Space and energy efficient photovoltaic array
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A solar energy system comprising:
- a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each oriented at a same angle relative to horizontal, wherein each of the photovoltaic modules comprises a frame having two upper extensions, including one upper extension extending from each of two upper corners of the photovoltaic module and having two lower extensions, including one lower extension extending from each of two lower corners of the photovoltaic module; and
a racking assembly mechanically interconnecting the photovoltaic modules together, the racking assembly comprising;
a plurality of rails arranged parallel to each other; and
a plurality of fins coupled between the rails and the lower extensions of the photovoltaic modules; and
a plurality of struts coupled between the fins and the upper extensions of the photovoltaic modules;
wherein the system is devoid of structural support elements vertically between the plurality of rails and the photovoltaic modules except;
1 where the lower extensions of each of the photovoltaic modules are coupled to the plurality of rails through the plurality of fins, and 2 where the upper extensions of each of the photovoltaic modules are coupled to the plurality of rails through the plurality of struts;
wherein the two upper extensions and the two lower extensions define a plane oriented at the angle relative to horizontal;
wherein the frame along two edges has extensions in a direction normal to the plane defined by the two upper extensions and the two lower extensions; and
wherein the extensions of the frame along the two edges have notches formed therein to receive a corresponding one of the two upper extensions or two lower extensions of another photovoltaic module when the photovoltaic modules are nestably stacked.
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Abstract
In an embodiment, a solar energy system includes multiple photovoltaic modules, each oriented substantially at a same angle relative to horizontal. The angle is independent of a latitude of an installation site of the solar energy system and is greater than or equal to 15 degrees. The solar energy system defines a continuous area within a perimeter of the solar energy system. The solar energy system is configured to capture at the photovoltaic modules substantially all light incoming towards the continuous area over an entire season.
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Citations
29 Claims
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1. A solar energy system comprising:
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a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each oriented at a same angle relative to horizontal, wherein each of the photovoltaic modules comprises a frame having two upper extensions, including one upper extension extending from each of two upper corners of the photovoltaic module and having two lower extensions, including one lower extension extending from each of two lower corners of the photovoltaic module; and a racking assembly mechanically interconnecting the photovoltaic modules together, the racking assembly comprising; a plurality of rails arranged parallel to each other; and a plurality of fins coupled between the rails and the lower extensions of the photovoltaic modules; and a plurality of struts coupled between the fins and the upper extensions of the photovoltaic modules; wherein the system is devoid of structural support elements vertically between the plurality of rails and the photovoltaic modules except;
1 where the lower extensions of each of the photovoltaic modules are coupled to the plurality of rails through the plurality of fins, and 2 where the upper extensions of each of the photovoltaic modules are coupled to the plurality of rails through the plurality of struts;wherein the two upper extensions and the two lower extensions define a plane oriented at the angle relative to horizontal; wherein the frame along two edges has extensions in a direction normal to the plane defined by the two upper extensions and the two lower extensions; and wherein the extensions of the frame along the two edges have notches formed therein to receive a corresponding one of the two upper extensions or two lower extensions of another photovoltaic module when the photovoltaic modules are nestably stacked. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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10. A solar energy system comprising:
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a plurality of photovoltaic modules arranged in module rows, each oriented substantially at a same angle relative to horizontal, wherein each of the photovoltaic modules comprises a frame having two upper extensions, including one upper extension extending from each of two upper corners of the photovoltaic module and having two lower extensions, including one lower extension extending from each of two lower corners of the photovoltaic module; a racking assembly mechanically interconnecting the photovoltaic modules together, the racking assembly comprising; a plurality of rails arranged parallel to each other; a plurality of fins coupled between the rails and the lower extensions of the photovoltaic modules; and a plurality of struts coupled between the fins and the upper extensions of the photovoltaic modules, the plurality of struts including a first strut paired with a second strut to support a first photovoltaic module, and the first strut paired with a third strut to support a second photovoltaic module adjacent to the first photovoltaic module; and a plurality of reflectors arranged in reflector rows interposed between the module rows, the reflectors coupled to and supported by the struts such that each reflector is coupled to and supported by a different pair of struts; wherein; for each fin, two corresponding lower extensions, one from each of two adjacent photovoltaic modules, are coupled to the fin on opposing sides of a middle section of the fin and the corresponding strut is coupled to the fin on a side of an upper section of the fin, the upper section being vertically offset upwards from the middle section; each of the fins is thicker in the middle section than in the upper section, the racking assembly further comprising a pin mechanically coupling an upper end of each strut between two corresponding upper extensions, one from each of two adjacent photovoltaic modules; and for each fin, the side of the upper section is laterally offset from a reference plane centered between the opposing sides of the middle section such that a lower end of the corresponding strut coupled to the fin on the side of the upper section is nominally centered laterally between lower ends of the two corresponding adjacent photovoltaic modules having corresponding lower extensions coupled to the fin on the opposing sides of the middle section. - View Dependent Claims (29)
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11. A solar energy system comprising:
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a plurality of photovoltaic modules arranged in module rows, each oriented substantially at a same angle relative to horizontal, wherein each of the photovoltaic modules comprises a frame having two upper extensions, including one upper extension extending from each of two upper corners of the photovoltaic module and having two lower extensions, including one lower extension extending from each of two lower corners of the photovoltaic module; a racking assembly mechanically interconnecting the photovoltaic modules together, the racking assembly comprising; a plurality of rails arranged parallel to each other; a plurality of fins coupled between the rails and the lower extensions of the photovoltaic modules; and a plurality of struts coupled between the fins and the upper extensions of the photovoltaic modules, the plurality of struts including a first strut paired with a second strut to support a first photovoltaic module, and the first strut paired with a third strut to support a second photovoltaic module adjacent to the first photovoltaic module; and a plurality of reflectors arranged in reflector rows interposed between the module rows, the reflectors coupled to and supported by the struts such that each reflector is coupled to and supported by a different pair of struts; wherein; for each fin, two corresponding lower extensions, one from each of two adjacent photovoltaic modules, are coupled to the fin on opposing sides of a middle section of the fin and the corresponding strut is coupled to the fin on a side of an upper section of the fin, the upper section being vertically offset upwards from the middle section; and each strut comprises a first flange and a second flange on opposite sides and at least partially along a length of the strut, the first flange supporting an edge of one of the reflectors and the second flange supporting an edge of an adjacent reflector. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification