AU2011273423A1

AU2011273423A1 - Installation for collecting solar energy

Info

Publication number: AU2011273423A1
Application number: AU2011273423A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Guillaume Carre; Yann Micallef
Original assignee: SunPower Corp
Current assignee: TotalEnergies Onetech SAS
Priority date: 2010-07-01
Filing date: 2011-07-01
Publication date: 2013-01-24
Anticipated expiration: 2031-07-01
Also published as: JP2013533403A; KR20130142993A; FR2962194A1; EP2588815A2; AU2011273423B2; WO2012001162A2; ES2549497T3; JP5864565B2; WO2012001162A3; CN103314264A; EP2588815B1; CN103314264B; FR2962194B1

Abstract

An installation (1) for collecting solar energy, intended to be mounted on an inclined roof framework (3) of a building. The installation (1) comprises a cover (2) for covering the framework (3), having corrugations (2a) in a longitudinal direction (D1) in an inclination direction of the framework, fixing members (10), and panels (5) for collecting solar energy. The installation (1) comprises a mounting structure (20) fixed on the fixing members (10), the mounting structure (20) comprising sections (21, 22) which extend in the longitudinal direction (D1), and the panels (5) for collecting solar energy are mounted on said mounting structure (20).

Description

(12) INTERNATIONAL APPLICATION PUBLISHED UNDER THE PATENT COOPERATION TREATY (PCT) (19) World Intellectual Property Organization International Bureau (10) International Publication Number (43) International Publication Date PCT W O 2012/001162 A2 5 January 2012 (05.01.2012) (51) International Patent Classification: (81) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for every kind F24J 2/52(2006.01) E04B 1/26 (2006,01) of national protection available): AE, AG, AL, AM, AO, AT, E04D 3/02 (2006.01) E04D 13/18 (2006.01) AU, AZ, BA, BB, BG, BH, BR, BW, BY, BZ, CA, CH, CL, HOIL 31/042 (2006.01) CN, CO, CR, CU, CZ, DE, DK, DM, DO, DZ, EC, EE, EG, ES, Fl, GB, GD, GE, GH, GM, UT, HN, HR, HU, iD, IL, IN, (21) International Application Number: IS, JP, KE, KG, KM, KN, KP, KR, KZ, LA, LC, LK, LR, LS, PCT/EP2011/061152 LT, LU, LY, MA, MD, ME, MG, MK, MN, MW, MX, MY, (22) International Filing Date: MZ, NA, NO, NI, NO, NZ, OM, PE, PG, PH, PL, PT, RO, RS, 1 July 2011 (01.07.2011) RU, SC, SD, SE, SG, SK, SL, SM, ST, SV, SY, TH, TJ, TM, (25) Filing Language: French TN, TR, TT, TZ, UA, UG, US, UZ, VC, VN, ZA, ZM, ZW, (26) Publication Language: French (84) Designated States (unless otherwise indicated, for evely kind (30) Priority Data: of regional protection available): ARIPO (BW, GH, GM, KE, LR, LS, MW, MZ, NA, SD, SL, SZ, TZ, UG, ZM, ZW), 1055337 1 July 2010 (01.07.2010) FR Eurasian (AM, AZ, BY, KG, KZ, MD, RU, TJ, TM), European (71) Applicant (for all designated States except US): TENESOL (AL, AT, BE, BG, CH, CY, CZ, DE, DK, EE, ES, FI, FR, GB, GP, [FR/FR]; 12 et 14 allde du Levant, Parc d'activitds, F-69890 La HP, HU, IE, IS, IT, LT, LU, LV, MC, MK, MT, NL, NO, PL, PT, Tour De Salvagny (FR). RO, RS, SE, SI, SK, SM, TR), OAPI (BF, BJ, CF, CG, Cl, CM, (72) Inventors; and GA, UN, GQ, GW, ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG). (75) Inventors/Applicants (for US only): MICALLEF, Yann Published: [FR/FR]; 49 rue Joliot Curie, F-69005 Lyon (FR). CARRE, Guiame[FR/FR]; 35 rue JoliotCurie, F 5 Ln (FRis CARED, - without international search report and to be republished on Guillaume [FR/FR]; 35 rue Joliot Cunie, Les Inis, Allde D, F-69005 Lyon (FR). receipt of this report (rule 48.2.g)) (74) Agents: FLEURANCE, Raphael et al.; Cabinet Plasseraud, 235 cours Lafayette, F-69006 Lyon (FR). (54) Title: INSTALLATION FOR COLLECTING SOLAR ENERGY 1 ) 21-2 21b 2 3 2 2 2 \ 22 D1 FIG. 1I 21b 02 (57) Abstract: An installation (1) for collecting solar energy, intended to be mounted on an inclined roof framework (3) of a building. The installation (1) comprises a cover (2) for covering the framework (3), having corrugations (2a) in a longitudinal direction (DI) in an inclination direction of the framework, fixing members (10), and panels (5) for collecting solar energy. The installation (1) comprises a mounting structure (20) fixed on the fixing members (10), the mounting structure (20) comprising sections (21, 22) which extend in the longitudinal direction (D1), and the panels (5) for collecting solar energy are mounted on said mounting structure (20). 3964500_1 (GHMatters) P92270AU 1 INSTALLATION FOR COLLECTING SOLAR ENERGY The present invention relates to an installation for collecting solar energy. More particularly, the invention relates to an installation for collecting solar 5 energy intended to be mounted on an inclined roof framework of a building, said installation comprising: - a cover for covering the framework, having corrugations in a longitudinal direction in an inclination direction of said framework, - fixing members capable of fixing said cover to the framework, said fixing members 10 comprising a base having a shape complementary to a corrugation of the cover, - flexible components between the fixing members and the cover, - a mounting structure fixed on said fixing members, said mounting structure comprising profiles that extend in the longitudinal direction, and - panels for collecting solar energy mounted on said mounting structure. 