Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
  • H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
  • H02S20/20—Supporting structures directly fixed to an immovable object
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
  • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
  • F24S25/10—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules extending in directions away from a supporting surface
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
  • F24S25/00—Arrangement of stationary mountings or supports for solar heat collector modules
  • F24S25/60—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules
  • F24S25/63—Fixation means, e.g. fasteners, specially adapted for supporting solar heat collector modules for fixing modules or their peripheral frames to supporting elements
  • F24S25/634—Clamps; Clips
  • F24S25/636—Clamps; Clips clamping by screw-threaded elements
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H02—GENERATION; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER
  • H02S—GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES
  • H02S20/00—Supporting structures for PV modules
  • H02S20/10—Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground
• • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
  • F24—HEATING; RANGES; VENTILATING
  • F24S—SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS
  • F24S20/00—Solar heat collectors specially adapted for particular uses or environments
  • F24S2020/10—Solar modules layout; Modular arrangements
  • F24S2020/18—Solar modules layout; Modular arrangements having a particular shape, e.g. prismatic, pyramidal
• • Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
  • Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
  • Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
  • Y02E10/00—Energy generation through renewable energy sources
  • Y02E10/40—Solar thermal energy, e.g. solar towers
  • Y02E10/47—Mountings or tracking

Definitions

• This invention pertains generally to electrical transmission or interconnection systems, and more particularly to such systems having plural supply circuits or sources distributed along a load circuit.
• the present invention provides solar panels and securing brackets that may, for exemplary purposes, be mounted directly to utility poles including but not limited to power line supporting poles and light poles.
• a utility pole may also be used to support solar cell arrays.
• the photovoltaic array does not detract from the appearance of the pole and transmission line, and the utility pole is already securely anchored into the earth.
• US patent 8,466,581 by Kuran also published as 2010/0327657 and entitled “System and method for utility pole distributed solar power generation,” the teachings and contents which are incorporated herein by reference, shows multiple poles with the one or more PV cells mounted on them, and provides an extensive discussion of the interface between the solar panels and the grid.
• the Kuran construction is very exposed, leaving the system vulnerable to wind and ice loading.
• the panels are oriented for peak power production at or around midday, and so will only produce power for a few hours each day.
• the invention is an electrical transmission system having plural electrical supply sources distributed along one or more load circuits carried by one or more transmission lines.
• a utility pole suspends transmission lines.
• At least one solar electric generation station supplies electrical energy and has at least three separate and distinct solar collector surfaces, defined by at least one generally East facing panel, at least one generally South facing panel, and at least one generally West facing panel.
• a plurality of spacer members support the at least three separate and distinct solar collector surfaces in a fixed position relative to the utility pole and have a plurality of clamp passages.
• a plurality of clamps are adapted to operatively pass through the plurality of clamp passages which are adapted to operatively guide and retain the plurality of clamps .
• a power coupling conducts electricity generated by the at least one solar electric generation station into the transmission lines.
• the invention is an electrical transmission system having plural electrical supply sources distributed along one or more load circuits carried by one or more transmission lines.
• a utility pole suspends transmission lines.
• At least one solar electric generation station supplies electrical energy and has at least three separate and distinct solar collector surfaces, defined by at least one generally East facing panel, at least one generally South facing panel, and at least one generally West facing panel.
• a plurality of spacer members support the at least three separate and distinct solar collector surfaces in a fixed position relative to the utility pole.
• a plurality of adjustable brackets are adapted to operatively affix with the plurality of spacer members adjacent a first end and to the utility pole adjacent a second end distal to the first end.
• a power coupling conducts electricity generated by the at least one solar electric generation station into the transmission lines.
• the invention is an electrical transmission system having plural electrical supply sources distributed along one or more load circuits carried by one or more transmission lines.
• a utility pole suspends transmission lines.
• At least one solar electric generation station supplying electrical energy has at least one frame member supporting a plurality of individual solar panels on the utility pole.
• a pivot couples an upper portion of a one of the individual solar panels to the at least one frame member.
• a slide frame that is adjustable in length is adjacent to a first end affixed to the frame member and adjacent to a second end distal to the first end to one of the individual panels.
• a change of length of the slide frame causes one of the individual panels to rotate about the pivot and thereby adjusts an angle of orientation of the one of the individual panels relative to the frame member.
• a power coupling conducts electricity generated by the at least one solar electric generation station into the transmission lines.
• FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment electrical transmission system designed in accord with the teachings of the present invention from a front elevational view.
• FIG. 2 illustrates a preferred embodiment solar electric generation station used in the preferred embodiment electrical transmission system of Figure 1, the present view of Figure 2 taken along section line 2' of Figure 1 to reveal a top plan view of an installed preferred embodiment solar electric generation station.
• FIG. 3 illustrates a rear elevational view of the preferred embodiment solar electric generation station of Figure 2, but removed from the utility pole and with the screw-based clamps removed therefrom.
• FIG. 4 illustrates a first alternative embodiment solar electric generation station used in the preferred embodiment electrical transmission system of Figure 1 , the present view of Figure 4 taken along section line 2' to reveal a top plan view of an installed first alternative embodiment solar electric generation station.
• FIG. 5 illustrates a rear elevational view of the first alternative embodiment solar electric generation station of Figure 4, but removed from the utility pole.
• FIG. 6 illustrates a second alternative embodiment electrical transmission system incorporating a second alternative embodiment solar electric generation station from a front projected view.
• FIG. 7 illustrates the second alternative embodiment electrical transmission system of Figure 6 from a rear projected view.
• FIG. 8 illustrates the second alternative embodiment electrical transmission system of Figure 6 from an enlarged front projected view.
• FIG. 9 illustrates the second alternative embodiment electrical transmission system of Figure 7 from an enlarged rear projected view.
• FIG. 10 illustrates the second alternative embodiment electrical transmission system of Figure 6 from an enlarged front projected view, but with the solar photovoltaic panels removed therefrom.
• FIGs. 11-13 illustrate a preferred set of spacer members used in the second alternative embodiment electrical transmission system of Figure 6 from front projected, side, and rear projected views, respectively.
• FIGs. 14-16 illustrate a preferred set of solar photovoltaic panels used in the second alternative embodiment electrical transmission system of Figure 6 from top, front, and side views, respectively.
• FIG. 17 illustrates a third alternative embodiment electrical transmission system incorporating a third alternative embodiment solar electric generation station from a front projected view.
• FIG. 18 illustrates the third alternative embodiment electrical transmission system of Figure 17 from a rear projected view.
• FIG. 19 illustrates the third alternative embodiment electrical transmission system of Figure 17 from an enlarged front projected view.
• FIG. 20 illustrates the third alternative embodiment electrical transmission system of Figure 18 from an enlarged rear projected view.
• FIG. 21 illustrates the third alternative embodiment electrical transmission system of
• FIG. 22 illustrates the third alternative embodiment electrical transmission system of Figure 17 from an enlarged front projected view, but with a second set of solar photovoltaic panels incorporated therein.
• FIG. 23 illustrates the third alternative embodiment electrical transmission system of Figure 17 from a schematic view, illustrating the electrical wiring and mechanical coupling to a pole.
• the present invention provides an electrical transmission system 100 having plural electrical supply sources distributed along one or more load circuits such as carried by transmission lines 114, 116.
• a typical prior art utility pole 110 may, for exemplary purposes only and not solely limiting thereto be provided with a support arm 112 which suspends transmission lines 114, 116 from utility pole 110 and may provide electrical isolation.
• the electrical supply sources are most preferably one or more solar electric generation stations 120.
• Each solar electric generation station 120 will preferably be provided with a Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC) inverter 122, which will preferably include various functions, such as the ability to synchronize with the power grid and the ability to disconnect therefrom in the event of a power failure such as a downed transmission line or other electrical transmission system 100 failure.
• DC Direct Current
• AC Alternating Current
• DC to AC inverter 122 While a DC to AC inverter 122 is preferred, it will be understood that any suitable method of coupling electricity generated by solar electric generation station 120 into inverter output lines 124, 126 and from there to transmission lines 114, 116 will be understood to be incorporated herein. Consequently, inverter 122 might not perform any conversion from DC to AC, and may instead be a simple switch that allows solar electric generation station 120 to be disconnected from transmission lines 114, 116 in the event a repair is required within electrical transmission system 100, to protect the safety of a technician.
• Preferred embodiment solar electric generation station 120 has three separate and distinct solar collector surfaces, defined by East facing panel 132, South facing panel 134, and West facing panel 136.
• These panels 132, 134, 136 may be curved, such as illustrated in Figure 2, in which case they will either have photovoltaic cells deposited or otherwise formed thereon, or will have flexible photovoltaic panels affixed thereto.
