GB2484518A

GB2484518A - Solar collector system comprising overlapping collector panels forming a roof structure

Info

Publication number: GB2484518A
Application number: GB1017349.0A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Phillip James Sylvester
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-10-14
Filing date: 2010-10-14
Publication date: 2012-04-18
Also published as: GB201017349D0

Abstract

A solar collector system comprises a number of solar collector panels formed from sheet material and positionable side by side in overlapping relationship to form a roof structure. Preferably, each panel includes a flat mid-section and side regions with formations raised above the mid-section which overlap with adjacent panel formations. At least one of the side regions of each panel may include a lip for fixing to a building member. Preferably, the system also incorporates roof flashing elements, at the ends and sides of the panels, as part of the roof structure. In use, the solar panels may be of a solar thermal type that converts solar energy into heat energy, or of a photovoltaic (PV) type for the production of electrical energy, or a combination of both solar thermal and photovoltaic.

Description

A solar panel and solar panel system This invention relates to solar panels of the type that collect energy from the sun and converts this energy into heat energy or electrical energy or a combination of both heat energy and electric energy and a solar panel system using a plurality of the solar panels in a side by side arrangement.

Present solar panels are fitted over existing roof structures i.e. structures which provide a rain resistant building exterior. They are made as discrete units which can be fitted to roofs singly or in multiple units. They are usually heavy and cumbersome to fit, and require holes in the roof to be made to accommodate pipes and electric cables. The labour involved in fitting the unit or units is excessive.

If more than one unit is fitted to a roof, then there is no concern about watertight abutments between adjacent units because the underlying roof structure should be watertight. However, the underlying roof needs to support the additional weight of the unit or units.

The concept, when this invention was conceived was to produce a solar thermal system that was easier to install than current systems. During the design process it was revealed that the basic design could be used to house a Photovoltaic (PV) panel replacing the glass or plastic sheet that usually sits on a solar thermal panel. The problem with Photovoltaic's is that the efficiency of a Photovoltaic panel drops when it becomes too hot. As Photovoltaic panels are normally very dark colours and as they are exposed to the radiation of the sun they have a tendency to overheat contributing to a drop in efficiency. To combat the problem of overheating Photovoltaic panels traditionally have an air gap behind them that allows natural convection in order to take the heat away and minimise the effects of overheating. One of the ways that this invention seeks to address the problem of overheating is to cool the panels with a liquid coolant using a similar configuration to that of the inventions original solar thermal panel. Not only would this have the potential of regulating the temperature and therefore optimising the efficiency of the solar panel the heat removed from the panel via the liquid coolant could be used to in an application that requires heat e.g. to heat water. Taking this idea further it was also realised that as this invention was a sealed unit another method of cooling would be to use forced air. This too also has the benefit in not only cooling the panels but also having a useful waste product of heated air. An example of its use could be space heating.

The ability to connect many solar thermal panels together will have the advantage of extending the heating season into the cooler months of the year; however, large arrays of solar panels can over heat in the summer months. In order to combat over heating in the summer months a means of dumping the heat needs to be included in the arrangement. This disadvantage can be easily neutralised and even turned into an advantage, for example excessive heat could be used to heat swimming pools, or used in absorber type chillers to run air conditioning units, stored in seasonal thermal stores, or simply put through a cooling tower. Whatever the method used to dump the heat out of the system would be a benefit to a building if the system made up an area of the building fabric as it would have a cooling effect on the building in its ability to remove heat entering the building through solar gain, therefore reducing the cooling load for a building during the summer months.

A major contributor to climate change is the burning of fossil fuels to produce energy. Apart from the implication to the environment in regards to climate change the ever increasing cost of fuel and the security of these fuels it is now becoming increasingly more important to seek out methods of exploiting alternative energy. It is widely accepted that solar energy from the sun offers a good source of renewable energy.

One of the ways to harness this energy is the use solar panels. Solar panels capture the energy from the sun and produce heat energy or electrical energy. Heat or electricity generated in this manner may then be past to an application that requires heat, for example, a domestic hot water system or electricity for example a light bulb.

However the use of conventional flat plate solar panels can lead to a number of difficulties. Flat plate solar panels require either frames to mount them on or if installed in a roof the removal of the external roof covering and replacing it with the solar panels. Both these two methods of installing flat plate solar panels require multiple parts to connect the panels together and a range of different tools to achieve installation. Furthermore flat plate solar panels are very large and are physically demanding to install, their hydraulic systems are connected together in formations that require the installer to negotiate various positions at the top and the bottom and either side of the solar panels in order to connect the flat plate solar panels together. Furthermore flat plate solar panels only produce heat energy or electrical energy resulting in two different installations that may require two separate contractors and be totally different in appearance. Furthermore different building designs require different forms of energy an example would be space heating where some buildings may require heated air and other buildings may require heated fluid.

The invention provides a solar panel according to claim 1 and preferred features according to the dependent claims.

