FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention relates to photovoltaic module integrating structures in buildings. More particularly the invention relates to photovoltaic module integrating structures in buildings with a provision of post installation maintenance.
BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART OF THE INVENTION
Building Integrated Photovoltaics (BIPV) is one of the emerging areas of utilization of solar energy. Lots of innovations are taking place to securely integrate solar modules in the roof, windows and canopies of a building, where the modules are made to replace costly building materials and there by helps in overall cost reduction. However, as the modules usually require fragile substrates like glass sheets and have to see very harsh environment conditions outside, the method of their incorporation in the building should be mechanically sound without compromising on the safety and aesthetics of the building. Many a times, the solar modules are mounted on a supporting structure and are connected electrically to one another and in some of the cases, the modules are laid on a

higher structure and a duct is provided for coolants underneath as disclosed in patent. In other cases, as per document JP 2002004517 to improve workability and safety in the case of installation onto a roof, a joining section has been developed and the modules have been mounted continuously. Framing systems have also been developed to mount panels or laminates in an array on a supporting structure of a building as disclosed in JO2003529696 and international publication no. WO 01/75377 Al.
However, all of these designs do not address the problems of post installation maintenance of the solar modules. Further, as most of modules are laminates made on glass, it becomes difficult to replace if any of these break due to accidents after installation.
OBJECT OF THE INVENTION
Therefore it is an object of the invention to propose a photovoltaic module integrating structures in building with a provision of post installation maintenance which is capable of post maintenance of the solar modules.
Another object of the invention is to propose a photovoltaic module integrating structures in building with a provision of post installation maintenance which

prevents the water seepage and corrosion problems for the overall integrating arrangement.
Yet another object of the invention is to propose a photovoltaic module integrating structures in building with a provision of post installation maintenance which provides pathways for maintenance purpose on which the mounting structure being installed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
Fig.l - shows solar module mounting arrangement in the roof or canopy.
Fig.2 - shows solar module laminate mounting and integrating structure fixed to
pathway provided for maintenance.
Fig.3 - shows solar module laminate integrating structure with pathways for
maintenance.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION
As shown in fig.l and 2, in the present invention, a Solar Module Laminate (A module without frame and hence forth referred as module laminate) mounting structure (2) has been designed keeping in view of the maintainability of the

modules, post installation. The module laminates (3) are mounted facing south and at a latitude angle of the place where the installation is being made, to get the optimum solar output. The module laminates (3) are integrated from the two sides in the anodized aluminum sections (6) used as mounting structure. The module laminates (3) are secured using pressure plates (8) and rubber gaskets (7) on East and West sides and sealed by structure sealant (4) at the other two sides. The sides of the module laminates in one column are joined by supporting then on metal strips and filling the gap between sides of two laminates using structural sealant (4). The integrating aluminum structure (6) is mounted on the RCC pathways (3) designed for walking of the maintenance personnel as and when required. Electrical connections are made through suitable connecters and the wires are run through the channels of the aluminum sections known as mullion (6).
In a solar photovoltaic system, a large number of solar modules are installed and connected to produce significant power. A solar module laminate has several solar cells electrically connected and laminated to a glass sheet. Conventionally, the modules are framed and mounted on the structures either on the ground or rooftop after consideration of the availability of sunlight on that location. The modules are mounted facing south in the northern hemisphere or facing north in the southern hemisphere of the globe and sloped at an angle equal to the latitude of the place of installation to collect maximum solar power in different

seasons of a year. In rooftop systems, the modules are mounted on the structures, which are securely grouted on the roof. However, to make the system more cost effective and to utilize the roof space more economically , the modules can be securely integrated in the building such that they function as a building envelop as well as generate energy from the sunlight to meet the energy needs of the building. Here the modules are not required to be framed separately, and therefore, the cost can be cut on the building material, which these modules replace.
However, most of the integrating designs are developed for the ease of mounting and ignore the fact that these modules need to be cleaned and maintained for their optimum power generation during their lifetime. Also as most of the laminates are based on the glass substrates, a few might get damaged due to some accidental incidences like hail storm etc. and may be required to be replaced to rectify the photovoltaic system.
Herewith, a design is being disclosed which takes care of securely integration of the modules laminates in the roofs and canopies. Fig.l shows the scheme of mounting of the laminates (3). The modules are mounted in columns facing south with a tilt of latitude angle ± 15° from the latitude angle of the place. The module laminates (3) are mounted on the specially designed integrating structure for holding them from their sides facing East and West. These

