EP1444467A1

EP1444467A1 - Solar energy system

Info

Publication number: EP1444467A1
Application number: EP02782987A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Thomas Löschmann
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2001-10-30
Filing date: 2002-10-23
Publication date: 2004-08-11
Also published as: US20040245782A1; AU2002346870B2; US7000608B2; WO2003038349A1; MXPA04004069A; CN1589384A

Abstract

The invention relates to a solar energy system comprising at least two solar energy units (10xx). Each solar energy unit (10xx) comprises a fixing means (12) and a supporting structure (14) rotatably mounted thereon and on which solar energy modules and/or solar collectors (16) can be secured and which can track the course of the sun with its axis of rotation which is arranged substantially perpendicular to the surface of the earth. According to the invention, the supporting structure (14) of at least one of the solar energy units (10xx) is connected to at least one other supporting structure (14) of a solar energy unit (10xx) by at least one mechanical means of transmitting an adjusting movement.

Description

solar system

The invention relates to a solar system with the features mentioned in the preamble of claim 1.

In addition to permanently installed solar systems, systems are known in solar technology by means of which photovoltaic modules, also referred to as solar modules for short, or solar collectors are tracked in one or two axes to the sun.

Solar modules consist of a large number of solar cells assembled into a module and are used for the direct generation of electrical energy from solar energy.

Solar collectors, most commonly the flat collectors, serve as a device for converting solar energy into heat.

A solar system for electrical energy generation consists of a permanently installed photovoltaic generator, a string inverter and a grid feed. If the solar generator is illuminated by the sun, it supplies electricity. This is then fed into the existing power grid via the inverter. The daily output of a permanently installed system is made up of global rays in the mornings and afternoons. and the midday from the direct radiation, whereby the irradiation power changes constantly with the angle of incidence of the sun to the solar module. Long-term measurements have shown that the energy yield for permanently installed solar modules corresponds to five times the installed generator output. The factor 5 applies to 15 hours of sunshine in the summer months.

In order to achieve additional energy yield compared to a permanently installed solar system, two-axis tracking solar systems are usually used in practice. Such a solar system is described in DE-GBM 297 07 201. By means of a cylindrical rotating device that tracks the position of the sun, the solar modules are guided to the course of the sun essentially around an axis of rotation arranged vertically to the earth's surface. In addition to vertical adjustment, it is possible to track the solar modules with respect to a horizontal axis in two-axis solar systems. This means that the solar modules of the solar system are always aligned at an angle of 90 ° to the sun. The daily output of this solar system at sunrise is about 30 minutes (time for the return) from the global radiation and for the rest of the day from the direct sunlight. Practice shows that the energy yield corresponds to 12 times the installed generator output. This factor of 12 also applies to 15 hours of sunshine in the summer months. In order to carry out the rotary movement for a described solar system, for example 50 solar modules of 85 Wp = 4,250 Wp only a daily energy consumption of the drive of this system of 3 to 6 Wh can be assumed.

Evidence measurements and yield calculations show that the yield of a tracked two-axis solar system increases by about 30%.

However, the disadvantages of the systems that track the position of the sun are that they are relatively expensive, since they must have a control device for tracking the solar modules, as well as motors and gears. The increased energy yield and the associated financial advantage is offset by the increased additional costs of the system, so that tracked solar systems have so far hardly been able to gain market share in the growing solar market.

For larger capacities to be installed, it is necessary to install several solar units to form one solar system, whereby each of the solar systems is equipped with the necessary equipment for tracking the position of the sun. The result is high investment and maintenance costs.

The object of the invention is to provide an inexpensive, technically simple to implement, low-maintenance tracking device for a solar system.

This object is achieved by a solar system with the features mentioned in claim 1. The fact that several solar units can be mechanically coupled to a solar system, so that an actuating movement, caused by an actuating means, leads only one of the solar units to track all the coupled solar units, advantageously eliminates the multiply necessary gears, motors and control units that are required for an uncoupled individual installation each solar unit will be needed separately. The specific investment costs decrease.

According to the invention, the coupling and transmission of the actuating movement takes place by means of at least one mechanical transmission means through support frames attached to the support structures of the solar units.

A solar system, which can consist, for example, of 50 solar units with their associated supporting structures, each with 8 m ² solar modules and / or solar collectors, for example a total of 400 m ² solar module or solar collector area, requires due to the possible coupling and transmission of the actuating movement by the mechanical transmission means only one engine, one gearbox and one control unit with control unit.

It is also advantageous that the solar units can be implemented much more simply by reducing the necessary technical equipment on the coupled respective solar units, as a result of which a considerable cost reduction is also achieved.

Overall, the significantly lower investment costs of these mechanically coupled tracking ten solar systems, for example in the case of photovoltaic systems at lower solar electricity generation costs.

This significantly increases the profitability of the solar system, since the specific maintenance effort is also significantly reduced.

With this system, systems that are already installed can be expanded as required by simply connecting additional solar units.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention result from the features mentioned in the subclaims.

The invention is explained in more detail in an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. Show it:

Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a solar system consisting of two solar units in the west orientation;

Figure 2 is a schematic representation (top view) of a transmission means of two solar units in a starting position, for example south-facing;

Figure 3 is a schematic representation (top view) of the transmission means of two solar units after rotation from south to east; Figure 4 is a schematic representation (top view) of a transmission means of two solar units after rotation from south to west;

Figure 5 is a schematic representation (top view) of two horizontally arranged transmission means of two solar units and a vertically arranged transmission means of another solar unit;

FIG. 6 shows a schematic illustration (top view) of a possible arrangement of a solar system;

Figure 7 is a schematic representation of a guide element;

Figure 8 is a schematic representation of an adjusting and bearing element and

Figure 9 is a schematic representation of a height adjustment of the solar system.

FIG. 1 shows a coupled solar system, consisting of the solar units 10 ₂ 6 and 10 ₂₇ . The solar system is oriented to the west in FIG. 1. The structure of the solar units 10 _2S and 10 ₂₇ is identical, so that the following description is based on the solar unit 10 ₂₆ . The solar unit 10 ₂₆ consists of a fastening means 12, by means of the the solar unit 10 _{26 is} fixed on a solid surface. The fastening means 12 is, for example, concreted into a concrete foundation or can be attached, for example, directly to a corresponding substructure. A support structure 14 is rotatably mounted on the fastening means 12. The rotatably mounted support structure 14 is guided with low friction by means of a slide bearing 28 on the fastening means 12, the slide bearing 28 simultaneously serving for vertical alignment of the support structure 14. An adjustment and bearing element 30 placed on the head side of the fastening means 12 carries the supporting structure 14 and enables its rotational movement vertically around the fastening means 12. The adjusting and bearing element 30 serves at the same time for adjusting and mounting the supporting structure 14. It is in height variably configurable.

The support structure 14 also has an adjusting device 26, by means of which solar modules and / or solar collectors 16 can be adjusted. The adjustment device 26 can be used to adjust an inclination angle 34 of the solar modules and / or solar collectors 16 manually or automatically by means of an adjustment carried out by an adjusting means. With automatic adjustment, it is ensured that a solar incidence angle of 90 ° is always set on the solar modules and / or solar collectors 16. If the adjusting device 26 is carried out manually, the most favorable angle of inclination of the solar modules and / or is adjusted seasonally Solar panels 16 according to the season. The solar unit 10 ₂ ε also has a transmission means 32 which is arranged essentially at right angles to the support structure 14. FIG. 1 shows the transmission means 32, consisting of a support frame 22, which consists of support arms 18 and guide elements 20 associated with each support arm, and a connecting element 24. The support frame 22 has, in particular, four support arms 18A, 18B, 18C and 18D, which in particular can each be implemented offset by 90 °. The arrangement of four support arms described is only a preferred embodiment. Embodiments with support frames 22 are also conceivable that have no support arms 18A-D. For example, all conceivable elements by means of which connecting elements 24 can be carried can be attached directly to the support structure 14 as a replacement for the carrying frame 22.

