WO2012038218A1

WO2012038218A1 - Photovoltaic arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2012038218A1
Application number: PCT/EP2011/065018
Authority: WO
Inventors: Markus Forstmeier; Florian Krug
Original assignee: Siemens Aktiengesellschaft
Priority date: 2010-09-21
Filing date: 2011-08-31
Publication date: 2012-03-29
Also published as: DE102010041128A1

Abstract

Photovoltaic arrangement (1, 1'), comprising at least two flat photovoltaic modules (3) which succeed one another in one direction (2), in particular, and are coupled to one another by means of at least one swivel bearing (4) such that the photovoltaic modules (3) can be folded from a folded‑up transportation state into a fanned‑out operating state.

Description

description

photovoltaic arrangement

The invention relates to a photovoltaic array comprising at least two, in particular at least five, in particular in one direction successive photovoltaic modules.

Due to the rising demand for alternative energies and attractive new concepts and large-scale photovoltaic power plants are increasingly being planned and be compels ^¬. These large plants with an output power of up to 60 MW are still mostly made up of photovoltaic modules of less than 300 W, which means that up to 300,000 modules are used, which must all be set up and connected piece by piece at the site of the power plant. The result ^¬ He is a detrimental long build-up time with a ho ^¬ hen number of components, which in turn leads to a high error rate.

Therefore, it has been proposed to use larger photovoltaic modules (up to 300W), but this is only a small improvement step. In addition, in the attachment of such larger modules, the problem arises that the manual fastening ^¬ tion is restricted due to safety regulations with respect to the weights to be lifted. On the other sol ^¬ cherlei larger modules are available from all manufacturers, so the choice is limited to module manufacturers.

The invention is therefore based on the object of specifying a possi ^¬ ability to simplify the installation process in photovoltaic power plants.

To achieve this object a Photovol ^¬ taikanordnung the invention provides, comprising at least two, in particular ^¬ sondere at least five, in particular in a direction towards each other following ^¬, via at least one pivot bearing in such a ^¬ each coupled area photovoltaic modules that Photovoltaic modules (3) can be folded from a folded trans ^¬ port state into a fanned-out operating state. In particular, provision can be made here is that the Pho ^¬ tovoltaikmodule in the transport state side by side, in particular congruently along the direction, are parallel and / or are in the operating state in one plane.

According to the invention, it is therefore proposed to use a photovoltaic arrangement in which at least two, in particular at least five, photovoltaic modules are already preassembled. The individual modules are thus already coupled at the manufacturer or in a warehouse to a module arrangement, which may for example comprise up to 50 modules, depending on how large the photovoltaic power plant should be. It is proposed that the modules via pivot bearings, in particular

Hinges to link to each other to be able to save space trans ^¬ port, may nevertheless be pre-assembled a variety of modules in this way. For this purpose, pre ^¬ propose to interpret that or the pivot bearing so that the modules are intended to form a large area next to their fanned-operating state in which they example, arranged side by side in the direction ultimately, can be folded into a space-saving transport state in which they, in particular congruent in the direction next to each other, so with their large surfaces adjacent, and are arranged to save space.

In order to achieve this, with at least three photovoltaic modules arranged along the direction, the pivot bearings are always aligned in opposite directions in adjacent couplings, so that ultimately a structure results in which the photovoltaic modules can be folded accordion-like into the transport state, so that they are in an intermediate state ^¬ state are thus arranged in the manner of a zig-zag pattern. Thus, the photovoltaic modules preassembled to the photovoltaic array can be conveniently and space-saving spent to Installa ^¬ tion where they, in particular with a can be "pulled apart" to complete the installation quickly and easily.

