Support device for photovoltaic panel

Abstract

The invention relates to a support device (1) for a photovoltaic panel (8) comprising a first support plate (2) and a second support plate (2), the second lateral edge (5) of the first support plate (2) being assembled with the first lateral edge (4) of the second support plate (2), in which each support plate (2) comprises a central recess (9), at least one first lateral positioning pad (12), at least one second lateral positioning pad (13), and at least one upper positioning pad (14), in which said lateral positioning pads, and said upper positioning pad (14) are configured to form support points of a frame (18) of the photovoltaic panel (8), in which the support device (1) comprises two fixing flanges (20, 21) and each support plate (2) comprises a flange support (19), each fixing flange (20,21) being fixed to one of the flange supports of the support plates. Figure for abstract: 1,

Description

Title of the invention: Support device for photovoltaic panel Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to a support device for a photovoltaic panel, allowing a waterproof, simple and quick installation of the panel to a roof frame. Technological background

[0002] Support plates for photovoltaic panels are known from FR3018406.

[0003] This support plate is suitable for fixing to a roof frame and is intended to receive a photovoltaic panel. The support plate thus allows the fixing and integration of this panel on a building roof.

[0004] The plate comprises watertight vertical overlapping means, watertight lateral interlocking means, plate fixing points, and a recess for the passage of cables and access to the roof frame.

[0005] Although this type of plate allows easy installation of a photovoltaic panel, these plates have dimensions similar to photovoltaic panels and are therefore subject to significant mechanical constraints and significant thermal expansion constraints. Indeed, the plates of FR3018406 are made in particular of polypropylene which has a coefficient of thermal expansion of between 100 and 130 106 K1.

[0006] Furthermore, this type of plate is only suitable for installing photovoltaic panels in portrait orientation. Summary of the invention

[0007] One idea behind the invention is to limit the stresses experienced by the support plates.

[0008] Another idea underlying the invention is to design a support device allowing the installation of photovoltaic panels in landscape orientation.

[0009] According to one embodiment, the invention provides a support device for a photovoltaic panel, in which the support device comprises a first support plate and a second support plate identical to the first support plate, each support plate comprises a main body, a first lateral edge, a second lateral edge, an upper edge and a lower edge, the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge projecting from the main body in a depth direction and extending in a longitudinal direction of the plate, the upper edge and the lower edge extending in a transverse direction of the plate, the upper edge and the lower edge extending in a transverse direction of the plate, the upper edge and the lower edge extending in a transverse direction of the plate, the lower edge and the upper ... plate, the second lateral edge of the first support plate being assembled with the first lateral edge of the second support plate, the assembly of the first support plate and the second support plate forming a receiving surface for a photovoltaic panel, the receiving surface having a length in the transverse direction of the plate and a width in the longitudinal direction of the plate, wherein each support plate comprises a central recess, at least one first lateral positioning pad located between the first lateral edge and the central recess, at least one second lateral positioning pad located between the second lateral edge and the central recess, at least one upper positioning pad located between the upper edge and the central recess, wherein said at least one first lateral positioning pad, said at least one second lateral positioning pad and said at least one upper positioning pad protrude from the main body in the depth direction and are configured to form support points of a frame of the photovoltaic panel, wherein the support device comprises two fixing flanges and each support plate comprises a flange support, the flange support protruding from the main body in the depth direction and being located between the central recess and the upper edge, each fixing flange being fixed to one of the flange supports of the support plates, and each fixing flange being intended to hold the photovoltaic panel in position in the depth direction.

[0010] Thanks to these characteristics, the support device allows, by assembling two plates for the same photovoltaic panel, to better distribute the forces and manage the deformations linked to thermal contraction. In addition, the arrangement of the different positioning pads allows the photovoltaic panel to be easily arranged in landscape orientation. Finally, the arrangement of the flange supports on the support plates allows for two holding points along the length of the photovoltaic panel and thus improves the wind resistance of the assembly, in particular against tearing. The projecting position of the flange supports ensures the sealing of the support device, even after fixing the fixing flanges.

