GB2435996A

GB2435996A - Housing for interface components of a solar panel

Info

Publication number: GB2435996A
Application number: GB0604913A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Nissim Leon Jacob
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2006-03-10
Filing date: 2006-03-10
Publication date: 2007-09-12
Anticipated expiration: 2026-03-10
Also published as: GB2435996B; GB0604913D0

Abstract

A housing for containing the interface components of a solar panel, such as a DC-AC inverter and a battery, comprises a back plate for mounting to a wall, a removable cover 30 and an electrical connector (42, figure 4) accessible from outside the housing. The housing may have vents 32 and a sloped shape to promote run off of water. The back plate secures to a wall and has mounting elements to support an inverter and a battery. Fans may also be provided within the housing. The housing allows components of a solar power system to be conveniently located for access.

Description

1 2435996

A PHOTO VOLTAIC SOLAR PANEL INTERFACE

This invention relates to the interface between a solar panel and an electricity consumer.

A typical solar panel has a 12 volts direct current (d.c.) output. The uses for 12 volts d.c. are somewhat limited, and accordingly an inverter is generally provided to give an alternating current (a.c.) output at 220/240 volts a.c., which is usable in most electrical installations.

Domestic solar panel systems are somewhat expensive to install, particularly because there is often little space to install the interface equipment in a convenient and readily accessible location. Most usually the interface equipment is laid out in a loft or attic space, and typically comprises a 12 volt d.c. isolator, a 12 volt d.c.

charge regulator, a 12 volt d.c. battery, an inverter and a 220/240 volt a.c. isolator.

Installing such equipment is not easy, especially if the loft space is defined by W' trussed frames, and moreover such equipment is heavy to lift into place. A further difficulty is that once installed, inspection is difficult because of limited access; accordingly regular maintenance may be neglected.

What is required is a solution to these problems, in particular to allow rapid installation of interface equipment so as to achieve a substantial reduction in installation cost.

According to the invention, there is provided an enclosure for solar panel interface equipment and comprising a backplate adapted for wall mounting, and a removable cover for the backplate for defining a closed substantially sealed space therein, said backplate defining a support member of an inverter, and support member of a baftery within said cover, and an electrical connector without said cover.

The invention thus provides a wall mounted unit adapted to contain all of the required components for the interface. The unit can be pre-wired and tested, and is suitable for rapid external installation, with only connections to the solar panel and 220/240 volt a.c. consumer system to complete. External fitment permits ready inspection and repair and avoids any requirement for installation of components in a confined dark space. Moreover such an installation can be completed without substantial disturbance to domestic living quarters.

A typical use of the invention is to provide a stand-alone means of providing 220/240 volt a.c. as a substitute for mains electrical supply.

In the preferred embodiment the backplate is a generally flat unitary component defining protruding mounting surfaces for inverter, baftery fan(s) and electrical connector(s). Preferably all said mounting surfaces are sheared and bent at least in part from the backplate, the shearing defining ventilation apertures. Preferably the perimeter of said backplate, which is preferably rectangular, includes opposite return edges for location of the cover thereon. Said return edges are preferably at 90 to the plane of the backplate and directed oppositely to the protrusion of said mounting surfaces.

Preferably said connector is arranged below a generally transverse portion of said cover so as to be shielded thereby, and in the preferred embodiment is located immediately below said cover. This arrangement allows protection from rain and snow. More than one connector may be provided, for example an input connector for 12 volts d.c. and an output connector for 220/240 volts a.c.; a further output connector of low voltage d.c. may also be provided.

In a preferred embodiment the battery support is lowermost within said cover.

Generally speaking a conventional deep cycle 12 volt car battery is provided as a buffer to store the electrical output of a solar panel until required at an electrical consumer. Such batteries tend to be quite large, for example up to 70 AHr, and have dimensions of the order of 300 x 200 x 200mm. An inverter is somewhat smaller and if located above the battery allows a sloping front face to the cover to ensure shedding of rainwater and the like. Moreover, the upper edge of the cover can be narrow, thus avoiding the tendency to use it as a shelf. An advantage of this internal layout is that a large transverse area is however provided at the base of the cover, which can provide an effective rainwater shield for the one or more external electrical connectors. The cover may have depending side cheeks to further protect such connector(s).

In a preferred arrangement the battery support includes a planar strut extending forwardly and upwardly from a backplate at an angle in the range 3 0-60 , preferably about 45 . Such a strut may be across the full width of the battery support, and may also define a downwardly facing external surface adapted for mounting of one or more external electrical connectors. The space within said strut and below the battery support provides a convenient location for the inner part of such connector(s) and associated wiring and cabling.

Preferably said strut and battery support is formed at least in part from said backplate by bending. In the preferred embodiment, the backplate in use defines such a strut and battery support bent up from the lower edge thereof. The battery support preferably includes a peripheral lip to define a tray; said lip may be 15- 25mm in height.

The cover is adapted to be secured by conventional means, such as screws locating in the backplate, and may be provided with a lock to prevent unauthorised access.

In the preferred embodiment, the backplate is of stainless steel, and the cover is of high density polyurethane (HDPE).

Other features of the invention will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment shown by way of example only in the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is an isometric view of a backplate of the invention; Fig.2 is a vertical sectional view through the backplate of Fig.1 on line 2-2; Fig.3 is an isometric view of a cover for the backplate of Fig.1; Fig.4 is an isometric view of a pre-wired backplate corresponding to Fig. 1; and Fig.5 is a front elevation of the pre-wired backplate of Fig.4.

