BR112019011028B1 - EXTERIOR CLADDING PANEL OF A BUILDING, ROOF ASSEMBLED BY MARGINAL OVERLAY, ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX, CONNECTION KIT AND ELECTRICAL DEVICE - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an electrical connection box for an exterior cladding panel of a building equipped with at least one photovoltaic module including an electrical pole at one of its longitudinal ends and an electrical pole of reverse polarity at the other end, the box connecting compartment including a first compartment and a second compartment that are interlockable, the first compartment including a base including an opening covered by a sealing chamber, a side wall surrounding the base and extending perpendicularly thereto, the side wall including a removable hatch used as a wire passage, an electrical terminal fixed perpendicular to the base, the second compartment including a base, a side wall surrounding the base and extending perpendicular thereto, the side wall including a wire passage, an electrical terminal of reverse polarity to that of the electrical terminal of the first compartment, the electrical terminal being on an axis perpendicular to the base, fixed to the base and positioned so that it is plumb with the electrical terminal of the first compartment when the first and second compartments are interlocked. The invention also relates to the exterior cladding panel of a building (...).

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

[001] The present invention relates to an electrical connection box for exterior cladding panels of a building equipped with at least one photovoltaic module. A panel of this type is mainly intended for the construction of photovoltaic roofs, without being limited to this application.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[002] It is known to use ribbed panels as a roof covering, for example, of pre-coated galvanized steel, the edges of which overlap to ensure the watertightness of the roof.

[003] Furthermore, in particular, it is known from document WO 2009090347 to install photovoltaic modules on the cladding of buildings. These modules may be in the form of flexible ribs glued to the surface of the ribbed panel channels. In the future, they may also be photovoltaic devices deposited directly onto the surface of the ribbed panel channels, in particular using vacuum deposition or atmospheric pressure deposition methods. These modules are connected to each other by a network of wires, most of which are preferably located on the back side of the roof in order to avoid premature damage to the wires and in order to preserve the aesthetics of the building.

[004] This arrangement, however, has the disadvantage that it is necessary to access the roof substructure in order to make connections on the back side of the ribbed panels of two adjacent modules.

[005] It is known from patent JP 10102708 to avoid the use of wires by using a male electrical connector situated in the vicinity of a lower end of the panel on the rear side, and a female electrical connector situated in the vicinity of the upper end of the panel on the surface higher. During the assembly of two longitudinally adjacent roof panels, the male electrical connector of the upper panel is inserted into the female electrical connector of the lower panel that electrically connects the photovoltaic module of the upper panel to the photovoltaic module of the lower panel.

[006] This arrangement, however, does not allow easy adjustment of the wiring diagram of the photovoltaic installation so that the wiring outputs for the converter are located on the roof ridge. This type of connection requires the use of two types of roof panels that differ from each other by an inverted placement of the photovoltaic cells and by different male/female connectors. The first panel type is used to implement a first column of photovoltaic modules electrically connected from the roof ridge to the base of the slope. The second type of panel is used to implement a second column of photovoltaic modules electrically connected from the bottom of the slope to the roof ridge, this column being adjacent to the first. The electrical connection between the two speakers and the converter then requires several types of electrical connections as a function of the male and female connectors to be connected. The various elements required to install such a roof present a substantial obstacle to its acceptance by roof installers.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[007] The purpose of the present invention is to solve the problems described above, proposing an electrical connection box and a related panel that facilitates the assembly of panels and the wiring of photovoltaic modules.

[008] For this purpose, a first object of the invention is an exterior cladding panel of a building, which includes: - an upper transverse edge that includes an upper overlapping area intended to be overlapped by an adjacent panel; - a lower transverse edge including a lower overlapping area is intended to overlap an adjacent panel; - a central part, which connects the transverse edges, which are covered by at least one pair of columns of photovoltaic modules, each column including an electrical pole at one of its longitudinal ends and an electrical pole of reverse polarity at the other end, the poles of the two adjacent columns being of reverse polarity; - a perforation located in the lower overlap area through which a conduction strip is passed, which connects one of the two electrical poles of the photovoltaic module column to one of the two compartments of a connection box, this compartment being located on the rear side of the panel in the lower overlap area; - an indentation, located in the upper overlap area in which the other of the two connection box compartments is placed, this compartment being connected to the other electrical pole of the photovoltaic module column.

[009] the connection box including a first compartment and a second compartment, one interlockable within the other, - the first compartment, including: o a base including an opening covered by a sealing chamber; o a side wall surrounding the base and extending perpendicularly thereto, the side wall including a removable hatch used as a wire passage; o an electrical terminal connected to the base, with an axis perpendicular to the base; - the second compartment, including: o a base; o a side wall surrounding the base and extending perpendicularly thereto, the side wall including a wire passage; o an electrical terminal of reverse polarity to that of the electrical terminal of the first compartment, the electrical terminal having an axis perpendicular to the base, connected to the base and positioned so that it is plumb with the electrical terminal of the first compartment when the first and second compartments are interlocked.

[0010] The panel according to the invention may also include the following optional features, considered individually or in combination: - the electrical terminal is electrically connected to the sealing chamber; - the first compartment is positioned on the rear side of the panel in the lower overlap area and the second compartment is positioned in the indentation; - the first compartment is positioned upright with the perforation; - the second compartment is positioned on the rear side of the panel in the lower overlap area while the first compartment is positioned in the indentation; - the second compartment is connected to an electrical pole of the photovoltaic module column with the help of an electrical wire and a junction box; - the two compartments are positioned at the same distance from the first longitudinal edge, and the distance between the first compartment and the lower transverse edge of the panel is identical to the distance between the second compartment and the lower edge of the upper overlapping area.

[0011] A second object of the invention is to provide a roof with a marginal overlap assembly of at least two panels according to the invention.

[0012] A third object of the invention is to provide an electrical connection box for an exterior cladding panel of a building equipped with at least one photovoltaic module including an electrical pole at one of its longitudinal ends and an electrical pole of reverse polarity at the other. end, the connection box including a first compartment and a second compartment which are interlockable, - the first compartment including: o a base including an opening covered by a sealing chamber; o a side wall surrounding the base and extending perpendicularly thereto, the side wall including a removable hatch used as a wire passage; o an electrical terminal connected to the base, with an axis perpendicular to the base; - the second compartment, including: o a base; o a side wall surrounding the base and extending perpendicularly thereto, the side wall including a wire passage; o an electrical terminal of reverse polarity to that of the electrical terminal of the first compartment, the electrical terminal having an axis perpendicular to the base, connected to the base and positioned so that it is plumb with the electrical terminal of the first compartment when the first and second compartments are interlocked.

[0013] The connection box according to the invention may also include the following optional features, individually or in combination: - the base of the first compartment does not include passages, except the opening; - the sealing chamber of the first compartment includes a dividing wall having a closed contour, placed on the base, which extends from this point and around the opening; - the sealing chamber is covered by a lid; - the electrical terminal of the first compartment includes a conductive contact extending into the sealing chamber; - the electrical terminal of the first compartment is covered by a protective cover; - one of the electrical terminals includes a cylindrical conductive pin covered by an insulating tip; - the side walls of the two compartments have a circular cross section; - the removable hatch is a sealing plug positioned within an opening in the thickness of the side wall; - the electrical terminal of one of the two compartments includes a vertical tube and conductive strips placed along the inner wall of the tube that extend along the axis of the tube; - the perimeter of the side wall of the first compartment is smaller than the perimeter of the side wall of the second compartment, so that the side wall at least partially inserts into the second compartment, moving parallel to the inner surface of the side wall of that compartment; - the side wall of one of the two compartments includes a peripheral seal located on the external surface thereof; - the side wall of one of the two compartments includes mounting clips; - the side wall of the first compartment includes a cut and the side wall of the second compartment includes a cut; - the cut of the side wall and the removable hatch of the first compartment are angularly compensated by an angle α while the wire passage and the cut of the second compartment are angularly compensated by the same angle α; - one of the two compartments includes a peripheral protrusion on the outer surface of its side wall.

