Solar energy shade structure
First Claim
1. A solar energy shade structure, comprising:
- a planar solar panel support structure that is at least 64 feet long by 64 feet wide, the planar solar panel support structure comprising a first plurality of structural beams extending in a first direction and a second plurality of structural beams extending in a second direction, wherein the first plurality of structural beams and the second plurality of structural beams define a first plane and form a planar arrangement of intersecting structural beams in said first plane, wherein the planar arrangement of intersecting structural beams has a bottom most portion;
a plurality of solar panels;
a plurality of elongated structural members coupled to the planar solar panel support structure, the planar solar panel support structure supporting each solar panel of the plurality of solar panels with two or more elongated structural members from the plurality of elongated structural members, wherein each solar panel of the plurality of solar panels is attached to the two or more elongated structural members such that each solar panel of the plurality of solar panels is stationary relative to the planar solar panel support structure;
a plurality of vertical supports connected to the planar solar panel support structure for supporting the planar solar panel support structure elevated above a surface, wherein the solar energy shade structure is configured for installation over a parking lot having a first group of parking spaces, a second group of parking spaces, and a drive aisle between the first group of parking spaces and the second group of parking spaces, wherein the solar energy shade structure contiguously covers the first group of parking spaces, the second group of parking spaces and the drive aisle with an arrangement of the plurality of solar panels that is uninterrupted by the drive aisle, and wherein the bottom most portion of the planar arrangement of intersecting structural beams is higher than a top most portion of a signage on a building in front of the solar energy shade structure.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
Solar energy shade structures and methods of designing and installing the same are disclosed. These structures are capable of supporting a contiguous planar solar panel support structure at heights greater than 18 feet above their mounting surface. The planar solar panel support structure may contiguously cover at least two areas of different area types, including parking spaces and driving aisles, and may be at least 64 feet long by 64 feet wide. The planar solar panel support structure may have a high panel density defined in that an arrangement of the plurality of solar panels that is uninterrupted by service or access lanes. The majority of the plurality of solar panels may be fixed at an angle that would be non-optimal for energy generation in each individual panel of the majority of the plurality of solar panels, but results in optimal power density for the entire solar energy shade structure.
75 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A solar energy shade structure, comprising:
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a planar solar panel support structure that is at least 64 feet long by 64 feet wide, the planar solar panel support structure comprising a first plurality of structural beams extending in a first direction and a second plurality of structural beams extending in a second direction, wherein the first plurality of structural beams and the second plurality of structural beams define a first plane and form a planar arrangement of intersecting structural beams in said first plane, wherein the planar arrangement of intersecting structural beams has a bottom most portion; a plurality of solar panels; a plurality of elongated structural members coupled to the planar solar panel support structure, the planar solar panel support structure supporting each solar panel of the plurality of solar panels with two or more elongated structural members from the plurality of elongated structural members, wherein each solar panel of the plurality of solar panels is attached to the two or more elongated structural members such that each solar panel of the plurality of solar panels is stationary relative to the planar solar panel support structure; a plurality of vertical supports connected to the planar solar panel support structure for supporting the planar solar panel support structure elevated above a surface, wherein the solar energy shade structure is configured for installation over a parking lot having a first group of parking spaces, a second group of parking spaces, and a drive aisle between the first group of parking spaces and the second group of parking spaces, wherein the solar energy shade structure contiguously covers the first group of parking spaces, the second group of parking spaces and the drive aisle with an arrangement of the plurality of solar panels that is uninterrupted by the drive aisle, and wherein the bottom most portion of the planar arrangement of intersecting structural beams is higher than a top most portion of a signage on a building in front of the solar energy shade structure. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A solar energy shade structure, comprising:
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a contiguous solar panel support structure for supporting a plurality of solar panels, the contiguous solar panel support structure comprising a first plurality of structural beams extending in a first direction and a second plurality of structural beams extending in a second direction, wherein the first plurality of structural beams and the second plurality of structural beams define a first plane and form a planar arrangement of intersecting structural beams in said first plane, wherein the planar arrangement of intersecting structural beams has a bottom most portion, wherein the contiguous solar panel support structure is at least 64 feet long and at least 64 feet wide, and wherein the contiguous solar panel support structure is supported by a plurality of vertical supports above a surface; a plurality of elongated structural members coupled to the planar solar panel support structure, the contiguous solar panel support structure supporting each solar panel of the plurality of solar panels with two or more elongated structural members from the plurality of elongated structural members, wherein each solar panel of the plurality of solar panels is attached to the two or more elongated structural members such that each solar panel of the plurality of solar panels is stationary relative to the contiguous solar panel support structure; wherein a majority of the plurality of solar panels are supported by the contiguous solar panel support structure at a fixed angle that is less than 28 degrees, relative to a horizontal plane; wherein the solar energy shade structure is configured for installation over a parking lot having a first group of parking spaces, a second group of parking spaces, and a drive aisle between the first group of parking spaces and the second group of parking spaces, wherein the solar energy shade structure contiguously covers the first group of parking spaces, the second group of parking spaces and the drive aisle with an arrangement of the plurality of solar panels that is uninterrupted by the drive aisle, and wherein the bottom most portion of the planar arrangement of intersecting structural beams is higher than a top most portion of a signage on a building in front of the solar energy shade structure, and wherein the solar energy shade structure has a high panel density defined in that an arrangement of the plurality of solar panels is uninterrupted by service or access lanes. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A solar energy shade structure, comprising:
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a contiguous solar panel support structure for supporting a plurality of solar panels, the contiguous solar panel support structure comprising a first plurality of structural beams extending in a first direction and a second plurality of structural beams extending in a second direction, wherein the first plurality of structural beams and the second plurality of structural beams define a first plane and form a planar arrangement of intersecting structural beams in said first plane, wherein the planar arrangement of intersecting structural beams has a bottom most portion, wherein the contiguous solar panel support structure is at least 64 feet long and at least 64 feet wide, and wherein the contiguous solar panel support structure is supported by a plurality of vertical supports above a surface; and a plurality of elongated structural members coupled to the planar solar panel support structure, the contiguous solar panel support structure supporting each solar panel of the plurality of solar panels with two or more elongated structural members from the plurality of elongated structural members, wherein each solar panel of the plurality of solar panels is attached to the two or more elongated structural members such that each solar panel of the plurality of solar panels is stationary relative to the contiguous solar panel support structure; wherein the solar energy shade structure is configured for installation over a parking lot having a first group of parking spaces, a second group of parking spaces, and a drive aisle between the first group of parking spaces and the second group of parking spaces, wherein the solar energy shade structure contiguously covers the first group of parking spaces, the second group of parking spaces and the drive aisle with an arrangement of the plurality of solar panels that is uninterrupted by the drive aisle, and wherein the bottom most portion of the planar arrangement of intersecting structural beams is higher than a top most portion of a signage on a building in front of the solar energy shade structure; wherein a majority of the plurality of solar panels are supported by the contiguous solar panel support structure at a fixed angle that is less than 28 degrees relative to a horizontal plane; and wherein for the majority of the plurality of solar panels the fixed angle relative to the horizontal plane is also non-optimal for energy generation in each individual panel of the majority of the plurality of solar panels, but results in optimal power density for the solar energy shade structure. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification