Flat-on-ground Utility-Scale Photovoltaic Array With Edge Portions Resting On Ground Support Area
An earth mount-enabled utility-scale solar photovoltaic array has plural rows of solar panels supported on the ground s to establish an earth orientation of the solar panels. Edge portions of the panels rest on a ground support area and provide mechanical support, and an end curb member abuts at least one edge of the arrangement. The panels are interconnected in at least one series-connected string extending in at least two rows so that the string has a total distance between terminal ends of the series connection less than a lengthwise dimension of the solar panels constituting the string, routed to reduce “home run” connections at the end of the string.
1 . An earth mount enabled utility scale solar photovoltaic array comprising a plurality of solar modules supported by touching the ground to establish an azimuth-independent earth orientation of the modules.
2 . The array of claim 1 , wherein the modules sit in an adjacent arrangement of rows.
3 . The array of claim 2 , wherein the array contacts the ground without an intermediate structural support between the array and the ground.
4 . The array of claim 3 , wherein the module edge frames of some of the modules directly touch the ground.
5 . The array of claim 4 , wherein some of the modules rest on native topography or a smoothed or substantially flat portion of the ground.
6 . The array of claim 5 wherein the ground mechanically supports edge frames resting on the ground.
7 . The array of claim 6 , wherein a retention clip comprising a bracket links modules at a predetermined proximity to each other.
8 . The array of claim 7 , wherein the clips form flexible connections between module rows.
9 . The array of claim 8 , wherein the clips connect between individual modules to form the array.
10 . The array of claim 9 , wherein the clips engage adjacent module edge frames.
11 . The array of claim 10 , wherein the clips mechanically and flexibly join the modules with both lateral and differential vertical movement inherently limited.
12 . The array of claim 8 , wherein the clips engage adjacent module edge frames.
13 . The array of claim 12 , wherein the clips mechanically and flexibly join the modules with both lateral and differential vertical movement inherently limited.
14 . The array of claim 13 , wherein a retention clip comprising a bracket links modules at a predetermined proximity to each other.
15 . The array of claim 14 , wherein the clips form flexible connections between module rows.
16 . The array of claim 15 , wherein the clips connect between individual modules to form the array.
17 . The array of claim 16 , wherein the clips engage adjacent module edge frames.
18 . The array of claim 17 , wherein the clips mechanically and flexibly join the modules with both lateral and differential vertical movement inherently limited.
19 . The array of claim 15 , wherein the clips engage adjacent module edge frames.
20 . The array of claim 19 , wherein the clips mechanically and flexibly join the modules with both lateral and differential vertical movement inherently limited.