FRAMING SYSTEM FOR SOLAR PANELS

Abstract: The invention relates generally to framing systems and more particularly is concerned with systems adapted to mount panels or laminates in an array (12) on a supporting roof structure (10) of a building exemplified with the mounting of solar electric photovoltaic (PV) panels. The framing system described uses extruded elongate elements with a sealing element (37) to frame the PV panel as a weatherproof PV solar roof tile. Individual frame element profiles effectively embody the PV building integration (BiPV), or mounting method, of the solar tile within the frame itself. Only a few additional flashing components are needed to complete the PV tile array as part of the roof, or with minor variations, as a PV wall cladding. Full BiPV panel mounting methods show potential to be used for co-generation (PV/T) of solar thermal energy capture in buildings. The batten support structures (11) of the solar tile permit variation in roof batten spacing to be tolerated in retro-fit situations, make trafficable roof with the tiles possible and provide long term weather-ability as a building element through moisture reduction by air flow and smaller surface contact. Draining of internal roof condensate from the back of the tiles to the exterior is another feature of the frame system described.

Description: FRAMING SYSTEM FOR SOLAR PANELS The present invention relates generally to framing systems and more particularly is concerned with systems adapted to mount panel members or laminates in an array on a supporting structure. The present invention will be exemplified with particular application to the field of mounting solar electric panels, also known as photovoltaic (PV) panels which are adapted to be mounted suitably at an angle to the horizontal and with respect to the sun. However, the invention and the framing system is not necessarily limited to just these applications and extends to analogous applications. In this discussion we refer to use of the described system as mainly in roof mounting or roof integrating applications. However the system described can equally be suitable, with minor adjustments, for use in a vertical arrangement as an external PV wall cladding system. In the field of solar PV panels, proposals have been made to form the PV panel to have the general characteristics of a roofing tile so that the PV laminate may be integrated into a roof, commonly but not exclusively, a tile roof. An alternative approach is to have a panel which is adapted to be mounted over a roof. However, important considerations to the design and development of PV panels are the ability of the panels to be effectively integrated architecturally into a roof design. With in-roof integrated panels there is also known to be a greater opportunity to beneficially capture solar thermal energy in addition to PV electrical energy to use within the building on which the PV tiles are installed, a field of solar energy development known as PV/Thermal or PV/T, Where the panels take the place of conventional roofing elements such as tiles or metal systems, reliable and convenient mounting within the roof and effective weather sealing is most important. One known system relies on each solar panel or tile having a framework for mounting the PV laminate with the seal around the periphery of the laminate and the framework having structural features to facilitate its mounting, e.g. on conventional roof battens. However, the known framework is of fixed proportions and therefore is not necessarily desirable for some installations and will not conform with, for example, standard batten spacings. Fixed proportions also severely limit the number of commercially and commonly available PV laminates that can be incorporated into the framework. Custom size PV laminates come at a cost premium making any system using them less competitive in the market. Other known roof integrated framing systems require additional structures below the PV laminate to ensure weather sealing, or use extruded frame sections that need additional components to attach to the roof structure, in some cases lacking a smooth external finish appearance both to the eye and external environmental conditions . These systems usually require a larger inventory of components to be manufactured, warehoused, transported and used in