[1]
The invention relates to solar panels that are to be mounted on inclined roofs. The invention also relates to a meth-od for mounting solar modules onto an inclined roof.
[2]
Installing solar panels on inclined roofs is common in the state of the art. Owners of houses - commercial and private - equip suitable roof areas with solar panels comprising photo voltaic cells in order to generate electricity, either for own requirements or for commercially feeding it into a public power grid. Suitable roof areas for installing solar panels are those that provide a high possible radiation density of sunlight all year round.
[3]
Facilitating the sunlight with photovoltaic cells is improved if the sunlight hits the photovoltaic cells at an angle as perpendicular as possible. If the solar panel does not track the sun during the course of a day, outside the tropics it is thus favourable to arrange photovoltaic cells with an elevation angle so that the deviations of the sunlight from an ideal perpendicular impact on the photovoltaic cells are minimized in total during the course of a day and during the course of a year despite the movement of the sun.
[4]
It is known to install solar panels on inclined roofs that face the equator, wherein the solar panels are arranged parallel to the roof. In this case, the solar panels are automatically inclined in a favourable manner. Furthermore, the solar panels are installed in areas that would otherwise be unused.
[5]
In order to install solar panels on an inclined roof, heretofore the roof had to be at least partially stripped to mount a frame to the structure of the building, before the roof could be retiled and solar panels could be mounted on the frame above the roof tiles. This type of installation is complex, burdensome and cost intensive.
[6]
It is an object of the invention to provide a solar panel to be mounted on an inclined roof as well as a method for mounting a solar panel on an inclined roof that avoid the disadvantages of the state of the art at least partially.
[7]
This object is met by a solar panel according to the main claim. Preferable embodiments are to be found in the dependent claims.
[8]
The present invention provides a solar panel comprising at least one solar module to be mounted on an inclined roof, wherein at least one mounting means is provided that comprises a short bar with two end points, wherein one end point is configured to be connected to the solar module and the other end point is configured to be adhesively bonded to an inclined roof.
[9]
The present invention further provides a method for mounting a solar module onto an inclined roof, comprising the steps of: adhesively bonding the mounting means at the other of its end points to the inclined roof; and connecting mounting means comprising a short bar with two end points at one of its end points to the solar module.
[10]
The installation of the inventive solar panel is easy and straightforward. First, the at least one mounting means is adhesively bonded to an inclined roof with one of its end points. Then the solar module is connected to the other end point of the mounting means. These steps might also take place in reverse order. Either way, the solar panel is mounted on the inclined roof without the roof needing to be stripped and/or re-tiled.
[11]
The end points of the short bar are configured for allowing the connection to the inclined roof or the solar module. For example, the end point to be adhesively bonded to the inclined roof provides a suitable bonding surface. Depending on the roof surface structure of the roof, this bonding surface might be flattened or have a structure matching the roof surface structure.
[12]
In general, the solar panel comprises more than one inventive mounting means in order to provide a fixing of the solar panel with sufficient stability. Usually, the number of mounting means will be at least four or more. However, it is also possible that the solar panel is otherwise affixed at certain points. For example, the solar panel might at one specific point be affixed to the structure of the building as done in the state of the art, especially at a point where wiring connecting the solar panel with a distribution line within the building is situated. In this case, the inventive mounting means may be provided in areas of the solar panel that is not otherwise affixed as described.
[13]
The mounting means may be connected to the solar module by common means, e.g. by screws. It is preferred, however, if the mounting means is adhesively bonded to the solar module. In this case, the mounting means is thus adhesively boned not only to the inclined roof but also to the solar module. Accordingly, additional elements such as screws etc. are not required. The end point to be adhesively bonded to the solar module might be flattened or otherwise provide a surface suitable for bonding it to the solar module.
[14]
It is preferred that at least one of the end points of the mounting means comprises a sturdy base that is attached to the short bar of the mounting means and a cushioning layer that is provided on the sturdy base, wherein the cushioning layer provides the surface the end point is adhesively bonded to the inclined roof or the solar module with. By providing a cushioning layer between the sturdy base of the mounting means and the solar module and/or between the sturdy base of the mounting means and the solar module, tensions within the solar panel that might result from inaccuracies in production and/or installation can be avoided or at least reduced. The cushioning layer might also serve a damper for vibration generated by wind acting on the solar panel.
[15]
It is further preferred that at least one of the end points is arranged pivotably on the short bar of the mounting means. Again, this might help to avoid or reduce tensions within the solar panel resulting from inaccuracies in production and/or installation. Furthermore, a local non-planarity of the roof, e.g. because of shaped tiles or other protrusions, may be compensated.
[16]
In a preferred embodiment the short bar of the mounting means is adjustable in length. This provides additional flexibility when using the mounting means. In order to achieve the adjustability in length, it is preferred that the short bar of the mounting means comprises at least to elements telescopically guided in each other.
[17]
The adhesive for bonding the mounting means to the inclined roof and/or to the solar module preferably is a methyl methacrylate adhesive. Methyl methacrylate adhesives are commonly used as structural adhesives due to their excellent strength, impact resistance, thermal shock, fatigue resistance and peel strength. They are based on thermoset adhesives formulations that give excellent structural properties to bond a wide-variety of durable substrates. Suitable adhesives are, for example, methyl methacrylate construction adhesives. They may be two component a…
