Solar power generation assembly and method for providing same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10848095-B2
Application number	US-201615370729-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Dec 6, 2016
Priority date	Jul 2, 2008
Publication date	Nov 24, 2020
Grant date	Nov 24, 2020

Abstract

The present invention relates to a solar power generation assembly and method for providing same involving an array of solar generating modules on a dual-incline structure, which can achieve high energy yields over a wide range of azimuths/orientations. The assembly consists of canopy wings providing for the dual-incline structure, where, depending on specifications, the canopy wings can differ in length, width, angle of inclination, structural material and solar module or other material mounted on the surface. The canopy wings may be pivoted or hinged to enhance the energy generation and/or other functional benefits of the assembly or system, including display elements, advertising, rainwater/precipitation and snow drainage and collection and energy transmission. The assembly or system is modular and may be assembled in a long continuous configuration in which the inclination, width and tilt of the canopy wings may vary of a long distance to maintain substantially consistent energy yields as the assembly or system orientation changes.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A dual-angle solar power generation support structure assembly comprising:
a plurality of vertical support structures, each having a first end and a second end opposite the first end and a length extending at least vertically between the first and second ends;
a first canopy wing having a free end and an attachment end, the first canopy wing supported by the second end of each of the plurality of vertical support structures, and a first angle formed between the first canopy wing and each of the plurality of vertical support structures being greater than ninety degrees;
a second canopy wing having a free end and an attachment end attached to the attachment end of the first canopy wing, a second angle formed between the second canopy wing and the first canopy wing being less than 180°; and
first and second arrays, each comprised of energy producing material and each being disposed at a top side of a respective one of the first canopy wing and the second canopy wing,
wherein the free end of the first canopy wing is opposite the attachment end of the first canopy wing and is higher than the free end of the second canopy wing, and each one of the plurality of vertical support structures is arranged in-plane below only the first canopy wing.

2. The dual-angle solar power generation support structure assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first canopy wing and the second canopy wing have different dimensions.

3. The dual-angle solar power generation support structure assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first canopy wing and the second canopy wing have the same dimensions.

4. The dual-angle solar power generation support structure assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the free ends of the first canopy wing and the second canopy wing are above the attachment ends of the first canopy wing and the second canopy wing.

5. A dual-incline solar power generation support structure assembly comprising:
a plurality of vertical support structures, each having a first end and a second end opposite the first end and a length extending at least vertically between the first and second ends;
a first canopy wing having a free end and an attachment end, the first canopy wing supported by the second end of each of the plurality of vertical support structures, and a first angle formed between the first canopy wing and each of the plurality of vertical support structures being greater than ninety degrees;
a second canopy wing having a free end and an attachment end attached to the attachment end of the first canopy wing, a second angle between the first canopy wing and the second canopy wing being less than 180°; and
first and second arrays, each comprised of energy producing material and each being disposed at a top side of a respective one of the first canopy wing and the second canopy wing,
wherein the first canopy wing is fixed in position such that the first canopy wing is non-adjustable upon installation,
wherein the second canopy wing is fixed in position such that the second canopy wing is non-adjustable upon installation,
wherein the free end of the first canopy wing is opposite the attachment end of the first canopy wing and is higher than the free end of the second canopy wing, and each one of the plurality of vertical support structures is arranged in-plane below only the first canopy wing.

6. The dual-incline solar power generation support structure assembly according to claim 5 , wherein the first canopy wing and the second canopy wing have the same dimensions.

7. The dual-angle solar power generation support structure assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising first and second membranes disposed underneath the first and second arrays, respectively, each of the first and second membranes being configured to at least one of collect precipitation and provide shade.

8. The dual-angle solar power generation support structure according to claim 1 , further comprising a seat affixed to one of the plurality of vertical support structures.

9. The dual-angle solar power generation support structure according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second arrays include a plurality of array portions, and the energy producing material is disposed on a subset of the plurality of array portions.

10. The dual-angle solar power generation support structure according to claim 9 , wherein at least one of the plurality of array portions is a sky-light.

11. The dual-angle solar power generation support structure according to claim 9 , wherein at least one of the plurality of array portions includes an advertisement.

12. The dual-angle solar power generation support structure according to claim 9 , wherein the energy producing material is arranged in the plurality of array portions in a checker-board pattern.

13. The dual-angle solar power generation support structure assembly according to claim 1 , wherein each of the first and second canopy wings respectively comprise cavities disposed underneath the first and second arrays to house cavity elements including electrical and network cabling.

14. The dual-angle solar power generation support structure assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second canopy wings each include an aluminum fascia on an edge thereof.

Assignees

• Sunpower Corp

Inventors

• Mackler Laurence

Classifications

• H10F77/00

  Constructional details of devices covered by this subclass (constructional details of integrated devices, or assemblies of multiple devices, comprising at least one element in which radiation controls the flow of current H10F39/00) · CPC title

• G09F23/00

  Advertising on or in specific articles, e.g. ashtrays, letter-boxes (on or in vehicles G09F21/00) · CPC title

• G09F19/22

  Advertising or display means on roads, walls or similar surfaces, e.g. illuminated · CPC title

• G09F27/007

  Displays with power supply provided by solar cells or photocells · CPC title

• G09F19/14

  displaying different signs depending upon the view-point of the observer · CPC title