15 An installation of this type is disclosed in document AU 2009 245 849. Document FR 2 920 453 also discloses an installation that comprises moreover mounting profiles in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, directly supported by the cover, the panels for collecting solar energy being mounted on said profiles. 20 The present invention aims to improve the known installations. To this end, according to a first aspect, the invention proposes an installation in which each fixing member comprises at least one hole through which a screw passes to fix said fixing member to the framework, and each flexible component comprises an opening in correspondence with said hole, said opening being 25 surrounded by a protruding lip. As a result of these arrangements, the sealing of the installation and the tolerance to dimensional variations of the cover are improved. Furthermore, the installation can be installed more easily on the building framework. 30 Moreover, as the installation has no profile in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, the ventilation and air circulation of the installation are improved. Furthermore, the framework often comprises purlins in a perpendicular direction, said purlins often being widely spaced apart, particularly by more than 1.5 35 metres. The installation can therefore be mounted on such a framework with a distance between the profiles that is independent of the distance between the purlins. 1 acei a (I HM.i:Nh P922710 AL 2 In various embodiments of the installation according to the invention, one or more of the following arrangements may be used: - two successive profiles are mounted sliding in translation relative to each other in the longitudinal direction, and 5 - the panels for collecting solar energy are mounted on said mounting structure, in such a way that none of the panels for collecting solar energy is mounted on two successive profiles in the longitudinal direction; - the profiles have a length in the longitudinal direction that is an integral multiple to within 10% of one dimension of one of the panels for collecting solar energy 10 in the same longitudinal direction; - the profiles have a length in the longitudinal direction, the length preferably being less than 3 metres; - the profiles comprise first and second ends in the longitudinal direction, the first end being intended to be placed towards the bottom and comprising a stop 15 capable of holding a first panel for collecting solar energy; - the stop is integral with the profile; - a bar is engaged inside the successive profiles so that the second profile is sliding relative to the first profile, said bar being secured to one of the two successive profiles; 20 - the fixing members further comprise a side wall extending away from the base towards the top of the base, said side wall being capable of fixing the mounting structure; - the fixing members comprise at least two fixing means; - each flexible component entirely covers a lower surface of a fixing 25 member; - the panels for collecting solar energy are photovoltaic panels. Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of one of its embodiments, given as a non limitative example, with reference to the attached drawings. 30 On the drawings: - Figure 1 is a perspective view of the installation for collecting solar energy according to the invention, - Figure 2 is a front view of the mounting structure and of a fixing member of the installation in Figure 1, 35 - Figure 3 is a perspective view of one end of a profile of the mounting structure of the installation in Figure 1, 39145fl0 i (GHMtalsn P92270 AU 3 - Figure 4 is a perspective view of another end of a profile of the mounting structure of the installation in Figure 1, - Figure 5 is a perspective view of the connection between two successive profiles of the mounting structure of the installation in Figure 1, 5 - Figure 6 is a front view of a fixing member of the installation in Figure 1. In the figures, the same references denote identical or similar components. Directions X, Y and Z are shown in Figure 1, with the direction Z being the vertical direction. Figure 1 shows a general view of an embodiment of the installation 1 for 10 collecting solar energy according to the invention. The installation 1 is intended to be mounted on a support capable of supporting the installation for collecting solar energy. For example, the support can be a roof framework 3 of a building. The framework 3 has a summit S the position of which is diagrammatically shown by an arrow, from which a slope extends downwards in a first direction D1, said 15 slope having an angle generally comprised between 40 and 600 relative to a horizontal plane (plane XY) perpendicular to the direction Z. Hereinafter, a direction towards the summit S