Photovoltaic module support system

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9252307-B2
Application number	US-201414470151-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 27, 2014
Priority date	Jan 21, 2011
Publication date	Feb 2, 2016
Grant date	Feb 2, 2016

Abstract

A support system for a solar panel includes a triangular truss with connection points for mounting a photovoltaic module, and a cradle structure that supports the triangular truss and is connected to at least two side supports of the triangular truss. The cradle structure may be driven for rotation about an axis for tracking the sun and several cradle structures can be linked together for tracking movement using a buried linkage system. The truss may also be foldable for ease of transportation and storage.

First claim

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A support system for a solar panel comprising:
a triangular truss with connection areas for mounting at least one photovoltaic module thereon;
a two-sided cradle structure adapted to be non-rotatably supported on a foundation structure and supporting the triangular truss, said cradle structure connected to two side supports of the triangular truss, wherein the cradle structure is configured such that the side supports of the triangular truss meet at a point that is off-center relative the foundation structure, and the photovoltaic module is fixed at an angle relative to the ground level.

2. The system of claim 1 , further comprising a photovoltaic module mounted to the triangular truss.

3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the lowest point of the photovoltaic module is 18 inches above a surface structure or ground.

4. The system of claim 2 , wherein the photovoltaic module is angled at a 25 degree angle relative a surface structure or ground.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the two side supports of the triangular truss meet at a right angle.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the cradle structure is secured to the foundation structure by a member extending from one of the two sides of the cradle structure.

Assignees

• First Solar Inc

Inventors

• Hartelius John

Classifications

• F24S25/13

  Profile arrangements, e.g. trusses (F24S25/12 takes precedence) · CPC title

• F24S2030/136

  for moving several solar collectors by common transmission elements · CPC title

• F24S2030/133

  in the form of flexible elements, e.g. belts, chains, ropes · CPC title

• F24S30/425

  Horizontal axis · CPC title

• Y02E10/47

  Mountings or tracking · CPC title