In this way, the assembly of local is accelerated by several times due to the reduced number of parts has to be mounted ^¬ leaders at the place of be established power plant, depending on how many photovoltaic modules provided in the photovoltaic arrangement are seen ^¬. A tremendous improvement is achieved comprising 20 to 50 Photovoltaikmodu ^¬ le, for example, in photovoltaic arrays. The actual number of pre-assembled in the photovoltaic array photovoltaic modules can be selected, for example, that the entire photovoltaic array easily trans ^¬ can be ported in the transport state on a EUR-pallet.

Another advantage of the photovoltaic array according to the invention is that it is ultimately pre-assembled under controlled conditions in a factory. This is in contrast to the assembly, for example, on-site in a desert, so that the quality of the photovoltaic array can be secured in a simpler way.

A further advantage of the photovoltaic arrangement according to the invention is that the preassembled photovoltaic modules provide an increased theft protection in an inherent manner, since the photovoltaic arrangement can only be removed altogether.

It should already be noted at this point that the pivot ^{bearing ¬} or a coupling element / intermediate piece on which at least two pivot bearings are provided for coupling two photovoltaic modules, can also act as a kind of spacer, the direct contact in particular the light receiving surfaces of the photovoltaic modules avoid ^¬ det.

Essentially, in the context of the present invention, two basic design possibilities are given, which ultimately also affect the type of installation on site. In a first embodiment, which will first be discussed, the photovoltaic array already at least one support element which spaces the unfolded photovoltaic modules from the bottom, while there is already in a second Ausges ^¬ taltung spot a structure to which the photovoltaic assembly, for example, pushed can.

Thus, it can be provided in the first embodiment that between at least one part of two adjacent photovoltaic modules and / or on a peripheral photovoltaic module a support element, in particular a pedestal, is arranged. The embodiment can be chosen so that in the transport state, the support element is always flanked by two Untersei ^¬ th, ie the light-receiving sides facing away from, so that ultimately in the transport state, two photovoltaic modules are arranged between two adjacent support elements. In this way, the support elements are provided in any case on the correct side of the photovoltaic array in the operating state, so that no further redesign must be made here. Since the less sensitive undersides of the photovoltaic modules adjacent to the Trägerele ^¬ ment, it may be provided that the photovoltaic modules are hinged on the pivot bearing to a lying on the support member at ^¬ position.

In this first embodiment, it may further be provided that the carrier element and / or a coupling element provided on an upper side of the carrier element are bilateral

Swivel bearing for connection to each having a photovoltaic module. In this case, the support member gegebe ^¬ means of the provided on the upper side of the carrier element coupling member, can be provided for Ver ^¬ bond each having a photovoltaic module appropriate, as an intermediate piece, on which both sides of the pivot bearing, for example, hinges acts. Then it is also sufficient, moreover, if the pivot bearings allow a flap by substantially 90 °. One Carrier element of this type may, for example, have a substantially T-shape, wherein the pivot bearings are arranged at the outer ends of the crossbar of the T.

In this first embodiment, it may be provided, for example, that the carrier elements projecting downwards out of the photovoltaic arrangement in the transport state have a coupling device to a ground-based fastening system. For example, if the photovoltaic array in the operating state obliquely Asked photovoltaic modules should have on ^¬ , even at different heights, two floor mounted rails are provided on which the support elements, such as two feet, can be postponed. In this way, then the unfolding of the transport state in the operating state during the Aufschie ^¬ bens on the fastening system then takes place. Basically, of course, a configuration is conceivable in which a fastening system has only a single floor mounted rail ^¬ , in which, for example, the coupling device of the support member can engage to mount the photovoltaic assembly and at the same time lead to the operating state to ^¬ .

