Reconfigurable solar array and method of managing crop yield using the same
OwnerAndrew P. Suranyinventor
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Abstract
A method and apparatus are provided that combine solar technology and agriculture in a symbiotic relationship that optimizes revenue from both sources. An array of reconfigurable solar collector assemblies is deployed in a crop field. As various crops benefit from varying degrees of shade through their development cycles, and are prone to damage from high winds and hail, the array of adaptable, reconfigurable solar collectors is deployed in the crop field and allows for the easy reconfiguration of each solar collector assembly to vary the amount of shade that is applied to the crops below the assembly, and to provide maximum hail and wind protection when necessary.
Claims20
A reconfigurable solar collector, comprising:
- a telescoping base comprising a fixed tube and an extensible mounting post extensible from a top end of said fixed tube and being retractable into said fixed tube to a position in which a top end of said extensible mounting post is positioned below a soil surface in which said telescoping base in installed;
- a support pole removably mountable to said extensible mounting post;
- and
- a panel array comprising a plurality of panels, wherein each panel is movably mounted on said support pole from a first, generally horizontal position providing a maximum amount of shade to crops located below said panel array toward a generally vertical position, said panel array mounting at least one photovoltaic cell.
A reconfigurable solar collector, comprising:
- a fixed base having a top end and a bottom end, wherein said top end is positioned below a surface of the ground;
- a mounting post extensible from said top end of said fixed base;
- and
- a solar array removably mountable to said mounting post.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.