Abstract:
A support device for a solar power generator assembly is provided including a single piece support body for receiving at least part of a solar module and for being appended to a target surface, and having at least one housing formed therein for receiving ballast and attaching points for receiving corresponding projections formed on an attaching device. A solar power generator assembly may include at least one solar module fitted on said support device. Its simplicity and low weight make that a cost effective solar power generator assembly of the integrated type can be obtained that may become part of an existing standard building roof along with architectonical elements, with this being a simple and aesthetic solution for solar energy production.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
       [0001]    A support device for a solar power generator assembly is disclosed that can be a part of a solar module or even one or several entire solar modules in a solar power generator assembly. Although it may have many applications, it has been found to be particularly advantageous for flat roofs in buildings and the like. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Solar power generation assemblies in buildings have been increasingly developed and employed in the last decade due to their inherent advantages, particularly in roofing. Solar energy is a totally silent, renewable, clean (non-polluting) resource and the solar panel assemblies currently used have a very little maintenance. 
         [0003]    Typical solar power generation assemblies include a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) solar modules or panels that are assembled electrically and mechanically into an array. Each solar module carries a plurality of individual photovoltaic (PV) cells. PV cells capture sunlight and store it in suitable energy storing means (e.g. a battery). The energy stored therein is then transformed into usable electricity for delivering a selected level of working voltage. Solar modules can also deliver the generated current to the grid by means of suitable equipment. 
         [0004]    In order to capture sunlight, the solar panel assemblies are usually installed in remote areas for directly receiving light, such as for example rooftops in buildings or the like. This makes transportation of the solar panel assembly parts (panels, supports members, frames, wiring, etc) to be difficult and expensive. 
         [0005]    One example of a known solar power generation assembly is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,968,654. The solar power generation assembly described in this document includes a mounting structure that is of the open type. The mounting structure is made of several parts such as a metal frame including several panel supports, an insulating mat, a solar panel, etc. Inside the frame of the structure ballast can be provided to keep the panel unit stationary. 
         [0006]    A further prior art solar power generation assembly is the one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,226,256. The solar panel assembly disclosed in this document has solar panels and support members forming support means. Ballast members can be received in a space defined by upstanding sides and spaced apart flanges. 
         [0007]    A further example of a known solar power generation assembly is disclosed in US2005217716, which includes solar cell panels and ballast elements placed on racks for holding the solar cell panels. The ballast elements are, for example, concrete or metal blocks. 
         [0008]    Still a further example of a known solar power generation assembly is disclosed in WO2009158710. In this case, the solar panel assembly is fitted in a frame and it is provided with a ballast tray. The solar power generation assembly is fitted on a flat installation surface, e.g., a flat rooftop. The tray is adapted to contain ballast, and it can be removed from the assembly. 
         [0009]    These known prior art solar panel assemblies all involve the provision of support means comprising several parts for supporting the panels on the roof. Such support means are necessary to fix the panels and they are in turn fixed to the framework or structure of the building. This usually further involves the provision of additional several parts for insulation. All of this makes the overall assembly to be costly, heavy and therefore cumbersome. 
         [0010]    In addition, solar panel assemblies are also known in the field of solar power generation in buildings which are fixed directly anchored to the structure of the building. This solution is usually combined with the use of panel configurations such that they become integrated with the building roof by being flush mounted and fitted on the top surface of an existing building roof as a covering for the building. This type of solar panel assemblies is commonly referred to as building integrated photovoltaic assemblies. 
         [0011]    One example of such BIPV solar panel assemblies is disclosed in WO2010028647. The solar panel includes solar panel elements consisting of a transmission plate, an absorber housing and an absorber member. The transmission plate has greater extension than the absorber housing, and the transmission plate, compared with the absorber housing, has a protruding part, preferably for overlapping on a roof or facade element. 
         [0012]    Such known integrated solar panel assemblies have the disadvantage that they still employ fixing means such as retainers or clamps for fixing the solar panels which makes the assembly complex and expensive. The fixing means further involve roof penetrations and therefore structural changes to the building. This is an important issue since these fixing means often pass through the waterproofing elements of the roof, thus creating critical points where they may produce heat leakage through thermal bridges, and also providing entry for water into the building. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0013]    A solar power generator assembly as defined in claim  1  is provided that seeks to solve the above mentioned prior art problems by providing a support device, which is lightweight and compact in size so transportation and operations of installation and maintenance become easy and cost effective. 
         [0014]    The support device herein disclosed is suitable for solar power generator assemblies of the integrated type to be installed in existing or new roofing. It finds a wide variety of applications from horizontal to sloped roofs. 
         [0015]    More particularly, there is provided a support device for a solar power generator assembly. In this respect, a solar power generator assembly as defined in claim  10  may include one or several PV solar modules that, in use, are assembled electrically and mechanically to each other and fitted on at least one of such support device. Each solar module of the solar power generator assembly includes a transparent top surface (usually made of glass) and a plurality of interconnected PV cells. 
         [0016]    The disclosed support device includes a support body that is suitable for receiving at least part of one of such solar modules. This means that each support body is suitable for receiving part of one solar module, an entire solar module or even a plurality of solar modules. 
         [0017]    The disclosed support body of the support device is also suitable for being appended to a target surface. Within the present context, a target surface means any suitable surface on which the solar power generator assembly is to be installed. One implementation of a suitable target surface may be a substantially flat surface, for example a rooftop or a part thereof. 
         [0018]    The present support body of the support device is a single piece body made of a thermally insulating material. The term single piece body as used herein means a body consisting of or constituting a single unit or part. The support body has at least one housing formed therein which can be formed on at least one lateral surface of the supporting body. In a preferred implementation, the support body includes a series of housings formed in each lateral surface thereof and having the same or different shapes and/or sizes to each other. In this respect, the housing or housings formed in the support body is/are adapted in number, size, shape, etc. for receiving ballast members for holding the support device to said target surface. Ballast members as used herein means weight elements such as for example standard building bricks that are applied to the support device, that is, fitted into one or several of the corresponding housings of the support body to keep the device stability to the target surface. The number of ballast members to be fitted into a corresponding housing of the support body will according to the requirements keep the support device stationary on the target surface. 
         [0019]    The support device may further include at least one layer of material. This layer of material may be present at any location of the support body as required, such as for example on a top surface and/or on one or several lateral surfaces thereof. The layer of material may include a suitable adhesive for attaching at least one of the above mentioned solar modules to the support device. Alternatively or in addition, the layer of material may be an aluminium sheet. More than one layer comprising one or more different materials may be included in the support device. 
         [0020]    The support body may be provided with at least one attaching point that may be formed in at least one corner portion thereof. The attaching point, as it will be explained in detail below, allows support bodies to be flush mounted and attached to one another. More particularly, the attaching point includes a hole that is sized, shaped and configured for receiving a projection such as a substantially upright prong formed on at least one corner of an attaching device. Said attaching device is provided for alignment and attachment of adjacent support bodies of corresponding support devices to each other. The attaching device may include, for example, a base plate having at least two of such upright prongs (usually four) for being inserted into said corresponding attaching points or holes formed in the respective support bodies. In use, the base plate of the attaching device rests on the target surface. 
         [0021]    The support body of the support device is provided with suitable guiding means for wiring as well as recesses for connection boxes for the electrical connection of the solar modules. 
         [0022]    The support body may have any desired shape and geometrical configuration. The support body may also have a top surface that is arranged horizontal or sloped relative to the horizontal. 
         [0023]    As stated above, a solar power generator assembly as defined in claim  10  is further provided. Such a solar power generator assembly includes at least one solar module, preferably a number of them, having a support device each comprising a support body as defined above onto which at least one solar module is fitted. 
