Solar plant installation

Abstract

A solar plant installation comprising at least one pedestal and at least one solar panel which is pivotably fastened thereto and is configured to be pivoted in such a way that its orientation follows the sun, wherein, at different pivoting positions, different portions of the at least one solar panel fall short of a minimum distance from the ground surrounding the pedestal, having a movable fence installation configured to protect, from livestock, those regions of the ground in which the minimum distance is fallen short of and at the same time to open up, to livestock, other regions of the ground in which the minimum distance is fallen short of at a different pivoting position.

Description

[0001] Solar system installation

[0002] The invention relates to a solar power system installation, in particular a solar power system installation in which at least one solar panel is aligned towards the sun in order to achieve a higher light yield and which is operated in the presence of animals or humans.

[0003] Solar panels that align or swivel according to the position of the sun in order to achieve a higher light yield over the course of a day are known, for example, from US 8,878,112 B2.

[0004] Until now, such solar power installations have primarily been operated on open fields or rooftops. However, to achieve the energy transition, it is advantageous to flexibly plan for solar power installations on additional areas. Such areas could include, for example, meadows where animals graze or gardens in suburbs where children could potentially play.

[0005] These solar panels are typically mounted on a stand, which, for reasons of stability and efficiency, should not be unnecessarily tall. However, this can have the disadvantage that when the solar panel is swiveled, sections of it fall below a minimum clearance from the ground, potentially causing animals or people to collide with them. This can lead to damage to the solar panel or injuries to animals or people. Furthermore, the lower the height of the solar panel's stand, the better it blends into the landscape. However, a large fence around the solar installation has the disadvantage that the enclosed areas become unusable.

[0006] Accordingly, the object of the invention is to provide techniques for operating a solar power system installation, in particular a solar power system installation that at least partially eliminates the disadvantages of the prior art.

[0007] This problem is solved using the characteristics of an independent claim.

[0008] The features of the various aspects of the invention or the various embodiments described below can be combined with each other, unless this is explicitly excluded or is technically impossible.

[0009] According to the invention, a solar power system installation is described, wherein the solar power system installation comprises at least one stand and at least one solar panel pivotably mounted thereon, the solar panel being configured to pivot such that its orientation follows the sun's path. The solar panel can follow the sun's path by, for example, pivoting its orientation depending on the time of day, using a sensor to determine the sun's position, and / or by pivoting the solar panel to various test positions to determine the pivot angle at which maximum current output is currently achieved. This pivot angle can then be subsequently adjusted. At different pivot positions, different sections of the at least one solar panel fall below a minimum distance to the ground surrounding the stand.The minimum distance can be defined in such a way that, if sections of the solar panel are above the minimum distance, damage by livestock or humans can at least be largely ruled out.

[0010] A key concept of the invention is that the solar panel installation includes a movable fence system designed to protect areas of the ground from animals, livestock, or even people where the minimum distance is not maintained, while simultaneously allowing other areas of the ground to be accessed by livestock or people where the minimum distance is not maintained in other pivot positions. This has the advantage that, firstly, the fence system can effectively protect the sections of the solar panel that are too close to the minimum distance from damage, and secondly, other areas are opened up by the movable fence system, allowing these areas, in particular, for livestock to graze in the meadow. These opened areas are then, however, effectively protected by the fence system again if the sections of the solar panel projecting into them fall below the minimum distance.The minimum distance is preferably chosen so that livestock kept between the solar panels cannot come into contact with them, as long as the minimum distance is maintained. The minimum distance can, for example, be between 1.5 and 2.5 meters from the ground. By protecting areas of the solar panel that would otherwise meet the minimum distance with the fence installation, it is possible to significantly reduce the minimum distance. It is possible that the lower edge of the solar panel, when swiveled, can be brought as close as 0.6 to 0.7 meters to the ground. At the same time, the fence installation can simultaneously keep livestock contained within the area of ​​the solar panel installation.

[0011] The described solar panel installation and the movable fence installation are preferably designed such that at least 85 percent of the area beneath the solar panel installation is not covered by the fence installation, at least temporarily. This ensures that livestock can graze there. Preferably, an area remains in the immediate vicinity of the base of the fence installation that is always covered or enclosed by the fence installation (regardless of any possible position the fence installation may be in during operation). Livestock cannot graze in this area. However, this space provides a refuge for smaller animals. Such a refuge has a positive ecological effect.

