Support structure for at least one solar panel

Abstract

A support structure for at least one solar panel, comprising at least one support post (14) equipped with anchoring means (20) in the ground (16), the anchoring means (20) comprising a fastener (30) associated with ground anchors (40), wherein the support post (14) extends beyond the fastener (30), opposite the at least one solar panel, for its penetration into the ground (16). Figure for the abbreviation: Fig. 3

Description

Title of the invention: Support structure for at least one solar panel technical field

[0001] The present exposition relates to the field of load-bearing structures, and more particularly to a support structure for at least one solar panel, for example a photovoltaic or thermal panel. Such a support structure can be used to support one or more solar panels, particularly in soft ground such as natural terrain or a field. Previous technique

[0002] Solar panel support structures may include one or more posts for fixing them to the ground. To anchor the structure to the ground, the lower end of the posts is embedded in a concrete base placed on the ground or buried. However, implementing such a fixing method is cumbersome, time-consuming, and expensive.

[0003] Lighter systems could be considered. For example, utility model DE 20 2020 107 135 U1 provides for each post to be fitted onto a base which is itself placed on the ground and fixed to the ground by means of piles. Such a system is simpler to implement but may prove insufficient in terms of post fixing. Furthermore, the more or less precise positioning of the base determines the accuracy of the post assembly and, consequently, the mechanical strength of the support structure.

[0004] The invention aims at least to partially remedy these drawbacks. Description of the invention

[0005] For this purpose, the present description relates to a support structure for at least one solar panel, comprising at least one support post equipped with means for anchoring in the ground, the anchoring means comprising a fastener associated with anchoring piles to be driven into the ground, in which the support post extends beyond the fastener, opposite the at least one solar panel, for its driving into the ground.

[0006] For the sake of brevity, in this description, and unless otherwise indicated, "a" or "the" support post (or simply post) means "at least one" or "each" post. In other words, the properties described with respect to a post can be applied to any other post in the support structure, if applicable. The same applies to anchor piles, or simply piles.

[0007] The support post may be a single piece or composed of several parts assembled together, the post extending overall between a so-called end su The pole has two ends: one at the top, on the side of the solar panel, and one at the bottom, on the opposite side. At the top end, the pole can support the solar panel(s) by means of any intermediate support and / or suitable fixing.

[0008] The lower end of the post is intended to be driven into the ground. Thus, in the assembled state, the post extends partially below the ground surface and partially above the ground.

[0009] The support structure also includes, for each post, a bracket. Anchoring piles, typically at least two or even three, are driven into the ground to secure the bracket to the ground. The bracket itself is designed to be integral with the post, either as a single unit with the post or as an added component attached to the post.

[0010] The bracket can be designed to be located on the ground or above it, for example, at ground level. Thus, the bracket is situated at an intermediate position relative to the post, between the lower and upper ends. In other words, the support post extends beyond the bracket, not only towards the solar panel (to support said panel at height) but also in the opposite direction, for its insertion into the ground.

[0011] The ground is preferably a ground sufficiently loose to allow the driving of the post and piles, for example a soil of earth, sand or equivalent, as opposed to concrete or tarred ground.

[0012] The proposed support structure is therefore anchored to the ground not only by the anchoring means but also by the post itself. This results in a more robust fixing and, all other things being equal, better resistance of the support structure to mechanical stresses, particularly the effect of wind on the solar panels. Conversely, this improved fixing of the support structure allows, for the same load-bearing capacity, for lighter anchoring means, which is advantageous in terms of implementation and cost.

[0013] Furthermore, the fact that the post is driven into the ground facilitates the mounting of the post in the desired position, which ultimately improves the mechanical strength of the support structure.

[0014] In some embodiments, the bracket comprises a fitting attached to the support post. The fitting can be made from a sheet of metal, for example by cutting, bending, rolling, and / or stamping. In particular, the position of the bracket on the post can be adjusted directly at the installation site. This allows for standardization of the post and the bracket.

[0015] In some embodiments, the fastener comprises two half-fittings. The two half-fittings can be mounted opposite each other, on either side of the post. This allows the post to be encircled without having to slide a part from one end of the post. Assembly is therefore simplified.

[0016] The fitting or the two half-fittings can be provided outside the post, which also facilitates their installation.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the two half-brackets are joined to each other by one or more of the anchor piles. This allows the half-brackets to be joined together without adding any extra parts, and ensures good alignment of the half-brackets and therefore better stability of the support structure.

