Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
  • H02S10/00—PV power plants; Combinations of PV energy systems with other systems for the generation of electric power
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A01—AGRICULTURE; FORESTRY; ANIMAL HUSBANDRY; HUNTING; TRAPPING; FISHING
  • A01G—HORTICULTURE; CULTIVATION OF VEGETABLES, FLOWERS, RICE, FRUIT, VINES, HOPS OR SEAWEED; FORESTRY; WATERING
  • A01G9/00—Cultivation in receptacles, forcing-frames or greenhouses; Edging for beds, lawn or the like
  • A01G9/24—Devices or systems for heating, ventilating, regulating temperature, illuminating, or watering, in greenhouses, forcing-frames, or the like
  • A01G9/243—Collecting solar energy
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q50/00—Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
  • G06Q50/02—Agriculture; Fishing; Forestry; Mining
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
  • G06Q—INFORMATION AND COMMUNICATION TECHNOLOGY [ICT] SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES; SYSTEMS OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR ADMINISTRATIVE, COMMERCIAL, FINANCIAL, MANAGERIAL OR SUPERVISORY PURPOSES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • G06Q50/00—Information and communication technology [ICT] specially adapted for implementation of business processes of specific business sectors, e.g. utilities or tourism
  • G06Q50/06—Energy or water supply
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
  • H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
  • H02S20/10—Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
  • H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
  • H02S20/20—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object
  • H02S20/22—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings
  • H02S20/23—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings specially adapted for roof structures
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
  • H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
  • H02S20/30—Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
  • H02S20/32—Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment specially adapted for solar tracking
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
  • H02S40/00—Components or accessories in combination with PV modules, not provided for in groups H02S10/00 - H02S30/00

Definitions

• the present invention relates , in general , to the field of renewable energy .
• the present invention relates to an agrivoltaic farm .
• the present invention relates to an agrivoltaic farm comprising a photovoltaic system equipped with a protective cover, preferably an automated one .
• photovoltaic systems and agricultural production land can be mutually integrated .
• those systems which integrate photovoltaic systems and agricultural land are known as agrivoltaic farms .
• the agrivoltaic farms currently known in the art require the installation of photovoltaic panels at such a height from the ground as to permit cultivating the land underneath ( e . g . vineyard) as desired .
• Such a solution has proven to be very ef fective , since the photovoltaic panels , while producing electric energy, do non hinder proper solar radiation, temperature and humidity conditions that promote plant growth, while also protecting the plants from severe weather events .
• Document CN 209 170 291 U describes a protection device for photovoltaic solar panels.
• Document CN 213 027 910 U describes a windproof adjustable solar photovoltaic power generation panel.
• Document CN 109 217 788 A describes a distributed photovoltaic power generation device and a solar thin film used for the power generation device.
• Document CN 110 635 760 A describes a photovoltaic panel capable of being quickly stored.
• Document CN 212 464 253 U describes a solar folding rainshielding greenhouse.
• Document CN 112 821 855 A describes a photovoltaic greenhouse shutter solar panel.
• Document KR 102 212 091 Bl describes a farming type solar generating apparatus capable of tilt angle adjustment and module movement .
• Document DHONDE MAHESH ET AL "The application of solar-driven technologies for the sustainable development of agriculture farming: a comprehensive review", REVIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND BIOTECHNOLOGY, KLUWER, DORDRECHT, NL, vol. 21, no. 1, 20 January 2022 (2022-01-20) , pages 139-167, ISSN: 1569-1705, DOI: 10.1007/S11157- 022-09611-6, provides a focused review of key strategies for saving energy in agricultural activities.
• Document KR 2019 0045695 A describes a maritime photovoltaic power generation apparatus .
• a protection system against severe weather events , such as , for example : hail ; heavy rain; strong wind .
• Such protection system being suitable for protecting both the photovoltaic panels and the crops .
• the protection system according to the present invention achieves a dual goal of preserving the crops and extending the service li fe of the photovoltaic panels .
