Rooftop photovoltaic modules

• US 9,263,985 B2
• Filed: 11/13/2013
• Issued: 02/16/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 11/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Solyco Technology GmbH
• Original Assignee: Pi Solar Technology Gmbh
• Inventors: Silberschatz, Paul Joseph, Rodowca, Jerrod Quinton
• Primary Examiner(s): Fox, Charles A
• Assistant Examiner(s): Maestri, Patrick
• Application Number:
  US14/079,575
• Publication Number:
  US 20140130849A1
• Time in Patent Office: 825 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/013 Stackable support elements
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 2025/02 Ballasting means
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/13 Profile arrangements, e.g. trusses F24S25/12 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/16 Arrangement of interconnected standing structures; Standing structures having separate supporting portions for adjacent modules
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 25/65 for coupling adjacent supporting elements, e.g. for connecting profiles together
• CPC Class Codes: F24S 40/85 Arrangements for protecting solar collectors against adverse weather conditions F24S40/10 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 20/24 specially adapted for flat roofs
• CPC Class Codes: H02S 30/10 Frame structures
• 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: Y02E 10/50 Photovoltaic [PV] energy

Abstract

A photovoltaic module may include a first frame portion defining a first plane, a second frame portion defining a second plane angled relative to the first plane, and a photovoltaic panel mounted to the second frame portion. The second frame portion may be supported only at opposing ends. The photovoltaic module may be stackable with similar modules.

Claims

1. A photovoltaic module comprising:

a first frame portion including first and second opposing side members defining a first plane, each of the first and second side members having a leading end portion and a trailing end portion, and a cross member connecting the first and second side members, the first frame portion configured to support ballast;

a second frame portion including third and fourth opposing side members extending respectively from the trailing end portions of the first and second side members, upper faces of the third and fourth opposing side members defining a second plane oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the first plane, each of the third and fourth side members having a leading end portion adjacent the first frame portion and a trading end portion opposite the leading end portion;

a photovoltaic panel supported by upper faces of the third and fourth side members and lying substantially parallel to the second plane; and

a pair of opposing riser supports connected respectively to the trailing end portions of the third and fourth side members, the pair of riser supports configured to support the third and fourth side members at the predetermined angle;

wherein the photovoltaic module is configured to be stackable atop a substantially identical module in a storage configuration in which the first frame portions of the modules are adjacent and parallel to each other, the second frame portions of the modules are adjacent and parallel to each other, and each riser support of the lower module nests at least partially inside a corresponding riser support of the upper module.

2. The module of claim 1, wherein the cross member is a first cross member, the module further comprising a second cross member connecting the trailing end portions of the first and second side members, the second cross member having arm upper face lying in the second plane.

3. The module of claim 2, wherein the photovoltaic panel is further supported by the second cross member.

4. The module of claim 2, further including a plurality of intermediate members each transversely connecting the first and second cross members.

5. The module of claim 1, wherein the first frame portion further includes a tray for holding ballast.

6. The module of claim 1, further comprising a wind deflector spanning the pair of riser supports, the wind deflector including a support surface lying in the second plane, the photovoltaic panel being further supported by the support surface of the wind deflector.

7. The module of claim 1, further comprising a wind deflector spanning the pair of riser supports, the wind deflector including a deflector surface oriented transverse to the first and second planes, and a raceway running between the pair of riser supports and configured to retain intermodule wiring.

8. The module of claim 1, wherein one riser support of the pair of riser supports includes a single aperture configured to pass one or more electrical cables therethrough.

9. The module of claim 1, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth side members are constructed from a wood plastic composite material.

10. The module of claim 1, wherein the leading end portion of the first side member includes a first connector element having an aperture oriented parallel to the first plane and perpendicular to a long axis of the first side member.

11. The module of claim 10, wherein one riser support of the pair of riser supports includes a second connector element having an aperture oriented parallel to the aperture of the first connector element.

12. The module of claim 11, wherein the second connector element is configured to matingly engage with the first connector element of an adjacent, substantially similar module.

13. The module of claim 12, wherein the first connector element is a male connector element and the second connector element is a female connector element.

14. The module of claim 1, each riser support of the pair of riser supports including a side wing, wherein a corresponding side wing of the substantially identical module is configured be received between the side wing and the riser support of the module, in a stacked configuration of the module atop the substantially identical module, so as to restrict relative lateral motion between the module and the substantially identical module.

15. The module of claim 1, each riser support of the pair of riser supports including a mechanical stop configured to maintain spacing of adjacent stacked modules.

16. The module of claim 1, wherein the first and third side members comprise a unitary member having an angle formed therein.

17. The module of claim 1, further including a third cross member connecting trailing end portions of the third and fourth side members.

