WO2015052285A1

WO2015052285A1 - Set of photovoltaic modules and associated manufacturing method

Info

Publication number: WO2015052285A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/071661
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jean-Edouard De Salins; Paul Bellavoine; Daniel Valentin
Original assignee: Heliotrop
Priority date: 2013-10-10
Filing date: 2014-10-09
Publication date: 2015-04-16
Also published as: FR3011994A1; FR3011994B1

Abstract

The invention relates to a set (1) of photovoltaic modules (10), including at least two photovoltaic modules (10) rigidly assembled via a supporting frame (20), said supporting frame (20) being attached to the side walls (16) of said photovoltaic modules (10) by adhesion.

Description

Group of photovoltaic modules

and associated manufacturing method

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to solar photovoltaic concentration technology, and more specifically the assembly of photovoltaic modules to concentration, the mechanical structure of which comprises a metal box attached to a frame secured to a solar tracker (or "tracker" in English). BACKGROUND

By photovoltaic module, here will be understood a box comprising a bottom wall in which are fixed photovoltaic receivers, a face provided with concentration systems and side walls, connecting the bottom wall and the front face so as to define a closed box . Preferably, each photovoltaic module comprises a series of photovoltaic receivers, for example ten, positioned very precisely in the focal center of as many concentration systems. The concentration systems may in particular comprise a lens parquet, for example of the Fresnel type.

In order not to slow down the building site and to take advantage of the effects of the factory facilities, the installation of the photovoltaic modules is done in lots of very large surface area within the limits of the means of transport on site (size of the truck).

For example, it has been proposed to form very large modules that can each provide a power of the order of 2 to 10 kW.

It has also been proposed to form groupings of modules with coherent coherent performances.

The invention relates more particularly to the case of groups of photovoltaic modules, each comprising several photovoltaic modules fixed integrally on the frame of a tracker. For this, the photovoltaic modules generally comprise brackets or brackets, for screwing individually on the tracker and to obtain a group of large solidarity photovoltaic modules. Advantageously, such a system for assembling the photovoltaic modules on the tracker makes their fixing sufficiently rigid to allow the tracker to maintain their positioning and their alignment with respect to the sun in static (that is, without external stress, other than gravity) and dynamics. The rigidity of the assembly forming the photovoltaic modules and the tracker must indeed be sufficient to fulfill the following static and dynamic conditions:

the assembly formed by the tracker and the grouping of photovoltaic modules must withstand wind and snow constraints (front and back) and profile (2500Pa) while remaining in the elastic domain of the photovoltaic modules,

the assembly must withstand the pressurization of the photovoltaic modules by at least 10 mbar (due to critical variations in air temperature in the module, for example 40 ° C. in 10 minutes), especially in the center of the flanks and on the edges of fixation with the parquet of lenses and the wall of funds,

- the assembly must guarantee that the alignment of the optical axis of each photovoltaic module with the axis of the sun remains less than 0.1 ° in static and less than 0.3 ° in dynamics, and thus limit the possible deformations photovoltaic modules, and

- Photovoltaic modules must maintain their internal components (photovoltaic receivers, concentrating systems, etc.) aligned with each other, in order to guarantee their optimal performance.

The individual screwing of each photovoltaic module on the tracker is not only very long to perform, since it must ensure the individual alignment of the front faces of the modules, but also makes the whole very rigid. Finally, the walls of the photovoltaic modules must have a relatively large thickness, in order to avoid any risk of tearing due to constraints on the brackets or brackets and maintain the tightness of the modules, which implies a significant material cost and significantly increases the set formed by the tracker and groupings.

Moreover, in use, the air enclosed in the modules undergoes large temperature variations, putting pressure on the walls of the modules. It has been proposed breathing systems, to ventilate the photovoltaic modules to adjust their internal pressure relative to the external pressure modules. However, although these membranes have a filtration system, dust can enter the modules, which can hinder their proper functioning. It is therefore necessary to oversize the quality of the membranes to limit as much as possible the introduction of such dust.

