System comprising a photovoltaic panel and a rainwater harvesting system

Abstract

System (1) comprising: a photovoltaic panel (2), a distributor (4) for collecting rainwater that has previously flowed onto the photovoltaic panel (2), the distributor (4) comprising a plurality of retention tanks (10), each retention tank (10) having: an inlet for receiving a portion of the water collected by the distributor (4), outlet orifices (16) arranged to overhang a ground to be irrigated in a position of use of the system, and so that the portion of the water collected by the retention tank (10) is conveyed to the outlet orifices 16, the outlet orifices (16) having identical respective elevations relative to the ground in the position of use of the system (1). Accompanying figure for the abstract: Figure 1

Description

Title of the invention: System comprising a photovoltaic panel and a rainwater distributor. FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of agrivoltaics.

[0002] Agrivoltaics, or "Agri-PV," is a field that combines agriculture and photovoltaic electricity production on a shared surface. The principle is to install photovoltaic panels on an agricultural production area, capable of artificially creating shade and shelter while simultaneously producing electricity. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Prior art systems comprising a photovoltaic panel and a water distributor configured to collect rainwater that has run over the photovoltaic panel are known.

[0004] Document FR3123524 describes in particular a rainwater distributor fixed in This distributor is located beneath a photovoltaic panel. It is designed to utilize all rainwater to irrigate the plants below. The distributor features a non-straight edge, allowing for more even and even watering of such plants compared to a straight edge, thus preventing soil erosion. However, this solution does not provide entirely satisfactory uniformity. Description of the invention

[0005] One object of the invention is to propose an agrivoltaic system that irrigates crops while more effectively limiting soil erosion.

[0006] This goal is achieved by a system comprising a photovoltaic panel, a distributor for collecting rainwater that has previously flowed over the photovoltaic panel, the distributor comprising a plurality of retention tanks, each retention tank having: an inlet to receive part of the water collected by the distributor, outlet orifices arranged to overhang a ground to be irrigated in a position of use of the system, and so that the part of the water collected by the retention tank is conveyed to the outlet orifices, the outlet orifices having identical respective altitudes relative to the ground in the position of use of the system.

[0007] The proposed system may also include the optional features mentioned below, taken alone or in combination whenever such a combination makes sense.

[0008] Preferably, the outlet ports include vertical ports to discharge water out of the retention tank in a vertical direction relative to the ground in the system's operating position.

[0009] Preferably, the vertical outlet ports are located at different respective distances from the inlet.

[0010] Preferably, at least one of the retention trays has a bottom surface forming a row of internal bosses projecting upwards in the system's operating position, with the vertical outlet ports and the internal bosses being positioned alternately in the retention tray.

[0011] Preferably, at least one of the retention tanks has an external surface forming a row of external bosses projecting towards the ground in the system's operating position, with the vertical outlet ports opening respectively into the external bosses.

[0012] Preferably, at least one of the retention tanks also has at least one lateral outlet orifice to discharge water towards the ground in a direction that is not vertical to the ground when the system is in the operating position.

[0013] Preferably, the lateral opening forms a cutout in an upper lateral edge of the retention tray, the cutout preferably having a flared bottom.

[0014] Preferably, the system further includes an element for diverting water away from the retention tank from the water discharged through the lateral opening, for example a spout or a drip edge.

[0015] Preferably, the system further includes a drip breaker to break up drops evacuated through at least one of the outlet orifices.

[0016] Preferably, the system includes a cover to cover at least one of the retention trays.

[0017] Preferably, the system includes a reservoir, a discharge pipe connecting the distributor to the reservoir, and an overflow configured to cause excess water to be routed from the distributor to the reservoir via the discharge pipe.

[0018] Preferably, the system includes a reservoir, a discharge conduit connecting the distributor to the reservoir, and a valve suitable for closing the conduit and opening the discharge conduit.