[0012] A particularly preferred design is the fence installation such that a space remains beneath it, allowing smaller animals to enter without being obstructed by the fence. This space also prevents collisions between the fence and the ground when the solar panel installation is moved as intended, even on uneven terrain. Ideally, the fence installation is designed such that, starting from an imaginary level surface, a space approximately 30 centimeters high remains beneath the fence. This space also provides a protected retreat for smaller animals, as grazing livestock cannot enter it.

[0013] The core concept can also be formulated functionally as follows: The solar panel installation includes a movable fence system designed to protect, in a first pivot position, a first section of the solar panel, particularly from livestock or people, if it falls below the minimum distance. Simultaneously, it opens a second area of ​​the ground, also particularly for livestock or people, if a second section of the solar panel exceeds the minimum distance in the second area when the first pivot position is reached. The first and second areas are, in particular, opposite sections of the solar panel extending perpendicular to the pivot axis. The advantages correspond to those described above in the alternative formulation of the core concept.

[0014] In one embodiment, the solar panel installation features a swivel drive designed to move the at least one solar panel so that its orientation follows the sun's path. Instead of the swivel drive, a rotary / swivel drive can also be provided. This can be constructed from two modules—a first module for the swivel drive and a second module for the rotary drive—and thus not only swivel but also rotate the solar panel. This allows for the uncovering of additional ground or grassland areas in the vicinity of the solar panel installation. The solar panel can thereby track the sun's path even more efficiently. Preferably, the swivel drive is located on a pivot axis, while the rotary drive is located on the base. The rotary and swivel movements can be performed independently of each other.

[0015] A solar panel can comprise an arrangement that includes several individual solar modules. Several solar panels can also be arranged side by side and considered as a single (common) solar panel within the scope of the invention discussed here. The singular and plural (solar panel or solar panels) are used partially synonymously in the following.

[0016] In some versions, the swivel drive and / or rotary drive is configured to draw power from the solar panel. This has the advantage that no external power source is required at the solar installation to operate the drives. In other versions, the swivel drive and / or rotary drive is configured to draw power from the mains electricity grid. This has the advantage that the solar panels can be swiveled even at night or when the panels are shaded for other reasons (when no solar power is being generated).

[0017] However, particularly preferred are solar panel installation variants in which no additional rotary drive exists, but in which the solar panel can be swivelled around a fixed and aligned pivot axis.

[0018] Preferably, the fence installation has at least one movable fence element that shifts when the swivel position of the solar panel changes. The fence elements preferably define the outer boundary of the fence installation. It is particularly preferred that the fence installation, or the fence elements, are electrified, similar to an electric fence. An electric fence can effectively prevent livestock from touching the fence installation or the fence elements. However, especially if the described solar installation is used in applications where regular human contact with the fence installation or the fence elements is possible or even likely, it is preferred that these elements are not designed as electric fences but only (passively) mechanically protect the solar panel. Electric fences are preferably traversed by a current with a defined voltage.The voltage is preferably chosen to be high enough that livestock touching the fence installation are deterred from future contact. Equally preferred, the voltage is simultaneously chosen to be low enough to prevent injury to the livestock. Power for such an electric fence can be supplied by a solar panel. However, it is preferred that the power be supplied from the mains electricity grid.

[0019] The entire fence installation is repositioned such that the section of the solar panel that falls below the minimum distance is placed in an area between the fence installation, in particular the fence element, and the base. This effectively prevents an animal or a person from accessing the relevant section of the solar panel from either side.

[0020] The fence installation can include a support device to which fence elements are attached, the support device being movable parallel to a ground plane of the ground surrounding the base. The support device can, for example, move on a rail system and / or a roller system. The entire fence installation can be moved manually or by means of a motor. Such a motor can be powered by electricity from the solar panel or (preferably) by electricity from the mains.

[0021] In one embodiment, the fence installation is coupled to the at least one solar panel via at least one mechanical coupling means such that a change in the pivot position of the at least one solar panel simultaneously causes a movement of the fence installation. In particular, the fence installation moves outwards, i.e., in a direction away from the base, when the corresponding section of the solar panel located above the corresponding area of ​​the fence installation pivots downwards.

[0022] This has the advantage that the relevant section of the solar panel does not fall below the minimum distance without the number installation being adjusted accordingly to protect this section.