in the first direction D1 shall be referred to as "upwards" and a direction opposite to the latter shall be referred to as "downwards". The framework 3 can comprise supporting components, known as rafters, 20 not shown, extending parallel to each other in the first direction D1 and supporting components, known as battens or purlins 4, extending parallel to each other in a second direction D2 perpendicular to the first direction D1. The framework shown in the figures is a metal framework, but it can be made from wood. The framework 3 supports a cover 2. The cover 2 extends substantially in a 25 plane corresponding to the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The cover 2 generally has longitudinal corrugations or deformations 2a extending in the first direction D1. The cover can be made up of steel tray sheets. In this case, the corrugations 2a often have, as shown, a trapezoid profile in a cross-section perpendicular to the first direction D1. This profile is repeated in a second direction D2. 30 However, any type of profile can be used with sine-wave, arc or other types of corrugation. Furthermore, any type of sheet can be used: steel, aluminium, fibre cement, PVC, plastic, composite, or other. The cover 2 is oriented on the framework 3 of the building in such a way that the corrugations are facing in the direction of the slope of the roof, the first 35 direction D1. The cover 2 protects the building from rain and the rain easily runs downwards from the summit S of the framework along the troughs between the 4 summits of the corrugations of the cover 2. The installation 1 for collecting solar energy comprises: - the cover 2 described above, - fixing members 10 capable of fixing the cover 2 to the framework 3 or support, 5 - a mounting structure 20 fixed on the fixing members 10, and - several panels for collecting solar energy 5 mounted on said mounting structure 20. Figure 1 shows two panels for collecting solar energy arranged adjacent to each other in the first direction D1. The panels for collecting solar energy are, for example, made up of photovoltaic panels 5. Each photovoltaic panel 5 can comprise, 10 as shown in Figure 1, a network of photovoltaic cells 5a that generate electricity from sunlight, and an electrical circuit connected to the network to transport the electrical power generated by the photovoltaic cells. In Figure 1, each of the photovoltaic panels 5 has a rectangular outline with two longitudinal edges 6 extending in the first direction D1 and two transverse edges 7 extending in the second direction D2. 15 The fixing members 10 comprise: - a base 11 having a shape complementary to a corrugation 2a of the cover 2 and - a side wall 12 extending upwards from the base 11, in a third direction D3 perpendicular to the other two. Due to the complementary shape of the base 11, the fixing member 10 can 20 be firmly held and accurately positioned on a corrugation 2a of the cover 2 and two fixing members 10 mounted on the same corrugation of the cover 2 are naturally correctly aligned relative to each other, without requiring additional tools for their mounting and alignment. In particular, the base 11 can have a trapezium or trapezoid shape that follows the shape of the corrugation 2a of a standard steel tray. 25 The fixing member 10 comprises, on its base 11, a hole 13 positioned on the summit of the shape complementary to the corrugation of the base 11, which prevents water from seeping via the hole through the cover 2. A screw 13a passes through the hole 13 to tighten and fix the fixing member 10 on the cover 2 and fix the cover 2 on the framework 3, the cover 2 then being "sandwiched" between said fixing 30 member 10 and the framework 3. The base 11 of the fixing member 10 has a shape complementary to a corrugation 2a of the cover 2 and comprises a summit capable of fitting on the summit of a corrugation 2a and two arms extending downwards opposite each other to follow the shape of the corrugation 2a. The arms advantageously extend to the trough or 35 "deck" of the cover 2 on either side of the summit. As a result, when the screw 13a is tightened, the shape of the corrugation of the cover 2 is not deformed underneath the - -- ~lf i -17h~I~ .O11l l 5 fixing member 10, and the position of the fixing member 10 on the cover 2 is then correct, without any misalignment. As shown in Figure 6, a flexible component 15 in the form of a sheet, optionally adapted to the shape of the corrugation, is placed between the base 11 of 5 the fixing member 10 and the cover 2 to provide a seal, and once again prevent rainwater from seeping through the cover 2 by means of the hole 13. This flexible component 15 comprises an opening 15a in a location corresponding with the hole 13 in the base 11. The flexible component 15 can entirely cover a lower surface of the fixing 10 member. The fixing members 10 and the mounting structure 20, which are generally made from aluminium, are then electrically insulated from the cover 2, which is generally made from steel. This prevents