Sunpower Corporation, Systems

Other

Pinnacle West Capital Corporation

Powerlight Corporation

Mobil Solar Energy Corporation

Evergreen Solar, Inc.

Jefferson G Shingleton

Thomas L Dinwoodie

Herbert T Hayden

Gianluigi Mascolo

Elise R Brewster

Jack I Hanoka

Raymond S Zuckerman

James M Barker

James Warrick

John C Underwood

A modular shade system with solar tracking panels includes a series of generally North-South oriented, spaced apart torque tubes, each torque tube having an axis, a series of panels mounted to at least some of the torque tubes to create spaced-apart rows of panels along the torque tubes, at least some of the panels being solar collector panels. The system also includes a shade structure, positioned at a selected location between selected ones of the torque tubes and above the support surface so to provide an enhanced shaded region thereunder, and a support structure. The support structure includes a first mounting assembly mounting each torque tube above the support surface for rotation about the axis of each torque tube and a second mounting assembly supporting the shade structure at the selected location. The system further comprises a tilting assembly selectively rotating each torque tube about its axis.

Modular shade system with solar tracking panels

A tracking solar collector assembly includes solar collector support structure, with at least one solar collector mounted thereto and first and second spaced apart pivotal support points defining a tilt axis, Southside supports, with first pivot connectors, and North side supports, with a base, a second pivot connector, and one or two support elements connected to the base and to the second pivot connector at the ends thereof. The first and second support points are pivotally connected to and supported by the first pivot connectors and by the North side supports, respectively. The assembly also includes a tilting assembly causing the solar collectors therewith to tilt in unison.

Tracking solar collector assembly

A modular shade system comprises a support structure supporting modular panels. The support structure defines a first area having a length and a width. The modular panels have upper, exposed surfaces and lower surfaces and are mounted to and supported by the support structure. The modular panels cover at least about 80% of the first area. The modular panels comprise PV panels and supplemental panels, the supplemental panels providing a feature other than shading and optionally providing shading. Protective panels may be mounted opposite the lower surfaces of the PV modules. A protective panel may so be used when the PV module is part of an installation other than a modular shade structure.

Modular shade system

A tracking solar collector assembly includes Southside supports, North side supports and support structures. Each support structure has pivotal support points defining a tilt axis and supports at least one solar collector. First support points of first and second support structures are pivotally connected to first and second Southside supports. A second support point of the first support structure is pivotally connected to first and second North side supports. A second support point of the second support structure is pivotally connected to second and third North side supports. A tilting assembly causes the solar collector support structures and the solar collectors tilt in unison. A tracking solar collector may comprise a torsion tube rotatable about a torsion tube axis; with the solar panels secured to the torsion tube at an angle with the solar panels located entirely above the torsion tube at noontime.

Photovoltaic shade system

A solar collector array is formed of multiple parallel rows of solar panels, each said row being made of one or more building blocks with an east-west oriented torsion tube defining an east-west axis for the row, an array of flat generally rectangular solar panels, and a set of panel rails and rail claims attaching the panels onto the torsion tube. A row of piers aligned on the east-west axis each have a footing that is supported in the earth, and a pier cap affixed onto a top end of the pier. The pier cap holds the torsion tube non-rotationally such that the torsion tube and panels are held at a preset elevation angle. The torsion tube may serve as a conduit for power conductors from the panels.

Fixed angle solar collector arrangement

A solar collector array is formed of a plurality of solar panels mounted on a frame made of support beams which may be sheet metal channel members. A butyl tape or other glazing material is applied between the back laminate of the solar panel and the beam. Clips are used to clamp the panels to the support beams. The clips have an upper portion that is generally T-shaped in profile, and a retainer in the form of a channel nut or bar, with a threaded hole that receives a bolt or similar threaded fastener. The retainer biases against the inwardly directed flanges of the channel support beam. Electrical wires and mechanical fasteners are concealed within the support beams.

Solar module mounting method and clip

A celestial tracking apparatus ( ) has a support ( ), a tracking assembly ( ) coupled to the support ( ) by an azimuth pivot ( ), a collector assembly ( ) coupled to the tracking assembly ( ) by an elevation pivot ( ), a wind-speed sensor ( ), and a controller ( ) coupled to the azimuth and elevation pivots ( ) and configured to cause the collector assembly ( ) to assume a wind-stow position ( ) when the sensor ( ) detects a wind having a speed greater than a predetermined speed, upon failure of a component of the apparatus ( ), or upon receipt of a wind-stow command. The collector assembly ( ) has a solar collector ( ) with a substantially flat surface ( ), a center of gravity ( ), and a target axis ( ) substantially perpendicular to the substantially flat surface ( ) and passing through the center of gravity ( ). The elevation pivot ( ) is displaced from the target axis ( ) and the center of gravity ( ) so that the collector assembly ( ) is predisposed to pivot to the wind-stow position.