18. A photovoltaic module comprising:

a first frame portion including first and second opposing side members defining a first plane parallel to a support surface for the photovoltaic module, each of the first and second side members having a leading end portion and a trailing end portion, and a cross member connecting the first and second side members in the first plane, the first frame portion configured to support ballast;

a second frame portion including third and fourth opposing side members extending respectively from the trailing end portions of the first and second side members in a direction extending away from the leading end portions of the first and second side members, upper faces of the third and fourth opposing side members defining a second plane oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the first plane, each of the third and fourth side members having a leading end portion adjacent the first frame portion and a trailing end portion opposite the leading end portion, a second cross member extending between the third and fourth side members at the leading end portions;

a pair of opposing riser supports connected respectively to the trailing end portions of the third and fourth side members, the pair of riser supports configured to support the third and fourth side members at the predetermined angle;

a wind deflector spanning the pair of riser supports, the wind deflector having a support surface lying in the second plane and a deflector surface intersecting the second plane; and

a photovoltaic panel lying substantially parallel to the second plane, the panel being supported on a first side by the upper face of the third side member, on a second side by the upper face of the fourth side member, and on a third side by the support surface of the wind deflector.

19. The module of claim 18, wherein the cross member is a first cross member, the module further comprising a second cross member connecting the trailing end portions of the first and second side members, the second cross member having an upper face lying in the second plane, the photovoltaic panel being supported on a fourth side by the upper face of the second cross member.

20. The module of claim 19, further including a plurality of intermediate members each transversely connecting the first and second cross members.

21. The module of claim 18, wherein the first frame portion further includes a tray for holding ballast.

22. The module of claim 18, the wind deflector further including a raceway running between the pair of riser supports and configured to retain intermodule wiring.

23. The module of claim 18, wherein one riser support of the pair of riser supports includes a single aperture configured to pass one or more electrical cables therethrough.

24. The module of claim 18, wherein the first, second, third, and fourth side members are constructed from a wood plastic composite material.

25. The module of claim 18, wherein the leading end portion of the first side member includes a first connector element having an aperture oriented parallel to the first plane and perpendicular to a long axis of the first side member.

26. The module of claim 25, wherein one riser support of the pair of riser supports includes a second connector element having an aperture oriented parallel to the aperture of the first connector element.

27. The module of claim 26, wherein the second connector element is configured to matingly engage with the first connector element of an adjacent, substantially similar module.

28. The module of claim 27, wherein the first connector element is a male connector element and the second connector element is a female connector element.

29. A photovoltaic assembly comprising at least first and second substantially similar photovoltaic modules, each module including:

a first frame portion including first and second opposing side members defining a first plane parallel to a support surface for the photovoltaic module, each of the first and second side members having a leading end portion including a front connector element and a trailing end portion, and a cross member connecting the first and second side members in the first plane, the first frame portion configured to support ballast;

a second frame portion including third and fourth opposing side members extending respectively from the trailing end portions of the first and second side members in a direction extending away from the leading end portions of the first and second side members, upper faces of the third and fourth opposing side members defining a second plane oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the first plane, each of the third and fourth side members having a leading end portion adjacent the first frame portion and a trailing end portion opposite the leading end portion;

a photovoltaic panel supported by upper faces of the third and fourth side members and lying substantially parallel to the second plane; and

a pair of opposing riser supports connected respectively to the trailing end portions of the third and fourth side members, the pair of riser supports configured to support the third and fourth side members at the predetermined angle, each of the pair of opposing riser supports including a rear connector element;

wherein, when the first module is installed on the support surface, which is substantially planar, the third and fourth side members are supported only at the respective leading and trailing end portions; and

wherein the second module is disposed longitudinally adjacent to and laterally aligned with the first module, and each of the front connector elements of the second module is configured to be secured to a corresponding adjacent one of the rear connector elements of the first module by inserting a connection member.

30. The assembly of claim 29, wherein each of the front and rear connector elements includes a transverse aperture.

31. The assembly of claim 30, wherein each of the front connector elements of the second module is configured to matingly engage with a corresponding one of the rear connector elements of the first module to form mated male and female connector element pairs having coaxially aligned apertures.

32. The assembly of claim 31, wherein each mated connector element pair is configured to be secured by passing the connection member through the aligned apertures of the front and rear connector elements.

33. The assembly of claim 32, wherein the connection member comprises an elongate member having an enlarged head at one end and at least one transverse opening spaced from the head, the opening configured to receive a retaining device.

34. The assembly of claim 29, wherein the connection member comprises a U-bolt, and wherein each of the front connector elements of the second module is configured to be secured to a corresponding adjacent rear connector element of the first module by passing a first leg of the U-bolt through the aperture of the front connector element and a second leg of the U-bolt through the aperture of the rear connector element.