Each support arm 18A, 18B, 18C and 18D has the guide element 20, the guide element 20 having guide grooves 36 for guiding the connecting element 24. The guide grooves 36 are not shown in Figure 1 for reasons of clarity. The illustration and description are shown in FIG. 7. The connecting element 24 is in particular a rope, two solar units 10 _2S , 10 ₂₇ preferably being designed with two ropes 24A and 24B for reasons of uniform force acting on the supporting structure 14. Further embodiments of connecting elements 24 are conceivable. It can also be designed using belts, chains or linkage.

As mentioned, each connecting element 24 is fastened to a predetermined guide element 20 of the support arms 18A or 18B or 18C or 18D. A support arm 18 is shown in Figure 7. FIG. 7 shows the guide grooves 36 of the connecting element 24, which are arranged in the guide elements 20. Each connecting element 24 has an attachment point on the solar unit 10 ₂₆ and the solar unit 10 ₂₇ on the guide element 20 belonging to the support arms 18A or 18B or 18C or 18D of the respective solar unit.

An adjusting means 38, not shown in FIG. 1, enables a rotation on both sides about a vertical axis of the supporting structure 14 up to 360 °. A manual adjustment movement of the support structure 14 can also be carried out.

In particular, a motor can be arranged as the adjusting means 38, the illustration of which has been omitted in FIG. 1 since it is not relevant to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows the transmission means 32 of the two solar units 10 ₂₆ and 10 ₂ . A possible starting position is shown in FIG. 2, in which the solar units 10 ₂₆ and 10 ₇ or the installed solar modules, for example, face south are aligned. FIG. 2 shows the arrangement of the support arms 18A, 18B, 18C and 18D of the solar units 10 ₂₆ and 10 ₂₇ as well as the connecting element 24A and the connecting element 24B, in particular in a rope version.

It can be seen that the connecting element 24A is attached to the guide elements 20 of the support arm 18C of the solar unit 10 ₂ 6 and 10 ₂₇ .

Analogous to the explanations for the connecting element 24A, FIG. 2 shows the connecting element 24B, which is attached on the one hand to the solar unit 10 ₂ 6 on the guide element 20 of the support arm 18A and on the other hand to the solar unit 10 ₂ on the guide element 20 of the support arm 18A.

FIG. 2 also shows in its entirety the fastening means 12 and the rotatably mounted support structure 14, of which the support arms 18A-D, starting for both solar units 10 ₂ G 10 ₂ , are shown.

FIG. 3 also shows the solar units 10 ₂₆ and 10 ₂ , which are coupled to one another by the connecting elements 24A and 24B. In FIG. 3, however, the transmission means 32 are shifted in the direction of rotation 40 (east direction).

In contrast to FIG. 2, the mode of operation is clear from FIG. The respective support arms 18A, 18B, 18C and 18D of the solar unit 10 ₂ ε are shifted by 90 ° in the direction of rotation 40. Similarly, shift the support arms of the solar unit 10 _{27 of} the transmission means 32 accordingly. All intermediate positions are possible.

In FIG. 3, a support frame 22, consisting of a support arm 18A with the associated guide element 20, is shown as an example in the solar unit 10 ₂ . The fastening means 12 and the supporting structure 14 supplement FIG. 3.

FIG. 4 shows, in accordance with FIG. 3, an actuating movement in the direction of rotation 40 (west direction) of the solar units 10 ₂₆ and 10 ₂₇ using the transmission means 32. It is clear from FIG. 4 that, analogously to FIG. 3, the connecting element 24A of the solar unit 10 _2s is displaced by 90 °. Analogously to the solar unit 10 ₂ 6, the 90 ° rotation of the solar unit 10 ₂ in the direction of rotation 40 (west direction) and the displacement of the connecting element 24B.

The direction of rotation 40 shown in FIG. 4 to the west corresponds to FIG. 1.