[0023] Preferably, the mechanical coupling means comprises at least one cable with which the fence installation is coupled to the solar panel. Such a cable is particularly low-maintenance, can flexibly accommodate different pulling directions, and can also exhibit a certain degree of elasticity that ensures the cable does not sag when the fence installation is moved, but is always under some tension. Such a cable can be equipped with a tensioner. This tensioner can, for example, be a spring to which the cable is connected and which keeps the cable under tension, even if the length of the cable run (the distance along which the cable runs) changes due to a shift in the fence installation and / or a relocation of the solar panel.Preferably, a cable pull is attached to the solar panel and the fence installation in such a way that, regardless of the position of the solar panel, the cable length is always as uniform as possible and length changes required by a cable tensioner and / or the cable elasticity can be compensated as well as possible.

[0024] Preferably, the at least one cable connects outer areas of the at least one solar panel, which are spaced apart from a central pivot bearing, particularly perpendicular to the pivot axis, to the fence installation in such a way that a pivoting movement of the at least one solar panel about the central pivot bearing causes a displacement movement of the fence installation. In this way, a (large) leverage effect is achieved, so that pivoting the solar panel can be accomplished with minimal effort. Furthermore, this allows the cable to be longer than if the cable were connected to sections of the solar panel located further inwards, thus enabling the fence installation to be moved parallel to the ground over a greater distance.

[0025] In some designs, the cable can be redirected, at least in sections (for example, in the sections between the base and the solar panel), using pulleys and guided multiple times (doubled or even tripled). This type of cable routing allows movement of the solar panel to cause a greater movement of the cable. In principle, this can result in larger shifts in the fence installation.

[0026] Preferably, the solar panel installation includes a pivot bearing with a pivot axis, around which the solar panel can pivot in one direction. Preferably, the solar panel can be pivoted clockwise and counterclockwise around the pivot axis.

[0027] In one embodiment, the at least one solar panel has a width parallel to the pivot axis that is greater than the length of the solar panel extending in a plane normal to the pivot axis. Pivoting the solar panel about the pivot axis ensures that, with the same surface area, the at least one solar panel is positioned "high enough" on the pivoted side so that livestock do not injure themselves on it when grazing in areas cleared by the fence.

[0028] The length here refers to the distance between two edges of the solar panel in a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis. The width extends along the pivot axis and, in preferred embodiments of the solar installation described here, is much greater than the length – for example, more than five times the length. The solar panel can preferably consist of a plurality of individual solar panels arranged one behind the other along the pivot axis. Particularly preferably, such a solar installation is part of a larger solar system in which a large number of such solar installations are arranged side by side in rows.

[0029] Preferred embodiments of the present invention are explained below with reference to the accompanying figure:

[0030] Fig. 1: shows a side view of a solar power system installation according to the invention;

[0031] Numerous features of the present invention are explained in detail below with reference to preferred embodiments. The present disclosure is not limited to the specific combinations of features mentioned. Rather, the features mentioned here can be combined arbitrarily to form embodiments according to the invention, unless expressly excluded below.

[0032] Fig. 1 shows a side view of the solar power system installation 1 according to the invention, or a cross-section through the solar power system installation according to the invention, which is oriented perpendicular to the axis. The solar power system installation 1 has a base 2, the lower end of which is embedded in the ground 3 – for example, on a lawn – and at the upper end of which a solar panel 4 is rotatably mounted about a pivot axis 6 by means of a central pivot bearing 5. The solid lines in Fig. 1 show the solar panel 4 essentially parallel to the ground 3 in a neutral position 17.

[0033] One length of the solar panel 7 extends into a plane perpendicular to the pivot axis 6. The respective opposite sections of the solar panel 7 along its length are formed and closed off, respectively, by a first edge 8 and a second edge 9. Pivoting the solar panel 7 describes a circular path 16 of the edges 8 and 9 around the pivot axis 6 with a radius equal to half the length of the solar panel 7. A counterclockwise pivot, as shown in Fig. 1, causes the first edge 8 to increase its distance 10 from the ground 3 and the second edge 9 to decrease its distance 11 from the ground 3, and vice versa when the rotation is performed clockwise. A minimum distance 12 is also defined; below this distance, the respective edge 8 or 9 is too low, potentially causing injury to livestock or people or damaging the respective edge 8 or 9.The minimum distance of 12 is preferably defined such that grazing livestock in the vicinity of the solar installation are well protected from the solar installation, and vice versa. In particular, the minimum distance is chosen so that the livestock can move freely under the solar panel without risk of collision or contact. The minimum distance could, for example, be 2 meters.

