Method and device for de-artificializing soils previously made impermeable by an impermeable covering extending over said surface.

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for restoring previously impermeable soils, comprising a panel support (1) carrying inclined photovoltaic panels (2). These panels are provided at their base with a gutter (3) for collecting rainwater, characterized in that said gutter is perforated at its bottom, and drainage pipes (4), spaced apart and inclined towards the rear of the panels (2), are located at the bottom of the gutter. These drainage pipes (4) are provided with perforations (5) at the top or sides distributed along their entire length. The pipes are closed at their end opposite the gutter (3). [Fig. 1]

Description

Title of the invention: Method and device for de-artificializing soils previously made impermeable by an impermeable covering extending over said surface.

[0001] The present invention relates to a method and device for de-artificializing soils which have been made impermeable due to the positioning of an impermeable cover extending over the extent of the surface concerned.

[0002] The present invention, although not limited to the field described, applies, with all its acuity, to spaces covered with ground-mounted solar panels and particularly to ground-mounted agrivoltaics.

[0003] The pressing need for renewable energy is fully justified by the process and device of the present invention. Indeed, they make it possible to produce substantial quantities of energy, thanks to photovoltaic panels, which can potentially cover large areas by rendering them partially impermeable beneath the space delimited by the photovoltaic panels.

[0004] However, this drawback, however slight, when the fields in question are not productive of agricultural resources, has the weakness that their covered soil is no longer maintained in the same condition as before the installation of said panels. Thus, the covered areas no longer receive the quantities of rainwater they would naturally receive before installation, and this only applies to the covered areas.

[0005] Legislation concerning agrivoltaics is evolving rapidly, with areas designated for agrivoltaics no longer penalizing them for Net Artificialisation Zones (NAZs). Until very recently, they did, and this alone limited the possibilities for installing photovoltaic panels on agricultural land, even land of low productive quality or with no real agricultural productivity.

[0006] At the level of prior art, we can in particular cite patent applications FR3077463, WO2019150055, WO20181222275, WO2024047577.

[0007] Today, agrivoltaics is no longer penalized by the ZAN (Net Artificialisation Zone). However, the legislator requires that the covered areas not exceed 40% of the area of ​​the field located and that the entire area concerned can justify a recognized agricultural production, such as sheep or goat farming, in particular, but also other types of livestock farming.

[0008] According to the present invention, the method and device for cleverly resolving the loss of quality of the covered soil consists of spreading over the covered area the quantity of water received on the panels occupying the same surface area, by collecting it in a gutter positioned under the lower part of said panels and A receiving gutter, sized to receive the collected water, is installed throughout its entire depth. The bottom of this receiving gutter drains immediately through receiving pipes positioned beneath it, which receive rainwater through openings at the bottom of the gutter. These pipes extend, with a slight slope, towards the rear of the panel and to the required depth. Each pipe is sealed at its end to prevent drainage. Each pipe is perforated along its entire length on its upper surface or sides. The size of the drainage openings thus created is designed to ensure the regular removal of water from the gutter along its entire length, and the removal of collected water along the gutter itself.

[0009] In a preferred embodiment, the pipes for draining the collected water are positioned, not at ground level, even if this positioning is possible, but on a plane inclined slightly towards the rear depth of said panels and at an altitude just below the gutter or at any other desired altitude which can be modified mechanically or electronically.

[0010] The materials used for these panels can be of a wide variety, with semi-rigidification usually being the most suitable and least expensive. However, they can also be made of any other material, provided they do not flatten too much when at rest, in order to facilitate the drainage of the water collected by each of them. These drainage pipes are positioned close to one another and longitudinally, at varying distances between them, chosen according to the best results to be obtained.

[0011] The respective diameter of the drainage pipes is also variable and is chosen according to the best possible result of evacuating the collected water.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the drainage pipes can themselves be positioned on a rigid structure, such as a wire mesh or perforated structure, preferably lightweight. This structure, positioned at the desired height and slightly inclined downwards and backwards, facilitates the grazing of animals on these agrivoltaic surfaces at all times.

