EP4342078A2

EP4342078A2 - Support element for photovoltaic panel

Info

Publication number: EP4342078A2
Application number: EP22730611.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nicola Pignolo
Original assignee: Niccons Italy Srl
Current assignee: Niccons Italy Srl
Priority date: 2021-05-21
Filing date: 2022-05-20
Publication date: 2024-03-27
Also published as: WO2022243959A2; WO2022243959A3; IT202100013262A1

Abstract

Support element (1) for photovoltaic panels (P1, P2) comprising a shaped body (2) delimited at the bottom by a base (3), adapted to come into contact with a rest plane (A), and at the top by an inclined surface (4) with respect to the rest plane (A). The inclined surface (4) of the support element (1) is provided at the lower end with a first shaped appendage (5) projecting upwards from the inclined surface (4), the first shaped appendage (5) defining together with the inclined surface (4) a rest seat for one or more photovoltaic panels (P1, P2). The support element (1) is made of plastic material.

Description

SUPPORT ELEMENT FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS AND MODULAR PHOTOVOLTAIC APPARATUS COMPRISING SAID SUPPORT ELEMENT. DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a support element for photovoltaic panels.

The present invention also relates to a modular photovoltaic apparatus comprising a plurality of support elements.

As is well known, photovoltaic systems are usually placed on the roofs of houses or buildings in general and consist of a plurality of solar panels supported by a support structure resting on the roof.

In particular, photovoltaic systems with fixed solar panels generally have a support structure consisting of a frame of profiles welded together or bolted/assembled and made in order to adapt the dimensions of this support structure to those of the system to be built.

The aforesaid systems are generally very expensive in their realization, since each time a new photovoltaic system is built, a new support structure has to be made specifically for this system, which may differ from the other support structures in terms of dimensions, arrangement and inclination of the panels, and therefore the use of specialized labour is required for the assembly of these systems.

Another drawback is due to the difficulty of setting up a photovoltaic system.

In particular, due to atmospheric agents such as wind and water, the support of the photovoltaic system must withstand high bending stresses, and therefore requires a complex architecture of the profiles that make up the support structure.

Furthermore, the photovoltaic panels are subjected to forces during windy days, which in some cases can lead to failure or damage of the support structure.

To overcome this drawback, counterweights are used that counteract the effect of the wind, but which nevertheless increase the costs of the photovoltaic apparatus.

A further drawback is due to the fact that the constraint of the single support element of the photovoltaic apparatus to the roof is realized by means of screws and interlocking and requires making a plurality of holes or other processing that weaken the roof structure and create a risk of water infiltration. In order to overcome the aforesaid drawback, it was decided to realize a support for photovoltaic panels protected by utility model no. MI2012U000143. This support is made of cement and therefore constitutes a solid rest for the photovoltaic panel; however, the use of cement runs the risk of damaging the tar sheath of the panel itself as the time goes by and in addition, the cement support element is heavy to handle.

The present invention intends to eliminate the above-mentioned drawbacks.

In particular, it is an object of the present invention to realize a support element for photovoltaic panels that constitutes a stable support for the panel(s) to be supported without the need for the use of fixing means, and which at the same time is easy for the operator to handle.

A further object of the present invention is to realize a support element for photovoltaic panels that is easy to adapt to the requirements of the photovoltaic apparatus.

The aforesaid objects are achieved by a support element for photovoltaic panels whose main characteristics are in accordance with the teachings of the first claim.

The aforesaid objects are also achieved by a modular photovoltaic apparatus whose main characteristics are in accordance with the teachings of the seventh claim.

Further detailed features of the support element according to the invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

Advantageously, the support element for photovoltaic panels according to the present invention realizes a support that does not ruin the tar sheath with which the photovoltaic panel is covered.

Still advantageously, the support element for photovoltaic panels according to the present invention can easily absorb any accidental shocks and stresses. Still advantageously, the support element for photovoltaic panels according to the invention uses recycled materials that can still be recycled in the future and is therefore environmentally friendly.

