WO2012045129A2

WO2012045129A2 - Solar panel systems and methods

Info

Publication number: WO2012045129A2
Application number: PCT/AU2011/001574
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stuart Gordon; Adrian Nicholas Critchlow
Original assignee: Giga Solar Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2010-10-04
Filing date: 2011-12-05
Publication date: 2012-04-12
Also published as: WO2012045129A3; WO2012045129A9

Abstract

The present invention in one preferred form provides a solar panel system 10 comprising: a foundation arrangement 20 for supporting a plurality of solar panels 12 by a first cable 28. A deployment mechanism 34 is provided for moving the first cable 28 so as to allow for solar panels 12 to be deployed in series along the first cable 28 The present invention, in another preferred form, provides a solar panel mounting arrangement 56 The solar panel mounting arrangement 56 includes a first structure 58 for accommodating an upper cable 66 The first structure 58 has at least one portion 60-64 for retaining the upper cable 66 in a deviated position by bearing against the upper cable 66 when the upper cable 66 is tensioned. When the upper cable 66 is tensioned the at least one portion 60-64 holds the solar panel mounting arrangement 56 in position on the upper cable 66.

Description

SOLAR PANEL SYSTEMS AND METHODS

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to large scale commercial solar arrays and metliods of installation.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

In the design and construction of a solar array, it is possible to suspend solar panels using two spaced apart cables that extend horizontally above the ground. US4832001 to Zomeworks Corporation filed 28 May 1 87 discloses sucb an arrangement.

The arrangement of US4832001 is shown in Figures I and 2 of the present specification. As illustrated, a number of solar panels 50 to 55 are fixed between a first cable 33 and a second cable 34.

Australian patent AU2004231646 to Steven Conger filed 19 March 2004 relates to large scale commercial solar arrays. A perspective view of an arrangement disclosed in AU2004231646 is shown in Figure 3. The arrangement provides a number of pairs of cables where each pajr of cables supports a row of solar panels extending therebetween. The pairs of cables, when tensioned allow for the panels to be fixed to the cables using known fasteners. In practice, the fasteners used generally comprise one or more bolt arrangements that clamp the cable to the panels so as to hold the panels and the cable firmly in position.

It is against this background and the problems and difficulties associated therewith that the present invention has been developed.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a solar panel mounting arrangement comprising: a first structure for accommodating a first cable, the first structure having at least one portion for retaining the first cable in a deviated position by bearing against the first cable when the first cable is tensioned such that, when the first cable is tensioned, the at least one portion holds the solar panel mounting arrangement in position on the first cable. Preferably the at least one portion includes a resilient portion, the resilient poition being adapted to partially yield when beariog against the first cable such that the deviation of the first cable varies with tension in the first cable and where a reduction in the tension of the first cable is met by increased deviation of the cable due to a reduction in the amount the resilient portion has yielded so as to assist with maintaining a desirable tension in the first cable.

Preferably the resilient portion has an elongate contact surface that is adapted to bear against the cable in a direction extending along the cable.

According to a second aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a solar panel system comprising a foundation arrangement for supporting a plurality of solar panels by a first cable, and a deployment mechanism for moving the first cable so as to allow for the solar panels to be deployed in series along the first cable.

Preferably the first cable is provided as a cable loop and the foundation arrangement includes a first base structure and a second base structure spaced apart and each adapted to receive the cable loop so that the cable loop extends therebetween, the deployment mechanism including a first wheel element and a second wheel element, the first wheel element and die second wheel element being adapted mount the cable loop and rotate to allow movement of the cable loop between the first base structure and the second base structure.

Preferably there is provided a second structure having at least one portion for preventing rotation of the solar panel about the first cable when the first cable is tensioned to hold the solar panel mounting arrangement in position on the first cable.

According to a third aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a method of installing solar panels in a solar array system tn which a cable is provided between two base structures, the method including: attaching a solar pane) to the cable; moving the cable using a deployment mechanism such that the solar panel moves away from the position in which it was attached to the cable; and repeating the process so as to install a number of solar panels in series along the cable. Preferably, the cable is moved by providing wheels having the cable looped therearound and by rotating one of the wheels to cause tbe cable to move from one of the base structures to the other base structure.