• panels 132, 134, 136 may each be planar, and angularly offset from each other to face approximately East, South, and West, respectively. While three panels are illustrated for exemplary purposes, it will be understood that more or fewer panels may be used, though three are illustrated.
• solar electric generation station 120 does not require a tracking mount, and is still capable of producing electricity throughout the daylight hours.
• Several manufacturers are able to produce solar cells that are of sufficiently low cost that the benefit from a tracking mount in increased power output throughout a daily cycle is not sufficient to justify the added expense and maintenance of the tracking components.
• Solar electric generation station 120 additionally is defined by a bottom 131 , a top 133 , an exterior face 135, and an interior face 137.
• exterior face 135 will preferably have one or more solar cells either formed in place or mounted thereon.
• exterior face 135 may have a Copper Indium Gallium Selenide (CIGS) thin film material, which is easily deposited onto flexible substrates, wrapped or glued to the exterior face or may in another extreme have many small fixed flat glass panels or panes containing mono-crystalline photovoltaic cells angularly stepped about utility pole 110.
• CGS Copper Indium Gallium Selenide
• Preferred embodiment solar electric generation station 120 is illustrated in greater detail in Figures 2 and 3.
• Supporting the three panels 132, 134, 136 in a fixed position relative to utility pole 110 are a plurality of spacer members, such as spacer members 142, 144, 146, 148.
• the number and location of these spacer members 142, 144, 146, 148 is not critical to the present invention, and will be determined when a number of design factors are taken into consideration. For exemplary and non-limiting purposes, factors such as wind, ice and snow loading may be used to determine a maximum load that might be placed upon preferred embodiment solar electric generation station 120. Once the maximum load is determined, then the type of material, the thickness and geometry, and other such design computations may be made.
• a plurality of screw-based clamp passages 152, 154, 156 are also provided which serve to guide and retain a plurality of screw-based clamps 170 that may for exemplary purposes include a perforated strap 172, fixed screw mount 174, and worm-drive screw 176.
• This type of screw- based clamp 170 is commercially referred to as metal banding with worm gear type adjustment screws, and is commonly sold as hose and pipe clamp and for other purposes by such vendors as Vertex Distribution ofAttleboro, Massachusetts, Signs Direct of Bloomington, Illinois, and MOWCO Industry Limited of Shenzen, China.
• screw-based clamp 170 provides very rapid, secure, intuitive, familiar, and low-cost coupling to utility pole 110, which is preferred to decrease the cost of installation and maintenance.
• one or more gripping teeth 162, 164, 166, 168 may be provided that protrude from spacer members 142, 144, 146, 148.
• the specific geometry of these gripping teeth 162, 164, 166, 168 may be altered to suit the characteristics most desired by a designer, such as penetration depth, inter-tooth spacing, and so forth.
• gripping teeth 162, 164, 166, 168 may be an alternative material that provides increased adhesion to a particular surface, such as a rubber or similar elastomeric material having a relatively high coefficient of friction. Such materials may be useful for coupling with a steel utility pole.
• preferred embodiment solar electric generation station 120 will be designed to directly attach to most existing utility poles, thereby using the existing utility pole 110 as the main support and as immediate access to the electric power grid. This in turn means that there is minimal mounting hardware required, no special anchoring into the earth, and no special permitting required, since the present electrical transmission system 100 uses existing infrastructure. This in turn means that preferred embodiment electrical transmission system 100 may be produced, installed, and maintained for substantially less capital than required for prior art systems.
• a base material used to fabricate panels 132, 134, 136 may be galvanized steel.
• the steel may be stamped or otherwise formed to shape, though again the particular method of deriving the shape is not critical to the present invention.
• photovoltaic cells may be formed upon or affixed to the exterior face 135.
• FIG. 4 - 23 Alternative embodiments of apparatus designed in accord with the present invention have been illustrated in Figures 4 - 23.
• the embodiments are distinguished by the hundreds digit, and various components within each embodiment designated by the ones and tens digits. However, many of the components are alike or similar between embodiments, so numbering of the ones and tens digits have been maintained wherever possible, such that identical, like or similar functions may more readily be identified between the embodiments. If not otherwise expressed, those skilled in the art will readily recognize the similarities and understand that in many cases like numbered ones and tens digit components may be substituted from one embodiment to another in accord with the present teachings, except where such substitution would otherwise destroy operation of the embodiment. Consequently, those skilled in the art will readily determine the function and operation of many of the components illustrated herein without unnecessary additional description.
