WEIGHTING TRAY FOR POSITIONING PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS ON THE GROUND.
A modular, lightweight steel tray system with aluminum rails enables easy, flexible, and efficient installation of photovoltaic panels on the ground, addressing the challenge of optimal orientation and inclination without heavy infrastructure.
Patent Information
- Application Number
- FR2023011302
- Authority / Receiving Office
- FR · FR
- Patent Type
- Utility models
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Filing Date
- 2023-10-19
- Publication Date
- 2025-09-19
- Estimated Expiration
- Not applicable · inactive patent
Smart Images
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Abstract
Description
Title of the invention: WEIGHTING TRAY FOR POSITIONING PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS ON THE GROUND.
[0001] The invention relates to a support intended for installing photovoltaic or solar thermal panels on the ground or on flat roofs. There are mainly two types of installation for these panels. The best known is roof installation; it has the disadvantage of not being able to control the orientation and inclination of the panels in an optimal way.
[0002] The second technique consists of placing the panels on the ground; we can then control the full south orientation, but also the optimal inclination depending on the latitude at which we position them.
[0003] The invention therefore proposes to provide a simple, manageable and modular solution without heavy infrastructure, such as concrete, beam or steel, crane or carrying truck for the installation of photovoltaic panels on the ground, and this regardless of the surface and the power of the solar field. With this system of ballast trays, two people are therefore sufficient to install a complete solar field without complexity and specific tools. It is in this above framework that the invention is thus declined: these are trays designed in galvanized steel and assembled by plate with screws, which facilitates transport and installation on site. Each ballast tray is designed with four elements to be assembled. The assembly can be carried out by a single person due to the low weight of each element.
[0004] Once assembled, each tray is topped with 2 aluminum rails to support the photovoltaic panels (2 to 3 panels per tray). Then, several trays are positioned aligned on the same plane according to the number of solar panels to be installed. For example, 3 trays for 7 solar panels of 425 KWp, or approximately 3 KWp of solar power.
[0005] The advantages of this invention lie in the concept of maneuverability, solidity, and its modular aspect; the ballasted trays can in fact be installed according to the topography of the terrain, either small rows of trays or large rows, which allows, depending on the terrain concerned, the installation of a small or large power solar field. When the solar field is positioned, it is sufficient to ballast the trays which support the solar panels with sand, gravel, pebbles, any heavy material stabilizing each tray.
[0006] The existing bins on the market are sometimes tedious and complex to arrange and install or are fragile. My invention consists of designing each ballast bin with 4 handy and robust galvanized elements, rails and screws. The invention will be better understood with the help of the description below given as a non-limiting example in with regard to the drawings which represent schematically. Brief description of the figures:
[0007] [Fig. 1]: An assembled tray topped with 2 rails for the positioning of solar panels (possibility of carrying 2 or 3 panels if positioned in line with other trays)
[0008] [Fig.2]: Detailed plan of the lower support B
[0009] [Fig.3]: Plan of an angle iron placed at each end of support B
[0010] l[Fig.4]]: Detailed plan of element A which is the cover of the assembly and which supports solar panel carrier rails
[0011] [Fig.5]: Detailed plan of element C which is the large element bolted to element B and supporting element A
[0012] [Fig.6]: Detailed plan of element D which is the small element bolted to element B and supporting element A
[0013] Referring to [Fig.l] we can see a tray intended to support photovoltaic panels. This support is placed and weighted on the ground and then constitutes a mass capable of receiving photovoltaic panels.
[0014] It comprises an element B [Fig.2] open in a U positioned on the ground, consisting of a bottom plate B1 and two perpendicular lateral plates B2 and B3 reinforced on their lateral external sides by a fold B' and B”. 2 angles [Fig.3] are positioned respectively at the bottom of the element B at each end to reinforce the bottom of the element B by means of screws.
[0015] This element B will be weighted with a load such as sand, gravel or pebbles to ensure optimal support and anchoring to the ground.
[0016] It also comprises two front and rear plates of different sizes C and D [Fig.5][Fig.6] which are also both in the form of a bottom plate (Cl and Dl) with two side walls (respectively C2, C3 and D2, D3) also reinforced on their lateral sides by an internal fold (respectively C', C”, D', D”). The large element C and the smaller element D are positioned at the ends and inside the support B. They are bolted together by means of 12 bolts: 3 bolts per edge.
[0017] It also includes a plate A [Fig.4] made up in the same way of a U-shaped plate with a bottom Al and two edges A2 and A3 (reinforced on their sides by an external fold A' and A”). This plate A covers the 2 elements C and D. It is bolted to the elements C and D by means of 4 bolts, one bolt positioned on each edge of the edges.
[0018] Once all these steps have been followed, the support is assembled; 2 aluminum rails [Fig.l] are positioned at each horizontal end of plate A, these rails being used to position the solar panels using fixing flanges that slide into the rails. These rails are bolted using screws to plate A. As soon as the solar panels are clamped to the rails and the system is finished being arranged.
[0019] All that remains is to fill the B trays with sand, gravel or other load in order to ballast the entire structure on the ground.
[0020] In the case where one wishes to install 7 solar panels of 425 Wc, i.e. a kit of approximately 3 Kwc, it is necessary to arrange 3 supports with their rail, to position them on the same line, rail end to end connected together by connection connectors.
[0021] Note that elements C and D are designed according to the latitude of the place where the system is positioned; in fact, in our latitudes the inclination of support A is placed at 45 degrees relative to the ground whereas a system installed at the equator is placed almost parallel to the ground, or approximately 5 degrees.
Claims
Claims
1. Ballasted support for positioning photovoltaic panels on the ground, characterized in that it is obtained by mounting on a lower support (B) open in a U-shape consisting of a bottom (Bl) and two perpendicular lateral plates (B2, B3) reinforced on their lateral sides by an external fold (B', B”), two front and rear plates (C, D) bolted respectively to the lower support (B) and which are both also in the form of a bottom plate (Cl, Dl) with two lateral walls (C2, C3, D2, D3) also reinforced on their lateral sides by an internal fold (C', C”, D', D”), a cover element (A) consisting in the same way of a U-shaped plate with a bottom (Al) and two edges (A2, A3) reinforced on their lateral sides by an external fold (A', A”) being arranged on the front and rear plates (C, D) and serving as a support for two aluminum rails which will support the photovoltaic panels.
2. Ballast support according to claim 1 characterized in that an angle iron is arranged on each side at the bottom of the lower support (B) to reinforce the latter.
3. Ballasted support according to claims 1 or 2 characterized in that the front and rear plates have different dimensions, so that the angle (Alpha) of the slope of the photovoltaic panels is variable depending on the geographical location of installation.