• the present invention provides a photovoltaic system for an agrivoltaic farm, comprising :
• a protective cover comprising a plurality of supporting rods .
• Each supporting rod being engaged, at its ends , with a respective supporting structure .
• the protective cover further comprising a protective sheet supported by the plurality of supporting rods .
• Such protective cover being driveable , by means of a motori zed system acting upon the supporting structures , between :
• the protective cover makes it possible to protect the photovoltaic panels from weather conditions that might damage them and/or reduce their ef ficiency .
• each supporting structure comprises :
• said rotation shaft comprises :
• first shaft coaxial to the supporting shaft and having a length of longitudinal development which is shorter than the length of the supporting shaft ; wherein the first shaft is mechanically coupled to at least one supporting structure ; wherein the first shaft is free to rotate relative to the supporting shaft about the axis of longitudinal development ; wherein the motori zed system is mechanically coupled to the first shaft .
• said rotation shaft further compri ses a second shaft , coaxial to the first shaft and to the supporting shaft ; each photovoltaic panel being engaged with the second shaft .
• the second shaft is free to rotate about the axis of longitudinal development , independently of the rotating motion of the first shaft .
• the motori zed system is mechanically coupled to the second shaft and allows the photovoltaic panels to be rotated about the axis of longitudinal development .
• said second shaft which can rotate freely about the axis of longitudinal development , permits obtaining a better angle of incidence of the solar radiation on the photovoltaic panels , resulting in higher ef ficiency of the photovoltaic system .
• the motori zed system comprises a selective coupling system that selectively couples a motor to either the first shaft or the second shaft .
• the selective coupling system comprises :
• toothed drive wheel movable and selectively coupled to either the first toothed wheel or the second toothed wheel by means of an actuator ; the toothed drive wheel being actuated by means of the motori zed system .
• the protection system can be opened automatically by means of the motori zed system .
• said motori zed system can be used for opening/closing the protection system and also for orienting the photovoltaic panels (when every photovoltaic panel is engaged with the second shaft ) .
• the present invention provides an agrivoltaic farm comprising at least one photovoltaic system in accordance with the present invention .
• said agrivoltaic farm comprises : at least four elevation members parallel to one another ; at least two bracings parallel to each other and engaged with the upper ends of two respective elevation members .
• Each rotation shaft is engaged, at a first end thereof , with a first bracing and, at a second end thereof , with a second bracing .
• each elevation member has the same length of longitudinal development , said length being greater than or equal to 2 metres . Even more preferably, said length is greater than or equal to 2 . 4 metres , so as to allow a person to stand underneath the photovoltaic system . Alternatively, when agricultural machines need to be used, said length is greater than or equal to approximately 5 metres .
• said agrivoltaic farm comprises a plurality of photovoltaic systems in accordance with the present invention .
• a minimum distance between the protective sheets of adj acent protection structures , when the protection structures are open is greater than or equal to 2 cm, even more preferably 5 cm .
• the minimum distance between the protective sheets of adj acent protection structures is greater than or equal to the length of a connection member, e . g . 30 cm or 40 cm, so as to avoid any collision in the event that , due to some problem, either one of the two protection structures cannot be closed .
• the protective sheets of adj acent protection structures form a semicircular covering, and create adj acent vaults to protect any plants underneath the photovoltaic system and the photovoltaic panels against extreme weather events .
• the protective cover can be used for insulating the underlying soil and limiting the ef fect of night frost .
• the supporting structure coupled to the motori zed system makes it possible to obtain a protective cover that can be fully automated, e . g . by remote control , for covering the plantation when hail , heavy rain or strong winds are expected .
• the protective cover prevents crops deterioration while extending the li fe of the panels and reducing their maintenance needs .
• the protective cover can be used for shading the plants in case of excessive solar radiation and/or when the plants get beneficial ef fects from reduced exposure to solar radiation (for example , fruit trees like apple , pear or cherry trees ) .
• Figure 1 is a perspective view of a protective cover in a substantially open first configuration, according to the present invention
• Figure 2 is a perspective view of the cover of Figure 1 in a substantially closed second configuration
• Figures 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b and 5 are side views of a supporting structure of the protective cover according to the present invention.
