Solar panel array assembly

A solar panel array assembly comprising:

• a first solar panel having a first panel and at least one solar cell supported by the first panel;
• a second solar panel having a second panel and at least one solar cell supported by the second panel;
• a hinge operatively connected to and extending between the first panel and the second panel, the hinge allowing the first and second panels to rotate relative to one another about a hinge axis and over a range extending from a first orientation in which the first and second panels are substantially parallel to one another and non-coplanar with one another to a second orientation in which the first and second panels have rotated relative to one another;
• a spring having a first end operatively connected to the first panel and a second end operatively connected to the second panel, the spring adapted to provide energy for use in causing the first and second panels to rotate relative to one another so as to move from the first orientation towards the second orientation;
• and
• a truss structure operatively connected to the first and second panels, the truss structure adapted so as to be able to transition from an inoperative state when the first and second panels are in the first orientation and an operative state when the panels are in the second orientation;
• the truss structure comprising a tower and a flexible strap structure;
• the tower extending from a pivot axis location to a strap engagement location that is spaced from the pivot axis location, the tower pivotally connected to the first panel such that the tower can pivot about a tower pivot axis that is substantially parallel to the hinge axis;
• the flexible strap structure extending from a first strap end to a second strap end, the first strap end operatively attached to the first panel at a first attachment location and the second strap end operatively attached to the second panel at a second attachment location;
• the flexible strap structure having a tower engagement section located between the first strap end and the second strap end, the tower engagement section operatively attached to the strap engagement location of the tower;
• wherein, when the truss structure is in the inoperative state and the first and second panels are in the first orientation, the tower and flexible strap structure are disposed between the first and second panels, the pivot axis location of the tower is located a first distance from the first panel, and the strap engagement location is at a second distance from the first panel;
• wherein, during a transition of the first and second panels from the first orientation to the second orientation, (a) the flexible strap structure applies a force to the tower that causes the tower to rotate about the tower pivot axis;
• (b) the pivot axis location of the tower remains at the first distance from the first panel, and (c) the strap engagement location of the tower moves away from the first panel;
• wherein, upon completion of the transition of the first and second panels from the first orientation to the second orientation, (a) the pivot axis location of the tower is at the first distance from the first panel (b) the strap engagement location of the tower is located at a third distance from the first panel that is greater than the second distance, (c) a first longitudinal axis associated with a first portion of the flexible strap structure extends between the first attachment location associated with the first panel and the strap engagement location associated with the tower, the first longitudinal axis intersecting the first panel, (d) a second longitudinal axis associated with a second portion of the flexible strap structure extends between the second attachment location associated with the second panel and the strap engagement location associated with the tower, the second longitudinal axis intersecting the second panel.