GB2462422A - Cladding a building with solar collection devices - Google Patents

Cladding a building with solar collection devices Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2462422A
GB2462422A GB0814256A GB0814256A GB2462422A GB 2462422 A GB2462422 A GB 2462422A GB 0814256 A GB0814256 A GB 0814256A GB 0814256 A GB0814256 A GB 0814256A GB 2462422 A GB2462422 A GB 2462422A
Authority
GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
cladding
solar collection
hook
rail
building
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
GB0814256A
Other versions
GB0814256D0 (en
GB2462422B (en
Inventor
Martyn John Charles Berry
Mike Fong Lau
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Solar Century Holdings Ltd
Original Assignee
Solar Century Holdings Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Solar Century Holdings Ltd filed Critical Solar Century Holdings Ltd
Priority to GB0814256.4A priority Critical patent/GB2462422B/en
Publication of GB0814256D0 publication Critical patent/GB0814256D0/en
Publication of GB2462422A publication Critical patent/GB2462422A/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of GB2462422B publication Critical patent/GB2462422B/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F13/00—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings
    • E04F13/07—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor
    • E04F13/08—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements
    • E04F13/0801—Separate fastening elements
    • E04F13/0803—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements
    • E04F13/081—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements with additional fastening elements between furring elements and covering elements
    • E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
    • E04—BUILDING
    • E04F—FINISHING WORK ON BUILDINGS, e.g. STAIRS, FLOORS
    • E04F13/00—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings
    • E04F13/07—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor
    • E04F13/08—Coverings or linings, e.g. for walls or ceilings composed of covering or lining elements; Sub-structures therefor; Fastening means therefor composed of a plurality of similar covering or lining elements
    • E04F13/0801—Separate fastening elements
    • E04F13/0803—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements
    • E04F13/081—Separate fastening elements with load-supporting elongated furring elements between wall and covering elements with additional fastening elements between furring elements and covering elements
    • E04F13/083—Hooking means on the back side of the covering elements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • F24S25/30—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules using elongate rigid mounting elements extending substantially along the supporting surface, e.g. for covering buildings with solar heat collectors
    • F24S25/33—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules using elongate rigid mounting elements extending substantially along the supporting surface, e.g. for covering buildings with solar heat collectors forming substantially planar assemblies, e.g. of coplanar or stacked profiles
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • F24S25/60—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules
    • F24S25/63—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules for fixing modules or their peripheral frames to supporting elements
    • F24S25/632—Side connectors; Base connectors
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
    • F24S30/20—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for linear movement
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
    • H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
    • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
    • H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
    • H02S20/20—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object
    • H02S20/22—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • F24S2025/01—Special support components; Methods of use
    • F24S2025/014—Methods for installing support elements
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
    • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
    • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
    • F24S25/60—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules
    • F24S2025/6002—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules by using hooks
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/10—Photovoltaic [PV]
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
    • Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
    • Y02B10/20—Solar thermal
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
    • Y02E10/47—Mountings or tracking
    • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
    • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
    • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
    • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
    • Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

The invention provides apparatus for, and a method of, cladding a building with solar collection devices. The apparatus comprises first and second cladding rails 203, 204, each rail arranged for attachment to a building at a distance from, and substantially parallel to, another cladding rail. Each rail has mounted thereon an interface device (201,202 Fig 3), the interface device characterised in that they have a base (301, fig 3) having a rear and front face comprising mounting means (304, Fig 3). The interface device has a first and second side arm (305, 306 Fig 3) extending from the base, with an elongate support member (307, Fig 3) extending therebetween from one arm to another. A solar collection device assembly comprises first and second hooks (601, Fig 6), each hook arranged to be supported by the elongate support member of the respective interface device mounted on the first and second cladding rails. Preferably, the solar collection device is a photovoltaic device, where the first and second hooks of the solar collection device may be provided by a spanning bracket (701, Fig 7).