According to a fourth aspect of preferred embodiments herein described there is provided a method of installing solar panels in a solar array system including attaching a plurality of solar panels to a cable and with tbe use of a deployment mechanism drawing the cable such the cable extends between two base structures with the solar panels being sequentially moved away from one of the base structures towards the other base structure so that the solar panels are installed in series along the cable between the ba.se structures..

There are considered to be a number of preferred arrangements of the present invention that provide several advantages including.

(i) Systems and methods that allow for ready installation of a number of solar panels in a commercially sized solar array;

(ii) Systems and methods that provide advantageous tensioning of cables in a commercially sized solar array;

(iii) Systems and methods that allow for advantageous dampening in a commercially sized solar array.

(iv) Systems and methods that allow for the ready mounting of solar panels to a cable loop without requiring conventional cable clamps to hold the solar panels in position on tbe cable loop.

(v) Systems and methods that advantageously allow for the expansion and contraction of cables in different environmental conditions in a commercially sized solar array.

It is to be recognised that other aspects, preferred forms and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the present specification including the detailed description, drawings and claims.

BRIEF DESCR I PTION O F DRAWI NGS

In order to facilitate a betier understanding of the present invention, several preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 provides a perspective view of an arrangement disclosed in US4832001 : Figure 2 provides a further perspective view of an arrangement disclosed in US4832001 ;

Figure 3 provides a perspective view of an arrangement disclosed in AU2004231646;

Figuro 4 provides a perspective view of a solar panel system according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention,

Figure 5 provides a perspective view of one row of the solar panel system shown in Figure 4;

Figures 6 and 7 provide upper and lower perspective views of a solar pauel mount arrangement according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention as used in the solar panel system shown in Figure 4;

Figures 8 and 9 provide perspective views showing the solar panel mount arrangement shown in Figures 6 and 7 when mounted to a cable loop;

Figure 10 provides a rear view of a first component of the solar panel mount arrangement shown in Figures 6 and 7;

Figures I I and 12 illustrate a characteristic of the first component of the solar panel mount arrangement shown in Figure 10;

Figure 13 provides a rear view of a solar panel system according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 14 illustrates a method of installation using the solar panel system shown in Figure 4;

Figure I S illustrates an alternative method of installation according to a another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 16 provides a front and a rear perspective view of a solar panel system according to a yet another preferred embodiment of the present invention; Figure 17 illustrates a solar panel system according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 18 provides a perspective view of a system according to yet another embodiment of the present invention,

Figures 19 to 22 provide several views of a clamp used in the system shown in Figure 18, the clamp providing a further embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 23 to 25 provide several views of a clamp according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 26 & 27 provides several technical views of the clamp shown in Figures 18 to 22;

Figure 28 and 29 provide several views of a holder according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

Figure 30 provides several views of a further clamp according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention;

D ETAILED DESCR IPTION OF THE EMBODIM ENTS

It is to be appreciated that each of the embodiments is specifically described and that the present invention is not to be construed as being limited to any specific feature or element of any one of the embodiments. Neither is the present invention to be construed as being limited to any feature of a number of the embodiments or variations described in relation to the embodiments.

Referring to Figure 4 there is shown a solar panel system 10 according to a first preferred embodiment of the preseot invention The solar panel system 10 comprises a I W module that can be replicated several times to provide a multiple MW system. In the embodiment a row of the solar panel system 10 extends over 0.5km and includes over seven hundred solar panels 12 per row where each solar panel is approximately 600mm wide and 1200mm tall In the solar panel system 10 there are 17 columns and with the seven hundred or so solar panels 12 per row this equates to a total of well over 10,000 solar panels. Given the size of the array, Figure 1 only shows a portion of the solar panel system 10 in solid lines. In addition, there wil] be several lens of thousands of solar panels when several modules are used to provide several MW of power in a multi module array.

