Systems and methods for splicing solar panel racks

• US 8,695,290 B1
• Filed: 12/02/2010
• Issued: 04/15/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 12/07/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Ironridge Incorporated (Esdec B.V.)
• Original Assignee: Ironridge Incorporated (Esdec B.V.)
• Inventors: Kim, William, Carni, Craig, Zuidema, Victor
• Primary Examiner(s): Herring, Brent W
• Application Number:
  US12/959,187
• Time in Patent Office: 1,230 Days
• Field of Search: 521/733, 525/861, 528/45, 528/46, 528/48, 528/43, 403/292, 403/297, 403/298, 248/237, 248/225.21, 248/225.11, 248/500, 248/680, 126/623, 136/244, 136/251
• US Class Current: 52/173.3
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/63 for fixing modules or their peripheral frames to supporting elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/67 for coupling adjacent modules or their peripheral frames for fixing modules or their peripheral frames to supporting elements F24S25/63
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49616 Structural member making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 403/55 Member ends joined by inserted section

Abstract

The invention provides systems and methods for splicing solar panel racks. Solar panel racks may include one, two, or more solar rack sections that may be connected to one another with an internal splice. The internal splice may internally support the adjoining solar racks. The solar rack may be secured to a support surface using one or more feet. The solar panel racks may be configured to support the weight of one or more solar modules. One or more solar module securing component may be used to secure the solar modules to a solar rack surface.

Claims

1. A solar rack comprising:

a first solar rack section having a first uppermost external surface with a first top groove;

a second solar rack section having a second uppermost external surface with a second top groove, wherein the first solar rack section and the second solar rack section include;

one or more rack anchors configured to adjustably elevate the first solar rack section or second solar rack section at a selected height above a support surface;

each of the first and second solar rack sections having a first side with a side groove and a second side, opposing the first side, that is slanted with respect to the first side;

an internal rack splice to internally support the first solar rack section and the second solar rack section, thereby connecting the first solar rack section to the second solar rack section such that the first top groove and the second top groove are longitudinally aligned; and

one or more solar module securing components, wherein at least a portion of said solar module securing component fits into at least one of the first top groove and second top groove, and wherein said solar module securing component is configured to removably secure a separate solar module onto at least one of the first uppermost external surface and the second uppermost external surface of the solar rack.

2. The rack of claim 1 wherein the first solar rack section directly contacts the second solar rack section.

3. The rack of claim 1 further comprising one or more fasteners securing the first solar rack section to the internal rack splice and one or more fastener securing the second solar rack section to the internal rack splice.

4. The rack of claim 1 wherein the solar module securing component is an end clamp or a center clamp.

5. A photovoltaic system comprising:

a first solar rack section having a first uppermost external surface with a first top groove;

a second solar rack section having a second uppermost external surface with a second top groove, wherein the first solar rack section and the second solar rack section include;

one or more rack anchors configured to adjustably elevate the first solar rack section or second solar rack section at a selected height above a support surface, and;

each of the first and second solar rack sections having a first side with a side groove and a second side, opposing the first side, that is slanted with respect to the first side;

an internal rack splice formed with a substantially consistent and uniform cross-section along its entire length for placement within the first internal region and the second internal region, and configured to internally connect the first solar rack section to the second solar rack section such that the first top groove and the second top groove are longitudinally aligned; and

one or more solar modules connected to the first solar rack section or the second solar rack section,

wherein the one or more solar modules is removably connected via a solar module securing component that at least partially fits within at least one of the top grooves of the first solar rack section or the second solar rack section, and

wherein the one or more solar modules is mounted directly onto at least one of the first uppermost external surface or second uppermost external surface of the respective first solar rack section and second solar rack section.

6. The system of claim 5 wherein the solar module is connected via an end clamp or a center clamp.

7. The system of claim 5 wherein the internal rack splice fits snugly within at least part of the first solar rack section or the second solar rack section.

8. The system of claim 5 wherein the solar module includes a solar photovoltaic panel.

9. The system of claim 5 wherein the one or more solar modules contacts a first rack comprising the first solar rack section and the second solar rack section, and a second rack.