AU2016234890A1 - Method for mounting solar modules on a support structure - Google Patents

Abstract

Summary The invention relates to a method for mounting solar modules (3) on a support structure (2), wherein the support structure (2) has a single-row or multiple-row arrangement of posts (4), comprising the following method steps: * insertion of the posts (4) in the soil, wherein the upper ends of the posts (4) or frames (6) supported there form an installation plane, e after that, installation of the solar modules (3) in the area of the installation plane so that the solar modules (3) are connected to the posts (4) of the support struc ture (2), e after that, putting the solar modules (3) mounted on the posts (4) into an operat ing plane differing from the installation plane. Figure 1 to LLi

Description

The invention relates to a method for mounting solar modules on a support structure.

Support structures of this type with a multitude of solar modules, especially photovoltaic modules, form solar power installations that can be designed in the form of open-ground installations for which posts are put into the ground, in particular rammed into the ground. Support arrangements are attached via connecting elements to these posts, which are typically arranged in a row or several rows. The solar modules are then mounted on them.

The solar modules are typically fastened to the support structure in such a way that these solar modules are in a horizontally slanted plane. The efficiency of the solar power installation is optimized because of that, since the tilted positions of the solar modules are adjusted in such a way that the sunlight incident upon them is as strong as possible. A drawback of solar power installations of that type is that the installation costs, especially the costs for attaching the solar modules, are undesirably high.

This is due to the fact that, because of the tilted positions of the solar modules, their upper edge areas are so far above the surface of the ground, meaning the surface of the soil, that operating personnel cannot reach these upper edge areas when they are standing on the surface of the ground.

To install the solar modules on the support structure, auxiliary structures such as lifting platforms, standing platforms and the like have to therefore be used. All of these auxiliary structures have to be locally brought to the installation site and then put into the respective work positions in which the operating personnel have to carry out the installation work. These costs are frequently increased even further when the person working in elevated positions on a lifting platform or a standing platform has to additionally be secured even further. A support structure for solar modules is known from DE 20 2012 103 108 that is comprised of an arrangement of posts supported on a foundation. A support unit is swivel-mounted on each post; the support unit has two struts supporting a crossbar whose ends that are turned away from the crossbar are supported in a swivel bearing. The crossbar is supported in a movable fashion on the post via guide units. Receptacles for supporting solar modules are provided on the crossbar. The tilt of the solar modules is determined by setting and fixing in place a swivel position of the support unit.

The tilt of the solar modules can only be varied in this support structure by adapting the solar power installation to various applications. The problem also always remains here in the various tilt settings of the solar modules, however, that they are only accessible during installation with auxiliary resources, so the installation costs are also undesirably high in this case.

The invention is based on the objective of providing a method by means of which a simple, quick and efficient installation of solar modules on a support structure is possible.

The elements of claim 1 are specified to solve this problem. Advantageous embodiments and useful design developments of the invention are described in the dependent claims.

The invention relates to a method for installing solar modules on a support structure, wherein the support structure has a single-row or multiple-row arrangement of posts comprising the following method steps: • insertion of the posts in the soil, wherein the upper ends of the posts or frames supported there form an installation plane • after that, installation of the solar modules in the area of the installation plane so that the solar modules are connected to the posts of the support structure • after that, putting the solar modules mounted on the posts into an operating plane differing from the installation plane.

The basic idea of the invention is therefore to put the posts of the support structure and/or the frames supported on the upper ends of the posts into installation positions in a first method step in which the upper ends of the posts and/or the frames supported on the posts form an installation plane in which operating personnel can carry out the installation of the solar modules on the support structure in a simple manner and without auxiliary resources such as lifting platforms or standing platforms. This means that the respective operating persons will have simple access to the installation plane while standing on the surface of the ground and can install the solar modules there in a comfortable way. The installation costs for the solar power installation will be substantially reduced because of that.

It is especially advantageous that the installation plane is a horizontal plane; in particular, the installation plane runs at an ergonomic working height above the surface of the soil.

The installation plane is consequently at a uniform working height above the surface of the soil in which the posts of the support structure are embedded. An operating person consequently has equally good access to the installation plane from all sides and can install the solar modules there simply and quickly.

The installation work that is carried out in the installation positions of the posts and/or the frames can involve further installation steps in addition to the pure installation of the solar modules.

In particular, a table structure can be connected to the posts in the area of the installation plane; the solar modules are installed on the table structure.

Furthermore, mechanical or electrical components assigned to the solar modules are advantageously installed in addition to the solar modules.