The connecting elements 24A and 24B are secured by the guide on the guide elements 20 of the support arms 18A, 18B, 18C, 18D. The fastening means 12 and the supporting structure 14 are shown in full. The support arm 18B with the guide element 20 forms a support frame 22, for example.

Figure 5 also shows a top view of a vertical extension, starting from the starting position of the solar units 10 _2s and 10 ₂₇ described in FIG. 2. The representation is again based on the transmission means 32. The solar unit 10 ₂₆ here has a further solar unit 10 1 _{6 added} in the vertical direction. In this way, an expansion or reduction of solar units in a solar system is possible.

It can be seen that, according to the previous explanations, the solar units 10 ₂₆ and 10ι _{6 are connected} by means of the connecting elements 24C and 24D.

FIG. 5 illustrates that between the support arms 18A and 18B and the associated guide elements 20 of the solar unit 10 ₂₆ , four partial areas of the connecting elements 24A, 24B, 24C and 24D are already guided in the guide grooves 36 of the respective guide elements 20.

In FIG. 5, the solar unit 10 ₂ 6 still has two degrees of freedom. Assuming the arrangement of two further solar units on the degrees of freedom, taking into account the similar arrangement of two connecting elements 24 per solar unit 10χχ after further consistent consideration, it is imperative that between the support arms 18A / 18B and 18B / 18C as well as 18C / 18D and 18A / 18D the solar unit 10 _2s each four sub-areas of the connecting elements 24 are carried by the guide elements 20 belonging to the support arms 18A-D. The connection elements 24 are guided in the guide grooves 36 of the guide elements 20.

The subareas between the support arms 18A / 18B and 18B / 18C and 18C / 18D and 18A / 18D are formed by eight connecting elements 24 when five solar units are arranged, the solar unit 10 _{26 being} arranged centrally in FIG.

Figure 6 shows a schematic representation of a possible set-up of a solar system consisting of a number of solar units 10χχ. For reasons of clarity, the representation of the fastening means 12 with the associated support structure 14 and the support arms 18 is shown schematically. The coupling of an actuating means 38 to a preferred solar unit 10 is also _shown . All other arrangements of the solar units 10χχ and the actuating means 38 are conceivable.

The arrangement of the solar system in FIG. 6 consists of thirty-six solar units, a significant advantage of this arrangement being that, starting from the actuating means 38, a maximum of five transmission steps are necessary in all directions. This configuration is particularly advantageous for an even distribution of forces within a solar system.

Two examples illustrate this statement. The solar units 10 _ls and 10 _{4S are} steps coupled via the solar units 10 ₂₆ , 10 ₃₄ , 10 ₄₀ and 10 ₄₄ .

As a second example, a coupling between solar unit 10ι ₆ and solar unit 10 ₄₂ via the solar units 10 ₂ 6, 10 ₃ , 10 ₄₀ and 10 ₄ χ is realized with five transmission steps.

FIG. 7 shows the guide element 20 already mentioned, which is fastened to the support arms 18. The guide element 20 has the guide grooves 36.

It can be seen from the description of FIG. 5 that a star-shaped arrangement and coupling of five solar units is achieved by means of eight connecting elements 24. Thus, eight guide grooves 36 are necessary to guide eight connecting elements 24.

The execution of the guide grooves 36 simultaneously ensures the centering of the connecting elements

24. FIG. 7 shows an example of two connecting elements 24 in the guide grooves 36.

FIG. 8 shows a possible design of the adjustment and bearing element 30 already mentioned, which is arranged as an exchangeable element in the head of the fastening means 12. Due to the variable design, in particular the height of the adjusting and bearing element 30, it is possible to adjust the height of the support structure 14 shown in FIG. The measure of interchangeability of the adjustment and bearing elements 30 serves above all Compensation of tolerances from the assembly of the fastening means 12 and the support structures 14.

A smooth transmission of the rotary movements and thus realized simultaneous tracking between the solar units 10χχ is given, in particular, on the assumption of an exact, almost tolerance-free alignment of all solar units 10χχ.

