Solar panel roof

Abstract

A solar panel system comprising a plurality of joists, and a set of rectangular solar panels, each solar panel supported along opposing sides by two supporting joists. Each joist is formed with a plurality of wedge-shaped recesses, each recess having an end surface and a flat, sloping supporting surface meeting with a bottom edge of the end surface, the plurality of recesses together forming a saw-tooth contour. Each solar panel is received in the recesses of its supporting joists, resting on the supporting surfaces of the recesses with an upper edge of the solar panel meeting the end surfaces of the recesses, such that an upper solar panel has a lower edge which protrudes over an upper edge of a lower solar panel. With this design, the recesses provide guiding and fixation during the mounting, which saves time and ensures a reliable mounting process.

Claims

1. A solar panel system mounted on a roof of a building, comprising: a plurality of supporting joists arranged substantially normal to an upper ridge of the roof, and extending from said upper ridge to a lower region of the roof, and a set of rectangular solar panels, each solar panel supported along opposing sides by two said supporting joists, wherein each respective joist is formed with a plurality of wedge-shaped recesses, each recess having, in an end closest to the upper ridge, an end surface normal to the roof extending across a width of the respective joist, and a flat, sloping supporting surface meeting with a bottom edge of the end surface, said plurality of recesses together forming a saw-tooth contour, said end surface having a height substantially corresponding to a thickness of said solar panels, wherein each solar panel is received in respective wedge-shaped recesses of respective supporting joists, resting on respective supporting surfaces of said respective recesses with an upper edge of each solar panel meeting respective end surfaces of said respective recesses, and wherein an upper said solar panel has a lower edge which protrudes over an upper edge of a lower said solar panel in an overlapping manner, further comprising a set of fixation elements configured to fix the solar panels to the supporting joists, each fixation element having a saw-tooth contour matching the overlapping solar panels.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein each of the fixation elements includes a first contour forming layer, shaped to match the saw-tooth shape created by the overlapping solar panels, and an upper cover.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein each joist includes a set of separate right trapezoid sections, each section forming one of said supporting surfaces.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein each solar panel comprises a solar cell array sandwiched between two sheets of glass.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein each joist is provided with a trench on opposing sides thereof, such that any water penetrating between a respective said solar panel and the respective joist is collected in said trench and guided down along the respective joist.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system forms a weather protecting outer cover of said roof.

7. The system according to claim 1, wherein the system is formed outside a weather protecting outer cover of said roof.

8. The system according to claim 1, wherein the supporting surfaces of said recesses are provided with a compressible sealing layer.

9. The system according to claim 8, wherein the compressible sealing layer is made of a rubber material.

10. The system according to claim 1, wherein each joist comprises a lower supporting body and a saw-tooth contour layer mounted on said lower supporting body.

11. The system according to claim 10, wherein each saw-tooth contour layer includes a set of sections, each section forming one of said supporting surfaces.

12. The system according to claim 10, wherein each saw-tooth contour layer is formed with a trench on opposing sides of the respective joist, such that any water penetrating between a respective said solar panel and the respective joist is collected in said trench and guided down along the respective joist.

13. The system according to claim 10, wherein a compressible sealing layer is arranged between each supporting body and each saw-tooth contour layer, said compressible sealing layer being formed with a trench on opposing sides of the respective joist, such that any water penetrating between a respective said solar panel and the respective joist is collected in said trench and guided down along the respective joist.

14. The system according to claim 1, wherein the supporting surface of each recess is provided with a protruding ridge extending along a central axis of the respective supporting joist, and wherein adjacent solar panels are arranged on either side of said protruding ridge, such that said protruding ridge extends at least partially into a gap formed between the adjacent solar panels.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the fixation elements have a T-profile, each T-profile fixation element having a central web positioned in the gap between two adjacent solar panels, and two flanges resting against a respective one of the adjacent solar panels.

16. The system according to claim 15, wherein each T-profile fixation element includes a contour-forming element facing the solar panels, and a fixation portion arranged on the contour-forming element.

17. The system according to claim 15, wherein each flange is provided with a compressible sealing layer.

18. The system according to claim 17, wherein the compressible sealing layer is made of a rubber material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The present invention will be described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, showing currently preferred embodiments of the invention.

(2) FIG. 1 shows schematically a house provided with a solar panel system.

(3) FIG. 2a-d show various examples of joist for solar panels systems according to embodiments of the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 shows a cross section of a joist supporting two solar panels in a system according to another embodiment of the invention.

(5) FIG. 4a is an exploded side view of a solar panel system, according to a further embodiment of the invention.

(6) FIG. 4b is shows the system in FIG. 4a in assembled state.

