AU2012324030B2 - Solar farm, solar table fitted to such a solar farm, system and method for constructin such a solar farm - Google Patents
Solar farm, solar table fitted to such a solar farm, system and method for constructin such a solar farm Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- AU2012324030B2 AU2012324030B2 AU2012324030A AU2012324030A AU2012324030B2 AU 2012324030 B2 AU2012324030 B2 AU 2012324030B2 AU 2012324030 A AU2012324030 A AU 2012324030A AU 2012324030 A AU2012324030 A AU 2012324030A AU 2012324030 B2 AU2012324030 B2 AU 2012324030B2
- Authority
- AU
- Australia
- Prior art keywords
- solar
- beams
- farm
- tables
- length
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Ceased
Links
Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H10—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES; ELECTRIC SOLID-STATE DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- H10F—INORGANIC SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES SENSITIVE TO INFRARED RADIATION, LIGHT, ELECTROMAGNETIC RADIATION OF SHORTER WAVELENGTH OR CORPUSCULAR RADIATION
- H10F19/00—Integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one photovoltaic cell covered by group H10F10/00, e.g. photovoltaic modules
- H10F19/90—Structures for connecting between photovoltaic cells, e.g. interconnections or insulating spacers
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
- F24S25/10—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules extending in directions away from a supporting surface
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
- F24S25/10—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules extending in directions away from a supporting surface
- F24S25/12—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules extending in directions away from a supporting surface using posts in combination with upper profiles
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
- F24S25/20—Peripheral frames for modules
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S30/00—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules
- F24S30/40—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement
- F24S30/42—Arrangements for moving or orienting solar heat collector modules for rotary movement with only one rotation axis
- F24S30/425—Horizontal axis
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S40/00—Safety or protection arrangements of solar heat collectors; Preventing malfunction of solar heat collectors
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
- H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
- H02S20/10—Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
- H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
- H02S20/20—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object
- H02S20/22—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings
- H02S20/23—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object specially adapted for buildings specially adapted for roof structures
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
- H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
- H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
- H02S20/30—Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
- F24S2025/01—Special support components; Methods of use
- F24S2025/013—Stackable support elements
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
- F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
- F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
- F24S2025/80—Special profiles
- F24S2025/801—Special profiles having hollow parts with closed cross-section
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02B—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS
- Y02B10/00—Integration of renewable energy sources in buildings
- Y02B10/10—Photovoltaic [PV]
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
- Y02E10/47—Mountings or tracking
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
- Y02E10/50—Photovoltaic [PV] energy
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Sustainable Development (AREA)
- Sustainable Energy (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Architecture (AREA)
- Civil Engineering (AREA)
- Structural Engineering (AREA)
- Photovoltaic Devices (AREA)
Abstract
SOLAR FARM, SOLAR TABLE FITTED TO SUCH A SOLAR FARM, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING SUCH A SOLAR FARM This invention relates to a solar farm, comprising a least one inverter and at least one solar table (10) connected by electric cables (70) to the inverter or to one of the inverters. The solar table (10) is adapted to rest on at least two support legs (90) on the ground (2). The solar table (10) is prefabricated for the purposes 5 of transport and/or installation by including a parallelepiped frame comprising four extended beams (31, 32, 41) two by two opposite, at least one photovoltaic module (60) fixed to the frame, and cable segments (70) for transporting electric energy generated by the photovoltaic module or modules (60) to the inverter. The cable segments (70) are attached over most of their length to at least one of the 10 beams of the first type (31, 32) and/or housed over most of their length in a free volume delimited inside at least one of the beams of the first type (31, 32). The number, the length, the diameter and/or the material of the cable segments (70) integrated into the solar table (10) are according to its predetermined position in the solar farm. The invention also relates to a solar table (10) intended to be fitted 15 to such a solar farm, as well as a system and method for constructing such a solar farm. Figure 5
Description
2 SOLAR FARM, SOLAR TABLE FITTED TO SUCH A SOLAR FARM, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING SUCH A SOLAR FARM This invention relates to a solar farm. The invention also relates to a solar table fitted to such a solar farm, as well as a system and method for constructing such a solar farm. The field of the invention is that of renewable power generation facilities, 5 photovoltaic solar or hybrid solar. The invention relates in particular to high-capacity solar farms, i.e. having an energy production capacity greater than 1 "MegaWatt peak" (MWp), more preferably greater than 10 MWp. Alternatively, the invention can be implemented for a small-capacity solar farm, between approximately 3 to 300 kWp. 10 In a known manner, a high-capacity solar farm can be installed on a bare land, then connected to a national or regional energy transport and distribution network. Currently, such a solar farm is designed to be installed and maintained on the same site for a minimum of 20 to 30 years. The operators must therefore make sure that the cost of the construction is profitable, once the farm installed, 15 through an energy sales contract that covers this same duration. The investment is substantial and potentially risky, which hinders the deployment of solar farms in the least developed and the least solvent countries. Generally, the elements that comprise a photovoltaic solar farm arrive entirely unassembled on the construction site. Thousands of structure beams, 3 photovoltaic modules and electric cables must be assembled directly on the site. The beams are screwed together and anchored in the ground in order to form the structure. The modules are raised with care due to their fragility, then fixed to the structure. The electric cables are deployed over the entire structure and connected 5 to the modules, in order to connect them to a centralised inverter/transformer station, which is itself connected to the energy distribution network. With such a method of traditional construction, 3 to 12 months may pass by before the solar farm is operational and before the first kilo Watt hour (kWh) of energy is delivered to the electricity networks and/or to the final user. By way of example, a 10 traditional solar farm of a capacity of 10 MWp can be operational after approximately 3 to 6 months of work. Furthermore, existing photovoltaic modules are not adapted to produce substantial voltage (V). In practice, several modules are connected in series in order to form module strings that constitute the solar farm. The purpose of such 15 strings is to increase the voltage in the direct current cables, in order to improve the effectiveness of the transport of electric energy generated by the modules up to the inverter. Usually, modules with 60 standard cells have an individual capacity of approximately 230 Wp, with an output voltage of 30 Volts. In order to obtain the desired DC output voltage, which typically corresponds to 2X500 kilovolt 20 amperes (kVA) inverters, a typical string comprises approximately 20 modules connected in series, and the solar farm itself comprises several tens or even hundreds of strings connected as a network. Such an arrangement involves a substantial multiplication in the number of cables and junction boxes of the photovoltaic modules, which requires a large number of assembly operations and 25 extends the duration of the installation. In addition, most existing photovoltaic modules are framed in order to improve their rigidity. Such modules include a laminated glass panel which contains the photovoltaic cells and is mounted in a metal frame, especially made of aluminium. The frame aims to rigidify the module and prevent the breakage of 30 the laminated glass panel, in particular during the transport or the installation. When the module is mounted on the support structure, the rigidity combined with 4 the structure and the module frames is too high compared with the mechanical constraints that the solar farm and the modules (cells/glass panel) are subjected to. This results in wasting material, in volume and in mass, that has to be transported and then installed, which needlessly increases the total cost of the solar farm. 5 Moreover, most existing photovoltaic modules include sixty standard cells, typically cells made of poly-crystalline silicon each measuring 156 millimetres by 156 millimetres, and therefore having a size of 1.60 metre by 1 metre, for a frame thickness of approximately 50 millimetres. For each module, the sixty cells are connected with 6x10 cells in series connected to a connection box. Each module 10 comprises such a box, from which exits two module cables (positive and negative poles). This size is practical if the modules are to be handled manually by installers, but the individual output voltage of each module (voltage at maximum power Pmax = approximately 30V) is too low for efficient energy transport over a distance of a hundred or so metres, as is often necessary in large-size solar farms. 