An “easy grip” photovoltaic module fixing system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system for fixing photovoltaic modules in compliance with current regulations. The system comprises a hook-and-loop fastener (1), an adhesive (2) and a riser (3). The hook-and-loop fastener (1) consists of a female grip (4) and a male grip (5). The riser (3) intended for flat receiving surfaces (6) is obtained with a foam (7) inserted between a female grip (8) and a male grip (9), all glued or sewn. So that the female grip (4) is glued to the back of the module (10) thus making the module (10) with the grip (4) on the back an indivisible entity (11) ready to be removed. The male grip (5) is glued to the receiving surface (6) thus making it ready to receive the entity (11). The module (10) is fixed by matching the female grip (4) to the male grip (5) so as to form the self-gripping closure (1).The riser (3) is introduced between the female grip (4) glued to the receiving surface (6) and the male grip (5) glued to the back of the module (10) so as to form two self-gripping closures and create an air gap (12) between the receiving surface (6) and the photovoltaic module (10), its role is to absorb the mechanical stresses on the module (10).

Description

Title of the invention: An “easy grip” photovoltaic module fixing system

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for fixing photovoltaic modules to produce solar generators using self-gripping fasteners and glue.

[0002] Photovoltaic modules are subject to several adverse weather conditions. Accordingly, a method of attaching them to a receiving surface must be sufficiently adapted to weathering, freeze-thaw cycles, rain, snow, sleet, hail exposure, wind uplift forces and extreme temperatures, and must have high resistance to exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

[0003] The quality of solar module mounting systems is of paramount importance in the sustainability of a solar installation. There is a wide range on the market suitable for all types of roofing. Some use an aluminum rail system, others are fixed to a support frame connected directly to the supporting structure or via a device for fixing to the roof waterproofing (by heat-welded studs for example). There are also mountings on a support frame independent of the roof. A ballast system ensures stability against wind loads. The mounting of lightweight modules uses different mounting systems than those used for conventional modules with a rigid frame. There are mountings irreversibly connected with adhesive strips, mountings with bolts, screws, hooks and straps to pass through the eyelets of the modules.These systems generally induce modifications to the roofs (perforation), impose additional mechanical constraints, or are more or less difficult to implement.

[0004] The system according to the invention allows photovoltaic modules to be fixed without having to induce any modification to the receiving structure.

[0005] The system according to the invention comprises a self-gripping fastener (1), an adhesive (2) and a riser (3). The self-gripping fastener (1) consists of a strip of textile loops called a female grip (4) and a strip of textile hooks called a male grip (5). When the two grips are pressed against each other, the hooks catch in the loops and the two parts are mechanically linked.

[0006] The system according to the invention consists of fixing, using a suitable glue (2), female grips (Loop) (4) on the back of the photovoltaic module, male grips (Hook) (5) on the receiving surface (6). The modules are fixed on the receiving surface by matching the female grips (4) to the male grips (5) so as to form the hook-and-loop fasteners (1) with each pair of male / female grips.

[0007] According to a variant, the system according to the invention comprises a photovoltaic module (10) composed of a network of solar cells (13). According to this variant, the system according to the invention uses the ADLux7 glue (2), a stable adhesive sealant based on a neutral hybrid polymer with an alkoxylan termination that hardens with air humidity. According to this variant, the system according to the invention uses a VELCRO type hook-and-loop fastener (1). According to this variant, the system according to the invention uses 0.27 m2 of hook-and-loop fastener surface (1) for 1 m2 of module surface for a weight of 3.25 kg / m2. The female grips glued to the back of the module must not extend beyond the edges thereof. According to this variant, the system according to the invention uses 40 mg ± 2% of ADLux7 glue (2) per cm2 of hook-and-loop fastener. The glue (2) is applied either in the form of three beads or spread evenly over the surface receiving it.

[0008] The female grips (4) glued to the back of the photovoltaic module (10) are in a longitudinal position, that is to say along the length of the module (10).

[0009] According to a variant not illustrated, the female grips (4) can be glued in a transverse position, i.e. perpendicular to the length of the module (10).

[0010] The location of the male grips (5) glued to a receiving surface corresponds to the positions of the female grips (4) glued to the back of the photovoltaic modules (10) in order to guarantee the formation of the self-gripping closure (1).

[0011] According to a variant, the system according to the invention consists, in the case of a non-sloping flat receiving surface (6), in introducing a riser (3) with the same self-gripping principle between the two grips, male (5) and female (4). The riser (3) is a wedge placed between a male grip (9) on one side and a female grip (8) on the other. The wedge (7), male grip (9) and female grip (8) assembly form an inseparable subsystem by gluing or sewing. It should be noted that the female grips (4) and (8) and the male grips (5) and (9) are of identical nature.

[0012] The riser (3) is introduced so as to fix its female grip (8) on the male grip (5) of the non-sloping flat receiving surface (6) to form a self-gripping closure (1). The male grip (9) of the riser (3) is ready to receive the female grip (4) glued to the back of the photovoltaic module (10). Once the riser (3) is fixed between the back of the module (10) and the receiving surface (6), an air gap (12) is created, promoting the runoff of rainwater and the cooling of the module.

[0013] [Fig. 1] is an isometric perspective representation of a photovoltaic module fixed on a receiving surface according to the principles of the present invention.