(7) FIG. 5a-b illustrate a solar panel system according yet another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(8) FIG. 1 shows a house 1 provided with solar panels 2 including solar cells which generate electricity when exposed to sunlight. The solar cells are electrically connected to a power inverter 4 which is configured to convert the generated DC power to AC power compatible with the requirements of the local electrical power grid 5. The inverter 4 is connected to a main controller 6 which is also connected to the electrical system 7 of the house 1 and to the grid 5. The controller is configured to provide the electrical system of the house with electrical power from the solar panels 2 when such power is available, and otherwise to provide electrical power from the grid 5. The system also includes a monitoring/metering unit 8, which measures how much power from the solar panels 2 that is output to the grid 7, and also how much power that is drawn from the grid 5. Additionally, the inverter 4 may be connected to a high power battery device 9, in order to store electrical energy for future personal use instead of outputting in to the grid 5.

(9) In FIG. 1, the inverter 4 is a single unit, in which case all solar panels are connected in series to the single inverter 4. Such a single inverter is sometimes referred to as a string inverter. Each panel may be provided with a power optimizer 3, which, as the name implies, is configured to condition the generation of electrical power in the particular solar panel to optimally fit with the operation of the string inverter 4. The controller 6 is then connected to control each power optimizer 3.

(10) Alternatively, each solar panel is provided with a separate inverter, sometimes referred to as a microinverter. Although more expensive, this may be more efficient, especially if the panels are partly shaded, or mounted at different angles toward the sun.

(11) Power optimizers and microinverters, i.e. power electronics arranged in association with each solar panel, are sometimes referred to as module-level power electronics, or MLPE.

(12) FIGS. 2a-c show an integrated solar panel roof according to embodiments of the invention. An integrated solar panel roof is here understood to provide a combined function of solar cells and outer protection (against weather, pressure, wear, etc.) of the roof. In other words, when installing an integrated solar panel roof, no regular roof tiling is required in areas where the solar panels are located. Such integrated solar panels are commercially available, e.g. from Gruppsol AB. In this case, each solar panel comprises a solar cell grid sandwiched between two glass panels. The glass is preferably temperated (safety) glass to provide a structurally strong surface. The panels may be 1 m by 1.65 m, but other dimensions are of course possible.

(13) With reference to FIG. 2a, the system here has an underlying roof surface 11, e.g. tar paper on wood. On this surface is arranged a set of joists 12, onto which the solar panels 13 are arranged. As shown in FIG. 1, the solar panels cover substantially the entire roof, but it is equally possible to combine the integrated solar panels with conventional tiling.

(14) Each joist 12 extends in the vertical direction of the roof, i.e. between the upper ridge 14 and the lower edge 15 of the side of the roof, and substantially normal to upper ridge 14. The joists 12 are arranged at a center-to-center (cc) distance adapted to the width of the solar panels 13 that are to be mounted thereon.

(15) According to the invention, each joist is formed with a plurality of wedge-shaped recesses 16, each recess having, in an end closest to the upper ridge, an end surface 16a normal to the roof extending across the width of the joist, and a flat, sloping supporting surface 16b meeting with a bottom edge of the end surface 16a. As shown in FIG. 2a, the plurality of recesses 16 together form a saw-tooth contour.

(16) Each solar panel 13 is arranged to rest against the supporting surfaces 16b of recesses 16 of two adjacent joists 12a, 12b, such that an upper edge 17 (the edge facing the ridge 14 of the roof) meets the end surfaces 16a of the recesses 16. The depth of the recess (i.e. the height of the end surface 16a) substantially corresponds with the thickness of the solar panel 13, such that the upper edge 17 is level with the supporting surface 16b immediately above it. As a consequence, the lower edge 18 of an upper panel 13a can protrude over the upper edge 17 of a lower panel 13b, while being supported by the supporting surfaces 16b as well as the upper edge 17.

(17) The panels 13 are mounted from the bottom, i.e. beginning with a row closest to the edge 15 of the roof. The next row is then mounted above the first, with the lower edge 18 of the second row panels slightly overlapping the upper edge 17 of the first row panels.

(18) Optionally, clips 19 may be provided to ensure that an panels in an upper row do not slide down over the panels in a lower row.

(19) The joists 12a, 12b in FIG. 2a comprise a lower supporting body 21, here extending along the entire length of the joist. On top of that is arranged a contour forming layer 22, here formed by a set of wedge-shaped sections 23, so that each wedge 23 forms the supporting surface 16b of one recess 16.

(20) The bodies 21 may be wooden or metal profile joists of standard dimensions, and may be mounted using conventional fastening means, such as screws, nails, etc. The layer 22, e.g. the sections 23, can then be mounted on the bodies 21 either before mounting on the roof 11 or on site after attaching the bodies 21.

(21) In the illustrated example, each joist further comprises an upper element 24 covering each supporting surface 16b. The element 24 may be formed in a water resistant material, such as plastic or rubber, and include trenches 25 on either side. These trenches will serve to guide any water penetrating the edge of a panel down towards the lower edge 15 of the roof.

