Electricity production unit

Abstract

The invention relates to an electricity production assembly comprising substantially vertical support means (1), and at least one photovoltaic module (10) fixed on these support means. (Fig. 1)

Description

Title of the invention: Electricity production unit

[0001] The present patent application relates to the field of electricity production using photovoltaic panels.

[0002] It is known to fix photovoltaic panels on the roofs of buildings, in order to capture solar energy and produce electricity which can be used locally and / or sent to the electricity distribution networks.

[0003] However, fixing these panels on roofs is complex: it requires the installation of support structures on the roofs.

[0004] Furthermore, since the installation of these panels is carried out at height, it is necessary to provide specific means of access to the roofs when installing the panels, and subsequently to ensure their maintenance.

[0005] These specific means of access may include ladders, cradles, and in any case require work to be carried out at height, which poses safety problems for the people responsible for the assembly and maintenance of these installations.

[0006] The present invention aims in particular to remedy these drawbacks.

[0007] This aim is achieved, as well as other advantages which will become apparent upon reading the following description, with an electricity production assembly comprising at least one substantially vertical support, and at least one photovoltaic module fixed to this support.

[0008] Thanks to the verticality of the support, a whole new range of possibilities for installing photovoltaic panels elsewhere than on sloping roofs is offered by the present invention.

[0009] This invention goes against the prejudice according to which it was thought until now that it was essential to provide a significant inclination of the photovoltaic panels with respect to the vertical to make solar electricity production projects economically viable.

[0010] In the work of developing the present invention, the inventors realized that certain photovoltaic panels available on the market offered such performances that it could be relevant to install them in a substantially vertical position, given the numerous advantages that such a position offers elsewhere.

[0011] Among these advantages, the vertical position of the photovoltaic panels is compatible with their installation on supports that are very easily accessible for assembly and maintenance, such as fences or building facades.

[0012] Other important advantages are provided by the vertical position of the panels. photovoltaic, and in particular better resistance to hail due to the reduction in the angle of incidence, as well as a better capacity to absorb light reflected by surfaces, particularly light surfaces (building facades, snow for example) located near the panels.

[0013] According to other optional features of the present invention, taken alone or in combination:

[0014] - said support means comprise at least one closing element: the invention in fact makes it possible to use fences as a new means of producing solar-generated electrical energy, which is extremely advantageous given the available linearity;

[0015] - said fencing element comprises a grid, and said support means com take a support plate for said photovoltaic module fixed on said grid: such a grid forms a particularly convenient support for the installation of the photovoltaic module, given the openwork structure that it originally presents;

[0016] - said support plate comprises claws for suspension to said grid, and means for spacing said support plate relative to said grid: these claws and these spacing means make it possible to fit grids comprising reliefs, as well as to constitute a sort of box inside which the electrical cables and electronic elements such as the inverter connected to the photovoltaic module can be arranged;

[0017] - said support plate is a sheet metal, and said claws and said means spacing includes returns formed by folding said sheet: this arrangement makes it possible to form in one piece the support plate and its means of suspension and spacing relative to the grid;

[0018] - said assembly comprises at least one locking plate sandwiching said grid with said support plate, connected to the returns of said support plate by anti-theft nuts and bolts: this arrangement makes it possible to secure the fixing of the support plate, the photovoltaic module and the electrical equipment against theft;

[0019] - said support plate comprises orifices and a return forming a chute in its lower part, allowing the passage and routing of the cables of said photovoltaic module: this arrangement makes it possible to simply ensure the maintenance of the electrical cables supplied by the photovoltaic module;

[0020] - said assembly comprises at least one inverter arranged in the space located between said grid and said support plate;

[0021] - which said enclosure element comprises a solid wall, and a photo module voltaic fixed on this wall: this arrangement constitutes another embodiment of the invention, in which there is no support plate interposed between the wall full of the fence and the photovoltaic module;

[0022] - said support means comprise at least a part of a facade of a building: this arrangement constitutes another embodiment of the invention, in which the facade of a building is used to fix the photovoltaic modules.

