SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS
First Claim
1. A system for installing a preassembled array of solar panels on a rooftop of a facility, comprising:
- a primary beam member having a plurality of transverse receptacles;
a plurality of transverse rails engaged with the transverse receptacles;
a plurality of panel supports, each having a hook portion, and movably supported by the transverse rails, so that each of the solar panels in the preassembled array is supported by at least one of the panel supports.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system for installing a preassembled array of solar panels on a rooftop of a facility includes a primary beam member having a plurality of transverse receptacles, a plurality of transverse rails engaged with the transverse receptacles, and a plurality of panel supports, each having a hook portion, and movably supported by the transverse rails, so that each corner of the solar panels in the preassembled array is supported by at least one panel support. A system for transporting solar panels to a rooftop of a facility for subsequent assembly into an array includes a high density rack having a plurality of parallel tracks, each of the parallel tracks are arranged in a progressively staggered configuration, so that one of the solar panels is receivable on each of the parallel tracks, with one side of each of the solar panels having at least one downwardly extending standoff coupled thereto.
67 Citations
20 Claims
-
1. A system for installing a preassembled array of solar panels on a rooftop of a facility, comprising:
-
a primary beam member having a plurality of transverse receptacles; a plurality of transverse rails engaged with the transverse receptacles; a plurality of panel supports, each having a hook portion, and movably supported by the transverse rails, so that each of the solar panels in the preassembled array is supported by at least one of the panel supports. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
-
-
6. A system for transporting a plurality of solar panels to a rooftop of a facility for subsequent assembly into an array, comprising:
a high-density rack having one or more pairs of staggered track groups, each pair of staggered track groups having a plurality of parallel tracks, each of the parallel tracks arranged in a progressively staggered configuration, so that one of the solar panels is receivable on each of the parallel tracks, and one side of the solar panels is capable of having at least one downwardly extending standoff coupled thereto. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8, 9)
-
10. A method of installing an array of solar panels on a rooftop of a facility, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a primary beam member having a plurality of transverse receptacles; coupling a plurality of transverse rails to the transverse receptacles; movably supporting a plurality of panel supports having a hook portion from the transverse rails; engaging the hook portion of the panel supports with the solar panels in the preassembled array; and lifting the preassembled array of solar panels and positioning the array onto the rooftop at a location proximate a perimeter of the facility. - View Dependent Claims (11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method of transporting solar panels to a rooftop of a facility for subsequent assembly into an array, comprising the steps of:
-
providing a first rack having a plurality of parallel tracks, each of the parallel tracks arranged in a progressively staggered configuration, so that at least one of the solar panels is receivable on each of the parallel tracks; loading a first supply of the solar panels onto the parallel tracks; coupling at least one downwardly extending standoff on one side of each of the solar panels; and lifting the first rack and positioning the rack onto the rooftop; unloading the first supply of the solar panels from the first rack; and assembling the solar panels into an array at an inwardly-disposed location on the rooftop. - View Dependent Claims (16)
-
-
17. A method of installing solar panels on a rooftop of a facility, comprising the steps of:
-
installing a first group of solar panels that have been preassembled into a first array on a rooftop proximate a peripheral location according to the following sub-steps; providing a primary beam member having a plurality of transverse receptacles; coupling a plurality of transverse rails to the transverse receptacles; movably supporting a plurality of panel supports having a hook portion from the transverse rails; engaging the hook portion of the panel supports with the solar panels in the preassembled array; and lifting the preassembled array of solar panels and positioning the array onto the rooftop at a location proximate a perimeter of the facility; transporting a second group of solar panels to an inward location on the rooftop that is inwardly disposed from the peripheral location, and assembling the second group of solar panels into a second array, according to the following sub-steps; providing a rack having a plurality of parallel tracks, each of the parallel tracks arranged in a progressively staggered configuration, so that at least one of the solar panels is receivable on each of the parallel tracks; coupling at least one downwardly extending standoff on one side of each of the solar panels; and lifting the rack and positioning the rack onto the rooftop; removing the solar panels from the rack; and assembling the solar panels into an array at the inward location on the rooftop. - View Dependent Claims (18)
-
-
19. A method for minimally-invasive installation of solar panels on a rooftop of a facility, comprising:
-
assembling a plurality of solar panels into a preassembled array at a first location separate from the rooftop; mechanically and electrically interconnecting the solar panels in the array at the first location; coupling a lifting apparatus to the preassembled array; aerially transporting the preassembled array from the first location to a second location disposed on the rooftop; and electrically connecting the preassembled array to an electrical circuit for the facility. - View Dependent Claims (20)
-
Specification