US 11,515,830 B2Granted

Solar energy shade structure

AssigneeStrategic Solar Energy, LLC

InventorsJack DeBartolo, III, Robert L. Boscamp, Thomas Headley

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Abstract

In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, solar energy shade structures and methods of design and revenue generation are disclosed. These systems comprise structures capable of supporting solar panel at heights greater than 18 feet above their mounting surface. These systems may be installed in confined spaces. These systems also comprise structures that are customizable, allowing an installation to be configured with a desired lighting and environmental effect. The methods discussed herein describe processes for achieving desired design effects based on natural elements. Moreover, the methods discussed herein describe processes for reducing the costs of generating solar energy and/or reducing the costs of providing a solar structure.

Claims18

Dependent claims

A solar energy shade structure, comprising:

a planar solar panel support structure;
a plurality of solar panels;
a plurality of elongated structural members coupled to the planar solar panel support structure, the planar solar panel support structure supporting each solar panel of the plurality of solar panels with at least one elongated structural member from the plurality of elongated structural members, wherein each solar panel of the plurality of solar panels is stationary relative to the planar solar panel support structure, wherein the at least one elongated structural member is attached to the planar solar panel support structure and to a solar panel of the plurality of solar panels such that each solar panel of the plurality of solar panels is immovable;
and
a plurality of vertical supports connected to the planar solar panel support structure for supporting the planar solar panel support structure elevated above a surface, wherein:
one of the plurality of solar panels is a front panel,
another of the plurality of solar panels is a rear panel,
the solar energy shade structure has a panel density in a first direction,
the first direction is along a line extending from the front panel to the rear panel,
the front panel is in a different plane than the rear panel,
and
the panel density is greater when fixing the front panel at a fixed angle that is inclined at less than 15 degrees relative to a horizontal plane than when the plurality of solar panels are inclined at an angle that is optimal for energy generation of a respective solar panel in the plurality of solar panels.

9 more elements

A solar energy shade structure, comprising:

a solar panel support structure comprising a first plurality of structural beams extending in a first direction and a second plurality of structural beams extending in a second direction, wherein the solar panel support structure is supported by a plurality of vertical supports above a surface;
a plurality of solar collection panels, each solar collection panel extending from a structural beam in the first plurality of structural beams to an elongated structural member coupled to an adjacent structural beam in the first plurality of structural beams such that each solar collection panel in the plurality of solar collection panels is stationary and immovable relative to the solar panel support structure, wherein:
one of the plurality of solar collection panels is a front panel,
another of the plurality of solar collection panels is a rear panel,
the solar energy shade structure has a panel density in a third direction,
the third direction is along a line extending from the front panel to the rear panel,
the front panel is in a different plane than the rear panel,
and
the panel density is greater when a fixed angle is less than 15 degrees relative to a horizontal plane than when the plurality of solar collection panels are inclined at an angle that is optimal for energy generation.

6 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 16/876,655Filed 18 May 2020 · continuation
Priority: 16 Jul 2010
Published: US 2021/0044249 A111 Feb 2021
Granted: 29 Nov 2022
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification25 codes

H02S 20/23
Specially adapted for buildings: specially adapted for roof structures
E04F 10/08
Sunshades, e.g. Florentine blinds or jalousies; Outside screens ; Awnings or baldachins: of a plurality of similar rigid parts, e.g. slabs, lamellae
E04H 6/025
Small garages, e.g. for one or two cars: in the form of an overhead canopy, e.g. carports
F24S 20/67
Solar heat collectors integrated in fixed constructions, e.g. in buildings: in the form of roof constructions

Family

Application61/399,728Us provisional application · filed 16 Jul 2010
Application13/185,190Parent of this continuation · filed 18 Jul 2011
Application14/472,876Parent of this continuation · filed 29 Aug 2014
US 8,825,500 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 2 Sep 2014
Application15/094,760Parent of this continuation · filed 8 Apr 2016
US 9,335,069 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 10 Jul 2016
Application16/368,481Parent of this continuation · filed 28 Mar 2019
US 10,277,160 B2Parent of this continuation · filed 30 Apr 2019
US 2021/0044249 A1Pre-grant publication · published 11 Feb 2021
US 10,686,398 B2Parent of this continuation
US 2012/0016815 A1Published application
US 2014/0366466 A1Published application
US 2016/0365826 A1Published application
US 2019/0326848 A1Published application
US 11,515,830 B2This patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.