AU2019100597A4 - Solar Panel Support - Google Patents

Abstract

- 11 A preassembled support structure comprising a base for placement on the ground, at least one ballast volume for receiving a ballast material and at least one mounting for receiving a solar panel. r7-

Description

-1 Solar Panel Support

Field of Invention

This invention relates to solar panels and more particularly to support structures for solar panels. In particular it relates to support structures for solar photovoltaic panels but is not limited to use with such panels.

Background

Fixed solar photovoltaic panels need to be angled to the horizontal so as to ‘face’ the sun during daylight hours. Typically panels are aligned to face toward the equator (North in the Southern hemisphere and South in the northern hemisphere) and at an angle to the horizontal approximating the latitude. The desired alignment and angle to the horizontal may depend on load/ generating requirements. For example if more load is required in the morning the panels may be aligned more toward the sunrise (Eastwards in the Southern hemisphere) and at an angle greater than the latitudes, so that the panels are perpendicular to the sun light earlier than otherwise.

Current methods for supporting solar panels involve space frame type structures, whether mounted on a roof or on the ground. For large scale installations typically one or more panels are mounted on a space frame type support structures. The panels need to be prevented from moving when subject to strong winds. Each support structure is typically located by providing a number of concrete footings into which parts of the support structure are located or subsequently attached to and the structure is then assembled from components on site. This is time consuming and requires on site assembly and adjustment.

Embodiments of the present invention aim to provide a unitary structure that may be placed upon relatively smooth ground and secured with ballast, so avoiding or reducing on site assembly and footings and the like.

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- 2 Summary of the Invention

In one broad form the invention provides a preassembled support structure comprising a base for placement on the ground, at least one ballast volume for receiving a ballast material and at least one mounting for receiving a solar panel.

The ballast may be sand, soil, rock, earth or other solid material or may be a liquid, such as water. Where the intended ballast is water the at least one ballast volume is preferably substantially closed, with at least one aperture for ingress and/or egress of the liquid. Where the intended ballast is solid material the ballast volume does not need to be substantially closed.

In one form the at least one mounting may comprise at least one mounting surface upon which at least one solar panel rests or is otherwise supported. The at least one mounting surface may comprise a substantially planar surface upon which at least one solar panel rests. The at least one mounting surface maybe recessed. The at least one mounting may comprise two opposed slots into which a solar panel is slid, with opposed edge portions engaged in the slots.

In a preferred form the preassembled support structure is integrally formed.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a mounting structure according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the mounting structure of figure 1.;

Figure 3 is a plan view of the mounting structure of figure 1;

Figure 4 is a front view of the mounting structure of figure 1;

Figure 5 is a side view of a plurality of stacked mounting structures of figure 1;

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- 3 Figure 6 is a perspective view of a mounting structure according to a second embodiment of the invention with a solar panel part installed;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a mounting structure according to the second embodiment of the invention with a solar panel fully installed;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of a mounting structure according to a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 9 is a perspective view from the right rear of a mounting structure according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 10 is a perspective view from the left rear of a mounting structure according to the fourth embodiment.

Detailed Description of Preferred and other Embodiments

Referring to figures 1 to 5 there is shown a solar panel mounting 100 according to a first embodiment of the invention.

The mounting 100 is preferably integrally formed, but need not be, and more preferably is formed of a plastics material.

The mounting 100 is designed to support a generally rectangular solar photovoltaic panel and is designed to be placed directly upon a generally level ground surface.

The mounting 100 includes a generally rectangular base 102 side walls 104, 106 and front and rear walls 108 and 110 respectively extending upwards from side edges of the base 102. As best seen in figure 3, side walls 104, 106 diverge as they extend away from the base 102. This is not critical but allows multiple mountings 100 to be stacked together in a space efficient manner, as seen in figure 5.

The mounting 100 thus defines an open bucket. The interior of the mounting 100 may be considered to be a ballast volume into which ballast may be introduced.