[0011] According to embodiments, such a device may comprise one or more of the following characteristics.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the plate longitudinal direction is perpendicular to the plate transverse direction. The depth direction is perpendicular to the plate longitudinal direction and to the plate transverse direction.

[0013] According to one embodiment, each support plate comprises two upper positioning pads located on either side of the flange support.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the flange support is located in the middle of the support plate in the plate transverse direction.

[0015] According to one embodiment, each support plate comprises guide rails projecting from the main body in the depth direction and extending in a direction having a non-zero angle with the transverse direction of the plate, for example an angle between 20 and 70°, so as to direct the rainwater towards the lateral edges, the guide rails being located between the central recess and the upper edge.

[0016] According to one embodiment, the dimension in the depth direction of the flange support is equal to or less than the dimension in the depth direction of the upper positioning pad.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the upper positioning pad comprises a first pad portion and a second pad portion connected to the first pad portion, the second pad portion projecting in the depth direction of the first pad portion, the first pad portion being located between the upper edge and the second pad portion, the second pad portion being configured to form an upper stop for the frame of the photovoltaic panel.

[0018] Thus, the upper positioning pad has a dual function, namely positioning the frame of the photovoltaic panel in the upper part as well as forming an upper stop for said frame.

[0019] According to one embodiment, the upper positioning pad comprises a third pad portion connected to the second pad portion such that the second pad portion is located between the first pad portion and the third pad portion, the third pad portion comprising an imprint, a drilling mark and / or a pre-drilling to indicate the location of a drilling.

[0020] According to one embodiment, the third portion of the pad has a dimension in the depth direction less than the dimension of the second portion of the pad.

[0021] Thus, the positioning of the third portion of the pad downstream of the second portion as well as the dimension of the third portion of the pad make it possible to ensure good sealing of the support plate.

[0022] According to one embodiment, the first lateral edge comprises a first central edge portion, the dimension in the depth direction of the at least one first lateral positioning pad being less than the dimension in the depth direction of the first central edge portion of the first lateral edge, the first central edge portion of the first lateral edge being configured to form a lateral stop for the frame of the photovoltaic panel.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the first lateral edge comprises a first lower edge portion and a first upper edge portion, the first central edge portion being located between the first lower edge portion and the first upper edge portion, the dimension in the depth direction of the first lower edge portion being less than the dimension in the depth direction of the first central edge portion and the dimension in the depth direction of the first upper edge portion being less than the dimension in the depth direction of the first central edge portion.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the dimension in the depth direction of the at least one first lateral positioning pad being greater than the dimension in the depth direction of the first lower edge portion of the first lateral edge.

[0025] According to one embodiment, the dimension in the depth direction of the at least one first lateral positioning pad being greater than the dimension in the depth direction of the first upper edge portion of the first lateral edge.

[0026] According to one embodiment, the second lateral edge comprises a second central edge portion, the dimension in the depth direction of the at least one second lateral positioning pad being less than the dimension in the depth direction of the second central edge portion of the second lateral edge, the second central edge portion of the second lateral edge being configured to form a lateral stop for the frame of the photovoltaic panel.

[0027] According to one embodiment, the second lateral edge comprises a second lower edge portion and a second upper edge portion, the second central edge portion being located between the second lower edge portion and the second upper edge portion, the dimension in the depth direction of the second lower edge portion being less than the dimension in the depth direction of the second central edge portion and the dimension in the depth direction of the second upper edge portion being less than the dimension in the depth direction of the second central edge portion.

[0028] According to one embodiment, the dimension in the depth direction of the at least one second lateral positioning pad being greater than or equal to the dimension in the depth direction of the second lower edge portion of the second lateral edge.

[0029] According to one embodiment, the dimension in the depth direction of the at least one second lateral positioning pad being greater than or equal, preferably equal, to the dimension in the depth direction of the second upper edge portion of the second lateral edge.