In accordance with an advantageous design form, the support structure has longitudinal bars running along the rows of the posts and module supports running crosswise to that.

In this case, as further installation work, the module supports can be attached alone or with the longitudinal bars in the form of prefabricated construction elements when the installation plane is made available with the posts and/or the frames.

After the installation work has been completed and the solar modules have been installed on the posts or, as the case may be, on the frames supported on the posts, in particular with all of the accompanying mechanical and electrical components, the solar modules, as a completely assembled unit, will be brought out of the area of the installation plane and put into an operating position in which the solar modules are oriented in an operating plane; the operating plane is advantageously tilted with respect to the installation plane.

This process can be carried out in a simple and efficient manner because the overall arrangement of the solar modules can be moved or swiveled as a unit.

In so doing, the solar modules can be transferred from the area of the installation plane into the operating plane in a mechanical manner or via an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic actuation system.

The support structure can, in general, have a single-row or multiple-row, preferably doublerow, arrangement of posts.

In the case of a single-row post arrangement, a frame is supported on each post that can be adjusted in terms of its tilt on the post.

In this variant, solar modules can be swiveled out of the area of the installation plane into the operating plane via an adjustment of the tilt of the frames after the successful installation of the solar modules. This represents a very simple possibility for transferring the solar modules into the operating position defined by the operating plane.

Each frame advantageously has an upper strut; the top sides of the upper struts run in a plane, wherein the plane of the installed solar modules runs in parallel with this plane.

The longitudinal bars are first advantageously mounted on these upper struts as a substructure for the solar modules, and the module supports are mounted after that. They can already be mounted in the form of pre-assembled units on the struts. Alternatively, the module supports can be mounted alone or with the longitudinal bars as a pre-assembled unit on the struts when they are in the area of the installation plane.

In accordance with an advantageous design form, each frame has a front strut and a rear strut; the front strut and the rear strut are mounted on a longitudinal end on the bottom of the upper strut, wherein the post runs between these mounts. The two longitudinal ends of the front strut and the rear strut are fastened to one another via a fastener and mounted on the post.

The frames form variable-angle frame structures here via which a tilting adjustment can be carried out in a simple way.

In accordance with a first embodiment, the tilting adjustment is realized by mounting the upper strut with a swivel bearing on the post and by connecting the fastener that connects the two free ends of the front strut and the rear strut to the post via a guide. When the upper strut swivels based on the swivel bearing, the fastener carries out a guided movement defined by the guide.

In accordance with a second embodiment, the tilting adjustment is realized by mounting the fastener that connects the two free ends of the front strut and the rear strut on the post with a swivel bearing. The upper strut is connected via a guide to the post, so the upper strut carries out a guided movement defined by the guide when the front strut and the rear strut swivel based on the swivel bearing.

In the case of a multiple-row post arrangement, the posts of at least one row are extended or moved upwards to put the solar modules into the operating plane.

In principle, the posts of all of the rows can be simultaneously moved out or extended to thereby transfer the solar modules from the area of the installation plane to the operating plane.

Alternatively, the posts of a row can remain unchanged and only the posts of the at least one further row are moved out or extended. The solar modules therefore carry out a swivel movement during the transfer from the area of installation to the operating plane; the solar modules or the accompanying mechanical components are swivel-mounted to the upper posts of the first row for this.

The posts can be moved out via telescoping mechanisms, for example. The extension of posts can be realized by subsequently inserting extension pieces into the posts, for instance. These extension pieces can be made up of profiles similar to the profiles of the posts themselves or of more economical, simpler intermediate pieces.

The invention will be explained with the aid of the drawings below. The following are shown in the figures:

Figure 1: Schematic diagram of a section of a first example of the solar power installa tion as per the invention.

Figure 2: Depiction of a post with a variable-angle frame and solar modules mounted on it for the solar power installation in accordance with Figure 1 a) Side view with the top of the frame in an installation plane b) Side view with the solar modules in one operating plane c) Depiction in perspective

Figure 3: Variant of the embodiment in accordance with Figure 2

Figure 4: Second example of a solar power installation with a double-row post arrange ment a) with solar modules in the area of the installation plane b) with solar modules in the area of the operating plane