[0018] In certain embodiments, the support post extends beyond the attachment point, opposite at least one solar panel, for at least 50 centimeters (cm), preferably at least 1 meter (m). This length may correspond to the depth of penetration into the ground. Thanks to these arrangements, the post is securely anchored in the ground.

[0019] In some embodiments, the support post is hollow. This facilitates its insertion into the ground since the amount of material to be displaced during insertion is limited, especially if the lower end of the post is open to the hollow interior. The support post may have a cross-section with an open or closed contour.

[0020] In certain embodiments, the support post is formed by a profile. For the purposes of this description, a profile is an element with a constant cross-section, with the possible exception of the ends. In these embodiments, at least 50%, or even 75%, of the post's length has a constant cross-section, for example, in the middle section of the post. Forming the post from a profile not only facilitates its manufacture but also its installation in the ground.

[0021] In certain embodiments, the anchor piles are inclined relative to the support column, the angle between an anchor pile and the support column preferably measuring at least 15°, preferably at least 20°, and preferably at least 30°. The angle may be the same between the column and all the anchor piles, or may differ from one anchor pile to another. The angle here is a geometric angle, that is to say, expressed between 0° and 90°.

[0022] Because the anchor piles are inclined relative to the support post, the piles provide pull-out resistance (tensile force normal to the ground), while the lateral forces on the support structure are borne by the post embedded in the ground. Embedding the post in the ground thus allows for the separation of resistance to lateral forces from resistance to pull-out, and for the precise dimensioning of the post and anchor piles to achieve the desired strength. This results in improved stability and greater design flexibility.

[0023] An angle greater than 15° already makes it possible to effectively decouple the role of the piles from the role of the post. An even greater angle, for example between 20° and 27° or even greater than 30°, for example between 32° and 38°, further accentuates these advantages. The angle between the pile and the post is preferably less than 70°, or even 60°, to guarantee sufficient penetration of the pile.

[0024] In certain embodiments, the anchoring means include means for locking the anchor piles to the attachment. Thus, after being driven into the ground, the piles can be secured to the attachment. The locking means prevent the piles from being withdrawn from the ground and therefore further improve the stability of the support structure.

[0025] In some embodiments, the end of the support pole opposite the solar panel is tapered. This facilitates driving the pole into the ground.

[0026] This description also relates to a method for mounting a support structure for at least one solar panel. The method comprises driving at least one support post of the support structure into the ground, providing anchoring means for said support post, the anchoring means comprising a fastener associated with anchor piles, and driving said anchor piles into the ground. The method can be implemented with a support structure as described above, and all or part of the previously described characteristics may apply to it.

[0027] The support post can be driven into the ground before, during, or after the anchor piles are driven into the ground. However, driving the post into the ground, at least partially, before the piles makes it easier to control the accuracy of the post's positioning in the ground.

[0028] In certain embodiments, the mounting method includes drilling the bracket and / or the support post to accommodate means for attaching the bracket to the support post. The drilling can be carried out directly on the mounting site, preferably after the support post has been driven into the ground, so that it is done in precisely the right place, taking into account any difficulties encountered during driving the post into the ground on a particular terrain. Mounting is thus simplified, and both the post and its bracket can be manufactured using standard methods, regardless of any local constraints. Brief description of the drawings

[0029] Other features and advantages of the subject matter of this presentation will become apparent from the following description of embodiments, given by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the attached figures.

[0030] Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a support structure according to one embodiment.

[0031] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of anchoring means for a support post according to one embodiment.

[0032] The [Fig.3] is a cross-sectional view along plane III-III of the [Fig.l]. Detailed description

[0033] Figure 1 illustrates in perspective a support structure 10 for at least one solar panel 12 according to one embodiment. The support structure 10 comprises at least one support post 14 (or post 14), in this case a plurality of such posts 14, arranged, for example, in one or more rows. At their upper end, the posts 14 support one or more solar panels 12, typically photovoltaic or thermal panels, by any suitable means that a person skilled in the art could select according to their needs. In one example, the posts 14 support crossbeams to which mounting rails for the solar panels can be attached. As illustrated in Figure 1, the crossbeams or mounting rails can be inclined relative to the ground 16.

[0034] The posts 14 may be identical or different from one another. For example, the posts 14 may be hollow or solid. Alternatively or in addition, each post 14 may be formed by a profile and have a substantially constant cross-section. For example, as illustrated, the posts 14 may be substantially straight. In the present embodiment, the posts 14 may have an open cross-section, for example in the general shape of a C, U, I, or M, but any other open cross-section is conceivable. Furthermore, the cross-section may also be closed, for example in the shape of a polygon (rectangle or other), a circle, or an oval.

