Flat Roof Mounted Solar Panel Support System

Abstract

A solar power system is mounted to a solar power componentry support structure (104) suspended above a pre-existing surface (101) by a collective of solar collector suspension base supports (103) Suspended solar power system row support structure members (105) and suspended solar power system column support structure members (106) may for a solar component position lattice (107) to which a matrix of individual solar power components such as solar panels (18) can be attached Solar module quick-fasten assemblages (111) may serve also as solar componentry emergency releases (118) and may include loose axis retainers (128) and firm axis fasteners (127) such as dual component, single point operative emergency releases (121) and fasteners Slide-in retainers and corner slot tabs (136) can be included as well as frame alignment notches (138) Fulcrum pivot fasteners (139) and slide wedge releases (142) can aid in installation and release

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]This invention relates to the field of solar panel support systems such as for flat or low pitch roofs that are very easy to install, low cost, and incorporate a number of safety systems. Solar collector PV module arrays are formed by a plurality of solar panels on a support system which can be either laid on a roof with no penetration, with ballast and no penetrations or penetrations, or any combination of the three types.BACKGROUND[0002]The field of solar power has become very important. Solar power systems can be installed in huge seas as well as for individual residential and commercial usage. These individual systems can supply power to an underlying structure, and can also supply excess power into the grid or the like. For individual systems, it is not uncommon to locate these systems on the roofs of buildings. These roofs can be angled roofs or flat roofs. In many commercial applications a flat roof is frequently encountered and the solar panel system is ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]The present invention presents designs that can be implemented in various embodiments. These embodiments can meet a variety of needs ranging from lower-cost, solar power systems to easier to install solar power systems, to emergency accommodative, solar power systems. In general, the invention involves the inclusion of emergency releases and quick fasteners to aid in both the installation of a system as well as a potential release under emergency conditions of at least some components of the system. Specific designs can involve supports that suspend a solar power componentry support structure to which solar power components can be attached. The solar components can be items such as solar panels or the like. In various embodiments, designs can present a solar component position lattice that can include quick fasteners, as well as emergency releases at particularly beneficial locations. The quick fasteners may include retainers, and single point operative fasteners to aid in installation. These single point operative fasteners can also be configured as emergency releases so that a fireman with an ordinary toolset can immediately understand and release large area components of the overall solar power system.

Problems solved by technology

This can need to occur under adverse conditions such as smoke, fire, rain, wind, or at nighttime.

Removing solar panels or the like can be particularly challenging when the solar power systems are designed to produce electrical power.

This can be challenging for emergency personnel as it is undesirable for them during firefighting or other operations to be exposed to live electrical wires.

In addition, the initial cost of the system should not be increased significantly for simply the action of installing it on a pre-existing roof or other surface.

Furthermore, the cost of the solar panels and other such componentry itself is significant enough that the cost of an underlying structure, should not be so large as to greatly increase the cost of the overall system.

The more time an installer needs to spend on a roof or other area installing individual componentry, the more expensive the overall system is to a user.

Images