Solar energy collecting systems and methods

• US 8,825,500 B2
• Filed: 07/18/2011
• Issued: 09/02/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Strategic Solar Energy LLC
• Original Assignee: Strategic Solar Energy LLC
• Inventors: DeBartolo, Jack III, Boscamp, Robert L., Headley, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): GILKEY, CARRIE STRODER
• Application Number:
  US13/185,190
• Publication Number:
  US 20120016815A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,142 Days
• Field of Search: 705/1.1, 521/733, 136/244, 136/251, 136/291, 257/433, 126/621, 126/622, 126/623
• US Class Current: 705/1.1
• CPC Class Codes: E04F 10/08 of a plurality of similar rigid parts, e.g. slabs, lamellae E04F10/005 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 6/025 in the form of an overhead canopy, e.g. carports
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 20/67 in the form of roof constructions in the form of shingles or tiles F24S20/69
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/00 Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/13 Profile arrangements, e.g. trusses F24S25/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 30/00 Commerce
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 90/00 Systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial or supervisory purposes, not involving significant data processing
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/23 specially adapted for roof structures
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/10 Photovoltaic [PV]
• CPC Class Codes: Y02B 10/20 Solar thermal
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/44 Heat exchange systems
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/47 Mountings or tracking
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy
• CPC Class Codes: Y04S 10/50 Systems or methods supporting the power network operation or management, involving a certain degree of interaction with the load-side end user applications
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 136/291 Applications

Abstract

In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, solar energy shade structures and methods of design and revenue generation are disclosed. These systems comprise structures capable of supporting solar panel at heights greater than 18 feet above their mounting surface. These systems may be installed in confined spaces. These systems also comprise structures that are customizable, allowing an installation to be configured with a desired lighting and environmental effect. The methods discussed herein describe processes for achieving desired design effects based on natural elements. Moreover, the methods discussed herein describe processes for reducing the costs of generating solar energy and/or reducing the costs of providing a solar structure.

Claims

1. A solar energy shade structure, comprising:

a solar panel holding structure configured to support and retain a plurality of solar panels, wherein the solar panel holding structure is a planar structure, and wherein individual solar panels, of the plurality of solar panels, are attached to the solar panel holding structure at an angle inclined relative to the planar structure;

a plurality of vertical supports, wherein the plurality of vertical supports are configured to hold the solar panel holding structure above a surface; and

a retaining mechanism configured to attach a solar panel of the plurality of solar panels to the solar panel holding structure, wherein the retaining mechanism is accessible from underneath the solar panel for attaching and detaching solar panels, from the solar panel holding structure, from beneath the solar panel, and wherein the solar panel holding structure comprises openings through which the solar panel can be passed when installing or removing the solar panel, the solar panel being rotatable such that the solar panel can be passed through the openings between a top side of the solar panel holding structure and a bottom side of the solar panel holding structure when installing or removing the solar panel;

wherein the majority of the plurality of solar panels are attached to the solar panel holding structure at an angle that is inclined relative to level, and wherein the solar energy shade structure is configured such that natural light is permitted to pass through the solar panel holding structure.

2. The solar energy shade structure of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of solar panels is tilted relative to the solar panel holding structure at a different angle from another of the plurality of solar panels.

3. The solar energy shade structure of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of vertical supports are at least 18 feet in length, and wherein the majority of the plurality of solar panels are attached to the solar panel holding structure at an angle that is inclined relative to level at an angle between 5 degrees and 15 degrees.

4. The solar energy shade structure of claim 1, wherein the plurality of vertical supports comprise a first force lateral brace-frame, a second force lateral brace-frame separate from the first force lateral brace-frame, and at least two additional columns, wherein the first force lateral brace-frame is oriented with its widest direction perpendicular to the widest direction of the second force lateral brace-frame to create lateral stability.

5. The solar energy shade structure of claim 1, wherein the solar panel holding structure is configured to be able to hold a maximum number X of solar panels, and wherein less than X solar panels are installed.

6. The solar energy shade structure of claim 5, wherein shade panels are installed in the place of solar panels in some locations.

7. The solar energy shade structure of claim 5, wherein solar panels are omitted from the solar panel holding structure to allow sunlight through places where solar panels could have been installed.

8. The solar energy shade structure of claim 7, wherein solar panels are omitted in a manner to create a dappled light shade effect under the solar energy shade structure.

9. The solar energy shade structure of claim 1, wherein the solar panel holding structure is a contiguous planar structure over more than one area type, wherein the area types comprise:

parking spots, driveways between parking spots, aisles, walkways, and public gathering areas.

10. The solar energy shade structure of claim 1, wherein at least some of the plurality of vertical supports are at least 25 feet in length.