[0030] Thus, the first lateral edge and / or the second lateral edge have a dual function, namely lateral interlocking between two adjacent support plates in the transverse direction as well as lateral stop for the frame of the photovoltaic panel. Indeed, the central edge portion serves as a lateral stop while the lower and upper edge portions do not hinder the parts of the frame extending in the transverse direction from being arranged on the interface between the two plates.

[0031] According to one embodiment, each support plate comprises a row of first lateral positioning pads, the first lateral positioning pads being spaced in the longitudinal direction of the plate and distributed regularly along the first lateral edge.

[0032] According to one embodiment, each support plate comprises a row of second lateral positioning pads, the second lateral positioning pads being spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the plate and distributed regularly along the second lateral edge.

[0033] According to one embodiment, the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge each have an inverted U-shaped section, the first lateral edge having a shape complementary to the second lateral edge so that the first lateral edge of the second support plate is housed in the second lateral edge of the first support plate.

[0034] According to one embodiment, each support plate comprises a rim projecting from the main body in the depth direction, the rim being arranged all around the central recess.

[0035] Thus, the rim prevents rainwater from entering through the central recess and thus guarantees the good sealing of the support plate.

[0036] According to one embodiment, the upper edge has upper corrugations extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the plate and the lower edge has lower corrugations extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of the plate, the lower corrugations of the lower edge having a complementary shape with the upper corrugations of the upper edge so that during an overlap in the longitudinal direction of the plate between an upper edge of one support plate and a lower edge of another support plate, the upper corrugations of the upper edge of the other support plate are accommodated in the lower corrugations of the lower edge of the support plate.

[0037] Thus, the corrugations help to stiffen the upper and lower edges of the support plate.

[0038] According to one embodiment, the lower edge of the support plates comprises a high corrugation projecting from the main body in the depth direction. and located in alignment with the flange support in the plate longitudinal direction, the flange support having a fixing portion to which the fixing flange is fixed and an overlap portion extending in the longitudinal direction between the fixing portion and the upper edge, the overlap portion having a shape complementary to the high corrugation of the lower edge so that during an overlap in the plate longitudinal direction between an upper edge of one support plate and a lower edge of another support plate, the overlap portion is at least partly accommodated in the high corrugation.

[0039] According to one embodiment, the dimension in the depth direction of the fixing portion is equal to the dimension in the depth direction of the first stud portion.

[0040] According to one embodiment, the dimension in the depth direction of the fixing portion is greater than the dimension in the depth direction of the overlapping portion.

[0041] According to one embodiment, each support plate comprises a fixing stud projecting from the main body and located in the longitudinal direction of the plate between the lower edge and the central recess, the fixing stud being intended to be crossed by a fixing element making it possible to fix the support plate to a roof.

[0042] According to one embodiment, each support plate comprises a graduation located between the upper positioning pad and the upper edge, the graduation being configured to serve as a reference for adjusting the overlap in the longitudinal direction of the plate between two support plates.

[0043] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a support device assembly comprising a first aforementioned support device and a second aforementioned support device, the lower edges of the support plates of the first support device being arranged on the upper edges of the support plates of the second support device so as to form an overlapping area.

[0044] According to one embodiment, the invention also provides a photovoltaic assembly comprising a aforementioned support device and a photovoltaic panel, in which the photovoltaic panel is received in the receiving space of the support device and being held in position in the depth direction using the fixing flanges. Brief description of the figures

[0045] The invention will be better understood, and other objects, details, characteristics and advantages thereof will appear more clearly during the following description. of several particular embodiments of the invention, given solely for illustrative and non-limiting purposes, with reference to the appended drawings.

[0046] [Fig.l] represents a perspective view of a support plate according to one embodiment.

[0047] [Fig.2] represents a top view of two support devices assembled according to one embodiment.

[0048] [Fig.3] is a partial sectional view of a support plate along section plane III-III of [Fig.2].

