U.S. patent application number 15/322571 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-01 for panel equipped with a photovoltaic device.
The applicant listed for this patent is ArcelorMittal. Invention is credited to Laurent Geron, Renaud Vignal.
Application Number | 20170155357 15/322571 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 51293106 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-01 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170155357 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Vignal; Renaud ; et
al. |
June 1, 2017 |
Panel Equipped with a Photovoltaic Device
Abstract
The present invention provides a panel equipped with a
photovoltaic device including an even number of columns of
photovoltaic modules, the columns being aligned essentially
parallel to a longitudinal edge of the panel. Each column includes
an electrical pole on each extremity. The polarity of an electrical
pole of one extremity being the inverse of that of the electrical
pole of the other extremity and the poles of two adjacent columns
being of inverse polarity. The present invention further provides
an assembly of panels, an electrical device connected to a
converter including an assembly and a method for the electrical
connection to a converter of the panels of the assembly.
Inventors: |
Vignal; Renaud; (Sevrier,
FR) ; Geron; Laurent; (Cerexhe-Heuseux, BE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
ArcelorMittal |
Luxembourg |
|
LU |
|
|
Family ID: |
51293106 |
Appl. No.: |
15/322571 |
Filed: |
July 1, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
July 1, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IB2014/001240 |
371 Date: |
December 28, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01L 31/03926 20130101;
Y02B 10/10 20130101; H01L 31/1876 20130101; Y02E 10/50 20130101;
H01L 31/046 20141201; H02S 40/36 20141201; H02S 40/32 20141201;
H02S 20/23 20141201; H01L 31/042 20130101; H02S 20/25 20141201;
Y02B 10/12 20130101; Y02B 10/14 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H02S 20/25 20060101
H02S020/25; H01L 31/046 20060101 H01L031/046; H02S 40/36 20060101
H02S040/36 |
Claims
1-11. (canceled)
12. A panel equipped with a photovoltaic device comprising: a
longitudinal edge of the panel; and an even number of columns of
photovoltaic modules, the columns being aligned with a longitudinal
edge of the panel, each column comprising an electrical pole on
each extremity, a polarity of the electrical pole of one extremity
being the inverse of the electrical pole of the other extremity and
the poles of two adjacent columns being of inverse polarity.
13. The panel according to claim 12, wherein the columns are
essentially parallel with the longitudinal edge of the panel.
14. The panel according to claim 12, wherein the panel is made of a
formed metal sheet.
15. The panel according to claim 12, wherein the photovoltaic
modules are flexible ribbons glued to the panel.
16. The panel according to claim 12, wherein the photovoltaic
modules are deposited directly on the panel by successive deposits
of layers by vacuum deposition methods.
17. The panel according to claim 12, wherein the columns are not
electrically connected to one another.
18. The panel according claim 12, wherein the columns are of
identical length and their extremities are aligned essentially
parallel to a transverse edge of the panel.
19. The panel according claim 12, wherein the electrical pole is a
male connector with a polarity and a female connector with an
inverse polarity.
20. The panel according to claim 19, wherein the male connectors
and female connectors of the columns interlock with one another
when a lower transverse edge of an upper panel overlaps an upper
transverse edge of a lower panel.
21. An assembly of panels comprising: a plurality of panels
according to claim 12, at least two adjacent panels marginally
overlapping along longitudinal edges or transverse edges to form
rows of photovoltaic modules in a longitudinal direction.
22. An electrical device capable of being connected to a converter
comprising: an assembly according to claim 21 inclined along a
given slope for which: at a bottom of the slope of the assembly,
the electrical pole of a lower extremity of a row is electrically
connected to the electrical pole of a lower extremity of an
adjacent row, and at the marginal overlap of two adjacent panels,
the electrical pole of the lower extremity of each column of the
upper panel is connected to a facing electrical pole of inverse
polarity on a lower panel, at a ridge of a roof, the electrical
pole of an upper extremity of a row is electrically connected to a
converter or to the electrical pole of an upper extremity of an
adjacent row.