[0014] A fourth object of the invention is to provide a kit for connecting, to a converter, panels provided with a photovoltaic device comprising an even number of columns of photovoltaic modules, each column including an electrical pole at one of its longitudinal ends. and an electrical pole of reverse polarity at the other end, the poles of two adjacent columns being of reverse polarity, the kit including: - an electrical connection box in accordance with the invention; - an electrical wire provided at its two ends with a second compartment of the connection box according to the invention, each end of the electrical wire being inserted into the wire passage of that compartment; - a first compartment of the connection box according to the invention provided with an electrical wire inserted into the removable hatch used as a wire passage of that compartment.

[0015] A fifth object of the invention is to provide a kit for connecting, to a converter, panels equipped with a photovoltaic device comprising an even number of columns of photovoltaic modules, each column including an electrical pole at one of its longitudinal ends. and an electrical pole of reverse polarity at the other end, the poles of two adjacent columns being of reverse polarity, the kit including: - an electrical connection box in accordance with the invention; - an electrical wire provided at its two ends with a first compartment of the connection box according to the invention, each end of the electrical wire being inserted into the removable hatch used as a wire passage of that compartment; - a second compartment of the connection box according to the invention provided with an electrical wire inserted into the wire passage of that compartment.

[0016] A sixth object of the invention is to provide an electrical device that can be connected to a converter including a set of panels inclined along a given slope and including: o an upper transverse edge that includes an upper overlapping area intended to be overlapped by an adjacent panel; o a lower transverse edge including a lower overlapping area is intended for overlapping an adjacent panel; o a photovoltaic device including an even number of columns of photovoltaic modules, each column including an electrical pole at each of its ends, the polarity of an electrical pole at one end being the reverse of that of the electrical pole at the other end, the poles of two adjacent columns being of reverse polarity; o the electrical pole of the lower end of each column being in the form of a first compartment of the connection box according to the invention positioned on the rear side of the panel in the lower overlap area; o the electrical pole of the upper end of each column being in the form of a second compartment of the connection box according to the invention positioned on the upper surface of the panel in the upper overlapping area.

[0017] The panels being juxtaposed by marginal overlap of their longitudinal edges and/or their transverse edges to form rows of photovoltaic modules in the direction of inclination, the assembly being such that: - in the marginal overlap of two adjacent panels of a given row , the first compartment of the lower end of each column of the upper panel is interlocked with or about the second compartment of the upper end of the column facing the lower panel; - at the bottom of the slope of the assembly, the first compartment of the lower end of the first row is electrically connected to the first compartment of the lower end of the second row and so on, the connection between the two rows being carried out with the help of a transverse connector including two second compartments connected by an electrical wire; - on the ridge, the second compartments at the upper ends of the rows are connected to the converter with the help of a first compartment equipped with an electrical wire inserted into the removable hatch, or with each other in a method similar to that carried out at the bottom of the slope with the help of a transverse connector including two first compartments connected by an electrical wire.

[0018] As shown above, the invention is based on the use of two compartments, which are interlockable, designed to allow the implementation of all electrical connections of the photovoltaic exterior cladding of a building using only these two compartments that allow both electrical connections of the two panels to each other, the electrical connection of the photovoltaic modules at the bottom of the slope, to each other or to the converter, and the electrical connection of the photovoltaic modules on the ridge to each other or to the converter.

[0019] Other features and advantages of the invention are described in more detail below.

[0020] In order to illustrate the invention, tests were carried out and will be described by means of non-restricted examples, in particular, with reference to the figures they represent.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] The invention will be better understood from reading the following description, which is intended to be explanatory, but not restrictive, with reference to the attached figures that represent: - Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a panel of an exterior cladding of a building equipped with at least one photovoltaic module; - Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the upper part of the panel in Figure 1; - Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the lower part of the panel in Figure 1; - Figure 4 shows a perspective view of the rear side of the lower part of a panel of an exterior cladding of a building equipped with at least one photovoltaic module; - Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the upper part of a panel of an exterior cladding of a building equipped with at least one photovoltaic module; - Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a first compartment of the connection box according to an embodiment; - Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the first compartment of Figure 6; - Figure 8 shows a perspective view of a second compartment of the connection box according to an embodiment; - Figure 9 shows a perspective view of the first compartment of Figure 8; - Figure 10 shows a perspective view of the interlocking of a first compartment with a second compartment of the connection box according to an embodiment; - Figure 11 shows a perspective view of a transverse connector according to an embodiment; and - Figure 12 shows a perspective view of a transverse connector according to another embodiment.

[0022] The same reference numbers represent the same elements in each of the Figures.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0023] Throughout the text, it is understood that a panel means an element that has a flat shape, that is, its thickness is low compared to its other dimensions. The panel may be in the form of a plate or sheet made from a single material or a composite assembly. In the latter case, the panel is a stack of a plurality of layers of the same or different materials. The material in question can be, among other things, a metallic material, a polymer or even ceramic. Steel, aluminum, copper and zinc can be cited as non-restrictive examples of metallic materials. The panel is preferably a metal sheet. It is preferably made of previously galvanized and pre-coated steel to protect it against corrosion. The panel may optionally be foamed on its lower surface and thus constitute the outward facing face of a sandwich panel.

[0024] Within the framework of the invention, the panel will preferably have been previously formed with the help of any known forming method, including, by way of non-restrictive examples, folding, forming, stamping and molding. The panel is then said to be molded.

[0025] This formation leads, among other things, to the formation of ribs on the surface of the panel. Throughout the text, a rib is understood to mean a projection formed on the surface of the panel. The rib may have a trapezoidal shape, as in the case of the exemplary embodiments described below, or a rectangular, wavy, sinusoidal shape or even an omega shape, for example. It includes an upper central part and two side wings. The ribs are generally placed parallel to the longitudinal edges of the panel, in particular, to facilitate the assembly of the adjacent panel, to obtain a good watertightness of the assembly or in order to make the panel more rigid.

[0026] To form an exterior cladding of a building, such as a roof or a facade, the panels are assembled with a marginal overlap of their longitudinal edges and their transverse edges, and are fixed to the supporting structure of the building by means of fastening as screws, nails or rivets.

[0027] To better understand the invention, in the following description reference is made only to a roof, but the invention can also be used for all other exterior coverings of a building and, as such, positioned and/or inclined in various ways.

[0028] Therefore, the terms “under”, “over”, “below”, “in”, “under”, “upper” and “lower”, ... refer to a position of an element of the invention in relation to another element when the panel and/or connection box according to the invention are positioned on a ceiling.

[0029] Throughout the text, it is understood that a photovoltaic module means an assembly that is capable of converting solar energy into electricity, and is delimited by a protective barrier that electrically isolates the interconnected photovoltaic cells from the outside. By way of non-restrictive example, it may be a module in the form of a flexible tape glued to the central part of the panel or a module deposited directly onto the central part of the panel by successive deposition of layers of an appropriate type using dry deposition. vacuum or atmospheric pressure deposition methods.

[0030] Within each photovoltaic module, the placement and organization of these photovoltaic cells are not limiting. By way of non-restrictive example, the cells may be located one beneath the other in a single row or may be arranged in a plurality of rows, the rows being connected to one another to form a kind of folded ribbon. Preferably, and to facilitate the deposition of photovoltaic modules directly onto a continuously passing steel strip using vacuum deposition or atmospheric pressure deposition methods, the cells are arranged in a single row.

[0031] Within the structure of the invention, the photovoltaic module includes an electrical pole at one of its longitudinal ends and an electrical pole of reverse polarity at the other end. These electrical poles are, by default, in the form of a conductive strip (“ribbon”) connected to the photovoltaic cells at the end of the module. Within the framework of the invention, the cross-section and shape of the conduction strip may vary. Electrical poles can also take other forms.