The height of the side walls 104, 106 increases from the front wall 108 to the rear wall 110 upper edges. The upper edges of the side walls 104, 106 have slots 112,

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- 4 114 for receiving a solar panel. These slots 112, 114 are open at the rear wall 110. A forward slot 116 is located at the top of front wall 108 and extends between side slots 112, 114. The slots may be sized for particular solar panels but may be a ‘generic’ size, being taller than most panels on the market.

The mounting 100 may be manufactured in different versions with the slots slopping at different angles, for example at 15, 25 and 35 degrees.

The side walls 104, 106 are provided with corrugations 118 so as to provide rigidity and strength to the side walls. In this embodiment the corrugations are of a square section nature but other corrugation configurations, such as a sinusoidal type wave may be used.

The corners of the base 102 are optionally provided with apertures 120 through which fasteners may be optionally passed to aid in securing the mounting 100 to the surface upon which it rests. The rear wall 110 is optionally provided with at least one aperture or ‘knock out’ 122 for passage of electrical wires and the like. The side walls 104, 106 may be provided with at least one aperture or ‘knock out’ 124 for passage of electrical wires and the like in addition to or as an alternative to aperture 122.

The upper edge regions of the side walls 104 and 106 are provided with sideways extending flanges to aid in arranging two or more of the mountings 100 in a side by side arrangement. Side wall 104 has a first flange 126 that extends sideways from adjacent the front wall 108 part way toward the rear wall 110. A second flange 128 extends sideways from adjacent the rear wall part way toward the front wall. This second flange 128 extends from a location spaced from the upper edge of wall 104 compared to flange 126. In this embodiment flange 126 extends from the upper edge of side wall 104. As best seen in figure 2, the two flanges 126, 128 do not overlap.

Side wall 106 has a third flange 130 that extends sideways from adjacent the front wall 108 part way toward the rear wall 110. A fourth flange 132 extends sideways from adjacent the rear wall 110 part way toward the front wall 108. The fourth

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- 5 flange 132 extends from the upper edge of wall 106 whilst the third wall 130 extends from a location spaced from the upper edge of wall 106 compared to flange 132.

When two mountings 100 are placed in a side by side arrangement the flange 132 overlaps flange 128 and flange 126 overlaps flange 130. As best seen in figure 3, the free ends of flanges 126 and 132 are located so that when so arranged the upper surfaces of flanges 126 and 132 present a substantially continuous surface.

Apertures 134 are provided to allow fasteners to secure adjacent mountings together.

Figures 6 and 7 show a second embodiment of the invention comprising a mounting 200. This mounting 200 is substantially the same as the first embodiment 100 and the features and options described with reference to mounting 100 are equally applicable to mounting 200. Mounting 200 differs from mounting 100 in how adjacent mountings are connected. Instead of flanges 126, 128, 130 and 132 that extend along the length of side walls, side wall 204 is provided with one, two or more small flanges 226 and side wall 206 is provided with a corresponding number of small flanges 228. Flanges 226 and 228 are located so each pair lies one on top of the other when the mountings 200 are arranged side by side. Flanges 226 and 228 are provided with apertures 230 through which fasteners may be passed the secure adjacent mountings 200 together.

When installing the solar system the mountings 100 or 200 are designed to be placed directly upon a flattened surface, prior to installation of solar panels themselves. The mountings are secured to each other and to the ground. A suitable ballast material is them introduced into the interior of the mountings via the opening between the four walls. The ballast is preferably a solid material and may be local solid or earth. Thus it is not necessary to transport any ballast material to the installation location.

Figure 8 shows a mounting 300 according to a third embodiment of the invention. The mounting 300 is substantially the same as the second embodiment 200 but

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- 6 instead of slots for receiving solar panel the tops of walls 304 and 306 are provided with recessed mounting surfaces 320 upon which a solar panel may be placed.

