Panel Equipped with a Photovoltaic Device

Abstract

The present invention provides a panel equipped with a photovoltaic device including an even number of columns of photovoltaic modules, the columns being aligned essentially parallel to a longitudinal edge of the panel. Each column includes an electrical pole on each extremity. The polarity of an electrical pole of one extremity being the inverse of that of the electrical pole of the other extremity and the poles of two adjacent columns being of inverse polarity. The present invention further provides an assembly of panels, an electrical device connected to a converter including an assembly and a method for the electrical connection to a converter of the panels of the assembly.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A panel equipped with a photovoltaic device comprising:
 a longitudinal edge of the panel; and   an even number of columns of photovoltaic modules,   the columns being aligned with a longitudinal edge of the panel,   each column comprising an electrical pole on each extremity, a polarity of the electrical pole of one extremity being the inverse of the electrical pole of the other extremity and the poles of two adjacent columns being of inverse polarity.   
     
     
         13 . The panel according to  claim 12 , wherein the columns are essentially parallel with the longitudinal edge of the panel. 
     
     
         14 . The panel according to  claim 12 , wherein the panel is made of a formed metal sheet. 
     
     
         15 . The panel according to  claim 12 , wherein the photovoltaic modules are flexible ribbons glued to the panel. 
     
     
         16 . The panel according to  claim 12 , wherein the photovoltaic modules are deposited directly on the panel by successive deposits of layers by vacuum deposition methods. 
     
     
         17 . The panel according to  claim 12 , wherein the columns are not electrically connected to one another. 
     
     
         18 . The panel according  claim 12 , wherein the columns are of identical length and their extremities are aligned essentially parallel to a transverse edge of the panel. 
     
     
         19 . The panel according  claim 12 , wherein the electrical pole is a male connector with a polarity and a female connector with an inverse polarity. 
     
     
         20 . The panel according to  claim 19 , wherein the male connectors and female connectors of the columns interlock with one another when a lower transverse edge of an upper panel overlaps an upper transverse edge of a lower panel. 
     
     
         21 . An assembly of panels comprising:
 a plurality of panels according to  claim 12 ,   at least two adjacent panels marginally overlapping along longitudinal edges or transverse edges to form rows of photovoltaic modules in a longitudinal direction.   
     
     
         22 . An electrical device capable of being connected to a converter comprising:
 an assembly according to  claim 21  inclined along a given slope for which:
 at a bottom of the slope of the assembly, the electrical pole of a lower extremity of a row is electrically connected to the electrical pole of a lower extremity of an adjacent row, and 
 at the marginal overlap of two adjacent panels, the electrical pole of the lower extremity of each column of the upper panel is connected to a facing electrical pole of inverse polarity on a lower panel, 
 at a ridge of a roof, the electrical pole of an upper extremity of a row is electrically connected to a converter or to the electrical pole of an upper extremity of an adjacent row. 
   
     
     
         23 . A method of electrical connection, to a converter, of panels of an assembly according to  claim 21  inclined along a slope, comprising the steps of:
 electrically connecting, at a bottom of a slope of the assembly, the electrical pole of a lower extremity of a row to the electrical pole of a lower extremity of an adjacent row; 
 connecting, at the marginal overlap of two adjacent panels of a given row, the electrical pole of the lower extremity of each column of the upper panel to a facing electrical pole of inverse polarity on the lower panel; and 
 connecting, at a ridge of a roof, the electrical pole of an upper extremity of a row to a converter or to the electrical pole of an upper extremity of an adjacent row.