Description

Cladding A Building With Solar Collection Devices
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to apparatus for, and a method of, cladding a building with solar collection devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
Solar collection devices are known that are configured to collect solar energy in order to heat circulating water (solar thermal) or collect radiant energy in order to produce electricity (photovoltaic).
It is known to provide building structures with solar collection devices. A building may be provided with solar collection devices in the form of cladding, It is preferable for the addition of solar collection devices to result in minimal impact upon the building structure. It is preferable for the solar collection devices to be mounted in a manner that facilitates removal, for example to allow for convenient upgrading.
A solution exists in which solar collection devices are included as part of a building cladding operation. Thus, it is also known for solar collection panels to be included with conventional cladding material usually provided in the form of cladding panels.
Systems for applying conventional cladding materials typically comprise a plurality of rails between which cladding panels are supported in an arrangement in which cladding panel edges abut and the cladding rails are configured to lie below the abutting cladding panel edges. However, it is undesirable to attach solar collection panels, in particular photo-voltaic solar panels in a similar manner given that this could cause damage to the solar panels and void any warranties associated with the solar panels. Further, any modifications made to solar collection panels in order to facilitate their application as a cladding material may similarly invalidate standard warranties.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an interface device for use in cladding a building with solar collection devices, comprising: a base having a rear face and a front face and comprising mounting means, a first side arm extending from said base, a second side arm extending from base, and an elongate support member extending between said first side arm and said second side arm.
According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided apparatus for cladding a building with solar collection devices, comprising: a first cladding rail and a second cladding rail, each cladding rail for attachment to said building at a first distance from, and substantially parallel to, another cladding rail, a first interface device according to claim 1 and a second interface device according to claim 1, each interface device for attachment to one of said cladding rails, and a solar collection device assembly comprising a first hook and a second hook, each hook arranged to be supported by said first interface device and said second interface device; and said apparatus is configured to allow said solar collection device assembly to be secured to said building by an arrangement in which said first and second cladding rails are attached to said building, said first and second interface devices are attached to said first and second cladding rails respectively and said first and second hooks of said solar collection device assembly are hooked over the respective elongate support member of said first and second interlace devices.
According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided A method of cladding a building with solar collection devices, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a first cladding rail and a second cladding rail, receiving a first interface device according to claim I and a second interlace device according to claim 1, receiving a solar collection device assembly comprising a first hook and a second hook; attaching said first cladding rail to said building, attaching said second cladding rail to said building, at a first distance from, and substantially parallel to said first cladding rail, attaching said first interlace device to said first cladding rail, attaching said second interlace device to said second cladding rail, hooking said first hook of said solar collection device assembly over the elongate support member of one of said first and second interlace devices, and hooking said second hook of said solar collection device assembly over the elongate support member of the other of said first and second interlace devices
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 1 shows a building to be provided with solar collection devices; Figure 2 shows apparatus for cladding a building with solar collection devices; Figure 3 shows an interlace device of Figure 2 in further detail; Figure 4 shows a cladding rail of Figure 2 in further detail; Figure 5 shows the interlace device detailed in Figure 3 attached to the cladding rail detailed in Figure 4; Figure 6 shows a solar collection device assembly Of Figure 2 in further detail; Figure 7 shows a spanning bracket; Figure 8 shows a hook hooked over an elongate support member of an interface device; Figure 9 shows a solar collection device secured between adjacent cladding rails; Figure 10 shows steps in a method of cladding a building with solar collection devices; Figure 11 shows further steps in a method of cladding a building with solar collection devices; and Figure 12 shows solar collection device assemblies secured to a building.
DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE
INVENTION
Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a building 101 having at least one wall, such as wall 102, that is to be provided with solar collection devices in the form of cladding.
