Solar powered green roofs and facades

Abstract

The present invention relates to a green roof system comprising: a. a support (10); a. plant growth modules (40), each comprising a sealing membrane and a multi-layer culture composite continuously comprising at least a first fibrous synthetic material and a flexible mesh; and b. a plurality of bifacially orientable photovoltaic panels (21-23) arranged above the plant growth modules.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of value-added roofs and facades, more particularly to green roofs and facades with orientable photovoltaic panels. [Background technology]

[0002] One example is the PROOF (Photovoltaic and green ROOF) project, run by the French National Solar Energy Institute (INES), which combines extensive green roofs (TVEs in French) with photovoltaic panels to provide a range of benefits, including: - The incident solar energy dissipated by green roofs in summer, mainly in the form of latent heat flux, reduces the local air temperature and provides suitable conditions for increasing the electrical output of photovoltaic panels; - Extensive green roofs with structures capable of storing rainwater can promote evapotranspiration and thus further improve the performance of the panels; - At the building scale, the overall energy balance (energy production / consumption at use + realized energy) is more favorable for the combined system than for a standard exposed roof or green roof. -Compared to traditional roof configurations, the combined system provides additional ecosystem services that can be assessed and quantified at a neighborhood scale.

[0003] Combining green roofs with solar panels improves energy performance. Vegetation traps dust and particles so they don't settle on the solar panels. As an added benefit, evapotranspiration from the plants helps keep the air cooler and cool the solar panels. This means they absorb less heat and become more efficient. Combining vegetation with solar equipment increases energy production while improving the insulation of the building.

[0004] For example, in Sydney, a difference of approximately 20°C was observed between solar surfaces and hybrid greenery / solar panel surfaces.

[0005] The combination of green roofs and directional solar panels also protects the vegetation from direct solar radiation, as the panels cast a shadow between the green roof and the sun. This shade protection limits evapotranspiration and helps save water consumption associated with irrigation.

[0006] Patent document SE414804 describes an outdoor building roof intended to be overcome by vegetation, which roof consists of an underlying water-impermeable layer and a layer of material on which plants, in particular grass etc. can grow, characterized in that the underlying water-impermeable layer consists of a corrugated sheet arranged so that the grooves extend in a direction oblique to the roof surface, and the cultivable layer consists of a plurality of individual sheets of material on which plants can grow, which sheets are attached adjacent to and at a distance from each other on the underlying corrugated sheet, at least in a direction oblique to the roof surface, and are held thereon by the same holding means.

[0007] Patent document KR101572859B1 describes a support for a solar power generation facility, more specifically, a support for a solar power generation facility for installing a solar power generation facility that can generate solar energy, which is representative of renewable energy, at any location and can minimize the installation of structures used therein.

[0008] Patent document KR101572859 describes a hybrid greening system for double roofs, which is installed on top of the double roof and improves the energy efficiency of the building on which the double roof is installed and reduces stormwater runoff during rainy weather. A vegetation unit has a partition wall, is formed inside, and has an upper surface that is installed within the roof plate.

[0009] Patent document KR20130142977 describes a photovoltaic module system that allows solar cells to be stably installed on roofs.

[0010] Utility model document CN204392150 describes a photovoltaic module with a roof without a photovoltaic guide rail support, characterized in that it comprises a photovoltaic module connector connected to the photovoltaic module, and a clamping element connected to the roof and rotating between the photovoltaic module connector and the clamping element. Summary of the Invention

[0011] Disadvantages of the prior art Prior art solutions have several drawbacks: Firstly, they place a large load on the roof and building structure, making them impractical for many buildings that are not strong enough.

[0012] Prior art solutions also deteriorate quickly because the solar panels create shade that is unsuitable for plant growth.

[0013] Finally, the wind loads of these prior art solutions are significant and in areas with severe atmospheric conditions (high winds, storms, cyclones) these solutions are not suitable.

[0014] Prior art solutions limit the optimal exposure time to solar radiation because the photovoltaic panels are positioned in a fixed and immovable manner.

[0015] To remedy the shortcomings of the prior art, the present invention, in its most general sense, provides: a. A support formed by an assembly of folded metal sheets; b. greening modules, each comprising a sealing membrane and a multi-layered culture composite comprising, in series, at least a first fibrous synthetic material and a flexible mesh; c. A green roof comprising a plurality of orientable solar photovoltaic panels. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0016] The invention will be better understood on reading the following description of non-limiting exemplary embodiments illustrated by the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0017] [Figure 1] 1 shows a three-quarter perspective view of a system according to the present invention; [Figure 2] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a system according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] General principles of the present invention The present invention is based on a modular system for adapting roofs, in particular flat roofs or flat roofs with unlimited slope, by laying a support formed by a folded metal sheet (10) or a plate of any other material (concrete, zinc, slate, wood, etc.), for example, a roofing or covering sheet with parallel ribs. Such sheets are commonly used to cover buildings, whether for roofing or facades. It is known that sheets with identical adjacent ribs exist. This uniqueness means that several sheets can be stacked, facilitating storage and transportation. This, in turn, means that a given type of sheet can be transported and / or stored, thus creating a uniform architectural covering, at least with regard to the configuration of the sheet ribs.