For example, US Pat. No. 6,483,093 has proposed a group of photovoltaic modules comprising several photovoltaic modules integrally mounted on a tracker so as to extend substantially parallel to one another. However, in this document, the modules appear to be mounted in a standard way, taking into account its alignment with the other modules.

The document DE 10 2007 01871 1 relates to solar panels comprising photovoltaic receivers maintained aligned with each other using two superposed frames. The technical field of this document is therefore very different from that of the invention, insofar as the panels are not configured to be fixed on a tracker and therefore they are not subject to the same constraints in static and dynamic than photovoltaic modules. Moreover, the teaching of this document simply concerns the structure allowing, within a solar panel, to position photovoltaic receivers while allowing their electrical interconnection, contrary to the invention which seeks to obtain a group of photovoltaic modules to solidarized performances that can be fixed on a tracker. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An object of the invention is to propose a group of photovoltaic modules with solidarized performance that can be fixed on a tracker, which is sufficiently rigid to withstand the static and dynamic stresses undergone in use, namely accurately positioning each photovoltaic receiver. in relation to the sun's axis by maintaining the internal components of the photovoltaic modules, while preserving the watertightness of the modules and by proposing an easily accessible mechanical interface for the tracker.

For this, the invention proposes a group of photovoltaic modules, comprising at least two photovoltaic modules, each photovoltaic module comprising a front face, adapted to receive concentration systems, and a bottom wall, arranged opposite the front face and adapted to receive photovoltaic receivers, the side walls connecting the front face and the bottom wall so as to form a closed box, in which the photovoltaic modules are assembled together by means of a support frame, said support frame being fixed on side walls of said photovoltaic modules by gluing.

Some preferred but non-limiting features of the group of photovoltaic modules described above are as follows:

the support frame comprises sleepers forming housings, each of the housings being intended to receive at least one photovoltaic module, each photovoltaic module being glued to at least two crosspieces of the support frame,

the side walls of the photovoltaic modules comprise protruding members adapted to come into contact with the support frame,

the protruding members are formed by local stamping of said lateral walls, the front face has a surface larger than the bottom wall so that the side walls form an angle less than 90 ° C with said front face,

the protruding members form bosses, having a fastening surface substantially perpendicular to the front face of the photovoltaic module,

- The group further comprises reinforcing members, bonded to a reinforcing surface integral bosses of the support frame, and

- The support frame comprises means for attachment to a solar tracker, for example by screwing.

The invention also proposes a method of manufacturing (S) a group of photovoltaic modules as described above, comprising the following steps:

relative positioning of the photovoltaic modules and a support frame, and

- Bonding the support frame to the side walls (16) of said photovoltaic modules.

Some preferred nonlimiting features of the manufacturing process are as follows:

the support frame and the photovoltaic modules are placed on a base, the position of the support frame and the photovoltaic modules being referenced with respect to said base,

the base is a positioning jig,

the method also comprises a step during which glue is applied to the side walls of the photovoltaic modules and / or to the support frame prior to assembly of the photovoltaic modules and the support frame,

the lateral walls of the photovoltaic modules are stamped prior to their positioning relative to the support frame so as to form protruding members adapted to come into contact with the support frame, and - The group of photovoltaic modules further comprises reinforcing members, said reinforcing members being secured to the support frame and glued to the projecting members. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features, objects and advantages of the present invention will appear better on reading the detailed description which follows, and with reference to the appended drawings given by way of non-limiting examples and in which:

FIG. 1a is a front view (longitudinal wall) of an exemplary embodiment of a photovoltaic module that can be fixed to a support frame in order to form a group according to a first embodiment,

FIG. 1b is a side view (transversal wall) of the photovoltaic module of FIG. 1a,

FIG. 1c is a sectional view of the transverse wall of FIG. 1b along the axis C-C,

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example of a grouping according to the first embodiment, comprising six photovoltaic modules conforming to the modules illustrated in FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a sectional view of a longitudinal cross member of an exemplary embodiment of a support frame according to the invention, and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart illustrating the steps of an exemplary method of manufacturing a group of photovoltaic modules according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF AN EMBODIMENT

FIG. 1 shows a photovoltaic module 10 according to the present invention.