• FIGS 4 and 5 illustrate a first alternative embodiment solar electric generation station 220.
• a set of adjustable mounting brackets 252, 254, 256, 258 are used to terminate spacer members 242, 244, 246, 248.
• the adjustable mounting brackets 252, 254, 256, 258 may, for exemplary purposes only and not solely limiting thereto, comprise L-shaped brackets that bolt, screw or otherwise affix to spacer members 242, 244, 246, 248, and also bolt, screw or otherwise affix at a distal end to utility pole 110. This method of attachment is limited, since adjustable mounting brackets 252, 254, 256, 258 are adjacent to interior face 237 and therefore hard to access. Nevertheless, adjustable mounting brackets 252, 254, 256, 258 may be provided near to the top and bottom of solar electric generation station 220, and in such case sufficient access clearance will exist.
• Figures 2 and 4 each illustrate the spacing between utility pole 110 and exterior face 135, 235 as being equidistant at both bottom 131, 231 and top 133, 233
• the present invention also contemplates changing the spacing to suit a particular application.
• the present invention may be readily modified to optimize solar incidence upon the solar electric generation station at various latitudes and for various times of day.
• the spacing between utility pole 110 and the exterior face 135 adj acent to top 133 and East facing panel 132 may be approximately equal to the spacing between utility pole 110 and the exterior face 135 adjacent to bottom 131 and East facing panel 132.
• East facing panel 132 is oriented in an approximately vertical plane, which may be appropriate for morning and evening solar exposure. Consequently, West facing panel 136 may also be oriented in an approximately vertical plane.
• the solar rays will be traveling at some angle generally between horizontal and vertical, such as at between 33 and 66 degrees from horizontal.
• South facing panel 134 may also be tilted from vertical. While not illustrated, it will be apparent that the spacing between utility pole 110 and the exterior face 135 adjacent to top 133 and South facing panel 134 may be very different from the spacing between utility pole 110 and the exterior face 135 adjacent to bottom 131 and South facing panel 134. Similarly, if more than three panels are used to define solar electric generation station 120, the panels that are more south facing may also tilt more out of the vertical plane towards the horizontal plane than less south facing panels.
• FIGS. 6 - 16 illustrate a second alternative embodiment electrical transmission system
• a typical prior art utility pole 310 may, for exemplary purposes only and not solely limiting thereto be provided with a support arm 312 which suspends transmission lines 314, 316 from utility pole 310 and may provide electrical isolation.
• the electrical supply sources are most preferably one or more solar electric generation stations 320.
• Each solar electric generation station 320 will preferably be provided with a Direct Current (DC) to Alternating Current (AC) inverter 322, which will preferably include various functions, such as the ability to synchronize with the power grid and the ability to disconnect therefrom in the event of a power failure such as a downed transmission line or other electrical transmission system 300 failure.
• DC Direct Current
• AC Alternating Current
• These inverters are well known in the field of solar electric generation and widely commercially available, and further discussed in the patents incorporated herein by reference.
• DC to AC inverter 322 While a DC to AC inverter 322 is preferred, it will be understood that any suitable method of coupling electricity generated by solar electric generation station 320 into inverter output lines 324, 326 and from there to transmission lines 314, 316 will be understood to be incorporated herein. Consequently, inverter 322 might not perform any conversion from DC to AC, and may instead be a simple switch that allows solar electric generation station 320 to be disconnected from transmission lines 314, 316 in the event a repair is required within electrical transmission system 300, to protect the safety of a technician.
• Preferred embodiment solar electric generation station 320 has a plurality of separate and distinct solar collector surfaces 336.
• These panels 336 may be curved, in which case they will either have photovoltaic cells deposited or otherwise formed thereon, may have flexible photovoltaic panels affixed thereto, or may be fabricated in smaller flat support segments 345 such as illustrated in Figures 14 - 16.
• panels 336 may each be planar, and angularly offset from each other to face approximately East, South and West, respectively. While three panels are illustrated for exemplary purposes, it will be understood that more or fewer panels may be used, though three are illustrated.
• solar electric generation station 320 does not require a tracking mount, and is still capable of producing electricity throughout the daylight hours.
• Several manufacturers are able to produce solar cells that are of sufficiently low cost that the benefit from a tracking mount in increased power output throughout a daily cycle is not sufficient to justify the added expense and maintenance of the tracking components.