In the second embodiment, in which no carrier elements are preassembled on the photovoltaic array, the fastening ^¬ supply system is formed for example by a scaffold which laterally along the direction in which the photovoltaic modules are to follow each other, each having a mounting rail, so that ultimately a recording is defined, which corresponds to the width of a photovoltaic module. For assembly, the photovoltaic array or its first photovoltaic module is then placed on the mounting rails and guided by the mounting rails so moved to the other end of the frame until the photovoltaic assembly is com ^¬ plet transferred to the operating state and on the Schie ^¬ NEN, through this guided, rests. In the rails and on the photovoltaic modules, for example on a frame, which consists in particular of aluminum, of the photovoltaic modules, NEN now in the on-hook state of the photovoltaic array are aligned through holes, so that, for example via a screw, the photovoltaic modules can be attached to the scaffold. Preferably, however, it can be provided that at least partially between two adjacent photovoltaic modules is provided on both sides with pivot bearings for connection to at least one photovoltaic module provided coupling element, and al ^¬ lein the coupling elements at their sides running along the direction at least one fastening means for fixing ^¬ tion on a rail of a device carrying the photovoltaic assembly, in particular a scaffold, wherein, of course, in addition to through holes, other fastening means, such as pre-screwed or threaded bolts can be used.

It should be noted at this point that it is of course known to the skilled person that when it is spoken of a "parallel" or "congruent" arrangement or the like, that ultimately can never be provided in an absolutely perfect manner and in these Information may be included in a certain tolerance range, for example, if the actual implementation is such that in the transport ^¬ state, the photovoltaic modules can not be quite parallel. Nevertheless, they are still essentially parallel.

As already mentioned above, it may be expediently provided that at least partially between two adjacent photovoltaic modules, a coupling element provided on both sides with pivot bearings for connection to at least one photovoltaic module is provided. Such an intermediate piece can serve not only for improved attachment of the pivot bearings, for example the hinges, but also as a spacer, which avoids direct contact between the light-receiving surfaces of two photovoltaic modules and the like. In a particularly advantageous embodiment of the present invention can be provided that an adjacent in the operating state photovoltaic modules electrically connecting connection means, in particular at least partially integrated in a coupling element and / or carrier element and / or pivot ^{bearing ¬} is provided. According to the invention, therefore, it is proposed not only mechanically pre-assemble the photovoltaic modules, but also to provide that the electrical connection is already integrated into the photovoltaic array. This means that a particularly simple connection of the output voltage and the ground of the individual Photovol ^¬ taikmodule allows is. It is then no time-consuming, complicated and error-prone manual wiring of photovoltaic module to photovoltaic module longer necessary, since the electrical connection device is already in the photovoltaic array itself, especially in lying between adjacent photovoltaic modules components of the photovoltaic array, is provided.

In a further development of the inventive concept is seen ^¬ before that is connected to at least one pivot bearing, in the operating state opposing contact surfaces each one automatically provided on transfer to the operating state an electrical connection connecting interface. Consequently, already the electrical contact with respect to the DC bus line and the ground line when the Pho ^¬ tovoltaikanordnung is installed, so the Transportzu stood ^¬ is transferred to the operating state, without any further action is necessary made. The arranged between the adjacent photovoltaic modules components thus already serve as a DC busbar, so that no Gleichstromverkabe ^{¬ development is} more necessary in contrast to the conventional structure of a photovoltaic power plant. Possibilities to automatically establish an electrical connection when the photovoltaic array is folded into the operating state are well known in the art and need not be described in detail here. For example, in essentially three When cornering, conductors projecting from a contact surface are automatically inserted into a corresponding depression of the opposite contact surface during flapper, in which the electrical contact, for example via spring contacts or the like, is produced.

The connecting device can, as already mentioned include Wenig ^¬ least one DC bus bar and / or a Erdungslei ^¬ tung. If a DC busbar and a grounding line are provided, then all relevant lines are already integrated into the connection device, ultimately also the photovoltaic array.

Other general advantages of such an electrical connection device are that the costs for DC cables are saved, which previously accounted for 3-5% of the total installation costs. Since no more cable connectors are necessary, a common source of electrical ^faulty functions is also eliminated.

As already mentioned, the pivot bearings can especially a ^¬ times be designed as hinges.

