Template for installing photovoltaic panel assembly and method

A portable adjustable template for use in cooperation with an impact driver for installing in the ground an array of posts of a photovoltaic panel support assembly, said template comprising:

• a rigid frame to be positioning horizontally and longitudinally on the ground, said frame having a reference end and a work end;
• adjustment means for adjusting the elevation of the template affixed to said frame reference end;
• elevation monitoring means for monitoring the elevation of the template to achieve a predetermined height;
• a plurality of post guides affixed to said frame work end at predetermined locations for positioning posts to be installed and guiding them into the ground during installation;
• a plurality of releasable clamps affixed to said frame reference end at predetermined locations for fastening said frame to previously installed posts and aligning said frame therewith;
• alignment monitoring means for monitoring the longitudinal alignment of said frame to achieve a predetermined orientation;
• a plurality of guide rails affixed to said frame work end at predetermined locations, each of said guide rails cooperating with a post guide to telescopically support the post while being driven into the ground;
• a drive chuck having an impact end for engagement with an impact driver and a driving end for engagement with a post to be installed, wherein said drive chuck is used in cooperation with a guide rail and a post guide to drive said post into the ground;
• and
• depth monitoring means for monitoring the installation of each post during installation to achieve a predetermined depth of each post.

A portable adjustable template for use in cooperation with at least one impact driver, an alignment laser and an elevation laser for installing in the ground an array of posts of a photovoltaic panel support assembly, said template comprising:

• a rigid frame to be positioned horizontally and longitudinally on the ground, said frame having a reference end and a work end;
• adjustment means for adjusting the elevation of the template affixed to said frame reference end;
• a laser target affixed to said frame work end at a predetermined location used in cooperation with the elevation laser to monitor the adjustment of said frame to achieve a predetermined height;
• a laser target affixed to said frame work end at a predetermined location used in cooperation with an alignment laser to monitor the longitudinal alignment of said frame to achieve a predetermined orientation;
• a plurality of adjustable post guides affixed to said frame work end at predetermined locations for positioning posts to be installed and guiding them into the ground during installation;
• a plurality of releasable clamps affixed to said frame reference end at predetermined locations for fastening said frame to previously installed posts and aligning said frame therewith;
• a plurality of vertical guide rails affixed to said frame work end at predetermined locations, each to said guide rails cooperating with a post guide to telescopically support the posts while being driven into the ground;
• a drive chuck having an impact end for engagement with an impact driver and a driving end for engagement with a post to be installed, wherein said drive chuck is used in cooperation with a guide rail and a post guide to drive said post into the ground;
• a laser target affixed to said drive chuck at a predetermined location used in cooperation with an elevation laser to monitor the depth of each post to during installation to achieve a predetermined depth.

A method for installing in the ground an array of posts of a photovoltaic panel support assembly, comprising the steps of:

• providing a template having at least one post guide at a predetermined location and means for aligning said template with at least one previously installed post;
• affixing said template to at least one previously installed post;
• horizontally and longitudinally positioning said template on the ground;
• providing means for driving the posts into the ground;
• positioning a post in said post guide;
• driving a post in cooperation with said driving means through said post guide;
• and
• repositioning said template such that it may be affixed to at least one previously installed post and the above steps may be replicated.

A method for installing in the ground a plurality of posts of a photovoltaic panel support assembly, comprising the steps of:

• providing a template having at least one post guide at a predetermined location and means for affixing said template to at least one previously installed post;
• affixing said template to at least one previously installed post;
• horizontally positioning said template on the ground while monitoring and adjusting its longitudinal alignment to achieve a predetermined orientation;
• vertically leveling said template while monitoring and adjusting its elevation to achieve a predetermined height;
• providing driving means for driving the posts into the ground;
• positioning a post in said post guide;
• driving a post in cooperation with said driving means through said post guide while monitoring its position to achieve a predetermined depth;
• and
• repositioning said template such that it may be affixed to at least one previously installed post and the above steps may be replicated.