Celestial tracking apparatus and method of controlling wind stow therefor

A tilted single-axis tracking system ( ) for collecting solar energy includes a structure ( ) for supporting an array ( ) of photovoltaic (PV) modules ( ) above a surface ( ). The structure ( ) includes a frame ( ) having first and second legs ( ) configured to extend upwardly from the surface ( ) and join at an apex ( ). A base tensioning member ( ) of the frame ( ) is interposed between the first and second legs ( ). A torque tube ( ) is pivotally retained by the frame ( ) at the apex ( ) and is configured for attachment of the array ( ) of PV modules ( ). A foot member ( ) pivotally retains a tube end ( ) of the torque tube ( ) and is configured to rest on the surface ( ). A first tensioning member ( ) is coupled between the foot member ( ) and the first leg ( ), and a second tensioning member ( ) is coupled between the foot member ( ) and the second leg ( ). A pre-tensioning member ( ) extends from the apex ( ) of the frame ( ) and is configured for attachment to the surface ( ). In an alternative embodiment, the pre-tensioning member ( ) is omitted and pre-tensioning members ( ) extend from each of the first and second legs ( ) and the foot member ( ) and are configured for attachment to the surface ( ).

Structure for supporting a photovoltaic module in a solar energy collection system

A high-concentration photovoltaic assembly ( ) for use in a utility-scale solar power generation system ( ) is configured to couple to a supporting tracking structure ( ) of the system ( ). The assembly ( ) incorporates a frame ( ) substantially centered in a plane ( ), a plurality of substantially parallel longitudinal members ( ) substantially centered in the plane ( ) and coupled to the frame ( ), two substantially parallel transverse members ( ) substantially centered in the plane ( ) and coupled to the longitudinal members ( ) substantially at ends thereof, a plurality of bulkheads ( ) coupled between adjacent ones of the longitudinal members ( ) and configured to divide the assembly ( ) into a plurality of chambers ( ), a plurality of photovoltaic modules coupled to the chambers ( ) upon a first side ( ) of the plane ( ), and a plurality of lenses ( ) coupled to the chambers ( ) upon a second side ( ) of the plane ( ).

High-concentration photovoltaic assembly for a utility-scale power generation system

A solar energy collector and tracker has at least one north-south oriented torsion tube supporting an array of flat rectangular solar panels. At least one pier, supported in the earth, has pivot member in which the torsion tube is journalled. A linear actuator has a body portion mounted on a footing separate from the pier footing and supported in the earth at a distance spaced from pier, and has a rod coupled to a torque arm on the torsion tube. The actuator can be horizontally or vertically oriented. The torsion tube is generally square cross section. The torsion tube may be formed of two or more sections joined end to end. In such case, one of the sections may have one end swaged to fit tightly into the end of a next successive section to form a tight, secure coupling between sections. The pivot member can have four plastic resin inserts within a cylindrical journal on respective sides of the square torsion tube. The horizontal driver can be used to drive multiple rows of solar panels, with a linkage mechanism connecting the torque arms of the multiple rows. The linkage mechanism can include a series of rigid link members articulated to one another, permitting use on uneven terrain. Wires can be concealed within the tubular members.

Solar collector and tracker arrangement

A laminated solar cell module includes an integral mounting structure. The solar cell module includes a rigid front support layer formed of light transmitting material having first and second surfaces. A transparent encapsulant layer has a first surface disposed adjacent the second surface of the front support layer. A plurality of interconnected solar cells have a first surface disposed adjacent a second surface of the transparent encapsulant layer. The backskin is formed of a thermoplastic olefin, which includes first ionomer, a second ionomer, glass fiber and carbon black. A first surface of the backskin is disposed adjacent a second surface of the interconnected solar cells. At least one mounting bracket is bonded directly to a second surface of the backskin layer.

Solar cell modules with integral mounting structure and methods for

A solar energy power source is provided comprising at least two flat photovoltaic panels disposed in co-planar side-by-side relation and an improved support structure for supporting the panels for pivotal movement on a pivot axis that extends transversely of the panels, the improved structure including a single selectively operable drive means for pivoting all of the panels simultaneously and by the same amount of angular displacement.

Photovoltaic panel support assembly

A variably pressurizable support system for supporting and orienting a radiation detector, and a method for orienting a radiation detector on a moving radiation source are disclosed. The support system comprises at least one pressurizable support membrane, at least one pressurizing means able to variably pressurize the support membrane, and a control apparatus for determining the desired orientation of the radiation detector and varying the pressure in the support membrane. The method of orienting the radiation detector on the radiation source comprises the steps of determining an actual orientation of the radiation detector, and a desired orientation of the detector, and operating the support system so as to minimize the difference between the desired and actual orientation. A statically pressurized, inflatable support system for supporting the radiation detector in a fixed relation to ground is disclosed. The inflatable support means have sufficient structural strength to maintain the fixed relation to ground without the need for additional structural members.

Growing community of inventors

Auburn, NY, United States of America

Jefferson G Shingleton