15 So, the input voltage of central inverters used for large-size solar farms is often at least 350V. For this reason, often approximately 20 modules are connected in series in order to increase the total voltage of the string. This poor adjustment between the size of the modules and the optimal string voltage creates a wasting of material (approximately 20 intermediate connection boxes, and approximately 20 40 intermediate module cables). There are also hybrid or solar generators with a low capacity (of a magnitude of a few kWp or tens of kWp, in any case less than 1 MWp), that can be transported in particular by container, wherein the container itself becomes a component of the solar farm. Typically, such a generator comprises solar panels 25 mounted on the roof of the container. These generators are under-dimensioned for an efficient network connection and do not make it possible to create high performance solar farms for a reasonable cost, in particular because of the large number of containers required to obtain 1 MWp. US-A-2010 212 715 describes a solar table, a solar farm comprising 30 several solar tables and a method for constructing such a solar farm. Each table comprises a frame supporting photovoltaic panels, as well as a truss structure 5 which can be folded and unfolded. Such tables are complex and expensive to manufacture. The truss structure represents an additional substantial mass and extends the installation time of the tables. Furthermore, the frames of the solar tables can be stacked on top of one another during their transport, but a risk of 5 jamming exists due to the partially inclined profile of the frames. Moreover, during its manufacture, the solar table does not include all of the cables for transporting electric energy generated by the photovoltaic modules to the inverter, in particular the cables for connecting strings of solar tables. Conventionally, the frame and the photovoltaic panels are transported from 10 a manufacturing site to an installation site, then the electric cables are arranged on the solar tables directly on the installation site, by an electrician different from the manufacturer. The trend is to have the least amount of cables possible, the longest possible, in order to facilitate the work of the electrician. Indeed, a higher number of cable segments and therefore sockets increases the risks of connection errors on 15 the installation site. However, long cables are more difficult to handle and more cumbersome during loading, unloading and installation of the solar farm. The purpose of this invention is to propose an improved solar farm. To this effect, the invention has for purpose a solar farm, comprising at least one inverter and at least two solar tables connected by electric cables to the 20 inverter or to one of the inverters, with each solar table being adapted to rest on at least two support legs on the ground. The solar farm is characterised in that each solar table is prefabricated for the purposes of transport and/or installation including at least the following elements: - a parallelepiped frame comprising four extended beams, two by two 25 opposite, among which: - two beams opposite of a first type are configured with profiles of polygonal cross-section, and - two beams opposite of a second type are each provided with mechanical means of fastening the frame to one of the support legs; 30 - at least one photovoltaic module fixed to the frame; and 6 - cable segments for transporting electric energy generated by the photovoltaic module or modules to the inverter, with the cable segments being attached over most of their length to at least one of the beams of the first type and/or housed over most of their length in a free volume 5 delimited inside at least one of the beams of the first type, with the number, the length, the diameter and/or the material of the cable segments integrated into the or each solar table being according to its predetermined position in the solar farm. The invention also has for purpose a solar table, intended in particular to 10 be fitted to such a solar farm. The solar table is prefabricated for the purposes of transport and/or installation including the following elements: - a parallelepiped frame comprising four extended beams, two by two opposite, among which: - two beams opposite a first type are configured with profiles of 15 polygonal cross-section adapted for being stacking on top of one another and the transversal locking of at least two solar tables, in particular for the purposes of transport in a transport container according to ISO standards, and - two beams opposite a second type are each provided with mechanical 20 means of fastening the frame to a support leg; - at least one photovoltaic module fixed to the frame; and - cable segments for transporting electric energy generated by the photovoltaic module or modules to the inverter, with the cable segments being attached over most of their length to at least one of the beams of the 25 first type and/or housed over most of their length in a free volume delimited inside at least one of the beams of the first type, with the number, the length, the diameter and/or the material of the cable segments integrated into the solar table being according to its predetermined position in the solar farm. 30 As such, the invention makes it possible to obtain a high-capacity solar farm, in a lapse of time and for a cost that are reduced in relation to existing solar 7 farms. The prefabrication of the solar tables prevents having to package and transport a large number of components. Furthermore, the reduction in the number of components to be assembled and package allows time to be saved during the manufacture and the installation, and therefore a global decrease in the cost of 5 labour. Indeed, the slight increase in the cost of assembling in the manufacturing plant is largely offset by the reduction of the packaging cost and of the cost of assembly on the site. Once removed from the transport container, the solar tables are ready to be installed. In addition, the cost corresponding to the support frames for the modules is reduced. The construction of solar tables which are fitted to the 10 solar farm is therefore particularly advantageous, facilitating the transport from the manufacturing site to the installation site, the installation of the farm on a bare land, and also the dismounting and the redeployment of the farm in case of need. In the framework of the invention, the fact of providing the arrangement of the cable segments for each solar table, before its assembly and its transport, 15 requires more preparatory work. Furthermore, the connection of many cable segments on the installation site requires substantial rigour. Integrating segments of electric cables to the frame, at a distance from the installation site, therefore is not of an obvious nature. By conquering the preconceived notions of those skilled in the art, and going against preconceived ideas in the field, the invention allows 20 for a substantial savings in time and therefore money during the unloading and installation of the solar farm on the site. According to other advantageous characteristics of the invention, taken separately or in combination: - Each solar table comprises cable segments of which the length is between 25 95% and 120% of the length of the beams of the first type and of which the number is according to the predetermined position of the solar table in the solar farm. - When the solar farm is installed, the cable segments form strings of cables which extend along strings of solar tables, with the number of strings of 30 cables arranged in parallel being, on the one hand, according to the predetermined 8 position of the string of solar tables in the solar farm and, on the other hand, different for neighbouring strings of solar tables. - Each solar table is adapted to share the same support leg with an adjacent solar table, when at least two solar tables are installed on the ground next to one 5 another with adjacent beams of the second type, with the support leg being fixed to the means of fastening fitted to the adjacent beams of the second type of the two solar tables. - The solar farm comprises at least nine solar tables installed on the ground, placed side by side over at least three lines and at least three columns, at least 10 some of the solar tables are bordered by less than eight solar tables comprising third mechanical means of fastening to the frame of a third support leg. - For each solar table, the beams of the first type extend along a first length, the beams of the second type extend along a second length, with the first length being greater than the second length, in particular the first length is greater than 8 15 metres, more preferably greater than 10 metres, and the second length is greater than 1.50 metre, more preferably greater than 2 metres. - The solar table comprises a central beam for rigidifying the frame, with this central beam extending parallel to the two beams of the first type and connecting the two beams of the second type. 20 - Each solar table further comprises equipotential bonding cables between solar tables, with these equipotential bonding cables belonging to a lightning protection system and being fixed to the frame of the solar table, more preferably during the manufacture of the solar table. - At least some of the solar tables include at least one photovoltaic module 25 that includes individual photovoltaic cells connected to the same junction box, in particular in order to obtain an optimum string voltage directly at the output of this photovoltaic module. - Each of the mechanical means of fastening the frame to one of the support legs authorises a freedom of movement of the solar table in relation to the 30 support leg according to a direction substantially parallel to the beams of the first 9 type and lock the relative positioning of the solar table in relation to the support leg in all of the other directions of space. The invention also has for purpose a system for constructing a solar farm, the solar farm being at least partially prefabricated on a first site and intended to 5 be installed and implemented on a second site far from the first site, with the system for constructing comprising the solar farm and at least one container, more preferably with opening from the top, the container or containers receiving, on the first site: - at least one inverter and transformers, 10 - support legs, and - at least two solar tables each forming a single-block preassembled unit, without a foldable/unfoldable structure portion, during the transport in the container from the first site to the second site and/or during the installation of the solar table on the second site, with the position of each solar table in 15 the container or containers being according to its predetermined position in the solar farm. More preferably, each solar table comprises cable segments of which the length is substantially equal to the length of the beams of the first type and of which the number is according to the predetermined position of the solar table in 20 the solar farm. Advantageously, in the solar farm that comprises at least two solar tables, each solar table comprises beams of the first type configured with profiles of polygonal cross-section adapted to be stacked on top of one another and the transversal locking of at least two solar tables in the or one of the containers, with 25 two stacked tables having a height that is less than the sum of their individual heights, with the relative position of the solar tables stacked in the container or containers being according to their predetermined respective position in the solar farm. The invention also has for purpose a