To overcome the problems mentioned above, embodiments of the present invention propose an interlocking flat plate solar panel that because of its interlocking abilities requires minimal fixings and no flashing between panels and can be connected together side by side therefore minimising component parts and the tools required to install the panels. Also this invention allows the panel to sit above each other within the same plane in order to place multiple rows of panels as required. The hydraulic system also is positioned to fit together in single area on the flat plate solar panel requiring simple and accessible final connection, for example, within a singular area in a building. In a similar fashion to the hydraulic system the electrical cables for the photovoltaic's are positioned to fit together in single area on the solar panel requiring simple and accessible final connection, for example, within a singular area in a building. A Flat plate solar panel system that contain individual single panels that capture solar energy and convert into either, heat energy or electrical energy. Or a flat plate solar panel system that contain individual single panels that capture solar energy and convert it into heat energy and electrical energy or a mixture of the two. A Hybrid flat plate solar panel system, that requires a single contractor and a system that visually has the same appearance throughout. A flat plate solar panel system that can produce, heated air or heated fluid or a combination of the both.

A flat plate solar panel means a panel that preferably has a flat upper face that is exposed to the sun to maximise its capture of solar energy although a curved upper face may also be used.

The interlocking means is preferably achieved due to the finished form of the flat plate solar panels although the interlocking means may also be provided by a means separate to the flat plate solar panels such as an additional component fitted to a side of the panel. Also interlocking may be expressed as interconnecting and or overlapping.

Minimal fixings means that due to the interlocking nature of the design less fixing are required to hold the solar panels in place as the next panel in a row for example is connected to the previous panel by interlocking or interconnecting with it.

The hydraulic system means a system of piping that uses a fluid as a heat transfer medium.

The flow and return of the hydraulic system is positioned to fit together in single area means, an area of close proximity for example the top left area of a solar panel, although the flow and return of the hydraulic system may be positioned separately, for example, one connection at the top and the other connection at the bottom of a solar panel, or one connection on the left of the solar panel and one connection on the right side of the solar panel or a mixture of both.

Flow and return means the points at which the fluid enters and exits a solar panel, for example the flow maybe where the fluid enters and then exits via the return. The system maybe a two pipe system, that is a system with individual circuits for the flow and return or a single pipe system, which is a system with a single circuit for both the flow and return.

A simple and accessible final connection of the hydraulic system means the hydraulic system on each individual solar panel is finally connected to another solar panel or another component within a complete system for example by means of a mechanical connector, this includes push fit and quick couple connectors, although connection can be provided by other means such as heat for

example soldering.

A simple and accessible final connection of the electrical cables means the electric cables on each individual solar panel is finally connected to another solar panel or another component within a complete system for example by means of a mechanical connector, this includes push fit and quick couple electrical connectors Within a singular area within a building means that due to the position of the flow and return this invention allows the solar panels to be connected to a system along the length of the flow and return pipes in a two pipe system. This advantage however does not have to be adhered to and connection to a system can be made at any individual point along the flow and return pipes, for example, the flow can be connected at the left hand side of an individual panel or panels and the return on the right hand side of an individual panel or panels.

A flat plate solar panel system means individual panels or multiple panels that are connected together in some manner to a circuit containing other parts.

A hybrid flat plate solar panel system means a system of individual or multiple panels that are connected together that can produce combined heat and power, that is, heat energy and electrical energy.

Heat energy is achieved when a panel is exposed to the sun and the suns energy warms the panel.

Depending on the configuration of the panel the energy can then be transfer to an application either with a fluid or a gas the gas would normally be air.

Electrical energy is achieved by incorporation photovoltaic's (PV) within the panel The invention will now be described solely by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Fig 1. Shows the region at which panels 1 and 2 are connected together; Fig 2. Shows panels 1, 2 connected together with panel 3 ready to be connected; Fig 3. Shows further panels placed side by side Fig 4. Shows how the profile of the further panels connect together Fig 5. Shows how different types of panels can be connected together Fig 6. Shows how multiple rows of panels can sit above each other in the same plane Fig 7 Shows how air can be used as the heat transfer means The panels illustrated are intended for fitting to new and existing roof timbers. Existing roofs will require the removal of the existing tiles and the like It is however possible to mount the solar panels on frames as conventional solar panels and still benefit from the quick fit interlocking mechanism that this system has to offer.

In fig 1, fluid warming panels panel 1 is put in place and fixed by means of screws or the like driven through lip side section la, into existing rafters. At raised formation 2a panel 2 over laps a similar raised formation 3a on panel 1. This will provide a weather proof finish to the panels. When panel 2 is positioned and positioned in place interlocking complimentary formations, not shown, holds the panels together.

Fig 2, shows the panels 1 and 2 in place, and an additional panel 3 offered into place against the raised formation of panel 2. Shown also are flow and return piping, lc, 2c that has come together at area 2b when panels 1 and 2 were fitted together. Flow and return piping 3c will come together at area 3b when panel 3 is brought into place with panel 2. The pipes are then connected to each other in order for a heat transfer fluid to flow around a circuit. The flow and return piping could also indicate the positioning of the electrical cables.