mounting structures (2) are mounted on the RCC pathways (1) or metal channels having sufficient space for walking of a person performing maintenance. The north and south sides of the module laminate (3) are supported on the aluminum strips (These aluminum strips are fastened to the mounting structure by specially designed fasteners) and the gap between the two module sides is filled by structure adhesives (4). The top end at the north side is covered with a top cover (5) plate to prevent rainwater to enter the building.
Fig.2 shows the mounting arrangement of the modules on a pathway (13). The modules (3) are integrated in the curtain wall aluminum assembly section (6) and securely fastened by pressure plate (8) with screws (9). The pressure plate (8) and the aluminum section (6) have rubber gaskets (7) fixed to the gasket groove at the assembly and clamping to the edges of module laminate (3) to avoid any seepage of the water and also provide cushion to the glass laminates. A balancing rubber gasket (12) is provided to balance the thickness of module laminate (3). The pressure plate (8) is covered by a cover plate (10) to prevent rainwater entering through the screws (9) of the pressure plate (8). Pathway (13) is U type with the height of sidewalls being 3 to 6 inches and width 2 to 3 feet for movement of the maintenance personnel. The aluminum curtain wall assembly section (6) is attached to the sides of pathway (13) by using nut and bolt arrangement (11). The pathways (13) may be RCC or U type sections of metal.

As shown in fig.3 depending on the requirement, a number of module laminates are installed in various columns. The aluminum sections (6) of mounting structures are installed to the both sides of the pathway (13) and the module is integrated between the two pathways (13) by suitably designing the gap between two pathways (13) so that module laminates (3) fits exactly in the gap (G). The wires of the electrical connections run through the mullion of the aluminum sections (6).
The overall integrating arrangement is such that the rainwater freely flows from top end to the bottom end of the module laminates and the pathways. There is no accumulation of water on the surface and the surface dries as soon as the water stops pouring on the roof. It prevents the water seepage and corrosion problems.

WE CLAIM
1. A photovoltaic module integrating structures in buildings with a provision of post installation maintenance comprising:
- a plurality of solar module laminates (3) forming a solar module (S) and being mounted in columns facing south with a tilt of latitude angle ± 15° from the latitude angle of the place of installation;
- a plurality of said solar module laminates being held from their sides facing East and West by plurality of integrating mounting structures (2);
- a plurality of said mounting structures being mounted on plurality of RCC pathways (1);
- the north and south sides of the said module laminates being supported on the aluminum strips, the said strips being fastened to the mounted structure (2) by fasteners;
- the said module being integrated in the curtain wall aluminum assembly section (6) and being fastened by pressure plate (8) with screws (9); characterised in that the modules (S) are mounted on pathways (13) when the aluminum sections (6) of mounting structures are installed to the both sides of the pathway (13) and the module (S) is integrated between the two pathways (13) providing a gap between two pathways (13) so that module laminates (3) fit exactly in the gap (G).

2. A photovoltaic module integrating structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein pathway (13) is U-type having height of sidewalls atleast 3 to 6 inches and width of at least 2 to 3 feet for movement of maintenance personnel.
3. A photovoltaic module integrating structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the gap between two module sides is filled by structure adhesives (4).
4. A photovoltaic module integrating structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the top end at the north side of the module (S) is covered with a top cover plate (5) for preventing rainwater to enter the building.
5. A photovoltaic module integrating structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure plate (8) is covered by a cover plate (10) for preventing rainwater entering through the screws (9) of the said pressure plate.
6. A photovoltaic module integrating structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the aluminum section (6) is attached to the sides of pathway (13) by nut and bolt arrangement (11).
7. A photovoltaic module integrating structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the pressure plate (8) and the aluminum section (6) is provided with rubber gaskets (7) being fixed to the gasket groove at the assembly and

is clamped to the edges of the module laminate (3) for avoiding any seepage of water wherein the said rubber gaskets provide cushion to the glass laminates.
8. A photovoltaic module integrating structure as claimed in claim 1, wherein the wires of the electrical connections run through the mullion of the aluminum section (6).

A photovoltaic module integrating structure in building with a provision of post installation maintenance consists of solar module laminates (3) forming solar modules (S) are mounted in columns facing south with a tilt of latitude angle ± 15° from the latitude angle of the place of installation. The solar module laminates (3) are held from their sides facing East and West by integrating mounting structures (2) which are mounted on pathways (1). Module laminates (3) are supported by aluminum strips which are fastened to the mounting structures (2) by fasteners. The solar modules are being integrated in the curtain wall aluminum assembly section (6) and fastened by pressure plate (8) with screws (9). The modules are mounted on pathways (13) when the aluminum section (6) of the mounted structures are installed to the both sides of pathways (13) and the module is integrated between the two pathways providing a gap (G) between two pathways so that the module laminates fit exactly in the gap (G).