It is considered that the solar panel system 10 advantageously provides a large scale commercial solar array 14 that allows for ready installation of the solar panels 12 in the array 14. It is further considered that with the use of the solar panel system 10, solar panel installation times can be reduced several fold Each of the solar panels 12 weighs over 1 2 kg and is considered to be generally difficult to lift and mount using conventional clamps and threaded fasteners.

One row 16 of the solar panel system 10 is shown in Figure 5. The row 16 provides a solar panel system 18 according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention in its own right

The solar panel system 18 includes a foundation arrangement 20 comprising a first base structure 22 and a second base structure 24 that are spaced apart to provide a SOOm row length. Other embodiments may of course have a different row length such as a 340ro row length or even a 1km plus row length. It is considered that the present in allows for different row lengths in different environments.

As shown, the first base structure 22 and the second base structure 24 are adapted to support a row of solar panels 26 by a first cable 28 and a second cable 30, where the first cable 28 and the second cable 30 run substantially parallel to one another in a slightly curved manner Notably the curvature is provided due to the weight of the solar panels 26 and has not been illustrated in the Figures for reasons relating ease of illustration, furthermore, in the embodiment, the first cable 28 and the second cable 30 are provided in the form of a cable loop 32 having a turnbuckle connection (not shown) for tensioning purposes.

Advantageously the solar panel system 18 further includes a deployment mechanism 34 for moving the cable loop 32 so as to allow for the solar panels 26 to be deployed in series along the cable loop 32.

The deployment mechanism 34 includes a first wheel element 36 located at the first base structure 22 and a second wheel clement 38 located at the second base structure 24 The first wheel element 36 and the second wheel element 38 both have a channel (not shown) in their circum ferences for receiving the cable loop 32. Advantageously the first wheel element 36 and the second wheel element 38 are able to rotate to allow movement of the cable loop 32 between the first base structure 22 and the second base structure 24.

Hie first wheel element 36 is mounted to the first base structure 22 and the second wheel element 38 is mounted to the second base structure 24. Both the first base structure 22 and die second base structure 24 are provided in the form of a support structure 40 that advantageously provides an inclined element 42. Each of the inclined elements M are adapted to support the cable loop 32 using bearings (not shown) or otherwise. The inclined elements 42 are each provided as part of a base 44 having three earth mounts 46 at each end of the corresponding base 44. Each base 44 advantageously comprises a tetrahedron 48 having six struts. As shown, the cable loop 32 extends over a first face of the tetrahedron shape of the first base structure 22. The second base structure 24 is effectively a mirror image of the first base structure 22. The cable loop 32 extends over a second face (not shown) of the second base structure 24.

The deployment mechanism 34 includes a tensioning mechanism 54 for moving the first wheel element 36 so as to allow for adjustment of the tension in the cable loop 32. One manner of achieving this is to mount the first wheel element 36 in a manner such that the first wheel element 36 is relocatable on the first face of the first base structure 22. In other embodiments the first wheel element 36 does not form part of the final fully deployed solar panel system 18. More particularly, in other embodiments, it is considered possible, that a motorized feed wheel is to be tensioned controlled using motorized components so as to constantly adjust the tension during deployment where the motorized feed wheel does not remain on or near the rig after deployment. Rather in these embodiments only the second wheel element 38 remains on the rig with the first wheel element 36 not being present in the final structure. Rather after using the motorized feed wheel, the cable is tensioned to its full installation level using connecting rods at the first base structure 22, with the connecting rods being typical connecting rods used in lightweight cable structures Of course other embodiments may have both wheel elements removed or not even use wheel elements at all.

The manner in which the solar panels 26 are fixed to the cable loop 32 is considered to be advantageous An advantageous solar panel mounting arrangement 56 used for this purpose is shown in Figures 6 to 8 The solar panel mounting arrangement 56 is considered to provide a further preferred embodiment of the present invention in its own right.