The transmission, which is as frictionless as possible, is realized in the exemplary embodiment by a bushing 44. In order to ensure the adjustment at the same time, the bushing 44 is designed in a U-shape, which results in lateral guides. The socket is made in particular from a low-friction plastic. Other solutions and materials are conceivable.

FIG. 9 shows a possible height adjustment of the solar system to inclined and uneven terrain surfaces. The adaptation is achieved by different lengths of the fastening means 12 or by deflecting rollers 42.

The first possibility of height adjustment by means of height adjustment of the fastening means 12 is shown in FIG. 9 between the solar units 10 ₂₆ , 10 ₃₄ and 10 ₄₀ .

The second possibility of height adjustment with at least one deflection roller 42 for deflecting the connecting elements 24 is using two Deflection rollers 42 between the solar units 10 ₄₀ and 10 ₄ shown.

In the exemplary embodiment, there is no explicit description of the north direction with respect to the specified directions of rotation 40. Due to the complete rotatability of the solar units 10χχ about their vertical axis, installation in the northern hemisphere and southern hemisphere is possible.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10χχ solar unit

12 fasteners

14 supporting structure

16 solar collectors / solar modules

18A-D support arms

20 guide elements

22 carrying frame

24A-D connector

26 Adjustment device

28 plain bearings

30 adjustment and bearing element

32 transmission means

34 angle of inclination

36 guide grooves

38 positioning means

40 direction of rotation

42 deflection roller

44 socket

Claims

claims

1. Solar system with at least two solar units (10χχ), each of the solar units (10χχ) comprising a fastening means (12) and a support structure (14) rotatably mounted thereon, on which solar modules and / or solar collectors (16) can be fastened and which The sun's course can be tracked via its axis of rotation, which is arranged substantially vertically to the surface of the earth, characterized in that the supporting structure (14) of at least one of the solar units (10χχ) by means of at least one mechanical transmission means (32) for transmitting an actuating movement with at least one further supporting structure ( 14) a solar unit (lO _xx ) is connected.

2. Solar system according to claim 1, characterized in that the supporting structure (14) by means of a slide bearing (28) and an adjusting and bearing element (30) guided by a bushing (44) on the fastening means (12) is rotatably mounted.

3. Solar system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the supporting structure (14) has an adjusting device (26) for the solar modules and / or solar collectors (16).

4. Solar system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting device (26) allows an adjustment of the angle of inclination (34) of the solar modules and / or solar collectors (16) via manual or an adjustment carried out by an adjusting means, so that a sun angle of 90 ° on the solar modules and / or solar collectors (16) is adjustable.

5. Solar system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission means (32) is arranged substantially at right angles to the supporting structure (14).

6. Solar system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmission means (32) consists of at least one support frame (22) which consists of at least one support arm (18) and at least one guide element (20) and at least one connecting element ( 24).

7. Solar system according to claim 6, characterized in that the support frame (22) has four support arms (18A, 18B, 18C, 18D), which are each offset by 90 °.

8. Solar system according to claim 6, characterized in that the guide elements (20) are located at the end of each support arm (18A, 18B, 18C, 18D) and have guide grooves (36) for guiding the connecting element (24).

9. Solar system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (24) is a rope.

10. Solar system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (24) is a belt.

11. Solar system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (24) is a chain.

12. Solar system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (24) is a linkage.

13. Solar system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the connecting element (24) on both sides of the respective guide elements (20) of the support arms (18A-D) can be attached.

14. Solar system according to claim 6 to 13, characterized in that each solar unit (10χχ) with two connecting elements (24) can be connected.

15. Solar system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the actuating movement can be carried out manually and / or by means of an actuating means (38) and each position of the sun can be adjusted by rotating the supporting structure (14) on both sides.

16. Solar system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adjusting means (38) is a motor, in particular an electric motor.

17. Solar system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a height adjustment can be achieved by changing the length of the fastening means (12) or by at least one deflection roller (42).