WO2010102772A2

WO2010102772A2 - Solar collector having a linearly focusing reflector surface

Info

Publication number: WO2010102772A2
Application number: PCT/EP2010/001438
Authority: WO
Inventors: Friedrich Grimm
Original assignee: Friedrich Grimm
Priority date: 2009-03-10
Filing date: 2010-03-08
Publication date: 2010-09-16
Also published as: EP2406556A2; DE102009013623A1; WO2010102772A3; DE102009013623B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a collector module (3) having a gutter-like reflector surface (1) which, in cross-section, is composed of circular arcs (100), parabolic arcs (101), elliptical or hyperbolic arcs, the vertices (S) of which each lie on a common base line (11). Said reflector surface is designed, by means of single-axis tracking, to focus the rays of the sun shining in at different angles onto a receiver element (2) arranged coaxially or concentrically with respect to a focal line (f), and said reflector surface has a biaxial curvature and is in each case formed by a family (10) of identical arcs having alternate cut-offs (2p), the focal points (F) of which lie on a common focal line (f), wherein the distance of the base line (11) from the focal line (f) in a collector module (3) changes.

Description

Solar collector with: a linearly concentric reflector surface

The invention relates to a collector module with a channel-shaped reflector surface, which concentrates the sun's rays at different angles by means of uniaxial tracking on a concentric or coaxial with the focal line arranged receiver element. A collector module can either be used as a solar thermal collector in which the receiver element of a selectively coated absorber tube, which is flowed through by a heat transfer fluid, or as a photovoltaic collector in which the receiver element of photovoltaic cells is formed, or as a hybrid collector, which combines the two collector types together be trained.

State of the art

A parabolic trough power plant is one of the effective ways to convert the electromagnetic energy of solar radiation into electrical energy. Large, usually oriented to the south, parabolic trough-shaped mirror can follow with a uniaxial tracking the changing during the day elevation angle of the sun and concentrate the incident at different angles beams on a selectively coated absorber tube, wherein a heat transfer fluid heated to about 400 ⁰ C. becomes. Heat exchangers convert this energy into steam, which generates electricity in turbines.

For example, since the mid-1980s, nine solar thermal parabolic trough power plants have been producing solar power in the desert of California with a total output of 354 MW. This type of energy production will become increasingly important in the future and can make a considerable contribution to the reduction of undesired CO ₂ , SO ₂ , NO _x emissions and the release of dust particles that are generated during the combustion of fossil fuels. Naturally, the energy yield of a solar collector depends on the ecliptic of the sun and only gradually supplies energy in the morning hours in order to reach a maximum in the midday hours and to lose power again in the evening. The largely horizontally arranged focal line of a parabolic trough can be oriented both in the east-west direction and in the north-south direction. The horizontal arrangement of the parabolic troughs requires locations south of the 40th degree of latitude for optimum effectiveness. A module of a conventional one

Parabolic trough power plant is about 12m long and has an approximately 6m wide aperture. A steel structure in the form of a bending-stressed truss girder supports the reflector surface formed by curved and mirrored glass panels and ensures a continuous tracking to the position of the sun via a pivoting mechanism. Solar thermal collectors, however, can not only supply energy on a power plant scale, but also, for example, provide the energy needed for the air conditioning of a building. One way to reduce the cost price of electricity from photovoltaic cells is the use of optical concentrator elements that focus the light on the solar cells. In addition to conventional monocrystalline or polycrystalline silicon solar cells, so-called tandem, triple and quinto solar cells are used, which achieve efficiencies of over 30% by means of complex layer structures. In addition to a mission in space, it promises in terrestrial applications in conjunction with concentrator systems more economical power generation. Known concentrator systems in the form of embossed Fresnel lenses reach about 500 times the concentration of solar radiation for a 2x2 mm cell. By means of a Parabolic mirror is a thousand times the concentration of sunlight on the solar cells possible. A major disadvantage in this case are the high temperatures, which cause a reduced electrical power of the PV cells. Therefore, efficient operation of the PV cells is required for economical operation.

In EP 0 025 834 solar collectors are presented in which the reflector surface consists of a prestressed membrane. In the context of this document, a distinction is made between point and line-shaped concentrator systems. From AT 505 075 Al 2008-10-15, an inflatable solar collector emerges as a membrane construction. The mirrored reflector surface is formed here as a uniaxially curved membrane surface.

From US005573600A a hybrid collector is known in which a water cooling of the solar cells is used simultaneously for domestic water heating.

task

Based on the illustrated prior art, the present invention seeks to provide a new collector.

This object is achieved by a collector module according to claim 1. Advantageous developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

The efficiency of such a collector, for example, a solar thermal collector or a photovoltaic collector, is increased, and preferably also allows the operation of a solar thermal power plant, for example in the northern hemisphere, also north of the 40th parallel. The longer with increasing distance to the equator sunshine duration and a simple tracking of a collector according to the invention with horizontal or vertical Aligned focal line make the economic operation of solar thermal and photovoltaic collector systems appear reasonable even in temperate latitudes. The possibility of aligning linearly concentrating reflector surfaces in uniaxially tracked collector systems with a definable inclination to the sun not only increases the efficiency but also opens up new application possibilities for solar thermal and photovoltaic collectors.

For the construction of a collector, an efficient and economically manufacturable support system is specified. It is provided a novel reflector surface.

the reflector surface is preferably formed as a biaxially curved shell or as a biaxially curved membrane surface and leads to a high dimensional stability.

Preferably, the distance of the baseline to the focal line changes regularly in a collector module.

Preferably, the bundling of the sun's rays on the receiver element is carried out by a single reflection on the reflector surface (single reflection).

Preferably, the focal line of a collector module is arranged either horizontally or vertically. Collector modules with a horizontal focal line preferably follow the elevation angle of the sun either over a horizontal pivot axis and are oriented north-south or east-west, or they are aligned with the azimuth angle of the sun via a vertical axis of rotation and can be arranged floating on a water surface, for example as an artificial island. To improve the efficiency, the tendency of a reflector surface to sunlight is crucial. In the north-south orientation, all reflector surfaces are inclined in one direction towards the sun, while in the east-west orientation, the Reflector surfaces have an alternating inclination, so that half of the arrayed reflector surfaces is inclined to the morning sun, while the other half is inclined to the evening sun. A collector module with vertically aligned focal line is tracked via an azimuth bearing of the sun. Several collector modules arranged one above the other form a tower construction in this case. In this case, a reflector surface is rotatably mounted on a clamped mast. The mast consists for example of a steel tube construction, which is arranged coaxially or concentrically to the focal line. For large reflector surfaces, a secondary mirror assigned to the receiver element can be useful in order to completely focus the light focused by the reflector surface onto the receiver element onto a receiver element.

Thus, collector systems according to the invention with masts and towers of other technical equipment, e.g. Light masts or power poles are combined. In particular, it is proposed to equip at least the lower, not rotor-swept tower section of a wind turbine with a photovoltaic collector according to the invention. Biaxially curved membrane sails as mirrors bundle the sunlight onto the solar cell-equipped lateral surface of the tower. The aerodynamic shape of a coaxial with the tower arranged, reusenförmigen hose, in which the dimensional stability of the membrane is ensured by a supporting cable net, possibly increases the flow velocity of the wind. In order to reduce the wind loads, concave reflector surfaces may be formed in two parts, with flow-through openings being present along the baseline.

construction

Collector modules with horizontal focal line and a north-south orientation or an east-west orientation are by means of a rotary joint with horizontal axis of rotation of the day and Seasonally changing elevation angles track the sun, while collector modules with vertical orientation of the focal line via an azimuth bearing follow the azimuth angle of the sun. For the industrial use of the collector modules as a solar power plant for power generation different support systems are proposed in the invention, which are suitable to reduce the cost of electricity from currently 10-15 € ct / kWh drastically. A biaxially curved surface is much stiffer under wind and dead weight loads than a flat or uniaxially curved surface. With the least expenditure of material, for example, tensile and flexible, two-axis curved membrane surfaces can be produced. Such membrane surfaces consist for example of a high-strength material in the form of multi-layered, plastic-coated fabric or transparent plastic films. Functional layers, such as an adhesive layer for the mirror layer of metal and sealing layers, for example of silicon, are vapor-deposited on the film. To support larger membrane surfaces, a cable net comes into question. The cable net can also be used as a substructure for a reflector surface, which is formed by individual, biaxially curved, mirrored discs of low-iron glass. By biasing a membrane or a cable net within a steel frame under pressure, the required dimensional stability of the biaxially curved reflector surface, which is of crucial importance for a precise bundling of the sun's rays onto the receiver element, is ensured. A tube made of transparent film with sections of reflective coating can also be pneumatically stabilized as an alternative or in addition to the design bias of the film.