In addition to the photovoltaic arrangement, the present invention also relates to a method for transporting and / or storing a photovoltaic arrangement according to the invention, in which the photovoltaic arrangement is folded into the transport state for transport and / or storage. In this way, a space-saving transport or a space-saving storage of pre-assembled photovoltaic modules is possible.

In an expedient development of the method according to the invention can be provided that in the transport state between two adjacent photovoltaic modules and / or see between a photovoltaic module and a support element shock absorbing insert is placed, in particular a cardboard layer and / or a polystyrene foam plate. In this way, if necessary, damage to photovoltaic taikmodulen leading contacts between surfaces of the photovoltaic modules avoided and the shocks are attenuated.

Further advantages and details of the present invention will become apparent from the embodiments described below and with reference to the drawing. Showing:

1 shows a photovoltaic arrangement according to the invention of a first embodiment in the transport state,

2 shows the photovoltaic assembly according to the invention during the transfer to the operating state,

3 shows the photovoltaic array according to the invention in the operating state,

Fig. 4, two opposing contact in the operating state ^¬ surfaces of the photovoltaic array, and

Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment of a guide according to the invention

Photovoltaic array.

Fig. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a photovoltaic array 1 according to the invention in a transport state. It comprises a plurality of consecutive in a direction 2 photovoltaic modules 3, which are arranged in the same coverage ^¬ in the transport state in the direction 2 and to each other seen in parallel. About pivot bearing 4, designed here as hinges 5, and coupling elements 6, the photovoltaic modules 3 are mutually ^¬ hinged together, here in each case by an angle of 90 ° hinged.

Still tovoltaikmodulen at the points at which two bases of the photovoltaic modules 3, and hence two non-light-receiving side, ge ^¬ genüberliegen, is located between two adjacent photon 3 a carrier element 7, which photovoltaic with egg ^¬ nem corresponding fastening system on the location of a to be established Power plant can be connected. examples For example, a coupling device 8 may be provided for coupling the executed as one or two feet support member 7 to a rail of a fastening system. Visible adjacent photovoltaic modules 3 are always arranged alternately in opposite directions away from each foldable, so that, considering the photovoltaic assembly 1 apart, it can be accordion-transferred to a Betriebszu ^¬ stand, in which the photovoltaic modules 3 in one plane and the support members 7 of the Light receiving ^¬ side are arranged opposite.

2 shows an intermediate state in this unfolding process, in which the photovoltaic modules 3, which are partially folded away from one another, form a zigzag pattern. This illustrates that the photovoltaic modules 3 ultimately accordion-anein ^¬ other are coupled.

Fig. 3 shows the photovoltaic assembly 1 in the operating state. The photovoltaic modules 3 are arranged in a plane and the interconnected photovoltaic modules 3 are supported by the support elements 7.

Obviously, therefore, the photovoltaic arrangement 1 for transport can be brought into the transport state shown in FIG. 1, in which the photovoltaic modules 3 are arranged parallel to one another in a space-saving manner. In order to prevent damage during transport, can in particular between two opposed top surfaces of the photovoltaic modules 3, as reasonable in Fig. 1 at a location indicated, a dampening insert 9, for example a cardboard layer or a ^¬ polystyrene foam sheet are used.

On site, the photovoltaic array can be ascended, for example, to a rail of a fastening system by means of the coupling device 8 and folded there into the operating state, as shown in FIG. 3. So ^¬ then the support elements 7 are attached to the mounting rails and the installation is completed. FIG. 4 now shows a coupling element 6 and opposite contact surfaces 10 of the coupling element 6 and the photovoltaic modules 3 in greater detail. The photovoltaic module 6 comprises a connection device 11 for the electrical connection of the photovoltaic modules 3 with respect to the generated current and the ground. Thus, within the Kopplungsele ^¬ ment 6, a bus bar 12 and a grounding conductor 13 pre ^¬ see that at both contact surfaces 10 form a connecting cut parts 14, wherein they protrude slightly from the Kontaktflä ^¬ che 10. If now the photovoltaic module 3 is folded in the direction of the operating state via the hinge 5, the projecting conductors 11, 13 engage in corresponding depressions 15 of the photovoltaic modules 3, where, for example via spring contacts, the electrical connection is automatically established. In this way is ensured at the same time during the transfer from the transport state into the operating state for a correct and reliable electrical connection of the individual photovoltaic modules ^¬ NEN.