[0035] At least some of the support posts 14 are provided with anchoring means 20 in the ground, one embodiment of which is described below with reference to figures 2 and 3.

[0036] In the present embodiment, the anchoring means 20 comprise a fastener 30 associated with anchor piles 40. For better readability, the support post 14 is not shown in [Fig.2], but it can be understood from [Fig.3] that the fastener 30 is configured to fit onto the support post 14, on the outside of the support post 14.

[0037] The fastener 30 is here an added component on the support post 14. The fastener 30 may comprise a fitting in one or more parts, in this case two half-fittings 32. The half-fittings 32 may or may not be in contact with each other. In this case, they are in contact at complementary edges 32a, which facilitates their correct positioning relative to each other. More generally, the two half-fittings 32 can together define a closed contour that surrounds the post 14, by possibly conforming to its shape (here, a rectangular profile open on one side). The two half-fittings 32 can be positioned on either side of the post 14. The two half-fittings 32 can be identical or different from each other.

[0038] The fastener 30, or more precisely each fitting or half-fitting 32, can be made from a cut and folded sheet of metal. In this embodiment, each half-fitting 32 comprises a central portion 34a and two flaps on either side of the central portion 34a, namely a first flap 34b and a second flap 34c. The aforementioned edges 32a are located at the interface between the first flap 34b of one half-fitting 32 and the second flap 34c of the other half-fitting 32. The flaps 34b, 34c are here formed at right angles to the central portion 34a, but any other shape can be considered to suit the shape of the post 14.

[0039] When the fastener 30 is attached to the post 14, it can be fitted with means for fastening to the post. For this purpose, at least one of the half-brackets 32 includes one or more holes 36, for example, to accommodate such fastening means, for example screws or bolts. In this case, the half-bracket 32 ​​includes a plurality of holes 36 arranged in a row, typically two, three, or more holes.

[0040] A plurality of anchor piles 40 are used to anchor the bracket 30 in the ground. In this case, four anchor piles 40 are shown, regularly distributed around the bracket 30, but a different number and / or distribution may be considered. The anchor piles 40 are associated with the bracket 30 so as to be inclined relative to the post 14, typically at an angle of at least 15°, preferably at least 20°, and even more preferably at least 30°, for example approximately 35°.

[0041] The means for connecting the piles 40 to the attachment 30 may include receiving sleeves 38 for said piles 40. If necessary, the sleeves 38 may be formed from the same sheet as the half-fitting 32, and thus be made in one piece with the half-fitting 32. The sleeves 38 may be obtained by rolling. Furthermore, as can be seen from [Fig. 2], the anchoring means 20 may include means for locking the anchor piles 40 relative to the attachment 30, in particular relative to the sleeves 38, in this case screws 38a that pass through both the sleeves 38 and the piles 40.

[0042] Each of the piles 40 can be held by a sleeve 38, or even several sleeves 38, to control its orientation more precisely and distribute the load between the attachment 30 and the pile 40. For example, each pile 40 can be inserted into two separate sleeves 38. In one possibility, the two sleeves 38 receiving a given pile 40 can belong to the same half-bracket 32: this is the case for the sleeves 381 in [Fig. 2]. In another possibility, the two sleeves receiving a given pile 40 can belong to different half-brackets 32: this is the case for the sleeves 382b, 382c in [Fig. 2], of which a first 382b belongs to a first half-iron 32 while the second 382c belongs to a second half-iron 32. The first sleeve 382b can be formed on the first flap 34b of one half-iron 32. The second sleeve 382c can be formed on the second flap 34c of the other half-iron 32. In this case, the anchor pile 40 secures the two half-irons 32 together.

[0043] This configuration can be made reliable by the fact that another pile 40 is received symmetrically in a first sleeve 382b of said other half-fitting 32 and in a second sleeve 382c of said half-fitting 32 (hidden on the [Fig.2]).

[0044] Thus, more generally, the two half-irons 32 can be assembled to each other by one or more of the anchor piles 40.

[0045] As can be seen in [Fig. 3], not only the anchor piles 40 but also the support post 14 are to be driven into the ground 16. Thus, the support post 14 extends beyond the bracket 30, on the opposite side of the solar panels it supports. For example, the support post 14 extends beyond the bracket by at least 50 cm, or even at least 1 m, or even at least 1.5 m or 2 m. The deeper the support post 14 can be driven into the ground, the more the anchoring means 20 can be lightened, as these means transmit to the post 14 the function of resisting lateral forces, caused, for example, by wind blowing on the solar panels. The anchor piles 40, however, still retain a function of resisting pull-out.