Another possibility for producing a biaxially curved reflector surface is the formation of a rigid shell construction of sheets, glass fiber reinforced plastic or fiber concrete, which are each made in matrices made of metal. Analogous to the production of rotor blades for Wind turbines reflector modules can be constructed of two halves separated along its longitudinal axis and are produced economically as a thin-walled shell body with stiffening longitudinal and transverse ribs in large numbers.

Aυsführungsbeispiele

Below are embodiments of solar thermal and photovoltaic panels according to the invention under

Reference to accompanying figures described. In these shows:

1 shows a collector module in schematic cross section

Fig. 2, a plurality of series-arranged collector modules according to Fig. 1 as a continuous channel with a bent base line in a schematic longitudinal section

Fig. 3, a plurality of arranged in series collector modules of FIG. 1 as a continuous channel with wave-shaped baseline in the schematic longitudinal section

Fig. 4, a plurality of, arranged in series collector modules of FIG. 1 as a continuous channel with arcuate baseline in the schematic longitudinal section

Fig. 5 a plurality, arranged in series individual modules of FIG. 1 with a straight base line in a schematic longitudinal section

Fig. 6 a plurality, arranged in series individual modules of FIG. 1 with wavy baseline in the schematic longitudinal section

Fig. 7, a plurality of series-arranged individual modules of FIG. 1 with arcuate baseline in the schematic longitudinal section

Fig. 8 two solar thermal collector modules with absorber tube whose reflector surface consists of individual surfaces, in the isometric overview

9 shows two solar thermal collector modules with absorber tube whose reflector surfaces form a coherent surface in the isometric overview

Fig. 10 is a photovoltaic collector module in the schematic

cross-section Fig. 11 four collector modules, their contiguous

Reflector surfaces form two arc-shaped shell body, in the isometric overview

Fig. 12 four collector modules, their contiguous

Reflector surfaces form a wave-shaped shell body, in the isometric overview

Fig. 13 eight collector modules, each with alternating aperture, which are added in two directions to a contiguous area, in the isometric overview

Fig. 14 eight collector modules each with the same

Aperture, in two directions to a coherent

Area are added, in the isometric survey

Fig. 15 four vertically stacked collector modules with a circular cross-section as zugbeanspruchte

Membrane construction in a pressure-loaded tower in the isometric survey

Fig. 16, the collector modules shown in Fig. 15 in the

At sight

Fig. 17 a total of 8 collector modules, which are in a reusenförmigen

Rope net a rotatably mounted mast, in the isometric overview

Fig. 18 four vertically stacked collector modules with parabolic cross-section as zugbeanspruchte

Membrane construction in a pressure-stressed frame in the isometric survey

1 shows a collector module 3 for a solar thermal collector 30 or a photovoltaic collector 31 in schematic cross section. A group of arcs 10 of parabola 101 with different blocking 2p defines the reflector surface 1. The parabolic arcs 101 are arranged so that their focal points F lie on a common focal line f and their vertices S lie on a common base line 11. In the context of the invention, this arrangement also applies to a bevy of circular arc, elliptical arc or hyperbolic arc. A The bow blade can be cut vertically, so that a collector module 3 has a constant aperture a, while a horizontal cutting line on a curved blade 10 causes a continuously changing aperture a. The uniaxial trackability to the state of the sun via a coaxial or concentric with the focal line f arranged pivot axis x. For example, a parabola is of the form z (x) = const * x ² , where const is a constant parameter.

2 shows the linear sequence of four collector modules 3 according to FIG. 1, which are each joined together at their extreme points M, wherein they have a continuous base line 11 formed from individual line sections 110. By means of a coaxial with the focal line f arranged pivot axis x, the collector modules are tracked to the elevation angle of the sun.