[0019] Preferably, the system includes a reservoir, a supply conduit connecting the reservoir to the distributor, and a pump to convey water stored in the reservoir to the distributor. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0020] Other features, objectives and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, which is purely illustrative and not limiting, and which should be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings on which:

[0021] Fig. 1 is a schematic perspective view of a system according to one embodiment.

[0022] Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a water distributor according to a first embodiment.

[0023] The [Fig.3] is seen in perspective of a water distributor according to a second embodiment.

[0024] Fig. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a water distributor according to a third embodiment.

[0025] Fig. 5 represents a lateral edge of a retention tray according to one embodiment.

[0026] Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view of a water distributor according to a fourth mode of realization.

[0027] The [Fig.7] is seen in perspective of a water distributor according to a fifth embodiment.

[0028] Figure 8 schematically represents certain components of a system according to a first embodiment including a reservoir.

[0029] Figure [Fig.9] schematically represents certain components of a system according to a second embodiment including a reservoir.

[0030] Fig. 10 schematically represents certain components of a system according to a third embodiment including a reservoir.

[0031] Throughout the figures, similar elements bear identical references. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0032] With reference to [Fig.1], a system 1 according to one embodiment comprises a photovoltaic panel 2 and a rainwater distributor 4.

[0033] The photovoltaic panel 2, known in itself, has the function of converting light energy into electrical energy.

[0034] The system includes a ground anchoring structure (not illustrated) on which the photovoltaic panel 2 is mounted, this structure being suitable for being placed on the ground.

[0035] The photovoltaic panel 2 has a receiving surface 6 for receiving sunlight, the energy of which can be converted into electrical energy. The receiving surface 6 is flat, for example rectangular in shape.

[0036] In a position of use, the system 1 is placed or fixed on a ground, such that the photovoltaic panel 2 is at a distance from the ground, with the receiving surface 6 inclined relative to the ground and oriented towards the sky.

[0037] The photovoltaic panel 2 is preferably rotatable relative to the ground anchoring structure, such that the angle of inclination of the receiving surface relative to the ground can vary. Alternatively, the photovoltaic panel 2 is fixed relative to the ground anchoring structure (and therefore relative to the ground). Regardless of the embodiment, there is at least one orientation of the photovoltaic panel 2 in which the receiving surface 6 is inclined relative to the ground at an angle strictly greater than zero, when the system is in the operating position, such that rainwater can flow by simple gravity onto the receiving surface 6.

[0038] The receiving surface 6 has a free edge 8. The free edge 8 is, for example, straight when the receiving surface is rectangular. This free edge 8 is the edge of the receiving surface 6 that is closest to the distributor 4 (and to the ground in the system's operating position). When rainwater flows over the receiving surface 6, this water is directed by gravity towards the free edge 8, and it is from this free edge 8 that the water falls to the ground.

[0039] The distributor 4 has the function of collecting rainwater which has previously flowed over the photovoltaic panel 2, when the system is in the position of use, and distributing it to different areas of the ground.

[0040] When system 1 is in the operating position, the distributor 4 is arranged between the photovoltaic panel 2 and the ground. Furthermore, the distributor 4 is located under the photovoltaic panel 2, so as to be able to irrigate plants located under the photovoltaic panel 2.

[0041] The distributor 4 includes a half-gutter 5 arranged under the free edge 8. The half-gutter 5 includes an internal surface having a curved profile in a cutting plane perpendicular to the free edge 8. The half-gutter 5 is arranged so that water flowing over the receiving surface 6 reaches the curved profile surface.

[0042] The distributor 4 also includes a slope 7 arranged downstream of the half-gutter. Thus, the water reaching the half-gutter then flows down the slope.

[0043] The distributor 4 comprises a plurality of retention trays 10.

[0044] The retention tanks are arranged downstream of the slope 7; in this way, water flowing over the surface 6 falls by gravity into the half-gutter 5, then runs down the slope 7, before reaching the retention tanks 10 (a distribution of the water takes place at that time between the retention tanks 10).