Photovoltaic module 10 here has the general shape of a rigid rectangular parallelepiped whose length and width are of the order of one meter. It comprises a bottom wall 12 opposite an upper face or front face 14, in which are fixed respectively a series of photovoltaic receivers and a series of light concentration systems. The photovoltaic module

10 further comprises side walls 16 adapted to maintain the front face 14 and the bottom wall 12 at a fixed distance from one another and close the photovoltaic module 10.

Concentration systems may include mirrors and / or lenses made of glass or plastic. Here, it is for example Fresnel lenses, which are either arranged individually on the box, or in a grouped manner in the form of individual lens floors integral with each other.

It may also be a film comprising concentration systems of the Fresnel lens type, for example a silicone film comprising such lenses.

The walls of the box can be made of one or more materials meeting the following conditions: rigidity, tightness, resistance to temperature variations of between -50 ° C and + 100 ° C, and stability over time of these properties (c ' that is to say, little or no deformation over time). For this, the walls can undergo local or complete treatments, chemical or thermal, depending on the material used. It may be for example a plastic or metal material. Here, the walls are made of an aluminum alloy or steel.

According to the invention, at least two photovoltaic modules 10 are fixed together so as to form a group 1 of photovoltaic modules 10 by means of a support frame 20, which is fixed on all or part of the side walls 16 of said photovoltaic modules. 10 by gluing. Thus, in the embodiment of FIG. 2, the array 1 comprises six photovoltaic modules 10, assembled and fixed together by means of a support frame 20.

According to a first embodiment, the support frame 20 is perforated and comprises as many housing 22 as photovoltaic modules 10 to assemble. For example, the support frame 20 may comprise several sleepers 24, 26 fixed together to form a grid whose housing 22 is intended to receive the photovoltaic modules 10.

Alternatively (not shown in the figures), the support frame 20 may be perforated and include several photovoltaic modules 10 per housing 22, the photovoltaic modules then being glued together directly at one or both of their side faces 16, the other side faces 16 being bonded to the cross members 24 and 26 of the support frame 20. Preferably, each photovoltaic module 10 is glued to at least two crosspieces 24, 26, for example two transverse crosspieces 26 of the support frame 20.

The support frame 20 can in particular be made of a metallic material, such as an aluminum alloy, steel, or any other material sufficiently rigid to fulfill the static and dynamic conditions indicated above. The cross members 24, 26 may then comprise profiles.

Each photovoltaic module 10 corresponds to an opening, formed by four crosspieces 24, 26 substantially perpendicular to each other, each of the crosspieces 24, 26 being configured to bear against a side wall facing the photovoltaic module 10.

Thus, in the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2, the support frame 20 comprises four transverse crosspieces 24, 26 forming a substantially rectangular border of the frame, as well as two crosspieces 24 extending longitudinally and a cross member 26 extending transversely. to form together six housings 22 each for receiving a photovoltaic module 10. The set of cross members 24, 26 forming the edge and the housing 22 of the support frame 20 are fixed integrally. For example, the various crosspieces 24, 26 may be welded together.

Once the six photovoltaic modules 10 have been glued in the support frame 20, a group 1 of six photovoltaic modules 10 is thus obtained.

Advantageously, the support frame 20 makes it possible both to assemble the photovoltaic modules 10 and to position them relative to one another in a very precise and rapid manner and to stiffen the group 1 thus obtained. The crosspieces 24, 26 of the support frame 20, once bonded to the side walls 16 of the photovoltaic modules 10, in effect structurally reinforce the array 1 of photovoltaic modules 10, which is then able to withstand static and dynamic stresses, as well as 10, in fact, the crosspieces 24, 26 limit the deformation of the side walls 16 of the photovoltaic modules 10, even during rapid and significant changes in the temperature of the air trapped between the walls. . The use of membranes 5, adapted to allow the ventilation of the photovoltaic modules 10 is reduced, which also makes it possible to limit the manufacturing costs of the photovoltaic modules 10.