The aforesaid objects and the aforesaid advantages will be better highlighted during the description of a preferred embodiment of the invention which is given, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the attached drawing tables in which:

- Fig. 1 shows an axonometric view of a support element for photovoltaic panels according to the present invention; - Fig. 2 shows a side view of the support element for photovoltaic panels of Fig. 1;

- Fig. 3 shows an axonometric view of a modular photovoltaic apparatus comprising the support element of Fig. 1 ;

- Fig. 4 shows a view of a detail of a fixing plate represented in Fig. 3;

- Fig. 5 shows the cross-sectional view of the detail of Fig. 4;

- Fig. 6 shows an axonometric view of an embodiment variant of the photovoltaic apparatus in Fig. 3;

- Fig. 7 shows the view of a detail of Fig. 6;

- Fig. 8 represents a plan view of a detail of a support element according to the invention;

- Fig. 9 represents a side view of the detail of Fig. 8;

- Fig. 10 represents a plan view of another detail of the support element according to the invention;

- Fig. 11 represents a side view of the detail of Fig. 10;

- Fig. 12 represents a side view of a support element according to the invention in a further embodiment variant thereof;

- Fig. 13 represents a schematic perspective view of a modular photovoltaic apparatus comprising the support element of Fig. 12.

With reference to Fig. 1, therein one can observe a support element for photovoltaic panels, indicated as a whole with 1, comprising a shaped body 2 delimited at the bottom with respect to an arrangement of use by a base 3, configured to come into contact with a rest plane A, the latter visible in Fig. 3 as well as in Figs. 12 and 13.

The support element 1 simply rests with its own base 3 and is not fixed to the rest plane A.

At the top, the shaped body 2 is delimited by an inclined surface 4 with respect to the rest plane A, as the support element 1 is suitable for flat roofs.

The inclination of the surface 4 is made according to the angles of the sun’s rays and varies from a minimum of 10° to a maximum of 30° with respect to base 3.

In accordance with the present invention, the inclined surface 4 is provided at the lower end with a first shaped appendage 5 projecting upwards from the inclined surface 4 and with a second shaped appendage 7.

The first shaped appendage 5 and the second shaped appendage 7 develop according to the same direction.

Also in accordance with the present invention and with reference to Fig. 1, the first shaped appendage 5 defines together with the inclined surface 4 a rest seat for a photovoltaic panel and is configured for the containment of the edges of two neighbouring photovoltaic panels P1, P2, visible in Fig. 3.

The respective photovoltaic panel P 1 , P2 is comprised between the two shaped appendages 5, 7 and has a height that is flush with the respective shaped appendages 5, 7, as can be seen in Figs. 4 and 5.

According to the invention, the support element 1 is made of plastic material. Preferably but not necessarily, the plastic material used for the realization of the support element 1 is recycled rubber or recycled polyvinyl chloride.

In the case of recycled rubber, it is obtained by macerating car tyres.

In the case of recycled polyvinyl chloride, it is obtained by macerating the sheaths covering the electrical cables.

Advantageously and with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, the first and second shaped appendage, 5 and 7 respectively, define together with the inclined surface 4 a recess 6.

The width of this recess 6 is equal to the depth of the photovoltaic panel or of the photovoltaic panels P1 and P2 housed in it.

As can be seen in Figs. 1 and 2, in the inclined surface 4 a first shaped recess 8 is formed for the containment of a channel 9, visible in Fig. 3, for the passage of electrical cables adapted to supply the photovoltaic panels P 1 , P2.

Still with reference to Figs. 1 and 2, in the base 3 of the support element 1 one or more second shaped recesses 10 are formed which are spaced apart from each other and configured for rainwater drainage.

In this case, the recesses are three in number but, in an embodiment variant not represented here, they could be of a different number.

With reference to Figs. 4 and 5, it can be seen that on the surfaces 11 of the first and second shaped appendage, 5 and 7 respectively, two fixing plates 12 are applied.