method for constructing a solar farm, 30 with the method comprising at least the following successive steps: 10 - a step a) of planning, on the one hand, of the manufacture on a first site and, on the other hand, of the deployment on a second site far from the first site, of a solar farm comprising at least one solar table; - a sub-step al) of referencing each solar table according to its position of 5 installation in the solar farm on the second site; - a sub-step a2) of determining the number and/or the length of cable segments for transporting electric energy integrated into each solar table according to its referencing in the sub-step of referencing al); - a step b) of manufacturing, on the first site, of each solar table comprising: 10 - a parallelepiped frame comprising four extended beams, two by two opposite, among which: - two beams opposite of a first type are configured with profiles of polygonal cross-section adapted to be stacked on top of one another and the transversal locking of at least two solar tables, in particular 15 for the purposes of transport in a transport container according to ISO standards, and - two beams opposite of a second type are each provided with mechanical means of fastening to the frame of a support leg; - at least one photovoltaic module fixed to the frame, and 20 - the cable segments attached over most of their length to at least one of the beams of the first type and/or housed over most of their length in a free volume delimited inside at least one of the beams of the first type; - a step c) of loading the solar farm into at least one transport container, more preferably with opening from the top, each solar table being 25 positioned in the or one of the containers according to its referencing in the sub-step of referencing al), with the frame of a solar table being in particular stacked on the frame of the solar table previously loaded into the container; - a step d) of transporting containers from the first site to the second site; 30 - a step e) of installing the solar farm on the second site, each solar table forming a single-block preassembled unit during its unloading and its 11 installation, carried out in particular via a machine for handling solar tables, with the position of installation of each solar table being according to its referencing in the sub-step of referencing al), with the cable segments forming strings of cables which extend along strings of solar tables, with 5 the number of strings of cables arranged in parallel being in particular according to the position of installation of each string of solar table in the solar farm. Thanks to the method of constructing according to the invention, no additional segment of cable for transporting energy to the inverter is fixed to the 10 solar tables on the second site. In order to connect the tables together and the strings of tables together, only the connections between the end sockets of the cable segments are carried out, which allows for a substantial savings in time during the installation of the solar farm. The invention shall be better understood when reading the following 15 description, provided solely by way of an unrestricted example and given in reference to the annexed drawings wherein: - figure 1 is a block diagram of a solar farm in accordance with the invention, with the solar farm being arranged in the northern hemisphere and comprising several solar tables also in accordance with the invention, 20 with the solar tables being fixed to the ground and connected electrically to an inverter; - figure 2 is a top view of a solar table fitted to the solar farm of figure 1, with the table comprising a frame, photovoltaic modules, cables for transporting electricity, as well as equipotential bonding cables between 25 tables being part of a lightning protection system, with the frame being fixed on support legs on the ground; - figure 3 is a view according to the arrow III in figure 2; - figure 4 is a view similar to figure 2, showing only the frame and the means of fastening legs to the frame; 30 - figure 5 is a view according to the arrow V in figure 3; - figure 6 is a view on a larger scale of the detail VI in figure 3; 12 - figure 7 is a view on a larger scale of the detail VII in figure 5; - figure 8 is a view according to the arrow VIII in figure 4, showing only the frame and the means of fastening a support leg to the frame; - figure 9 is a partial view similar to figure 8, showing the stacking for the 5 purposes of transport of three longitudinal beams belonging to three solar tables; - figure 10 is a view on a larger scale of the detail X in figure 8; - figure 11 is a view on a larger scale of the detail XI in figure 2; - figure 12 is a view on a larger scale of the detail XII in figure 3; and 10 - figure 13 is a view on a larger scale of the detail XIII in figure 5. Figure 1 shows a solar farm 1 in accordance with the invention. In order to facilitate the identifying of the farm 1 in the space, the cardinal points are shown in figure 1: north NO, south SO, east EA, west WE. The solar farm 1 is installed on a land 2, on either side of a route 3 and of a 15 trench 4. The land 2 is initially bare and crossed according to the direction east EA - west WE by the route 3, while the trench 4 is dug according to the direction north NO - south SO during the installation of the farm 1 on the site. Alternatively, the solar farm 1 can be installed on an existing structure or a building, in particular on the roof of the building. 20 The solar farm 1 comprises a centralised inverter / transformer station 6 and several solar tables 10, also in accordance with the invention, provided with photovoltaic solar cells. The tables 10 are fixed to the ground of the land 2 by legs that are not visible in figure 1, which are for example metal profiles. In the example of figure 1, the tables 10 forming the solar farm 1 are arranged according 25 to eighteen columns C1 to C18 oriented according to the direction east EA - west WE, as well as according to sixteen lines LI to L16 orientated according to the direction north NO - south SO. The lines LI to L8 are located to the north NO of the route 3, while the lines L9 to L16 are located to the south SO of the route 3. The columns Cl to C9 are located to the west WE of the trench 4, while the 30 columns C10 to C18 are located to the east EA of the route 3.
13 The tables 10 are connected electrically in strings each comprising several tables 10, in order to improve the energy efficiency of the unit. The tables 10 forming a string are arranged in series along one of the lines LI to L16, for example three or nine tables 10. More preferably, along the same line L1-L16, 5 several strings of tables 10 can be connected in series, for reasons of energy efficiency. For example for the line LI, a first string of three tables 10 corresponding to the columns Cl to C3, a second string of three tables 10 corresponding to the columns C4 to C6 and a third string of three tables 10 corresponding to the columns C7 to C9 can be connected in series. The strings of 10 tables 10 are connected electrically to the inverter 6 by cables 7 for transporting electric energy which are arranged in the trench 4. In the example of figure 1, the inverter/transformer station 6 occupies a surface equivalent to a table 10, which requires in fact occupying the place of two strings of three tables 10, on the location that corresponds to the columns C7 to 15 C9 and to the lines L9 and L10. The station 6 is adjacent to the route 3 and to the trench 4. This trench 4 is dug under the road 3, in such a way as to receive the cables 7 coming from each string of tables 10, from each line LI to L16, in order to connect them to the inverter of the station 6. By way of example, the station 6 can deliver the energy as alternating current of 11 or 20 kilovolts (kV). The 20 station 6 can be fully preassembled, loaded into an ISO standard container and delivered on site as being ready for connection and immediate commissioning. In practice, the solar farm 1 is prefabricated on a site of production which is generally far from the site of operation, i.e. the land 2. In other words, the inverter/transformer station 6, the cables 7, the tables 10 and the support legs on 25 the ground are manufactured in a first step, then distributed into maritime, railroad and/or road transport containers in order to be carried to the land 2 in a second step. In a third step, the constitutive elements of the solar farm 1 are unloaded on the land 2 then assembled together, with a substantial savings in time in relation to conventional installations. The digging of the trench 4, located approximately 50 30 centimetres to the east EA of the central column of legs, is begun after the installation of the tables 10 of the north-east quadrant (Li-L8, C1-C9) of the farm 14 1, and completed after the installation of the tables 10 of the south-east quadrant (L9-L16, C1-C9), but before the installation of the tables 10 of the north-west quadrant (L1-L8, C10-C18) and of the south-west quadrant (L9-L16, C10-C18). In particular, the solar tables 10 are specifically adapted to facilitate their 5 transport and their installation, with a reduced encumbrance and an optimum rigidity, as details will show hereinafter in reference to figures 2 to 13. Each solar table 10 forms a single-block preassembled unit during its transport and its installation. The solar tables 10 do not include any foldable/unfoldable portion, which could weaken its structure during an operation of handling and would 10 prolong its installation time on the land 2. According to a preferred example, each table 10 measures approximately 12 metres in length for 2 metres in width and 0.2 metres of thickness, in such a way that a standard ISO maritime container (for example, a cube container of 40 feet height with opening from the top, ISO 6346:1995) can contain eighteen tables 10. 15 During their installation on the land 2, the solar tables 10 are inclined in the direction of the south SO, as shown hereinafter in figures 3 and 5, in order to capture the solar radiation as best as possible. This is valid in the northern hemisphere of the globe and must be understood as such in the description hereinafter, with the understanding that in the southern hemisphere, the solar 20 tables 10 are inclined in the direction of the north NO. Due to the large number of tables 10 constituting the solar farm 1, i.e. two hundred eighty-two tables 10 in the example of figure 1, the farm 1 has a substantial energy production capacity, of a magnitude of 1 MWp. The "MegaWatt peak" is a unit of power used to measure power at the output of 25 photovoltaic modules, in order to describe the effect produced by the photovoltaic solar cells fitted to the tables 10 in Standard Testing Conditions (STC). The exact capacity of the farm 1 depends on many parameters such as the amount of sunlight on the land 2, the number of tables 10, the type and the arrangement of the photovoltaic cells fitted to the tables 10, the output of the inverter/transformer 30 station 6, the global electric efficiency of the farm 1, in particular the losses in the cables 7 for transporting energy, etc.
