WO2008155652A2

WO2008155652A2 - Orientable solar module panel

Info

Publication number: WO2008155652A2
Application number: PCT/IB2008/001640
Authority: WO
Inventors: Roberto Caldera
Original assignee: Enermill Energie Rinnovabili S.R.L.
Priority date: 2007-06-19
Filing date: 2008-06-18
Publication date: 2008-12-24
Also published as: ITMI20071222A1; WO2008155652A3; EP2165123A2; WO2008155652A8

Abstract

Orientable solar module panel comprising a structure (2) for supporting a plurality of solar modules (21), a movement mechanism which allows the rotation of such structure along a first substantially vertical axis and a second substantially horizontal axis in a way to position the surface of the solar modules in the better position with reference to the direct solar radiation.

Description

ORIENTABLE SOLAR MODULE PANEL

The present invention refers to an orientable solar module panel. In particular, the present invention regards an orientable solar module panel capable of setting itself at predetermined positions depending on the position of the sun in the sky.

Regarding the present invention, such modules can for example be photovoltaic cells modules, capable of generating electrical power or thermal modules capable of suitably capturing and/or conveying the heat released by the sun.

The main object of a sun-tracker is that of maximising the production of energy resulting from the photovoltaic or thermal effect that the modules mounted on board are intended to generate.

This depends on the fact that for example the crystalline silicon, the material most commonly used for making the cells making up the module, is very sensitive to the degree of incidence by which the light hits its surface. When mounted on board the sun- tracker, the solar modules are arranged geometrically on a single panel, a solution which avoids mounting a sun-tracker for each single module. The sun-tracker can be of the single axis type (that is the rotation occurs only on the horizontal or vertical axis) or of the double axis type, that is the rotation occurs both in vertical and horizontal axis 001640

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simultaneously, thus positioning the panels always facing the sun.

The possibility to move the panel along two axis can lead to an increase of the energy production but implying a greater construction complexity with respect both to a fixed panel and a panel moving only along one axis .

The orientable solar module panels are distinguished according to the type of electronic control commanding the movement. These electronic controls can be of the analogue type, in which the control is generated according to the information delivered by a sensor which detects the position of the brightest spot in the sky, and of the digital type, in which the control comes from a microprocessor which, through the stored schedules, knows the position of the sun in the sky at all times .

The structures moving the panel are usually formed by a support post provided with a mechanism for moving around the abovementioned axis . Sometimes in presence of panels of substantial dimensions and weight such structure can be inefficient and unsuitable. To such end structures were proposed which provide for the presence of a circumferential ring to allow both the movement of the panel around a vertical axis and its support . The present invention refers to an orientable panel T/IB2008/001640

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having a mechanism for moving a plate provided with solar modules forming a double ring, which allows moving the plate around a vertical axis, provided on which is a framework having a pin at its top to which the plate is constrained which allows moving the plate itself around a substantially horizontal axis. An aspect of the present invention regards an orientable solar module panel having the characteristics outlined in claim 1 attached. Further objects and advantages of the present invention shall be clear from the following description and from the attached drawings, strictly provided for exemplifying and non-limiting purposes, wherein;

• Figure 1 illustrates a side view of the orientable panel according to the present invention;

• Figure 2 illustrates a top view of the orientable panel according to the present invention;

• Figures 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate a side view of the orientable panel at three different slopes, according to the present invention;

• Figure 4 illustrates a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the movement means;

• Figure 5 illustrates a side view of a further embodiment of the movement means . Referring to the mentioned figures the orientable panel according to the present invention comprises a structure 2 for supporting a plurality of solar modules 21, a movement mechanism which allows the rotation of such structure along a first substantially vertical axis and a second substantially horizontal axis, lying on a ballast structure 3 or on an equivalent fixing or anchorage system, for example provided by means of a cement structure .

Such movement mechanism comprises a first circumferential ring 41 (hereinafter referred to as fixed ring) which lies on such ballast structure 3 or other fixing or anchorage systems and it is provided with a plurality of wheels 42, preferably equally spaced from each other arranged along such circumference . The mechanism further comprises a second circumferential ring 43 (hereinafter referred to as moveable ring) lying on such wheels 42 and associated with the fixed ring by means of a bearing 44, for example provided by means of the so-called slewing ring, which allows its rotation with respect to a vertical axis Y.

Such moveable ring is advantageously moved by means of first movement means comprising an electrical geared motor 51 arranged laterally with respect to such fixed ring on a support plate 52 associated with it. Preferably, the motion to the moveable ring is transmitted by such movement means by means of a chain or belt associated with the circumference of such B2008/001640

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moveable ring and a pulley, or pinion keyed on the rotation shaft of such geared motor.

In the embodiment of figure 4 such movement means comprise a toothed wheel worm mechanism. In particular, such means comprise a motor 51' on whose rotation shaft such worm is associated, while the toothed wheel is associated with the moveable ring 43' .

Substantially, the movement around the vertical axis Y is obtained by means of a pair of rings one of which is integral to the ballast structure and one is integral to the load-bearing structure of the panel relatively moving between each other by means of movement means comprising at least one bearing. The movement mechanism, above such moveable ring and integral to it, has a framework made up of a pair of brackets 61 arranged at opposite positions with respect to such circumference of the moveable ring, adapted to support the structure 2 which supports the solar modules in an articulated manner. Preferably, such brackets are substantially triangular-shaped and they are arranged tilted with respect to the vertical. The upper end 62 of such brackets has a pair of seats 63 adapted to support a substantially horizontal shaft 22 associated with the structure 2 capable of rotating the plate around the horizontal axis X.