As can be seen in Figs. 4 and 5, each of the plates 12 rests on top of the panels P1 and P2 and is fixed to the support element 1 by means of a self tapping screw 13 inserted vertically into it through the surface 11 of the first shaped appendage 5 and of the second shaped appendage 7, respectively.

For the sake of ease of representation, in Figs. 4-5 the plates 12 and the relative fixing screws 13 are represented only applied on the surface 11 of the second shaped appendage 7 of each support element 1, but it should be noted that they are also present on the surface 11 of the first shaped appendage 5. The plates 12 are partially projecting from the surfaces 11 of the first and second shaped appendages, 5 and 7 respectively, so that they rest on the respective panel P1, P2.

Advantageously, the plates 12 serve to lock the photovoltaic panels P 1 , P2 of the photovoltaic apparatus 100, visible in Fig. 3, in place and to maintain the alignment thereof, once they have been arranged side by side with each other, as will be better explained below.

With reference to Figs. 3 and 6, a modular photovoltaic apparatus can be noted, indicated with 100 and 200, respectively, which comprises:

- a plurality of support elements 1 for photovoltaic panels spaced apart from each other;

- a plurality of photovoltaic panels P 1 , P2 connected to each other and arranged on the rest seats of the support elements 1 ;

- means for the power supply (not shown in the figure) of the photovoltaic panels operationally associated therewith.

Fig. 3 represents only two photovoltaic panels P1 and P2 side by side, but it is evident that, in an embodiment variant not represented here, the number of photovoltaic panels may be greater.

Fig. 6 shows a modular photovoltaic apparatus, indicated as a whole with 200, which represents an embodiment variant of the photovoltaic apparatus 100. This embodiment variant of the photovoltaic apparatus 200 differs from the photovoltaic apparatus 100 in that the photovoltaic panels P 1 , P2 are no longer side by side, but are spaced apart from each other.

With reference to Fig. 7, the panels P1 and P2 are locked in place by means of inverted omega-shaped brackets 201.

As can be seen in Fig. 7, the inverted omega-shaped brackets 201 are interposed between two panels P1 and P2 and are fixed by means of a screw 202, as will be better explained below.

Operationally and with reference to Figs. 1-5, the modular photovoltaic apparatus 100 operates as follows.

First, the support elements 1, of which the photovoltaic apparatus 100 is composed, are arranged on the rest plane A, which is usually the flat roof of a building, and the photovoltaic panels P1, P2 are arranged on the recess 6 of each of them.

The various photovoltaic panels P1, P2 therefore abut on the sides 50 and 70 respectively of the shaped appendages 5 and 7 of each support element 1. Subsequently, the plate 12 is inserted on each of the surfaces 11 of the first and second shaped appendage, 5 and 7 respectively, of each support element 1, so that the plate 12 rests on top of the photovoltaic panels P1 and P2.

Then the self-tapping screw 13 is inserted vertically on each plate 12, so that each plate 12 is fixed to the respective support element 1.

Advantageously, each plate 12 maintains the alignment and flanking of the photovoltaic panels P1 and P2 after their installation because, after fixing with the screw 13, the part of the plate 12 projecting from the respective shaped appendage 5, 7 is clamped by pressing against the panel P 1 , P2 locking it in place.

In the case of the embodiment variant of the photovoltaic apparatus 200, represented in Figs. 6, 7, the photovoltaic panels P1 , P2 are spaced apart from each other instead of being arranged side by side.

Instead of using the plates 12, in this case, inverted omega-shaped brackets 201 are inserted, the one spaced apart from the other and each of them fixed with the screw 202.

When the screw 202 is clamped, the ends 201a of the omega-shaped bracket 201 are clamped against the photovoltaic panels P1, P2 by locking them in place.

Finally, in both embodiments of the photovoltaic apparatus 100, 200, the electrical connections (not visible in the figures) are made in order to supply the photovoltaic panels P1, P2 through the above-mentioned power supply means.

Generally, each individual support element has a weight between 19 and 20 kg, but could also have a higher weight to ballast the system according to regulations.

