Methods and devices for adapting a solar module support
AssigneeNevados Engineering, Inc.
InventorsYezin TAHA, Amitoj GILL, Laura SVERCHEK
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Included are methods and devices of adapting a solar module support with pre-formed features that position and/or secure solar module clips. The adaptation may include forming new positioning and/securing features at new locations on the solar module support, or otherwise positioning the solar module clips on the solar module support at locations different from these pre-formed features. These methods and devices allow a solar module support with pre-formed features to accommodate solar modules of different dimensions than originally envisioned.
Claims20
A solar tracker, comprising:
- a solar module support having a length extending in a horizontal direction and comprising positioning features arranged along the length, the positioning features spaced apart at a first distance from each other;
- an adapter disposed on the solar module support and comprising a first surface facing the solar module support and a second surface opposite the first surface, the second surface comprising relocated positioning features spaced apart from each other at a second distance different than the first distance;
- and
- a module clip comprising a complementary clip feature securing the module clip to the the relocated positioning feature of the adapter.
A method for positioning solar module clips, comprising:
- providing a solar module support comprising positioning features arranged along a length of the solar module support to position solar module clips onto the solar module support, the positioning features having a first spacing from each other, the length extending in a horizontal direction;
- placing a removable jig against a surface of the solar module support, the removable jig comprising a first end and a second end;
- forming a first relocated positioning feature on the solar module support at or adjacent to a second end of the removable jig;
- removing the removable jig from the solar module support;
- forming a second relocated positioning feature on the solar module support based on a position of the first relocated positioning feature;
- and
- securing module clips at the first and second relocated positioning features;
- wherein the first and second relocated positioning features have different horizontal positions on the solar module support from each of the positioning features of the solar module support.
A method for positioning solar module clips, comprising:
- providing a solar module support comprising positioning features arranged along a length of the solar module support to position solar module clips onto the solar module support, the positioning features having a first spacing from each other, the length extending in a horizontal direction;
- placing a removable jig against a surface of the solar module support, the removable jig comprising a first end and a second end;
- securing a first module clip of the solar module clips at or adjacent to a second end of the removable jig;
- removing the removable jig from the solar module support;
- securing a second module clip on the solar module support based on a position of the first relocated positioning feature;
- and
- wherein the first and second module clips have different horizontal positions on the solar module support from each of the positioning features on the solar module support.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.