[0032] Throughout the text, it is understood that a column of photovoltaic modules means the totality of photovoltaic modules placed end to end along the length of a panel. A column of photovoltaic modules can thus be reduced to one photovoltaic module or can be made up of a plurality of photovoltaic modules placed end to end. Two successive photovoltaic modules are placed end-to-end, establishing electrical contact between the last photovoltaic cell of one module and the first photovoltaic cell of the other module, so that the two cells are connected in series.

[0033] Within the structure of the invention, each column includes an electrical pole at one of its longitudinal ends and an electrical pole of reverse polarity at the other end. In other words, each column includes, at its lower end, an electric pole that merges with the electric pole of a lower end of the first module of this column, and at its upper end an electric pole of reverse polarity that merges with the of the upper end of the last module of this column.

[0034] With reference to Figure 1, the panel 1 of the exterior cladding of a building is, in general, formed by a first longitudinal edge (2), a second longitudinal edge (3), an upper transverse edge (4), a lower transverse edge (5), the four edges being connected by a central part (6), covered by at least one pair of columns (7) of photovoltaic modules (7) (e.g., as shown here, two columns of a module composed of nine photovoltaic cells).

[0035] The upper transverse edge (4) includes an upper overlap area (41) intended to be overlapped by an adjacent panel during roof assembly. This upper overlap area generally has a width of between 150 mm and 500 mm depending on the pitch of the roof, among other things.

[0036] The lower transverse edge (5) includes a lower overlap area (51) intended to overlap an adjacent panel during roof assembly. This lower overlap area generally has a width of between 150 mm and 500 mm depending on the pitch of the roof, among other things.

[0037] The first longitudinal edge (2) preferably includes a first longitudinal rib consisting of an apex of the rib and two side wings extending from the top of the rib on each side of the rib and downwards. Its main function is to ensure that the panel is fixed to the building structure at the top of the panel corrugation and not in the recess of the panel corrugation. This prevents water from stagnating near the fasteners and thus prevents any possible failure of the roof seal.

[0038] In this example, the top of the rib is flat and the side wings are angled, extending downward and outward from the top of the rib. According to the invention, the first longitudinal rib can, of course, have shapes different from those described in this example.

[0039] The second longitudinal edge (3) preferably includes a second longitudinal rib consisting of an apex of the rib and two side wings extending from the upper part of the rib on each side of the upper part of the rib and downwards, and intended to be overlapped by the first longitudinal rib of the adjacent panel when two panels are assembled. The shapes of the first and second longitudinal ribs must be adjusted accordingly. Preferably, the shapes are adjusted so that water impermeability is guaranteed when the roof panels are used. Preferably, the two ribs are substantially the same shape and size, so that the overlap is a perfect union and therefore completely waterproof. However, according to the invention, the overlap can be joined only locally. A person skilled in the art who is familiar with these sealing issues will be able to adjust the shapes of the two longitudinal ribs according to the desired aesthetics, while ensuring that the assembly is waterproof.

[0040] The columns of the photovoltaic modules are preferably aligned, essentially parallel to a longitudinal edge of the panel, in order to take advantage of the shape of the panel and thus limit the number of columns, which in turn makes it possible to limit the number of connection boxes required for your connection. More preferably, the columns are of identical length and their ends are aligned essentially parallel to a transverse edge of the panel to facilitate connection of the columns of two adjacent panels.

[0041] In order to facilitate the wiring of a set of panels, as will be described below, the poles of the two adjacent columns are of reverse polarity.

[0042] Preferably, the columns of a panel are not electrically connected to each other. The electrical connection between the columns will only be made after the panels have been assembled, as described below. This simplifies panel manufacturing in the factory and makes it possible to adapt the wiring to the specifics of the assembly on the construction site.

[0043] With reference to Figure 2, the upper overlapping area (41) of the panel (1) preferably includes an indentation (8), in other words, a portion of the panel situated at a level below the level of the portion of the central part (6) in whose columns (7) the photovoltaic modules are placed. In other words, this indentation can be distinguished from the central part (6) by a difference in level. It is visible from the top surface of the panel (1).

[0044] This indentation thus allows the placement of an electrical connection box, electrical wires and/or conductive strips in the space thus formed between the panel in question and the adjacent panel, which overlaps it in the upper overlap area (41) . By adjusting the particular dimensions of the indentation of the connection box, the electrical wires and/or the conductive strips, respectively, it is possible to cover together the upper overlapping area (41) with the lower overlapping area (51) of the adjacent panel. This improves the water impermeability of the set of two adjacent panels.

[0045] Also to improve water impermeability, the indentation (8) does not extend beyond the upper overlap area so that water flowing on the roof does not penetrate the indentation.

[0046] The indentation (8) can be obtained by stamping the panel or using any other forming method known to the person skilled in the art that is adapted to the situation.

[0047] The electrical connection box can be affixed to the indentation by any suitable method such as, for example, glue, an adhesive or a circumferential flange.

[0048] Preferably, the electrical connection box can be affixed to the indentation with the aid of an opening (9) formed in the indentation. This opening makes it possible to incorporate one of the two electrical connection box compartments. This is advantageous in particular when the space created by the indentation is insufficient to hold the connection box. This opening also makes it possible to affix the connection box compartment to the panel more efficiently than just using glue applied between the base of the compartment and the panel. The compartment can thus be joined to the panel having the ability to move minimally within the opening in order to facilitate the interlocking of the two compartments that form the connection box during the assembly of two adjacent panels. This opening also makes it possible for the connection box housing to project from the rear side of the panel and thus connect the housing to an electrical wire or conductor strip located on the rear side.

[0049] The dimensions of the opening (9) are adapted to the compartment of the electrical connection box intended for this purpose. The dimensions are, in particular, adjusted with a view to thermal expansion, the loads that the panel may be subjected to during operation and the desired tolerances in order to facilitate the assembly of adjacent panels. If the opening is round, the specific compartment also has clearance to rotate minimally within the opening to facilitate interlocking of the two compartments forming the connection box when assembling two adjacent panels.

[0050] To ensure impermeability to water, the opening (9) does not extend beyond the upper overlap area so that during roof assembly it is covered by an upper panel and water flowing on the roof cannot so pass.

[0051] The opening (9) can be obtained by any cutting method known to one skilled in the art, non-restrictive examples of these are drilling, grinding, mechanical cutting, laser cutting, water jet cutting, oxy-fuel cutting.

[0052] With reference to Figure 3, the lower overlap area (51) preferably includes a perforation (10), that is, an opening made in the thickness of the panel. The perforation (10) makes it possible to pass the conduction strip (11) to the rear side of the panel from the cell at the end of the photovoltaic module positioned in the panel at the level of the perforation. The perforation position (10) in the lower overlapping area (51) also makes it possible to maintain the watertightness of the set of two adjacent panels. If water running down the roof were to flow through the perforation due to insufficient water tightness of the latter, the water would be contained in the upper overlapping area (41) of the adjacent panel and would continue to run down the roof. For this purpose, the perforation does not extend beyond the lower overlap area (51).

[0053] Preferably, the perforation (10) is located in the central part (6).

[0054] Perforation (10) can be obtained by any cutting method known to one skilled in the art, non-restrictive examples of these are punching, milling, mechanical cutting, laser cutting, water jet cutting, oxy-fuel cutting or hurricane.

[0055] Panel 1 preferably does not include any opening in the thickness of the outer panel of the upper overlap area (41) and lower overlap area (51) in order to ensure water impermeability of the roof.

[0056] With reference to Figures 4 and 5, panel 1 is shown equipped with connection box compartments and covers according to a first embodiment.

[0057] Referring to Figure 4, panel 1 includes a first compartment (12) of a connection box positioned on the rear side of the panel in the lower overlap area (51). This compartment is connected to the column (7) of photovoltaic modules (not shown in Figure 5) through the conduction strip that is connected to the photovoltaic cell at the lower end of the lower module of the column and that passes along the panel (1) through the perforation (10) (not shown in Figure).