Figures 9 and 10 show a mounting 400 fourth embodiment of the invention. The features described with reference to mountings 100 and 200 may be applied to mounting 400, if applicable. The mounting 400 is designed for receiving liquid ballast, such as water and accordingly is provided with a substantially closed, hollow interior. An upper wall 412 extends between walls 404, 406, 408 and 410 to enclose the interior of the mounting. In the embodiment shown access to the interior is via main aperture 420 located in rear wall 410. One or more minor apertures 422 may be provided for drainage or other purposes. Closures, not shown, are provided to seal the apertures as needed. Side walls 404 and 406 are provided with corrugated portions 414 and 416 that provide strengthening and also provide for interlocking of adjacent mountings 400. Protrusions 414 are sized to fit within recesses 416. If desired the walls 404 and 406 may be configured similarly to walls 104, 106 or walls 204, 206.

The upper wall 412 optionally includes support members 418 upon which a solar panel may be supported. In this embodiment the support members 418 comprise walls that extend adjacent to side edges from adjacent rear wall 410 toward front wall 408. These extend from the side edges but may be spaced inwards of the side edges. There may be additional support members 418 located between the two outer members. The support members 418 need not be continuous. A slot 422 is provided in support members 418, preferably adjacent rear wall 410, to provide space for electrical wiring and the like. Instead of two or more upstanding support members 418 the wall 412 may be generally planar over the majority of its surface. A recessed portion, such as one corresponding to slot 422, may be provided for electrical wires and other equipment.

Flanges 424 are provided to allow for fasteners to aid location/securement of the mounting to the ground.

Once the mountings 400 have been located in position they may be filled with liquid ballast via apertures 420.

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- 7 Once the mountings 100, 200, 300 or 400 have been secured in position and appropriately ballasted, the solar panels are then mounted on the mountings. Wiring may optionally be installed into the arrays of mountings before or after mounting of the panels.

For the first and second embodiments the solar panels are slid into the slots from the rear, open end, as shown in figure 8. The front end 12 of the panels engages in the forward slot 116 with the rear edge 14 preferably at or near the rear of the slot. Two or more panels may be located end on end on each mounting. Minor variations in length of different models of panel are not critical. Longer panels may extend slightly beyond the slots. Shorter panels will end before the open end. If desired a filler panel may be placed in the otherwise open portion to prevent vermin accessing the interior of the mounting.

The mountings of the third and fourth embodiments lack slots and one or more panels may be lifted above the mountings and lowered directly onto the support surfaces. In the case of the third embodiment the front edge 12 of a panel will bear against the front wall 308 to locate the panel. In the case of the fourth embodiment suitable fastening means may be used to secure the panels to the mounting. Alternatively, the lower end of the upper surface may be provided with one or more stop members, such as an upstanding wall against whish the lower edge 12 of a panel may bear.

Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and any claims the words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited to”.

The features of the invention described or mentioned in this document may be combined in any combination of features where features are not mutually exclusive.

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- 8 It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many obvious modifications and variations may be made to the embodiments described herein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Claims (9)

1. A preassembled support structure comprising a base for placement on the ground, at least one ballast volume for receiving a ballast material and at least one mounting for receiving a solar panel.

2. A preassembled support structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ballast comprises one or more of sand, soil, rock, earth or other solid material.

3. A preassembled support structure in accordance with claim 1, wherein the ballast comprises a liquid, such as water.

4. A preassembled support structure in accordance with claim 3, wherein the ballast volume is substantially closed, with at least one aperture for ingress and/or egress of the liquid.

5. A preassembled support structure in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one mounting comprises at least one mounting surface upon which at least one solar panel rests or is otherwise supported.

6. A preassembled support structure in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the at least one mounting surface comprises a substantially planar surface upon which at least one solar panel rests.

7. A preassembled support structure in accordance with claim 5 or 6, wherein the at least one mounting surface is recessed.

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8. A preassembled support structure in accordance with claim 7, wherein the at least one mounting comprises two opposed slots into which the solar panel is slid, with opposed edge portions engaged in the slots.

9. A preassembled support structure in accordance with any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ballast In a preferred form the preassembled support structure is integrally formed.