Photovoltaic installation

Abstract

The invention relates to a photovoltaic module (16) comprising at least one recycled blade of a horizontal axis wind turbine or a section of a recycled blade of a horizontal-axis wind turbine which forms a beam (25), characterised by a plurality of cross-members (26) secured to the beam (25), each cross-member bearing photovoltaic panels (18).

Claims

1. A photovoltaic module comprising at least one reused horizontal-axis wind turbine blade or reused horizontal-axis wind turbine blade section forming a beam, a plurality of cross-members secured to the beam by clamping structures that clamp on the wind turbine blade on an upper surface and on a lower surface thereof, each cross-member carrying photovoltaic panels, wherein the cross-members are independent of one another and photovoltaic panels carried by adjacent cross-members are separated by empty spaces, and the clamping structures that clamp on the wind turbine blade being placed above and below an internal reinforcement of the wind turbine blade.

2. The photovoltaic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cross-members are secured to the beam at a right angle in their middle, each cross-member carrying a double row of photovoltaic panels.

3. The photovoltaic module as claimed in claim 1, wherein the clamping structures are in the middle of each cross-member.

4. The photovoltaic module as claimed in claim 1, comprising a first vertical pillar on which a first end of the beam bears, and a secondary pillar supporting a second end of the beam, such that the beam, the cross-members and the photovoltaic panels lie in the same horizontal plane.

5. A photovoltaic installation comprising a plurality of horizontal photovoltaic modules as claimed in claim 4, installed along a communication route, or a watercourse, wherein the photovoltaic modules are arranged with the beam orthogonal to the communication route or the watercourse.

6. A photovoltaic module comprising at least one reused horizontal-axis wind turbine blade or reused horizontal-axis wind turbine blade section forming a beam, a plurality of cross-members secured to the beam, each cross-member carrying photovoltaic panels, wherein the cross-members are independent of one another and photovoltaic panels carried by adjacent cross-members are separated by empty spaces dimensioned such that no mechanical force is transmitted to the panel when the wind turbine blade is deformed to a predefined maximum expected deformation.

7. The photovoltaic module of claim 6, the deformation comprising bending and twisting components.

8. The photovoltaic module of claim 6, the cross-member meeting the beam at a straight angle and extending symmetrically from both sides of the beam.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) Examples of implementation of the invention are set out in the description illustrated by the attached figures, in which:

(2) FIGS. 1 and 2 show an arrangement of the photovoltaic module of the invention on a reused horizontal-axis wind turbine blade.

(3) FIG. 3 shows a possible embodiment of the connection between a horizontal-axis wind turbine blade and the photovoltaic module of the invention.

(4) FIGS. 4 and 5 show part of a photovoltaic module of the invention in a non-loaded situation and in deflection, respectively.

(5) FIGS. 6 and 7 schematically show a use of the photovoltaic modules of the invention in a solar park along a highway and along a railroad line, respectively.

EXAMPLE(S) OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

(6) According to the invention, the photovoltaic modules 16 are planar structures comprising several photovoltaic panels as shown in FIG. 1. The solar panels 18 are preferably bifacial so as to collect, in addition to direct solar radiation, also the scattered light coming from below. Each module comprises at least one support beam 25 which is a reused horizontal-axis wind turbine blade, or a horizontal-axis wind turbine blade section.

(7) FIG. 1 shows an arrangement of the photovoltaic panels in a photovoltaic module. In this variant, the blade 25 carries a plurality of cross-members 26 which intersect it at right angles in their middle and are regularly distributed along the length. Each cross-member 26 is secured to the blade 25, for example by structures 27 which clamp the blade 25, bearing on the upper surface and on the lower surface, as shown in FIG. 3. The cross-members extend symmetrically from both sides of the blade 25. The clamping geometry will be designed according to the internal structure of the wind turbine blade 25, in particular in relation to the position of the internal reinforcements of the blade 25 (shown schematically in section).

(8) Each cross-member is equipped with a double row of photovoltaic modules 18. Advantageously, the cross-members 26 are independent of one another, and can follow the inevitable flexions of the blade 25 without transmitting dangerous forces to the panels 18.