Moreover, by limiting the deformations of the photovoltaic modules 10, which may result from the possible deformation of their walls during temperature variations, the support frame 20 also makes it possible to improve the retention in position of the components internal to the modules, and in particular the alignment of the concentration systems with the photovoltaic receivers.

According to one embodiment, the photovoltaic modules 10 may comprise protruding members 18, adapted to come into contact with the support frame 20.

For example, the front face 14 of the photovoltaic modules 10 may have a larger surface than the bottom wall 12, so that the side walls 16 of the photovoltaic modules 10 are inclined. In this way, it is possible to reduce the distance between the photovoltaic modules and thus limit the area of the group 1 of photovoltaic modules not including concentration systems. In this embodiment, the side walls 16 therefore do not extend perpendicular to the front face 14, but form an angle α with it less than 90 °. The protruding members 18 may for example comprise bosses 18, extending along the side walls 16, having a fastening surface 19 substantially perpendicular to the front face 14 and the bottom wall 12 and adapted to come into contact with In this embodiment, the cross-members 24, 26 of the support frame 20 then extend substantially perpendicularly to the mean plane of said support frame 20, so as to come into contact with the fastening surface 19 of the bosses 18.

In a variant, as illustrated in FIGS. 1b and 1c, the fastening surface 19 of the bosses 18 may form an angle less than 90.degree. With the front face 14. In this variant embodiment, the complementary surface 26a of the crosspieces 24, 26 of the support frame 20 (see Figure 3) then form a corresponding angle, less than 90 ° with the mean plane of the support frame 20, so as to come into contact with the attachment surface 19 of the bosses 18.

In order not to pierce the side walls 16, the bosses 18 may in particular be obtained by stamping. This embodiment furthermore makes it possible to structurally reinforce the lateral walls 16 and to reduce their thickness, and therefore, if necessary, the cost price of the photovoltaic modules 10. The bosses 18 furthermore comprise a reinforcing surface 19a, extending into the extension of the fastening surface 19, which can serve for the structural and mechanical consolidation of the photovoltaic modules. Thus, in the example illustrated in FIG. 1c, the bosses successively comprise, between the front face 14 and the bottom wall 12, the reinforcing surface 19a and then the fixing surface 19.

In order to structurally and mechanically consolidate the group 1 of photovoltaic modules, it is possible to stick reinforcing members on the reinforcing surfaces 19a of the bosses 18, and then to fix these reinforcement members on the support frame 20. For example, the reinforcing members may comprise profiles (not shown in the figures), which can be fixed individually by gluing on all or part of the reinforcing surfaces 19a of the bosses 18, and then fixed integrally to the support frame 20, which is itself glued to the fastening surface 19, for example by screwing, by welding or by gluing.

It is thus possible to further strengthen the mechanical strength of the group 1 of photovoltaic modules 10 in a simple, fast and inexpensive way, while possibly reducing the thickness of the side walls 16 of the photovoltaic modules. Alternatively, the side walls 16 may be substantially perpendicular to the front face 14 and the bottom wall 12, the support frame 20 can then be fixed directly to the side walls 16, without the need to form an organ. protruding 18 at the interface with the support frame 20. In this embodiment, the rest of the side walls 16, which extends around the areas in contact with the support frame 20, can however be stamped to strengthen structurally .

In one embodiment, illustrated in Figure 3, the support frame 20 may further comprise a portion 27 adapted to bear against ears 15 of the photovoltaic module projecting from the front face 14. For example, in the case where the support frame 20 comprises crosspieces 24, 26, said crosspieces can be extended in the direction of the front face 14 so as to bear against the lugs 15. In the embodiment illustrated in the figures, the photovoltaic modules 10 exhibit side walls 16 inclined and stamped to form bosses 18. Here, the bosses 18 of the side walls 16 transverse (small side of the photovoltaic modules 10) are arranged in an area adjacent to the front face 14, while the bosses 18 of the longitudinal side walls 16 (large side of the photovoltaic modules 10) are arranged in a median zone of said sidewalls 16. The crosspieces 24, 26 of the support frame 20 therefore do not extend in a single plane, the longitudinal crosspieces 24 intended to be bonded to the bosses 18 of the longitudinal side walls 16, extending in a different plane offset from the plane comprising transverse crosspieces 26.