installation and are not inherently a PV integration system embodied in a simple frame that encapsulates the PV laminate. The ideal is a PV laminate frame system for building integration, simply fitted to the PV laminate during the usual manufacturing process. There is therefore a need for new and useful alternatives to prior proposals including arrangements which lend themselves to being dimensioned to accommodate standard size, standard production line PV laminates, that can be easily factory assembled, that need minimum additional components to the frame and that facilitate integration into a roof structure with effective weather sealing of the panel elements. In one aspect the present invention consists in a framing system for mounting a solar panel on a building structure, the framing system comprising: (a) an upper elongate frame element; (b) a lower elongate frame element; (c) two side elongate frame elements; (d) wherein; i) each of said frame elements has an elongate channel for engaging in weather-sealing relationship with an associated edge of a solar panel and; ii) the frame elements are adapted to be inter-connected at respective corners of the frame system, (e) the upper frame element has a depending retaining element for retaining the framing system from movement in a direction down the building structure; a supporting element for supporting the frame system on a batten and upper surface portion with a slight recess for weather- sealing purposes, the recess being spaced from an inner edge portion within which the elongate channel is provided and on which a lower frame portion of a further solar panel is adapted to be supported in overlapping, weather- sealing relationship and; (f) the side frame elements each having on an upper surface portion an upstanding wall element for cooperation with a capping element adapted to bridge between adjacent solar panels to form a weather seal. Preferably, at least one of the side wall elements on an outer upstanding edge face has means for mounting a resiliently deformable seal whereby adjacent panels engage through the seal in a manner which controls the spacing between panels, yet permits the taking-up of tolerances. Preferably, the upstanding wall element on each frame element has an undercut whereby snap-fitting engagement is achieved with the corresponding depending wall of the capping element. Preferably, each of the upper and lower wall elements is formed from an extrusion of generally an open box structure and includes screw shank engagement cavities whereby fixing screws applied from the exterior of the side of the side frame elements can engage to secure corner joints. 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This arrangement permits the polymeric sealing material to extend in effective sealing arrangement beyond the outer limit of the glazing channel yet there is an overhang which covers this portion and protects it from the elements . Preferably the extent of the overhanging lip is constrained so that minimum safe edge engagement of the solar panel glass is achieved, but that it does not encroach on the solar cells or PV element located at the outer edge of the solar panel. This permits the maximum gap possible between the PV and the overhanging lip to avoid shading of the PV by the frame elements. Preferably the lower wall portion of the glazing channel extends further than the upper wall, and provides greater engagement and support to the underside of the solar panel. Preferably the glazing polymeric seal has an asymmetric shape, a lip on the lower wall portion extends beyond the edge of the lower glazing channel wall providing additional support to the underside of the solar panel, and the upper wall is constrained to fit under and inside the glazing channel overhanging lip. Preferably each side frame element incorporates in its lower surface an undercut channel e.g. of mushroom-shaped cross section for receiving either in a snap-fit arrangement or preferably the head of metal screws for the attachment of transversely extending mounting elements for supporting the solar panel off a roofing batten. Preferably the transversely extending mounting is adjustable in its relative position on the frame by virtue of the elongate mushroom groove on the side elongate elements allowing for tolerance to variations in roof batten