1kW-100kW wind-resistant photovoltaic modules and structures

A wind-resistant photovoltaic energy generation system, consisting essentially of:

• one or more rows of interconnected enclosed photovoltaic modules less than 5″-6″ high forming a solar array;
• each of said enclosed photovoltaic modules consists of a photovoltaic top made only of a plurality of solar panels and structural frames facing one or more sunward directions supported by a hollow structural enclosure consisting essentially of a plurality of rigid walls;
• said enclosed photovoltaic modules comprise a plurality of apertures about 1/16″-4″ wide formed within said rigid walls, in between said solar panels, in between said rigid walls and said solar panels, or a combination thereof, configured to enable atmospheric pressure equalization and natural ventilation within said interconnected and enclosed photovoltaic modules;
• said enclosed photovoltaic modules house and protect at least a portion of electric switchgear of said solar panels configured to transmit electricity produced by said solar panels by using at least one of the following systems:
• an off-grid electrical system, a grid-tied electrical system, a Distributed Energy Resource (DER) and a microgrid;
• wherein said solar panels are mounted to said structural frames supported by said rigid walls, and wherein said rigid walls substantially enclose said photovoltaic top from all sides with said rigid walls to block at least a portion of winds from directly hitting an underside of said photovoltaic top, thereby reducing wind loads on said solar panels and said structural frames.

A wind-resistant photovoltaic energy generation system, consisting essentially of:

• one or more enclosed photovoltaic modules less than 5′-6″ high, each consisting of a photovoltaic top made only of a plurality of solar panels and structural frames facing one or more sunward directions supported by a hollow structural enclosure consisting essentially of a plurality of rigid walls;
• each of said enclosed photovoltaic modules comprise a plurality of apertures about 1/16″-4″ wide formed within said rigid walls, in between said solar panels, in between said rigid walls and said solar panels, or a combination thereof, configured to enable atmospheric pressure equalization and natural ventilation within said enclosed photovoltaic modules;
• each of said enclosed photovoltaic modules houses and protects at least a portion of electric switchgear of said solar panels configured to transmit electricity produced by said solar panels by using at least one of the following systems:
• an off-grid electrical system, a grid-tied electrical system, a Distributed Energy Resource (DER) and a microgrid;
• wherein said solar panels are mounted to said structural frames supported by said rigid walls, and wherein said rigid walls substantially enclose said photovoltaic top from all sides to block at least a portion of winds from directly hitting an underside of said solar panels, thereby reducing wind loads on said solar panels and said structural frames.

A wind-resistant photovoltaic energy generation system, consisting essentially of:

• an elongated and enclosed photovoltaic barrier less than 5′-6″ high consisting of a photovoltaic top made only of a plurality of solar panels and structural frames facing one or more sunward directions supported by a hollow structural enclosure consisting essentially of a plurality of rigid walls;
• said elongated and enclosed photovoltaic barrier comprises a plurality of apertures about 1/16″-4″ wide formed within said rigid walls, in between said solar panels, in between said rigid walls and said solar panels, or a combination thereof, enabling atmospheric pressure equalization and natural ventilation within said elongated and enclosed photovoltaic barrier;
• said elongated and enclosed photovoltaic barrier houses and protects at least a portion of electric switchgear of said solar panels configured to transmit electricity produced by said solar panels by using at least one of the following systems:
• an off-grid electrical system, a grid-tied electrical system, a Distributed Energy Resource (DER) and a microgrid;
• wherein said solar panels are mounted to said structural frames supported by said rigid walls, and wherein said rigid walls substantially enclose said photovoltaic top from all sides to block at least a portion of winds from directly hitting an underside of said solar panels thereby reducing wind loads on said solar panels and said structural frames.

A wind-resistant photovoltaic energy generation system, consisting essentially of:

• a plurality of rows of interconnected enclosed photovoltaic structures less than 5′-6″ high forming a rectangular solar array;
• said enclosed photovoltaic structures consist essentially of a plurality of interconnected structural frames supporting a plurality of photovoltaic tops made only of a plurality of solar panels facing one or more sunward directions said enclosed photovoltaic structures enclosed from all sides with a plurality of rigid panels forming one or more hollow structural enclosure(s) underneath said solar panels;
• said enclosed photovoltaic structures comprise a plurality of apertures about 1/16″ to 4″ wide formed within said rigid panels, in between said solar panels, in between said rigid panels and said solar panels, or a combination thereof, configured to enable atmospheric pressure equalization and natural ventilation within said interconnected and enclosed photovoltaic structures;
• said enclosed photovoltaic structures house and protect at least a portion of electric switchgear of said solar panels configured to transmit electricity produced by said solar panels by using at least one of the following systems:
• an off-grid electrical system, a grid-tied electrical system, a Distributed Energy Resource (DER) and a microgrid;
• wherein said solar panels are mounted to said structural frames, and wherein said rigid walls substantially enclose said photovoltaic tops from all sides to block at least a portion of winds from directly hitting an underside of said solar panels, thereby reducing wind loads on said solar panels and said structural frames.