[0045] Retention trays are elongated elements in a longitudinal direction.

[0046] The retention trays 10 are parallel, each extending in the direction longitudinal.

[0047] In the system's operating position, the longitudinal direction is a horizontal direction (parallel to the ground), which means in practice that water can flow in each of the retention tanks in a flow direction which is itself horizontal, when the system is in its operating position.

[0048] The flow direction is for example perpendicular to the edge 8.

[0049] In the embodiment of [Fig.2], the system includes four retention trays 10, but this number can be changed.

[0050] We will now describe one of the retention tanks 10, knowing that this description is applicable to each of the other retention tanks.

[0051] The retention tray 10 has an internal surface 12, and an external surface 14 opposite the internal surface 12.

[0052] The internal surface 12 delimits a storage volume for temporarily storing water.

[0053] The internal surface 12 constitutes a top surface of the containment tray 10 when the system is in the operating position. The internal surface 12 includes, in particular, a central portion oriented upwards, constituting a bottom surface of the containment tray 10, and two lateral portions located on either side of the central portion.

[0054] In the embodiment of [Fig. 2], the central portion of the internal surface 12 comprises a straight line in the longitudinal direction. Furthermore, the lateral portions of the internal surface 12 are oblique to the ground in the operating position of the system 1.

[0055] The external surface 14 constitutes a lower surface of the retention tray 10, oriented towards the ground, when the system 1 is in the position of use.

[0056] The retention tray 10 also has two upper lateral edges 18, each connecting the inner surface 12 to the outer surface 14. The two upper lateral edges 18 are parallel.

[0057] The retention tank 10 has an inlet to receive some of the water collected by the distributor. The inlet is delimited by the internal surface 12.

[0058] Furthermore, the retention tank 10 includes outlet ports 16 arranged to overhang the ground in the system's operating position. The outlet ports 16 are arranged so that the portion of the water collected by the retention tank 10 via the inlet is directed towards the outlet ports 16.

[0059] The retention tank 10 provides a temporary water retention function. Indeed, water that has entered the water retention tank 10 through its inlet is temporarily stored inside, before being discharged through the outlet orifices 16. In the event of severe weather, rainwater can thus accumulate in the retention tank 10, before being discharged in a controlled manner through the outlet orifices 16.

[0060] The outlet ports 16 open into the internal surface 12, more precisely into the central portion of the internal surface 12, and also open into the external surface 14.

[0061] In the embodiment shown in [Fig. 2], the outlet orifices 16 are vertical orifices for evacuating water from the retention tank 10 in a vertical direction relative to the ground. The vertical orifices are located in the central portion of the inner surface 12 and open into the outer surface 14.

[0062] The vertical outlet ports 16 are located at different respective distances from the inlet, these distances being measured in the aforementioned longitudinal direction.

[0063] The vertical outlet orifices 16 form a row in the longitudinal direction. By moving along this row in this direction, one moves further and further away from the inlet of the retention tray 10.

[0064] In the row, the distance separating two adjacent vertical orifices in the longitudinal direction can be constant.

[0065] The number of vertical outlet ports 16 is for example equal to 8, but this number may be different.

[0066] The contour of the vertical outlet ports 16 is arbitrary. This contour can, for example, be circular, rectangular, or triangular.

[0067] Figure 3 shows another embodiment of the retention tank 10, in which the bottom surface of the retention tank 10 forms a row of internal bosses 20 projecting upwards in the operating position of the retention tank 10. The vertical outlet orifices 16 and the internal bosses are positioned alternately in the retention tank 10, in the aforementioned longitudinal direction. Two adjacent bosses define a hollow between them, at the bottom of which is a vertical outlet orifice. The internal bosses 20 thus constitute barriers between two adjacent hollows. In this way, the internal bosses 20 prevent water in one of the hollows from reaching an adjacent hollow, and limit such water movement even if the retention tank 10 were to tilt slightly due to external stress, so that the longitudinal direction would no longer be exactly horizontal.For example, the internal bosses 20 form curved and convex arches with a height between 10 and 20mm.