Fig. 3 shows an alternative possibility of ranking a group of arcs 10 of FIG. 1 along a common focal line f. The respective modules 3 connected at their extreme points M to form a continuous channel here show a baseline 11 as a shaft 112 whose inclination changes periodically with respect to the focal line f.

1, which have a common focal line f and are tracked by means of a pivot axis x of the sun with a baseline 11 in the form of a bow chain 111. By means of a horizontal pivot axis x, the collector modules the angle of elevation Sun tracked. In Figs. 2-4, an east-west orientation of the parabolic trough proves to be an advantage, since the periodically changing slope of the baseline 11 to the morning or evening sun increases the efficiency e.g. a parabolic trough power plant increased.

Fig. 5, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show each linear arrayed on a common focal line f collector modules 3, whose Reflector surface 1 corresponds to the education law described in Fig.l. The reflector surfaces 1 are here separated from each other and have at the base line 10 each have an inclination relative to the focal line f. The horizontal pivot axis x ensures in each case the uniaxial trackability of the collector modules 3 to the elevation angle of the sun. In a north-south orientation NS of the focal line f, the reflector surfaces 1 each have an inclination to the sun, so that the efficiency of a north-south oriented parabolic trough can be significantly increased. The exemplary embodiment in FIG. 5 shows a baseline 11 as distance 110, while the baseline 11 in FIG. 6 is designed as a shaft 112 and the baseline 11 in FIG. 7 as an arc 111. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, a group of arcs 10 according to FIG. 1 can be bounded horizontally upwards so that a collector module 3 has a changing aperture a. Limiting a group of arcs 10 of FIG. 1 vertically, one obtains a constant aperture a for a collector module 3 and a curved upper edge of the reflector surfaces 1 as shown in Figs. 3, 4, 6 and 7. This arrangement of the reflector surfaces 1 is also suitable for a tower construction with vertically aligned focal line f, as shown in Figs. 15-18.

Fig. 8 shows the arrangement of two collector modules 3 with a common focal line f corresponding to the longitudinal section in Fig. 5. The support system 32 of the reflector surface 1 is a biaxially curved shell 320, which can be made of metal, glass or glass fiber reinforced plastic. The solar thermal collector 30 has a receiver element 2 with an absorber tube 20, which carries a selective coating 200, flows through a heat transfer fluid 201 and is surrounded by a transparent cladding tube 202. According to the prior art, a vacuum is provided between the cladding tube 202 and the absorber tube 20. Fig. 9 shows the arrangement of two collector modules 3 with a common focal line f corresponding to the longitudinal section in Fig. 2. The structure of the reflector surfaces 1 and the receiver element 2 corresponds to the embodiment described in Fig. 8. A parallel to the focal line f pivot axis x ensures the uniaxial tracking of the described in Fig. 8 and 9 solar thermal collectors 30. Formed as a coherent reflector surface 1 shell 320 is provided with its regularly changing inclination for an east-west orientation of the solar thermal collector 30.

10 shows the schematic cross section of a photovoltaic collector 31. The structure of the reflector surface 1 corresponds to one of the arrangements shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. PV cells 21 on a polygonal carrier tube 210 through which a cooling fluid 211 flows are aligned with the bottom of the reflector surface 1 and, as tandem, triple and quinto solar cells 21, absorb the 500 to 1000 times focused sunlight. The resulting heat is dissipated by the cooling liquid 211. Depending on the diameter of the receiver element, it is also possible to use conventional monocrystalline or polycrystalline PV cells 21, which are connected to a polygonal carrier tube 210 via heat conducting surfaces 212. In this case, one or more coaxial with the focal line f arranged, flowed through by a cooling medium carrier tubes 210 also serve an increased efficiency of the PV cells 21. A secondary mirror (213) focuses the reflector of the surface (1) focused light on the receiver element (2) so that the PV cells (21) are exposed on all sides.