A backplate 10 folded and welded from e.g. stainless sheet, has fixing holes 11 to facilitate wall mounting. Side cheeks 12 space the backplate from a wall by e.g. 5- 10mm and provide location surfaces for a cover. The lower edge of the backplate is bent up at about 450, as illustrated in Fig.2 to provide an angled surface 13, and horizontally forwardly to provide front support surface 14. Triangular supports 15 are sheared and bent out of the backplate to be welded to the angled surface 13, and to a lip 16 provided around the perimeter of the front support surface 14. Welds are indicated by dotted lines 17.

A rear support surface 18 is provided on a spacer 19 formed as illustrated in Fig. 1 and spot welded to front face of backplate 10. A mounting stud 21 is provided for securing a cover.

Limbs 22 are sheared and bent out of the backplate to support an inverter (not shown), and on either side flanges 23 are sheared and bent out to support fans (not shown).

The rectangular region 24 between the backplate 10 and spacer 19 forms a cable guide, as will be described.

Fig.3 illustrates a cover 30 for the backplate of Fig. 1, and moulded in one piece from e.g. HDPE (high density polyurethane). The cover 30 can be fixed in any suitable manner, for example via screw holes 31 and stainless steel studs provided on the backplate 10; locking nuts may be secured by a spanner, and such nuts may have a special profile to prevent unauthorised access. Louvres for ventilation are provided at both sides, either integrally or via attached louvred plates 32. Attached plates allow asymmetry, if required, to prevent ingress of water reaching the neighbouring electrical connections. A charge controller indicator 33 provides a visual indication of the state of charge of an internal battery (not shown).

Fig.4 corresponds to Fig.1, and shows additionally fans 41 mounted one to each flange 23, and several electrical connector sockets 42,43 mounted to the exterior of the angled surface 13 and having connections 44, 45 protruding to the interior.

Such connectors may be of any suitable waterproof kind, such as a caravan type female connector 42 for 12 volt, and an external 220/240 volt a.c. socket. Electrical leads 46 and connectors for the fans are also illustrated.

Fig.4 illustrates in dotted outline a 12 volt battery 47, and an inverter 38.

Fig.5 shows an illustrative front elevation having the 12 volt d.c. socket 42, a 220/240 volt a.c. socket 43, and a blanking plate 49. The plate 49 allows provision for another kind of electrical connector, as will become apparent.

In use a backplate 10 will be mounted on an external wall of a building in the vicinity of a solar panel. The solar panel itself may be wall mounted on a suitable bracket on a near south facing wall. Most usually the backplate will be mounted on the same wall as the solar panel.

Typically, the backplate will be pre-wired and have electrical sockets and fans mounted thereon, as illustrated in Fig.4. Wires and cables will lie behind the spacer so as to be protected yet be kept neat and tidy.

Next, the inverter and battery will be mounted on the relevant supports, as illustrated in doffed outline in Fig.4. The inverter will typically include a cooling fan which is supplemented by the fans 41. These fans 41 are arranged to direct air across the inverter for cooling purposes, so that air flows in at one side via one louvred plate 32, and out via the other plate to the other side.

Having made the necessary connections to battery and inverter, the cover 30 is attached to form a weatherproof enclosure. Electrical connection to the solar panel is via socket 42, and to an electrical consumer via the socket 43. Blanking plate 49 allow provision of a 12 volt d.c. output, for e.g. external battery charging, or a 12 volt d.c. input for initial charging of the internal battery 47.

Claims

CLAIMS

I. An enclosure for solar panel interface equipment, and comprising a backplate for wall mounting, and a removable cover for the backplate for defining a closed substantially sealed space therein, said backplate defining a support member of an inverter, and support member of a battery within said cover, and an electrical connector without said cover.

2. An enclosure according to claim I wherein said backplate is a generally flat unitary component defining protruding mounting surfaces.

3. An enclosure according to claim 2 wherein said mounting surfaces are sheared and bent at least in part from said backplate. S... * *

* S. S : * 15 4. An enclosure according to claim 3 wherein the support member of the battery includes a planar support strut extending forwardly and upwardly from a S...

* backplate at an angle in the range 30-60 , said strut defining a downwardly facing * :* :.* external surface adapted for mounting of said electrical connector. S... * S S...

5. An enclosure according to claim 4 wherein said strut and battery support are bent up from the lower edge of said backplate.

6. An enclosure according to any of claims 3-5 wherein the support member of the battery is lowermost within said cover.

7. An enclosure according to any preceding claim wherein ventilation apertures are defined by shearing from the backplate.

8. An enclosure according to any preceding claim wherein the perimeter of said backplate is rectangular and includes opposite return edges for location of the cover thereon.

9. An enclosure according to any preceding claim wherein said connector is arranged below a generally transverse portion of said cover so as to be shielded thereby.

10. An enclosure according to claim 9 wherein said connector is below said cover in use.

11. An enclosure according to claim 10 wherein said cover has a sloping front face to ensure shedding of rainwater and the like. *.I. * * ***.

12. An enclosure according to claim 11 wherein said cover has depending side * cheeks to protect said electrical connector. S...

*: * * 13. An enclosure for solar panel interface equipment substantially as described * herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. S...