first edge 2101, via the second fastening means 272b.Similarly, the second solar panel 2100b is fixed to the end caps 270 of the second cylindrical element 2200b by a first edge 2101 via the first fixing means 272a and fixed to the end caps 270 of a cylindrical element 2200c of a second adjacent solar energy harvesting system according to the invention (the cylindrical element 2200b is here common to the two adjacent solar energy harvesting systems according to the invention).

[0107] As with the first embodiment, the system structure proposed for the invention allows a solar panel 2100c to be provided at the edge of the installation, fixed on 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.

[0108] The cylindrical elements 2200a-2200b-2200c can be aligned along an East-West direction to support solar panels inclined towards the South (or towards the North in the Southern Hemisphere). [Fig. 16] shows a perspective view of this configuration with an energy harvesting installation solar comprising three rows of systems according to the invention.

[0109] Figures 18 to 20 illustrate schematic views of a third embodiment of a solar energy recovery system according to the invention.

[0110] In this third embodiment of the system, a single solar panel is fixed at an angle, by a central portion of the panel, i.e., by two opposite edges across the width of the panel frame, to the end caps of a cylindrical element extending in a longitudinal direction 3201. The solar panel thus extends on either side of the cylindrical element along its length. The assembly of two panels, each fixed to a cylindrical element, constitutes a third embodiment of the system according to the invention, the two solar panels of the system being rigidly fixed in line with each other.

[0111] 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 fastening means 300d-300e. The solar panels 3100 are also fixed to each other, via a splice-type fastening means 300f, 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.

[0112] In this embodiment, the cylindrical elements 3200, their hollow body and their end caps can be chosen from the examples previously described and illustrated in the accompanying figures. They will not be described in further detail.

[0113] However, in this third embodiment of a solar energy harvesting system of the invention, each cylindrical element 3200 is arranged perpendicularly to the solar panel it supports. One of the end caps therefore includes a fastening means 300e equipped with an extension 381, so as to ensure an inclination of the panel. This extension is illustrated in [Fig. 19].

[0114] 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).

[0115] This specific configuration creates a mechanically stable assembly, because the pivoting of each structure along the longitudinal axis of their cylindrical element is prevented by the mechanical link between the panels and the spacing of the cylindrical elements 3200.

[0116] Figure 20 shows an illustration of an installation comprising two systems of solar energy recovery according to the third embodiment of the invention.

[0117] 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 between 50% and 90% of the length of the solar panels.

[0118] 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.

[0119] Preferably, this length is between 65% and 85%, and is advantageously 70% of the length of the solar panels which presents the best compromise weight / stability.

[0120] 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 has the best compromise weight / stability in this embodiment.

[0121] The invention has been described with reference to various specific and preferred embodiments and manufacturing methods. However, it should be understood that variations and modifications may be made while remaining within the spirit and scope of the invention.

[0122] The present invention shall not be limited by disclosed embodiments, including those shown in the drawings or illustrated in the specifications, which are given by way of example or illustration and not by way of limitation. What is important is that the structure of the cylindrical elements allows both solid support for the panels by the end caps and the retention and protection of ballast, which may be made of a soft material and not solely of a solid material, by a lightweight structure (the hollow body). Furthermore, while each system may appear unstable due to its low weight, the installation resulting from the fastening of several systems together is extremely solid and stable thanks to the triangulation of the fasteners.

Claims

Demands

1. A solar energy harvesting system (1000, 2000, 3000) comprising a support structure, intended to be placed and not fixed to the ground (S), and two rigid-frame solar panels (100a-100b-100d, 2100a-2100b-2100d, 3100) having a length (L) and a width (1), 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 the along a longitudinal direction (201, 3201), intended to receive a ballast (240) and - two end caps (220, 250, 250a, 260, 270, 380) of the hollow body, each end cap comprising a rigid vertical wall (221, 252, 261), in the operating position, capable of supporting the weight of the solar panels, and a fixing portion (222, 230, 255, 262) for the frame of at least one of the solar panels,so that the solar panel(s) are attached to the cylindrical elements solely by the end caps and are supported on the ground (S) by the end caps.

2. Solar energy recovery system (1000, 2000, 3000) according to claim 1, wherein the rigid wall (252) and the fixing portion (230) of at least one of the end caps are carried by a single rigid piece constituting the end cap (250).

3. Solar energy recovery system (1000, 2000, 3000) according to claim 1, wherein the end cap (220) is made up of two separate parts: • a first part (221) comprising the rigid wall (221a) and a support flange (221b) perpendicular to the rigid wall, the support flange being intended to be inserted inside and against the hollow body (210a), in the operating position, and • a second part consisting of a clamping collar (222) provided with means for fixing (230) to the frame of the solar panel(s), the clamping collar being intended to be arranged, in the operating position, around the hollow body and tightened against the hollow body above the support flange, so as to secure the solar panel(s) in support against the rigid wall of the first part.

4. Solar energy recovery system (1000, 2000, 3000) according to the Claim 1, wherein, with reference to the operating position, the end cap (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 into complementary slots (21d) 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 into complementary slots (261b) provided in a second solar panel mounting part, • the second solar panel mounting part being constituted by a mounting bracket (262) provided with means (230) for attaching it to the frame of the solar panel(s), the mounting bracket being intended to be arranged, in the operating position, above the locking tabs (261c) of the first piece,in order to secure the solar panel(s) resting on the rigid wall (261a) of the first part.

5. Solar energy harvesting system (1000, 2000) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the hollow body elongated in a longitudinal direction has a length between 50% and 90%, preferably between 65% and 85%, advantageously 70%, of the length of the solar panels.

6. Solar energy harvesting system (3000) according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each solar panel (3100) is attached to the end caps (380) of a separate cylindrical element (3200), the two solar panels (3100) being attached to each other by an added fastening means (300f).

7. Solar energy harvesting system (1000) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each solar panel (100a-100b) is fixed by a first edge (101) to the end caps of a separate cylindrical element, the solar panels being fixed to each other by a second edge (102) opposite the first edge.

8. 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 element 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 elements. lindriques.

9. A solar energy harvesting system (2000) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the fastening portion of each end cap comprises a first (272a) and a second (272b) fastening means for the frame of two separate solar panels (2100a-2100b-2100c), a first solar panel (2100a) being attached to the first fastening means (272a) of the end caps (270) of a first cylindrical element (2200a) by a first edge (2101), and to the second fastening 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 fastening means (272a) of the end caps of the second cylindrical element (2200b) by a first edge and fixed to the second fastening means (272b) of the end caps of a cylindrical element (2200c) of a second adjacent solar energy harvesting system (2000).

10. 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.

11. 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 a fixing means (272c) for a stiffening means (402) intended to be fixed, in the position of use, between said fixing means (272c) on the end cap and a second edge (2101) of the solar panel opposite to the first edge (2102), so as to form a rigid triangle delimited by the solar panel, the stiffening means and a rigid end cap.

12. A 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 operating position, between a second edge (102) of each solar panel, opposite the first edge (101), in order to form a rigid triangle delimited by the two solar panels (100a-100c) and the stiffening means (400).

13. Solar energy harvesting system (1001) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein, two solar panels (lOOa-lOOb) 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 operating position, between the first edge (101) of each solar panel (lOOa-lOOb), so as to form a rigid triangle delimited by the two solar panels (lOOa-lOOb) and the stiffening means (401).

14. Solar energy recovery system according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the stiffening means is a thin section mechanical element, such as a bar, chain or cable, dimensioned to withstand tensile forces between two solar panels or between a solar panel and the cylindrical element that carries said solar panel.

15. 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 mounted in series and / or in parallel.

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