Further advantageously, the support element 1 may also comprise a deflector body 90, exemplified in the views of Figs. 8 and 9.

This deflector body 90 comprises a diversion portion 91, shaped as a ‘wing’, and a flat fixing portion 92.

The flat portion 92 corresponds functionally to a fixing plate 12 as described above.

The deflector body 90 consists of a single piece.

Alternatively, the deflector body 90 comprises a diversion portion 91 and a flat portion 92 that are defined by two distinct components joined together.

In the present embodiment, the diversion portion 91 comprises:

- an inclined external surface 93 configured to divert an air flow from the rest plane A upwards,

- an internal rest surface 94 configured to allow the deflector body 90 to rest against a rear facing wall 1a of the support element 1.

The diversion portion 91 may also comprise a lower rising edge 97 shaped to accompany the air flow detaching from the rest plane A.

The flat portion 92 has a through hole 95 for a fixing screw 13, as described above for the fixing plate 12.

The flat portion 92 has a sealing body 96 that is interposed between the upper surface of the panel P1 and the flat portion 92 itself.

The support element 1 can also comprise an auxiliary bracket 80, exemplified in Figs. 10 and 11.

This auxiliary bracket 80 is fixed to the first shaped appendage 5 so that it partially projects with respect to the surface 11 of the first shaped appendage 5, in order to rest on the respective panel P1, P2; the auxiliary bracket 80 serves to lock the photovoltaic panels P1, P2 of the photovoltaic apparatus in place and to maintain the alignment thereof.

The auxiliary bracket 80 has a through hole 81 for a fixing screw to the first shaped appendage 5.

The auxiliary bracket 80 has a sealing body 82 that is interposed between the upper surface of the panel P1 and the auxiliary bracket 80 itself.

The support element 1, in the embodiment variant of Figs. 12 and 13, comprises a transverse anchoring through hole 85.

As can be clearly seen in Fig. 13, said transverse anchoring through hole 85 is configured to be crossed by an anchoring element.

Such an anchoring element consists of, for example, a cable or rope 86, made of metallic material; the metallic material, for example, is steel.

In the embodiment example of Fig. 13, a modular photovoltaic apparatus, indicated with 300, comprises:

- a plurality of support elements 1 for photovoltaic panels spaced apart from each other, wherein the support elements 1 each have a transverse anchoring through hole 85;

- one or more photovoltaic panels P1 connected to each other and arranged on the rest seats of the support elements 1;

- a cable, or a rope 86, made of metallic material, the cable/rope being placed to cross the transverse anchoring through holes 85, where such a cable or rope 86 made of metallic material has its ends 86a and 86b anchored to the rest plane A.

The support element for photovoltaic panels according to the invention and the modular photovoltaic apparatus according to the invention therefore achieve the intended purposes.

The support element for photovoltaic panels and the modular photovoltaic apparatus according to the invention have numerous advantages.

Firstly, the use of plastic material and in particular recycled rubber or recycled polyvinyl chloride, whether it is obtained from the rubber of used wheels or from the recovery of plastic from disused electrical cables, for the realization of the support element according to the invention makes it possible to realize a product that would otherwise have become waste to be disposed of, and is therefore environmentally sustainable.

Secondly, the recycled material in the support elements according to the invention absorbs any accidental impacts well and is easier for the operator to handle during its use.

Again, the use of the recycled plastic material in the support element according to the invention prevents the operator from being accidentally injured, which can happen instead with the cement granules of known support elements made of such a cement.

Furthermore, the use of recycled plastic material in the support element according to the invention allows the operator to easily perform drilling operations on the support element to attach a fixing plate thereto, which becomes much more difficult with the use of cement.

Furthermore, the support element for photovoltaic panels according to the invention does not ruin the tar sheath with which the individual photovoltaic panel is generally covered.

Furthermore, the support element for photovoltaic panels according to the invention is self-supporting and therefore does not require any welding or the use of fixing elements to the rest plane.

