Mounting unit for solar electricity generation systems and improved installation method
원문보기
IPC분류정보
국가/구분
United States(US) Patent
등록
국제특허분류(IPC7판)
E04D-013/18
H02S-020/00
H02S-020/10
H02S-020/23
F16M-011/04
F24J-002/52
H01L-031/02
H02S-020/30
H02S-020/24
H02S-040/42
F24J-002/46
출원번호
US-0632066
(2015-02-26)
등록번호
US-9923508
(2018-03-20)
발명자
/ 주소
Brady, Cole
Tolhurst, William
출원인 / 주소
Cowatt Energy, LLC.
대리인 / 주소
Egan Peterman Enders Huston
인용정보
피인용 횟수 :
0인용 특허 :
12
초록▼
The present invention provides a mounting unit for solar panels that simplifies the complexity of storage, transit and in-field installation of solar electric generation systems. According to one embodiment, the mounting unit comprises a top panel, a bottom panel and a pair of panel guides, each for
The present invention provides a mounting unit for solar panels that simplifies the complexity of storage, transit and in-field installation of solar electric generation systems. According to one embodiment, the mounting unit comprises a top panel, a bottom panel and a pair of panel guides, each formed integral with and adjacent to an opposing side of the top panel. Each panel guide includes a horizontal portion for supporting a solar panel and a vertical portion for providing an air channel between a bottom surface of the solar panel and an upper surface of the top panel. The air channel enables natural convection to cool the solar panel and optionally a power conversion device used within the system, thereby improving the solar conversion efficiency of the system. An improved method for installing a solar electric generation system is also provided herein.
대표청구항▼
1. A solar electric generating system comprising a mounting unit including: a bottom panel having a substantially planar rectangular shape;a top panel having a substantially planar rectangular shape, wherein the top panel is oriented at an angle with respect to the bottom panel; anda pair of panel g
1. A solar electric generating system comprising a mounting unit including: a bottom panel having a substantially planar rectangular shape;a top panel having a substantially planar rectangular shape, wherein the top panel is oriented at an angle with respect to the bottom panel; anda pair of panel guides configured to support a solar panel, wherein each panel guide is formed integral with and adjacent to an opposing side of the top panel, wherein a length of each panel guide is approximately equal to a length of the top panel, and wherein each panel guide comprises: a horizontal portion configured to support a bottom surface of the solar panel upon an upper surface of the horizontal portion;a vertical portion configured to elevate the bottom surface of the solar panel above an upper surface of the top panel to provide an air channel for cooling the bottom surface of the solar panel; andone or more solar panel spacers extending upward from one or more peripheral edges of the horizontal portion of the panel guide, wherein the one or more solar panel spacers are configured to retain the solar panel in position during assembly, and to protect the solar panel from contact when multiple mounting units are stacked. 2. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 1, wherein a height of the vertical portions of the panel guides is between about 1 inch and about 12 inches. 3. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 1, wherein a width of the horizontal portions of the panel guides is between about ¼ inch and about 4 inches. 4. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 1, further comprising the solar panel, wherein the bottom surface of the solar panel is affixed to the upper surfaces of the horizontal portions of the panel guides. 5. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 4, wherein the bottom surface of the solar panel is affixed to the upper surfaces of the horizontal portions of the panel guides with an adhesive, a plurality of clamps, or a plurality of clips. 6. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 1, wherein a length of each panel guide is approximately equal to a length of the solar panel. 7. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 1, wherein each panel guide further comprises one or more solar panel risers on the upper surface of the horizontal portion of the panel guide, wherein the one or more solar panel risers are configured to provide clearance between the horizontal portion of the panel guide and the bottom surface of the solar panel for a desired thickness of adhesive be applied between the horizontal portion of panel guide and the bottom surface of the solar panel. 8. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 1, further comprising a power conversion device configured for electrically coupling to the solar panel to convert a DC signal output from the solar panel into an AC signal. 9. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 8, wherein the power conversion device is mechanically coupled to the mounting unit. 10. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 8, wherein the power conversion device is mounted within or near a notch formed within the mounting unit. 11. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 1, wherein an upper surface of the top panel comprises a reflective material. 12. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the mounting unit further comprises a pair of sidewalls extending substantially vertically from opposing edges of the bottom panel to abut opposing edges of the top panel, wherein the bottom panel, the top panel and the sidewalls of the mounting unit are formed integrally as one piece. 13. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 12, wherein the mounting unit further comprises a front panel formed integral with the bottom panel, the sidewalls and the top panel. 14. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 12, wherein the mounting unit further comprises a pair of hinges, each located on one of the sidewalls near a rear of the mounting unit and configured to connect adjacent mounting units together. 15. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the mounting unit further comprises a plurality of support legs configured for connecting the top panel to the bottom panel and for orienting the top panel at the angle relative to the bottom panel. 16. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 15, wherein at least a subset of the support legs comprises adjustment means for changing the angle with which the top panel is oriented relative to the bottom panel. 17. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 1, wherein the mounting unit is formed entirely or almost completely from electrically inert materials, thus, avoiding the need to electrically ground the mounting unit. 18. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 17, wherein the electrically inert materials are selected from a group consisting of a plastic material, a plastic material impregnated with a fiber material, a metal material over-molded with a plastic layer, or a fiberglass material. 19. A solar electric generating system comprising a mounting unit including: a bottom panel having a substantially planar rectangular shape;a top panel having a substantially planar rectangular shape, wherein the top panel is oriented at an angle with respect to the bottom panel; anda pair of panel guides configured to support a solar panel, wherein each panel guide is formed integral with and adjacent to an opposing side of the top panel, wherein a length of each panel guide is approximately equal to a length of the top panel, and wherein each panel guide comprises: a horizontal portion configured to support a bottom surface of the solar panel upon an upper surface of the horizontal portion;a vertical portion configured to elevate the bottom surface of the solar panel above an upper surface of the top panel to provide an air channel for cooling the bottom surface of the solar panel; andone or more solar panel risers on the upper surface of the horizontal portion of the panel guide, wherein the one or more solar panel risers are configured to provide clearance between the horizontal portion of the panel guide and a bottom surface of the solar panel for a desired thickness of adhesive to be applied between the horizontal portion of panel guide and the bottom surface of the solar panel. 20. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 19, wherein a length of each panel guide is approximately equal to a length of the solar panel. 21. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 19, wherein the mounting unit further comprises a pair of sidewalls extending substantially vertically from opposing edges of the bottom panel to abut opposing edges of the top panel, wherein the bottom panel, the top panel and the sidewalls of the mounting unit are formed integrally as one piece. 22. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 21, wherein the mounting unit further comprises a front panel formed integral with the bottom panel, the sidewalls and the top panel. 23. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 19, wherein the mounting unit is formed entirely or almost completely from electrically inert materials selected from a group consisting of a plastic material, a plastic material impregnated with a fiber material, a metal material over-molded with a plastic layer, or a fiberglass material. 24. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 19, wherein an upper surface of the top panel comprises a reflective material. 25. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 19, further comprising a power conversion device mechanically coupled to the mounting unit, wherein the power conversion device is configured to electrically couple to the solar panel to convert a DC signal output from the solar panel into an AC signal. 26. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 25, wherein the power conversion device is mounted within or near a notch formed within the mounting unit. 27. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 19, further comprising the solar panel, wherein the solar panel is affixed to the upper surfaces of the horizontal portions of the panel guides. 28. The solar electric generation system as recited in claim 27, wherein the solar panel is affixed to the upper surfaces of the horizontal portions of the panel guides with an adhesive, a plurality of clamps, or a plurality of clips.
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이 특허에 인용된 특허 (12)
Lewenz, David B. P.; Moulder, Michael Joseph, Ballasted roof and ground mounted solar panel racking system.
Bottger Willem Otto Julius,NLX ; Schaap Antonius Bernardus,NLX ; Hoekstra Klaas Jetze,NLX ; Schoen Antonius Joseph Nicolaas,NLX, Device for supporting solar panel and a solar panel assembly comprising this device.
Babineau, Jr., Francis John; Shamas, Brian G; Smith, Eric, Methods and devices for coupling solar panel support structures and/or securing solar panel support structures to a roof.
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