Figure 1 schematically shows a section of an example of the solar power installation 1 as per the invention with a support structure 2 for solar modules 3. The support structure 2 with the solar modules 3 forms an open-ground installation. The support structure 2 has a single-row post arrangement, meaning that it is comprised of a row of posts 4 arranged along a straight line that are anchored in a foundation 5, meaning in the soil, with the longitudinal axes running in the vertical direction. The individual posts 4 are advantageously arranged in an equidistant fashion. The individual posts 4 have an identical design. A variable-angle, meaning a tilt adjustable, frame 6 is mounted on every post 4; the frames 6 each have identical designs. The frame 6 is comprised of an upper stmt 7a, a front stmt 7b and a rear stmt 7c. The central area of the upper stmt 7a is mounted at the upper end of the post 4. The bottom sides of the front stmt 7b and the rear stmt 7c are mounted on the edge areas of the upper strut 7a lying on both sides of this mount. The front strut 7b and the rear strut 7c run towards one another at an obtuse angle. The free ends of the front and rear struts 7b, 7c are fastened to an angle bracket 8. This angle bracket 8 is mounted with a bolt 9, which forms a swivel bearing, to the post 4. A guide element 10 whose lower edge has an arch-shaped contour is fastened to the bottom of the upper strut 7a. This guide element 10 forms, together with a securing element 11 fastened to the post 4, a guide for the upper stmt 7a. The securing element 11 has a support surface here on which the lower edge of the guide element 10 rests.

The frame 6 is swiveled based on the swivel bearing for the tilting adjustment. The lower edge of the guide element 10 is guided along the securing element 11 during the swivel movement. The swivel movement can be limited by the end stops, which are not shown.

Figure 3 shows a variant of the tilting adjustment of the frame 6 on the post 4. In this case, the upper strut 7a is mounted on the post 4 with a bolt 12 forming a swivel bearing. The free ends running towards one another at an obtuse angle are fastened to a connecting element 13 from which a slot link 13a with an elongated hole 14 laterally protrudes. A guide bolt 15 attached to a post 4 is fastened in this elongated hole 14 to form a guide.

The frame 6 is swiveled based on the swivel bearing in the area of the upper strut 7a in this case for the tilting adjustment. The guide bolt 15 is guided in the elongated hole 14 of the slot link 13a during the swivel movement.

In the case of the support structure 2 of the embodiment of Figures 2a - 2c (as well as in the case of the embodiment in accordance with Figure 3), longitudinal bars 16 whose longitudinal axes run in the direction of the post row are mounted on top of the upper struts 7a of the individual frames 6 mounted on the posts 4. Module supports 17 whose longitudinal axes each run at a right angle to the longitudinal axes of the longitudinal bars 16 are arranged on the longitudinal bars 16. Module tables 18 with the solar modules 3 are mounted on the module supports 17.

To install the components of the solar power installation 1, especially the solar modules 3, in accordance with the invention, the frames 6 on all of the posts 4 are swiveled in such a way that the upper struts 7a of the frames 6 are aligned horizontally and thus form an installation plane (Figure 2). This installation plane runs at an ergonomic working height above the ground, so an operating person will have access to this installation plane and can carry out installation work while standing on the ground and therefore without auxiliary resources such as standing platforms or lifting platforms.

In a first installation step, the longitudinal bars 16 and the module supports 17 are fastened as prefabricated units to the tops of the struts 7a, 7b, 7c.

In a second installation step, the module tables 18 are fastened to the module supports 17 and then, in a further installation step, the solar modules 3 are fastened to the module tables 18.

In a final process step, mechanical and electrical components associated with the solar modules 3, such as electrical connections, are mounted.

After the installation work has been completed, the solar modules 3, in the form of a unit preassembled to the support structure 2, are put via simultaneous swiveling of the frames 6 on the posts 4 into the operating position shown in Figure 2b in which the solar modules 3 are in an operating plane that is tilted with respect to the installation plane. The solar power installation 1 is therefore ready for use.

The above-mentioned process can be modified to the effect that the longitudinal bars 16 and, if applicable, the module supports 17 are mounted in advance on the frame 6 so that only the module tables 18 with the solar modules 3 and the accompanying components have to be mounted in the area of the horizontal installation plane.

Figures 4a and 4b show an embodiment of a support structure 2 with a double-row post arrangement. First posts 4a arranged in a first row are provided here in the first post arrangement. Furthermore, second posts 4b are provided that form a second row running in parallel with the first row.

Module supports 17 on which the module tables 18 with the solar modules 3 are fastened are mounted via pivot bearings 19 to the upper ends of the posts 4.

To start with, the posts 4a, 4b are arranged in such a way that the module supports 17 are in a horizontal plane forming the installation plane (Figure 4a). In accordance with the embodiment of Figures 2a to 2c, the installation work to mount the solar modules 3 is carried out in the area of this installation plane.

In this case, the module tables 18 with the solar modules 3 are mounted on the module supports 17 for this. After that, the mechanical and electrical components associated with the solar modules 3 are installed.