15 Alternatively, the farm 1 can be configured differently without leaving the scope of the invention. For example, the land 2 can be devoid of a route 3 and/or trench 4. According to another example, the farm 1 can include a different number of tables 10, in any case at least one table 10, more preferably at least a hundred or 5 so tables 10. According to another example, the strings can include a different number of tables 10, more preferably at least three tables 10. According to another example, the farm 1 can be hybrid, i.e. also include one or more hydraulic generators, wind farms, diesel, biodiesel or other sources of electricity. According to another example, the farm 1 can include a decentralised inverter system, 10 wherein each line L1-L16 or several (two, three) lines L1-L16 of tables 10 are provided with a decentralised inverter. In this case, the central station 6 of the farm 1 does not comprise a centralised inverter but only a transformer and peripheral equipment, such as protection boxes, air conditioning, etc. Figures 2 to 13 show a solar table 10 fitted to the solar farm 1 according to 15 the invention. The solar table 10 includes a generally parallelepiped frame 20, photovoltaic modules 60 fixed to the frame 20, cables 70 for transporting electric energy generated by the modules 60, as well as equipotential bonding cables 80 between adjacent tables 10. These cables 80 are part of the lightning protection 20 system of the farm 1, in accordance with the current standards. The table 10 is adapted to rest on two support legs 90 on the ground 2. More preferably, the legs 90 are at least in part buried under the surface of the ground 2, as shown in figures 3 and 5. By way of an unrestricted example, the legs 90 extend along their respective axes A90 over approximately 2.5 metres in height, while the distance 25 between the ground 2 and the lowest point of the table 10 is approximately 60 centimetres. As shown in figures 2 to 4, the photovoltaic modules 60 fitted to the table 10 are of a number of fourteen, arranged in two rows of seven modules 60. Each module 60 is a laminated glass panel incorporating photovoltaic cells, for example 30 sixty adjacent cells. In this case, each table 10 incorporates eight hundred forty cells. Each module 60 can be framed by its own aluminium frame or, more 16 preferably, be devoid of an aluminium frame. By way of an unrestricted example, each module measures approximately 1.60 metre by 1 metre, for a thickness of 50 millimetres (with frame). This corresponds to the approximate dimensions of the majority of the currently manufactured modules. 5 During the manufacture of the table 10, the modules 60 are fixed directly and rigidly to the frame 20. An intermediate space 61 separates the two rows of modules 60. Retaining hooks 66 of the modules 61 are positioned between the modules 60 of the same row and on the frame 20, at the edge of this row. For each table 10, each row of seven modules 60 is already connected in series in the 10 factory, creating two "mini-strings" of seven modules 60 each on the table 10. This makes it possible to connect the mini-strings of seven modules 60 of three adjacent tables 10 in order to obtain a string of twenty-one modules 60, which increases the voltage in the string in terms of the desired input for optimum operation of the inverter in the inverter/transformer station 6. 15 Alternatively, the table 10 can include a different number of modules 60, even by retaining the number of eight hundred forty individual cells per table 10. For example, instead of connecting seven modules 60 (of sixty cells each, therefore four hundred twenty cells), to reach a mini-string of seven modules 60, the table 10 can be supplied with the same number of cells, with the latter 20 connected in only two modules 60. Each of these "mega-modules" of 420 cells has only one connection box and two cables (plus and minus poles). This makes it possible to reduce the number of connection boxes and the number and/or the dimensions of the cables 70 of modules in relation to the seven connection boxes and 14 cables of the "mini-string" of seven conventional modules 60 with sixty 25 cells each. According to another example, the table 10 can comprise one or several modules including at least one hundred twenty individual photovoltaic cells connected to the same junction box. Such a "mega-module" is an object that can be considered independently of the other objects of the invention, i.e. the solar farm 1 and the solar table 10. 30 Regardless of the number of modules 60 fitted to the table 10, the connection between modules 60 can be advantageously optimised: a reduction in 17 the number of modules 60 fitted to the table 10 involves a reduction in the number of connection boxes and cables 70 connecting the modules 60, which constitutes a savings in equipment. The frame 20 comprises four beams 31, 32, 41 and 42, two by two 5 opposite. More precisely, the frame 20 comprises two beams opposite 31 and 32 of a first type, i.e. longitudinal beams extending respectively along parallel axes A31 and A32, as well as two beams opposite of a second type 41 and 42, i.e. lateral beams extending respectively along parallel axes A41 and A42. The longitudinal 10 beams 31 and 32 have a length L30, while the lateral beams 41 and 42 have a length L40. The length L30 is greater than the length L40, in particular the length L30 is greater than 8 metres, more preferably greater than 10 metres, while the second length L40 is greater than 1.5 metre, more preferably greater than 2 metres. In the example of figures 1 to 13, the length L30 measures approximately 12 15 metres, while the length L40 measures approximately 2.10 metres. The beams 31, 32, 41 and 42 are more preferably made of galvanised steel, which represents a good compromise between mechanical resistance and compactness. Alternatively, the frame 20 can be of any type of metal or composite material adapted to this application. During the manufacture of the frame 20, the beams 31, 32, 41 and 42 20 are more preferably welded together. The frame 20 is rigid and does not include any foldable/unfoldable portion. The frame 20 is sufficient to rigidify the table 10, which therefore does not include any foldable/unfoldable portion. When the table 10 is installed on its legs 90 fixed to the ground 2, the beams 31 and 32 extend according to the direction east EA - west WE, with the 25 beam 32 which is closer to the ground 2 than the beam 31, while the beams 41 and 42 extend according to the direction north NO - south SO, by being inclined towards the ground 2 on the south SO side. In other words, the frame 20 is generally inclined in the direction of the south SO, in such a way as to optimise the exposure of the photovoltaic modules 60 to the solar radiation. In the example 30 of figure 5, the table 10 is inclined by an angle 1310 equal to 20 degrees in relation to a horizontal plane substantially parallel to the ground 2. Alternatively, the table 18 10 can be inclined towards the south SO by an angle 310 between 0 and 35 degrees. The longitudinal beams 31 and 32 are hollow and each delimit a free interior volume, respectively 33 and 34, wherein are arranged the cables 70 during 5 the manufacture of the table 10. Alternatively, the cables 70 can be attached to one of the beams or on the beams 31 and 32, outside of the volumes 33 and 34, during the manufacture of the table 10. The number, the length, the diameter and/or the particular material of the cables 70 integrated into the solar table 10 are according to the predetermined 10 position of this table 10 in the solar farm 1. These parameters associated with the cables 10 are determined when the construction of the solar farm 1 is planned, in other words predetermined before the manufacture of the table 10. The resistance and the conductivity of a cable 70 depend in particular on its material (aluminium or copper for example) and on its diameter. The set of cables 70 of the solar farm 15 1 comprises different segments that are predetermined and preassembled for each table 10, not a single cable for each line L1-L18 or each column C1-C18. In other words, each cable 70 incorporated into a table 10 is an individual segment, forming a single link of a string of cables 70 of the solar farm 1. The cable segments 70 have a length substantially equal to the length L30 of the longitudinal 20 beams 31 and 32, i.e. between 95% and 105% of this length L30, or between 105% and 120% of this length L30 for connection to the cables 7 in the case of tables 10 bordering the trench 4. In other words, each segment of cables 70 pre incorporated into a table 10 has more preferably a length between 95% and 120% of the length L30. On the installation site, it is therefore not necessary to add 25 small cable segments that are not preassembled to the tables 10, or to fix cables of several tens of metres in length to the tables 10. Over each line LI to L16, various segments form strings of cables 70 which extend along