11 and FIG. 12 each show four collector modules 3 arranged in series at their extreme points M at a common focal line f for producing a solar thermal collector 30, or a photovoltaic collector 31 corresponding to the exemplary embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 8-10. In a parabolic trough power plant with east In the western orientation OW of the focal line f, a reflector surface 1 is constructed in each case from two shells 320 joined at their extreme points M. Compared to a conventional, uniaxially curved surface, the biaxial curvature of a reflector surface 1 has a much higher rigidity and can therefore be material-saving as a thin-walled shell 320, for example made of glass fiber reinforced plastic produced. For the production of corresponding plastic shells 320 made of GRP, metal molds are suitable, wherein a shell 320 may have an elementation not shown in detail in two longitudinal halves and stiffening longitudinal and transverse ribs for connection to the pivot axis x. Analogous to the production of rotor blades, on whose surfaces also the highest demands on precision and form are made, appropriate novel reflector surfaces for a

Parabolic trough power plant with metal molds can be produced economically in large numbers.

Fig. 13 shows a number of collector modules 3, which are added along and across a surface 12. With a receiver element 2, which is formed by an absorber tube 20 with selective coating 202, the isometry shows a section of a solar thermal collector 30. In order to avoid heat losses, the absorber tube 20 is enclosed by a transparent cladding tube 202. Between the envelope and absorber tube, a vacuum is provided, so that the absorbed heat is transferred as completely as possible to a heat transfer fluid 201. About a vertical axis of rotation y of the solar thermal collector 30 is uniaxially tracked the azimuth angle of the sun. The reflector surfaces 1 have a periodically changing aperture a and are formed as self-supporting shells 320 made of plastic, glass or sheet metal and can be arranged floating in a particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention as an artificial island floating on the water. FIG. 14 shows a number of collector modules 3, which are joined to three channels arranged in parallel and which show the section of a solar thermal 30 or a photovoltaic collector 31. With a constant aperture a, the surface of the collector modules 3 shows a corrugated structure. The pivot axis x serves for the uniaxial tracking of a preferably east-west-oriented collector.

Fig. 15 shows the lower portion of a tower 14, in which the focal line f of a plurality of stacked collector modules 3 is arranged vertically. The reflector surface 1 is vapor-deposited on a prestressed, concave tube 322 of transparent film and focuses the sun's rays on a coaxial and concentric to the focal line f arranged receiver element 2, which in the case of a solar thermal collector 30 of an absorber tube 20 and in the case of a photovoltaic collector 31 of PV cells 21 is formed. The concave tube 322 is biased by means of a surrounding, pressurized support system 32 and is rotatably mounted about an azimuth bearing 34 at the base of the tower about a rotation axis y, so that he can follow the respective state of the sun from sunrise to sunset. The reflector surface 1 is formed by a group of arcs 10 of circular arc 100, each with different diameters. The common focal points F of the circular arc 100 lie on the focal line f, which is defined by half the radius of each circle.

FIG. 16 shows the plan view of the tower 14 shown in FIG. 15. The foci F of the circular arc 100 lie on a common focal line f. About the surrounding support system 32, a circular cross-section, concave tube 322 is biased. In larger constructions, the concave tube 322 is carried by a rope net 324. FIG. 17 shows a tower 14 in which a total of 8 collector modules 3 arranged vertically one above the other form a tower 14 in which the receiver element 2 is formed by a carrier tube 210 arranged concentrically and coaxially to the focal line f. On the lateral surface of the support tube 210 photovoltaic cells are arranged, which are cooled by a flow-through by a cooling liquid 211 register. The reflector surface 1 consists of a mirrored membrane 321 as teilverspiegelte, biaxial curved surface of a reusenförmigen hose 322 made of transparent plastic film. The concave tube 322 corresponds in its cross section to the embodiment described in Fig. 16 and is clamped by a minimum support system 32 from a cable net 324 and asymmetric spoke wheels. The cable net 324 also serves to brace the tower 14, which is tracked at its base by means of an azimuth bearing 34 the state of the sun. The coaxial and concentric with the focal line f arranged carrier tube 210 is clamped at the base in a multi-storey drum. This drum is floating in a cylindrical base body. As an alternative tower construction for a wind turbine, a clamped steel tube is proposed, in which the tubular membrane construction 322 is mounted with the reflector surface 1 by means of the spoked wheels 32 rotatably mounted on the tower of a wind turbine and follows in this way the azimuth angle of the sun. In addition to the possibility to form such vertically arranged solar panels as independent constructions, the proposed construction can also be combined with power and light poles.

