FR3112440A1 - SUPPORT FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS AND CORRESPONDING PHOTOVOLTAIC SHELTER - Google Patents

Abstract

Support intended to receive photovoltaic panels comprising: - at least two concrete legs (2), each leg comprising a base (10) presenting a lower support surface assumed to be horizontal and at least one upright extending from the base (10) opposite the lower support surface, - a beam (4) mounted on each concrete foot (2) in such a way that the beams (4) are arranged parallel to each other another, each beam (4) comprising on the side opposite the concrete foot (2) corresponding to an upper face, the said upper faces of the beams (4) defining a plane inclined with respect to the horizontal, and - a structure of the purlin type ( 6) and rafters (8) fixed to the beams (4). Abstract Figure: Figure 1

Description

SUPPORT FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC PANELS AND CORRESPONDING PHOTOVOLTAIC SHELTER

The present disclosure relates to a support for photovoltaic panels and a photovoltaic shelter comprising such a support.

This disclosure relates to the field of the installation of installations and/or infrastructures in order to create a photovoltaic shelter or more broadly a photovoltaic power plant. This involves grouping together photovoltaic panels and connecting them to an electrical energy distribution network. The present disclosure relates more particularly to the installation of photovoltaic panels so that they are well oriented with respect to the sun and to maintain them so that they remain in the chosen position despite external constraints, in particular the wind.

When the panels are not placed on an already existing structure, a roof for example, it is known to produce a metal frame on feet on which photovoltaic panels are then fixed and then electrically connected. The structure thus produced resembles that of a shelter, but the cover plates are replaced by photovoltaic panels. It is then also known to use the set of photovoltaic panels and its support as a shelter. By way of non-limiting example, such a shelter can be used to shelter cars in a parking lot.

Most of the known structures dedicated to supporting photovoltaic panels require a foundation to be made. Civil engineering operations should therefore be planned before the structure can be installed. There are then, on the one hand, the costs related to the construction of the foundations and, on the other hand, the time of construction of the foundations taking into account the drying of these.

The purpose of the present disclosure is therefore to provide means of support for photovoltaic panels of a limited cost price and which can be quickly put in place on a stabilized, coated or similar ground.

Summary

This disclosure improves the situation.

A support intended to receive photovoltaic panels is proposed.

This disclosure proposes that this medium include:

- at least two concrete feet, each foot comprising a base having a lower bearing surface assumed to be horizontal and at least one upright extending from the base opposite the lower bearing surface,

- a beam mounted on each concrete foot such that the beams are arranged parallel to each other, each beam comprising on the side opposite the corresponding concrete foot an upper face, said upper faces of the beams defining a plane inclined with respect to the horizontal, and

- a purlin and rafter type structure fixed to the beams.

Such a structure is well suited to receive photovoltaic panels and can be mounted without requiring foundations. All you need to do is provide heavy enough concrete feet to anchor the structure to the ground. This weight is to be determined according in particular to the surface of the photovoltaic panels to be installed and the number of feet used. A person skilled in the art knows, depending also on the region where the installation is carried out and its orientation, what constraints are likely to apply to the installation (support and panels). Depending on these stresses, the mass of the concrete feet can then be determined (using the required safety factor).

The characteristics exposed in the following paragraphs can, optionally, be implemented. They can be implemented independently of each other or in combination with each other:

- each leg has a general U-shape, an upright extending from each end of the base;

- the base and each upright of a concrete foot have, at least in a central part, the same profiled shape;

- the beam is made of concrete;

- each foot and each corresponding beam are prefabricated elements assembled by gluing and/or by screwing;

- two neighboring feet are separated from each other by a distance of between 5 and 12.5 meters;

- the inclined plane defined by the upper faces of the beams forms with the horizontal an angle of between 3° and 20°, preferably between 5° and 15° and more preferably between 5° and 10°.

This disclosure also relates to:

- a photovoltaic shelter, comprising a support as described above, as well as photovoltaic panels fixed to the purlin and rafter type structure.

– a photovoltaic power plant comprising at least one support as described above, as well as photovoltaic panels fixed to each purlin and rafter type structure.