• Preferred embodiment solar electric generation station 320 is illustrated in greater detail in Figures 7 - 9. Supporting the panels 336 in a fixed position relative to utility pole 310 are a plurality of spacer members 342. The number and location of these spacer members 342 is not critical to the present invention, and will be determined when a number of design factors are taken into consideration.
• a maximum load may be determined that might be placed upon preferred embodiment solar electric generation station 320.
• factors such as wind, ice and snow loading may be used to determine a maximum load that might be placed upon preferred embodiment solar electric generation station 320.
• the maximum load is determined, then the type of material, the thickness and geometry, and other such design computations may be made.
• a plurality of screw-based clamp passages 352, 354, 356 are also provided which serve to guide and retain a plurality of screw-based clamps 370 that may for exemplary purposes include a perforated strap 372, fixed screw mount 374, and worm-drive screw.
• screw-based clamp 370 provides very rapid, secure, intuitive, familiar, and low-cost coupling to utility pole 310, which is preferred to decrease the cost of installation and maintenance.
• preferred embodiment solar electric generation station 320 will be designed to directly attached to most existing utility poles, thereby using the existing utility pole 310 as the main support and as immediate access to the electric power grid. This in turn means that there is minimal mounting hardware required, no special anchoring into the earth, and no special permitting required, since the present electrical transmission system 300 uses existing infrastructure. This in turn means that preferred embodiment electrical transmission system 300 may be produced, installed, and maintained for substantially less capital than required for prior art systems.
• Figures 17 - 23 illustrate a third alternative embodiment electrical transmission system 400 having plural electrical supply sources distributed along one or more load circuits such as carried by transmission lines 414, 416.
• a typical prior art utility pole 410 may, for exemplary purposes only and not solely limiting thereto be provided with a support arm 412 which suspends transmission lines 414, 416 from utility pole 410 and may provide electrical isolation.
• the electrical supply sources are most preferably one or more solar electric generation stations 420.
• Each solar electric generation station 420 will preferably be provided with a Direct
• DC Current
• AC Alternating Current
• DC to AC inverter 422 While a DC to AC inverter 422 is preferred, it will be understood that any suitable method of coupling electricity generated by solar electric generation station 420 into inverter output lines 424, 426 and from there to transmission lines 414, 416 will be understood to be incorporated herein. Consequently, inverter 422 might not perform any conversion from DC to AC, and may instead be a simple switch that allows solar electric generation station 420 to be disconnected from transmission lines 414, 416 in the event a repair is required within electrical transmission system 400, to protect the safety of a technician.
• Preferred embodiment solar electric generation station 420 has a plurality of separate and distinct solar collector panels 436. These panels 436 are preferably fabricated to support a plurality of smaller hexagonal Concentrated Photo Voltaic (CPV) modules 445, such as are available for exemplary purpose from Morgan Solar of Toronto, Canada, though other geometries and types of photovoltaic cells may be used.
• CPV Concentrated Photo Voltaic
• panels 436 may each be planar, are illustrated as having a geometry supporting three CPV modules 445 on each panel 436, and are angularly repeating about pole 410 to face approximately East, South and West, respectively. While three panel directions are illustrated for exemplary purposes, it will be understood that more or fewer panels 436 maybe used, though three are illustrated. Likewise, more or fewer than three CPV modules 445 may be supported on each panel 436.
• solar electric generation station 420 does not require a tracking mount, and is still capable of producing electricity throughout the daylight hours.
• Several manufacturers are able to produce solar cells that are of sufficiently low cost that the benefit from a tracking mount in increased power output throughout a daily cycle is not sufficient to justify the added expense and maintenance of the tracking components.
• Preferred embodiment solar electric generation station 420 is illustrated in further detail in Figures 18 - 23.
• Supporting panels 436 in a fixed position relative to utility pole 410 are a plurality of frame members 442 visible in Figure 23.
• Frame members 442 preferably comprise hollow members, such as four-sided tubes of metal or the like.
• the size, wall thickness, number, and location of these frame members 442 is not critical to the present invention, and will be determined when a number of design factors are taken into consideration. For exemplary and non-limiting purposes, factors such as wind, ice and snow loading may be used to determine a maximum load that might be placed upon preferred embodiment solar electric generation station 420. Once the maximum load is determined, then the type of material, the thickness and geometry, and other such design computations may be made.