the columns Cl to C9 and strings of cables 70 which extends along the columns C1O to C18. Here, a series of cable segments 70 connected 30 end-to-end by end plugs 71 form a string of cables 70 that extends along a string of tables 10 and is connected to a string of cables 70 arranged along a string of 19 neighbouring tables 10, as such forming a longer string of cables 70 that extends along a longer string of tables 10. By way of an unrestricted example, the line LI comprises, for each of the beams 31 and 32, a first string of cables 70 which extends along the columns Cl 5 C9, a second string of cables 70 which extends along the columns C4-C9 and a third string of cables 70 which extends along the columns C7-C9, which is six strings in parallel for just line Li. In other terms, the cable segments 70 form strings of cables 70 which extend along strings of solar tables 10, with the number of strings of cables 70 arranged in parallel being, on the one hand, according to 10 the predetermined position of the string of solar tables 10 in the solar farm 1 and, on the other hand, different for strings of neighbouring solar tables 10. The beams 31 and 32 are symmetrical in relation to a median plane parallel to the axes A31 and A32. The beams 31 and 32 are configured with profiles of a polygonal section, transversal to their respective axes A31 and A32. 15 As such, the profiles of the beams 31 and 32 are adapted for the stacking on top of one another and the transversal locking of at least two solar tables 10, in particular for the purposes of transport in a container. In order to facilitate the manufacture of the beams 31 and 32, as well as their stacking, it is possible to round the corners of the profile of the beams. 20 Figure 9 shows three longitudinal beams 32a, 32b and 32c stacked on top of one another for the purposes of transport. By way of example, a standard maritime container can include approximately eighteen tables 10 stacked on top of one another. The table 10 to which the beam 32a belongs is loaded first, then that of the beam 32b, then of the beam 32c. The beam 42 integral with the beam 32a 25 and one of the modules 60 resting on these beams 32a and 42 are shown as a dotted line. The beam 32c, as well as all of the beams 31, 32, 32a, 32b, comprise two surfaces 36a and 36b oriented towards the exterior of the frame 20, three surfaces 37a, 37b and 37c oriented towards the upper side of the frame 20, three surfaces 38a, 38b and 38c oriented towards the interior of the frame 20, as well as 30 two surfaces 39a and 39b oriented towards the lower side of the frame 20. The upper and lower sides of the frame 20 are defined respectively at the opposite and 20 in the direction of the ground 2 when the frame 20 is mounted on the legs 90. The surfaces 36a, 36b, 38a, 38b and 38c are perpendicular to the surfaces 37a, 37b, 37c, 39a and 39b. The perpendicularity of the neighbouring surfaces of the profile is preferred, in that it makes it possible to prevent a risk of jamming of the frames 5 superimposed during the stacking or the unstacking of the tables 10. The corners between neighbouring surfaces can be rounded in order to facilitate the manufacture and the stacking of the beams 31 and 32. When the beam 32c is stacked on the beam 32b, the surfaces 39a, 38c and 39b of the beam 32c come to press respectively against the surfaces 37b, 36b and 37a of the beam 32b. The 10 beam 42 extends from the surface 38b, while the module 60 is fixed to the surfaces 38a and 37c. Alternatively, the polygonal profile of the beams 31 and 32 can include a different number of faces, more preferably at least two faces turned to each side. As such, the frames 20 can be easily stacked, with the beams 31 and 32 15 which fulfil a function of transversal locking to the axes A31 and A32 during the transport of the tables 10. During the loading or unloading of the tables 10, the frames 20 can slide over one another parallel to the axes A31 and A32. During all of these operations, the modules 60 are advantageously protected from impacts and other damage. Furthermore, two stacked tables 10 have a height less than the 20 sum of their individual heights. The height is measured perpendicularly to the plane of the table 10, in other words perpendicularly to the axes A31 and A32. As shown in figure 7, the cables 70 connect each table 10 of the farm 1 to an adjacent table 10 or to a cable 7 going to the inverter in the inverter/transformer station 6. The cables 70 are housed over most of their length in the free volumes 25 33 and 34 delimited inside longitudinal beams 31 and 32, or in the volume 31 or 34 delimited in at least one of the beams 31 and 32, which makes it possible advantageously to assemble the cables in the manufacturing plant, not on the site. On lateral beams 41 and 42, as shown in particular in figure 6, cables 70 end with plugs 71 for connection to an adjacent table 10. These plugs 71 facilitate the 30 connection between tables 10 in order to form mini-strings of twenty-one modules 60 arranged in series, as well as the connection of each of these series to the 21 inverter in the inverter/transformer station 6. For this connection of strings of modules 60, each table 10 contains exactly the correct number of cables 70 in the longitudinal beams 31 and 32. This correct number of cables 70, as well as their length, diameter and material depend on the positioning (defined by the line L1 5 L18 and the column C1-C18) of the table 10 in the farm 1. As such, the set of cabling for the strings can be preassembled in the manufacturing plant, leaving a minimum of assembly operations on the bare land 2, which reduces the cost and the installation time for the farm 1 on site. As shown in figure 6, the solar table 10 further comprises equipotential 10 bonding cables 80 between the tables, which are part of the lightning protection system fixed to the frame 20. More precisely, the cables 80 include a conductor element 81 fixed to the beam 32, a conductor element 82 intended to be fixed to the frame 20 of an adjacent table 10, as well as an electrical conductor wire 83 connecting the elements 81 and 82. Within a line of several tables 10, one of these 15 tables 10 comprises means 80 specifically connected to the earth of the ground 2 and/or to the lightning arresting system underground. These means 80 are more preferably fixed on the table 10 during its manufacture. The means 80 are mandatory according to international standards concerning equipment for the production of solar energy. 20 Moreover, the lateral beams 41 and 42 are each provided with mechanical means 50 for fastening to the frame 20 a support leg 90. First mechanical means 50 are integral with the beam 41, while second mechanical means 50 are integral with the beam 42. More precisely, two extended members 51 and 52 are welded to each of 25 the beams 41 and 42, on the exterior side of the frame 20. More preferably, the members 51 and 52 are made of galvanised or stainless steel. The members 51 and 52 are inclined on the side of the beam 32 by forming an angle B53 in relation to the beam 42. In practice, the value of the angle 353 determines the value of the angle 310 of inclination of the tables 10. The sum of these complementary angles 30 310 and 153 is equal to 90 degrees. The length of the member 51 is approximately 20 centimetres, while the length of the member 52 is approximately 15 22 centimetres. The member 51 is longer than the member 52, in such a way that their respective lower ends 53 and 54 opposite the beam 42 are located substantially in the same horizontal plane. A through-hole 57 is arranged in the end 53 of the member 51, while a through-hole 58 is arranged in the end 54 of the 5 member 52. The orifices 57 and 58 are aligned along an axis parallel to the axis A41 or A42. The members 51 and 52 are separated by a distance L50 of a magnitude of 10 centimetres, defined in the horizontal plane and according to a direction secant to the axes A41 and A42. Alternatively, the members 51 and 52 can be welded onto an intermediate plate, which is screwed directly on the beam 10 41 or 42, or more preferably during the manufacture of the tables 10, or during the installation of the farm 1 on the land 2. The legs 90 are steel posts, more preferably made of galvanised or stainless steel, intended to be anchored rigidly in the ground 2 in order to support the table 10. As shown in particular in figure 11, each leg 90 has an H-shaped 15 profile, with two branches 91 and 92 connected by an intermediate portion 93. The lower end of the leg 90 is adapted to be anchored in the ground 2. The branches 91 and 92 are hollow on the upper end of the leg 90 intended to be connected to the frame 20. The branches 91 and 92 each delimit two recesses, respectively 95 for the branch 91 and 96 for the branch 92, which extend in the 20 leg 90 parallel to its longitudinal axis A90 and opening at its upper end. Four oblong holes 97 are arranged in the branch 91, with two holes 97 opening on either side of each recess 95 according to a direction perpendicular to the axis A90. Likewise, four oblong holes 98 are arranged in the branch 92, with two holes 98 opening on either side of each recess 96 according to a direction perpendicular to 25 the axis A90. The portion 93 of the leg 90 defines a vertical plane comprising the axis A90, with a recess 95, a recess 96, two holes 97 and two holes 98 arranged on each side of this vertical plane. The elements 95-98 located on a first side of the vertical plane are adapted to receive the means 50 belonging to a first table 10, 30 while the elements 95-98 located on a second side of the vertical plane are adapted to receive the means 50 belonging to a second table 10 adjacent to the 23 first table 10. As such, two tables 10 installed on the ground 2 next to one another, with adjacent beams 41 and 42, are adapted to share the same support leg 90 fixed to the means of fastening 50 fitted to the adjacent beams 31 and 32 of the two solar tables 10. 