23. A method of electrical connection, to a converter, of panels of
an assembly according to claim 21 inclined along a slope,
comprising the steps of: electrically connecting, at a bottom of a
slope of the assembly, the electrical pole of a lower extremity of
a row to the electrical pole of a lower extremity of an adjacent
row; connecting, at the marginal overlap of two adjacent panels of
a given row, the electrical pole of the lower extremity of each
column of the upper panel to a facing electrical pole of inverse
polarity on the lower panel; and connecting, at a ridge of a roof,
the electrical pole of an upper extremity of a row to a converter
or to the electrical pole of an upper extremity of an adjacent row.
Description
[0001] The present invention relates to an exterior cladding panel
for a building equipped with a photovoltaic device. A panel of this
type is intended principally for the construction of photovoltaic
roofs, although it is not limited to this application.
BACKGROUND
[0002] It is known to equip the roofs of buildings with a set of
photovoltaic modules that are electrically connected to one another
so as to enable the generation of electric energy.
[0003] The photovoltaic modules are formed by a set of photovoltaic
cells connected in series. More specifically, the cells are
arranged in columns, wherein the columns are connected to one
another to form a sort of folded ribbon. Each module, on its
periphery, has two electrical poles located close to each other in
the form of a + terminal and a - terminal.
[0004] During the assembly of the roofing modules, it is desirable
on one hand to minimize the length of cable and on the other hand,
to prevent the cable from forming induction loops that interfere
with the generation of energy.
[0005] To do this, it is known in particular from CN103151409 to
wire the modules "horizontally" as illustrated in FIG. 1. In a
first row, the modules, the electrical poles of which are located
in the upper part, are connected in series. This row is connected
to the top row made of modules which are connected to one another
in series and the electrical poles of which are located in the
lower portion. This type of wiring makes it possible to have a
smaller induction loop, although it has several disadvantages:
[0006] the connection of two successive modules is on the rear
side, which may necessitate access to the roof boarding, [0007] if
an uneven number of rows of modules is to be installed as a roof,
the wiring becomes more complicated and requires a great deal of
cable, [0008] the cables exit on the side of the roof, which also
necessitates access to the roof boarding to connect the cables to
the electrical grid.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0009] An object of the present invention is to remedy the problems
described above by making available an exterior cladding panel for
a building equipped with a photovoltaic device that facilitates the
wiring while minimizing the cable lengths and preventing the wiring
from forming detrimental induction loops.
[0010] The present invention provides a panel equipped with a
photovoltaic device constituted by an even number of columns of
photovoltaic modules, the columns being aligned essentially
parallel to one longitudinal edge of the panel, each column
comprising an electrical pole on each of its extremities, the
polarity of an electrical pole of one extremity being the inverse
of that of the electrical pole of the other extremity and the poles
of two adjacent columns being of inverse polarity.
[0011] The panel according to the invention may also comprise the
following optional characteristics, considered individually or in
combination: [0012] the panel is made of a formed metal sheet,
[0013] the photovoltaic modules are flexible ribbons glued to the
panel, [0014] the photovoltaic modules have been deposited directly
on the panel by successive deposits of layers of appropriate types
by vacuum deposition methods, [0015] the columns are not
electrically connected to one another, [0016] the columns are of
identical length and their extremities are aligned essentially
parallel to a transverse edge of the panel, [0017] the electrical
pole is in the form of a male connector when it is of one polarity
and in the form of a female connector when it is of the inverse
polarity, [0018] the male connectors and female connectors of the
columns are arranged so that they interlock with one another when
the lower transverse edge of an upper panel overlaps the upper
transverse edge of a lower panel.
[0019] The present invention also provides an assembly of panels
according to the invention, juxtaposed by marginal overlapping of
their longitudinal edges and/or of their transverse edges to form
rows of photovoltaic modules in the longitudinal direction.