[0049] [Fig.4] is a partial sectional view of two photovoltaic assemblies at the level of the assembly between the first lateral edge and the second lateral edge, according to one embodiment.

[0050] [Fig.5] is a top view of a plurality of photovoltaic assemblies attached to a roof.

[0051] [Fig.6] shows a perspective view of a single fixing flange and a double fixing flange according to one embodiment.

[0052] [Fig.7] represents a sectional view of a photovoltaic assembly at the level of a simple stirrup according to section plane VILVII of [Fig.6].

[0053] [Fig.8] represents a sectional view of two photovoltaic assemblies at the level of a double bracket according to section plane VIII-VIII of [Fig.6]. Description of the embodiments

[0054] A support device 1 for a photovoltaic panel will be described below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 8, which is intended to be placed on a roof frame to replace tiles to allow the photovoltaic panels to be installed in an integrated manner.

[0055] The support device 1 comprises a first support plate 2 and a second support plate 2 identical to the first support plate 2.

[0056] Such a support plate 1 is notably represented in [Fig.l] while two support devices 2 are notably represented in [Fig.2].

[0057] As illustrated in [Fig.l], the support plate 2 comprises a main body 3, a first lateral edge 4, a second lateral edge 5, an upper edge 6 and a lower edge 7.

[0058] The first lateral edge 4 and the second lateral edge 5 project from the main body 3 in a depth and outward direction and extend in a plate longitudinal direction L.

[0059] The upper edge 6 and the lower edge 7 extend in a transverse plate direction T which is substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal plate direction L, so that the support plate 2 has a generally rectangular shape.

[0060] To form a support device 1, two support plates 2 are arranged side by side in the transverse direction of plate T. The second lateral edge 5 of the first support plate 2 is thus assembled with the first lateral edge 4 of the second support plate 2, as shown in [Fig.2].

[0061] The assembly of the first support plate 2 and the second support plate 2 of the same support device 1 thus forms a receiving surface for a photovoltaic panel 8. The receiving surface thus makes it possible to accommodate a photovoltaic panel in landscape orientation, with a larger dimension in the transverse direction of plate T and a smaller dimension in the longitudinal direction of plate L.

[0062] To achieve this transverse assembly of the support plates 2, the lateral edges 4, 5 each have an inverted U-shaped section. The first lateral edge 4 also has a shape complementary to the second lateral edge 5.

[0063] Indeed, as can be seen in particular in Figures 3 and 4, the dimension in the transverse direction of the plate T, called the transverse dimension, of the first lateral edge 4 is smaller than the transverse dimension of the second lateral edge 5. Similarly, the dimension in the depth direction E, called the thickness, of the first lateral edge 4 is smaller than the depth of the second lateral edge 5. Thus, the first lateral edge 4 of the second support plate 2 is housed in the second lateral edge 5 of the first support plate 2, as can be seen in [Fig.4],

[0064] The support plates 2 also comprise a central recess 9 for the passage of the various equipment of the photovoltaic panel as well as the evacuation of air, as shown in [Fig.l]. This central recess 9 has on its periphery cable glands 10 which are arranged at regular intervals as shown in [Fig.l]. In addition, the support plates comprise a rim 11 which projects from the main body 3 in the depth direction and towards the outside. The rim 11 is arranged around the entire periphery of the central recess 9 so as to prevent rainwater from infiltrating the roof.

[0065] Additionally, the support plates 2 comprise: - first lateral positioning studs 12 located between the first lateral edge 4 and the central recess 9, - second lateral positioning studs 13 located between the second lateral edge 5 and the central recess 9, and - upper positioning studs 14 located between the upper edge 6 and the central recess 9.

[0066] The first lateral positioning pads 12, the second lateral positioning pads and the upper positioning pads protrude from the body main in the depth direction and outwards and are configured to form support points for the frame 18 of the photovoltaic panel 8.