Fig3 an fig 4 show air warming panels 1', 2' and 3' which have air ducts id, 2d, and 3d. Like the panels 1,2 and 3, panels 1',2'and 3' have profiles which enables the panels to be connected side by side overlapping each Other, therefore minimising the amount of fixings and component parts required on the roof.

Fig 5 show that different types of panels, 1", 2" 3" and 4" can be installed side by side. In this instance, the panels include air cooled electricity producing photovoltaic panels 1", water cooled electricity producing photovoltaic panels 2" and fluid warming panels 3" and 4". This system allows different configurations of these panels to work producing different output depending on the requirement.

Fig 5 also shows the different configurations that can be achieved by each panel, these are, PV and warm air, PV and Hot Water and just hot water, however, PV, Warm Air and Warm Air with Hot Water could also be produced single type panels. All the types of panels could be installed as single panels or multiple arrays in either single or multiple configurations.

Fig 6 shows that in addition to the panels sitting together side by side in a row, panels can also sit one above another. This allows the upper row to cover the pipe work lc, 2c and 3c of the lower row and provide a weather tight finish allowing the now array 6 of panels to be used as a complete roof covering if desired.

Fig 7 shows an example how individual photovoltaic air cooled panels 7 can be connected together and incorporate upper 7a and lower 7b ducting to allow for the movement of air through a system. In fig 7 the panel to the right has had the PV laminate removed in order to illustrate a heat sink 7b fitted to the rear of the photovoltaic substrate which draws heat from the substrate to improve its efficiency and relies on air convection currents or forced air currents. Fig 7 Also shows a heat sink this may or may not be required as the use of the heat sink may depend upon the outcome or circumstance of the finished system. This is also the case for panel other than photovoltaic panels and allows the system to also form simple warm air collectors.

Figures Sa, Sb, Sc, 9a, 9b, and 9c show the end sections of the panels illustrated in previous Figures which allow one panel to be fitted above the other in use, to form an array of panels, side by side and end on end, for example as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8a shows the upper end region of panel 1 in section having raised side formations 2a and 3a which allow fitting to the sides of adjacent panels as described above. At the upper ends the side formations 2a and 3a are depressed below the surface of the remaining raised formations. The same arrangement can be seen in plan view Figure Sb and side view Figure Sc. Fitted over the formations 2a and 3a are lower end regions 2a' and 3a' on panel 5 shown in Figures 9a,b and c. The channelled mid section 4' of the lower sections of panel 5 are reduced in width to fit within the mid section 4 of the upper region of panel 1. The channelled sections 4 and 4' allow air to flow under photovoltaic surface 5.

Figures ba, 10 b and 10 c show options for flashing pieces which allow air flow through the channelled sections 4 of the panels, particularly the photovoltaic panels which require cooling to operate more efficiently. In Figure ba an upper flashing piece S which can direct an air current into a building whilst providing a weather resistant cover at the top of the panel array.

Figure bOb shows a lower flashing 9 which allows air to enter at a lower end of the channel 4. The flashing 9 includes a mesh 10 preventing the ingress of insects etc. Figure bc shows an alternative lower flashing 11 providing air flow under the flashing into the channel 4.

The panels illustrated are formed from a sheet material such a rolled and/or pressed coated metal such as steel or aluminium.

S

Claims

Claims 1. A solar collector system comprising a plurality of collector panels formed from sheet material and positionable side by side in overlapping relationship to form a roof structure.
2. A solar collector system as claimed in claim 1 wherein each panel is formed from a substantially flat mid section and side regions having formations raised above the mid sections for forming the overlapping relationship.
3. A solar collector system as claimed in claim 2 wherein at least one of the side regions of each panel includes a lip under the raised formation for fixing to a building member.
4. A solar collector system as claimed in claim 2 or 3 wherein the side regions of adjacent panels interlock by means of resilient complementary formations.
5. A solar collector system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the panels include fluid flow conduits bought adjacent or into contact with adjacent panel conduits as adjacent panels are offered into the overlapping relationship.
6. A solar collector system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the panels include positive and negative electrical cables bought adjacent or into contact with adjacent panel cables as adjacent panels are offered into the overlapping relationship.
7. A solar collector system as claimed in claim any one of the preceding claims wherein the system further includes side by side panels including electrically productive liquid warming or air warming or any combination of the same.
8. A solar collector system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the panels are formed to overlap at their ends to from a further roof structure.
9. A solar collector system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims wherein the system further includes flashing elements at ends and sides of the panels as part of the roof structure.
10. A roof structure formed from a solar panel system claimed in any one of the preceding claims.
11. A roof structure as claimed in claim 9 including flashing pieces fitted to upper and lower regional of the panel system, for directing air into a building.