This embodiment is not however limiting, all the crosspieces 24, 26 forming the support frame 20 may extend in the same plane.

The assembly S of a group 1 of photovoltaic modules 10 according to the invention can be implemented as follows.

During a first step S1, optional, the side walls 16 of the photovoltaic modules 10 can be stamped, so as to strengthen structurally. If appropriate, projecting members 18 may be formed in the side walls 16, at the contact areas with the cross members 24, 26 of the support frame 20. The side walls 16 can then be assembled to form a box.

During a second step S2, the photovoltaic modules 10 and the support frame 20 can be positioned relative to each other, for example by referencing with respect to a base (not shown in the figures), and then fixed S3 in this position by gluing. This makes it possible at the same time to simplify the production group 1 of photovoltaic modules 10 and to guarantee the correct alignment of their front faces 14.

For this, according to a first embodiment, the support frame 20 can be positioned on a base, with respect to which it can be referenced to ensure its alignment with the photovoltaic modules 10 during the bonding step. The crosspieces 24, 26 of the support frame 20 can either be assembled prior to their positioning on the base, or be separately mounted on the base, individually referenced and then fixed together so as to form the support frame 20. The base can include a positioning template. Such a positioning template makes it possible to reference the support frame 20, that is to say to position it in space with respect to a determined reference frame.

The positioning template may in particular be configured to temporarily support the support frame 20, for example in areas intended to bear against the tracker, in order to take into account the influence of the deformation of the group 1 due to the weight of the modules 10 .

We can then apply glue on all or part of the cross members 24, 26 of the support frame 20 and / or all or part of the side walls 16 of the photovoltaic modules 10. The adhesive is preferably applied in the interface areas of the support frame 20 and / or side walls 16 intended to come into contact respectively with the photovoltaic modules 10 and / or the support frame 20. For example, it is possible to apply glue on the inner surfaces of the cross members 24, 26 of the frame support 20, and possibly on the surface of the bosses 18 formed in the side walls 16.

The photovoltaic modules 10 can then be placed in the housings 22 of the support frame 20, positioning them accurately with respect to the base, in the determined reference frame. The placement of the photovoltaic modules 10 is such that their respective front faces 14 are parallel to each other, for example in the same plane, so as to guarantee their alignment, and thus their good positioning in the array 1. Such positioning in relation to the reference frame of the base thus makes it possible to guarantee the quality and precision of their assembly.

Optionally, the support frame 20 and the front face 14 of the photovoltaic modules 10 may comprise means making it possible to improve the accuracy of their relative positioning, and therefore of the group 1 of photovoltaic modules 10. For example, it may be possible to adhesives, such as a thin adhesive tape, adapted to hold the photovoltaic modules 10 in position on the support frame 20 of their referencing S1 with respect to this support frame 20 until the polymerization S3 of the adhesive. The Adhesive means can then degrade freely. As a variant, these may be latching members forming mechanical stops for the photovoltaic modules 10. Optionally, it is then possible to bring back and glue the reinforcing members, for example profiles, onto any or from the reinforcing surfaces 19a of the bosses 18, then to fix them integrally to the support frame 20, itself already glued to the fastening surface 19, for example by screwing, by welding or by gluing.

According to a second embodiment, the photovoltaic modules 10 can be positioned on a base, with respect to which they can be referenced in order to guarantee their alignment with the support frame 20 during the gluing step. Preferably, the front faces 14 of the photovoltaic modules 10 are applied against the base.

The base may include a flat surface made of a material having a greater resistance to deformation than that of the photovoltaic modules 10 and the support frame 20, so as to constrain the photovoltaic modules 10 to adopt substantially the shape of the surface on which they are in support.

