Transportable and multi configurable, modular power platforms

A transportable, multi-configurable, modular solar power platform, comprising:

• a support frame comprising a plurality of leg subassemblies spaced apart from one another, each leg subassembly including a front leg, a back leg, and a cross member extending between upper ends of the front and back legs;
• a solar module frame comprising a plurality of struts attached to and extending between the leg assemblies;
• at least one solar module mounted on the solar module frame;
• shoe plates coupled to lower ends of each of the front and back legs;
• and
• a toggle anchor with rod and/or cable component attached to one or both of each of the front and back legs and respective shoe plates to provide an earth-anchoring foundation.

A system for mounting a support platform for one or more solar panels relative to ground at an installation site, comprising:

• a frame;
• a plurality of support legs extending from the frame, each support leg comprising;
• i) a shoe plate attached to each support leg comprising an opening therethrough;
• ii) an anchor assembly comprising:
• a) an anchor portion comprising a penetrating end and a socket end opposite the penetrating end;
• b) a toggle portion pivotally coupled to the anchor portion between the penetrating end and the socket end, the anchor portion movable between a delivery orientation wherein the socket portion is disposed adjacent the anchor portion and a deployed orientation wherein the toggle portion is oriented transversely relative to the anchor portion;
• and
• c) an elongate member coupled to the toggle portion having a length sufficient such that an exposed end of the elongate member extends from the ground when the anchor is directed into the ground to direct the anchor portion from the delivery orientation to the deployed orientation, the exposed end receiveable through the opening in the shoe plate;
• and
• iii) a locking mechanism for securing the exposed end of the elongate member relative to the shoe plate, thereby providing an earth-anchoring foundation to secure the frame to the ground;
• and
• a portable load test device that may be coupled to the exposed end before securing the locking mechanism to apply a load to the anchor assembly installed in the ground to complete a load lift (tension) test in real-time soil conditions.

A method for securing a solar panel platform including a support frame and a plurality of legs including shoe plates at an installation site, the method comprising:

• providing an anchor comprising an anchor portion and a toggle portion pivotally coupled to the anchor portion, and an elongate member coupled to the toggle portion;
• directing the anchor into the ground at the installation site such that an exposed end of the elongate member extends from the ground;
• pulling the exposed end to deploy the anchor portion;
• coupling the exposed end to a shoe plate of a support leg;
• conducting a load lift (tension) test by applying a desired tensile force between the exposed end and the anchor;
• and
• securing the exposed end to one or both of the support leg and the shoe plate to secure the support frame relative to the ground at the installation site.

A method for installing a solar panel array at an installation site, comprising:

• providing a plurality of transportable, multi-configurable, modular solar power platforms, each platform including a plurality of support legs and a frame supported by the support legs and carrying one or more solar panels;
• for each platform:
• inserting one or more toggle anchors with rods and/or cables into the ground adjacent the support legs at the installation site;
• coupling the one or more toggle anchors with rods and/or cables to respective support legs;
• and
• applying preset tension to the one or more toggle anchors with rods and/or cables to provide an earth-anchoring foundation securing the platform at the installation site.