With the use of a plurality of die solar panel mounting arrangements 56 it is considered possible to readily attach and deploy the solar panels 26 such that they span across the cable loop 32 as shown in Figure 5. Advantageously with the use of a number of the solar panel mounting arrangements 56, no cable clamps requiring bolts or any other sort of threaded fastener are required to hold the solar panels 26 JO position. Whilst in this embodiment the solar panel mounting arrangements 56 are separate from the solar panels 26, in other embodiments each solar panel mounting arrangement 56 is integral with a respective one of the solar panels 26, with so as to constitute part thereof

As shown in Figure 6, each solar panel mounting arrangement 56 includes a first structure 58 comprising a first portion 60, a second portion 62 and a third portion 64. The three portions of die first structure 58 cooperate as shown Figures 8, 9 and 10.

As shown in Figure 8, the first structure 58 accommodates an upper cable 66 with the second portion 62 retaining the upper cable 66 in a deviated position by bearing against the upper cable 66, so as to deflect the upper cable 66 when the upper cable 66 is tensioned, such that when the upper cable 66 is tensioned the second portion 62 holds the soiar panel mounting arrangement 56 in position on the upper cable 66.

Referring now to Figure 10, the upper surface 68 of the upper cable 66 is biased to follow a deviated path where the upper surface 68 contacts an elongate bearing surface 70 of the second portion 62 the by the action of the applied tension 72. The second portion 62 accordingly opposes a biasing force 74 seeking to straighten the upper cable 66.

The first portion 60 and the third portion 64 are respectively provided as a first retaining element 76 and a second retaining element 78. As shown, the first retaining element 76 and the second retaining element 78 extend over the upper cable 66 when the upper cable 66 is accommodated by the first structure 58. This advantageously serves to prevent the upper cable 66 from moving away from the solar panel mounting arrangement 56 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the upper cable 66. To assist in forcing the upper cable 66 to deviate around the second portion 62, the first retaining element 76 and the second retaining element 78 include abutment portions 80 shown in Figure 7. More particularly, the first retaining element 76 provides a first abutment portion 82 and the second retaining element 78 provides a second abutment portion 84, where the first abutment portion 82 and the second abutment portion 84 are positioned either side of the second portion 62. Although not the case in the present embodiment, in other embodiments, the first abutment portion 82 and the second abutment portion 84 are elongate in configuration in order to limit the stress applied to the upper cable 66.

The first abutment portion 82 and the second abutment portion 84 are configured to define a base line 86 shown io Figure 10. Due to the deviation provided the bottom of the upper cable 66 deviates from the base Ime 86 to the deviation line 88. Similarly the top of the upper cable 66 deviates from a base line 90 to a deviation line 92. The force placed on the second portion 62 by die upper cable 66 is balanced by the opposing forces applied by the upper cable 66 to both the first abutment portion 82 and the second abutment portion 84. The precise nature of the forces depends on the stiffness of the upper cable 66 and layout of the second portion 62, the first retaining element 76 and the second retaining element 78.

The second portion 62 is advantageously provided as a resilient portion 94 formed form elastic material. The resilient portion 94 is advantageously adapted to yield (partially) when bearing against the upper cable 66 as illustrated in Figures 1 and 12. This is considered to be advantageous for a number of reasons. Firstly, this allows for the advantageous accommodation of changes in length of the upper cable 66 without complicated expansion arrangements located at the first base structure 22 or located at the second base structure 24. Secondly, tbis allows for the provision of advantageous dampening in response to variations of the tension in the upper cable 66 in different environmental conditions such as in high winds.

Advantageously it is considered that the resilient portion 94, of each solar panel mounting arrangement 56, will be able to operate in a working environment to accommodate a change in cable length of say between 0 to 10 mm per solar panel. Full specifications are however yet to be determined. The figures here are related directly to the Modulus of Elasticity which is the non-elastic expansion of the cable under load and this varies enormously depending on the cross section of the cable (which is metallic) and also its construction. The degree of required accommodation of cable can be later defined in the development when the cable is standardised based on span and deflection performance balanced against cost per metre and so forth.