Such a base makes it possible to reference the photovoltaic modules 10, in particular their front face 14, in a determined frame of reference.

We can then apply glue on the support frame 20 and / or on the side walls 16 of the modules, similarly to the first embodiment.

We can then place the support frame 20 by positioning it accurately with respect to the photovoltaic modules 10 (or where appropriate the positioning template) and the base in the determined reference frame. Here again, the crosspieces 24, 26 of the support frame 20 may be assembled prior to the positioning S1 of the support frame 20 on the modules 10 photovoltaic, or be individually reported on the side walls 16 of the photovoltaic modules being referenced relative to the base, then glued in this position on all or part of the side walls.

For this, without changing the position of the photovoltaic modules 10 relative to the base, the support frame 20 can be threaded on the photovoltaic modules 10 by passing their bottom wall 12 through the housing 22 (when the support frame is assembled beforehand) . In this way, both the support frame 20 and the photovoltaic modules 10 are positioned with respect to the same reference frame, which makes it possible to guarantee their correct positioning, and in particular the alignment of the front faces 14 of the photovoltaic modules.

As a variant, all or part of the cross-members 24, 26 of the support frame 20 may be individually reported, referenced with respect to the base and glued to the side walls 16 of the photovoltaic modules 10. When a portion of the cross-members 24, 26 are not glued together on the side walls 16, these are however fixed, for example by screwing, to crosspieces 24, 26 which are bonded to the side walls 16 of the module 10. It is indeed preferable that all the cross members 24, 26 be interconnected in order to fulfill static and dynamic conditions. For example, the transverse crosspieces 26 may be glued to the transverse lateral walls of the photovoltaic modules 10, while the longitudinal crosspieces 24 are referenced only and attached to the transverse crosspieces 26 adjacent.

In a similar manner to the first embodiment, the support frame 20 and the front face 14 of the photovoltaic modules 10 may optionally include means for improving the accuracy of their relative positioning, and therefore of the group 1 of photovoltaic modules. 10. For example, it may be adhesive means, such as a thin adhesive tape, adapted to hold the photovoltaic modules 10 in position on the support frame 20 of their referencing S1 with respect to this support frame 20 until to the polymerization S3 of the glue. The adhesive means can then be degrade freely. In a variant, these may be latching members forming mechanical stops for the photovoltaic modules 10.

Optionally, it is also possible to stick the reinforcing members, for example profiles, on all or from the reinforcing surfaces 19a of the bosses 18. For this, the reinforcing members may be reported on all or part of the side walls 16 photovoltaic modules, then fixed integrally to the support frame 20, itself already glued to the fastening surface 19, for example by screwing, by welding or by gluing,

Alternatively, in the case where the cross-members 24, 26 of the support frame 20 are separately reported and fixed independently on the photovoltaic modules 10, the reinforcement members may be formed integrally and in one piece with all or from the sleepers 24, 26 of the support frame 20.

During a third step, it is then possible to polymerize the glue, in order to permanently fix the support frame 20 in position relative to the photovoltaic modules 10 and to stiffen the array 1.

The group 1 of photovoltaic modules 10 can then be fixed, via the support frame 20, on the tracker, for example by screwing. For this purpose, the support frame comprises fixing members, for example orifices 28, adapted to receive complementary threaded shafts configured to be screwed onto the frame of the tracker. The assembly formed by the group 1 of photovoltaic modules 10 and the tracker is then sufficiently rigid to fulfill the static and dynamic conditions indicated above, namely to withstand the wind and snow constraints while remaining in the elastic range of 10 photovoltaic modules, resist the pressurization of photovoltaic modules 10 (due to critical temperature variations), ensure that the alignment of the optical axis of each photovoltaic module 10 with the axis of the sun remains below 0.1 ° in static and less than 0.3 ° in dynamics, and keep the internal components of the photovoltaic modules 10 aligned with each other, in order to guarantee optimum performance of the modules photovoltaic 10.