[0067] In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the support plate 2 comprises two upper positioning pads 14 spaced from each other in the transverse direction of the plate T and arranged symmetrically on either side of the support plate 2. Each upper positioning pad 14 is composed of three portions arranged from the upper edge towards the central recess 9, namely: a first pad portion 15, a second pad portion 16 and a third pad portion 17.

[0068] The first portion of stud 15 has the function of positioning an edge of the frame 18 of the photovoltaic panel 8. The second portion of stud 16 has a depth greater than the first portion of stud 15 and the third portion of stud 17, and has the function of serving as an upper stop for the photovoltaic panel so as to block the translation of the photovoltaic panel in the longitudinal direction of plate L and towards the lower edge 7. The third portion of stud 17 has a marking or a pre-perforation 36 intended to be crossed by a fixing element to fix the support plate 2 to the roof.

[0069] In this embodiment, the first lateral positioning pads 12 are arranged in the form of a row extending in the longitudinal direction of plate L, the first lateral positioning pads 12 being spaced from each other regularly along the first lateral edge 4.

[0070] Similarly, the second lateral positioning pads 13 are arranged in the form of a row extending in the longitudinal direction of plate L, the second lateral positioning pads 13 being spaced from each other regularly along the second lateral edge 5.

[0071] [Fig. 3] shows in schematic section the lateral edges 4, 5 as well as the lateral positioning pads 12, 13. [Fig. 4] also shows in schematic section the assembly of the two support plates 2 of two adjacent support devices 1 in the transverse direction of plate T at the lateral edges 4, 5, as well as the placement of the frame 18 of the photovoltaic panel 8 on the lateral positioning pads 12, 13.

[0072] As can be seen in these figures 3 and 4, one edge of the frame 8 rests on the lateral positioning pads 12, 13. In addition, the assembly of the lateral edges 4, 5, and in particular the second lateral edge 5, between two support devices 1 provides a lateral stop for the frame 18 of the photovoltaic panel 8.

[0073] Indeed, the first lateral edge 4 comprises a first lower edge portion 42, a first upper edge portion 43, and a first central edge portion 41 being located between the first lower edge portion 42 and the first upper edge portion 43. The second lateral edge 5 comprises a second lower edge portion 52, a second upper edge portion 53, and a second central edge portion 51 being located between the second lower edge portion 52 and the second upper edge portion 53. The depth of the first lateral positioning studs 12 and the second lateral positioning studs 13 is less than the depth of the second central edge portion 51 of the second lateral edge 5. Thus, when the frame 18 rests on the first lateral positioning studs 12 or the second lateral positioning studs 13, as visible in [Fig. 4], it is blocked in translation in the transverse direction of plate T by the second lateral edge 5.

[0074] Furthermore, advantageously, the depth of the first lateral positioning pads 12 and the second lateral positioning pads 13 is less than the depth of the first central edge portion 41 of the first lateral edge 4 as well. Advantageously and for reasons of stability of the photovoltaic panel 8, the depth of the first lateral positioning pads 12 is equal to the depth of the second lateral positioning pads 13.

[0075] The first lateral edge 4 and the second lateral edge 5 have variations in depth in the longitudinal direction of the plate L so that the central edge portions 41, 51 are raised relative to the lower edge portions 42, 52 and the upper edge portions 43, 53. Indeed, unlike the second central edge portion 51, the second lower edge portion 52 and the second upper edge portion 53 each have a depth equal to the depth of the first lateral positioning studs 12 and the second lateral positioning studs 13 so that in the lower part and in the upper part of the plate of the supports, the portions of the frame 18 which extend in the transverse direction of the plate T are not hindered by the lateral edges 4, 5 to pass the junction between two support plates 2 of the same support device 1.

[0076] For the same reasons, the first lower edge portion 42 and the second upper edge portion 43 each have a depth strictly less than the depth of the first lateral positioning studs 12 and the second lateral positioning studs 13.