Finally, this disclosure proposes a method for manufacturing a photovoltaic shelter or a photovoltaic power plant which comprises the following steps:

- provision, on the other hand, of at least two concrete legs, each leg comprising a base having a supposedly horizontal lower support surface and at least one upright extending from the base opposite the lower support surface, and, on the other hand, a beam for each concrete foot;

- placing the base of the feet on stabilized ground and/or covered with a covering such as asphalt and substantially flat;

- installation of the beams on the concrete feet in such a way that the beams are arranged parallel to each other, each beam comprising, on the side opposite the corresponding concrete foot, an upper face, said upper faces of the beams defining a plane inclined with respect to the horizontal,

- fixing of a purlin and rafter type structure;

- mounting of photovoltaic panels on the purlin and rafter type structure, and

- electrical connection of the photovoltaic panels to an electrical network.

Brief description of figures

Other characteristics, details and advantages will appear on reading the detailed description below, and on analyzing the appended drawing, on which:

Fig. 1

shows a first embodiment of a photovoltaic panel support structure in perspective.

Fig. 2

shows the support structure of Figure 1 in top view.

Fig. 3

shows the support structure of Figures 1 and 2 in side view.

Fig. 4

shows a second embodiment of a photovoltaic panel support structure in perspective.

Fig. 5

shows in perspective a foot used to make a support structure for photovoltaic panels.

Fig. 6

shows the foot of figure 5 in elevation.

Fig. 7

shows the foot of Figures 5 and 6 in front view.

Fig. 8

shows in perspective a beam of the support structure of Figures 1 to 3.

Fig. 9

shows the beam of Figure 8 in plan view.

Fig. 10

shows the beam of Figures 8 and 9 in elevation.

Fig. 11

shows in perspective a beam of the support structure of figure 4.

Reference is now made to FIG. 1. This figure represents a support for photovoltaic panels which can be used, for example, to make a shelter or even a photovoltaic power plant.

In the illustrated embodiment, the support for photovoltaic panels has concrete legs 2, beams 4, purlins 6 and rafters 8.

In the illustrated embodiment, the concrete feet 2 are all similar. The same goes for the beams 4, the purlins 6 and the rafters 8. This makes it possible to simplify the structure and to limit its cost price.

By way of purely illustrative example, FIG. 1 shows a support for photovoltaic panels comprising three concrete feet 2. The proposed structure is modular and it is possible to adapt the number of concrete feet 2 to the space available and/or the number of photovoltaic panels to be installed.

Figures 5 to 7 each show a single concrete foot 2. The latter has a general shape reminiscent of a U with a base 10, a first upright 12 and a second upright 14. This is a preferred embodiment a concrete foot which has a bearing surface intended to be placed on a substantially horizontal ground as well as at least one upright for supporting, at a distance from this horizontal ground, a beam inclined with respect to said ground.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first upright 12, the base 10 and the second upright 14 are each in the form of a profiled piece with a rectangular or even square cross-section, possibly with rounded corners. We thus find with respect to a center line a rectangular (or square) cross-section throughout the concrete foot 2 except at the free end of the first upright 12, at the free end of the second upright 14 and at the junction between the base 10 and, on the one hand, the first upright 12 and, on the other hand, the second upright 14. In the illustrated embodiment, the base 10 is connected to the first upright 12 and to the second upright 14 by a shape in round.

By way of indication and purely illustrative, a rectangular cross section for a concrete foot 2 can have a length and a width each between 250 and 750 mm, for example having a square section of 500x500mm.

The base 10 is intended to rest on a substantially flat and horizontal ground. It thus has a support surface 16 which takes in the preferred embodiment illustrated the shape of a rectangle. The base 10 can be placed directly on the ground or with the interposition of a load distribution slab (or similar). The support surface 16 then forms the underside of the base 10 and of the concrete foot 2 and extends horizontally.

The support surface 16 gives the horizontal/vertical orientation used in the remainder of this description and which appears naturally to those skilled in the art because it corresponds to the orientation of the support described when it is used after its construction.