As illustrated in Figures 1 1 and 12, the elongate contact surface 70 of the resilient portion 94 will move upwardly and expand when the tension increases due to the increased force 98. By the configuration of the resilient portion 94, relative to the first retaining element 76 and the second retaining element 78, this will be met by a reduction in the deviation of the cable which will serve, in some sense, to relieve the increase in tension. Similarly a reduction in tension of the upper cable 66 will be met by an increased deviation of the cable due to a reduction in the amount the resilient portion 94 has yielded which will serve to assist with maintaining a desirable tension in the upper cable 66. Dampening occurs as the resilient portion 94 advantageously absorbs energy and reduces peak stress As would be apparent, all of the above is advantageously achieved at the source, that is, at the individual panel locations rather than at the first base structure 22 or the second base structure 24 using conventional dampening arrangements.

The ability to spread the accommodation of cable expansion over all the solar panels as well as providing advantageous dampening is considered in itself to provide significant advantages As would be apparent the variation in terms of the length of cable that must be accommodated is not substantial due to the effective cable length for expansion per panel being just above twice the width of tbe panel. As would be apparent eacb solar panel mounting arrangement 56 need only accommodate its upper cable length expansion as well as its lower cable length expansion plus a small portion of remaining cable length at the first base structure 22 and the second base structure 24.

Furthermore, it is considered that with a working tension, it may be possible to forcibly manoeuvre the upper cable 66 over the terminal abutment portion 100 of the resilient portion 94 when the upper cable 66 is otherwise in position. That is, when the upper cable 66 is positioned on the first retaining element 76 and on the second retaining element 78 ready fpr being accommodated by the first structure 58. In such circumstances the upper cable 66 may not have to be urjtensioned beyond the operating tension of the solar panel system 18 to bring the resilient portion 94 into engagement with the upper cable 66. The applicant is presently considering arrangements where the first wheel element 36 and the second wheel element 38 can themselves reduce the tension by being movably mounted to the first base structure 22 and the second base structure 24.

Returning to Figures 6 to 9, the solar pane/ mounting arrangement 56 includes a second structure 102 that is separate from the first structure 58. As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, the first structure 58 and the second structure 102 are advantageously adapted to receive opposite ends 104 of a solar panel 106. In the embodiment the first structure $8 and the second structure 102 both provide a receiving portion 108 comprising three mounts 1 10 and a cavity portion 1 12 for receiving and firmly holding the solar panel 106 in position on three sides. One of the advantages of the arrangement is that the first structure 58 and the second structure 102 can be readily injection moulded and separately have a reduced height 1 14 as compared to the effective height of the mount as a whole. The comparative height of an alternate embodiment of a solar panel mounting arrangement is shown in Figure 13. Such an alternate embodiment requires larger moulds for manufacture by injection moulding.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8, the second structure 102 includes at least one portion 116 for preventing rotation of the solar panel 106 about the upper cable 66 when the upper cable 66 is tensioned to hold the solar panel mounting arrangement 56 in position on the upper cable 66. As shown in Figures 8 and 9 the at least one portion 1 16 provides an arrangement for engaging a lower cable 118 such that when the solar panel mounting arrangement 56 holds the solar pane! 106 in position on the upper cable 66, the second structure 102 holds the solar panel 106 in position relative to both the upper cable 66 and the lower cable 118.

The second structure 102 advantageously provides a skid arrangement 120 that in addition to positioning the solar panel mounting arrangement 56 on the lower cable 1 18 advantageous allows the solar panel mounting arrangement 56 to move thereover together with the solar panel 106.

The skid arrangement 120 is provided by a first support element 1 2 and a second support element 124 located on opposite sides of the second structure 102. The first support element 122 and the second support element 124 provide open channel elements 126 for allowing the second structure 102 to be placed on the lower cable 1 18 with each open channel element 126 receiving the lower cable 1 18 cable laterally, relative to the lower cable 1 1 8. In other words, radially or substantially perpendicular to the length of the lower cable 1 18.

