Solarcity Corporation

Tesla, Inc.

Kathryn Austin Pesce

Charles Bernardo Almy

Martin Seery

David Molina

Johann Fritz Karkheck

Soren Jensen

Brian D West

William Paul Buchanan

Trevor B Guthrie

Robert Haas

Joseph Patrick O'Connor

Nicholas S Cohon

Benjamin T Materna

Dana K Noyes

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as photovoltaic modules having the appearance of a plurality of roofing tiles that each have photovoltaic cells. Each photovoltaic module may include a metal backer, photovoltaic cells, and light transmissive top sheets adhered to both the metal backer and the photovoltaic cells. BIPV systems can also include non-photovoltaic modules that appear similar to photovoltaic modules, but do not collect solar energy.

Interlocking BIPV roof tile with backer

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as multi-region roofing modules that have photovoltaic elements embedded or incorporated into the body of the module, in distinct tiles-sized regions. Such multi-region photovoltaic modules can replicate the look of individual roofing tiles or shingles. Further, multi-region photovoltaic modules can include support structures between the distinct regions having a degree of flexibility, allowing for a more efficient installation process.

Multi-region solar roofing modules

Photovoltaic modules are mounted onto a solar tracker array torque tube via pairs or left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connectors or brackets. The left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connectors have orientation projections that couple with and extend into the interior body of the torque tube. Pairs of left-handed photovoltaic array connectors and pairs of right-handed photovoltaic array connectors of adjacent photovoltaic modules can further be fastened together, thereby securing the photovoltaic modules to the torque tube and distributing the load of the overall number of photovoltaic modules mounted on the solar tracker array.

Photovoltaic module connector for solar tracker

Mounting systems are disclosed for attaching photovoltaic modules to torque tubes. Such systems can include saddle brackets that maximize space along a torque tube by sharing torque tube mounting holes between adjacent brackets. The brackets can be positionally stable on the torque tube prior to complete installation to enable a single installer to assemble a complete tracker array.

Photovoltaic mounting system for solar tracker array

Photovoltaic modules are mounted onto a solar tracker array torque tube via pairs or left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connectors having spring latch assemblies. The left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connectors have orientation projections that couple with and extend into the interior body of the torque tube. The orientation projections on the spring latch assemblies of each pair of left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connector allow for the photovoltaic array connectors to fit over and settle on a torque tube, and thereby support and mount a photovoltaic module as part of a solar tracker array.

Spring latch saddle connector for solar tracker

Photovoltaic modules are mounted onto PV module mounting brackets of a solar torque tube via clamps. The clamps include a first hook rotatably attached to a main body, and a second hook rotatably attached to the main body. The clamps provide for simultaneously securing a first photovoltaic module to the bracket with the first hook and securing a second photovoltaic module to the bracket with the second hook without the need for tools.

Over-center under photovoltaic module clamp

A hand-powered photovoltaic module hoist having a sled that slides along a ladder, and a pulley assembly mounted at the top of the ladder with a first cord to lift the sled and a second safety release cord to permit the sled to descend down the ladder. The sled is not attached to the ladder and the pulley assembly is a removable frame that is hung onto rungs of the ladder such that the hoist can quickly be installed on a standard ladder.

Photovoltaic module hoist

Photovoltaic module assemblies are mounted onto a solar tracker array torque tube via photovoltaic module brackets. The photovoltaic module brackets provide for stacking photovoltaic module assemblies in a nested configuration. The photovoltaic module assemblies are pre-assembled off-site, at a location different than the photovoltaic array installation site, and the nested configuration allows for efficient transportation of pre-assembled photovoltaic module assemblies to the installation site.

Pre-assembled nesting photovoltaic module bracket for solar tracker

Photovoltaic tracking systems with a ratcheting stow mechanism are provided. In particular, tracking systems allow for controlled movement of photovoltaic panels adapted for solar tracking to a stowed configuration without requiring electrical power. Such mounting systems can include a partially toothed ring gear with a pair of pawls pivotally mounted adjacent the ring gear with a pair of solenoids that when de-energized, move the pawls into engagement with the ring gear such that ratcheting movement of the pair of pawls along the ring gear in response to back-and-forth oscillating movement of the panel incrementally moves the panels into a stowed configuration without requiring use of electrical power.

Ratcheting stow mechanism for solar tracking photovoltaic panel mounting system

This disclosure relates to the design of pile cap assemblies configured to rotatably couple the torque tube of a photovoltaic solar tracker to multiple support piles that elevate the torque tube above the ground. The pile cap assemblies define low friction bearings that allow the torque tube to rotate smoothly within the low friction bearings. The pile cap assemblies also include numerous mounting hole configurations that allow for adjustment of a position of the pile cap assemblies with respect to the support piles. This allows for any small variation in positioning of the support piles to be accommodated.

Pile cap with integrated bearing housing

A multi-component inverter rack formed from sheet metal is disclosed. Some of the sheet metal derived parts used to form the multi-component inverter rack can be interchangeable. The multi-component inverter rack can include attachment points for an inverter, a load center and other supporting electrical components.

Growing community of inventors

San Francisco, CA, United States of America

Kathryn Austin Pesce