In the illustrated embodiment, for aesthetic reasons, the first post 12 and the second post 14 are not oriented vertically. They are inclined here at an angle of between 10° and 15° with respect to the vertical. This inclination can possibly be taken advantage of when the ground on which the support must rest is sloping. Generally, the slope of the ground is relatively low (<3%) when the support is intended to serve as a shelter.

The free space between the first upright 12 and the second upright 14 can for example be used as a communication or signaling space. A rigid panel can be placed in this space and receive all types of information: local information, events, signage, etc. . Instead of a rigid panel, another support can also be provided, such as a canvas, for example. To support this canvas, it is possible, for example, to provide eyelets fixed to the first upright 12 and/or to the second upright 14 and/or to the base 10.

In the embodiment illustrated in the drawing, the free end 18 of the first upright 12 is substantially planar. Similarly, the free end 20 of the second upright 14 is also substantially planar and coplanar with the free end 18 of the first upright 12. The plane containing these two free ends is a plane inclined with respect to the horizontal. The inclination relative to the horizontal of this plane is for example between 3° and 20°, or even between 5° and 15° or even between 5° and 10°. In the illustrated embodiment, this inclination is approximately 6°.

In an advantageous embodiment, which also corresponds to the illustrated embodiment, the concrete foot 2 comprises two side faces 22 which extend vertically and/or the concrete foot 2 comprises a vertical median plane passing through the base 10 and each of the uprights, here the first upright 12 and the second upright 14. The plane containing the first free end 18 and the second free end 20 is preferably perpendicular to the side faces 22 and/or to the vertical median plane passing through the base 10 and each of the amounts.

Figures 8 to 10 show an embodiment of a beam 4 intended to cooperate with the concrete foot 2 of Figures 5 to 7.

The illustrated beam 4 comprises, on the one hand, connecting faces with the concrete foot 2 and, on the other hand, an upper face 24 defining a substantially flat surface to accommodate the purlins 6.

The beam 4 illustrated in Figures 8 to 10 here has a connecting part 26, a first arm 28 and a second arm 30. The connecting part 26 is intended to come to cover the concrete foot 2 and is used for the connection between the concrete foot 2 and the beam 4. The first arm 28 or lower arm extends from the connecting part 26 downwards while the second arm 30 or upper arm extends from the connecting part 26 to the top. This beam 4 is for example also made of concrete.

The connecting part 26 shown first of all has a first connecting face 32 to cooperate with the free end 18 of the first upright and a second connecting face 34 to cooperate with the free end 20 of the second upright 14. The first connecting face 32 preferably has the same shape and the same dimensions as the free end 18 of the first upright 12 while the second connecting face 34 preferably has the same shape and the same dimensions as the free end 20 of the second upright 14. In the illustrated embodiment, these faces are therefore planar and coplanar. However, ribbed/grooved faces or any other form of assembly could be provided. It is here planned to have a glued assembly and flat faces opposite correspond perfectly for this type of fixing but any other solution can be envisaged. Thus, for example, a screw assembly can also be envisaged. This last solution has the advantage of being removable and more flexible during assembly. For a screwed assembly, it is necessary to provide for the making of holes in the parts to be assembled.

It is also possible to combine the concrete foot 2 and the beam 4 in a single one-piece piece. difficult to transport and also heavy and therefore difficult to handle.

The connecting part 26, in the form shown, aesthetically produces an extension of the concrete foot 2. It has a part which takes the general shape of the base 10 but which, in the mounted position, is inclined with respect to the base 10. As can be seen in Figure 3 for example, the connecting part 26 assembled to the concrete foot 2 forms in elevation a trapezium whose bases (of the trapezoid, that is to say the parallel sides of the trapezium) are formed by the first upright 12 and the second upright 14 as well as their extension integrated into the connecting part 26. Thus at the level of the connecting part 26, the beam 4 has side faces 22' -vertical- which extend the side faces 22 of the corresponding concrete foot 2.

The first arm 28 and the second arm 30 are in the extension of each other and form together with a central part of the connecting part a beam which extends through the connecting part 26 from the free end from the first arm 28 to the free end of the second arm 30 and one face of which coincides at least locally with the upper face 24.