[0014] [Fig.2] is a bottom view of the module with the glue strips.

[0015] [Fig.3] is a bottom view of the module with female grips (Loop) positioned on the glue strips.

[0016] [Fig.4] is a top view of strips of glue deposited on the receiving surface at the location where the module will be fixed.

[0017] [Fig.5] is a top view of male grips positioned on the glue strips.

[0018] [Fig.6] is a top view of an example of a photovoltaic system with a module fixed to a receiving surface according to the principles of the present invention.

[0019] [Fig.7] is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary photovoltaic system with a module attached to a receiving surface in accordance with the principles of the present invention.

[0020] [Fig.8] is a cross-sectional view of an example of a photovoltaic system with a module fixed on a flat receiving surface, with the introduction of a riser and the formation of an air gap.

[0021] With reference to [Fig.l], an example of a photovoltaic module (10) fixed on a receiving surface (6) according to the principles of the present invention. The photovoltaic module (10) comprises an array of solar cells or half-cells (13) connected in series or in parallel ensuring the conversion of the sun's rays into electric current by photovoltaic effect. This current is collected by connection boxes (14) and routed by connection cables (15) to form the solar generator.

[0022] Referring to [Fig.2], a bottom view of the photovoltaic module (10) showing three strips of glue (2) uniformly distributed on the surfaces which will receive the female grips (4).

[0023] Referring to [Fig.3], a bottom view of the photovoltaic module (10) showing three female grips (4) fixed using the glue (2) shown in [Fig.2].

[0024] With reference to [Fig.4], a top view of a receiving surface (6) projecting relative to the surface of a module (10). In this figure, three strips of glue (2) are shown at the locations corresponding to those of the female grips (4) of the entity (11).

[0025] With reference to [Fig.5], a top view of a receiving surface (6) projecting relative to the surface of a module (10). In this figure, three male grips (5) are shown fixed by the glue (2) deposited at the locations corresponding to those of the female grips (4) of the entity (11).

[0026] Referring to [Fig.6], a top view of an example of a module (10) fixed on an overhanging receiving surface. In dotted lines, the self-gripping closures (1) below the module (10).

[0027] Referring to [Fig.7], a cross-sectional view of an example of a module (10) fixed on an overhanging receiving surface (6). The figure illustrates the formation of the self-gripping closure (1) in the fixing system according to the invention.

[0028] Referring to [Fig.8], a cross-sectional view of an example of a module (10) fixed to a projecting flat receiving surface (6) by introducing the riser (3). The figure illustrates the formation of two self-gripping closures (1) and an air gap (12) in the fixing system according to the invention. This air gap is a direct consequence of the introduction of the riser.

[0029]

Claims

1. Claims A system for fixing photovoltaic modules characterized in that it comprises a self-gripping closure (1), an adhesive (2) and a riser (3). The self-gripping closure (1) consists of a female grip (4) and a male grip (5). The riser (3) intended for flat, non-sloping receiving surfaces (6) is obtained with a wedge (7) inserted between a female grip (8) and a male grip (9), the whole being glued or sewn or glued and sewn; so that the female grip (4) is glued to the back of the module (10) thus making the module (10) with the grip (4) on the back an indivisible entity (11) ready to be removed. The male grip (5) is glued to the receiving surface (6) thus making it ready to receive the entity (11). The module (10) is fixed by matching the female grip (4) to the male grip (5) so as to form the self-gripping closure (1).The extension is introduced between the female grip (4) glued to the receiving surface (6) and the male grip (5) glued to the back of the module (10) so as to form two self-gripping closures and create an air gap (12) between the receiving surface (6) and the photovoltaic module (10), characterized in that: • a) The female grip (4) is a soft and durable textile loop strip, suitable for outdoor applications with high weather resistance and resistance to aging in demanding environments. • b) The male grip (5) is a strip of textile hooks suitable for outdoor applications with high weather resistance and resistance to aging in demanding environments. • c) The riser (3) is a wedge inserted between a male grip (9) on one side and a female grip (8) on the other, the assembly is glued or sewn or glued and sewn. The riser is installed in the case of flat, non-sloping receiving surfaces (6) by fixing the female grip (8) of the riser on the male grip (5) glued on the receiving surface (6) to form a first self-gripping closure, and then fixing the female grip (4) glued to the back of the module (10) on the male grip (9) of the riser to form a second self-gripping closure.

2. A photovoltaic module fixing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the female grip (4) is fixed to the back of the module (10) using an adhesive (2). The product obtained, module with a female grip (4) on the back forms an inseparable entity (11) ready to be fixed on the male grip (5).

3. A photovoltaic module fixing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the male grip (5) is fixed to the receiving surface (6) using an adhesive (2). The receiving surface (6) thus modified by the fixed male grip (4) is ready to receive the entity (11) formed by the module (10) and the female grip (4) fixed to its back.

4. A photovoltaic module fixing system according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the entity (11) formed by the module (10) and the female grip (4) fixed to its back, is fixed on the receiving surface (6) modified by the male grip (5) glued to its back, by depositing the female grip (4) on the male grip (5), to form the self-gripping closure (1).

5. A photovoltaic module fixing system according to the preceding claims, characterized in that the system is intended for any fixing of photovoltaic modules using self-gripping fasteners and glue.

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