[0058] Preferably, the first compartment (12) is positioned plumb with perforations (10) in order to minimize the amount of conduction strip required for electrical wiring and to facilitate sealing of the perforation.

[0059] With reference to Figure 5, the panel (1) includes a second compartment (13) of a connection box positioned in the indentation formed in the panel (1) in the upper overlap area (41) on the front side of the panel. The second compartment is connected to a column (7) of photovoltaic modules and, in particular, to its electrical pole (14) located at its upper end, preferably through an electrical wire (15) and a junction box (16).

[0060] The junction box (16) includes a water-impermeable housing suitable for electrically connecting a conductive strip to an electrical wire. If this embodiment is chosen, the junction box connects the conduction strip (14), which acts as the upper electrical pole of the column (7) of the photovoltaic modules, to the electrical wire (15), which in turn is connected to the second compartment . The use of this junction box and an electrical wire improves the resistance of the electrical connections to different thermal expansions between the different components of the panel according to the invention. The conduction strips of the electrical poles are in fact sensitive to differences in thermal expansion, which can cause them to rupture.

[0061] The two compartments are positioned in the panel such that they are plumb with each other and can interlock when the lower overlapping area (51) of a panel is overlapped by the upper overlapping area (41) of a panel longitudinally. adjacent. In other words, the two compartments are positioned at the same distance towards the first longitudinal edge (2), and the distance between the first compartment and the lower transverse edge (5) of the panel is identical to the distance between the second compartment and the edge bottom of the upper overlap area (41). Preferably, the two compartments are positioned so that they interlock when the lower overlap area (51) of one panel fits longitudinally over the upper overlap area (41) of an adjacent panel, by alignment along a perpendicular axis. to the plane on which the adjacent panel rests. This makes it easier to assemble the panels onto the building structure.

[0062] According to the first embodiment, each column (7) of photovoltaic modules of the panel is connected to a first compartment (12) by the conduction strip acting as the lower electrical pole of the column and, on the other hand, to a second compartment (13) by the conduction strip acting as the upper electrical pole of the column, preferably through an electrical wire (15) and a junction box (16).

[0063] According to a second embodiment (not shown) of the panel (1) equipped with connection box compartments, the first compartment (12) is positioned in the indentation (8) and is directly connected to the conduction strip connected to the cell photovoltaic from the upper end of the module. The second compartment (13) is positioned on the rear side of the panel in the lower overlap area (51) and, in turn, is connected to the lower electrical pole of the column (7) of photovoltaic modules via an electrical wire (15) and a junction box (16).

[0064] The two compartments are positioned in the panel such that they are plumb with each other and interlock when the lower overlap area (51) of one panel is overlapped by the upper overlap area (41) of a longitudinally adjacent panel . In other words, the two compartments are positioned at the same distance from the first longitudinal edge (2), and the distance between the second compartment and the lower transverse edge (5) of the panel is identical to the distance between the first compartment and the lower edge of the panel. upper overlap area (41). Preferably, the two compartments are positioned so that they interlock when the lower overlap area (51) of one panel fits longitudinally over the upper overlap area (41) of an adjacent panel, by alignment along a perpendicular axis. to the plane on which the adjacent panel rests. This makes it easier to assemble the panels onto the building structure.

[0065] According to this second embodiment, each column (7) of photovoltaic modules of the panel is connected, on the one hand, to a first compartment (12) by the conduction strip that acts as the upper electrical pole of the column and, on the other side, to a second compartment (13) by the conduction strip that acts as the lower electrical pole of the column, preferably through an electrical wire (15) and a junction box (16).

[0066] The panel according to this second embodiment includes all the features of the panel according to the first embodiment with the exception of the features described above.

[0067] With reference to Figures 6 to 9, the connection box according to the first embodiment is described.

[0068] The connection box firstly includes a first compartment (12) (shown in Figures 6 and 7) and a second compartment (13) (shown in Figures 8 and 9), which are interlockable.

[0069] Interlockable is understood to mean that a part of one of the two compartments can insert into a part of the other compartment when the two compartments approach each other on a predetermined axis.

[0070] The two compartments are designed in such a way that their interlocking delimits a waterproof and dust-proof internal cavity during operation of the box on the photovoltaic roof, in other words, since the electrical wires and conduction strips necessary for the electrical connection of the panel according to the invention, were connected to the two compartments.

[0071] With reference to Figures 6 and 7, the first compartment (12) firstly includes a base (17) which includes an opening (18) covered by a sealing chamber (19).

[0072] Preferably, the base (17) of the first compartment is substantially flat in order to facilitate the fixing of this compartment to the panel and/or minimize obstruction of the connection box to allow its correct insertion in the overlapping area between two adjacent panels of exterior coating. More preferably, it is completely flat. Alternatively, it may include a protuberance that allows passage beneath the base of a conductive strip that passes along the surface of the panel. This protuberance extends along the outside of the base to the opening (18) formed in the base.

[0073] Preferably, the opening (18) resembles a groove through the cut in the thickness of the base. This makes it possible to pass a conduction strip that acts as an electrical pole of a column (7) of the photovoltaic modules in the first compartment (12). Its dimensions are therefore adapted to the cross-section of the conduction strip that acts as the electrical pole of the photovoltaic module.

[0074] Preferably, the base (17) does not include any other opening (18) in order to obtain good water impermeability of the connection box.

[0075] The opening (18) is covered by a sealing chamber (19) intended to facilitate the sealing of the first compartment in the opening (18). This chamber preferably includes a dividing wall having a closed contour, placed on the base (17), which extends therefrom and around the opening (18).

[0076] The closed contour of the dividing wall makes it possible to fill the space delimited by the dividing wall and the base with a sealing and electrically insulating material such as, for example, silicone.

[0077] The sealing chamber (19) is preferably covered by a lid (20). This makes it possible to cover any existing conduction strips in the sealing chamber. Therefore, an operator working on a panel equipped with this first compartment would not be able to touch this conduction strip which may be active simply due to the fact that the panel's photovoltaic cells are exposed to light.

[0078] The first compartment also includes an electrical terminal (21), fixed to the base, perpendicular to the base. The electrical terminal (21) is intended to be electrically connected to one of the two electrical poles of a photovoltaic module. In particular, it is intended to be electrically connected to the conduction strip, inserted into the opening (18), which acts as the electrical pole of a column (7) of photovoltaic modules. In other words, it is intended to be electrically connected to the sealing housing (19) above the opening (18). According to one embodiment, the conduction strip inserted into the opening (18) is connected directly to the electrical terminal, for example, soldered onto it. According to another embodiment, the electrical terminal (21) includes a conductive contact extending into the sealing chamber (19). According to this embodiment, when the first compartment is placed in the panel (1), the conduction strip inserted through the opening (18) is welded directly onto this contact within the sealing chamber.

[0079] Preferably, the electrical terminal (21) is placed on the base. Alternatively, it is fixed to the base through another element of the first compartment, such as its side wall.

[0080] Preferably, the electrical terminal (21) is centered on the base in order to allow interlocking of the two compartments regardless of the angular orientation of the two compartments.

[0081] Preferably, the electrical terminal includes a cylindrical conductive pin (22) covered by an insulating tip (23) to form a male electrical terminal.

[0082] The electrical terminal is preferably covered by a protective cover (24), the shape of which allows an electrical connection between the two compartments of the connection box and at the same time preventing an operator from inadvertently touching the conductive pin of the electrical terminal that may be active during the assembly of the exterior cladding panels simply due to the fact that the photovoltaic cells are exposed to light. For this purpose, the protective cap preferably includes a hole that allows the tip insulation (23) to be visible on the surface of the cap. In this way, no conductive part is directly accessible, which prevents an operator from inadvertently touching it.

[0083] Preferably, the diameter of the insulating tip (23) is identical to that of the conductive pin (22), also in the interest of electrical safety.

[0084] Preferably, the protective cover (24) forms a single piece with the sealing chamber cover (20), so that the electrical connector placed between the sealing chamber (19) and the electrical terminal (21) is inaccessible through the space between the protective cover and the lid.