After that, the posts 4b of the second row are moved upwards. The solar modules 3 are swiveled out of the area of the installation plane into the operating plane because of that, as shown in Figure 4b. The solar power installation 1 is therefore ready for use.

The posts 4b can have telescoping devices to move them outwards. Alternatively, the posts 4b can be extended by using intermediate pieces.

Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

The reference in this specification to any prior publication (or information derived from it), or to any matter which is known, is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or admission or any form of suggestion that that prior publication (or information derived from it) or known matter forms part of the common general knowledge in the field of endeavor to which this specification relates.

The reference numerals in the following claims do not in any way limit the scope of the respective claims.

List of Reference Numerals (1) Solar power installation (2) Support structure (3) Solar module (4) Post (4a, 4B) Posts (5) Foundation (6) Frame (7a) Upper strut (7b) Front strut (7c) Rear strut (8) Angle bracket (9) Bolt (10) Guide element (11) S ecuring element (12) Bolt (13) Connecting element (13a) Slot link (14) Elongated hole (15) Guide bolt (16) Longitudinal bar (17) Module support (18) Module table (19) Pivot bearing

Claims (17)

1. THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:

   1. Method for mounting solar modules (3) on a support structure (2), wherein the support structure (2) has a single-row or multiple-row arrangement of posts (4), comprising the following method steps: • insertion of the posts (4) in the soil, wherein the upper ends of the posts (4) or frames (6) supported there form an installation plane, • after that, installation of the solar modules (3) in the area of the installation plane so that the solar modules (3) are connected to the posts (4) of the support structure (2), • after that, putting the solar modules (3) mounted on the posts (4) into an operating plane differing from the installation plane.
2. 2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the installation plane is a horizontal plane.
3. 3. Method according to one of the claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the installation plane runs at an ergonomic working height above the surface of the soil.
4. 4. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the operating plane is tilted with respect to the installation plane.
5. 5. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterized in that a table structure is connected to the posts (4) in the area of the installation plane, wherein the solar modules (3) are mounted on the table structure.
6. 6. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 5, characterized in that mechanical or electrical components associated with the solar modules (3) are mounted in addition to the solar modules.
7. 7. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the support structure (2) has longitudinal bars (16) running along the rows of posts (4) and module supports (17) running crosswise to that.
8. 8. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the longitudinal bars (16) and the module supports (17) define the installation plane.
9. 9. Method according to claim 7, characterized in that the module supports (17) are mounted with or without the longitudinal bars (16) in the installation plane.
10. 10. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the solar modules (3) are transferred from the area of the installation plane into the operating plane in a mechanical manner or via an electric, hydraulic or pneumatic actuation system.
11. 11. Method according to claim 10, characterized in that, in the case of a single-row post arrangement, a frame (6) that can be adjusted in terms of its tilt on the post (4) is supported on each post (4).
12. 12. Method according to claim 11, characterized in that each frame (6) has an upper strut (7a), wherein the tops of the upper struts (7a) run in a plane to which the plane of the mounted solar modules (3) is parallel.
13. 13. Method according to claim 12, characterized in that the longitudinal bars (16) and the module supports (17) are or will be mounted on the tops of the upper stmts (7a).
14. 14. Method according to one of the claims 11 to 13, characterized in that each frame (6) has a front stmt and a rear stmt (7b, 7c), wherein the front strut and the rear stmt (7b, 7c) are mounted at a longitudinal end to the bottom of the upper strut (7a), wherein the post (4) runs between these mounts, and that the second longitudinal ends of the front strut and the rear stmt (7b, 7c) are attached to one another via a fastener and mounted on the post (4).
15. 15. Method according to claim 14, characterized in that the upper strut (7a) is mounted with a swivel bearing on the post (4) and that the fastener that connects the second free ends of the front strut and the rear strut (7b, 7c) is connected via a guide to the post (4) so that when the upper strut (7a) is swiveled based on the swivel bearing the fastener carries out a guided movement defined by the guide.
16. 16. Method according to claim 15, characterized in that the fastener that connects the second free ends of the front strut and the rear strut (7b, 7c) is mounted with a swivel bearing on the post and that the upper strut (7a) is connected via a guide to the post (4) so that when the front stmt and the rear strut (7b, 7c) are swiveled based on the swivel bearing the upper strut (7a) carries out a guided movement defined by the guide.
17. 17. Method according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, in the case of a multiple-row post arrangement, the posts (4) of at least one row are extended or moved upwards to put the solar modules (3) into the operating plane.