Method and apparatus for assembling photovoltaic modules
AssigneeGeneral Electric Company
InventorStephen Daniel Ressler
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method of assembling a solar array includes forming at least one substrate member that includes an upper surface and a lower surface. The lower surface is contoured with a shape that at least partially conforms to at least a portion of a contoured roof. The upper surface includes at least one elevated portion and a plurality of substantially planar regions. The at least one elevated portion is offset a predetermined height above at least one other portion of the substrate member. Each of the plurality of substantially planar regions is a distance above the at least one elevated portion and is oriented to receive at least one photovoltaic laminate. The method also includes coupling the at least one substrate member to at least a portion of the contoured roof.
Claims20
A method of assembling a solar array, said method comprising:
- forming at least one substrate member that includes an upper surface and a lower surface, at least the lower surface is contoured with a shape that at least partially conforms to at least a portion of a contoured roof, wherein the upper surface includes at least one elevated portion and a plurality of substantially planar regions, wherein the at least one elevated portion is offset a predetermined height above at least one other portion of the substrate member, wherein each of the plurality of substantially planar regions is a distance above the at least one elevated portion and is oriented to receive at least one photovoltaic laminate;
- and
- coupling the at least one substrate member to at least a portion of the contoured roof.
A photovoltaic module comprising:
- at least one substrate member that includes an upper surface and a lower surface, at least said lower surface is contoured with a shape that at least partially conforms to at least a portion of a contoured roof, wherein said upper surface includes at least one elevated portion and a plurality of substantially planar regions, wherein said at least one elevated portion is offset a predetermined height above at least one other portion of said substrate member, wherein each of said plurality of substantially planar regions is a distance above said at least one elevated portion and is oriented to receive at least one photovoltaic laminate;
- and
- said at least one photovoltaic laminate coupled to said plurality of substantially planar regions.
A solar array comprising:
- a first photovoltaic module;
- and
- a second photovoltaic module coupled to said first photovoltaic module, said first photovoltaic module and said second photovoltaic module comprise:
- at least one substrate member that includes an upper surface and a lower surface, at least said lower surface is contoured with a shape that at least partially conforms to at least a portion of a contoured roof, wherein said upper surface includes at least one elevated portion and a plurality of substantially planar regions, wherein said at least one elevated portion is offset a predetermined height above at least one other portion of said substrate member, wherein each of said plurality of substantially planar regions is a distance above said at least one elevated portion and is oriented to receive at least one photovoltaic laminate;
- and
- said at least one photovoltaic laminate coupled to said plurality of substantially planar regions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.