• a plurality of screw-based clamps 470 that may for exemplary purposes include a perforated strap 472, fixed screw mount 474, and worm-drive screw are used to secure frame members 442 to pole 410. While other types of clamps may be provided in association with preferred embodiment solar electric generation station 420, including but not limited to other types of strap, band, and even webbing, screw-based clamp 470 provides very rapid, secure, intuitive, familiar, and low-cost coupling to utility pole 410, which is preferred to decrease the cost of installation and maintenance. Where utility pole 410 is fabricated from wood, a plurality of gripping teeth or spikes 462 may be affixed, for exemplary but non-limiting purpose to frame members 442.
• Each frame member 442 may support a number of individual panels 436, such as illustrated in Figure 23.
• Individual panels 436 may optionally and as illustrated are preferably configured for angular adjustment using a combination of an adjustable slide frame 447 and a pivot 449, also visible in Figure 23.
• Pivot 449 might, for exemplary and non-limiting purposes, be comprised by a simple hinge.
• Adjustable slide frame 447 can be any suitable member that permits length adjustment known in the hardware arts.
• adjustable slide frame 447 maybe comprised of two strips of metal, one with a circular hole and the other with a slot, and a small bolt and wing nut used to lock the two strips of metal together.
• Pivot 449 couples an upper portion of panel 436 to frame 442.
• Adjustable slide frame 447 is affixed adjacent to one end to frame 442 and adjacent the other end to panel 436. Adjustable slide frame 447 may then be shortened or lengthened, causing panel 436 to rotate about pivot 449, to adjust the angle of orientation of each CPV module 445.
• Adjusting the length of adjustable slide frame 447 can be used to adjust for seasonal variances, but would most commonly be only adjusted once, at the time of installation, to compensate for latitudinal variances between different installation sites. Furthermore, preferred angular orientation will vary around pole 410. For exemplary purposes, panels 436 facing directly east and west will be more nearly vertical than those facing south, corresponding to the angle of incidence of the sunlight for the compass orientation of the individual panel. This adjustable length is also beneficial for shipping prior to installation, since individual panels 436 may be laid flat against the supporting frame member 442.
• FIG. 21 illustrates solar collector panels 436 without or prior to installation of CPV modules 445.
• Each panel 436 in the preferred embodiment is provided with three support surface regions 482, 484, 486, each of the support surface regions which are adapted to receive a CPV module 445.
• Extending from the center support surface region 484 is a tab 488 containing a wire raceway 443 which provides electrical connection to each one of the CPV modules 445 mounted upon panel 436.
• FIG 22 which is very similar to Figure 17, illustrates the addition of a second solar electric generation station 420', simply by mounting solar electric generation station 420' on utility pole 410 just below solar electric generation station 420.
• the output from solar electric generation station 420' may be joined with the output from solar electric generation station 420 simply by coupling the wires therewith, or, if so desired, by coupling directly into inverter 422.
• preferred embodiment solar electric generation station 420 will be designed to directly attached to most existing utility poles, thereby using the existing utility pole 410 as the main support and as immediate access to the electric power grid. This in turn means that there is minimal mounting hardware required, no special anchoring into the earth, and no special permitting required, since the present electrical transmission system 400 uses existing infrastructure. This in turn means that preferred embodiment electrical transmission system 400 may be produced, installed, and maintained for substantially less capital than required for prior art systems.
• Exemplary embodiments of the present invention solve inadequacies of the prior art by providing solar panels and securing brackets that define solar electric generation stations. These solar electric generation stations mount to existing utility poles to define an electrical transmission system.
• a first object of the invention is to provide a solar electric generation station that maybe directly attached to most existing utility poles, thereby using the existing utility pole as the main support and as immediate access to the electric power grid.
• a second object of the invention is to provide a solar electric generation station that is easily installed upon the utility pole.
• Another object of the present invention is to provide a solar electric generation station that does not require a tracking mount, and yet which is capable of producing electricity throughout the daylight hours.
• a further object of the invention is to reduce the capital outlay required for a solar electric generation station and avoid the need for special permitting by using existing utility poles as the main support.
• Yet another object of the present invention is to readily enable design variations to optimize solar incidence upon the solar electric generation station at various latitudes.

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• 2015
  • 2015-07-28 CA CA2955629A patent/CA2955629C/en active Active
  • 2015-07-28 WO PCT/US2015/042544 patent/WO2016018952A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2015-07-28 EP EP15826605.6A patent/EP3175548A4/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2015-07-28 CA CA3187703A patent/CA3187703A1/en active Pending

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