11. A solar panel system comprising:

a planar solar panel support structure, the planar solar panel support structure being at least 64 feet long by 64 feet wide;

a plurality of vertical supports of at least 18 feet in length, the plurality of vertical supports for supporting the planar solar panel support structure above a surface;

a plurality of solar panels, the planar solar panel support structure supporting each of the plurality of solar panels, wherein most of the plurality of solar panels are inclined relative to the planar solar panel support structure at an angle of between 5 degrees and 15 degrees relative to level, and wherein most of the plurality of solar panels are located in a two dimensional array of possible places where solar panels can be placed, wherein the planar solar panel support structure and the plurality of solar panels are configured to allow direct sunlight to pass through the solar panel system to objects beneath the solar panel system; and

a retaining mechanism configured to attach a solar panel of the plurality of solar panels to the planar solar panel support structure, wherein the retaining mechanism is accessible from underneath the solar panel for attaching and detaching solar panels, from the planar solar panel support structure, from beneath the solar panel, and wherein the planar solar panel support structure comprises openings through which the solar panel can be passed when installing or removing the solar panel, the solar panel being rotatable such that the solar panel can be passed through the openings between a top side of the planar solar panel support structure and a bottom side of the planar solar panel support structure when installing or removing the solar panel.

12. The solar panel system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of solar panels are uniformly distributed across the two dimensional array.

13. The solar panel system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of solar panels are non-uniformly distributed across the two dimensional array.

14. The solar panel system of claim 13, wherein the non-uniform distribution comprises an arrangement of solar panels where some of the solar panels are omitted from some of the available installation locations.

15. The solar panel system of claim 14, wherein the non-uniform distribution provides a dappled shade effect under the solar panel system when subjected to sunlight, and wherein the non-uniform distribution creates a desired lighting profile that is an approximation of a shade profile of a natural element.

16. The solar panel system of claim 11, further comprising a plurality of shade panels, wherein at least one of plurality of shade panels are attached to the planar solar panel support structure in place of one or more of the plurality of solar panels.

17. The solar panel system of claim 11, further comprising:

at least two force lateral brace-frames comprising;

a first force lateral brace frame having a first length, a first width, and a first height, with the first length being wider than the first width to provide lateral stability in a first direction associated with the first length; and

a second force lateral brace frame, separate from the first force lateral brace frame, having a second length, a second width, and a second height, with the second length being wider than the second width to provide lateral stability in a second direction associated with the second length, wherein the first direction is perpendicular to the second direction.

18. The solar panel system of claim 11, wherein the solar panel system is configured for installation over an existing parking lot, and is configured such that the solar panel system, with the exception of the plurality of vertical supports, does not obstruct a pedestrian'"'"'s view of store front signage when the pedestrian and the store front signage are proximate to the solar panel system.

19. The solar panel system of claim 11, wherein the plurality of solar panels are configured to be installed, removed, and serviced from underneath the planar solar panel support structure.

20. A solar energy shade structure comprising:

a planar solar panel support structure contiguously covering at least two areas of different types, wherein the area types comprise;

parking spaces, and driving aisles;

the planar solar panel support structure comprising at least a 64 foot by 64 foot structure, laid out in a contiguous grid over a parking lot;

a plurality of vertical supports connected to the planar solar panel support structure and configured to hold the planar solar panel support structure elevated over a surface;

a plurality of solar panels attached to the planar solar panel support structure, wherein at least a subset of the plurality of solar panels are inclined relative to the planar solar panel support structure; and

a retaining mechanism configured to attach a solar panel of the plurality of solar panels to the planar solar panel support structure, wherein the retaining mechanism is accessible from underneath the solar panel for attaching and detaching solar panels, from the planar solar panel support structure, from beneath the solar panel, and wherein the planar solar panel support structure comprises openings through which the solar panel can be passed when installing or removing the solar panel, the solar panel being rotatable such that the solar panel can be passed through the openings between a top side of the planar solar panel support structure and a bottom side of the planar solar panel support structure when installing or removing the solar panel;

wherein the plurality of solar panels are attached to the planar solar panel support structure such that they can be installed, serviced, and removed from below the planar solar panel support 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.

21. The solar energy shade structure of claim 20, wherein the planar solar panel support structure comprises a plurality of lateral beams forming a grid with installation locations for one or more of the plurality of solar panels, and wherein the plurality of solar panels are located within openings in the grid at the installation locations such that at least a portion of a solar panel of the plurality of solar panels is below the top of the plurality of lateral beams.

22. The solar energy shade structure of claim 20, wherein the planar solar panel support structure is configured to be held at least 20 feet above the surface.