Figure 2 Figure 2 shows apparatus for cladding a building with solar collection devices. The apparatus includes an interface device 201 and a second interface device 202. The apparatus is shown in an arrangement in which it is in use. According to the shown arrangement, interface device 201 is attached to a cladding rail 203 and interface device 202 is attached to a second cladding rail 204. Cladding rail 203 is attached to wall 102 and second cladding rail 204 is also attached to wall 102 at a first distance from, and substantially parallel to, cladding rail 203. A solar collection device assembly 205 is supported relative to the waIl 102 by both interface device 201 and interface device 202.
According to the shown completed arrangement, cladding rails 203 and 204 extend substantially vertically, relative to ground 206. The solar collection device assembly 205 is substantially rectangular, and is oriented in landscape to extend between the cladding rails 203, 204.
In alternative arrangements, cladding rails and in turn solar collection devices may be arranged to extend at an alternative angle to the ground, solar collection devices may be supported between cladding rails in as alternative orientation and solar collection devices may have an alternative shape.
Figure 3 Interface device 201 is shown in further detail in Figure 3. The interface device comprises a base 301 having a rear face 302 and a front face 303. The interface device also comprises mounting means for allowing the interface device to be attached to a cladding rail. In this embodiment, the mounting means comprises at least one aperture, such as aperture 304 defined by base 301. Interface device 201 comprises a first side arm 305 and a second side arm 306 that extend forwardly of the front face 303 of base 301. An elongate support member 307 extends between the first side arm 305 and second side arm 306.
In this illustrated example, base 301 is substantially planar and the first and second side arms 305, 306 extend substantially perpendicularly to the base. The first side arm 305 and second side arm 306 each additionally present a side flange 308, 309 respectively. The side flanges are substantially planar and extend substantially parallel to the base 301, from the side of the respective side arm that faces away from the other side arm.
The side flanges 308, 309 present a support surface for a solar collection device. It is to be appreciated that the angle at which the side flanges extend relative to the base 301 may therefore influence the angle at which a solar collection device extends relative to a wall. Hence in alternative arrangements of interface device, the side arms are configured to support a solar collection device at an angle at which the solar collection device slopes relative to the wall.
It is to be understood that an optimal arrangement provides for the solar collection devices to be angled with respect to sunlight. It is therefore appreciated that a greater energy yield may be achieved by inclining the solar collection devices such that they are substantially perpendicular to the incident sunlight.
Figure 4 Cladding rail 203 is shown in further detail in Figure 4. Cladding rail is substantially T-shaped. The cladding rail comprises a first element 401 and a second element. The first element 401 is substantially planar and elongate, and has a width W and a length L. The second element is also substantially planar and elongate. Second element 402 extends from the first element 401 at a position that is approximately central along the width W and substantially perpendicularly to the first element 401. The first element 401 presents a face 403.
Figure 5 As shown in Figure 5, interface device 201 is configured to be attached to cladding rail 203 by a fixing element 501. As shown, rear face 302 of interface device 201 is configured to be secured relative to face 403 of cladding rail 203. In this example, a mechanical fixing element, in the form of a bolt, is arranged to extend through an aperture defined in the base 301 of the interface device 201 and into the cladding rail 203. The mechanical fixing element may be used in a securing arrangement that allows removal of the interface device from the cladding rail.
Figure 6 Figure 6 shows solar collection device assembly 205 in further detail.
The solar collection device assembly comprises a first hook (not shown) and a second hook 601. In this example, solar collection device assembly comprises a photovoltaic panel. The first and second hooks extend from the solar collection panel. The hooks are spaced apart along the width WS of the assembly and are located at a similar distance down the depth DS of the assembly.
Figure 7 As shown in Figure 7, a first hook open (not shown) and second hook 601 may be provided by a spanning bracket 701. The spanning bracket is arranged to extend across a single solar collection device or a plurality of solar collection devices. In an example, three individual solar panels are included within the assembly, which produces an assembly that can be manually manoeuvred into place by two operatives, without requiring additional lifting apparatus.
Spanning bracket 701 also comprises mounting means for allowing the Spanning bracket to be attached to at least one solar collection device. In this embodiment, the mounting means comprises at least one aperture, such as aperture 702 defined by the spanning bracket 701.
Spanning bracket 701 further comprises a retaining element for use in retaining the spanning bracket in a located arrangement relative to a cladding rail. In an embodiment, the retaining means comprises at least one tab that defines an aperture.
Spanning bracket 701 includes a first tab 703 located at a first end, and a second tab 704 located at the other end. Each of the tabs 703, 704 defines an aperture 705, 705 respectively situated near the innermost edge of the tab.