Finally, FIG. 5 shows a second embodiment of a photovoltaic arrangement 1 'according to the invention. This corresponds essentially to the photovoltaic array 1, except that no support elements 7 are provided here. The photovoltaic system 1 'can be pushed onto a scaffold, for example, which two has a receptacle for the photovoltaic ^array 1', in particular the photovoltaic modules 3, forming ^mounting rails. Has the photovoltaic arrangement 1 'only pushed onto the scaffold with mounting rails so provided on the coupling elements 6 side fixing means may be used 16 to secure the Photovol ^¬ taikanordnung to the fastening rails to be fastened, for example, or the like. The fastening means 16 may be fastening holes or the like provided on the coupling elements 6, for example.

Claims

claims

1. photovoltaic array (1, 1 '), comprising at least two in particular in one direction (2) successive, via at least one pivot bearing (4) so coupled to each other surface photovoltaic modules (3) that the photovoltaic modules (3) from a folded transport state into a fanned operating state are foldable.

2. Photovoltaic device according to claim 1, characterized in that the photovoltaic modules (3) in the transport state parallel to each other, in particular congruent along the direction (2), and / or lie in the operating state in a plane.

3. Photovoltaic arrangement according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that between at least a part of two adjacent photovoltaic modules (3) and / or on a peripheral photovoltaic module (3) a support element (7), in particular a pedestal, is arranged.

4. Photovoltaic arrangement according to claim 3, characterized in that the photovoltaic modules (3) via the pivot bearing (4) in a voltage applied to the support element (7) position are foldable.

5. Photovoltaic arrangement according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that a

Transport state two photovoltaic modules (3) between two adjacent support elements (7) are arranged.

6. Photovoltaic arrangement according to one of claims 3 to 5, characterized in that the carrier element (7) and / or on an upper side of the carrier element (7) provided coupling element (6) on both sides of pivot bearing (4) for connection to each photovoltaic module (3) having.

7. Photovoltaic device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least partially between two adjacent photovoltaic modules (3) on both sides with pivot bearings (4) for connection to at least one photovoltaic module (3) verse ^¬ henes coupling element (6) is provided.

8. Photovoltaic arrangement according to claim 7, characterized in that the coupling elements

(6) at their sides along the direction (2) extending sides at least one fastening means (16) for attachment to a rail of a photovoltaic array (1 ') carrying device.

9. Photovoltaic arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an operating state adjacent photovoltaic modules (3) electrically connecting connection means (11), in particular at least partially in a coupling element (6) and / or carrier element (7) and / or pivot bearing ( 4) integrated, is provided.

10. Photovoltaic arrangement according to claim 9, characterized in that with at least one

Swivel bearing (4), in the operating state opposing contact surfaces (10) each one for connection to the operating state automatically an electrical connection producing connection interface (14) is provided.

11. Photovoltaic device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the Ver ^¬ connecting device (11) comprises at least one DC busbar (12) and / or a grounding line (13).

12. Photovoltaic arrangement according to one of the preceding claims, characterized the pivot bearings (4) are designed as hinges (5).

13. A method for transporting and / or storing a photo voltaikanordnung (1, 1 ') according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the photovoltaic array (1, 1') is folded for transport and / or storage in the transport state.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that a shock-absorbing insert (9) is arranged in the transport state Zvi ^¬ rule two adjacent photovoltaic modules (3) and / or between a photovoltaic module (3) and a support element (7), insbesonde- re a Cardboard layer and / or a polystyrene foam board.