[0020] The present invention further provides an electrical device
that may be connected to a converter comprising an assembly
according to the invention inclined along a given slope, for which:
[0021] at the bottom of the slope of the assembly, the electrical
pole of the lower extremity of the first row is electrically
connected to the electrical pole of the lower extremity of the
second row, and so on, [0022] at the level of the marginal overlap
of two adjacent panels of a given row, the electrical pole of the
lower extremity of each column of the upper panel is connected to
the facing electrical pole of inverse polarity on the lower panel,
[0023] at the ridge of the roof, the electrical poles of the upper
extremities of the rows are connected to the converter or among
themselves in a manner similar to what is done at the bottom of the
slope.
[0024] The present invention even further provides a method of
electrical connection, to a converter, of the constituent panels of
an assembly according to the invention inclined along a slope,
comprising the steps in which: [0025] at the bottom of the slope of
the assembly, the electrical pole of the lower extremity of the
first row is electrically connected to the electrical pole of the
lower extremity of the second row, and so on, [0026] at the level
of the marginal overlap of two adjacent panels of a given row, the
electrical pole of the lower extremity of each column of the upper
panel is connected to the facing electrical pole of inverse
polarity on the lower panel, [0027] at the ridge of the roof, the
electrical poles of the upper extremities of the rows are connected
to the converter or among themselves in a manner similar to what is
done at the bottom of the slope.
[0028] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention are
described in greater detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION
[0029] The present invention will be better understood from a
reading of the following description, which is intended to be
explanatory but not restrictive, with reference to the accompanying
figures, in which:
[0030] FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an assembly of
panels according to the prior art,
[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic representation in perspective of a
panel according to one variant of the invention, and
[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of an assembly of
panels according to one variant of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The same reference numbers represent the same elements in
each of the figures.
[0034] Throughout the text, a panel means an element that has a
flat shape, i.e. its thickness is low compared to its other
dimensions. The panel may be in the form of a plate or sheet
constituted by a single material or a composite assembly. In the
latter case, the panel is a stack of a plurality of layers of the
same material or different materials. The material in question may
be, among other things, a metal material, a polymer or even a
ceramic. The metal materials steel, aluminum, copper and zinc may
be cited as non-restricting examples. The panel is preferably a
metal sheet. It is preferably made of previously galvanized and
pre-coated steel to protect it against corrosion. The panel may
optionally be foamed on its bottom surface and thereby constitute
the exterior facing of a sandwich panel.
[0035] In the framework of the invention, the panel will preferably
have been previously formed by means of any known forming method,
including, by way of non-restricting examples, bending, roll
forming, stamping and molding.
[0036] This forming leads among other things to the formation of
ribs on the surface of the panel. Throughout the text, a rib means
a protrusion formed on the surface of the panel. The rib may have a
trapezoidal shape, as in the case of the exemplary embodiments
described below, or a rectangular, corrugated, sinusoidal or even
omega shape, for example. It comprises a top central part and two
lateral wings.
[0037] To form a roof or a facade, the panels are assembled by the
marginal overlapping of their longitudinal edges and their
transverse edges and are affixed to the supporting structure of the
building by fastening means such as screws, nails or even
rivets.
[0038] With reference to FIG. 2, the panel 1 is constituted
principally by a first longitudinal edge 2, a central part 3 which
is at least partly covered by a photovoltaic device and a second
longitudinal edge 4.
[0039] The photovoltaic device is constituted by an even number of
columns 5 of photovoltaic modules located on the upper surface of
the panel. Each of the columns comprises at least one photovoltaic
module, in other words at least an assembly of photovoltaic cells
6, connected to one another, preferably in series, and isolated
from the outside by a protective barrier. By way of non-restricting
example, it may be a module in the form of a flexible ribbon glued
to the central part of the panel or a module deposited directly on
the central part of the panel by successive deposits of layers of
an appropriate type using vacuum deposition methods.