Each retaining tab allows the spanning bracket to be attached to a cladding rail by a mechanical fixing means (not shown). Once the spanning bracket is in a desired position, the retaining means of a spanning bracket may be used to prevent undesired lateral movement from the desired alignment. The use of a releasable mechanical fixing means, such as a screw, allows the spanning bracket to be subsequently adjusted into another relative alignment as desired.
Preferably, the spanning bracket is configured to ensure that a solar collection panel may be supported in accordance with recommended modes of attachment, thereby ensuring the validity of any warranties.
In an embodiment in which a spanning bracket is use, and the spanning bracket may have an alternative arrangement. In an embodiment, a solar collection device assembly comprises a first spanning bracket such as that described with reference to Figure 7 and a second similar spanning bracket that is located at a spaced apart position down the depth dimension of the solar collection device assembly. This type of solar collection device assembly is referred to herein as a cassette. In this way the solar collection device assembly is provided with two pairs of hooks. Hence, two pairs of interface devices may be provided in order to secure the cassette relative to a support structure such as a wall of a building.
In an embodiment, an alternative arrangement to a spanning bracket may be used to provide a solar collection device with at least a first and a second hook.
Figure 8 As illustrated in Figure 8, the apparatus for cladding a building with solar collection devices is configured to allow each of the first hook (not shown) and the second hook 601 to be hooked over an elongate support member of an interface device 201, 202. In an embodiment, the elongate support member is a pin having a substantially circular cross-section. This allows for easy fine adjustment of the hooks along the elongate support members through a sliding action. In this way, the first hook and the second hook are arranged to be supported by the first and second interface devices. In turn, a solar collection device connected to the first and second hooks is arranged to be engaged with the first and second interface devices. The use of the hooks allows, where appropriate, for the solar collection device to be suspended between neighbouring interface devices.
Figure 9 Figure 9 shows a solar collection device secured between adjacent cladding rails. This Figure shows an alternative view of Figure 2, in which solar collection device assembly 205 extends between cladding rails 203, 204.
Figure 10 Figure 10 illustrates steps in a method of cladding a building with solar collection devices. At step 1001 a first cladding rail is attached to a building, and at step 1002 a second cladding rail is attached to the building. A first interface device is attached to the first cladding rail at step 1003 and similarly, a second interface device is attached to the second cladding rail at step 1004.
At step 1005, a solar collection device assembly is hooked onto the first interface device whilst at step 1006 the solar collection device assembly is hooked onto the second interface device.
Figure 11 Figure 11 shows further steps in a method of cladding a building with solar collection devices. In an embodiment, the apparatus is configured to allow a second hook to be hooked over an elongate support member of an interface device. At step 1101 a third cladding rail is attached to the building.
At step 1102 a third interface device is attached to the third cladding rail. At step 1103, a second solar collection device assembly is hooked onto the first or second interface device and at step 1104 the second solar collection device assembly is hooked onto the third interface device.
Figure 12 As shown in Figure 12 following the method steps of Figures 10 and 11, solar collection device assembly 205 is located between cladding rail 203 and second cladding rail 204 whilst solar collection device assembly 1201 is located between second cladding rail 204 and a third cladding rail 1202. It is to be appreciated that a further solar collection device assembly may be secured between neighbouring cladding rails above a previously secured solar collection device assembly. Thus, for example, a further solar collection device assembly 1203 may be installed above solar collection device assembly 1201.
In this way, a series of solar collection device assemblies, such as cassettes as previously described, may be secured between the same two cladding rails.
Furthermore, the cladding rails may also be used to support conventional cladding material, such as stone, terracotta, metal or other natural or man made components.
The apparatus provides for a secured solar collection device to be displaced from the background supporting structure. This feature of a gap allows for ventilation to be provided behind the backs of the solar collection devices. In the case of photo-voltaic panels, this distance enables the free movement of air behind the cladding, minimising the energy generation reducing effects of overheating. Insulation may also be fitted into this space.
It is known that as the angle of the solar collection panels increases away from the vertical, a greater spacing between solar collection panels is required in order to prevent self-shading. Consequently, a gap may be created between the solar collection panels. In operation, this gap will be shaded and therefore no benefit can be derived from using solar material in the gap.
Consequently, an alternative cladding solution is required, which may take the form of a conventional cladding material a metal grating or mesh, that would provide a rigid solution while at the same time facilitating ventilation behind the solar collection panels.