(22) The element 24 may also have a centrally located protruding ridge 26. This ridge 26 will extend at least partially into a gap formed between two adjacent panels, for example the panels 13 and 13b in FIG. 2a, and even more clearly in FIG. 3. During mounting of the panels, such a ridge 26 will serve as a guide, to facilitate the arrangement of solar panels 13 onto the joists 12. Each panel 13 will be guided sideways by the ridges 26, and guided upwards by the end surfaces 16a.

(23) It is noted that in the absence of a covering element 24, the ridge 26 may be formed in the contour forming layer 23.

(24) FIG. 2b shows an example where not only the ridge 26, but also the trenches 25 have all been integrated into a section 23 of the contour forming layer. Such a section 23 may e.g. be formed of molded plastic.

(25) FIG. 2c shows another example of a joist 112, here made of one single piece 121, e.g. of wood or aluminum. For manufacturing purposes, especially in the case of wood, it may be preferably to make the joist as s set of right trapezoid pieces 123, as shown in FIG. 2d.

(26) FIG. 3 shows in more detail a set of panels 13, 13a, 13b resting on a joist 12. Similar to FIG. 2a, the joist 12 includes a supporting body 21 and a contour forming section 23. In this case, however, a trench forming element 28 is sandwiched between the body 21 and section 23. The element 28 maybe formed by extruded rubber or plastic, and forms a trench 25 on either side of the joist 12, similar in function as the trenches 25 in FIG. 2a.

(27) Further, a protrusion 26 is formed directly in the section 23. Each panel 13, 13a, 13b abuts against the protrusion 26, and rests on a compressible sealing layer 29a provided on the supporting surface 16b of the section 23. The sealing layer 29a may be made of a rubber material, e.g. EPDM. In addition to providing a water sealing, the sealing layer may also provide shock absorption protecting the panels.

(28) Also shown in FIG. 3 is a T-profile fixation element 31, having a central web 31a and two flanges 31b. The element 31 is arranged such that the web 31a extends down into the gap between two adjacent solar panels, and towards the protrusion 26. The flanges 31b press against a respective one of the adjacent solar panels. The underside of the flanges 31b is here provided with a compressible sealing layer 29b similar to the layer 29a. The element 31 is held in place by suitable fixation means, here nails 32.

(29) The length of the element 31 here preferably has the same length as one solar panel 13, so that each element fits in the saw-tooth shape formed by the overlapping panels. This principle is shown more clearly in FIG. 5b, with respect to a different embodiment.

(30) The design in FIG. 3, and in particular the sealing layers 29a, 29b, ensures that the solar panel roof system is highly weather resistant. In the event water does penetrate the edges of the panels 13, such water can follow the trenches 25 out from the roof system.

(31) Turning now to FIG. 4a-b, there is shown a panel roof system according to a further embodiment. The system is similar to that in FIG. 3, and again includes a joist 12 formed of a body 21 and a contour forming layer 23, with a trench forming element 28 sandwiched therebetween. Panels 13 are arranged in the recesses 16, and held in place by a fixation element 33a, 33b. Here, however, the fixation element includes a first contour forming layer 33a, shaped to match the saw-tooth shape created by the overlapping panels 13, and an upper cover 33b. The cover 33b and contour forming layer 33a are held in place by fastening means, e.g. nails 32.

(32) The contour forming layer 33a serves to bridge the saw-tooth shape that forms between overlapping panels. As a result, the cover 33b can extend along the entire roof, instead of being divided into sections (like in FIG. 5b). Another benefit is that the relatively thin cover 33b can be made of a highly weather-resistant material, such as aluminum, and be possible to manufacture in a cost efficient manner (e.g. extrusion). The contour-forming layer 33a, on the other hand, can be made of a less expensive material, such as plastic, which more easily can be formed in the required shape.

(33) FIG. 5a-5b show yet another embodiment of a solar panel roof system according to the invention. The joists 12 are here similar to those in FIG. 2a and FIG. 2b, and thus include a supporting body 21 and a sectioned contour forming layer 22. As shown in FIG. 5a, each section 23 is integrally formed with trenches 25 and protruding ridge 26, similar to the section 23 in FIG. 2b. In addition, the element 37 is here provided with an male snap-fit portion 36 along the ridge 26. The system further comprises t-profile fixation elements 37, similar to the elements 31 in FIG. 3, but in this case each element 37 is provided with a female snap-fit portion 38, matching the portion 36.

(34) As shown in FIG. 5b, each element 37 is adapted to extend along one panel 13. Further, a lower end 37a of each element 37 is here adapted to extend over an upper end 37b of an adjacent element 37.

(35) The person skilled in the art realizes that the present invention by no means is limited to the preferred embodiments described above. On the contrary, many modifications and variations are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, other choices of material and manufacturing techniques may be considered.