[0085] The first compartment (12) also includes a side wall (25) surrounding the base and extending perpendicularly thereto.

[0086] According to the embodiment shown, the side wall (25) has a circular cross-section. This shape facilitates the interlocking of the two compartments of a connection box, resulting in an additional degree of clearance. Interlocking during assembly of two adjacent exterior cladding panels is achieved even if the two panels are not perfectly aligned, in other words, even if the two compartments do not have exactly the same angular orientation. Within the framework of the invention, other wall cross-sections are therefore possible, such as, for example, a rectangular cross-section.

[0087] The base and side wall are preferably made of an insulating material, for example, by molding a synthetic material, in particular a plastic material.

[0088] The side wall (25) includes a removable hatch (26) as a wire passage. This hatch is a part of the sidewall and is removable from the rest of the sidewall. It is intended to be removed when the first compartment is used to electrically connect the electrical pole of a column of photovoltaic modules to an adjacent column or to the electrical converter, this application requiring the insertion into the first compartment of an electrical wire in order to electrically connect the electrical terminal (21) of the first compartment to the adjacent column or electrical converter. This application is described below.

[0089] According to an embodiment of the invention, the removable hatch (26) is delimited by an area of the side wall that has a thinner thickness than the remainder of the wall. Therefore, it is simple for an operator to cut open the thinnest area with a knife and place an electrical wire inside the first compartment.

[0090] According to another embodiment, the removable hatch (26) is a sealing plug positioned within an opening in the thickness of the side wall. Therefore, it is simple for an operator to remove the plug and place an electrical wire inside the first compartment.

[0091] According to another embodiment of the invention, the removable hatch (26) is a cover held in place by screws. Therefore, it is simple for an operator to unscrew the screws, remove the cover, and run an electrical wire inside the first compartment.

[0092] According to another embodiment, the removable hatch (26) is a cover glued over an opening in the thickness of the side wall. Therefore, it is simple for an operator to remove the cover and place an electrical wire inside the first compartment.

[0093] With reference to Figures 8 and 9, the second compartment (13) firstly includes a base (27).

[0094] Preferably, the base (27) of this second compartment is substantially flat in order to facilitate fixing of this compartment to the panel and/or minimize obstruction of the connection box in order to allow easy insertion into the overlap area between two adjacent panels of exterior coating. More preferably, it is completely flat.

[0095] Preferably, the base (27) does not include an opening in order to ensure the sealing of the connection box.

[0096] The second compartment (13) also includes an electrical terminal (28), connected to the base, perpendicular to the base. It is intended to be electrically connected to one of the two electrical poles of a photovoltaic module. Preferably, the electrical terminal (28) is placed on the base. Alternatively, it is connected to the base through another element of the second compartment, such as its side wall.

[0097] Preferably, the electrical terminal (28) is centered on the base in order to allow interlocking of the two compartments regardless of the angular orientation of the two compartments.

[0098] Preferably, the electrical terminal (28) includes a vertical tube (29) and conductive strips (30) placed along the inner wall of the tube and extending along the axis of the tube to form a female electrical terminal. . The diameter of the tube, the position of the strips and their shape are adapted to allow the insertion of the conductive pin (22) from the first compartment into the tube during the interlocking of the two compartments and to ensure good electrical contact between the strips and the conductive pin .

[0099] The electrical terminal (28) is preferably covered by a protective cover (31), the shape of which allows an electrical connection between the two compartments of the connection box, at the same time preventing an operator from being able to inadvertently touch the conductive strips of the electrical terminal that may be active during the assembly of the exterior cladding panels simply due to the fact that the photovoltaic cells are exposed to light. For this purpose, the protective cover preferably includes a hole that allows the upper part of the tube (29) of the electrical terminal to be plumb with this hole, but positioned under the surface of the cover. In this way, no conductive part is directly accessible, which prevents an operator from inadvertently touching it.

[00100] The second compartment (13) also includes a side wall (32) surrounding the base (27) and extending perpendicularly thereto.

[00101] According to the embodiment shown, the side wall (32) has a circular cross-section. This shape facilitates the interlocking of the two compartments of a connection box, resulting in an additional degree of clearance. Interlocking during assembly of two adjacent exterior cladding panels is achieved even if the two panels are not perfectly aligned, in other words, even if the two compartments do not have exactly the same angular orientation. Within the framework of the invention, other wall cross-sections are therefore possible, such as, for example, a rectangular cross-section. However, it is understood that the side wall (32) is of a shape that is compatible with the shape of the side wall (25) of the first compartment, at least in those parts of the side walls intended for locking.

[00102] The base and side wall are preferably made of an insulating material, for example, by molding a synthetic material, in particular a plastic material.

[00103] The side wall (32) includes a wire passage (33) intended for electrical wires to be inserted into the compartment (13). This wire allows an electrical terminal (28) to be connected to a conductive strip that acts as the electrical pole of a column (7) of photovoltaic modules, notably with the aid of a junction box (16).

[00104] Preferably, the wire passage is a hole formed in the thickness of the wall. Preferably, the wire passage is round and has a diameter suitable for the passage of an electrical wire.

[00105] In order to ensure good sealing, the wire passage can be equipped with an elastomeric sealing ring (O-ring) (34) compressed between the wire (15) and the wire passage.

[00106] According to one embodiment of the connection box, the male and female electrical terminals are inverted between compartments 12 and 13. The compartment (12) thus includes a vertical tube (29) and conductive strips (30) placed along the inner wall of the tube and extending along the axis of the tube, while the housing (13) includes a cylindrical conductive pin (22) covered by an insulating tip (23). The protective covers (24) and (31) are therefore fitted.

[00107] The two compartments are designed to interlock within each other as shown in Figure 10.

[00108] Preferably, one interlocks within the other at least at the upper end of its side walls.

[00109] According to an embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 6 to 9, the perimeter of the side wall (25) of the first compartment (12) is smaller than the perimeter of the side wall (27) of the second compartment (13) , so that the side wall (25) inserts at least partially into the second compartment, moving parallel to the inner surface of the side wall (27) of that compartment. This embodiment is preferred when the second compartment is positioned within the indentation (8). Thus, if water is present in the indentation at the level of the second compartment, it would not be able to rise through capillary action between the side wall of the first compartment and the side wall of the second compartment.

[00110] According to this embodiment, the side wall (25) preferably includes a peripheral seal (35) located on its external surface. The position of the seal is adjusted as a function of the depth of insertion of the side wall (25) into the second compartment. By interlocking the two compartments, the seal is compressed and guarantees the waterproofness of the connection box seal.

[00111] According to this embodiment, the side wall (25) may also include mounting clips (36) intended to secure the first compartment within the second compartment when the two compartments are interlocked. These clips may be in the form of a coupling formed by the wall with two vertical notches that are parallel to each other. The outer surface of the coupling includes a protuberance, respectively a notch, complementary to a notch, respectively a protuberance, on the inner surface of the side wall (32) of the second compartment.

[00112] According to another embodiment of the invention, which is not shown, the perimeter of the side wall (25) of the first compartment (12) is greater than the perimeter of the side wall (32) of the second compartment (13), so so that the side wall (32) inserts at least partially into the first compartment, moving in parallel to the inner surface of the side wall (25) of that compartment.

[00113] According to this other embodiment, the peripheral seal (35) is then positioned on the outer surface of the side wall (32) of the second compartment. Likewise, mounting clips (36) are then positioned on the side wall (32) of the second compartment.

[00114] For these two embodiments, if it is desired that the side wall of one of the compartments inserts itself to a large extent into the other compartment, it may be necessary to create some cuts in the side wall of the compartments so that the removable hatch (26) of the first compartment is not obstructed by the side wall (32) of the second compartment and/or that the side wall (25) of the first compartment is not pushed against the wire passage (33) of the second compartment.

[00115] For this purpose, as is also shown as an example in Figures 6 to 9, the side wall (25) of the first compartment includes a cutout (37) and the side wall (32) of the second compartment includes a cutout (38 ).