[0077] As shown in [Fig.l], the support plate 2 has a flange support 19 projecting from the main body 3 in the depth direction and outwardly. The flange support 19 is located between the central recess 9 and the upper edge 6. In addition, in this embodiment, the flange support 19 is located between the two upper positioning pads 14 and is arranged in the plate longitudinal direction L between the second pad portion 16 and the upper edge 6.

[0078] The support device 1 also comprises two fixing flanges 20, which are illustrated in particular in [Fig.6].

[0079] The fixing flange 20, 21 comprises a flange body 22 crossed by a fixing element 23 which is intended to pass through the flange support 19 and to be anchored in a beam 24 of the roof. During roof mounting, the flange body 22 is placed so that a lower surface is placed on the flange support 19. The fixing flange 20, 21 has two models illustrated in [Fig. 6], the single fixing flange 20 and the double fixing flange 21.

[0080] [Fig. 5] illustrates a plurality of photovoltaic panels 8 which are each fixed to a support device 1 using in particular single fixing flanges 20 and double fixing flanges 21, the support devices 1 themselves being integrated into a roof 26 of a building. The photovoltaic panels 8 are thus fixed in landscape orientation on their largest side by the fixing flanges 20, 21, thus improving wind resistance.

[0081] The simple fixing flange 20 has one or more retaining wings 25 projecting from the flange body 22 in the longitudinal direction of plate L and arranged on a single side of the flange body 22.

[0082] [Fig.7] shows the simple fixing flange 20 fixed to the roof and passing through the flange support 19 of a support plate 2. As seen in this figure, the retaining wings 25 of the simple fixing flange 20 are arranged on an edge of the upper surface of the photovoltaic panel 8, so that the photovoltaic panel 8 is gripped between the retaining wings 25 and the support plate 2 in the depth direction. The simple fixing flange 20 thus plays a role of holding in position and of stopping in the depth direction for a photovoltaic panel 8.

[0083] As shown in [Fig.6], the double fixing flange 21, for its part, has several retaining wings 25 projecting from the flange body 22 in the longitudinal direction of plate L and arranged on either side of the flange body 22.

[0084] [Fig. 8] shows the double fixing flange 21 fixed to the roof and passing through the flange support 19 of a support plate 2. As can be seen in this figure, the retaining wings 25 of the double fixing flange 21 are arranged both on an edge of the upper surface of a first photovoltaic panel 8 and on an edge of the upper surface of a second photovoltaic panel 8 adjacent to the first photovoltaic panel 8 in the plate longitudinal direction L, so that the photovoltaic panels 8 are gripped between the retaining wings 25 and the support plates 2 in the depth direction. The double fixing flange 20 thus plays a role of holding in position and of abutment in the depth direction for two photovoltaic panels 8.

[0085] The upper edge 6 comprises upper corrugations 27 extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of plate L and the lower edge 7 comprise lower corrugations 28 extending parallel to each other in the longitudinal direction of plate L, as visible in Figures 1 and 2.

[0086] The lower corrugations 28 of the lower edge 7 have a complementary shape with the upper corrugations 27 of the upper edge 6 so that during an overlap in the longitudinal direction of plate L between an upper edge 6 of a support plate 2 and a lower edge 7 of another adjacent support plate 2, the upper corrugations 27 of the upper edge 6 of the other support plate 2 are housed in the lower corrugations 27 of the lower edge 7 of the support plate 2.

[0087] The lower edge 7 of the support plates 2 also has a high corrugation 29 projecting from the main body 2 in the depth direction and located in alignment with the flange support 19 in the plate longitudinal direction L. The high corrugation 29 has a greater depth than the lower corrugations 28.

[0088] The flange support 19 comprises a fixing portion 30 on which the fixing flange 20, 21 is fixed and an overlap portion 31 extending in the longitudinal direction between the fixing portion 30 and the upper edge 6. The overlap portion 31 has a shape complementary to the high corrugation 29 of the lower edge 7. Indeed, during an overlap in the longitudinal direction of plate L between an upper edge 6 of a support plate 2 and a lower edge 7 of another support plate 2 located above in the longitudinal direction of plate L, the overlap portion is at least partly housed in the high corrugation 29 as visible in [Fig.2]. The flange support 19 therefore has a function of supporting the fixing flange 20, 21 with its fixing portion 30 and a function of assisting with overlapping in the longitudinal direction of plate L with its overlap portion 31.