[0019] The term "ribbed" is to be understood herein as referring to a positive or negative, i.e., convex or concave, relief on a metal sheet. This relief is located at different heights from the average plane of the sheet. The shape, number and / or distribution of the ribs on the sheet are variable. The ribs run parallel to one another. The ribs are either identical on the same sheet or form a repeating pattern on each sheet.

[0020] The system further comprises photovoltaic panels (21, 22, 23) arranged in at least a portion of the green space to obtain a cooling effect from the plants and improve photovoltaic conversion performance, while shading the plants to protect them from direct sunlight.

[0021] These photovoltaic panels (21, 22, 23) are advantageously articulated about transverse axes (31-33) that form hinges relative to the support (10), allowing the orientation of the photovoltaic panels (21-23) to be adjusted.

[0022] The shafts (31-33) are connected to the support (10) by, for example, angle brackets fixed to the support ribs.

[0023] The photovoltaic panels (21-23) can be folded flat, parallel to the plane of the support (10), or they can be upright, facing the sun, and the panels can be displaced at an angle to keep them parallel to each other. The operation of the panels (21-23) is controlled by a drive system consisting of either motorized hinges or bearings on which the photovoltaic panels rest, or belts or chains (20) driven by motors (24-27) and fixed to the top ends of the photovoltaic panels (21-23), or by a mechanism similar to that of a bioclimatic pergola, where the photovoltaic panels replace the pergola slats and, by their positioning based on the position of the sun, allow the sun to be partially reflected onto the backside of the adjacent bifacial PV panel. This is the same for each panel.

[0024] When tilted downwards, the panels reduce wind loads and provide protection for plants, especially during tropical storms.

[0025] Finally, the system comprises a greening module, for example of the type described in patent document EP 3 755 140. This module comprises a base (41) resting on a support (10). This rigid and waterproof base (41) is completed by a multi-layered culture complex comprising, in succession, at least a first synthetic fibrous material (42), a flexible mesh (43) and, optionally, a second synthetic fibrous material (3).

[0026] These greening modules (40) are inserted between the hinges (31 to 33) of the solar power generation panels (21 to 23).

[0027] When electricity is being generated, the motors (24-27) switch the photovoltaic panels (21-23) into an active position facing the sun, with an orientation that can be changed to follow the path of the sun.

[0028] Outside of these periods, the solar panels (21-23) may be tilted horizontally to reduce wind load and protect the greening modules (40), or may be mounted in a position that allows the sun to illuminate the greening modules (40).

[0029] The greening module (40) may further comprise an irrigation system controlled by a pump powered by a battery recharged by the photovoltaic panels (21-23).

[0030] The above description relates to photovoltaic panels (21-23), which can be fixed and tilted at an angle adapted to expose the maximum surface area perpendicular to the direction of the sun, allowing plants to benefit from cooling and forming a tilting screen to limit wind loads. Preferably, the photovoltaic panels (21-23) can be tilted downwards by pivoting about an axis provided at the bottom, which allows the photovoltaic panels to be mounted horizontally, reducing wind loads and protecting plants in bad weather or tornadoes. The photovoltaic panels (21-23) can also be hinged about a central axis or an upper axis to hold them in a tilted position.

[0031] Variant: Double-sided panel In one embodiment, the panel is bifacial, i.e. has photovoltaic cells on both sides to take advantage of indirect sunlight (reflection of solar radiation on nearby panels, albedo, etc.).

Claims

1. It is a rooftop greening system, a. Support (10) and b. A greening module (40), each comprising a sealing membrane and a multilayer culture composite continuously comprising at least a first fibrous synthetic material and a flexible mesh, c. A plurality of oriented double-sided photovoltaic panels (21-23) positioned above the greening module, A rooftop greening system equipped with [features / equipment].

2. The rooftop greening system according to claim 1, wherein each of the oriented double-sided photovoltaic panels is articulated to tilt between a position parallel to the support and a position facing the sun.

3. The rooftop greening system according to claim 1, wherein each of the orientable double-sided photovoltaic panels is hinged together around an axis so as to be inclined with respect to the lower edge of the orientable double-sided photovoltaic panel.

4. The rooftop greening system according to claim 1, wherein each of the orientable double-sided photovoltaic panels is driven by a motor (24-27) between a position parallel to the support and a position oriented toward the sun, and is rotated by a belt or chain (20) fixed to the upper edge of the orientable double-sided photovoltaic panels (21-23).

5. The rooftop greening system according to claim 1, wherein each of the orientable double-sided photovoltaic panels is controlled by a drive system comprising an electrically operated hinge or bearing on which the orientable double-sided photovoltaic panel is mounted, to rotate between a position parallel to the support and a position oriented toward the sun.

6. The rooftop greening system according to claim 1, wherein each of the orientable bifacial photovoltaic panels further comprises a profile positioned laterally on the support, the profile comprising a hinge for articulating one of the orientable bifacial photovoltaic panels, and the profile separating two consecutive greening modules.

7. The rooftop greening system according to claim 1, wherein the orientable double-sided photovoltaic panels are of the double-sided type.

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