Fig. 18 shows a tower 14 as a solar thermal 30 or as a photovoltaic collector 31 with a receiver element 2, which is arranged concentrically and coaxially to a vertical focal line f. The reflector surface 1 is formed by a group of arcs 10 in the form of parabolic arch 101 and takes the rear part of a concave tube 322 of a membrane 321 is formed. Tensioning cables 323 support the cut-lens-shaped concave tube 322 in the corner points and separate the rear, mirrored half from the sun-facing, transparent half, which serves as a transparent cover 15 of the reflector surface 1. A parabolic-shaped grid shell forms the surrounding support system 32 for biasing the concave tube 322. About an azimuth bearing 34 with axis of rotation y of the tower 14 follows the state of the sun. Such a solar thermal or photovoltaic collector 30, 31 can preferably also be arranged on flat roofs or high-rise buildings.

Reference numeral Overview

Claims

claims

1. collector module (3) with a channel-shaped reflector surface

(D, which consists in cross section of circular arc (100), parabola (101), elliptical or hyperbolic arc whose vertices (S) each lie on a common baseline (11), which reflector surface is formed by uniaxial tracking in different Angles bundle incident beam of the sun on a coaxially or concentrically to a focal line (f) arranged receiver element (2), and which reflector surface has a biaxial curvature and each of a group of arcs (10) similar arch with alternating blocking (2p) is formed their focal points (F) lie on a common focal line (f), wherein the distance of the baseline (11) to the focal line (f) in a collector module (3) changes.

Second collector module (3) according to claim 1, wherein the base line (11) as a distance (110), as a bow (111) or as a shaft (12) is formed and a plurality of successively arranged in series collector modules a closed channel (13). form.

3. collector module (3) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of collector modules (3) can be added without gaps to a surface (12).

4. collector module (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which a vertical arrangement of the focal line (f) is provided and a plurality of collector modules (3) are arranged vertically one above the other and form a tower (14).

5. collector module (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein for the uniaxial tracking to the sun either a horizontal pivot axis (x), which follows the elevation angle of the sun, or a vertical axis of rotation (y), which follows the azimuth angle of the sun, is provided.

6. collector module (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the baseline (11) of a collector module (3) has two extreme positions (M) and with respect to a horizontally or vertically arranged focal line (f) has a slope.

7. collector module (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein as support system (32) for a reflector surface (1) a rigid shell (320), a tensile membrane (321), a cable net (324), a prestressed, concavely curved Tube (322) made of foil or a pneumatically prestressed, convexly curved tube is provided.

8. collector module (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, which has a support system (32) in which a zugbeanspruchtes cable net (324) or a zugbeanspruchte membrane construction (321) and a pressure-loaded construction cooperate as a clamping frame.

9. collector module (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the aperture (a) has a constant or alternating cross-section and through a transparent cover

(15) is protected.

10. collector module (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reflector surface (L) is adapted to focus the beam of the sun by a single reflection on the reflector surface (1) on the receiver element (2).

11. Collector module (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiver element (2) has a parabolic trough-shaped, with the reflector surface (1) cooperating secondary mirror (213) is associated, which is adapted to the reflector surface (1). focus focused light on the receiver element (2).

12. collector module (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the reflector surface (1) in the region of the baseline

(11) has flow openings for limiting the wind load.

13. collector module (3) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiver element (2) comprises an absorber tube (20) carrying a selective coating (200) and is adapted to be traversed by a heat transfer fluid (201), and which is surrounded by a transparent envelope tube (202) being provided between the absorber tube (20) and the cladding tube (202) is a vacuum.

14. Collector module (3) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiver element (2) photovoltaic cells (21), which are designed as single, tandem, triple, or quinto solar cells and with a support tube (210) indirectly are connected via a heat conducting surface (212) directly or indirectly connected, which support tube (210) is adapted to a passage of a cooling liquid (211) to enable.

15. Collector module (3) according to one of the preceding claims, which is designed as a photovoltaic collector module (31) with a support tube (210), wherein a lateral surface of the support tube (210) carries PV cells (21) and as part of the support system (32 ) of a collector module (3) simultaneously forms the tower of a wind turbine.