[0089] Advantageously, as visible in the embodiment of [Fig.l], the support plate 2 comprises guide rails 32 projecting from the main body 3 in the depth direction and extending in a direction having a non-zero angle with the transverse direction of the plate T. The guide rails 32 are located between the central recess 9 and the upper edge 6 in the longitudinal direction of the plate L so as to direct the rainwater coming from the upper edge 6 towards the lateral edges 4, 5. In the example shown, the guide rails 32 have an angle of approximately 45° with the transverse direction of the plate T. The guide rails 32 further have a first group located mainly between the first lateral edge 4 and a middle of the plate in the transverse direction of the plate T and a second group located mainly between the second lateral edge 5 and a middle of the plate in the transverse direction of the plate T.The guide rails 32 of the first group thus present . a first end and a second end further from the first lateral edge 4, the second end being located above in the longitudinal direction of plate L the first end. The guide rails 32 of the second group thus have a first end and a second end further from the second lateral edge 5, the second end being located above in the longitudinal direction of plate L the first end.

[0090] Advantageously, as shown in [Fig.l], the support plate 2 comprises a fixing stud 33 projecting from the main body 3 and located in the longitudinal direction of the plate L between the lower edge 7 and the central recess 9. The fixing stud is intended to be crossed by a fixing element making it possible to fix the support plate 2 to a roof in the lower part.

[0091] Advantageously, the support plate 2 comprises graduations 34, 35 located between the upper positioning stud 14 and the upper edge 6. The graduations 34, 35 allow an operator to locate and adjust the overlap in the longitudinal direction of the plate L between two support plates 2.

[0092] As visible in [Fig.l], the graduations are notably produced in the form of a graduated measuring scale 34 for example, which is engraved, printed or molded on an extension of the lateral edges 4, 5 of the support plate 2.

[0093] The graduations can also be produced by markings 35 representing the dimensions of the photovoltaic panel 8 to be installed, these markings being located on the main body 3 between the upper positioning pad 14 and the upper edge 6.

[0094] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is quite obvious that it is in no way limited thereto and that it includes all the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

[0095] The use of the verb “comprise”, “comprise” or “include” and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those set out in a claim.

[0096] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

Claims

1. Claims Support device (1) for a photovoltaic panel (8), wherein the support device (1) comprises a first support plate (2) and a second support plate (2) identical to the first support plate (2), each support plate (2) comprises a main body (3), a first lateral edge (4), a second lateral edge (5), an upper edge (6) and a lower edge (7), the first lateral edge (4) and the second lateral edge (5) projecting from the main body (3) in a depth direction (P) and extending in a plate longitudinal direction (L), the upper edge (6) and the lower edge (7) extending in a plate transverse direction (T), the second lateral edge (5) of the first support plate (2) being assembled with the first lateral edge (4) of the second support plate (2),the assembly of the first support plate (2) and the second support plate (2) forming a receiving surface for a photovoltaic panel (8), the receiving surface having a length in the transverse direction of the plate (T) and a width in the longitudinal direction of the plate (L), in which each support plate (2) comprises a central recess (9), at least one first lateral positioning pad (12) located between the first lateral edge (4) and the central recess (9), at least one second lateral positioning pad (13) located between the second lateral edge (5) and the central recess (9), at least one upper positioning pad (14) located between the upper edge (6) and the central recess (9), in which said at least one first lateral positioning pad (12),said at least one second lateral positioning pad (13) and said at least one upper positioning pad (14) protrude from the main body (3) in the depth direction (P) and are configured to form support points of a frame (18) of the photovoltaic panel (8), wherein the support device (1) comprises two fixing flanges (20, 21) and each support plate (2) comprises a flange support (19), the flange support (19) protruding from the main body (3) in the depth direction (P) and being located between the central recess (9) and the upper edge (6), each flange of, fixing (20, 21) being fixed to one of the flange supports of the support plates, and each fixing flange (20, 21) being intended to hold the photovoltaic panel (8) in position in the depth direction (P).