Furthermore, the support element for photovoltaic panels according to the invention avoids the use of metallic support structures that are expensive and laborious to assemble and handle. The modular photovoltaic apparatus according to the invention is advantageously easy to set up and has reasonable costs.

In the execution step, modifications and/or variations can be made to the support element and to the modular photovoltaic apparatus according to the invention which, if they fall within the scope of the following claims, must be considered protected by this patent.

Claims

1) Support element (1) for photovoltaic panels (P1, P2) comprising a shaped body (2) delimited at the bottom by a base (3), adapted to come into contact with a rest plane (A), and at the top by an inclined surface (4) with respect to said rest plane (A), characterized in that said inclined surface (4) is provided at the lower end with a first shaped appendage (5) projecting upwards from said inclined surface (4), said first shaped appendage (5) defining together with said inclined surface (4) a rest seat for at least one photovoltaic panel (P1 , P2), said support element (1) being made of plastic material.

2) Support element (1) for photovoltaic panels (P1, P2) according to claim 1, characterized in that said plastic material is recycled rubber or recycled polyvinyl chloride.

3) Support element (1) for photovoltaic panels (P1, P2) according to claim 2, characterized in that said recycled polyvinyl chloride is obtained by macerating the sheaths covering the electrical cables.

4) Support element (1) for photovoltaic panels (P1, P2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising a second shaped appendage (7) at the opposite end of said first shaped appendage (5).

5) Support element (1) for photovoltaic panels (P1, P2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in said inclined surface (4) a first shaped recess (9) is formed for the containment of a channel for the passage of electrical cables adapted to supply said photovoltaic panels (P1, P2).

6) Support element (1) for photovoltaic panels (P1, P2) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in said base (3) one or more second shaped recesses (10) are formed which are spaced apart from each other and configured for rainwater drainage.

7) Support element (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising a deflector body (90).

8) Support element (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said deflector body (90) comprises a diversion portion (91), shaped as a ‘wing’, and a flat fixing portion (92).

9) Support element (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that said diversion portion (91) comprises: - an inclined external surface (93) configured to divert an air flow from a rest plane (A) upwards;

- an internal rest surface (94) configured to allow the deflector body (90) to rest against a rear facing wall (1 a) of a support element (1 ).

10) Support element (1) according to one or more of claims 7 to 9, characterized in that said diversion portion (91) may also comprise a lower rising edge (97) shaped to accompany the air flow detaching from a rest plane.

11) Support element (1) according to one or more of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising a transverse anchoring through hole (85).

12) Modular photovoltaic system (100; 200) characterized in that it comprises:

- two or more support elements (1 ) for photovoltaic panels (P1 , P2) according to any one of the preceding claims, spaced apart from each other;

- a plurality of photovoltaic panels (P1, P2) connected to each other and arranged on the rest seats of said two or more support elements (1 );

- means for the power supply of said two or more photovoltaic panels (P1, P2) operationally associated therewith.

13) Modular photovoltaic apparatus (100) according to claim 12, characterized in that it comprises two plates (12) respectively constrained to said first shaped appendage (5) and to said second shaped appendage (7) of each support element (1) by means of fixing means (13), each of said plates (12) being configured to lock in place two side-by-side panels of said plurality of photovoltaic panels (P1 , P2).

14) Modular photovoltaic apparatus (200) according to claim 12, characterized in that said photovoltaic panels (P1, P2) are connected to each other by means of an inverted omega-shaped bracket (201).

15) Modular photovoltaic apparatus (300), comprising:

- a plurality of support elements (1 ) for photovoltaic panels spaced apart from each other, wherein said support elements (1) each have a transverse anchoring through hole (85);

- one or more photovoltaic panels connected to each other and arranged on the rest seats of said support elements (1 );

- a cable, or a rope (86), made of metallic material, the cable/rope being placed to cross the transverse anchoring through holes (85), where such a cable or rope (86) made of metallic material has its ends (86a, 86b) anchored to a rest plane (A).