[0013] In another preferred method of de-artificialization, the sealing of the pipe at the level of the panel and opposite the gutter is ensured by a part that can be unscrewed or easily removed, thereby facilitating the internal cleaning of said pipe.

[0014] According to a preferred embodiment, each of the drainage pipes is provided at its end below the perforation of the gutter with a cup-shaped flare which facilitates the complete reception of the water collected by the gutter through the perforation created at its base.

[0015] Figures [Fig.1], [Fig.2], [Fig.3], [Fig.4] are intended to provide a better understanding of the present invention.

[0016] Fig. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the present invention with the drain pipes in a raised position.

[0017] Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the present invention with the drain pipes in a ground position.

[0018] Fig. 3 is a top view of the gutter and pipes of the present invention, without the presence of the panels.

[0019] Fig. 4 is a top view with the panels and the water collection gutter at the base of the panels.

[0020] With reference to [Fig. 1], [Fig. 2], [Fig. 3], [Fig. 4], it can be seen in the cross-sectional view [Fig. 1] of the present invention, the panel support (1) carries the inclined photovoltaic panel (2) which, in turn, discharges its collected rainwater into a gutter (3) located at the base of the panel (2). Said gutter (3), perforated in its bottom, drains the collected water into a multitude of pipes (4), themselves positioned at a slight slope inclined towards the rear of the panels (2). Said drainage pipes are provided with upper and / or lateral perforations (5) extending along the entire length of said pipes (4) up to their sealed end (6), the sealing being as simple as possible, such as a removable cap, possibly screw-on.

[0021] In [Fig.2], the pipes are positioned directly on the ground. This positioning is only possible if the slope is naturally inclined towards the rear depth of the panel and does not need to be raised over time for grazing or mowing vegetation.

[0022] On [Fig.3], we see a length of gutter (3) which feeds a series of pipes (7) for distributing the collected water and which are each perforated with drainage holes (5) arranged all along said pipes (4) in a superior and / or lateral positioning up to their end which is closed naturally or by a removable sealing plug (6).

[0023] This arrangement of water drainage pipes, in sufficient number, and associated with adequate perforations, also in sufficient number, all along said pipes, ensures a harmonious distribution of water over the entire surface under panels, thus creating a simple but effective de-artificialization of covered and artificialized soils.

[0024] On [Fig.4] the rainwater drainage pipes are equipped, at the end of the pipe under the perforated gutter, with a cup-shaped receptacle.

[0025] Objections relating to soil artificialization are thus completely overcome by extremely simple and, what's more, effective and inexpensive means.

[0026] In this conventional embodiment, the pipes are positioned almost at the height of the underside of the gutter (3) by means of a wire mesh (8) or perforated support which itself is permanently positioned or is placed in a variable position using various mechanical, even electronic, means, remotely controlled and dependent on the whims of the weather.

Claims

Demands

1. A device for de-artificializing previously impermeable soils comprising a panel support (1) carrying inclined photovoltaic panels (2), said panels being provided at their base with a gutter (3) receiving rainwater characterized in that said gutter is perforated at its bottom, drainage pipes (4) spaced and inclined towards the rear of the panels (2) are located at the bottom of the gutter, said drainage pipes (4) being provided with upper or lateral perforations (5) distributed over the entire length of the drainage pipes (4), said pipes being closed at their end located opposite the gutter (3).

2. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the drain pipes (4) are positioned almost at the height of the base of the gutter (3).

3. Device according to claim 2 characterized in that the drain pipes (4) are positioned on a rigid structure (8) of the mesh or openwork type, positioned in an inclined plane towards the depth and towards the rear of the panels (2).

4. Device according to claim 1 characterized in that the drain pipes (4) are positioned on the ground.

5. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 4 characterized in that the sealing of the pipe in line with the panel (2) and opposite the gutter is ensured by a screwable or easily removable part facilitating the internal cleaning of said drain pipes (4).

6. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 characterized in that the drain pipes (4) are equipped at their end located below the perforated gutter (3) with a cup-shaped receptacle (11).

7. Use of the de-artificialization device according to any one of the preceding claims to spread the quantity of water received on the panels (2) over the area covered by said panels (2).

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