[0034] The case of a counterclockwise rotation into a first pivot position 13 is shown in dashed lines in Fig. 1. A pivot in the opposite direction is equally possible. The solar panel installation is symmetrical in this respect. In the first pivot position 13, the second edge 9 falls below the minimum distance. To protect the section of the solar panel 4 that has the second edge 9, a movable fence installation 14 is provided, comprising fence elements 26 and a holding device 27. The fence installation 14 is configured to protect areas of the solar panel 4 where the minimum distance is not met, while simultaneously exposing areas of the ground above which other sections of the solar panel 4 exceed the minimum distance.The fence elements 26, which are mounted on the movable support device 27, are designed in particular as an electric fence that can be powered by the energy of the solar panel 4 or from the mains electricity supply. Preferably, in these cases, the fence installation 14 also includes a transformer to provide the appropriate voltage that effectively prevents livestock from crossing the barrier of the fence installation 14. In other embodiments, however, it is also possible to energize the fence installation 14 using an electric fence energizer. Electric fence energizers with voltage adapted to the animal species are available in solar-powered, battery-powered, and 230V socket versions.

[0035] As shown in Fig. 1, the movable fence installation 14 is moved away from the base 2 into a first travel position 15, such that the second edge 9 is located between the base and the fence elements 26 and is thus efficiently protected from livestock. The first travel position 15, which is present when the solar panel 4 is in a first pivot position 13, is shown here as an example with dashed lines. If the solar panel 4 is pivoted into a different position, a different travel position is present. In particular, the movable fence installation 14, with its section corresponding to the edge pivoted towards the ground, is moved beyond the circular path 16. Since the movable fence installation 14 has a defined length parallel to the ground, it is moved on the other side of the base 2 towards the base 2 and, in particular, into the circular path 16.Since the first edge 8 on this side exceeds the minimum distance 12, this is not a problem, and the corresponding area of ​​ground is simultaneously freed up by this shift, allowing, for example, cows to graze there. Grazing in the area behind the solar panels 7 creates a desirable symbiotic effect. The livestock grazes in the shaded area and is therefore not exposed to direct sunlight. This leads to increased animal welfare in hot weather and, for example, to higher milk yield and better milk composition in dairy cattle. The fence installation 14, which always protects and encloses the area of ​​the solar panel 7 located near the ground, ensures that livestock are always kept away from this area of ​​the solar panel 7. In particular, this prevents livestock from being trapped between the support base 14 and the lower edge 8, 9 of the solar panel 7.

[0036] The fence installation 14 is coupled to the solar panel 4 via a mechanical coupling means 18, in particular designed as a cable pull 19, so that a pivoting of the solar panel 4 from the neutral position 17 to the first pivoting position 13 simultaneously causes the movement of the fence installation 14 to the first travel position 15.

[0037] To clarify the following description, a first side of solar panel 20 and a second side of solar panel 21 are defined. The first side of solar panel 20 extends from the first edge 8 to the pivot axis 6, and the second side of solar panel 21 extends from the second edge 9 to the pivot axis 6. The corresponding sides of the fence installation 14 below are accordingly referred to as the first side of fence installation 22 and the second side of fence installation 23. The ratio of the lengths of the sides of solar panel 20, 21 and the lengths of fence installation 22, 23, as well as the height of the pivot axis 6 above the ground and the absolute dimensions of solar panel 4, are preferably coordinated taking into account the size of the grazing animals.If large grazing animals are kept in the area of ​​the solar panel installation and the solar panel is large, the pivot axis should be higher, and the fence installation 14 must encompass the lower part of the solar panel 4 over a wide area. For smaller grazing animals, a lower pivot axis 6 and a smaller fence installation 14 may be used. The ratios of the lengths 20, 21, 22, and 23, as well as the dimensions of the solar panel 4 and the height of the base 2, are particularly preferred if they are selected such that shading of the solar panel 4 by the fence elements 26 of the fence installation 14 is either absent or minimal. In particular, if an edge 8, 9 of the solar panel passes below the top edge of the fence elements 26 when pivoted, the distance between the fence elements 26 and the solar panel 4 is preferably large enough to prevent shading at certain angles of incidence of the sun.

[0038] On the first side of the solar panel 20, the first end of a first rope 24 is connected to the first side of the fence installation 22 and is deflected by means of a first pulley 25, which is provided in the area of ​​the base between the first side of the fence installation 22 and the solar panel 4, and connected to the first edge 8. If the solar panel 4 is now pivoted into the first pivot position 13, this results in an increase in the distance between the first edge 8 and the first pulley 25, so that the rope 24 comes under tension and exerts a pull on the first side of the fence installation 22, so that the fence installation 14 is moved towards the base 2 into the first travel position 15.Since the fence installation 14 as a whole forms a movable unit, for example movable on a rail, the second side of the fence installation 23 is moved away from the base into the first travel position 15 and at the same time the second edge 9 is inserted between the second side of the fence installation 23 and the base 2, at the latest when the second edge 9 falls below the minimum distance 12.

[0039] Similarly, a second rope 26 and a second pulley 29, which may be arranged symmetrically to the first rope 24 and the first pulley 25, exert a pull on the second side of the fence installation 23 when the solar panel 4 is pivoted clockwise.

[0040] Depending on the position of the sun, the solar system installation according to the invention thus enables the solar panel 4 to follow the position of the sun, whereby the movable fence installation 14 ensures that sections of the solar panel 4 which fall below the minimum distance 12 are protected and at the same time areas of the ground are released where the minimum distance 12 of the corresponding sections of the solar panel 4 to the ground is exceeded, so that livestock can graze in this area released by the fence installation 14.

[0041] The described solar installation enables a particularly advantageous design for solar power plants, allowing for the shared use of land for agricultural purposes and for solar energy production. This is referred to as "agrisolar" land use. (Reference list)

[0042] 1 Solar system installation

[0043] 2 Stand

[0044] 3 floors

[0045] 4 solar panels

[0046] 5 central swivel bearings

[0047] 6 swivel axes

[0048] 7. Length of the solar panel

[0049] 8 first edge

[0050] 9 second edge

[0051] 10 Distance from first edge to ground

[0052] 11 Distance from second edge to floor

[0053] 12 Minimum distance

[0054] 13 first swivel position

[0055] 14 Fence installation

[0056] 15 first travel position

[0057] 16 circular track

[0058] 17 Neutral position

[0059] 18 mechanical coupling device

[0060] 19 cable pull

[0061] 20 first side of the solar panel

[0062] 21 second side of the solar panel

[0063] 22 first page of the fence installation

[0064] 23 second side of the fence installation

[0065] 24 first rope

[0066] 25 first pulley

[0067] 26 fence elements

[0068] 27 Holding device

[0069] 28 Second rope

Claims

Claims 1. Solar installation (14) with at least one base (2) and at least one solar panel (4) pivotably attached thereto, which is designed to be pivoted so that its orientation follows the path of the sun, wherein, in different pivoting positions (13), different sections (8, 9) of the at least one solar panel (4) are less than a minimum distance (12) to a ground (3) surrounding the base (2), comprising a movable fence installation (14) designed to protect the areas of the ground (3) from livestock where the minimum distance (12) is not maintained and at the same time to allow other areas of the ground to be opened to livestock where the minimum distance (12) is not maintained in a different pivoting position (13).

2. Solar installation according to claim 1, comprising a swivel drive which is configured to move at least one solar panel (4) in such a way that its orientation follows the path of the sun.

3. Solar system installation according to claim 2, wherein the swivel drive is configured to draw current from the solar panel (4) or to draw current from the power grid.

4. Solar installation according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fence installation (14) has at least one movable fence element (26) which is moved when the pivot position (13) of the solar panel (4) is changed.

5. Solar installation according to claim 4, wherein the fence installation (4) comprises a holding device (27) to which at least one fence element (26) of the fence installation (14) is attached, wherein the holding device (27) is movable parallel to a floor plane of the floor (3) surrounding the base (2).

6. Solar installation according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the fence installation (14) is coupled to the at least one solar panel (4) via at least one mechanical coupling means (18) such that a change in the pivot position (13) of the at least one solar panel (4) simultaneously causes a movement of the fence installation (14).

7. Solar installation according to claim 6, wherein the mechanical coupling means (18) comprises at least one cable pull (19) with which the fence installation (14) is coupled to the solar panel (4).

8. Solar installation according to claim 7, wherein the at least one cable pull (19) connects outer areas of the at least one solar panel (4), which are spaced apart from a central pivot bearing (5), to the fence installation (14) in such a way that a pivoting movement of the at least one solar panel about the central pivot bearing (5) causes a displacement movement of the fence installation (14).

9. Solar system installation according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a pivot bearing (5) provided with a pivot axis (6) about which the solar panel can be pivoted in a pivoting direction.

10. Solar installation according to claim 9, wherein the at least one solar panel (4) has a width parallel to the pivot axis (6) which is greater than a length (7) of the solar panel which extends in a plane normal to the pivot axis (6).

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