(9) FIG. 2 shows a variant of the modules 16 which also comprises a single beam 25 together with cross-members 26. The cross-members in this variant extend away from the longitudinal axis 72 of the beam at an acute angle. The invention also includes variants, not shown, with several beams in each module 16. The beams may be arranged parallel, in a V, or in any suitable arrangement and may comprise one or more wind turbine blades or wind turbine blade sections. The wind turbine blades may also participate in the construction of the cross-members 26 or the frame 28.

(10) Examples of use of the photovoltaic modules 16 of the invention will be set out below, in which the beam 25 and the cross-members 26 lie essentially horizontally. The invention is not limited to this arrangement, however.

(11) As mentioned above, it is preferable for the cross-members 26 to be independent of one another so as to be able to follow the flexions of the wind turbine blade 25. FIG. 4 shows part of a photovoltaic module according to the invention in which the beam formed by the blade 25 is not deformed. The photovoltaic panels 18 lie essentially in the same horizontal plane. The clamping pads 27, which secure each of the cross-members 26 to the blade 25 independently, can be seen. The power line 31 comprises flexible cables and transmits the electrical energy produced by the photovoltaic panels 18 to one end of the module.

(12) FIG. 5 shows the same photovoltaic module with the beam 25 considerably deformed. The figure is not to scale. Deformations and deflections are exaggerated to make them more visible. The overall curvature of the wind turbine blade 25 moves the photovoltaic panels 18 out of the nominal plane. Because the cross-members are independent, no mechanical force is transmitted to the panels. The empty spaces between the rows of panels are dimensioned according to the maximum expected deformations so as to avoid any impact between the panels. FIG. 7 shows a deformation having an upward concavity, such as is expected when the beam 25 is placed between two supports, but the photovoltaic modules of the invention can also withstand deformations having a downward concavity, if the beam 25 is supported in a cantilever, as well as more complex deformations, for example twisting.

(13) FIG. 6 shows a photovoltaic installation according to the present invention in which a plurality of photovoltaic modules is arranged one after the other along a communication route, for example a major road or a highway 80. Communication routes often offer desirable conditions for such photovoltaic installations: sunlight conditions are generally favorable and access is excellent. In addition, roads are often lined with power lines making it possible to distribute energy that cannot be used on site. The figures show approximately triangular photovoltaic modules in an alternating arrangement to maximize coverage, but other arrangements are possible.

(14) The modules are supported by a main pillar 42 at one end and, preferably, by an auxiliary pillar 48 positioned further along the beam 25. Advantageously, the beam 25 may be bolted to the main pillar via the root (not shown) originally provided to connect the blade to the hub of a wind turbine. The main pillar 42 and the auxiliary pillar 48 are installed on two opposite sides of the road, such that the photovoltaic module 16 spans the road horizontally and the vehicles pass over it. In addition to the production of solar power, the modules of the invention can support road signs, surveillance cameras, or any other device useful for the management and control of the road and traffic.

(15) As shown in FIG. 7, the photovoltaic modules 16 of the invention may also be arranged along other communication routes, for example railroads 81, with the same advantages as roads and highways. Depending on the width and the structure to be covered, the modules may be installed orthogonally, or diagonally as shown here. The communication routes to which this variant of the invention is applicable also include canals and navigable watercourses.

(16) Furthermore, the modules 16 may also be arranged along rivers, waterways, streams, aqueducts, irrigation canals, pipelines for the transport of gas, oil, penstocks, etc.

(17) The photovoltaic modules 16 of the invention may also serve as a barrier for concealing traffic, attenuating noise, and protecting from the sun and rain. It goes without saying that the same installation, or similar installations, may be applied to other open spaces such as reservoirs, walking paths, car parks, sports facilities, train stations, urban spaces and the like.

REFERENCE NUMERALS USED IN THE FIGURES

(18) 16 photovoltaic module 18 photovoltaic panels 25 reused wind turbine blade, beam 26 rib 27 clamping means 28 frame 31 cables 42 main pillar 48 auxiliary pillar 72 longitudinal axis of the beam 80 highway 81 railroad