oxidation by electrolysis between the metal materials. The flexible component 15 has an annular lip 15b around the opening 15a, 15 protruding to increase the compression of the material of said flexible component around its opening 15a to improve the seal and the tolerance of dimensional variations of the cover 2. Figure 6 shows the fixing member 10 and the flexible component 15 on the cover 2 in the position before tightening of the screw 13a in order to show the lip 15b more clearly. Advantageously, the flexible component is made from an elastomeric 20 material, such as rubber, natural rubber or an ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). The fixing member 10 can comprise a second hole 14 advantageously positioned on the summit of the complementary shape and offset in the first direction D1 relative to the first hole 13. A second screw 14a then passes through said second 25 hole 14, to improve the tightening and fixing of the cover 2 on the framework 3. Due to this arrangement, the mounting is stronger and more reliable. In particular, there is no risk of the mounting of the mounting structure 20 on the fixing members 10 causing movements or rotations of the fixing members 10, and the seal between the fixing member 10 and the cover 2 cannot deteriorate. 30 The side wall 12 extends upwards from the base 11, substantially in the third direction D3 perpendicular to the first and second directions D1, D2. It comprises a lateral surface 16 oriented on the side of the summit of the base 11, and a hole 17 capable of engaging a screw 17a to fix the mounting structure 20 on the fixing member 10. The hole 17 (Figure 3) is advantageously oblong in a vertical direction (third 35 direction D3), which makes it possible to compensate for the differences in position in the third direction D3 of a cover 2 that is not placed in a plane D1-D2 due to variations 6 in the framework 3. This arrangement also makes it possible to compensate for dimensional variations of the corrugations 2a of the cover. The mounting structure 20 and the panels for collecting solar energy 5 no longer experience these variations and the resulting mechanical stresses. 5 The mounting structure 20 shown in Figures 2 to 5 comprises profiles 21, 22 mounted on the fixing members 10 and fixed by the screws 17a. The profiles 21, 22 of the mounting structure extend in the first longitudinal direction D1, mounted on the fixing members 10. Thus, the mounting structure 20 is easily and quickly mounted on the fixing members 10, said fixing members being correctly positioned and aligned on 10 the cover 2. Moreover, as the profiles 21, 22 are in the first direction D1, the air circulation underneath the installation 1 is improved as the air can easily circulate under and between the profiles of the bottom of the framework 3 towards the top or summit S of the framework 3. These profiles 21, 22 are organised in lines, parallel to each other in the 15 first direction D1, at least two lines L1, L2 of profiles supporting a single panel for collecting solar energy 5. Each line L1, L2 can comprise a first profile 21 and a second profile 22, said profiles being mounted sliding in translation relative to each other in the first direction, for example by means of a bar 23 or splice plate. The bar 23 is engaged 20 inside the first profile 21 and immobilised by a locking means 23a, for example passing at least partly through the first profile 21 and the bar 23. Moreover, the bar 23 is engaged inside the second profile 22, without any longitudinal immobilisation. Due to this arrangement, there is a clearance space 24 between the first and second profiles 21, 22 enabling the first profile to expand or contract in the first 25 longitudinal direction D1, under the effect of changes in temperature, without exerting stress on the successive profile, the second profile 22. Each profile 21, 22 has a length in the first direction DI less than 5 metres, and usually comprised between 1 and 5 metres. The expansion or contraction of the profiles in the first direction DI is thus limited. Advantageously, the length of the 30 profiles is less than 3 metres so that the variations in length are even smaller on thermal expansion or contraction. Each profile 21, 22 comprises a first end 21-1, 22-1, intended to be placed towards the bottom of the framework 3 (opposite the summit S) and a second end 21 2, 22-2 opposite the first end, i.e. at the top, towards the summit S. Each profile 35 comprises a stop 21a, 22a at the first end to hold the panels for collecting solar energy 5 towards the bottom. Said stop can be screwed to the profile. Advantageously, the QASnn I IGHMatterd PQI 7n All 7 stop is joined to the profile or consists of single piece with it: for example, it can be welded to the profile, or the profile can be bent or folded to form the stop. Thus, the stop is inseparable from the profile, even during thermal expansion and contraction cycles, and there is no risk of the panels for collecting solar energy 5 becoming 5 detached from the