[0023] - said photovoltaic module comprises at least one flexible photovoltaic panel and attached by gluing or mechanical fixing to said support means: the use of such a flexible photovoltaic panel makes it possible to obtain a particularly compact and easy-to-implement assembly.

[0024] The present invention also relates to a kit for producing an assembly in accordance with the above, comprising said support plate on which said photovoltaic module is fixed, said at least one locking plate, said anti-theft bolts and nuts, said cables and said inverter.

[0025] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate:

[0026] [Fig-1]: a perspective view of a grid fence element, of an assembly according to the invention,

[0027] [Fig.2]: a perspective view of the other face of the element of [Fig.l],

[0028] [Fig.3]: an exploded perspective view of the parts attached to the grid of the closing element of figures 1 and 2,

[0029] [Fig.4]: a perspective view of a solid fence element of another mode of production of an assembly according to the invention, before installation of the photovoltaic module,

[0030] [Fig.5]: a perspective view of the element of [Fig.4], after installation of the photovoltaic modules,

[0031] [Fig.6]: a perspective view of another embodiment of an assembly according to the invention, in which the photovoltaic modules are fixed to a building facade,

[0032] [Fig.7]: a perspective view of the photovoltaic module fixing area on the facade,

[0033] [Fig.8]: an exploded perspective view of one of the module fixing members photovoltaic panels on the facade.

[0034] For clarity, identical or similar elements are identified by identical or similar reference signs throughout the figures.

[0035] The vertical direction is indicated by the Z axis in the figures.

[0036] We now refer to Figures 1 and 2, in which an element has been shown of fence 1 comprising a vertical post 3, and a grid 5 formed of wires which can be made for example of thermo-lacquered galvanized steel.

[0037] The wires forming the grid can define folds 7 distributed at regular intervals along the vertical Z direction of the grid, so as to give it rigidity.

[0038] As seen in [Fig.l], on the face of the grid 5 from which the folds 7 formed by the wires protrude, a support plate 9 is fixed.

[0039] This support plate 9 can be made using a thermo-lacquered galvanized steel sheet.

[0040] A photovoltaic module 10 is fixed on the outer face of this support plate 9.

[0041] Preferably, this photovoltaic module 10 comprises one or more flexible photovoltaic panels attached by gluing to the support plate 9.

[0042] Alternatively, these photovoltaic panels can be fixed by riveting to the support plate 9.

[0043] Such flexible photovoltaic panels are commercially available, and can be supplied for example by the company METSOLAR which designates these panels as “polymer modules”.

[0044] The sheet metal support plate 9 has in its upper part suspension claws 11a, 11b, 11e, allowing this plate 9 to be suspended from the upper part of the grid 5 of the fence element 1.

[0045] The sheet metal support plate 9 also comprises, on its lateral parts, that is to say along its vertical edges, returns 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d formed by folding the sheet metal, making it possible to maintain this plate 9 at a distance from the grid 5 substantially equal to that by which the folds 7 protrude from the general plane of the grid 5.

[0046] In its lower part, the sheet metal support plate 9 has a return forming a chute 15, allowing the electrical cables (not shown) coming from the photovoltaic module to be received.

[0047] The electrical cables pass through orifices 17a, 17b, 17c formed in the lower part of the support plate 9, and arranged opposite respective connection members 19a, 19b, 19c formed in the lower part of the photovoltaic module 10.

[0048] At least one inverter 21 can be placed in the space between the grid 5 of the fence element 1 and the support plate 9.

[0049] On the other side of the grid 5 with respect to the support plate 9, at least one, and preferably two locking plates 23a, 23b are provided, which can also be formed from thermo-lacquered galvanized sheet metal.

[0050] These locking plates 23a, 23b are each provided with bores capable of receiving bolts 25 cooperating with crimped nuts formed in the lateral returns 13a, 13b, 13c, 13d of the support plate 9.

[0051] As can be seen in particular in [Fig.2], when these locking plates 23a, 23b are in place, they sandwich the grid 5 of the closing element with the support plate 9.