The solar panel mounting arrangement 56 further comprises spacing portions 1 28 shown in Figure 9 provided by both the first structure 58 and the second structure 102. The spacing portions 128 are advantageously positioned adjacent the first retaining element 76, the second retaining element 78, the first support element 122 and the second support clement 124. The spacing portions 128 advantageously protect the solar panels 26 in environments in which the solar panel mounting arrangements might bear against one another

An alternate solar panel mounting arrangement 130 is illustrated in Figure 1 . The solar panel mounting arrangement 130 provides an injection moulded cartridge in the form of a sleeve in which a sofar panel 132 is able to be received. The mounting arrangement 130 includes a skid arrangement 134 that engages a lower cable 136 and prevents rotation of the solar panel mounting arrangement 130 when held to an upper cable 138

The solar panel mounting arrangement 130 includes side panel grippers 140 comprising upper side panel grippers 142, lower side panel grippers 144 and a single base gripper 146. The side panel gnppers 140 grip the solar panel 132 at five points, namely two points I SO on each side and one point 152 on the bottom It is considered that the upper side panel grippers 142 and the lower side panel grippers 144 perform three functions. Firstly, they secure the solar panel 132 to the upper cable 138 and the lower cable 136 and maintain the distance between the upper cable 138 and lower cable ( 36. Secondly, they act as a spacer to separate the panels. Thirdly, they have the ability to provide additional dampening between the panels.

The solar panel mounting arrangement 130 includes a tensioning and dampening pad 154. Toe pad 154 is positioned so as to deflect the upper cable 138 to compensate for stretch or thermal expansion or contraction of the upper cable 138 to maintain relatively uniform tension in the upper cable 1 8 which in turn ensures that the panels are securely held. fbe tensioning and dampening are relative to the cable. As would be apparent, there are numerous different specifications of cable, with different diameters, load bearing characteristics, anti-corrosive properties and these in turn can be pre-stressed to reduce elongation of the cable in use The specific properties of the pad 154 such as the elasticity are, in embodiments, advantageously designed to suit the specific properties of the cable.

The upper side panel grippers 142 provide abutments that directly influence the degree of deflection as they act as the initial positioning guides for the upper cable 138. The lower side panel grippers 144 are different in design as they both secure the panel when in a final position and act as 'skids' for the panel when the panel is being deployed.

There are various attributes that can be designed into the lower side pane! grippers 144 to improve their final slip properties, such as reducing the surface area in contact with tbe cable and flaring the entr and exit channels. The cable itself being of a multi core construction would also help to facilitate this by essentially corkscrewing through the lower side panel grippers 144 The speed of deployment also requires that the cable is moving only fast enough to allow one panel to clear the position before (he next panel is fastened.

The applicant is presently considering the cork-screw effect which apart from cables that are fully locked (smooth as opposed to ridged) is considered might take place anyway. Presently it is considered that corkscrewing may reduce the contact points on the cable which if the bottom skid is correctly designed could reduce the friction which may prove advantageous when the process is automated and sped up to a level whereby friction and 'panel drag^* may become an issue.

Having now described the solar panel mounting arrangements 56 it is now possible to describe the manner m which the solar panels 26 are deployed in the solar panel system 18. As shown in Figure 14, the deployment mechanism 34 includes a motor 156 coupled to the first wheel element 36 to selectively move the cable loop 32. The motor 156 js advantageousl used to deploy the solar panels 26 in series along the cable loop 32.

In the deployment method, a first solar panel 158 is attached to the cable loop 32 at a location 160 adjacent the first base structure 22 The attachment includes placing the second structure 102 of the corresponding solar panel mounting arrangement 56 holding the solar panel 158 onto the lower cable 136. The upper cable 138 is placed on the abutment portions 80 of the first retaining element 76 and the second retaining element 78 respectively The upper cable 138 is then mechanically pushed over the resilient portion 94 into a deflected condition. The cable loop 32 is moved by rotating the first wheel element 36 such that the solar panel 158 moves away from the location 160 to a location 162. The process is repeated by installing a second panel 1 4 at the location 160 and then moving the cable loop 32 to locate the first panel at a new location 166 and the second panel 164 at the location 162. A third panel 168 is subsequently installed and the process is repeated several times to install all the solar panels 26 in series along the cable loop 32.