As an alternative embodiment, a structure with a concrete foot (U-shaped, I-shaped or also trapezoidal) could be considered with a base intended to be placed on the ground and opposite the base, the concrete foot would carry a beam metal, for example of the IPE or IPN type, which would be fixed, for example partially embedded, to the concrete foot.

When the beam 4 is fixed, by gluing, screwing or other, on the concrete foot 2, the first connecting face 32 being placed (fixed) opposite the free end 18 of the first upright 12 and the second connecting face 34 being placed (fixed) facing the free end 20 of the second upright 14, then the upper face 24 is inclined with respect to the horizontal. In the non-limiting illustrative example shown, it was chosen to have the first connecting face 32 and the second connecting face 34 parallel to the upper face 24. Thus, the upper face 24 is inclined here by an angle between 3° and 20° relative to the horizontal, such as 6° for example. A person skilled in the art understands that this is an exemplary embodiment, but that the connections between the beam 4 and the concrete foot can take any desired shape, flat or not.

It has also been indicated that the beam 4 and the concrete foot 2 could form only one concrete part or even one can have a metal beam partially overmolded by the concrete foot. In the embodiment illustrated in the drawing, there is an overall shape of the assembly formed by the foot and the beam which is annular with two arms extending from an edge of the annular shape. If the assembly is in two parts, as explained above, the junction between the two parts could be different from that proposed. For example, the foot could return to the annular shape and the beam could come to rest on the foot and/or be partially housed in a groove (or other housing) formed in the upper face of the foot. It is also not excluded to have an assembly formed by the foot and the beam comprising more than two parts (apart from the assembly parts), for example the foot, a first arm and a second arm, the arms forming possibly with part of the foot the beam described above.

Figures 4 and 11 illustrate an alternative embodiment with a larger support. In this case, one can use the same concrete feet 2 as those used in the embodiment of Figures 1 to 3. The beam is adapted. It takes the same overall shape, with the same connecting part 26 (since the concrete foot 2 does not change) but with a first arm 28' and a second arm 30' whose length is adapted.

Mounting a support for photovoltaic panels can then be done as explained below.

It is assumed that the ground is stabilized or preferably covered with a coating of the concrete or asphalt type. It is in fact sufficient to have flat areas in the places intended to receive concrete feet 2, these areas being coplanar and preferably forming a horizontal surface.

The concrete feet 2 are then arranged at predefined locations according to a pattern in which said feet are arranged vertically, in the same orientation, aligned and preferably always with the same spacing between them. This is illustrated by the three concrete feet 2 of Figures 1 to 3 or by the seven concrete feet 2 of Figure 4. For the realization of a shelter intended for cars, the concrete feet 2 will for example be aligned according to a step multiple of 2.5 m, for example 5 or 10 meters corresponding to the width normally provided for 2 or 4 cars.

The concrete feet 2 can be placed directly on the ground as it has been prepared or on a device (slab, leveling compound or other) favoring a better distribution of the load on the ground. No foundation is needed.

The concrete feet 2 are advantageously prefabricated and can be brought by truck. Preferably, the weight of each of these concrete feet is at most of the order of 4000 kg (or 4 tons).

The beams 4, preferably made of concrete, are then placed on the concrete feet 2 which have been positioned. In the example described with reference to the drawing, provision is made to glue the beams 4 to the concrete feet, but another means of attachment may be provided as mentioned above. Similarly, if each beam is integrated into a concrete foot, the installation of the beams is of course carried out at the same time as the concrete feet are positioned.

Once the beams are in place purlins 6 can be fixed. The drawing (for example figure 3) illustrates Z purlins but any type of purlin can be used here.

Rafters 8 are then mounted transversely to purlins 6 to form a network ready to accommodate photovoltaic panels.

The support thus obtained is intended to receive photovoltaic panels. These are mechanically fixed to the structure with purlins 6 and rafters 8 fixed to the beams 4. They can also be connected during assembly or after assembly to an electrical network.

This support can for example be used to make a photovoltaic power plant. In this case, the concrete feet are, for example, reduced in size (in height) to facilitate access to the photovoltaic panels and thus facilitate maintenance.