[0068] Furthermore, the external surface 14 of the retention tank 10 forms a row of external bosses 22 protruding towards the ground in the operating position of the system 1. The vertical outlet orifices 16 open respectively into the external bosses 22. These external bosses 22 prevent the water discharged through the vertical outlet orifices 16 from running down the external surface 14 of the retention tank 10 by surface tension, in particular if the external surface 14 is not perfectly horizontal, which would risk concentrating the water discharged through the different vertical outlet orifices 16 towards a common drop point.

[0069] A third embodiment is shown in [Fig. 4] in which the retention tank 10 includes lateral outlet ports 16 for evacuating water towards the ground in a non-vertical direction relative to the ground when the system is in the operating position. [Fig. 4] is a schematic cross-section of the retention tank 10 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, in which 8 lateral outlet ports 16 are visible.

[0070] A lateral outlet 16 can be a horizontal outlet for discharging water into the ground in a horizontal direction relative to the ground when the system is in the operating position (two of these are visible in [Fig. 4]). Alternatively, a lateral outlet 16 can be an oblique outlet for discharging water into the ground in an oblique direction relative to the ground when the system is in the operating position (six of this type are shown in [Fig. 4]).

[0071] Furthermore, a lateral outlet 16 may have a closed contour (all lateral outlets shown in [Fig. 4]). In a variant shown in [Fig. 5], a lateral outlet forms a cutout in one of the upper lateral edges (18) of the containment tray 10, preferably a cutout with a flared bottom, in particular a V-shaped cutout. Such cutouts are less likely to become clogged due to dust accumulation, compared to outlets with a closed contour.

[0072] The distributor may also include a diverting element arranged to divert water discharged through at least one lateral opening 16 of the retention tank 10 away from the retention tank 10. Such a diverting element may be in the form of a spout (four are shown in [Fig. 4]), or alternatively in the form of a drip edge. The drip edge is fixed to the retention tank 10, more precisely to the external surface 14. The drip edge may include an inclined face between 5 and 10 mm down which the water discharged through the lateral opening(s) 16 slides.

[0073] Of course, all the types of outlet orifice 16 described above can be combined in the same embodiment.

[0074] With reference to [Fig.6], the system may further include a drip breaker 26 for breaking up drops discharged through at least one of the outlet ports 16 of a retention tray 10.

[0075] The drip breaker 26 is suspended from the retention tray 10, so as to extend between the retention tray 10 and the ground.

[0076] The drip breaker 26 can extend under one or more outlet orifices 16, or even under the entire retention tray 10. The drip breaker 26 has a flat or convex upper surface, so that the water droplets that break on it can bounce outwards and fall uniformly onto crops arranged under the system 1. The distance between the retention tray and the drip breaker can be between 10 and 30 centimeters.

[0077] For example, there are as many drip breakers 26 as there are retention trays 10. Each drip breaker 26 is suspended from the corresponding retention tray 10, so as to extend between the retention tray 10 and the ground.

[0078] With reference to [Fig.7], the system 1 may further include a cover 28 to cover at least one of the retention trays 10, several of them, or even all of the retention trays 10. This has the advantage of preventing dust from entering the covered retention tray or trays 10, which could obstruct one or more of the outlet orifices 16 of the retention tray 10.

[0079] The system 1 may include several photovoltaic panels 2 and several rainwater distributors 4 conforming to the preceding description (with one distributor 4 under each panel 2).

[0080] With reference to [Fig.8], the system 1 may further include a reservoir 30, a discharge conduit 32 connecting the distributor 4 to the reservoir 30, and means for controlling the flow of water from the distributor 4 to the reservoir via the discharge conduit 32. These control means may have several structures.