inter-spacing. The transverse batten support elements are preferably made up of an elongate element that spans from one side elongate element of the solar tile to the other and is attached to them preferably by a screw or snap fit fixing. Along the spanning element there are sets of spacers that i) fill the gap between the underside of the solar panel and the top surface of the transverse spanning element, and, ii) fill the gap between the bottom of the transverse spanning element and the roof batten. The shape of these spacers is preferably a series of vertically running ribs that provide the spacing and support in a way that allows moisture such as condensation on the underside of the solar panel to run freely down without interference by the transverse spanning element. Similarly the ribs allow airflow between the transverse spanning element and the underlying roof batten avoiding moisture in that location that might otherwise promote rotting of the roof batten. For illustrative purposes, an embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the attached drawings of which; - Figure 1 is a schematic view of a multiplicity of solar tiles mounted on a roof structure in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a side elevation along the line A-A of figure 1; Figure 3 is a schematic plan view of two of the solar panel laminate tiles as used in figures 1 and 2 and ready for installation but with the solar panel laminate not shown; Figure 4 is an inverted plan view of a solar tile showing detail of two embodiments of transverse supports; Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view on an enlarged scale illustrating weather resistant joints between adjacent side frame elements of the solar tiles as used in figures 1 to 3; and, u> ω . tv> μ- μ- Cπ o Cπ o Cn o Oi cn H tr tr 13 tr t, Hi φ φ φ Ω S, tr tr CO rt rt cn OJ OJ cn Hi Φ L_l. 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In another embodiment the transverse support 19 is an aluminium extrusion with an associated plastic moulded array of parallel flutes 20, 20A. The array of spacer flutes 20A are located under the transverse support between it and the back of the panel laminate forming vertical channels that allow condensate water on the back of the laminate to run freely past the transverse support. This can also occur with the other embodiment using downward pointing flutes 22 of the stamped metal transverse support. In the preferred embodiment an array of plastic flutes 20 is also located above the transverse support 19 for spacing from a further batten. In some formats of the solar tile a plastic spacer flute array may not be needed between the transverse support and roof batten, depending on the position of the transverse support relative to the frame. In both embodiments the flutes on both the plastic moulded array 20 and the stamped metal embodiment 22 both permit allow air flow between the roof batten and the transverse support preventing moisture build-up and rotting of the roof batten. Referring now to figure 5, a joint between adjacent solar tiles is illustrated. The side frame element 14 in each case is an aluminium extrusion, although in other embodiments each frame element may be a plastic extrusion. The extrusion has a tubular body portion 23 and a glazing channel 24 defined between spaced walls which accommodate a solar tile laminate 25 sealingly engaged in a polymeric channel-shaped seal 26. An upper wall portion 27 has a lip 28 which overhangs a tip portion 29 of the polymeric seal and thereby protects it against the effects of the elements including rainwater and ultra violet light thereby ensuring that there is a reliable seal is established and maintained. The free upstanding edge wall 31 of the tubular section 23 has an undercut portion for accommodating a T-shaped rib 32 of a resiliently deformable tubular seal 33. A series of such seals are at spaced locations as best shown 33 in figure 4. The tubular seals are designed to permit the solar panels to be conveniently located slightly spaced from one another and to ensure that the space between respective, upstanding retaining walls 35 is accurately controlled. Each of the walls 35 has a shoulder 36 extending upwardly for snap fitting engagement with an extruded cover strip 37. The cover strip 37 can conveniently be secured with a fixing