         [0024]    A method for installing said solar module assembly as defined in claim  14  is also provided. More particularly, the installation method includes the steps of providing one support device as defined above and placing it on a target surface, such as a substantially flat surface, for example a building rooftop. Part of one solar module or an entire single solar module or even a plurality of solar modules is fitted on the top surface of the support body, whether it is horizontal or sloped. Ballast members, such as standard building bricks, are then inserted into housings formed in the support device for keeping it stationary on the roof surface. The solar module wiring is subsequently connected. Further support devices are mounted where necessary according to the number of solar modules required according to the power to be generated. The solar module assembly is installed such that the solar modules are arranged adjacent to each other forming an array. The support devices can be held in position by first placing an attaching device on the substantially flat surface with its prongs projecting upwards and inserting said prongs into attaching points of the first and the second adjacent support devices. A step of electrically connecting several solar modules in the assembly to each other are further carried out. 
         [0025]    It has been found that with the present support device for a solar power generator assembly, and/or with a solar power generator assembly having such a support device, and/or with the above mentioned installation method, a great number of advantages are achieved. First, by the provision of the present support device, a solar power generator assembly can be quickly and easily constructed. A significant advantage is that transport operations become more efficient even when the solar power generator assembly is installed in remote areas. Due to the constructive simplicity of the support device and its low weight, transport operations are cost effective and fast: no frames or complex structures are required for supporting the solar modules on the roof and fixing means such as retainers or clamps are no longer necessary for fixing the solar modules thus making the anchoring operation fast, simple and cost effective. Another advantage is that the ballast weight can be chosen in accordance with the wind load conditions of the specific installation. 
         [0026]    With the above disclosed support device, a solar power generator assembly of the integrated type is obtained. Its simplicity results in that the assembly, once installed, becomes part of the existing standard building roofs along with architectonical elements such as vegetation, wood, gravel and pedestrian ways. This results in a simple and aesthetic solution for solar energy production in buildings while complying with the main characteristics of the existing building roof such as, for example, water isolation, heating, cooling, etc. Such an aesthetic feature provides the building with a uniform appearance due to the integrated solar system. 
         [0027]    The present installation method has been proven to be very fast as compared to prior art solar module installation methods that involved fitting a great number of parts. With the disclosed installation method, time spent on installing the above described assembly is highly reduced which involves that new and existing buildings can be rapidly transformed into a solar power generator integrated therein. The installation method is also quite simple both for assembling and disassembling operations. Roof repairing and maintenance operations can be therefore carried out more easily. It is important to take into account that with the present installation method, roof penetrations are no longer necessary and therefore leakages to building interior are efficiently eliminated. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0028]    A particular implementation of a support device for a solar power generator assembly will be described in the following only by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the appended drawings. 
           [0029]    In said drawings: 
           [0030]      FIG. 1  is a top plan view of one implementation of a solar power generator assembly in which one support device is shown; 
           [0031]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the solar power generator assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 3  is an elevational view of the solar power generator assembly shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view the implementation in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0034]      FIG. 5  is a close up view of the highlighted detail in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 6  is a top plan view of one implementation of a solar power generator assembly in which two mutually adjacent support devices are shown; 
           [0036]      FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the two mutually adjacent support devices forming the solar power generator assembly shown in  FIG. 6 ; 
           [0037]      FIG. 8  is a top plan view of one implementation of an attaching device for the solar power generator assembly in  FIGS. 1-5 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 9  is a side view of the attaching device shown in  FIG. 8 ; and 
           [0039]      FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the attaching device shown in  FIG. 8 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0040]    One implementation of a solar power generator assembly is herein disclosed in connection with the drawings in which a support device is provided. In the implementation shown in  FIGS. 1-7 , the solar power generator assembly has been indicated as a whole at  1 . 
         [0041]    One implementation of such support devices that are part of a solar power generator assembly  1  has been shown in the FIGs. and it has been denoted as a whole at  100 . The support device  100  of the solar power generator assembly  1  includes a support body  110 . Support body  110  is a single piece body, i.e, formed as a unitary block, having a top surface  115 , a bottom surface  120 , and lateral surfaces  125 . Lateral surfaces  125  are side, front and rear lateral surfaces  125 . 