5 When the table 10 is mounted on its two legs 90, each member 51 is driven into a recess 95 and each member 52 is driven into a recess 96. The orifices 57 and 58 are then aligned with the oblong holes 97 and 98. Bolts not shown can then be used to rigidly fix the means 50 integral with the frame 20 to the legs 90. A first bolt is arranged through the orifice 57 and the holes 97, while a second bolt is 10 arranged through the orifice 58 and the holes 98. The oblong shape of the holes 97 and 98 authorises a mounting clearance of the means 50 in relation to the leg 90 according to a direction perpendicular to the axes A41, A42 and A90, but no clearance according to a direction parallel to the axis A90. Thanks to the special construction of the means 50 and of the leg 90, the 15 solar tables 10 can be, on the one hand, easily mounted during the installation of the farm 1, with a rigid static connection in relation to the legs 90 and, on the other hand, can be dismounted easily during the possible redeployment of the farm 1. In particular, the mechanical means 50 for fastening the frame 20 to one of the support legs 90 authorises a freedom of movement of the solar table 10 in 20 relation to the support leg 90 according to a direction substantially parallel to the beams of the first type 31 and 32 and lock the relative positioning of the solar table 10 in relation to the support leg 90 in all of the directions of space. In practice, the main mechanical constraints that the constitutive elements of the farm 1 are subjected to are not due to the weight of the tables 10 exerted on 25 the legs 90, but to the force of the wind able to blow over the farm 1. The risks associated with the wind are the pulling off of the tables 10 in relation to the legs 90, the pulling off of the legs 90 in relation to the ground 2, the pulling off of the modules 60 in relation to the frame 20 and the deformation of the frame 20. In these conditions, the construction of the means 50 and of the leg 90 provide 30 optimum resistance to the pulling off of the tables 10 in relation to the legs 90 under the effect of the wind. The beams 31, 32, 41 and 42 procure a mechanical 24 resistance that is satisfactory for the frame 20, adapted to its large dimensions. The modules 60 are integral with the frame 20, in particular by screwing, in such a way that they are prevented from being pulled off. As shown in figure 4, the frame 20 further comprises six beams 22 which 5 extend between the beams 31 and 32, in parallel to the beams 41 and 42. These beams 22 are also provided to support the modules 60, as well as a portion of the retaining hooks 66 of the modules 60 in relation to one another and in relation to the frame 20. The number of beams 22 depends on the number of modules 60 fitted to the table 10. In other words these beams 22 are optional, for example in 10 the case where the table 10 is provided with a single module 60 where two modules 60 extending over the entire length L30 of the frame 20. More preferably, the various beams 22, 31, 32, 41 and 42 comprising the frame 20 are made of galvanised or stainless steel. Still more preferably, the modules 60 do not include their own frames and are supported solely by the frame 20, in such a way that the 15 solar tables 10 are devoid of aluminium. Furthermore, the solar tables 10 can be configured differently from figures 1 to 13 without leaving the scope of the invention. In an alternative not shown, the frame 20 can also be rigidified using a central beam. In this case, this central beam extends in parallel to the beams 31 20 and 32 by connecting the two beams 41 and 42. This alternative is preferred in the case of use of non-framed modules 60. According to another alternative not shown, the profiles with polygonal cross-section of the beams 31 and 32 can be configured differently from the example of the figures. In the framework of the invention, these profiles allow for 25 the stacking and the transversal locking of the tables 10 in the transport containers. According to another alternative not shown, the means of fastening 50 can be adapted in order to vary and adjust the angle 1310 of inclination of the table 10 and of the modules 60. For example, the members 51 and 52 can be mounted pivotingly in relation to the beams 41 and 42, in such a way as to have a variable 30 angle 153. Adjustable means 50 allow the table 10 to be prefabricated then 25 deployed in different latitudes, with an optimal inclination of the modules 60 in relation to the sun at each location / latitude of deployment. According to another alternative not shown, the profile, the length and the width of the legs 90 can be different without leaving the scope of the invention. In 5 practice, different sites of installation correspond to different operating constraints (ground, vent, etc.), which involves the use of particular legs 90. Moreover, considering the farm 1 of figure 1 as a whole, it is remarkable that the tables 10 can be not all identical. In practice, certain tables 10 are more exposed to the wind and can therefore require a more solid anchoring in the 10 ground of the land 2. This is in particular the case with the tables 10 located on the lines LI, L8, L9 and L16, as well as on the columns Cl, C9, C1O and C18. As such, more preferably, at least some of the tables 10 comprising the farm 1 can be adapted to rest on three legs 90. In other words, when the farm 1 comprises at least nine tables 10 placed side by side over at least three lines and at 15 least three columns, then at least some of these tables 10, in particular those bordered by less than eight neighbouring tables 10, include third mechanical means 50 of fastening to the frame 20 a third support leg 90. As a complement or alternatively, at least some of the tables 10 can be provided with a central beam for rigidifying the frame 20, as described hereinabove. In any case, the tables 10 20 intended to form the farm 1 have a minimum of structural differences, in such a way as to be able to be manufactured and assembled using the same basic method at the manufacturing plant. More preferably, a majority of the tables 10 are adapted to each rest solely on two legs 90, by sharing these legs 90 with adjacent tables 10. This minimises 25 the total number of legs 90 and reduces the cost of assembling and dismounting the solar farm 1. As each table 10 is installed on a specific location of the bare land 2, which can be more or less rough, raised and/or inclined in relation to the neighbouring locations, the length of the various legs 90 fitted to the farm 1 can vary. Consequently, the legs 90 provided for a solar farm 1 installed on a given 30 land 2 cannot all be reused on another site. In these conditions, a more reduced 26 number of legs 90 means a reduction in the number of parts that are potentially non-reusable. Regardless of the embodiment of the farm 1 or of the table 10, the frame 20 is preassembled with the photovoltaic modules 60 and the cables 70 directly in 5 the production plant, on a first site, in such a way as to reduce the steps of assembling solar tables 10 on the land 2, i.e. on a second site far from the first site. Each solar table 10 intended to form the solar farm 1 can be packaged, transported and deployed in any point on the globe for a reduced cost. In this way, the installation of the farm 1 of one MWp takes approximately a maximum of one 10 week and the same applies for dismounting. The operating contracts can be of short duration, for example from 1 to 3 years. Also, the solar farm 1 can be financed more easily, independently of the particular situation of the land 2 on the planet. In the case where the solar farm 1 comprises only one solar table 10, the 15 inverter of the station 6 can optionally be fixed directly onto the frame 20. Furthermore, the technical characteristics of the various embodiments can be, entirely or for some of them, combined together. As such, the solar tables 10 and the solar farm 1 can be adapted in terms of cost and operating constraints.
