SOLAR MODULE ARRAY PRE-ASSEMBLY METHOD AND APPARATUS
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for stacking a plurality of solar module arrays each having a plurality of solar panels. The apparatus includes a lower portion disposed on top of a first solar panel support channel corresponding to a first solar module array, and an upper portion for supporting a second solar panel support channel corresponding to a second solar module array, wherein the second solar module array is stacked above the first solar module array.
1 . An apparatus for stacking a plurality of solar module arrays each having a plurality of solar panels, the apparatus comprising:
a lower portion disposed on top of a first solar panel support channel corresponding to a first of the solar module arrays; and
an upper portion for supporting a second solar panel support channel corresponding to a second of the solar module arrays, wherein the second solar module array is stacked above the first solar module array.
2 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein each of the solar module arrays comprise adjacent solar panels separated by a gap, and wherein the apparatus constructed to be arranged within the gap.
3 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the lower portion straddles an upper surface of the first solar panel support channel.
4 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the upper portion comprises a support tray in communication with a lower surface of the second solar panel support channel.
5 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising first mounting means for fastening the apparatus to the first solar panel support channel.
6 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising second mounting means for fastening the apparatus to the second solar panel support channel.
7 . The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a cut-out region for reducing weight of the apparatus.
8 . An arrangement of stacked solar module arrays comprising:
a first of the solar module arrays having a first solar panel support channel for mounting a first set of solar panels;
a second of the solar module arrays disposed above the first solar module array, the second solar module array having a second solar panel support channel for mounting a second set of solar arrays; and
at least one support member disposed in between the lower and upper solar module arrays, the support member comprising a lower portion disposed on top of the first solar panel support channel and an upper portion for supporting the second solar panel support channel.
9 . The arrangement according to claim 8 , wherein each of the solar module arrays comprise adjacent solar panels separated by a gap, and each support member is disposed within the gap.
10 . The arrangement according to claim 8 , wherein the lower portion straddles an upper surface of the first solar panel support channel.
11 . The arrangement according to claim 8 , wherein the upper portion comprises a support tray in communication with a lower surface of the second solar panel support channel.
12 . The arrangement according to claim 8 , further comprising a first mounting means for affixing the support member to the first solar panel support channel.
13 . The arrangement according to claim 8 , further comprising a second mounting means for affixing the support member to the second solar panel support channel.
14 . The arrangement according to claim 8 , further comprising a cut-out region for reducing weight of the support member.