screw at a location of the lower frame element of the next tile above in the system best shown 63 in figure 2. The fixing screw also passes through into the supporting batten 11, and thereby secures the entire solar tile to the supporting structure against wind lift. Figure 5 shows a mushroom cross section groove 38 integrally formed into the side element extrusion for accommodating snap fit or screw fixing securing elements of corresponding shape and are identified in figure 4 as item 39 and which secure in place the transverse beam 17. Referring now to figure 6, an upper frame element 40 for an inferior solar tile is shown together with a lower frame element made of two parts 41, 41A of a superior solar tile in overlapping relationship and illustrating the installed position. As indicated in figure 3, mitre joints are formed at each corner of the rectangular frame and two screws 42 are applied through the side wall 31 of the side frame element to threadably engage in self tapping arrangement with corresponding receiving cavities 43 in the upper and lower frame elements 40 and 41, 41A. The upper frame element 40 has a rear wall 45 having a depending retaining wall 46 for hooking behind the edge of a batten 61 to retain in position the solar tile and a lateral wall 47 for supporting the solar tile. The rear wall 45 incorporates an upstanding lip 48 which ensures deflection of any condensation dripping off a superior solar tile laminate 49 to deflect the condensate along the upper surface 50 of the wall 50 from which drainage occurs to the exterior of the inferior solar panel 49A via the gap provided between upper and lower elements 41D and recess 47A provided for weather sealing purposes. The wall element 50 also incorporates a glazing channel defined between a pair of walls 52 and 53 between which a U-shaped polymeric sealing element 54 is located. The lower frame element 41, 41A similarly has a U-shaped polymeric element 55 for sealing engagement with the laminate 49, and has an additional wet' polymeric seal 55A located under a groove 41C of the snap fit part 41A. Snap fit part 41A is engaged to become a part of the lower frame element 41 by the under-cut snap fittings 41B that lock 41 and 41A together, and is set in place over the solar panel 49 after the wet seal polymeric material 55A has been applied, usually dispensed in semi-liquid form from an orifice, into the groove 41C of 41A. At its free-edge region the element 41 has a forward depending wall 56 with a base wall portion 47 configured for support on the upper face of element 40 by setting into a slight recess 47A in the upper face of element 40 and an extending downwardly curved lip 58 which overhangs the sealing membrane 54 for weather protection purposes . The lower portion 41D of 41 does not directly contact the upper face of element of 40 leaving a gap for moisture to drain to the exterior of inferior solar panel 49A. Numerous points of detail in the system described above with reference to the drawing do provide distinct advantages and the more important features will now be summarised: 1. External overhangs are provided on the glazing channels in order to protect polymeric sealing elements from the weather and in particular direct UV exposure. In the case of the upper frame element, the sealing element is exposed but the overhanging lip of the lower frame element of the next tile unit above provides the protection. 2. The transverse supports are readily attached by snap-or screw- fit elements to the desired position and especially in the case of retrofitting to existing roofs, position adjustment can suit the existing battens. The height of this transverse support is also selectable to suit the position along the frame. 3. As shown the preferred form of the upper frame element is to incorporate a pair of grooves 46A in the depending leg thereby reducing the contact surface area between the leg and the batten to minimise the potential for moisture being trapped between the two surfaces and decay resulting. For the same purpose grooves 47A and depending lumps 62 are provided in the preferred from of the upper frame element. 4. The resilient deformable tubular elements 33, as shown in figure 5, provide for suitable spacing between adjacent units and the spacing function permits uniform distances to be established but also there is an allowance for movement by thermal expansion and contraction. 