Unlock instant, AI-driven research and patent intelligence for your innovation.

Photovoltaic array with minimally penetrating rooftop support system

An optoelectronic array and optoelectronic technology, applied in the field of optoelectronic arrays, can solve the problems of flexing of connection points, expensive installation of pressure strips, failures, etc.

Active Publication Date: 2013-11-20
SUNPOWER CORPORATION
View PDF5 Cites 0 Cited by
  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

In these cases, the surged diaphragm can cause problems for non-penetrating photovoltaic array mounts, where the mount system connection points that should rest on the surged diaphragm will flex significantly, leading to possible failure
While retrofit battens can be used to secure the membrane to the roof slabs at regular intervals, these battens are expensive and labor intensive to install and require many roof penetrations, thus partially or completely negating the need for "non-penetration" installations. Advantages of setting up the system

Method used

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
View more

Image

Smart Image Click on the blue labels to locate them in the text.
Viewing Examples
Smart Image
  • Photovoltaic array with minimally penetrating rooftop support system
  • Photovoltaic array with minimally penetrating rooftop support system
  • Photovoltaic array with minimally penetrating rooftop support system

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

Embodiment Construction

[0030] exist figure 1One example of a photoelectric array 20 in accordance with the principles of the disclosure is shown in . In some embodiments, array 20 is configured for mounting to a commercial building roof structure and includes a plurality of photovoltaic devices 22 formed and held in an array by support system 24 . Details about the individual components are provided below. In general, however, the support system 24 is lightweight and facilitates installation with minimal penetration into the roof structure in a manner that provides the necessary long-term support for the photovoltaic device 22 and allows for normal roof structures such as membrane surges. Variety.

[0031] optoelectronic device 22 can take figure 1 Multiple forms that may or may not be involved. Each photovoltaic device 22 includes a photovoltaic laminate or panel 30 incorporating an array of photovoltaic cells. For environmental protection purposes, glass laminates can be placed over the pho...

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

PUM

No PUM Login to View More

Abstract

A photovoltaic array including a plurality of photovoltaic assemblies and a plurality of mounting units. The mounting units each include an elongate rail and a plurality of leg assemblies. The rail is sized and configured to maintain a portion of at least two of the photovoltaic assemblies, with the leg assemblies extending from the rail in a spaced-apart fashion and terminating in a foot for placement against a rooftop structure for minimally penetration installation. Further, at least one of the leg assemblies can include a retractable leg. When the photovoltaic array is installed to a rooftop structure including a membrane intermittently secured to a rooftop deck, the retractable leg accommodates upward billowing of the membrane under windy conditions.

Description

[0001] Statement Regarding Federally Sponsored Research or Development [0002] This invention was made with United States Government support under Contract No. DE-FC36-07GO17043 awarded by the United States Department of Energy. The United States Government has certain rights in this disclosure. technical field [0003] This disclosure relates to photovoltaic arrays of the roof mount type. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to minimal penetration support systems for mounting photovoltaic device arrays to roof structures, such as lightweight commercial buildings. Background technique [0004] Solar energy has long been regarded as an important alternative energy source. To this end, considerable effort and investment have been made to develop and improve solar energy harvesting technologies, especially photovoltaic technologies. As the cost of solar cells decreases, the non-solar components necessary to maintain the photovoltaic system with respect to the ...

Claims

the structure of the environmentally friendly knitted fabric provided by the present invention; figure 2 Flow chart of the yarn wrapping machine for environmentally friendly knitted fabrics and storage devices; image 3 Is the parameter map of the yarn covering machine
Login to View More

Application Information

Patent Timeline
no application Login to View More
Patent Type & Authority Patents(China)
IPC IPC(8): F24J2/52H01L31/048
CPCY02B10/20F24J2/5243F24J2/5205Y02E10/50H01L31/0482Y02B10/12Y02E10/47H02S20/23F24S25/33F24S25/60Y10T29/49826Y02B10/10H02S30/10H02S20/00
Inventor 卡尔·J·S·利诺克斯
Owner SUNPOWER CORPORATION