Large scale ground mounting system for photovoltaics
A mounting system for mounting photovoltaic panels, which provides for a quick and easy assembly. The ground mount system for photovoltaic panels includes at least two vertical supports, wherein attached to each vertical support are a T plate connected to a vertical support, a post frame connected to the T plate, and a kicker brace connected between the vertical support and the post frame. The ground mount system may further include a first C-Purlin connected to a first end of the post frame, to a second C-Purlin connected to a second end of the post frame, a purlin tie connected between the first C-Purlin and the second C-Purlin. Panel clamps secure a photovoltaic panel assembly to the mounting system.
1. A ground mount system for photovoltaic panels, the system comprising:
at least two vertical supports, wherein attached to each vertical support are:
a flat T plate having a vertical segment and a crossing segment, wherein the vertical segment and crossing segment are not perpendicular, the vertical segment connected to a vertical support;
a post frame connected to the crossing segment of the flat T plate, the length of the post frame being greater than the length of the crossing segment;
a kicker brace connected between the vertical support and the post frame;
a first C-Purlin connected to a first end of the post frame;
a second C-Purlin connected to a second end of the post frame;
a panel assembly frame of photovoltaic panels;
a purlin tie connected between the first C-Purlin and the second C-Purlin, the purlin tie aligned beneath the panel assembly frame;
at least two north rail clamps; and
at least two south rail clamps;
wherein the north and south rail clamps secure the panel assembly frame to the first and second C-Purlins, respectively.
2. The ground mount system of claim 1 , further comprising:
a purlin torsion brace connected between the second C-Purlin and the panel assembly frame.
3. The ground mount system of claim 1 , wherein the T plate has vertical slots to allow for variations in ground height during assembly.
4. The ground mount system of claim 1 , wherein the panel assembly frame comprises:
a west U-rail and an east U-rail formed in a “U” shape, and at least one panel clamp assembly to attach each photovoltaic panel to the U-rails.
5. The ground mount system of claim 4 , wherein the panel clamp assembly comprises:
a panel clamp top;
a panel clamp T configured to slide into a U-rail and twist 90 degrees to secure the clamp in the U-rail; and
a bolt and nut attaching the panel clamp top and the panel clamp T.
6. A ground mount system for photovoltaic panels, the system comprising:
at least two vertical supports, wherein attached to each vertical support are:
a flat T plate having a vertical segment and a crossing segment, wherein the vertical segment and crossing segment are not perpendicular, the vertical segment connected to a vertical support;
a post frame connected to the crossing segment of the flat T plate the length of the post frame being greater than the length of the crossing segment; and
a kicker brace connected between the vertical support and the post frame;
a first C-Purlin connected to a first end of the post frame;
a second C-Purlin connected to a second end of the post frame;
a purlin tie connected between the first C-Purlin and the second C-Purlin, the purlin tie aligned above the post frame;
a photovoltaic panel assembly frame, the assembly frame comprising a plurality of photovoltaic panels, at least two rails, and at least two angle plates;
at least two north rail clamps; and
at least two south rail clamps;
wherein the north and south rail clamps secure the panel assembly to the first and second C-Purlins, respectively.
7. The ground mount system of claim 6 , wherein the kicker brace connects to the vertical support with two kicker clips.
8. The ground mount system of claim 7 , wherein each kicker clip comprises at least one tooth to engage the vertical support.
9. The ground mount system of claim 6 , further comprising a purlin torsion brace connected between the second C-Purlin and the panel assembly frame.