mounting structure 20 under these effects of thermal expansion. Each stop comprises for example a protrusion on the upper part. A panel for collecting solar energy 5 is then held between the profile and said protrusion in the third direction D3. A first transverse edge 7 of the first panel for collecting solar energy 5 is 10 thus placed on the first profiles in each line and resting downwards on said stops 21a. Intermediate flanges 21b are placed and screwed on the first profiles 21 after the second transverse edge 7 of the first panel for collecting solar energy 5 to fix said first panel to the mounting structure 20. The intermediate flanges 21b have a general U shape and also comprise a protrusion on the upper part to hold the panel 5 between 15 the profile and said protrusion in the third direction D3. A first transverse edge 7 of the second panel for collecting solar energy 5 is placed on the first profiles in each line and resting downwards on said intermediate flanges 21b, and so on. A final flange 21c, 22c (Figure 4) equivalent to the stop 21a, 22a, is placed 20 and screwed after the second edge 7 of the last panel for collecting solar energy 5 mounted on the first profiles 21. In the embodiment shown, three panels are mounted on the first profiles 21 and on the second profiles 22, but any number of panels can be mounted, the length in the first direction D1 of the first and second profiles 21, 22 then being suitable, that is, 25 approximately an integral multiple of a dimension in the first direction D1 of a panel for collecting solar energy 5. The dimensions in the first direction D1 of the stops 21a, 22a, the intermediate flanges 21b, 22b and the final flanges 21c, 22c are added to the dimensions of the panel 5 in the first direction D1 to reach the length of one of the profiles 21, 22. However, the dimensions of these additional components are small and 30 represent less than 10% of the length of the profiles in order to avoid wasting space, the area of which does not contribute to collecting solar energy, between the panels 5. The length in the first direction D1 of the first and second profiles 21, 22 is therefore an integral multiple of a dimension in the first direction D1 of a panel for collecting solar energy 5 to within 10%. 35 None of the panels for collecting solar energy 5 is mounted straddling two successive profiles 21, 22 in the longitudinal direction D1, above the clearance space tOA4MA I /CFlI~nItard PW297AAl 8 24 between the first and second profiles 21, 22. Thus, the mounting structure 20 can expand in the first direction D1 on the one hand without generating stresses in the cover 2 as the cover 2 has its corrugations 2a in the same direction D1 and on the other hand without generating mechanical stresses in the panels for collecting solar 5 energy 5. Such an installation 1 is thus not only easier to install, but also more reliable and robust in the long term. The second profile 22 comprises identical components to the first profile 21: stop 22a, intermediate flange 22b, and final flange 22c. The panels for collecting solar energy 5, mounted on the second profiles 22 (lines Li and L2), are mounted on 10 said second profiles in the same way as the panels for collecting solar energy 5 are mounted on the first profiles 21. Thus, the panels for collecting solar energy 5 can be factory pre-mounted on the profiles 21, 22 in order to form pre-assembled modules. On site, a first module is then mounted on the fixing members 10, with bars 23 to extend the lines L1, L2 in a first direction D1. A second module is then mounted 15 following on from the first module on the next fixing members 10, and so on. Thus, the mounting of the installation 1 on the framework 3 of the building is further facilitated, particularly on site. Moreover, the profiles 21, 22 comprise in the first direction D1 grooves 21d, 21e. The first groove 21d is capable of receiving the head of the screw 17a for 20 fixing the profile to a fixing member 10. The second groove 21e is capable of receiving the head of the screw of the intermediate flanges 21b, 22b and the final flanges 21c, 22c. Due to this arrangement, the profiles 21, 22 can easily be fixed laterally, from the outside of the installation 1, on the fixing members 10, and the longitudinal 25 position in the first direction D1 of the profiles 21, 22 can easily be adapted and variations in the position of the fixing members 10 in this first direction have little impact on mounting. Similarly, the flanges 21b, 22b, 21c, 22c can easily be fixed to the profiles from the top from the outside of the installation 1 and the longitudinal position in the 30 first direction D1 of said flanges can easily be adapted and variations in the position of said flanges due to panels for collecting solar energy having different lengths in the direction D1 have little impact on the mounting of the installation. Thus, mounting is facilitated and capable of tolerating variations in position or length in the first direction D1. 35 MQRASC 1 (i~i-P~tnrl9077lMU