         [0042]    The top surface  115  of the support body  110  in the example shown in  FIGS. 1-7  is a horizontal surface. The configuration of the support body  110  is not however limited to such particular configuration, and top surface  115  may be sloped. In general, the top surface  115  can be of any configuration as long as it is suitable for receiving part of a PV solar module  200 , an entire single solar module  200  or a plurality of solar modules  200 . In the example shown in  FIG. 2 , the solar power generator assembly  1  includes a support device  100  that is placed on a target surface  300  and it is provided with a solar module  200  attached thereon (see  FIGS. 2 ,  4 ,  5  and  7 ). Solar module  200  includes a transparent top surface made of glass and a plurality of interconnected PV cells such as for example thin-film photovoltaic cells. 
         [0043]    The bottom surface  120  of the support body  110  is a horizontal surface although it is not limited to this particular configuration but it may be of any configuration as long as it is suitable for being appended to or placed on the target surface  300  as diagrammatically shown in  FIGS. 3 and 7 . This target surface  300  onto which the support device  100  is to be placed is a substantially flat surface, such as for example a rooftop or a part thereof. The substantially flat surface  300  may be horizontal or even sloped (typically of the order of 5°). 
         [0044]    The piece support body  110  is made of a suitable thermally insulating material, such as polyisocyanurate or extruded polystyrene. In this way, power generation and thermal isolation are provided: the solar power generator assembly  1  allows the building roof  300  to be thermally isolated while generating energy. The support body  110  is treated with a suitable protection paint to protect it from UV radiation. Paint is applied to the complete area to be exposed to the solar radiation such as the lateral surfaces  125  and the area below the edges of the solar module  200 . 
         [0045]    The support body  110  has a number of housings  130  formed in the lateral surfaces  125  thereof. In the example shown in the FIGs., the support body  110  is provided a housing  130  formed in each side lateral surfaces  125  and a housing  130  formed in the front and rear lateral surfaces  125 , respectively, as shown in  FIG. 1 . 
         [0046]    The housings  130  formed in the lateral surfaces  125  of the support body  110  are shown as having a prismatic configuration. Housings  130  may of course be shaped otherwise as long as they can receive at least one ballast member  140 . One example of a ballast member  140  to be used in the support device  100  is diagrammatically shown in  FIG. 1 . Although only one ballast member  140  has been shown in the drawings it is to be understood that the number of ballast members  140  may be as required. In this respect, the housings  130  in the lateral surfaces  125  of the support body  110  may be fully or partly provided with ballast members  140 . Therefore, the housings  130  are so adapted in number, size and shape for fully or partly receiving the necessary ballast members  140 . 
         [0047]    Ballast members  140  may be any weight elements of any desired shape and of any suitable material as long as they can be fitted within the housings  130  and be of any suitable weight for keeping the support device  100  and the solar module or modules  200  stationary on the target surface  300 . In the example shown, the ballast members  140  consist of standard bricks of the type commonly used for masonry construction, that is, prismatic shaped pieces which may exhibit a wide variety of sizes, for example within a ranges of 200-250 mm×100-120 mm×55-75 mm in size and in a range of 2.5-3.0 Kg in weight for each brick unit. According to this, an exemplary implementation of such a power generator assembly  1  would have a size of about 1320 mm×1120 mm×105 mm and a weight ranging from 32 kg to 74 kg depending upon ballast  140 . Ballast  140  is however not limited to the above particular implementation. 
         [0048]    In the implementation shown, the support device  100  further includes one layer of material  150  that may be arranged between the top surface  115  of the support body  110  and the lower surface  210  of the solar module  200  applied thereon. The layer of material  150  of the support device  100  includes a suitable adhesive for attaching the solar module  200  to the support body  110 . More layers  150  of the same or different materials (such as for example aluminium) can be applied to the support device  100  as required. 
         [0049]    Now referring to  FIG. 1 , the support body  110  of the support device  100  is provided with four attaching points  160  each formed substantially at every corner portion of the support body  110  as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 6 . The attaching points  160  in the support body  110  are in the form of cylindrical holes although other shapes are of course possible. The support body  110  is further provided with guiding means  170  for wiring as well as recesses  175  for connecting boxes, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 . 