Furthermore, a further support bar 64, for example shaped to form an overturned single or double "U" or "V" is arranged between said brackets, wherein the horizontal portion of such bar further supports the shaft 22.

The rotation of the structure and of the solar modules around the horizontal axis X occurs by means of second movement means comprising a second geared motor 71 adapted to move a rod 72 constrained, in an articulated manner, to a pair of tie rods 73 and 74 and associated with the lower surface of such support structure of the solar modules .

The movement of the rod determines the traction or thrust of the support structure and its consequent rotation around the abovementioned horizontal axis X. In the embodiment of figure 5 such second movement means comprise a telescopic rod 72' fixed at one of its ends to the lower surface of the panel and at the other end to a bracket 73' . A geared motor 71' arranged between the rod and the bracket allows the telescopic extension of such rod. In its entirety, the panel further comprises a first electrical panel 75, arranged on board the load-bearing structure, such switchboard providing electrical connections for the geared motors and a main switchboard preferably arranged outside the panel (for example in a special cabinet-like structure) provided with an electronic processing unit which controls and drives the geared motors, in such a manner to control the orientation of the panel according to a stored programme .

In a further embodiment, the geared motors may be replaced by equivalent electronic or mechanical movement means .

In a preferred embodiment, such processing unit is a programmable logic unit (PLC) .

At least one safety anemometer (not illustrated) or an equivalent system adapted to control the exposure of the panel to the wind is also associated with the support structure, in such a manner that the processing and control unit can possible set the panel at a non- dangerous position (safety position) in case the wind exceeds a given level detected by the anemometers. Preferably, the load-bearing structure of the panel is a hot zinc coated and very solid framework, simple and efficient in such a manner not to require particular maintenance interventions, such framework guaranteeing resistance against atmospheric agents and given climatic events over the years.

The control of the movement of the sun-tracking panel is based on the abovementioned programme which allows tracking the sun with an accuracy equivalent to at least 1 degree: this means that whenever the sun moves 1 degree, the sun-tracker correspondingly moves by 1 degree. The programme is based on a stored schedule bearing the various positions of the sun during the whole year depending on the geographical position where the panel is installed. Alternatively, the programme is based on the information received from a light or heat sensor.

Claims

001640- 9 -CLAIMS

1. Orientable solar module panel comprising

• a structure (2) for supporting a plurality of solar modules (21) , • a movement mechanism which allows the rotation of such structure along a first substantially vertical axis and a second substantially horizontal axis,

• a fixing or anchorage system on which such mechanism lies, characterised in that such movement mechanism comprises

• a pair of rings one of which is fixed (41) integral to the fixing system and one is moveable (43) integral to the load-bearing structure of the panel, the rings moving relatively between each other by means of movement means determining the movement of the support structure around a vertical axis (Y) ,

• a framework formed by a pair of brackets (61) , arranged at opposite positions of the circumference of such moveable ring, adapted to support, in an articulate manner, a shaft (22) of the structure (2) , arranged in a substantially horizontal manner, capable of rotating the structure at its horizontal axis (X) through second movement means associated with such framework . T/IB2008/001640

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2. Panel according to claim 1, wherein such fixed ring (41) is provided with a plurality of wheels (42) , arranged along the circumference, on which the moveable ring (43) lies associated with the fixed ring by means of a bearing (44) , for example provided by means of a so-called slewing ring.

3. Panel according to claim 1, wherein said first movement means comprise an electric geared motor (51) arranged laterally with respect to such fixed ring, a chain or a belt associated with the circumference of such moveable ring and a pulley or pinion keyed on the rotation shaft of such geared motor.

4. Panel according to claim 1, wherein such second movement means comprise a second geared motor (71) constrained to such framework and adapted to move a rod (72) constrained in an articulated manner to a pair of tie rods (73,74) associated with the lower surface of such solar modules supporting structure.

5. Panel according to claim 1, wherein such brackets are substantially triangular-shaped and they are arranged tilted with respect to the vertical.

6. Panel according to claim 1, wherein the upper end (62) of such brackets has a pair of seats (63) adapted to support the substantially horizontal shaft (22) associated with the structure (2) .

7. Panel according to claim 1, wherein, a further support bar (64) , substantially shaped to form an 40

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overturned single of double "U" or "V" is arranged between said brackets, the horizontal portion of such bar further supporting the shaft (22) .

8. Panel according to claim 1, further comprising a first electrical panel (75) arranged on board the load- bearing structure, such electrical panel providing electric connections for the geared motors and a main electrical panel provided with a electronic processing unit, which controls the geared motors determining the orientation of the panel according to a stored programme .

9. Panel according to claim 8, wherein such processing unit is a programmable logic unit (PLC) .

10. Panel according to claim 8, wherein such programme comprises indications on the positions of the sun during the whole year, depending on the geographical position at which the panel is installed.

11. Panel according to claim 1, wherein at least one safety anemometer adapted to control the exposure of the panel against the wind is associated with the support structure .

12. Panel according to claim 11, wherein the processing and control unit is capable of setting the panel at a safety position in case the wind exceeds a given limit detected by such anemometer.