[0040] Within each photovoltaic module, the arrangement and the
organization of these photovoltaic cells is not limiting. By way of
a non-restricting example, the cells may be located one below
another in a single row or may be arranged in a plurality of rows,
the rows being connected to one another to form a sort of folded
ribbon. Preferably, and to facilitate the deposition of the
photovoltaic modules directly on the panel using vacuum deposition
methods, the cells are arranged in a single row.
[0041] A column 5 of photovoltaic modules may therefore be
monolithic, in other words made in a single piece, or may be
constituted by a plurality of photovoltaic modules placed end to
end. Two successive photovoltaic modules are placed end to end by
establishing electrical contact between the last photovoltaic cell
of one module and the first photovoltaic cell of the other module
so that the two cells are connected in series.
[0042] The columns are aligned essentially parallel to a
longitudinal edge of the panel. Preferably, the columns are of
identical length and their extremities are aligned essentially
parallel to a transverse edge of the panel to facilitate the
connection of the columns of two adjacent panels.
[0043] To facilitate the wiring of an assembly of panels, as will
be described below, the photovoltaic device also has the following
characteristics: [0044] each column comprises an electrical pole 7
on each of its extremities, the polarity of an electrical pole of
one extremity being the inverse of that of the electrical pole of
the other extremity, [0045] the poles of two adjacent columns are
of inverse polarity.
[0046] The presence of the electrical poles on the upper surface of
the panel facilitates the connection of the modules to one another
when the panel is installed on the building. It is no longer
necessary to have access to the roof boarding to install the
wiring.
[0047] Preferably, the columns of a panel are not electrically
connected to one another. The electrical connection between the
columns will be made only after the assembly of the panels, as will
be described below. This simplifies the fabrication of the panel in
the factory and makes it possible to adapt the wiring to the
specificities of the assembly on the construction site.
[0048] Preferably, each column comprises, on one of its
extremities, a male connector that functions as the first
electrical pole, and on its other extremity a female connector that
functions as the second electrical pole, the two connectors being
arranged so that they interlock with one another when the lower
transverse edge of an upper panel overlaps the upper transverse
edge of a lower panel. A connection of this type facilitates the
assembly of the panels on a building and simplifies the wiring of
the photovoltaic installation. Connectors of this type are known
from the man skilled in the art, who will adapt them case by
case.
[0049] The panels according to the invention are preferably
fabricated in the factory, then transported to the site before
being assembled, as described below and illustrated in FIG. 3. On
one hand, the fabrication of the entire panel in the factory makes
it possible to guarantee its quality and correct operation, and on
the other hand, the assembly operations on the site are minimized
thanks to the installation of the exterior cladding of the building
and of the photovoltaic assembly in a single step.
[0050] Preferably, the panels intended for a given assembly each
have a first column 5 in which each of poles 7 has the same
polarity as the corresponding pole of the first column of another
panel. The dimensions of the panels and the number of columns of
photovoltaic modules of the panels may vary, however.
[0051] On structure 8 of the building to be covered, a first panel
1 is put in place by fastening means such as screws, nails or even
rivets. Preferably, the panel is oriented so that its longitudinal
edges run in the direction of the slope. This orientation
facilitates the drainage of rainwater on the assembly and preserves
its water-tightness.
[0052] Then one or more panels are arranged around the first panel
and assembled to one another: [0053] by marginal overlapping of the
transverse edges of adjacent panels to form rows of photovoltaic
modules so that each electrical pole of a lower extremity of a
column of photovoltaic modules of the upper panel is facing an
electrical pole of inverse polarity of an upper end of a column of
the lower panel. [0054] and/or by marginal overlapping of the
longitudinal edges of adjacent panels to multiply the number of
rows.
[0055] A row of photovoltaic modules is therefore defined as a
juxtaposition in the longitudinal direction of columns of
photovoltaic modules. Depending on the shape of the structure to be
covered and local restrictions such as, for example, the presence
of a window, a door or a chimney, the rows of panels may be of
variable lengths.