Claims (23)

  1. Claims 1. An interface device for use in cladding a building with solar collection devices, comprising: a base having a rear face and a front face and comprising mounting means, a first side arm extending from said base, a second side arm extending from base, and an elongate support member extending between said first side arm and said second side arm.
  2. 2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said base is substantially planar, and said first side arm and said second side arm extend substantially perpendicularly to said base.
  3. 3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said first side arm and said second side arm each present a side flange that extends substantially parallel to said base.
  4. 4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said mounting means comprises an aperture.
  5. 5. Apparatus for cladding a building with solar collection devices, comprising: a first cladding rail and a second cladding rail, each cladding rail for attachment to said building at a first distance from, and substantially parallel to, another cladding rail, a first interface device according to claim 1 and a second interface device according to claim 1, each interface device for attachment to one of said cladding rails, and a solar collection device assembly comprising a first hook and a second hook, each hook arranged to be supported by said first interface device and said second interface device; and said apparatus is configured to allow said solar collection device assembly to be secured to said building by an arrangement in which said first and second cladding rails are attached to said building, said first and second interface devices are attached to said first and second cladding rails respectively and said first and second hooks of said solar collection device assembly are hooked over the respective elongate support member of said first and second interface devices.
  6. 6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said solar collection device assembly comprises a photo-voltaic device.
  7. 7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first cladding rail and said second cladding rail are substantially T-shaped.
  8. 8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, wherein said first hook and said second hook are provided by a spanning bracket.
  9. 9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8, wherein said spanning bracket comprises a retaining element for use in retaining said spanning bracket in a located arrangement between adjacent cladding rails.
  10. 10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein said retaining element comprises at least one tab that defines an aperture.
  11. 11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further comprising: a third cladding rail, a third interface device according to claim 1, and a second solar collection device assembly comprising a third hook and a fourth hook, wherein said apparatus is configured to allow said second solar collection device assembly to be secured to said building by an arrangement in which said third cladding rail is also attached to said building, said third interface device is attached to said third cladding rail, said third hook is hooked over the elongate support member of one of said first and second interface devices and said fourth hook is hooked over the elongate support member of said third interface device.
  12. 12. A method of cladding a building with solar collection devices, said method comprising the steps of: receiving a first cladding rail and a second cladding rail, receiving a first interface device according to claim 1 and a second interface device according to claim 1, receiving a solar collection device assembly comprising a first hook and a second hook; attaching said first cladding rail to said building, attaching said second cladding rail to said building, at a first distance from, and substantially parallel to said first cladding rail, attaching said first interface device to said first cladding rail, attaching said second interface device to said second cladding rail, hooking said first hook of said solar collection device assembly over the elongate support member of one of said first and second interface devices, and hooking said second hook of said solar collection device assembly over the elongate support member of the other of said first and second interface devices.
  13. 13. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said solar collection device assembly comprises a photo-voltaic device.
  14. 14. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first cladding rail and said second cladding rail are substantially T-shaped.
  15. 15. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first hook and said second hook are provided by a spanning bracket.
  16. 16. The method as claimed in claim 15, wherein said spanning bracket comprises a retaining element for use in retaining said spanning bracket in a located arrangement between adjacent cladding rails.
  17. 17. The method as claimed in claim 16, wherein said retaining element comprises at least one tab that defines an aperture.
  18. 18. The method as claimed in claim 10, further comprising the steps of: receiving a third cladding rail, receiving a third interface device according to claim 1, receiving a second solar collection device assembly comprising a third hook and a fourth hook, attaching said third cladding rail to said building, at said first distance from, and substantially parallel to one of said first cladding rail and said second cladding rail, attaching said third interface device to said third cladding rail, hooking said third hook of said second solar collection device assembly over the elongate support member of one of said first and second interface devices, and hooking said fourth hook of said second solar collection device assembly over the elongate support member said third interface device.
  19. 19. The method as claimed in claim 12, wherein said first interface device and said second interface device are attached to said first cladding rail and said second cladding rail respectively by a mechanical fixing element.
  20. 20. The method as claimed in claim 17, further comprising the step of attaching said retaining tab to one of said first cladding rail and said second cladding rail by a mechanical fixing element.
  21. 21. An interface device for use in cladding a building with solar collection devices substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying Figures.
  22. 22. Apparatus for cladding a building with solar collection devices substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying Figures.
  23. 23. A method of cladding a building with solar collection devices substantially as herein described with reference to, and as shown in, the accompanying Figures.
GB0814256.4A 2008-08-05 2008-08-05 Cladding a building with solar collection devices Expired - Fee Related GB2462422B (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0814256.4A GB2462422B (en) 2008-08-05 2008-08-05 Cladding a building with solar collection devices