2. A support device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the upper positioning pad (14) comprises a first pad portion (15) and a second pad portion (16) connected to the first pad portion (15), the second pad portion (16) projecting in the depth direction (P) of the first pad portion (15), the first pad portion (15) being located between the upper edge (6) and the second pad portion (16), the second pad portion (16) being configured to form an upper stop for the frame (18) of the photovoltaic panel (8).

3. A support device (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the first lateral edge (4) comprises a first central edge portion (41), the dimension in the depth direction (P) of at least one first lateral positioning pad (12) is less than the dimension in the depth direction (P) of the first central edge portion (41) of the first lateral edge (4), the first central edge portion (41) of the first lateral edge (4) being configured to form a lateral stop for the frame (18) of the photovoltaic panel (8).

4. Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the second lateral edge (5) comprises a second central edge portion (51), the dimension in the depth direction (P) of the at least one second lateral positioning pad (13) is less than the dimension in the depth direction (P) of the second central edge portion (51) of the second lateral edge (5), the second central edge portion (51) of the second lateral edge (5) being configured to form a lateral stop for the frame (18) of the photovoltaic panel (8).

5. A support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each support plate (2) comprises a row of first lateral positioning pads and a row of second lateral positioning pads, the first lateral positioning pads and the second lateral positioning pads being spaced apart in the plate longitudinal direction (L) and distributed regularly. along the first lateral edge (4) and the second lateral edge (5) respectively.

6. Support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first lateral edge (4) and the second lateral edge (5) each have an inverted U-shaped section, the first lateral edge (4) having a complementary shape to the second lateral edge (5) so that the first lateral edge (4) of the second support plate (2) is housed in the second lateral edge (5) of the first support plate (2).

7. A support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein each support plate (2) has a flange (11) projecting from the main body (3) in the depth direction (P), the flange (11) being arranged all around the central recess (9).

8. A support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the upper edge (6) has upper corrugations (27) extending parallel to each other in the plate longitudinal direction (L) and the lower edge (7) has lower corrugations (28) extending parallel to each other in the plate longitudinal direction (L), the lower corrugations (28) of the lower edge (7) having a complementary shape with the upper corrugations (27) of the upper edge (6) so that during an overlap in the plate longitudinal direction (L) between an upper edge (6) of one support plate (2) and a lower edge (7) of another support plate (2), the upper corrugations (27) of the upper edge (6) of the other support plate (2) are accommodated in the lower corrugations (28) of the lower edge (7) of the support plate (2)

9. A support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the lower edge (7) of the support plates has a high corrugation (29) projecting from the main body (3) in the depth direction (P) and located in alignment with the flange support (19) in the plate longitudinal direction (L), the flange support (19) having a fixing portion (30) to which the fixing flange (20, 21) is fixed and an overlapping portion (31) extending in the longitudinal direction between the fixing portion (30) and the upper edge (6), the overlapping portion (31) having a shape complementary to the high corrugation (29) of the lower edge (7) so that when a overlap in the longitudinal direction of the plate (L) between an upper edge (6) of a support plate (2) and a lower edge (7) of another support plate (2), the overlap portion (31) is at least partly accommodated in the high corrugation (29).

10. A support device assembly (1) comprises a first support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9 and a second support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9, the lower edges of the support plates of the first support device (1) being arranged on the upper edges of the support plates of the second support device (1) so as to form an overlapping area.

11. Photovoltaic assembly comprising a support device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 9 and a photovoltaic panel (8), wherein the photovoltaic panel (8) is received in the receiving space of the support device (1) and being held in position in the depth direction (P) using the fixing flanges (20, 21).

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