Grid support system for a tracker-mounted solar panel array for rooftop applications
First Claim
1. In a terrestrial photovoltaic system including a plurality of tracker devices each supporting at least one solar panel on a rooftop, the tracker devices for adjusting orientation of the at least one solar panel supported thereon, an apparatus for supporting the plurality of tracker devices and associated solar panels in conjunction with a plurality of ballast weights, the apparatus comprising:
- a base frame including a plurality of interconnected lateral members which define a generally planar area that is substantially parallel with the rooftop and disposed under the plurality of tracker devices and the solar panels supported thereon;
a plurality of support structures mounted to said base frame and arranged in a rectangular array, wherein each support structure corresponds to a respective tracker device of the plurality of tracker devices and includes a set of support legs mounted to said lateral members of said base frame and extending upward and inward toward one another to a tracker mounting plate, said tracker mounting plate disposed below a corresponding tracker device and supporting the corresponding tracker device and at least one solar panel secured thereto, and wherein each given support leg is secured to a respective lateral member with a connector that provides for fixation of the given support leg relative the respective lateral member at different positions along the length of the respective lateral member; and
a plurality of ballast trays, separate and distinct from the plurality of ballast weights, attached to said base frame and adapted to hold the plurality of ballast weights for applying a downward force on said base frame to stabilize and resist movement of said base frame, wherein said ballast trays are attached to said base frame along at least a perimeter portion of said generally planar area defined by said base frame.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A grid support system for tracker-mounted solar panel array for rooftop applications includes a base frame having a plurality of interconnected lateral members which define a generally planar area substantially parallel with the rooftop. The system also includes a set of support legs corresponding to each one of the tracker devices. The set of support legs are secured to the lateral members and extend upward and inward toward one another to a respective tracker mounting plate. The tracker mounting plate supports a tracker device and associated solar panel(s). A plurality of ballast trays are secured to the base frame and are adapted to hold a plurality of ballast weights for applying a downward force on the base frame to stabilize and resist movement of the base frame.
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Citations
24 Claims
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1. In a terrestrial photovoltaic system including a plurality of tracker devices each supporting at least one solar panel on a rooftop, the tracker devices for adjusting orientation of the at least one solar panel supported thereon, an apparatus for supporting the plurality of tracker devices and associated solar panels in conjunction with a plurality of ballast weights, the apparatus comprising:
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a base frame including a plurality of interconnected lateral members which define a generally planar area that is substantially parallel with the rooftop and disposed under the plurality of tracker devices and the solar panels supported thereon; a plurality of support structures mounted to said base frame and arranged in a rectangular array, wherein each support structure corresponds to a respective tracker device of the plurality of tracker devices and includes a set of support legs mounted to said lateral members of said base frame and extending upward and inward toward one another to a tracker mounting plate, said tracker mounting plate disposed below a corresponding tracker device and supporting the corresponding tracker device and at least one solar panel secured thereto, and wherein each given support leg is secured to a respective lateral member with a connector that provides for fixation of the given support leg relative the respective lateral member at different positions along the length of the respective lateral member; and a plurality of ballast trays, separate and distinct from the plurality of ballast weights, attached to said base frame and adapted to hold the plurality of ballast weights for applying a downward force on said base frame to stabilize and resist movement of said base frame, wherein said ballast trays are attached to said base frame along at least a perimeter portion of said generally planar area defined by said base frame. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 19, 20)
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13. A terrestrial photovoltaic system for use on a rooftop in conjunction with a plurality of ballast weights, the terrestrial photovoltaic system comprising:
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a plurality of solar panels; a plurality of tracker devices each supporting at least one of said plurality of solar panels, said tracker devices for adjusting orientation of the at least one solar panel supported thereon; a base frame including a plurality of interconnected lateral members which define a generally planar area that is substantially parallel with the rooftop and disposed under the plurality of tracker devices and the solar panels supported thereon; a plurality of support structures mounted said to base frame and arranged in a rectangular array, wherein each support structure corresponds to a respective tracker device of the plurality of tracker devices and includes a set of support legs secured to said lateral members of said base frame and extending upward and inward toward one another to a tracker mounting plate, said tracker mounting plate disposed below a corresponding tracker device and supporting the corresponding tracker device and at least one solar panel secured thereto, and wherein each given support leg is secured to a respective lateral member with a connector that provides for fixation of the given support leg relative the respective lateral member at different positions along the length of the respective lateral member; and a plurality of ballast trays, separate and distinct from the plurality of ballast weights, attached to said base frame and holding the plurality of ballast weights for applying a downward force on said base frame to stabilize and resist movement of said base frame, wherein said ballast trays are attached to said base frame along at least a perimeter portion of said generally planar area defined by said base frame. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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Specification