Floating PV Mounting With Flexible Mat for Damage-Free Roofs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional photovoltaic systems face challenges such as high roof loads, damage to building structures, and difficulty in retrofitting due to invasive fastening methods, which can lead to leaks and other serious issues.
Innovation Solution
A photovoltaic system with a stand device mounted floatingly on a support surface using a flexible plastic mat, allowing for play and low friction coefficients, which reduces roof load and eliminates the need for penetrating attachments, utilizing aluminum sheet metal profiles for a lightweight and self-supporting design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional fastening methods are used to attach photovoltaic systems to roofs, then secure mounting is achieved, but roof skin damage and leaks occur
Solution Approach 1:
A flexible mat made of plastic material is introduced as an intermediary element between the support device and the roof surface. This mat distributes the contact forces over a larger area and prevents concentrated loads that would damage the roof skin, while still providing sufficient friction to secure the mounting
Solution Approach 2:
The flexible plastic mat acts as a thin film that conforms to the roof surface and distributes loads evenly. Its flexibility allows it to adapt to slight surface irregularities while maintaining contact, preventing both damage to the roof and ensuring stable mounting
2Stability of the object's composition
If heavy ballast is used to secure the base plate, then mounting stability is improved, but roof load increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The support device is designed to be self-securing through friction between the flexible mat and the roof surface, as well as between the mat and the device. This eliminates the need for external ballast or heavy weighting systems, reducing the overall load on the roof while maintaining stability
Solution Approach 2:
The mechanical ballast system is replaced by a friction-based securing mechanism. The flexible mat creates sufficient friction forces to hold the support device in place without requiring additional weight, substituting a mass-dependent system with a force-based system
3Reliability
If invasive fastening methods are used to attach solar modules to roofs, then secure mounting is achieved, but retrofitting becomes difficult and leaks increase
Solution Approach 1:
The flexible mat serves as a non-invasive intermediary that secures the support device without penetrating the roof surface. This allows the system to be installed on existing roofs without damage, enabling easy retrofitting while maintaining secure mounting through friction and contact forces
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a damage-free, low-roof-load, and cost-effective installation option that allows for easy retrofitting, maintaining the building's integrity while maximizing energy yield through optimized solar cell positioning and minimizing maintenance.
Implementation Method 1
at least one mat made of a flexible plastic material, the at least one mat compensating for play between the support device on the one hand and the support surface on the other hand
Implementation Method 2
the anti-vibration rubber in question provides an anti-slip effect and serves to absorb vibration. This is to greatly reduce shifting and falling of tiles or damage to the tiles of the roof
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A
Figure 2B
AI summary
The invention relates to a photovoltaic installation equipped with at least one solar cell (1), and a support device (2, 3, 4, 5) for placing the solar cell (1) above a bearing surface (U). Said bearing surface (U) can be, for example, a roof (U) or a place of installation etc. According to the invention, said support surface (2, 3, 4, 5) is floatingly mounted on the bearing surface (U).