[00116] The specific position and size of the cuts (37) and (38) is adjusted so that, during the interlocking of the two compartments, the cut (37) of the side wall (25) of the first compartment surrounds the wire passage (33) of the second compartment, while the cut (38) of the side wall (32) of the second compartment surrounds the removable hatch (26) of the first compartment.

[00117] For this purpose, the cut (37) of the side wall (25) and the removable hatch (26) of the first compartment are angularly offset by an angle α while the wire passage (33) and the cut (38 ) of the second compartment are angularly offset by the same angle α. The electrical terminals (21) and (28) of the two compartments are then positioned in such a way that they are plumb with each other when the removable hatch (26) of the first compartment is plumb with the cutout (38) of the second compartment.

[00118] The value of angle α is defined case by case based on the function, in particular, of the position of the electrical wire (15), which connects the second compartment (13) to the conduction strip that acts as an electrical pole of a column (7) of photovoltaic modules, knowing that the removable hatch (26) of the first compartment (12) is preferably oriented towards the ridge, in order to facilitate, if necessary, the placement of the electrical wire that connects the electrical terminal ( 21) from the first compartment to the adjacent column or to an electrical converter. Preferably, the angle α is between 30° and 150°, in order to introduce the electrical wire (15) on the side of the second compartment, which minimizes obstruction of the assembly formed by the second compartment, electrical wire (15) and junction box (16).

[00119] Furthermore, the cut (37) of the side wall (25) of the first compartment has a width greater than the wire passage diameter (33) of the second compartment, while the cut (38) of the second compartment has a wider than the removable hatch (26) of the first compartment.

[00120] In the case of these cuts, the position of the peripheral seal, located on the outer surface of the compartment that has a smaller perimeter, is adjusted to take into account the cuts, the wire passage and the removable hatch.

[00121] Preferably, in order to guarantee a good sealing of the connection box, the side walls (25) and (32) of the compartments do not include any opening, except the removable hatch (26), the wire passage (33) and the possible mounting clips (36) and/or cuts (37) and (38).

[00122] Regardless of the two interlocking embodiments described above, if the panel (1) includes an opening (9) in its upper overlapping area, the compartment intended to be inserted into the opening may include a peripheral projection (39) on the outer surface of its side wall.

[00123] The peripheral projection (39) allows the compartment to remain in support of the outer skin panel when the compartment and, in particular, the side wall are inserted into the opening (9).

[00124] Preferably, the peripheral projection (39) is a cord made of the same material as the side wall of the connection box. The projection can thus be produced at the same time as the side wall, for example by molding.

[00125] Preferably, the peripheral protrusion (39) is not continuous on the periphery of the side wall, in order to minimize the material used for its manufacture. However, it is possible to provide a continuous peripheral protrusion.

[00126] The position of the peripheral projection at the height of the side wall can be adjusted case by case. In the case where the conduction strip (14) which acts as the upper electrical pole of a column is connected to the first compartment, respectively in the second compartment, inserted into the opening (9) through the upper surface of the panel (1), the peripheral protrusion is positioned below the removable hatch (26), or below the wire passage (33), respectively. Conversely, if the conduction strip (14) is on the rear side of the panel, the peripheral projection is positioned above the removable hatch (26), or below the wire passage (33), respectively.

[00127] According to an embodiment of the invention, the first compartment (12) includes two electrical terminals (21) connected to the base and the second compartment (13) includes two electrical terminals (28) connected to the base and positioned so that they are plumb with the two electrical terminals 21 of the first compartment when the first and second compartments are interlocked. This provision limits the number of connection boxes required for the electrical connection of the panels. In fact, the two electrical terminals (21) can be electrically connected to the electrical poles of two adjacent columns of photovoltaic modules, while the two electrical terminals (28) can be electrically connected to the electrical poles of reverse polarity in the two adjacent columns of modules. photovoltaics. This arrangement thus requires, for a pair of columns (7) of photovoltaic modules, only one indentation (8) to be made in the upper overlapping area (41) and, if necessary, only one opening (9) to be made in the indentation. This simplifies panel manufacturing as well as assembly.

[00128] According to this embodiment, the first compartment (12) may include two doors (18) and two sealing casings (19), so as to independently connect each electrical terminal (21) to one of the two conductive tapes serving as electrical poles in the two adjacent columns of photovoltaic modules. Alternatively, the two conductive tapes enter the first compartment (12) through a single port (18) which is under a single sealing housing (19).

[00129] According to this embodiment, the first compartment (12) may include two removable hatches (26) used as a wire passage in its side wall (25), so that each electrical terminal (21) is independently connected to the converter electricity or to an adjacent column of photovoltaic modules. Alternatively, the two wires connecting the two electrical terminals (21) to the electrical converter or an adjacent column exit the first compartment (12) through a single removable hatch (26).

[00130] According to this embodiment, the second compartment (13) may include two wire passages (33), so as to independently connect each electrical terminal (28) to one of the two conductive tapes that serve as electrical poles in the two columns. adjacent photovoltaic modules. Alternatively, the two electrical wires (15) connecting the electrical terminals (28) to the conductive tapes are inserted into the second compartment (13) through a single wire passage (33).

[00131] The panels according to the invention are preferably produced in the factory. During this process, the connection box housings are attached to the panels. In particular, the bases (17), (27) are preferably positioned parallel to the plane of the portion of the central part (6) on which the columns (7) of the photovoltaic modules are supported, in order to minimize the space occupied by the connection box and so as to allow the compartments (12), (13) to interlock when the lower overlapping area (51) of one panel longitudinally overlaps the upper overlapping area (41) of an adjacent panel, by alignment along an axis perpendicular to the plane of the portion of the central part (6) on which the columns (7) of the photovoltaic modules of the adjacent panel are supported.

[00132] During their manufacture, the electrical terminals of the connection box compartments are electrically connected to the conduction strips acting as electrical poles of the columns (7) of the photovoltaic modules. In particular, one of the conduction strips that acts as the electrical pole of a given column is introduced through the opening (18) in the first compartment (12), then electrically connected to the electrical terminal (21), either directly or through a conductive contact that extends from the electrical terminal (21) to the interior of the sealing chamber (19). Preferably, the latter is then filled with insulating material. The conduction strip which acts as the reverse polarity electrical pole of the same column is in turn connected to an electrical wire (15) within the junction box (16), the electrical wire (15) furthermore being connected to the electrical terminal (28) of the second compartment (13).

[00133] The panels are then transported to site before being assembled as described below. On the one hand, manufacturing the entire panel in the factory makes it possible to guarantee its quality and good functioning and, on the other hand, on-site assembly operations are minimized thanks to the installation of the building's exterior cladding and the photovoltaic array in a single step.

[00134] Preferably, the panels intended for a given set each have a first column (7), each of the poles of which has the same polarity as the corresponding pole of the first column of another panel. The dimensions of the panels and the number of columns of photovoltaic modules in the panels may, however, vary.

[00135] On the building structure to be covered, a first panel (1) is placed in place by means of fixing such as screws, nails or even rivets. Preferably, the panel is oriented so that its longitudinal edges run in the direction of the slope. This orientation facilitates the drainage of rainwater throughout the unit and preserves its impermeability to water.

[00136] Then, one or more panels are arranged around the first panel and mounted to one another: - by marginally overlapping the transverse edges of adjacent panels to form rows of photovoltaic modules, so that each compartment (12) or ( 13) located at the lower end of a column of photovoltaic modules of the upper panel on its rear side interlocks within the other compartment (13) or (12) of the connection box located at the upper end of a column of lower panels on its front side; - and/or by marginal overlapping of the longitudinal edges of adjacent panels to increase the number of rows.

[00137] A row of photovoltaic modules is therefore defined as a juxtaposition in the longitudinal direction of columns of photovoltaic modules. Depending on the shape of the structure to be covered and specific restrictions, such as, for example, the presence of a window, a door or a chimney, the rows of panels can be of variable lengths.