Claims

1. Installation (1) for collecting solar energy intended to be mounted on an 5 inclined roof framework (3) of a building, said installation (1) comprising: - a cover (2) for covering the framework (3), having corrugations (2a) in a longitudinal direction (D1) in an inclination direction of said framework, - fixing members (10) capable of fixing said cover (2) to the framework (3), said fixing members (10) comprising a base (11) having a shape complementary to a corrugation 10 (2a) of the cover (2), - flexible components (15) between the fixing members (10) and the cover (2), - a mounting structure (20) fixed on said fixing members (10), said mounting structure (20) comprising profiles (21, 22) that extend in the longitudinal direction (Dl), and - panels for collecting solar energy (5) mounted on said mounting structure (20), 15 said installation (1) being characterised in that each fixing member (10) comprises at least one hole (13) through which a screw (13a) passes to fix said fixing member on the framework (3), and each flexible component (15) comprises an opening (15a) in correspondence with said hole (13), said opening (15a) being surrounded by a protruding lip (15b). 20

2. Installation according to claim 1, in which: - two successive profiles (21, 22) are mounted sliding in translation relative to each other in the longitudinal direction, and - the panels for collecting solar energy (5) are mounted on said mounting structure (20), in such a way that none of the panels for collecting solar energy (5) is mounted 25 on two successive profiles (21, 22) in the longitudinal direction.

3. Installation according to claim 2, in which the profiles (21, 22) have a length in the longitudinal direction that is an integral multiple to within 10% of one dimension of one of the panels for collecting solar energy (5) in the same longitudinal direction.

4. Installation according to one of claims 2 or 3, in which the profiles (21, 22) 30 have a length in the longitudinal direction, said length preferably being less than 3 metres.

5. Installation according to one of claims 2 to 4, in which the profiles comprise first (21-1, 22-1) and second (21-2, 22-2) ends in the longitudinal direction (Dl), the first end (21-1, 22-1) being intended to be placed towards the bottom and comprising a 35 stop (21a, 22a) capable of holding a first panel for collecting solar energy (5). 3964500_1 (GHMallers) P92270.AU 10

6. Installation according to claim 5, in which the stop (21a, 22a) is integral with the profile (21, 22).

7. Installation according to one of claims 2 to 6, in which a bar (23) is engaged inside the successive profiles (21, 22) so that the second profile (22) is sliding 5 relative to the first profile (21), said bar (23) being secured to one of the two successive profiles (21, 22).

8. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which the fixing members (10) further comprise a side wall (12) extending away from the base (11) towards the top of the base, said side wall (12) being capable of fixing the mounting 10 structure (20).

9. Installation according to one of the previous claims, in which the fixing members (10) comprise at least two fixing means (13a, 14a).

10. Installation according to any one of claims 1 to 9, in which each flexible component (15) entirely covers an inner surface of a fixing member (10). 15

11. Installation according to one of the previous claims, in which the panels for collecting solar energy (5) are photovoltaic panels. 396450_1 (GHMatters) P92270.AU