Imitation Solar Module For Use In A Staggered Or Irregularly Shaped Solar Array
An imitation solar module for structural and aesthetic use in an array of electricity generating solar modules. The imitation solar module having a non-standard shape and a visual representation such as a decal of an actual solar module surface thereon. The imitation solar module includes triangular shapes for use in staggered module arrays.
1 . An imitation solar module for use in a photovoltaic array, comprising:
a flat triangular shaped body portion having a first side and a second side;
a visual representation of a portion of a photovoltaic module displayed on the flat triangular shaped body portion;
at least one coupling on the first side of the flat triangular shaped body portion for connecting the triangular shaped body portion to a first adjacent photovoltaic module.
2 . The imitation solar module of claim 1 , further comprising:
at least one coupling on the second side of the flat triangular shaped body portion for connecting the triangular shaped body portion to a second adjacent photovoltaic module.
3 . The imitation solar module of claim 1 , wherein the couplings are rotatable in the first and second sides of the flat triangular shaped body portion.
4 . The imitation solar module of claim 3 , wherein the couplings have T-shaped heads that are dimensioned to be rotated to lock into side grooves in the first and second adjacent photovoltaic modules.
5 . The imitation solar module of claim 4 , wherein the first adjacent photovoltaic module is adjacent to the triangular shaped body portion in an X-direction and the second adjacent photovoltaic module is adjacent to the triangular shaped body portion in a Y-direction.
6 . The imitation solar module of claim 4 , wherein the couplings ground the imitation solar module to the first and second adjacent photovoltaic modules.
7 . The imitation solar module of claim 1 , wherein the couplings support the imitation solar module with no support from below.
8 . The imitation solar module of claim 7 , wherein the couplings do not extend below the bottom edges of the sides of the imitation solar module.
9 . The imitation solar module of claim 1 , wherein the visual representation of a portion of a photovoltaic module is a decal affixed to the top of the flat triangular shaped body portion.
10 . The imitation solar module of claim 9 , wherein the decal is spaced further from the first side of the triangular shaped body portion than from the second side of the triangular shaped body portion.
11 . The imitation solar module of claim 1 , wherein the imitation solar module comprises no electricity generating elements.
12 . An imitation solar module for use in a photovoltaic array, comprising:
a flat, generally planar body portion having at least one curved edge;
a visual representation of a photovoltaic module displayed on the flat generally planar body portion; and
at least two connectors, each connector configured to connect the flat, generally planar body portion to an adjacent photovoltaic module.
13 . The imitation solar module of claim 12 , wherein each connector connects the flat, generally planar body portion to a different adjacent photovoltaic module.
14 . The imitation solar module of claim 12 , wherein the curved edge of the flat, generally planar body portion is dimensioned to be received around an obstruction on a roof.
15 . The imitation solar module of claim 12 , wherein the curved edge of the flat, generally planar body portion is disposed on a different side of the solar module than either of the two connectors.
16 . The imitation solar module of claim 12 , wherein the curved edge is the side edge of a hole passing through the flat, generally planar body portion.
17 . The imitation solar module of claim 12 , wherein the visual representation of a portion of a photovoltaic module is a decal affixed to the top of the body portion.
18 . The imitation solar module of claim 12 , wherein the solar module comprises no electricity generating elements.
19 . The imitation solar module of claim 12 , wherein the couplings have T-shaped heads that are dimensioned to be rotated to lock into side grooves in two adjacent photovoltaic modules.
20 . The imitation solar module of claim 12 , wherein the couplings support the imitation solar module with no support from below.
21 . The imitation solar module of claim 20 , wherein the couplings do not extend below the bottom of the imitation solar module.
22 . An imitation solar module for use in a photovoltaic array, comprising:
a flat triangular shaped body portion;
a frame extending around the flat triangular shaped body portion, the frame having first, second and third sides;
a visual representation of a portion of a photovoltaic module displayed on the flat triangular shaped body portion; and
a groove extending along the first, second and third sides of the frame.
23 . The imitation solar module of claim 22 , wherein the groove is bounded by upper and lower flanges.
24 . The imitation solar module of claim 22 , wherein the groove is dimensioned to receive T-shaped heads of connectors that rotatably lock therein.
25 . The imitation solar module of claim 22 , wherein two corners of the triangular shaped body portion are truncated, thereby forming a five sided frame.
26 . The imitation solar module of claim 22 , wherein the visual representation of a portion of a photovoltaic module is a decal affixed to the top of the flat triangular shaped body portion.
27 . The imitation solar module of claim 22 , wherein the imitation solar module comprises no electricity generating elements.