[00138] In this way, the assembly of panels forming a plurality of rows of photovoltaic modules is obtained, all photovoltaic modules in a given row already being electrically connected due to the interlocking of the first and second compartments. Due to the fact that each panel is equipped with an even number of photovoltaic module columns, the number of rows is even. The number of photovoltaic modules per row depends on the number of panels adjacent to one another in a given row and, therefore, may vary from one row to another. In the case of a panel that does not exhibit any marginal overlap of its transverse edges, the row of PV modules blends with the column of PV modules.

[00139] Each row includes an electrical pole at each of its ends, the polarity of an electrical pole at one end being the reverse of that of the electrical pole at the other end and the poles of two adjacent rows being of reverse polarity. In other words, each row includes, at its lower end, an electric pole that merges with the electric pole of a lower end of the first column of that row, and at its upper end an electric pole of reverse polarity that merges with the electrical cable from the upper end of the last column in this row. With two adjacent columns of a panel being of reverse polarity, this reversal of polarities is also found at the level of two adjacent rows.

[00140] In particular, each row includes one of the compartments (12) or (13) at one of its ends and the other compartment (13) or (12) at the other end, two adjacent rows having the same of the two compartments positioned at the same end.

[00141] The rows of photovoltaic modules are then electrically connected as described below.

[00142] At the bottom of the slope of the assembly, the electrical pole of the lower end of the first row is electrically connected to the electrical pole of the lower end of the second row, the electrical pole of the lower end of the third row is electrically connected to the electrical pole of the end bottom of the fourth row, and so on.

[00143] In particular, the compartment (12) or (13) at the lower end of the first row is electrically connected to the identical compartment (12) or (13) at the lower end of the second column and so on.

[00144] In practice, this electrical connection is created with the help of a transversal connector that includes two identical compartments (12) or (13) connected by an electrical wire. In this way, the electrical connection at the bottom of the set's slope is very simple and limited to the interlocking of two compartments (12) or (13) with the compartments at the lower end of the two adjacent rows.

[00145] According to a first embodiment in which the first compartment (12) is positioned at the lower end of the rows, the transverse connector (39) includes two compartments (13) connected by an electrical wire (40) as shown in Figure 11. In particular, the electrical wire is inserted into the wire passage (33) of each of the compartments and electrically connected to the electrical terminal (28) of each of the compartments.

[00146] According to a second embodiment in which the second compartment (13) is positioned at the lower end of the rows, the transverse connector (41) includes two compartments (12) connected by an electrical wire (40) as shown in Figure 12. In particular, the electrical wire is inserted into each of the compartments through the opening in the thickness of the side wall after removing the removable hatch (26) and electrically connected to the electrical terminal (21) of each of the compartments.

[00147] At the ridge, the electrical poles of the upper ends of the rows are connected to the converter or to each other in a similar manner to the connection at the bottom of the slope as a function of the acceptable input voltage to the converter. This input voltage is adjusted by adapting the number of columns (7) connected together in series. A person skilled in the art will be able to adapt this connection principle to the specific case. According to a possible wiring diagram, the upper electrical pole of the first row is connected to the converter, both directly and not. The upper electrical pole of the second row is connected to the upper electrical pole of the third row with the help of a transverse connector (39) or (41) similar to those used in the lower part of the slope. The upper electrical pole of the fourth row is connected to the upper electrical pole of the fifth row in the same way. Finally, the upper electrical pole of the sixth row is connected to the converter. The n photovoltaic modules in the first six rows are thus connected in series and distribute to the converter a voltage equal to n times its nominal voltage. The following columns are then connected using the same method.

[00148] In particular, according to a first embodiment in which the second compartment (13) is positioned at the upper end of the rows, two adjacent rows are connected by the transverse connector (41), which includes the first two compartments (12) connected by an electrical wire (40) as shown in Figure 12. In particular, the electrical wire is inserted into each of the compartments through the opening in the thickness of the side wall after removing the removable hatch (26) and electrically connected to the electrical terminal (21 ) of each of the compartments. The rows connected to the converter are, in turn, through a first compartment (12), connected to an electrical wire, which in turn, is electrically connected at one of its ends to the electrical terminal (21) of the compartment and, in turn, its other end, to the converter. This first compartment (12) is simply interlocked with the second compartment (13) positioned at the end of the row to be connected to the converter. This makes electrical wiring much easier when assembling the panels.

[00149] According to a second embodiment, in which the first compartment (12) is positioned at the upper end of the rows, two adjacent rows are connected by the transverse connector (39), which includes the two second compartments (13) connected by a electrical wire (40) as shown in Figure 11. In particular, the electrical wire is inserted into the wire passage (33) of each of the compartments and electrically connected to the electrical terminal (28) of each of the compartments. The rows connected to the converter are, in turn, through a second compartment (13), connected to an electrical wire, which in turn, is electrically connected at one of its ends to the electrical terminal (28) of the compartment and, in turn, its other end, to the converter. This second compartment (13) is simply interlocked with the first compartment (12) positioned at the end of the row to be connected to the converter. This makes electrical wiring much easier when assembling the panels.

[00150] Therefore, the wire outlet for the converter is provided at the ridge of the roof, which is easily accessible and facilitates its installation or access for repair.

[00151] In another embodiment of panel assembly, the way of connecting the rows of photovoltaic modules at the bottom of the slope and at the roof ridge can be reversed so that the wiring output for the converter is located at the bottom of the slope .

[00152] In this way, the two compartments (12) and (13) according to the invention, which are interlockable, make it possible to implement all electrical connections of the photovoltaic roof using only these two compartments, which allow both to electrically connect two panels to one another. to the other, electrically connect the photovoltaic modules at the bottom of the slope to each other as to a converter, and electrically connect the photovoltaic modules on the ridge to each other or to a converter.

Claims (26)