The eventual stamping of the side walls 16 of the photovoltaic modules 10 and the bonding of the support frame 20 to these side walls 16 also makes it possible to reduce their thickness while improving their rigidity and resistance to stresses in both static and dynamic conditions, and the if necessary, depending on the shape and the position of the stamped areas, to form protruding members 18 making it easier to glue the support frame 20 to the side walls 16 of the photovoltaic modules 10. Moreover, by limiting the deformations of the side walls 16 photovoltaic modules 10, due in particular to rapid thermal variations that they undergo, the support frame 20 improves the sealing of the photovoltaic modules 10, allowing the use of ventilation membranes 5 (or equivalent systems) of lower quality in comparison with the prior art.

Furthermore, the support frame 20 forms a mechanical access facilitates access to the tracker for operators.

Finally, the group 1 of photovoltaic modules 10 thus obtained makes it possible to balance the sail of the tracker by taking care of the photovoltaic modules 10 closer to their center of gravity.

Claims

1. Grouping (1) of photovoltaic modules (10), comprising at least two photovoltaic modules (10), each photovoltaic module comprising a front face (14), adapted to receive concentration systems, and a bottom wall (12) arranged facing the front face (14) and adapted to receive photovoltaic receivers, the side walls (16) connecting the front face (14) and the bottom wall (12) so as to form a closed box, the group (1) ) being characterized in that the photovoltaic modules (10) are integrally assembled by means of a support frame (20), said support frame (20) being fixed on side walls (16) of said photovoltaic modules (10) by bonding.

2. Group (1) of photovoltaic modules (10) according to the claim

1, wherein the support frame (20) comprises sleepers (24, 26) forming housings (22), each of the housings (22) being intended to receive at least one photovoltaic module, each photovoltaic module (10) being glued to at least two cross members (24, 26) of the support frame.

3. Grouping (1) of photovoltaic modules (10) according to the claim

2, wherein the side walls (16) of the photovoltaic modules (10) comprise projecting members (18), adapted to come into contact with the support frame (20).

4. Group (1) of photovoltaic modules (10) according to the claim

3, wherein the projecting members (18) are formed by local stamping of said sidewalls (16).

5. Group (1) of photovoltaic modules (10) according to one of claims 3 or 4, wherein the front face (14) has a larger area than the bottom wall (12) so that the side walls ( 16) form an angle (a) less than 90 ° C with said front face (14).

6. Group (1) of photovoltaic modules (10) according to claim 5, wherein the projecting members (18) form bosses, having a fastening surface (19) substantially perpendicular to the front face (14) of the photovoltaic module .

7. Group (1) according to claim 6, further comprising reinforcing members bonded to a reinforcing surface (19a) bosses (18) and secured to the support frame (20).

8. Group (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the support frame (20) comprises fastening means (28) to a solar tracker, for example by screwing.

9. A method of manufacturing (S) a group (1) of photovoltaic modules (10) according to one of claims 1 to 8, comprising the following steps:

relative positioning (S2) of the photovoltaic modules (10) and of a support frame (20), and

- Bonding (S3) of the support frame (20) to side walls (16) of said photovoltaic modules (10).

10. Manufacturing method (S) according to claim 9, wherein the support frame (20) and the photovoltaic modules (10) are placed on a base, the position of the support frame (20) and photovoltaic modules (10) being referenced with respect to said base.

1 1. Manufacturing method (S) according to claim 10, wherein the base is a positioning jig.

12. Manufacturing method (S) according to one of claims 9 to 1 1, further comprising a step during which glue is applied to the side walls (16) of the photovoltaic modules (10) and / or on the support frame (20) prior to assembling the photovoltaic modules (10) and the support frame (20).

13. Manufacturing process (S) according to one of claims 9 to 12, wherein side walls (16) of the photovoltaic modules (10) are stamped prior to their positioning relative to the support frame (20) so as to form protruding members (18) adapted to engage the support frame (20).

14. The manufacturing method (S) according to claim 13, wherein the group (1) of photovoltaic modules further comprises reinforcing members, said reinforcing members being integral with the support frame (20) and glued to the projecting members. (18).