[0046] As illustrated in [Fig.3], the post 14 can extend, opposite the solar panel, beyond the anchor piles 40. However, the opposite configuration is also envisaged, in which case the anchor piles 40 extend beyond the post 14. Furthermore, although the anchor piles 40 have been shown here to be of the same length, different lengths can be provided from one pile 40 to another, for example depending on the penetration capacity in the ground 16.

[0047] To facilitate its insertion into the ground 16, particularly but not exclusively when its lower end (i.e., the end opposite the solar panel) is solid, the lower end of the pole 14 may be tapered. For example, this end may be pointed or beveled to better expel material from the ground 16 during insertion.

[0048] The support structure 10 can be installed by driving the support post(s) 14 into the ground and driving the anchor piles 40, associated with the fastener 30, into the ground. The driving of the post 14 can be carried out before, simultaneously with, or after the driving of the piles 40. Any suitable tool can be used for driving, for example, a hydraulic or pneumatic hammer or other striking means.

[0049] According to one embodiment, the post 14 is driven into the ground 16 to the desired depth or less, but sufficient to maintain a stable orientation. Then, the half-fittings 32 are arranged around the post 14 and assembled The posts are joined to each other by the piles 40, which are then driven into the ground. If necessary, the post 14 is then driven further into the ground. Once the post 14 and the piles 40 have been driven to the desired depth, any excess length of the post 14 and / or the piles 40 can optionally be cut off, for example, by sawing. The piles 40 are locked to the bracket 30, typically using screws 38a.

[0050] For attaching the bracket 30 to the support post 14, a hole can be drilled in situ in the bracket 30 and / or the support post 14. In this example, since the bracket already has holes 36, the post 14 is drilled only at the desired location, opposite one of the holes 36, for example, to accommodate fasteners. Alternatively, the post 14 could be pre-drilled, in which case the installer can use the holes in the post 14 that are opposite the holes 36 to insert the fasteners. Alternatively still, the post 14 could be pre-drilled and the bracket 30 could be un-drilled, in which case the bracket 30 is drilled to allow the passage of the fasteners.

[0051] Although the present description refers to specific embodiments, modifications may be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention. For example, although illustrated as an added component on the support post 14, the fastener 30 may be a part of the support post 14, in particular monolithic with the support post 14; in this case, the fastener 30 may be provided at a non-zero distance from the lower end of the post, greater than or equal to the desired embedment depth. More generally, individual features of the various embodiments illustrated or mentioned may be combined in additional embodiments. Therefore, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

Claims

Demands

1. Support structure (10) for at least one solar panel (12), comprising at least one support post (14) provided with means for anchoring (20) in the ground, the means for anchoring (20) comprising a fastener (30) associated with anchoring piles (40) to be driven into the ground (16), wherein the support post (14) extends beyond the fastener (30), opposite the at least one solar panel (12), for its driving into the ground (16).

2. Support structure according to claim 1, wherein the attachment (30) comprises a fitting attached to the support post (14).

3. Support structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fastener (30) comprises two half-fittings (32).

4. Support structure according to claim 3, wherein the two half-fittings (32) are assembled to each other by one or more of the anchor piles (40).

5. Support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the support post (14) extends beyond the attachment, opposite at least one solar panel (12), for at least 50 cm, preferably at least 1 m.

6. Support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the support post (14) is hollow and / or the support post (14) is formed by a profile.

7. Support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the anchor piles (40) are inclined with respect to the support post (14), the angle between an anchor pile (40) and the support post (14) preferably measuring at least 15°, preferably at least 20°, preferably still at least 30°.

8. Support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the anchoring means (20) comprise locking means (38a) of the anchor piles (40) relative to the attachment (30).

9. Support structure according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the end of the support post (14) opposite the solar panel (12) is tapered.

10. Method for mounting a support structure (10) for at least one solar panel (12), the method comprising driving at least one support post (14) of the support structure (10) into the ground, providing anchoring means (20) for said support post (14), the anchoring means (20) comprising a fastener (30) associated with anchor piles (40), and the driving of said anchor piles (40) into the ground.

11. Assembly method according to claim 10, comprising drilling the fastener (30) and / or the support post (14) to accommodate means for fixing the fastener (30) to the support post (14).

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