Claims (15)
1. Solar farm (1), comprising at least one inverter and at least two solar tables (10) connected by electric cables (7, 70) to the inverter or to one of the inverters, each solar table (10) being adapted to rest on at least two support legs (90) on the ground (2), characterised in that each solar table (10) is prefabricated 5 for the purposes of transport and/or installation including at least the following elements (20, 50, 60, 70): - a parallelepiped frame (20) comprising four extended beams (31, 32, 41, 42), two by two opposite, among which: - two beams opposite of a first type (31, 32) are configured with profiles 10 of polygonal cross-section, and - two beams opposite of a second type (41, 42) are each provided with mechanical means (50) for fastening the frame (20) t one of the support legs (90); - at least one photovoltaic module (60) fixed to the frame (20); and 15 - cable segments (70) for transporting electric energy generated by the photovoltaic module or modules (60) to the inverter, with the cable segments (70) being attached over most of their length to at least one of the beams of the first type (31, 32) and/or housed over most of their length in a free volume (33, 34) delimited inside at least one of the beams of the 20 first type (31, 32), the number, the length, the diameter and/or the material of the cable segments (70) integrated into each solar table (10) being according to its predetermined position in the solar farm (1).
2. Solar farm (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that each solar 25 table (10) comprises cable segments (70) of which the length is between 95% and 120% of the length (L30) of the beams of the first type (31, 32) and of which the number is according to the predetermined position of this solar table (10) in the solar farm (1). 28
3. Solar farm (1) as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that when the solar farm (1) is installed, the cable segments (70) form strings of cables that extend along strings of solar tables (10), with the number of strings of cables arranged in parallel being, on the one hand, according to the predetermined 5 position of the string of solar tables (10) in the solar farm (1) and, on the other hand, different for strings of neighbouring solar tables (10).
4. Solar farm (1) as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that each solar table (10) is adapted to share the same support leg (90) with an adjacent 10 solar table, when at least two solar tables (10) are installed on the ground (2) next to one another with adjacent beams of the second type (41, 42), with the support leg (90) being fixed to the means of fastening (50) fitted to the adjacent beams of the second type (41, 42) of the two solar tables (10). 15
5. Solar farm (1) as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that it comprises at least nine solar tables (10) installed on the ground (2), placed side by side over at least three lines (L1-L18) and at least three columns (C1-C18), at least some of the solar tables (10) bordered by less than eight solar tables comprising third mechanical means (50) for fastening to the frame (20) a third 20 support leg (90).
6. Solar farm (1) as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that each solar table (10) further comprises equipotential bonding cables (80) between solar tables, with these equipotential bonding cables belonging to a lightning 25 protection system and being fixed to the frame (20) of the solar table (10), more preferably during the manufacture of the solar table (10).
7. Solar farm (1) as claimed in any preceding claim, characterised in that at least some of the solar tables (10) include at least one photovoltaic module 30 including individual photovoltaic cells connected to the same junction box, in 29 particular in order to obtain an optimum string voltage directly at the output of this photovoltaic module.
8. Solar table (10), in particular intended to be fitted to a solar farm (1) 5 according to any of claims 1 to 7, with the solar table (10) being prefabricated for the purposes of transport and/or installation including at least the following elements (20, 50, 60, 70): - a parallelepiped frame (20) comprising four extended beams (31, 32, 41, 42), two by two opposite, among which: 10 - two beams opposite of a first type (31, 32) are configured with profiles of polygonal cross-section adapted to be stacked on top of one another and the transversal locking of at least two solar tables (10), in particular for the purposes of transport in a transport container according to ISO standards, and 15 - two beams opposite of a second type (41, 42) are each provided with mechanical means (50) for fastening the frame (20) to a support leg (90); - at least one photovoltaic module (60) fixed to the frame (20); and - cable segments (70) for transporting electric energy generated by the 20 photovoltaic module or modules (60) to the inverter, with the cable segments (70) being attached over most of their length to at least one of the beams of the first type (31, 32) and/or housed over most of their length in a free volume (33, 34) delimited inside at least one of the beams of the first type (31, 32), with the number, the length, the diameter and/or the 25 material of the cable segments (70) integrated into the solar table (10) being according to its predetermined position in the solar farm (1).
9. Solar table (10) according to claim 8, characterised in that the beams of the first type (31, 32) extend along a first length (L30), the beams of the second 30 type (41, 42) extend along a second length (L40), the first length (L30) being greater than the second length (L40): 30 - the first length (L30) is greater than 8 metres, more preferably greater than 10 metres, and - the second length (L40) is greater than 1.50 metre, more preferably greater than 2 metres. 5
10. Solar table (10) according to any of claims 8 or 9, characterised in that it comprises a central beam for rigidifying the frame (20), with this central beam extending in parallel to the two beams of the first type (31, 32) and connecting the two beams of the second type (41, 42). 10
11. Solar table (10) according to any of claims 8 to 10, characterised in that each of the mechanical means (50) for fastening the frame (20) to one of the support legs (90) authorises a freedom of movement of the solar table (10) in relation to the support leg (90) according to a direction substantially parallel to the 15 beams of the first type (31, 32) and lock the relative positioning of the solar table (10) in relation to the support leg (90) in all of the directions of space.
12. System for constructing a solar farm (1) according to any of claims 1 to 7, the solar farm (1) being at least partially prefabricated on a first site and 20 intended to be installed and commissioned on a second site (2) far from the first site, with the system for constructing comprising the solar farm (1) and at least one container, more preferably with opening from the top, the container or containers receiving, on the first site: - at least one inverter and transformers (6), 25 - support legs (90), and - at least two solar tables (10) each forming a single-block preassembled unit, without a foldable/unfoldable structure portion, during the transport in the container from the first site to the second site and/or during the installation of the solar table on the second site, with the position of each 30 solar table (10) in the container or containers being according to its predetermined position in the solar farm (1). 31
13. System for constructing according to claim 12, characterised in that each solar table (10) comprises cable segments (70) of which the length is substantially equal to the length (L30) of the beams of the first type (31, 32) and 5 of which the number is according to the predetermined position of the solar table (10) in the solar farm (1).
14. System for constructing according to one of claims 12 or 13, characterised in that each solar table (10) comprises beams of the first type (31, 32) 10 configured with profiles of polygonal cross-section adapted to be stacked on top of one another and the transversal locking of at least two solar tables (10) in the or one of the containers, with two stacked tables having a height that is less than the sum of their individual heights, with the relative position of the solar tables (10) stacked in the container or containers being according to their predetermined 15 respective position in the solar farm (1).