• Figure 6 shows a control system adapted to drive the protective cover
• Figure 7 is a schematic sectional view of a rotation system in a first configuration suitable for rotating photovoltaic panels ;
• Figure 8 is a schematic sectional view of the rotation system in a second configuration suitable for opening/closing the protective cover ;
• Figure 9 is a perspective view of an agrivoltaic farm according to the present invention.
• Figure 10 is a side view of the agrivoltaic farm of Figure 9 .
• the invention consists of a protective cover 100 , semicylindrical in shape , which can be unfolded as necessary over the photovoltaic panels 210 and/or the crops .
• a photovoltaic system 200 for an agrivoltaic farm 1000 comprises a plurality of photovoltaic panels 210 ( Figure 9 ) .
• the plurality of photovoltaic panels 210 are engaged with a shaft 110 .
• the photovoltaic panels 210 may be either fixed or movable , e . g . movable about the shaft 110 in a time-dependent manner, thus creating a solar tracking system that will be described in further detail hereinafter .
• the photovoltaic panels 210 are associated with a protective cover 100 .
• the protective cover 100 comprises :
• each supporting rod 123 is engaged, at its ends , with a respective supporting structure 120 .
• each supporting rod 123 extends from a first supporting structure 120 to a second supporting structure 120 ;
• the protective cover 100 can be driven by means of a motorized system 300 which, co-operating with the rotation shaft 110 , acts upon the supporting structures 120 .
• the protective cover 100 can be driven between :
• the rotation shaft 110 comprises :
• first shaft 111 concentric to the supporting shaft 113 and having a length of longitudinal development which i s shorter than the length of the supporting shaft 113 .
• the first shaft 111 is mechanically coupled to at least one supporting structure 120 and is free to rotate relative to the supporting shaft 113 about the axis of longitudinal development (X- X ) .
• the motori zed system 300 is mechanically coupled to the first shaft 111 for driving the protective cover 100 between the first and second configurations .
• each photovoltaic panel 210 is associated with one protective cover 100 .
• two or more supporting structures 120 are engaged with the ends of the rotation shaft 110 , and supporting rods 123 extend from the first supporting structure 120 to the second supporting structure 120 , parallel to the axis of rotation 110 .
• Two photovoltaic panels 210 are engaged at the axis of rotation 110 .
• both photovoltaic panels 210 are , in a plan view, under the surface of the protective cover 101 ( Figure 1 ) ; in the second configuration, the protective sheet 101 is , in a plan view, folded on one side of the two photovoltaic panels 210 .
• each supporting structure 120 comprises a plurality of articulated parallelograms P .
• Each articulated parallelogram is pivoted to the rotation shaft 110 .
• each articulated parallelogram P comprises :
• each spoke 121 i s hinged to a connecting arm 122 at the second end thereof .
• connection between two connecting arms 122 and between the spokes 121 and the connecting arms 122 are provided by means of pins allowing the connected elements ( connecting arms 122 and/or spoke 121 ) to rotate .
• the pins are preferably made of steel .
• the articulated parallelograms P are arranged in succession . This means that two adj acent articulated parallelograms P are formed by means of three successive spokes 121a, 121b, 121c, the two parallelograms sharing a respective intermediate spoke 121b .
• each spoke 121 has a longitudinal extension which is greater than the longitudinal extension of a connecting arm 122 .
• the spokes 121 and the connecting arms 122 have the same length .
• the spokes 121 have all the same length .
• the connecting arms 122 have all the same length .
• the rotation shaft 110 and/or the supporting structures 120 and/or the plurality of supporting rods 123 are made of aluminium .
• aluminium is recommended because of the low density of this material , which makes for a very light structure, combined with its excellent resistance to corrosion (especially when alloyed with magnesium (5000 series) or with magnesium and silicon (6000 series) , or when anodized) , its good weldability, its full recyclability, as well as the possibility, with anodized aluminium, to obtain hues having a lower impact on the landscape.
• the rotation shaft 110 and/or the supporting structures 120 and/or the plurality of supporting rods 123 are made of steel. Steel ensures stability even with relatively thin sections, despite the resulting structure being heavier. Considering the typical use of phytosanitary products in agriculture, in order to ensure sufficient resistance to corrosion it is preferable to resort to galvanized, weathering or stainless steel.
• the protective sheet 101 is, for example, an anti-hail net.
• the protective sheet 101 may be made from HDPE (i.e. high-density polyethylene) .
• HDPE high-density polyethylene
• this material offers remarkable advantages in terms of protection, especially when charged with antioxidizing additives providing UV radiation stability, which is a critical aspect for most polymers when long-term exposure to solar radiation is expected.
• a net comprising suitably woven filaments of polyethylene cannot be undone, i.e. the meshes of such a net will neither stretch nor become deformed.
• the protective sheet 101 may be made from PLA (polylactic acid or polylactide) , but durability will be shorter than can be ensured by HDPE .
• the photovoltaic panels 210 can be rotated.
• the rotation shaft 110 further comprises a second shaft 112, whose length of longitudinal development is shorter than the length of longitudinal development of the first shaft 111.
• the second shaft 112 is concentric to the first shaft 111 and to the supporting shaft 113.
• Each photovoltaic panel 210 is mechanically and rigidly engaged with the second shaft 112 .
• the second shaft 112 is free to rotate about the axis of longitudinal development X-X, independently of the rotating motion of the first shaft 111 .
• the motori zed system 300 is mechanically coupled to the second shaft 112 and allows the photovoltaic panels 210 to be rotated about the axis of longitudinal development X-X .
• the motori zed system 300 comprises a selective coupling system 320 that selectively couples a motor 301 to either the first shaft 111 or the second shaft 112 .
• the selective coupling system 320 comprises :
• toothed drive wheel 321 movable and selectively coupled to either the first toothed wheel 111 ' or the second toothed wheel 112 ' by means of an actuator 322 .
• the toothed drive wheel 321 is actuated by means of the motor 301 .
• the present invention also provides an agrivoltaic farm 1000 comprising at least one photovoltaic system as described above .
• the agrivoltaic farm 1000 comprises :
• bracings 1002 parallel to each other and engaged with the upper ends of two respective elevation members 1001 .
• the rotation shaft 110 of a respective photovoltaic system 100 is engaged, at a first end thereof , with a first bracing 1002 and, at a second end thereof , with a second bracing 1002 .
• every elevation member 1001 has the same length of longitudinal development , said length being greater than or equal to 2 metres . Even more preferably, said length i s greater than or equal to 2 . 4 metres , so as to allow a person to stand underneath a photovoltaic system 200 . Alternatively, when agricultural machines need to be used, said length is greater than or equal to approximately 5 metres .
• the agrivoltaic farm 1000 comprises a plurality of photovoltaic systems 200 .
• each photovoltaic system is installed in a manner such that a minimum distance D between the protective sheets 101 of adj acent protection structures 100 is greater than or equal to 2 cm, even more preferably 5 cm, when the protection structures 100 are in the first , i . e . open, configuration .
• the minimum distance D between the protective sheets 101 of adj acent protection structures 200a, 200b is greater than or equal to the length of a connection member 122 , e . g . 30 cm or 40 cm, so as to avoid any collision in the event that , due to some problem, either one of the two adj acent protection structures 200a, 200b cannot be closed .
• each photovoltaic system 200 can be driven by means of the motori zed system 300 and a control system 400 .
• control system 400 comprises a processor 401 and at least one weather sensor 402 .
• the weather sensor 402 may be a sensor adapted to detect weather events such as rain, hail , temperature .
• the processor 401 is connected to the motori zed system 300 .
• the processor 401 is connected to both the motor 301 and the selective coupling system 320 ( i f present ) .
• the processor 401 is configured for :
• the processor is further configured for :
• the photovoltaic panels 210 are connected to an inverter 360 .