This support can also be used to make a shelter. Sufficient space is then provided between the ground and the beams depending on the destination of the shelter: a minimum height under the beams of at least 1.90m is then preferably provided to allow the circulation of people. In this case, it is also possible, for example, to make a shelter for cars, bicycles or motorized two-wheelers, etc. If the shelter is to receive trucks, or equipment, or serve as a temporary storage place for large equipment, the height of the concrete feet is suitable.

These technical solutions can be applied in particular to any dedicated structure incorporating photovoltaic panels.

The disclosure made here makes it possible to build a photovoltaic power station or a photovoltaic shelter without having to lay foundations. This makes it possible to save both time and cost. On site, a support can be installed during the day once the ground has been prepared.

The elements used can be prefabricated. It is possible to adapt the size of the elements, as explained above, so that they are easily transportable and also easily handled during manufacture and installation.

As emerges from the foregoing description, by using a concrete foot and a beam in two separate parts, it is possible to adapt beams of different dimensions to the same foot. With the same concrete feet, we can then make supports of different sizes. The proposed system is therefore modular and adaptable.

This disclosure is not limited to the embodiment examples of devices, to their mentioned variants and to the assembly/manufacturing method described above, solely by way of examples, but it encompasses all the variants that a person skilled in the art may consider. art within the scope of the protection sought.

Claims (10)

Support intended to receive photovoltaic panels, characterized in that it comprises:
- at least two concrete feet (2), each foot comprising a base (10) having a supposedly horizontal lower bearing surface (16) and at least one upright (12, 14) extending from the base ( 10) opposite the lower bearing surface (16),
- a beam (4) mounted on each concrete foot (2) in such a way that the beams (4) are arranged parallel to each other, each beam (4) comprising on the side opposite the concrete foot (2) corresponding to an upper face (24), said upper faces (24) of the beams (4) defining a plane inclined with respect to the horizontal, and
- A purlin (6) and rafter (8) type structure fixed to the beams (4). Support according to Claim 1, characterized in that each concrete foot (2) has a general U-shape, an upright (12, 14) extending from each of the ends of the base (10). Support according to one of Claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the base (10) and each upright (12, 14) of a concrete foot (2) has, at least in a central part, the same profiled shape. . Support according to one of Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the beam (4) is made of concrete. Support according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that each concrete foot (2) and each corresponding beam (4) are prefabricated elements assembled by gluing. Support according to one of Claims 1 to 5, characterized in that two adjacent concrete feet (2) are separated from each other by a distance of between 5 and 12.5 metres. Support according to one of Claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the inclined plane defined by the upper faces (24) of the beams (4) forms an angle with the horizontal of between 3° and 20°, preferably between 5 ° and 15° and more preferably between 5° and 10°. Photovoltaic shelter, characterized in that it comprises a support according to one of Claims 1 to 7, as well as photovoltaic panels fixed to the purlin and rafter type structure. Photovoltaic power plant, characterized in that it comprises at least one support according to one of Claims 1 to 7, as well as photovoltaic panels fixed to each structure of the purlin and rafter type. Process for manufacturing a photovoltaic shelter or a photovoltaic power plant, characterized in that it comprises the following steps:
- provision, on the other hand, of at least two concrete feet (2), each foot comprising a base (10) having a supposedly horizontal lower support surface (16) and at least one upright (12, 14) extending from the base (10) opposite the lower support surface (16), and, on the other hand, from a beam (4) for each concrete foot (2);
- laying the base (10) of the concrete feet (2) on stabilized ground and/or covered with a coating such as asphalt and substantially flat;
- installation of the beams (4) on the concrete feet (2) so that the beams (4) are arranged parallel to each other, each beam (4) having on the side opposite the foot in concrete (2) corresponding to an upper face (24), said upper faces (24) of the beams (4) defining a plane inclined with respect to the horizontal,
- Fixing of a purlin (6) and rafter (8) type structure;
- mounting of photovoltaic panels on the purlin and rafter type structure, and
- electrical connection of the photovoltaic panels to an electrical network.