초록 ▼

The present invention is directed to a process for manufacture of a solar panel string assembly for a solar canopy including: horizontally aligning two solar panel support channels substantially parallel to one another; applying an adhesive with a robotic tool to an upper portion of the solar panel

The present invention is directed to a process for manufacture of a solar panel string assembly for a solar canopy including: horizontally aligning two solar panel support channels substantially parallel to one another; applying an adhesive with a robotic tool to an upper portion of the solar panel support channels, the robotic tool comprising a fixed track aligned parallel with the two solar panel support channels, a robotic arm assembly movably supported by the track, a positioning member for adjusting the position of the robotic arm assembly along the track, and wherein the robotic arm comprises an adhesive applicator and a vacuum lift component; and lifting with the vacuum lift component of the robot arm assembly of the robotic tool and aligning a solar panel on top of the two solar panel support channels near opposing edges of the solar panel.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A process for manufacture of a solar panel string assembly for a solar canopy, the process comprising: (a) horizontally aligning two solar panel support channels substantially parallel to one another;(b) applying an adhesive with a robotic tool to an upper portion of the solar panel support chann

1. A process for manufacture of a solar panel string assembly for a solar canopy, the process comprising: (a) horizontally aligning two solar panel support channels substantially parallel to one another;(b) applying an adhesive with a robotic tool to an upper portion of the solar panel support channels, the robotic tool comprising a fixed track aligned parallel with the two solar panel support channels, a robotic arm assembly movably supported by the track, a positioning member for adjusting the position of the robotic arm assembly along the track, and wherein the robotic arm comprises an adhesive applicator and a lift component; and(c) lifting with the lift component of the robot arm assembly of the robotic tool and aligning a solar panel on top of the two solar panel support channels near opposing edges of the solar panel; and(d) repeating the lifting step (c) until the desired number of solar panels are aligned side-by-side on the two solar panel support channels, thereby forming a solar panel string assembly. 2. The process of claim 1, wherein the solar panel string assembly lay parallel with the ground surface for loading on a truck for transportation to the job site. 3. The process described in claim 1, further comprising electrically connecting the plurality of solar panels to one another in series. 4. The process described in claim 1, further comprising attaching a direct current to alternating current inverter to the solar panel support channel and electrically connecting the inverter to the plurality of solar panels. 5. The process described in claim 1, wherein the solar panel support channels are “Z”-channels. 6. The process described in claim 1, wherein the solar panel support channels are “C”-channels. 7. The process described in claim 1, wherein the solar panel support channels comprises integral alignment tabs for aligning the solar panels on the solar panel support channels. 8. The process described in claim 1, wherein the plurality of solar panels is from about 4 to about 20 solar panels. 9. The process described in claim 1, further comprising manufacturing the solar panel support channel at a solar canopy construction site using rolled sheet metal form extrusion. 10. The process described in claim 1, further comprising attaching an eye bolt to the solar panel string assembly for lifting the solar panel string assembly during construction. 11. The process described in claim 1, wherein the lift component comprises a vacuum lift tool. 12. The process described in claim 1, wherein the step of horizontally aligning two solar panel support channels substantially parallel to one another occurs on a surface sufficiently angled so as to provide worker access beneath finally assembled solar panel string assembly for electrical connections. 13. The process described in claim 1, wherein after forming a solar panel string assembly the assembly is sufficiently tilted so as to provide worker access beneath for electrical connections.