• the inverter 360 is connected to :
• each supporting structure 120 of the photovoltaic system 200 does not necessarily need to comprise a plurality of articulated parallelograms P, pivoted to the rotation shaft and arranged in succession .
• the rotation shaft 110 comprises :
• first shaft 111 concentric to the supporting shaft 113 and having a length of longitudinal development which is shorter than the length of the supporting shaft 113 .
• the first shaft 111 is mechanically coupled to at least one supporting structure 120 ; the first shaft 111 is free to rotate relative to the supporting shaft 113 about the axis of longitudinal development X-X ; the motori zed system 300 is mechanically coupled to the first shaft 111 to drive the protective cover 100 between the first and second configurations.
• this auxiliary embodiment of the invention concerns a photovoltaic system (200) for an agrivoltaic farm (1000) which comprises: a plurality of photovoltaic panels (210) ; a protective cover (100) comprising: a rotation shaft (110) and two foldable supporting structures (120) coupled to the rotation shaft (110) ; a plurality of supporting rods (123) , each supporting rod (123) being engaged, at its ends, with a respective supporting structure (120) ; a protective sheet (101) supported by the plurality of supporting rods (123) ; wherein the plurality of photovoltaic panels (210) are mechanically engaged with said rotation shaft (110) ; wherein said protective cover (100) can be driven by means of a motorized system (300) which, co-operating with the rotation shaft, acts upon the supporting structures (120) ; wherein the protective cover (100) can be driven between: a first configuration, in which the protective cover (100) is open and the surface of at least one photovoltaic panel (210) is, in a
• each supporting structure (120) comprises a plurality of articulated parallelograms (P) , pivoted to said rotation shaft and arranged in succession.
• each articulated parallelogram comprises: a first and a second spoke (121a, 121b) mutually hinged at a first end thereof; and a first and a second connecting arm (122a, 122b) mutually hinged at a first end thereof; wherein each spoke (121) is hinged to a connecting arm (122) at the second end thereof.
• said rotation shaft (110) further comprises: a second shaft (112) having a length of longitudinal development which is shorter than the length of longitudinal development of the first shaft (111) , the second shaft (112) being concentric to the first shaft (111) and to the supporting shaft (113) , wherein each photovoltaic panel (210) is engaged with the second shaft (112) ; wherein the second shaft (112) is free to rotate about the axis of longitudinal development (X-X) independently of the rotating motion of the first shaft (111) ; wherein the motorized system (300) is mechanically coupled to the second shaft (112) and allows the photovoltaic panels (210) to be rotated about the axis of longitudinal development (X-X) .
• the motorized system (300) comprises a selective coupling system (320) that selectively couples a motor (301) to either the first shaft (111) or the second shaft (112) .
• the selective coupling system (320) comprises:
• toothed drive wheel (321) movable and selectively coupled to either the first toothed wheel (111' ) or the second toothed wheel (112' ) by means of an actuator (322) ; wherein the toothed drive wheel (321) is actuated by means of the motorized system (300) .
• an agrivoltaic farm (1000) comprises at least one photovoltaic system according to this auxiliary embodiment .
• said agrivoltaic farm (1000) comprises: at least four elevation members (1001) parallel to one another; at least two bracings (1002) parallel to each other and engaged with the upper ends of two elevation members (1001) ; wherein each rotation shaft (110) is engaged, at a first end thereof, with a first bracing (1002) and, at a second end thereof, with a second bracing (1002) .
• every elevation member (1001) has the same length of longitudinal development, said length being greater than or equal to 2 metres.
• said agrivoltaic farm (1000) comprises a plurality of photovoltaic systems (200) in accordance with the above-described auxiliary embodiment of the invention; a distance (D) between the protective sheets (101) of adjacent protection structures (100) is greater than or equal to 5 cm when the respective protection structures (100) are both in the first, i.e. open, configuration.

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Citations (9)

• 2022
  • 2022-05-27 IT IT102022000011186A patent/IT202200011186A1/it unknown
• 2023
  • 2023-05-25 WO PCT/IB2023/055372 patent/WO2023228122A1/en unknown

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