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Solar energy collecting systems and methods

  • US 9,335,069 B2
  • Filed: 08/29/2014
  • Issued: 05/10/2016
  • Est. Priority Date: 07/16/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A solar energy shade structure, comprisinga plurality of vertical supports;

  • a contiguous solar panel holding structure for supporting a plurality of solar panels, wherein the contiguous solar panel holding structure is at least 64 feet long and at least 64 feet wide, and wherein the contiguous solar panel holding structure is supported by the plurality of vertical supports above a surface, wherein a height of the contiguous solar panel holding structure, as measured between the surface and a bottom side of the solar panel holding structure, is at least 25 feet;

    wherein a majority of the plurality of solar panels are supported by the contiguous solar panel holding structure at a fixed angle, wherein the fixed angle is inclined relative to a horizontal plane, and wherein the plurality of solar panels are not all located in a single plane; and

    a retaining mechanism configured to attach a solar panel of the plurality of solar panels to the contiguous solar panel holding structure, wherein the retaining mechanism is accessible from underneath the solar panel for attaching and detaching solar panels, from the contiguous solar panel holding structure, from beneath the solar panel, and wherein the contiguous 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 contiguous solar panel holding structure and a bottom side of the contiguous solar panel holding structure when installing or removing the solar panel;

    wherein the plurality of vertical supports comprise;

    a first force lateral brace frame, the first force lateral brace frame having a first height in a direction parallel to a vertical direction and a first long axis parallel to an X direction perpendicular to the vertical direction, wherein the first force lateral brace frame has a first width along the first long axis and a first thickness parallel to a Y direction, wherein the Y direction is perpendicular to both the vertical direction and the X direction, wherein the first width is greater than the first thickness, the first force lateral brace frame for counteracting lateral forces parallel to the X direction to create lateral stability;

    a second force lateral brace frame, the second force lateral brace frame having a second height and a second long axis parallel to the Y direction, wherein the second force lateral brace frame has a second width along the second long axis and a second thickness parallel to the X direction, wherein the second width is greater than the second thickness, the second force lateral brace frame for counteracting lateral forces parallel to the Y direction to create lateral stability, wherein the first force lateral brace frame is separate from and spaced apart from the second force lateral brace frame; and

    a vertical column support, wherein the vertical column support has a third height, a third width in the direction parallel to the X direction, and a third thickness in the direction parallel to the Y direction, and wherein the third width is not wider than the second thickness, and wherein the third thickness is not thicker than the first thickness;

    wherein the contiguous solar panel holding structure comprises a perimeter having at least a first side, a second side, and a third side;

    wherein the solar energy shade structure further comprises more than one of the first force lateral brace frame located in a row proximate to a first side of the solar energy shade structure, wherein the first long axis of each of the more than one of the first force lateral brace frame is parallel to the X direction;

    wherein the solar energy shade structure further comprises more than one of the second force lateral brace frame located in a row proximate to a second side of the solar energy shade structure, wherein the second long axis of each of the more than one of the second force lateral brace frame is parallel to the Y direction;

    wherein the contiguous solar panel holding structure further comprises more than one of the vertical column support.

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