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WO2011114078A3 (en) * 2010-03-13 2012-02-16 Frederick Courtenay Wheaton A roofing system including photovoltaic modules
FR3078727A1 (en) * 2018-03-06 2019-09-13 Alban Dobremetz SYSTEM FOR FASTENING A WALL COATING ELEMENT AND WALL COATING IMPLEMENTED BY MEANS OF SUCH FIXING SYSTEMS
FR3078729A1 (en) * 2018-03-06 2019-09-13 Alban Dobremetz SYSTEM FOR FASTENING A WALL CLADDING ELEMENT WITH A LOCKING DEVICE AND A WALL COATING IMPLEMENTED THROUGH SUCH FIXING SYSTEMS
DE202020104397U1 (en) 2020-07-30 2021-11-03 Rudolf Hörmann GmbH & Co.KG Photovoltaic system

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EP0044256A1 (en) * 1980-07-11 1982-01-20 NOVELERG Société Anonyme dite: Solar collector and its application to building conditioning
EP0180837A2 (en) * 1984-11-03 1986-05-14 Walter Dipl.-Ing. Haase Locating device kit for curtain walls
EP0227514A1 (en) * 1985-11-08 1987-07-01 Aluminium Alcan De France System to support façade covering elements, particularly folded sheet metal caissons
GB2312223A (en) * 1993-12-15 1997-10-22 Allscott Contracts And Enginee Rainscreen cladding system
EP0761904A1 (en) * 1995-09-11 1997-03-12 Hoechst Aktiengesellschaft Mounting system for panels
JP2002356968A (en) * 2001-05-31 2002-12-13 Shiroki Corp Installation structure of solar energy-using panel
EP1914362A1 (en) * 2006-10-17 2008-04-23 Armstrong Metalldecken AG Wall cladding

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2011114078A3 (en) * 2010-03-13 2012-02-16 Frederick Courtenay Wheaton A roofing system including photovoltaic modules
FR3078727A1 (en) * 2018-03-06 2019-09-13 Alban Dobremetz SYSTEM FOR FASTENING A WALL COATING ELEMENT AND WALL COATING IMPLEMENTED BY MEANS OF SUCH FIXING SYSTEMS
FR3078726A1 (en) * 2018-03-06 2019-09-13 Alban Dobremetz SYSTEM FOR FASTENING A WALL COATING ELEMENT AND WALL COATING IMPLEMENTED BY MEANS OF SUCH FIXING SYSTEMS
FR3078729A1 (en) * 2018-03-06 2019-09-13 Alban Dobremetz SYSTEM FOR FASTENING A WALL CLADDING ELEMENT WITH A LOCKING DEVICE AND A WALL COATING IMPLEMENTED THROUGH SUCH FIXING SYSTEMS
WO2020070397A1 (en) * 2018-03-06 2020-04-09 Alban Dobremetz System for fastening a covering element to a wall, and wall covering mounted by means of such fastening systems
WO2020070398A1 (en) * 2018-03-06 2020-04-09 Alban Dobremetz System for fastening a covering element to a wall, comprising a movable locking mechanism, and wall covering mounted by means of such fastening systems
DE202020104397U1 (en) 2020-07-30 2021-11-03 Rudolf Hörmann GmbH & Co.KG Photovoltaic system

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GB2462422B (en) 2012-08-22

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