Roof mounted installation system
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing solar panel support systems for flat or low-pitch roofs are difficult to install, costly, and pose challenges for emergency access, as they often require significant labor and can interfere with firefighting operations due to live electrical components.
Innovation Solution
The system incorporates emergency releases and quick fasteners that facilitate easy installation and emergency access, using a solar component position lattice with retainers and single-point operative fasteners that allow for rapid release of solar panels, while maintaining the integrity of the roof seal and accommodating irregular roof surfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional solar panel support systems are installed on flat or low-pitch roofs, then the solar panels can be securely mounted, but the installation becomes difficult and costly requiring significant labor time
Solution Approach 1:
The support system is divided into modular components including roof-mounted bases, adjustable arms, and panel holders that can be independently installed and assembled. This segmentation allows for simpler, faster installation while maintaining secure mounting capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The bases are pre-installed on the roof surface before the solar panels arrive. This preliminary action eliminates the need for complex on-site assembly and significantly reduces installation time while ensuring secure mounting points are ready for panel attachment.
2Stability of the object's composition
If solar panels are securely fastened to the roof structure, then the system remains stable, but emergency access to the roof is blocked and firefighting operations are interfered with
Solution Approach 1:
The support system incorporates quick-release mechanisms and adjustable components that allow emergency personnel to rapidly disassemble or reconfigure the structure. This dynamic capability maintains system stability during normal operation while enabling immediate emergency access when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The solar panels can be quickly removed or detached from the support structure during emergencies. This extraction capability allows emergency personnel to clear access paths and perform firefighting operations without being blocked by the solar array, while the panels remain securely mounted during normal operation.
3Ease of operation
If solar panels are removed during emergency operations, then emergency personnel can access the roof, but electrical hazards are created due to live wires
Solution Approach 1:
The electrical connections are designed to be automatically disconnected when solar panels are removed from the support structure. This extraction of electrical connections alongside the physical panels eliminates live wire hazards while maintaining ease of emergency access.
Solution Approach 2:
Disconnect switches or isolation devices are installed as intermediaries between the solar panels and the electrical grid. These devices can be quickly activated to de-energize the system before panel removal, creating a safe environment for emergency operations while maintaining normal electrical connectivity during regular operation.
4Reliability
If more fasteners and retainers are used to secure solar panels, then the mounting becomes more reliable, but the installation cost and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple fastening functions are combined into integrated components such as adjustable arms with built-in locking mechanisms and multi-position retainers. This merging reduces the total number of separate fasteners needed while maintaining mounting reliability through the combined functionality of each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The support structure components are designed with multi-functionality, where single elements serve multiple purposes including support, adjustment, and securing functions. This universality reduces the overall number of components needed while maintaining reliable mounting capability across different installation scenarios.
Data Source
AI summary
A solar power system is mounted to a solar power componentry support structure suspended above a pre-existing surface by a collective of solar collector suspension base supports. Suspended solar power system row support structure members and suspended solar power system column support structure members may for a solar component position lattice to which a matrix of individual solar power components such as solar panels can be attached. Solar module quick-fasten assemblages may serve also as solar componentry emergency releases and may include loose axis retainers and firm axis fasteners such as dual component, single point operative emergency releases and fasteners. Slide-in retainers and corner slot tabs can be included as well as frame alignment notches. Fulcrum pivot fasteners and slide wedge releases can aid in installation and release. Pre-sealed roof base supports such as semidome base supports can include a sandwiched membrane.