Cable and pole supported solar panel array
AssigneeRute Foundation Systems, Inc.
InventorsDoug Krause, Louis Wood
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A solar panel assembly where a solar panel(s) is mounted on a support pole that is pivotally attached to a footing. By adjusting the angle of the support pole relative to ground, the orientation of the solar panel can be changed in full-axis directions. A plurality of the solar panel assemblies can be arranged into an array of rows and columns. Each row includes a row support cable that is connected to each one of the solar panel assemblies in the row to simultaneously adjust an angle of each of the solar panels in the row. In addition, each column includes a column support cable that is connected to each one of the solar panel assemblies in the column which may be used to simultaneously adjust an angle of each of the solar panels in the column.
Claims10
A solar panel system, comprising:
- a first plurality of solar panel assemblies arranged into an array, each one of the solar panel assemblies includes:
- a solar panel having a plurality of photovoltaic cells;
- a support pole having a first end attached to the solar panel and a second end that is pivotally mounted to a ground footing via an articulating connection whereby the support pole is able to tilt relative to the ground footing;
- an adjustment mechanism that simultaneously adjusts each one of the solar panel assemblies by tilting the support pole of each solar panel assembly, the adjustment mechanism includes:
- a first support cable attached to the support poles of the solar panel assemblies, the first support cable having a first end at a first end of the array and a second end at a second end of the array;
- a first adjuster at the first end of the array and attached to the first end of the first support cable, and a second adjuster at the second end of the array and attached to the second end of the first support cable, the first adjuster and the second adjuster are configured to adjust the first support cable and thereby simultaneously adjust tilt angles of the support poles relative to their respective ground footings.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.