5. The preferred embodiment uses plastic spacer elements 20 and 20A as best shown in figure 4 and the profile permits air circulation and avoids moisture being trapped as this would be deleterious to wooden roof battens . Furthermore these plastic elements when set in place on the aluminium extruded transverse support 19 ensure that the desired angle of inclination is established. Depending lumps 62 on upper frame element 40 also introduce a pitch angle of element 40 relative to the roof batten. The pitch profile is defined by these elements to ensure that the lower frame element 41 is at the correct elevation above the underlying batten so that when the lower tile is in position the spacing between the batten and the frame element 41 is taken up by the frame element 40. Thus inter-engaging tile members corresponding to a roof tile system are obtained.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. A framing system for mounting a solar laminate to form a solar panel which is to be mounted at an inclination to horizontal on a building structure, the framing system having: (a) an upper elongate frame element; (b) two side elongate frame elements; (c) wherein; i) each of said frame elements has an elongate channel for engaging in weather-sealing relationship with an associated edge of the solar laminate and; ii) the frame elements are adapted to be inter-connected at respective corners of the frame system, d) the upper frame element has a depending retaining element for retaining the framing system from movement in a direction down the building structure, a supporting element for supporting the frame system on a batten of the building structure and an upper portion for weather- sealing purposes, the upper portion being spaced from the elongate channel and being adapted to support in overlapping, weather-sealing relationship a lower portion of a further solar panel, and; (e) the side frame elements each having, in an upper surface portion, an upstanding wall element for cooperation with a capping element adapted to bridge between adjacent solar panels to form a weather seal. 2. A framing system as claimed in claim 1, and wherein the system further includes a lower frame element having an elongate channel for engaging in weather sealing relationship with an associated edge of the solar laminate. 3. A framing system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, and wherein the upper frame element also has an upstanding lip for catchment and subsequent direction to external drainage of internal condensate moisture. 4. A framing system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and further including transverse OJ ω N> ro μ> μ» Cn o Cn o Cn o Cπ P ø rt Ω 13 Φ 13 <XJ p- Φ μ- φ hh ø 13 00 cn o Ω O s: 13 • Φ O 13 tn rt Ω ø Hi s: 13 Cπ cn cn φ tr ø" ø μ j hi • ø I-* ø X hi H • Φ hh ø 13 0 hi • OJ 0 0 hi • 0 O o 0 hi . • : ø 13 cn Φ OJ hi φ Φ hh o hh rt 0J rt Φ Ω < Φ Φ μ* •P Φ K 0 (_/. hi Φ cn 13 Φ 0 0 rt 3 Ω Φ 0 φ Φ 3 μ- Ω ø rt μ- 0 Ω OJ Φ Ω μ- rt OJ μ* Ω rt 13 0 øJ cn 0 Φ Φ hi iQ hi ø Φ 13 Φ hi tr rt Φ vQ øJ Φ ø n Ω 3 Φ Φ O P 13 O Φ ø P. > P- ø P- P. 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P. 3 hi rt 0 >P P. 3 . p- P- 0 3 3 Φ Φ rt α 3 Ω ■ P μ- o P. 3 OJ rt i Φ 0 o tr OJ iP 0 ø ) ø P Φ P* P. Φ tr Φ Φ 0 P tr Ω ø 13 s: OJ 13 Φ 0 μ- φ •P s: ø φ » P* s: OJ Φ tr 2, ØJ cn Φ ø rt ≤. ø l_J. φ ø μ* 13 13 tr cn ø P. ø X P- tr cn P- ø" cn 3 % 0J tr cn • rt rt rt Φ tr cn ø rt tr μ- Φ øJ Φ 0 ø <P rt 0 φ Hi cn 0 Hi Φ φ P- cn Φ s: y hi φ cn cn cn μ- ø hi H hi o Φ 13 cn iQ hi Ω hi Ω Ω hi hi Ω ø rt H Ω Φ H hi O rt 3 Ω ιQ 3 rt Φ μ* 13 tr μ- 1 μ- φ h- 1 0J hi h- 1 o φ I-* rt tr ØJ φ h- 1 Φ o 0 φ μ* 0 0J OJ tr O cn μ- 0J • Φ p- μ- ø rt μ- ø 3 φ 0 3 μ- 0 . ø μ- OJ 0 P- 13 μ- 0 tr rt O en "*» ø P- hi φ 13 Hi tr ø μ- φ s: P- ø μ- rt ø μ- ■ P Φ cn ø P- *- ■ φ hh rt 3 μ- φ Φ 3 cn Φ ø 3 tr ø 3 13 tr Hi rt 3 φ rt o rt φ Hi φ n 5 ø p. hj rt φ Φ cn ø φ Φ Φ ø rt φ OJ O OJ 0 φ hi y id rt 2. 