15. Method of constructing a solar farm (1) according to any of claims I to 7, with the method comprising at least the following successive steps: - a step a) of planning, on the one hand, of the manufacture on a first site 20 and, on the other hand, of the deployment on a second site (2) far from the first site, of a solar farm (1) comprising at least one solar table (10); - a sub-step al) of referencing each solar table (10) according to its position of installation in the solar farm (1) on the second site (2); - a sub-step a2) of determining the number and/or the length of cable 25 segments (70) for transporting electric energy integrated into each solar table (10) according to its referencing in the sub-step of referencing al); - a step b) of manufacturing, on the first site, of each solar table (10) comprising: - a parallelepiped frame (20) comprising four extended beams (31, 32, 41, 30 42), two by two opposite, among which: 32 - two beams opposite of a first type (31, 32) are configured with profiles of polygonal cross-section adapted to be stacked on top of one another and the transversal locking of at least two solar tables (10), in particular for the purposes of transport in a transport 5 container according to ISO standards, and - two beams opposite of a second type (41, 42) are each provided with mechanical means (50) for fastening to the frame (20) a support leg (90); - at least one photovoltaic module (60) fixed to the frame (20), and 10 - the cable segments (70) attached over most of their length to at least one of the beams of the first type (31, 32) and/or housed over most of their length in a free volume (33, 34) delimited inside at least one of the beams of the first type (31, 32); - a step c) of loading the solar farm (1) into at least one transport container, 15 more preferably with opening from the top, each solar table (10) being positioned in the or one of the containers according to its referencing in the sub-step of referencing al), with the frame (20) of a solar table (10) being in particular stacked on the frame (20) of the solar table (10) previously loaded into the container; 20 - a step d) of transporting containers from the first site to the second site; - a step e) of installing the solar farm (1) on the second site (2), each solar table (10) forming a single-block preassembled unit during its unloading and its installation, carried out in particular via a machine for handling solar tables (10), with the position of installation of each solar table (10) 25 being according to its referencing in the sub-step of referencing al), with the cable segments (70) forming strings of cables which extend along strings of solar tables (10), with the number of strings of cables (70) arranged in parallel being in particular according to the position of installation of each string of solar table (10) in the solar farm (1).
Applications Claiming Priority (3)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| FR1159917 | 2011-11-02 | ||
| FR1159917A FR2982013B1 (en) | 2011-11-02 | 2011-11-02 | SOLAR FARM, SOLAR TABLE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH SOLAR FARM, SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONSTRUCTING SUCH A SOLAR FARM. |
| PCT/EP2012/071707 WO2013064624A1 (en) | 2011-11-02 | 2012-11-02 | Solar farm, solar table for such a solar farm, and system and method for constructing such a solar farm |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| AU2012324030A1 AU2012324030A1 (en) | 2013-05-23 |
| AU2012324030B2 true AU2012324030B2 (en) | 2015-09-17 |
Family
ID=47221320
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU2012324030A Ceased AU2012324030B2 (en) | 2011-11-02 | 2012-11-02 | Solar farm, solar table fitted to such a solar farm, system and method for constructin such a solar farm |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP2773912B1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU2012324030B2 (en) |
| FR (1) | FR2982013B1 (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2013064624A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN110829427B (en) * | 2019-11-26 | 2023-09-26 | 远景智能国际私人投资有限公司 | Photovoltaic module connection methods, devices, equipment and storage media |
| CN114094918A (en) * | 2020-08-24 | 2022-02-25 | 柏帝能源股份有限公司 | Support of solar power generation equipment |
| CN112172616B (en) * | 2020-10-23 | 2024-05-03 | 中铁第四勘察设计院集团有限公司 | Super capacitor tramcar station |
| US20230029665A1 (en) * | 2021-07-30 | 2023-02-02 | Terabase Energy, Inc. | Centralized and coordinated installation of solar systems |
| US11999284B2 (en) | 2021-09-01 | 2024-06-04 | Terabase Energy, Inc. | Solar table mobile transport |
| US11938576B1 (en) | 2022-12-20 | 2024-03-26 | Terabase Energy, Inc. | Systems and methods for threading a torque tube through U-bolt and module rail devices |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US20100212715A1 (en) * | 2009-02-24 | 2010-08-26 | Sunpower Corporation | Photovoltaic assemblies and methods for transporting |
| WO2010118236A1 (en) * | 2009-04-08 | 2010-10-14 | Ap Alternatives, Llc | Solar panel supports and method |
| WO2010129087A2 (en) * | 2009-05-08 | 2010-11-11 | Sunpower Corporation | Photovoltaic solar collection and tracking system |
| AU2011211412A1 (en) * | 2007-03-23 | 2011-09-01 | Sunpower Corporation | Stackable tracking solar collector assembly |
-
2011
- 2011-11-02 FR FR1159917A patent/FR2982013B1/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
-
2012
- 2012-11-02 WO PCT/EP2012/071707 patent/WO2013064624A1/en not_active Ceased
- 2012-11-02 AU AU2012324030A patent/AU2012324030B2/en not_active Ceased
- 2012-11-02 EP EP12790453.0A patent/EP2773912B1/en not_active Not-in-force
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AU2011211412A1 (en) * | 2007-03-23 | 2011-09-01 | Sunpower Corporation | Stackable tracking solar collector assembly |
| US20100212715A1 (en) * | 2009-02-24 | 2010-08-26 | Sunpower Corporation | Photovoltaic assemblies and methods for transporting |
| WO2010118236A1 (en) * | 2009-04-08 | 2010-10-14 | Ap Alternatives, Llc | Solar panel supports and method |
| WO2010129087A2 (en) * | 2009-05-08 | 2010-11-11 | Sunpower Corporation | Photovoltaic solar collection and tracking system |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| FR2982013A1 (en) | 2013-05-03 |
| AU2012324030A1 (en) | 2013-05-23 |
| FR2982013B1 (en) | 2015-05-29 |
| EP2773912A1 (en) | 2014-09-10 |
| EP2773912B1 (en) | 2018-01-10 |
| WO2013064624A1 (en) | 2013-05-10 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| AU2012324030B2 (en) | Solar farm, solar table fitted to such a solar farm, system and method for constructin such a solar farm | |
| US8671631B2 (en) | Panel mounting system | |
| Bentouba et al. | Performance assessment of a 20 MW photovoltaic power plant in a hot climate using real data and simulation tools | |
| US11632078B2 (en) | Advanced solar PV system with robotic assembly | |
| US9184628B2 (en) | Portable solar power trailer with rotatable panels | |
| US7805893B2 (en) | Preassembled tower section of a wind power plant | |
| US9638172B2 (en) | Arrangement of a switchgear of a wind turbine | |
| US20110025070A1 (en) | Utility grid vertical axis wind turbine system | |
| US20160352285A1 (en) | Field-deployable self-contained photovoltaic power system | |
| US20160211795A1 (en) | Highly Integrated Foldable Array | |
| Sala et al. | The 480 kWp EUCLIDESTM-THERMIE Power plant: Installation, Set-up and First Results | |
| CN102447264A (en) | Wind-light integrative power generation system | |
| JP2020522979A (en) | Electric substation, installation, and mounting method | |
| AU2017331812A1 (en) | A solar array assembly and mounting arrangements and components therefor | |
| US20100139731A1 (en) | Wire-based hanging wire-way for photovoltaic modules or module groups | |
| US20260078602A1 (en) | Tower for a wind turbine, wind turbine and method for manufacturing a tower of a wind turbine | |
| US20230265836A1 (en) | Wind turbine and method for manufacturing a wind turbine | |
| GB2537082A (en) | Connection mast | |
| US20220090579A1 (en) | Method for manufacturing a wind turbine and wind turbine | |
| GB2523207A (en) | Mounting system | |
| WO2025208345A1 (en) | Photovoltaic (pv) power system | |
| KR101737971B1 (en) | Stand by power supply apparatus using the photovoltaic power generation | |
| EP2138781A1 (en) | Photovoltaic solar generator and method of installing it | |
| Little et al. | The solar breeder factory: Minimizing the cost of photovoltaic energy generation | |
| KR20240001548U (en) | Solar power plant structure without welding |
Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| FGA | Letters patent sealed or granted (standard patent) | ||
| MK14 | Patent ceased section 143(a) (annual fees not paid) or expired |