         [0050]    The arrangement of several solar modules  200  and the corresponding support devices  100  in a solar power generator assembly  1  will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 6 and 7 . 
         [0051]    Solar power generator assembly  1  includes two support devices  100  as shown  FIGS. 6 and 7  as an example. Other number of support devices  100 , for example six or even more, may be provided for forming a solar power generator assembly  1  as required. A corresponding number of solar modules  200  assembled electrically and mechanically to each other are also provided for forming the solar power generator assembly  1 . The resulting solar power generator assembly  1  is suitable for solar power generator constructions integrated with the existing roof  300 . The particular construction of the solar power generator assembly  1  herein disclosed makes possible to walk on, for example for carrying out maintenance operations. 
         [0052]    For installing the solar module assembly  1  shown, attaching devices  180  are provided, one exemplary implementation of which is shown in  FIGS. 8-10 . The purpose of the attaching devices  180  is to keep adjacent support bodies  110  attached to each other and improve the wind load resistance. Each attaching device  180  includes a base plate  185  having, for example, a substantially square shape. The base plate  185  of the attaching device  180  is provided with four upright projections or prongs  187  formed at respective corners thereof. Each projection or prong  187  project upwardly from each corner portion of the base plate  185  as shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Each projection  187  is shaped for being inserted into corresponding attaching points  160  of respective, different, adjacent support bodies  110 . In use, and having four adjacent support bodies  110 , the projections  185  of an attaching device  180  are inserted in attaching points  160  of different support bodies  110 . The base plate  185  of the attaching device  180  is adapted for resting on the target surface  300  when in use. 
         [0053]    The installation process of the solar module assembly  1  starts by placing one or several of such attaching devices  180  with the base plate  185  on the target surface  300 , that is, on the building roof. Then, a support device  100 , having a PV solar module  200  glued on the top surface  115  of the support body  110  is placed on the roof  300  in a way that one prong  185  of one attaching device  180  is fitted within one attaching point  160  of the support body  110  in said support device  100 . The prong fitting operation is repeated for further adjacent support devices  100  along with their corresponding solar modules  200 . Afterwards, the necessary ballast members  140 , such as standard bricks as described above, are then inserted into the housings  130  of the respective support bodies  110 . Then, the solar module wiring is subsequently connected (cables can be fixed to the support body  110  through the use of, for example, a tape) once the connection box has been fitted within the corresponding recess  175 . 
         [0054]    Further support devices  100  can be mounted and connected through the use of attaching devices  180  as described where necessary according to the power requirements for the solar module assembly  1 . 
         [0055]    As described above, the support device  100  is provided with a solar module  200  glued on the top surface  115  of the support body  110 . The attachment of the solar module  200  on the support body  110  is carried out by applying a small quantity (e.g. 100 g) of a suitable adhesive that is supplied through a pneumatic dispenser (which is connected to the facilities and loaded with the adhesive) on the solar module  200  by forming a circular path of, for example, 4 mm width. Channels  170  for wiring are sealed with adhesive in both sides of a connection box (not shown). Then, the solar module  200  is put over the support body  110  with the connecting box recess  175  facing and aligned with the connecting box. Cables (not shown) are held by the free tips thereof and introduced them into the guiding means  170 . The solar module  200  is then put completely in contact with the support body  110  of the support device  100  with its corners aligned. The solar modules  200  are then pressed against the support body  110  of the support device  100  until the adhesive is completely cured. 
         [0056]    It will be clear that the support device  100  herein described and shown by way of a non-limiting example serves the purpose of supporting one or several solar modules (or panels)  200  for forming a solar power generator assembly  1 , but it is to be noted that such support device  100  as described, effectively performs further several functions such as guide for wiring, thermal insulation, etc. 
         [0057]    While particular implementations and examples have been described, it is understood that, after learning the teachings contained in this disclosure, amendments and generalizations will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the disclosed implementations.