Method and Apparatus for Forming and Mounting a Photovoltaic Array
A photovoltaic (PV) module framing and coupling system enables the attachment of PV modules to a roof or other mounting surface without requiring the use of separate structural support members which attach directly to and span between multiple PV modules in a formed PV array. The apparatus provides a parallel coupling for securely interlocking the outside surfaces of parallel frame members together in a side to side arrangement to form an array with improved structural load distribution. The coupling may attach to a slot in the frame at substantially any position along the length of the frame thereby enabling the interconnection of adjacent PV modules along both an x and y axis. The apparatus may further provide a rotating portion and locking portion, mounting brackets for direct connection to a mounting surface, grounding teeth, and a twist-lock engagement means for interlocking and aligning PV modules in the array.
1 . A photovoltaic module comprising a frame, wherein:
said frame comprises a multifunction groove, said multifunction groove comprising two lips and connected to a coupling and a bracket, said coupling located at a substantially different position from said bracket along a length of said groove, said coupling adapted to connect to an adjacent photovoltaic module.
2 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , wherein said length is along one side of said photovoltaic module.
3 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , wherein said coupling is connected to said adjacent photovoltaic module.
4 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , wherein said coupling is further adapted to connect to a multifunction groove of said adjacent photovoltaic module.
5 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , wherein said multifunction groove comprises a multifunction female channel portion.
6 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , wherein said frame comprises a hybrid, strut-like frame.
7 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , wherein said lips are facing each other.
8 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , wherein at least half a depth multifunction groove is located substantially beneath a photovoltaic laminate.
9 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , wherein said bracket is adapted to connect said photovoltaic module to a support structure.
10 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , wherein an outside surface of at least one of said lips is essentially flush with an outside surface of said frame.
11 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , wherein said two lips bound a lateral entry of said multifunction groove.
12 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 11 , wherein a height of said lateral entry is greater than or equal to a depth of said multifunction groove.
13 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of said lips is a flange.
14 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , wherein said bracket is adapted to connect said photovoltaic module to a support structure a field adjustable height above said support structure.
15 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , wherein said coupling comprises a series-parallel coupling.
16 . A photovoltaic module comprising a frame, wherein:
said frame comprises a multifunction groove connected to a parallel coupling portion, a series coupling portion, and a bracket.
17 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 16 , wherein said parallel coupling portion is adapted to connect said PV module to a second PV module, said series coupling portion is adapted to connect said PV module to a third PV module.
18 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 16 , wherein at least half a depth of said multifunction groove is located substantially beneath a photovoltaic laminate.
19 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 16 , wherein said bracket is adapted to connect said photovoltaic module to a support structure a field adjustable height above said support structure.
20 . A photovoltaic module comprising a first and second frame member, wherein:
said first frame member comprises a multifunction groove connected to a coupling and a bracket, said coupling located at a substantially different position from said bracket along a length of said groove, said coupling adapted to connect to an adjacent photovoltaic module, and said second frame member orthogonally connected to said first frame member and comprising a multifunction groove.
21 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 20 , wherein said length is along one side of said photovoltaic module.
22 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 20 , wherein said coupling is connected to said adjacent photovoltaic module.
23 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 20 , wherein said coupling is further adapted to connect to said multifunction groove of said adjacent photovoltaic module.
24 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 20 , wherein said multifunction groove comprises a multifunction female channel portion.
25 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 20 , wherein said frame comprises a hybrid, strut-like frame.
26 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 20 , wherein at least half a depth of said multifunction groove is located substantially beneath a photovoltaic laminate.
27 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 20 , wherein said first and second frame members are each connected substantially at an end thereof to form a corner, and said multifunction grooves of said first and second frame members are essentially continuous with each other through said corner.
28 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 20 , wherein said first and second frame members are each connected substantially at an end thereof to form a corner, and said multifunction grooves of said first and second frame members have essentially the same height at said corner, and are essentially contiguous at said corner.
29 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 20 , wherein said bracket is adapted to connect said photovoltaic module to a support structure a field adjustable height above said support structure.
30 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 20 , wherein said coupling comprises a series-parallel coupling.
31 . A photovoltaic module comprising a frame, wherein:
said frame comprises a multifunction groove, at least 50% of said multifunction groove located beneath a photovoltaic laminate of said photovoltaic module and connected to a coupling and a bracket, said coupling located at a substantially different position from said bracket along a length of said multifunction groove, said coupling adapted to connect to an adjacent photovoltaic module.
32 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 30 , wherein said length is along one side of said photovoltaic module.
33 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 30 , wherein said coupling is connected to said adjacent photovoltaic module.
34 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 30 , wherein said coupling is further adapted to connect to a multifunction groove of said adjacent photovoltaic module.
35 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 30 , wherein said multifunction groove comprises a multifunction female channel portion.
36 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 30 , wherein said frame comprises a hybrid, strut-like frame.
37 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 30 , wherein said bracket is adapted to connect said photovoltaic module to a support structure a field adjustable height above said support structure.
38 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 30 , wherein said coupling comprises a series-parallel coupling.
39 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 30 , wherein at least half a depth multifunction groove is located substantially beneath said photovoltaic laminate.
40 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 1 , wherein said coupling comprises a second bracket adapted to connect said photovoltaic module to a support structure.
41 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 20 , wherein said bracket is adapted to connect said photovoltaic module to a support structure.
42 . A photovoltaic module according to claim 30 , wherein said bracket is adapted to connect said photovoltaic module to a support structure.