[0056] In this manner, an assembly of panels is obtained forming a
plurality of rows 9 of photovoltaic modules. Because each panel is
equipped with an even number of columns of photovoltaic modules,
the number of rows is even. The number of photovoltaic modules per
row depends on the number of panels next to one another in a given
row and may therefore vary from one row to another. In the case of
a panel that does not exhibit any marginal overlap of its
transverse edges, the row of photovoltaic modules merges with the
column of photovoltaic modules.
[0057] Each row comprises an electrical pole on each of its
extremities, the polarity of an electrical pole of one extremity
being the inverse of that of the electrical pole of the other
extremity and the poles of two adjacent rows being of inverse
polarity. In other words, each row comprises, at its lower
extremity, an electrical pole which merges with the electrical pole
of the lower extremity of the first column of this row, and on its
upper extremity an electrical pole of inverse polarity that merges
with the electrical pole of the upper extremity of the last column
of this row. Two adjacent columns of a panel being of inverse
polarity, this reversal of polarities is also found at the level of
two adjacent rows.
[0058] Columns 5 of photovoltaic modules of each panel are then
electrically connected as described below.
[0059] At the bottom of slope 10 of the assembly, electrical pole 7
of the lower extremity of first row 9 is electrically connected to
the electrical pole of the lower extremity of the second row, the
electrical pole of the lower extremity of the third row is
connected electrically to the electrical pole of the lower
extremity of the fourth row and so on.
[0060] In practice, this electrical connection is made by means of
transverse connectors 11 such as, by way of non-restricting
examples, a flexible electric cable or a rigid electric connecting
strip. If the electrical poles of the extremities of the rows are
equipped with male and female connectors, the wire or the
connecting strip are extended by equivalent male and female
connectors that make it possible to connect the connector of the
extremity of the row to the wire or to the connecting strip.
[0061] Transverse connectors 11 may also comprise a diode oriented
in such a manner that it blocks the passage of current from the
positive electrical pole toward the negative electrical pole and
make possible the passage of current in the inverse direction. This
diode makes it possible, when necessary, to short-circuit a
defective column.
[0062] At the level of marginal overlap 12 of two adjacent panels
of a given row, the electrical pole of the lower extremity of each
column of the upper panel is connected to the facing electrical
pole of inverse polarity on the lower panel, in other words the
electrical pole of the upper extremity of the corresponding column
of the lower panel.
[0063] In practice, this electrical connection is made simply by
interlocking the male and female connectors if the columns of
photovoltaic modules are equipped with them on their extremities at
the same time as the panels are installed. Alternatively, the
connection may be made by means of vertical connectors 13 similar
to the transverse connectors described above.
[0064] At the ridge 14, the electrical poles of the upper
extremities of the rows are connected to the converter or to one
another in a manner similar to the connection at the bottom of the
slope as a function of the acceptable input voltage for the
converter. This input voltage is adjusted by adapting the number of
columns connected among themselves in series. A person skilled in
the art will be able to adapt this connection principle to the
specific case. FIG. 3 illustrates one type of possible connection
at the ridge of the roof. The upper electrical pole of the first
row is connected to the converter. The upper electrical pole of the
second row is connected to the upper electrical pole of the third
row by means of a transverse connector 15 similar to those used at
the bottom of the slope. The upper electrical pole of the fourth
row is connected to the upper electrical pole of the fifth row in
the same manner. Finally, the upper electrical pole of the sixth
row is connected to the converter circuit. The n photovoltaic
modules of the first six rows are thus connected in series and
deliver to the converter a voltage equal to n times their nominal
voltage.
[0065] The following columns are then connected using the same
method.
[0066] Therefore the output of the cables toward the converter is
provided at the ridge of the roof, which is easy to access and
facilitates their installation or access in case of repair.
[0067] In a second exemplary embodiment of the assembly of the
panels, the manner of connecting the modules at the bottom of the
slope and at the ridge of the roof may be reversed so that the
wiring output is located at the bottom of the slope.
[0068] Therefore, thanks to the delivery on the construction site
of panels according to the invention, it is very easy to put the
panels in position and to connect the photovoltaic modules at the
same time or afterwards.
* * * * *