[0052] By using anti-theft bolts 25, it is possible to secure the support plate 9 and the photovoltaic module 10 on the grid 5 of the fence element 1.

[0053] Once the photovoltaic module 10 has been fixed to the fence element 1 as shown in Figures 1 and 2, the electrical cables coming from the photovoltaic module 10 of this element 1 can be connected to those of the following element, and thus gradually constitute a fence making it possible to generate significant electrical power - typically of the order of 350 W per fence element - under the effect of sunlight.

[0054] In the embodiment shown in Figures 4 and 5, the fencing element 1 comprises a solid wall 27, formed for example from thermo-lacquered galvanized sheet metal, supported by two posts 3a, 3b to which it is fixed by flanges and brackets.

[0055] One or more flexible photovoltaic panels, forming a photovoltaic module 10, are attached by gluing or by riveting to the solid wall 27.

[0056] In the embodiment shown in Figures 6 to 8, the photovoltaic modules 10a, 10b,... comprise flexible panels fixed to walls 27a, 27b... formed for example from thermo-lacquered galvanized sheet metal, themselves fixed to at least one building facade 31 by means of plates 33 and flanges 35.

[0057] Preferably, the flanges 35 are held on the plates 33 with anti-theft bolts 37.

[0058] As will be understood from the above, the present invention provides a novel arrangement of photovoltaic panels in a substantially vertical position, which makes it possible to use supports which until now were considered incompatible with the production of electrical energy of solar origin.

[0059] This use in a substantially vertical position allows the photovoltaic panels to be installed on easily accessible sites, and makes their maintenance easy.

[0060] This substantially vertical position also makes it possible to reduce the exposure of the photovoltaic panels to impacts, particularly hail, and allows better capture of light energy coming from the reflection of sunlight on surrounding elements such as the light facades of buildings located near the photovoltaic panels.

[0061] Naturally, the invention is described in the above by way of example. It is understood that a person skilled in the art is able to carry out different variant embodiments of the invention without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims

Claims

1. Electricity production assembly comprising substantially vertical support means (1; 31), and at least one photovoltaic module (10; 10a, 10b) fixed on these support means (1; 31).

2. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said support means comprise at least one enclosure element (1).

3. An assembly according to claim 2, wherein said enclosure element (1) comprises a grid (5), and said support means comprise a support plate (9) for said photovoltaic module (10) fixed on said grid (5).

4. An assembly according to claim 3, wherein said support plate (9) comprises claws (11a, 11b, 11e) for suspension to said grid (5), and spacing means (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d) of said support plate (9) relative to said grid (5).

5. An assembly according to claim 4, wherein said support plate (9) is a sheet metal, and said claws (11a, 11b, 11e) and said spacing means (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d) comprise returns formed by bending said sheet metal.

6. An assembly according to claim 5, comprising at least one locking plate (23a, 23b) sandwiching said grid (5) with said support plate (9), connected to the returns (13a, 13b, 13c, 13d) of said support plate (9) by anti-theft nuts and bolts (25).

7. Assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 6, wherein said support plate (9) comprises orifices (17a, 17b, 17c) and a return forming a chute (15) in its lower part, allowing the passage and routing of the cables of said photovoltaic module (10).

8. An assembly according to any one of claims 4 to 6, comprising at least one inverter (21) arranged in the space between said grid (5) and said support plate (9).

9. Assembly according to claim 2, in which said enclosure element (1) comprises a solid wall (27), and a photovoltaic module (10) fixed on this wall (27).

10. An assembly according to claim 1, wherein said support means comprise at least a portion of a facade (31) of a building.

11. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said photovoltaic module (10; 10a, 10b) comprises at least a flexible photovoltaic panel attached by gluing or mechanical fixing to said support means.

12. Kit for producing an assembly according to claims 6, 7 and 8, comprising said support plate (9) on which said photovoltaic module (10) is fixed, said at least one locking plate (23a, 23b), said anti-theft bolts (25) and nuts, said cables and said inverter (21).

Images