[0081] For example, the distributor includes an overflow 34 configured to divert excess water from the distributor to the reservoir 30 via the discharge conduit 32. The overflow has an inlet orifice at a higher elevation than the outlet orifices 16. The excess water is a quantity of water located at an elevation equal to or greater than the inlet orifice of the overflow. The overflow 34 has a height approximately 10 mm less than the wall.

[0082] Alternatively or as a complement, the system may include, as shown in [Fig. 9], a valve A for closing and opening the conduit. When valve A is closed, the flow to the reservoir 30 is prevented; when the valve is open, this flow is permitted. Valve A may be manually operated or automatically operated (in which case the opening of valve A may be triggered if a critical precipitation threshold is exceeded, which could cause one or the other of the retention tanks 10 to overflow).

[0083] A single valve A can serve several distributors, for example all the distributors in a row of panels 2.

[0084] With reference to [Fig. 10], the system 1 may also include a pump P configured to convey water stored in the reservoir 30 to at least one or more distributors 4 of the system. In this way, the stored water can be directed to the outlet ports 16 and thus irrigate crops located under the corresponding panels 2, even in the absence of rainfall. The pump P may be arranged so that the water to be conveyed to the distributor(s) passes through the conduit 32, in which case the conduit 32 is both a discharge conduit and a supply conduit supply; however, in other embodiments, it may be provided for the use of a separate supply and exhaust duct.

Claims

Demands

1. System (1) comprising: • a photovoltaic panel (2), • a distributor (4) for collecting rainwater which has previously flowed over the photovoltaic panel (2), the distributor (4) comprising • a plurality of retention tanks (10), each retention tank (10) having: • an inlet for receiving part of the water collected by the distributor (4), • outlet orifices (16) arranged to overhang a ground to be irrigated in a position of use of the system, and so that the part of the water collected by the retention tank (10) is conveyed to the outlet orifices 16, the outlet orifices (16) having identical respective altitudes relative to the ground in the position of use of the system (1).

2. System (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein the outlet ports (16) include vertical ports for evacuating water out of the retention tank (10) in a vertical direction relative to the ground in the system's operating position.

3. System according to the preceding claim, wherein the vertical outlet ports (16) are located at different respective distances from the inlet.

4. System according to any one of claims 2 and 3, wherein at least one of the containment trays (10) has a bottom surface forming a row of internal bosses (20) projecting upwards in the system's operating position (1), the vertical outlet ports (16) and the internal bosses (20) being positioned alternately in the containment tray (10).

5. A system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein at least one of the containment trays (10) has an external surface (14) forming a row of external bosses (22) projecting towards the ground in the system's operating position (1), the openings of vertical outlets (16) opening respectively into the external bosses (22).

6. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one of the retention tanks (10) further has at least one lateral outlet (16) for evacuating water to the ground in a direction not vertical to the ground when the system is in the position of use.

7. System (1) according to the preceding claim, in the lateral opening forms a cutout in an upper lateral edge (18) of the retention tray (10), the cutout preferably having a flared bottom.

8. System (1) according to any one of claims 6 and 7, further comprising an element (24) for diverting water discharged through the lateral opening away from the retention tray (10).

9. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a drip breaker (26) for breaking up drops discharged through at least one of the outlet ports (16).

10. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a cover (28) for covering at least one of the retention trays (10).

11. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a reservoir (30), a discharge conduit (32) connecting the distributor (4) to the reservoir (30), and an overflow (34) configured to cause excess water to be routed from the distributor (4) to the reservoir via the discharge conduit (32).

12. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a reservoir (30), a discharge conduit (32) connecting the distributor (4) to the reservoir (30), and a valve (A) adapted to close the conduit and open the discharge conduit (32).

13. System (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a reservoir (30), a supply conduit (32) relating the reservoir (30) to the distributor (4), and a pump (P) for conveying water stored in the reservoir (32) to the distributor (4).

Images