1. PANEL (1) OF EXTERIOR CLADDING OF A BUILDING, which includes: - an upper transverse edge (4) including an upper overlapping area (41) intended to be overlapped by an adjacent panel (1), - a transverse edge bottom (5) which includes a lower overlapping area (51) intended for overlapping an adjacent panel (1), - a central part (6), which connects the transverse edges (4, 5), which are covered by at least one pair of columns (7) of photovoltaic modules, each column (7) including an electrical pole at one of its longitudinal ends and an electrical pole of reverse polarity at the other end, the poles of the two adjacent columns (7) being of reverse polarity, - a perforation (10) located in the lower overlap area (51) through which a conduction strip (11) passes, which connects one of the two electrical poles of the column (7) of photovoltaic modules to one of two compartments (12, 13) of a connection box, this compartment being located on the rear side of the panel in the lower overlap area (51), - an indentation (8), located in the upper overlap area (41) in which the other of the two compartments ( 12, 13) of the connection box is placed, this compartment being connected to the other electrical pole of the column (7) of photovoltaic modules, characterized by the connection box including a first compartment (12) and a second compartment (13), an interlockable within the other, - the first compartment (12), including: o a base (17) including an opening (18) covered by a sealing chamber (19), o a side wall (25) surrounding the base (17) and extending perpendicular thereto, the side wall (25) including a removable hatch intended for use as a wire passage (26), or an electrical terminal (21) connected to the base (17), with an axis perpendicular to the base (17), - the second compartment (13), including: o a base (27), o a side wall (32) surrounding the base (27) and extending perpendicularly thereto, the side wall (32) including a wire passage (33), or an electrical terminal (28) of reverse polarity to the electrical terminal (21) of the first compartment (12), the electrical terminal (28) having an axis perpendicular to the base (27), connected to the base (27) and positioned so that it is plumb with the electrical terminal (21) of the first compartment (12) when the first and second compartments (12, 13) are interlocked. 2. PANEL (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the first compartment (12) is positioned on the rear side of the panel in the lower overlap area (51) and the second compartment (13) is positioned in the indentation (8) . 3. PANEL (1), according to claim 2, characterized in that the first compartment (12) is positioned upright with the perforation (10). 4. PANEL (1), according to claim 1, characterized in that the second compartment (13) is positioned on the rear side of the panel in the lower overlap area (51), while the first compartment (12) is positioned in the indentation (8 ). 5. PANEL (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the second compartment (13) is connected to an electrical pole of the column (7) of photovoltaic modules with the help of an electrical wire (15) and a junction box (16). 6. PANEL (1), according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the two compartments (12, 13) are positioned at the same distance from the first longitudinal edge (2) and the distance between the first compartment (12) and the lower transverse edge (5) of the panel is identical to the distance between the second compartment (13) and the lower edge of the upper overlap area (41). 7. ROOF ASSEMBLED BY MARGINAL OVERLAP, characterized by marginal overlap of at least two panels (1), as defined in any of claims 1 to 6. 8. ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX, for a panel (1) of the exterior cladding of a building equipped with at least one photovoltaic module including an electrical pole at one of its longitudinal ends and an electrical pole of reverse polarity at the other end, characterized by the box connecting compartment include a first compartment (12) and a second compartment (13) which are interlockable, - the first compartment (12) including: o a base (17) including an opening (18) covered by a sealing chamber (19 ), o a side wall (25) surrounding the base (17) and extending perpendicular thereto, the side wall (25) including a removable hatch intended for use as a wire passage (26), o an electrical terminal (21) connected to the base (17), with the axis perpendicular to the base (17), - the second compartment (13), including: o a base (27), o a side wall (32) around the base (27 ) and extending perpendicularly thereto, the side wall (32) including a wire passage (33), an electrical terminal (28) of reverse polarity to that of the electrical terminal (21) of the first compartment (12), the electrical terminal (28) having an axis perpendicular to the base, connected to the base (27) and positioned such that it is plumb with the electrical terminal (21) of the first compartment (12) when the first and second compartments (12, 13) are interlocked. 9. ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX, according to claim 8, characterized in that the base (17) of the first compartment (12) does not include any opening, except the opening (18). 10. ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX, according to any one of claims 8 to 9, characterized in that the sealing chamber (19) of the first compartment (12) includes a dividing wall having a closed contour, positioned on the base (17), which extends from this point and surrounds the opening (18). 11. ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX, according to any one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the sealing chamber (19) is covered by a lid (20). 12. ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX, according to any one of claims 8 to 11, characterized in that the electrical terminal (21) of the first compartment (12) includes a conductive contact extending into the sealing chamber (19). 13. ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX, according to any one of claims 8 to 12, characterized in that the electrical terminal (21) of the first compartment (12) is covered by a protective cover (24). 14. ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX, according to any one of claims 8 to 13, characterized in that the electrical terminals (21, 28) include a cylindrical conductive pin (22) covered by an insulating cover (23). 15. ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX, according to any one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that the side walls (25, 32) of the two compartments have a circular cross-section. 16. ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX, according to any one of claims 8 to 15, characterized in that the removable hatch (26) is a sealing plug positioned within an opening in the thickness of the side wall (25). 17. ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX, according to any one of claims 8 to 16, characterized in that the electrical terminal (21, 28) of one of the two compartments (12, 13) includes a vertical tube (29) and conductive strips (30) placed along the inner wall of the tube (29) and extending along the axis of the tube (29). 18. ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX, according to any one of claims 8 to 17, characterized in that the perimeter of the side wall (25) of the first compartment (12) is smaller than the perimeter of the side wall (27) of the second compartment (13) , so that the side wall (25) at least partially inserts into the second compartment (13), moving parallel to the inner surface of the side wall (27) of that compartment. 19. ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX, according to any one of claims 8 to 18, characterized in that the side wall (25, 32) of one of the two compartments (12, 13) includes a peripheral seal (35) located on its external surface. 20. ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX, according to any one of claims 8 to 19, characterized in that the side wall (25, 32) of one of the two compartments (12, 13) includes mounting clips (36). 21. ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX, according to any one of claims 8 to 20, characterized in that the side wall (25) of the first compartment includes a cutout (37) and the side wall (32) of the second compartment includes a cutout (38) . 22. ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX, according to claim 21, characterized in that the cut (37) of the side wall (25) and the removable hatch (26) of the first compartment (12) are angularly offset by an angle α while the wire passage (33) and the cut (38) of the second compartment (13) are angularly compensated by the same angle α. 23. ELECTRICAL CONNECTION BOX, according to any one of claims 8 to 14, characterized in that one of the two compartments (12, 13) includes a peripheral projection (39) on the external surface of its side wall. 24. KIT FOR THE CONNECTION, to a converter, of panels (1) equipped with a photovoltaic device consisting of an even number of columns of photovoltaic modules, each column including an electrical pole at one of its longitudinal ends and an electrical polarity pole reverse polarity at the other end, the poles of two adjacent columns being of reverse polarity, characterized in that the kit includes: - an electrical connection box, as defined in any one of claims 8 to 23, - an electrical wire (40) provided in its two ends with a second compartment of the connection box (13), as defined in any one of claims 8 to 23, each end of the electrical wire being inserted into the wire passage (33) of that compartment (13), - a first compartment of the box connection device (12) as defined in any one of claims 8 to 23 provided with an electrical wire (40) inserted into the removable hatch used as a wire passage (26) of this compartment (12). 25. KIT FOR THE CONNECTION, to a converter, of panels (1) equipped with a photovoltaic device consisting of an even number of columns of photovoltaic modules, each column including an electrical pole at one of its longitudinal ends and an electrical polarity pole reverse polarity at the other end, the poles of two adjacent columns being of reverse polarity, characterized in that the kit includes: - an electrical connection box, as defined in any one of claims 8 to 23, - an electrical wire (40) provided in its two ends with a first connection box compartment (12) as defined in any one of claims 8 to 23, each end of the electrical wire being inserted into the removable hatch used as a wire passage (26) of that compartment (12), - a second connection box compartment (13) as defined in any one of claims 8 to 23 provided with an electrical wire (40) inserted into the wire passage (33) of that compartment. 26. ELECTRICAL DEVICE, capable of being connected to a converter including a set of panels (1) inclined along a given slope and characterized by including: an upper transverse edge (4) that includes an upper overlapping area (41) intended to be overlapped by an adjacent panel (1), o a lower transverse edge (5) including a lower overlapping area (51) intended for overlapping an adjacent panel (1), o a photovoltaic device including an even number of columns ( 7) of photovoltaic modules, each column (7) including an electrical pole at each of its ends, the polarity of an electrical pole at one end being the reverse of the electrical pole at the other end and the poles of two adjacent columns (7) being of reverse polarity, the electrical pole of the lower end of each column being in the form of a first compartment of the connection box (12), as defined in any one of claims 8 to 23, positioned on the rear side of the panel in the area of lower overlap, the electrical pole of the lower end of each column being in the form of a first compartment of the connection box (12), as defined in any one of claims 8 to 23, positioned on the rear side of the panel (1) in the area of lower overlap (51), the panels (1) being juxtaposed by marginal overlap of their longitudinal edges and/or their transverse edges (4, 5) to form rows of photovoltaic modules in the direction of inclination, the assembly being such that: - in the marginal overlap of two adjacent panels (1) of a given row, the first compartment (12) of the lower end of each column of the upper panel (1) is interlocked with or over the second compartment (13) of the upper end of the column facing the bottom panel (1), - at the bottom of the assembly slope, the first compartment (12) of the lower end of the first row is electrically connected to the first compartment (12) of the lower end of the second row and so on, the connection between the two rows being carried out with the help of a transverse connector (39) including two second compartments (13) connected by an electrical wire, - at the ridge, the second compartments (13) of the upper ends of the rows are connected to the converter with the help of a first compartment (12) equipped with an electrical wire inserted into the removable hatch (26) or with each other in a similar method to the lower part of the slope with the help of a transverse connector (40) including two first compartments (12) connected by an electrical wire.