Adjustable Solar Panel Mounting for Secure Parapet Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need for an easily installable solar panel system that can be securely attached to parapets or walls to optimize electricity generation from sunlight, particularly for powering small electrical needs like landscape or motion sensor lighting, without requiring large and costly installations.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable solar panel system featuring a secured bracket with a securing plate and fixed coping that allows for adjustable positioning of solar panels, including a locking channel for secure attachment and easy installation, enabling the system to be securely fastened to walls and parapets using various attachment means like screws, adhesive, or spring biasing, ensuring stability against wind and harsh weather.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Power
If solar panels are professionally installed on rooftops to generate sufficient power, then electricity generation capacity is improved, but installation complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The solar power system is divided into modular solar panel units that can be independently installed on parapets or walls. Each unit includes its own mounting bracket and positioning mechanism, allowing distributed installation across multiple locations rather than requiring a single large professional installation.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket incorporates self-adjusting features including spring-loaded positioning mechanisms and automatic angle adjustment components that allow the solar panels to self-optimize their orientation without requiring professional installation services.
2Power
If solar panels are installed to cover large surface areas for sufficient power generation, then electricity generation capacity is improved, but installation time and labor requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses multiple small solar panel units distributed across available parapet or wall surfaces rather than requiring large continuous installation areas. Each unit can be installed independently and quickly, reducing overall installation time while collectively generating sufficient power.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting bracket includes dynamic adjustment capabilities that allow rapid positioning and angle optimization of each solar panel unit during installation, significantly reducing the time required for proper setup compared to fixed installation methods.
3Ease of manufacture
If the solar panel angle is fixed for simple installation, then ease of installation is improved, but electricity generation efficiency decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket incorporates dynamic angle adjustment mechanisms including spring-loaded arms and movable positioning components that allow the solar panels to be easily adjusted to optimal angles throughout the day or seasonally, maintaining high generation efficiency while keeping the installation process simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The system includes self-adjusting components that automatically position the solar panels at optimal angles based on sunlight exposure, eliminating the need for complex manual positioning while maximizing electricity generation efficiency.
4Power
If solar panels are installed in locations receiving substantial sunlight on parapets or walls, then electricity generation potential is improved, but attachment security and stability requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket uses curved or contoured attachment surfaces that conform to the parapet or wall geometry, distributing attachment forces more evenly and improving security. The spring-loaded components provide continuous contact pressure that adapts to surface variations.
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system incorporates counterbalancing elements including spring-loaded arms and positioning mechanisms that compensate for wind loads and environmental forces, maintaining secure attachment while allowing the solar panels to remain in optimal sunlight-exposed locations.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system allows for efficient electricity generation by optimizing solar panel placement and angle adjustment, ensuring stability and safety, facilitating quick and cost-effective installation, even by unskilled labor, while minimizing exposure to potential hazards.
Implementation Method 1
Solar panels use light energy (photons) from the sun to generate electricity through the photovoltaic effect (this is the photo-electric effect)
Implementation Method 2
The bracket may include a spring-loaded positioning mechanism that applies pressure to the mounting surface
Implementation Method 3
attachment means configured to attach the secured bracket to the parapet or wall, such as adhesive, nails, screws, or spring biasing
Data Source
AI summary
A solar panel cap and light cap secured to a wall or parapet through the use of a fixed coping and a secured bracket. The secured bracket has a securing plate mechanically attached to a top of the wall and upper and lower extensions extending above and below the top of the wall along its sides. The fixed coping has two vertical supports on either side of a locking channel. The vertical supports are biased or resilient to secure the coping to the secured bracket with the upper extensions providing full contact along the length of the vertical supports. The locking channel is configured to slidably receive a locking insert from a solar panel cap or light cap, each configured to connect to an adjacent cap such that they are electrically coupled.