0 tr P. hi μ- - 1 P- ø tr P. μ- ø ø α Φ Φ 0J α tr P* 0 rt hi 0 rt P. μ- Φ 0 tr ø ø φ o Φ p- >υ Φ 13 cn Φ Ω Ω Φ Φ Φ tr 3 ø 13 • P Φ h- 1 3 •P 3 hi 13 μ- 3 13 Ω X tr μ- o H μ- μ- Φ 0 μ- h- > P- 0 h- 1 Φ μ > tr h- 1 ø Φ Φ Φ μ* ø φ hi rt ø H Ω ø ø cn tr ø Φ ø 13 hi o O t-" Φ o Hi ø hh hi o ø P- Φ hi o hi 0 13 cn ^ ø o rt s: o O P- s: ø Φ hi rt hi s: 0 rt Φ s: ø hh ØJ Φ rt cn ø Φ φ cn 0J cn Φ s: s: Hi ø ø μ- O 0 cn φ ø cn P. cn ø cn rt ø •<! ø) φ rt 0 μ- Φ hi μ- Φ K hi φ 3 h 3 ø hi cn μ- rt * 13 s: ø • φ μ* ω P •<; rt 0 rt H rt 3 O φ hi Ω hh tr o tr o tr 0 rt φ • P O P- iQ Φ tr tr 0 φ o φ rt hi P. Hi Hi o ø hi OJ ø Φ O 0 Φ α o μ- ø φ ø o O OJ 0 Hi Φ μ* ø ø tr OJ hi 0 0 O 0 0 a h$ μ- ø 13 ø h-* Φ ø 0 •P P- ø hj cn o Φ rt Φ Φ cn Ω 0 φ 3 X o ø φ P- Φ ø Φ Φ Hi Φ μ- 0J Φ 3 ø 0 O Φ 3 Φ Hi 13 0 tr iQ hi 0J s: 0J O p- 0 O μ- 1 3 h- 1 ø <Q o O . ιQ μ- * φ o 0 rt φ 13 O ■ P • : o 3 tr Ω Hi o ø •P Hi ø Φ o μ- 1 ø Hi Hi Φ 0 ø O hh KQ tr 0 ι Φ Hi « Hi μ- 3 Φ Φ hh hi 0 μ j rt 0 ιQ hj hh φ ø φ •P Φ hi P cn 0 rt 0 i rt rt s: rt •P Φ iQ φ Φ rt rt rt P- rt ι 0 0 rt Φ ø rt Ul 0 Φ tr y rt tr μ- 2 Φ 0 ) hi tr tr tr 0 13 rt Φ tr Φ φ IQ Φ OJ tr 13 0 > tr 0 tr ø φ tr Φ rt O hi Φ rt Hi φ Φ Φ ιQ OJ y 3 φ X Φ hi 0 Φ Φ 13 φ rt φ cn Φ tr 3 Φ cn hi hi ø Φ Φ rt rt 3 0 ) P 0 1 Φ tr hi cn Hi 13 φ ø 0 rt φ ø o Φ φ μ** P. Hi - Φ 3 P- hi 0 ø ø 3 rt tr * ø rt hi ø h-* H" μ- μ- φ s: φ α 0 hj rt 13 φ tr Φ 13 P- rt ^ O 0 rt 3 tr ø Φ *rt 3 1 φ ø 13 y O £ »Q rt φ μ- ø P- rt Hi ø Φ ø h{ 0J Φ μ- ø Ω cn 0 μ- O μ- P. hi cn ø hi 0 rt tr >P ø rt •P corresponding undercuts in the larger part, the smaller snap fit section having a sealant groove on the lower surface of the wall for forming weather sealing for the solar laminate when snapped into place, the groove being for retaining a polymeric sealing compound that can be applied in a λ wet' or ^sticky' state to form a weather/water seal between the lower elongate frame element inside upper edge and the encapsulated solar laminate. 10. A framing system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and wherein each side frame element is an extrusion having a body portion of hollow form, an outer side wall accommodating an undercut groove for retaining a flange of a seal and in the opposite side an elongate glazing channel is provided to mount the solar laminate so that an overhanging lip is provided for protecting from the weather and in particular UV exposure the glazing channel where sealing occurs typically through the use of a polymeric sealing strip. 11. A framing system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and wherein the glazing polymeric seal has an asymmetric shape, a lip on the lower wall portion extends beyond the edge of the lower glazing channel wall providing additional support to the underside of the solar panel, and the upper wall is constrained to fit under and inside the glazing channel overhanging lip. 12. A framing system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and wherein each side frame element incorporates in its lower surface an undercut channel e.g. of mushroom-shaped cross section for receiving either in a snap-fit arrangement or preferably the head of metal screws for the attachment of transversely extending mounting elements for supporting the solar panel off a roofing batten. 13. A framing system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and wherein the transverse supporting element mounting is adjustable in its relative position on the frame by virtue of the elongate mushroom groove on the side elongate elements 14. A framing system as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, and wherein the transverse batten support elements are preferably made up of an elongate element that spans from one side elongate element of the solar tile to the other and is attached to them by a screw or snap fit fixing. Along the spanning element there are sets of spacers that; i) fill the gap between the underside of the solar panel and the top surface of the transverse spanning element, and, ii) fill the gap between the bottom of the transverse spanning element and the roof batten. The shape of these spacers is a series of vertically running ribs that provide the spacing and support in a way that allows moisture such as condensation on the underside of the solar panel to run freely down without interference by the transverse supporting element. Similarly the ribs allow airflow between the transverse supporting element and the underlying roof batten of the building structure.

Inventors: ERLING PETER STUART, ERLING, PETER, STUART
Applicants: ERLING PETER STUART, ERLING, PETER, STUART
Application year: 2001
Main classification: F24J2
IPC codes: E04D3, E04D13, F24J2, H01L31