In each case, the cable loop 32 is moved by rotating the first wheel element 36. The circular nature of the cable loop 32 causes the second wheel element 38 at the second base structure 24 to rotate in the same direction as the first wheel element 36. The cable loop 32 accordingly moves from each base structure towards the other base structure in a circular manner.

It is appreciated that the tensioning mechanism 54 allows for a portion of the upper cable 1 8 at the location 160 to be untensioned while the remainder of the upper cable 138 remains fully tensiooed. This is considered to advantageously allow for the ready installation of Jong arrays with 50 or more 100kg plus panels The applicant is investigating whether smaller arrays will require such untensioning of the upper cable 138.

By reducing the tension at the location 160 die upper cable 1 8 can by forcibly manoeuvred over a resilient portion 94 of a solar panel mounting arrangement 56 so as to attach the solar panel to the upper cable 138. Reapplying the tension then allows the solar panel to be moved away from the position in which it was installed.

In each case the first structure 58 of the solar panel (which is to be understood as including the mounting arrangement) accommodates a portion of the upper cable 138 of the cable loop 32. The second structure 102 of the solar panel accommodates the lower cable 136 of the cable loop 32. Tension in the upper cable 138 forces the upper cable 138 against the resilient portion 94 the first structure 58 with the upper cable 138 being retained in a deviated position, such that the solar panel is firmly held to the upper cable 1 38. As discussed, with the use of the deployment mechanism 34 it is considered that installation times can be reduced several fold.

An alternate method 170 of installation according to a further preferred embodiment of the present inveution is illustrated in Figure 15. The method 170 advantageously includes using a deployment mechanism 172 to draw an upper cable 174 and a lower cable 176 between two base structures 178. The deployment mechanism 172 includes a driving facility 180 and a tensioning facility 182. The driving facility 180 is adapted to draw both the upper cable 1 74 and the lower cable 178 white the tensioning facility 182 advantageously maintains tension in both cables. The method 170 employs a similar arrangement to that described in relation to Figure 14. Advantages of the method 170 include advantageous panel sleeves not being required, the support cable not being required to bend and the tension in the cable being able to be readily controlled. Disadvantages include more equipment possibly being required and there potentially being more time spent in the set up and disconnecting the cable elements 184 (shown in dashed fines) More time may also be spent in securing structural cable

A solar panel mounting arrangement 186 used in tbe method 186 is shown in Figure 16 The mounting arrangement 186 comprises a single moulding sieeve 188 having two upper hangers 190 and two lower hangers 192 facing downwardly for advantageous load distribution This arrangement is considered to balance load equally across both cables in the method 186, which is advantageous when trying to maintain an equal degree of cable deflection in the cables.

The upper hangers 190 each include a silicon rubber insert 194 for advantageously gripping the upper cable. The upper hangers 190 are advantageously designed to allow for cable to lead in with no return. In other words, the cable can be fed into the silicon inserts 194 only in one direction. The silicone inserts 194, are considered to advantageously create cable grip, use the shear ability of the rubber to dampen vibration, reduce the flex on the structural sleeve material and minimise material creep. Tbe mounting arrangement 176 further includes four rubber bumpers 196 that protect and securely hold the panel glass and which allow for some flex.

A solar panel system 200 according to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 17. The solar panel system 200 comprises a support structure that sits on top of prepared supports designed for particular ground and elevation conditions. A bull wheel 202 is provided to allow the advance of a cable 204 when deploying the panels. A lower line is returned as a top line of cable advances out.

The system employs a single cable connected with a tumbuckle. The bull wheel 202 is advanced by an electric motor which will locate and engage with the bullwnecl to advance the cabie at a speed that moves the attached panel to be advanced to a point allowing another panel to be loaded and secured onto the cable. As discussed above die applicant may use a motorized feed wheel on another structure and remove the bullwheeL Removing the bullywheel is considered to be advantageous as there are considered to be substantial and advantageous cost savings.

The tumbuckle (not shown) is used to adjust the initial tension on the cable for periodic re-tensioning of the cable as part of any on-going maintenance.

Referring to Figure 18 there is shown a solar panel cable system 300 according to another preferred embodiment of the present invention The solar cable system 500 advantageously includes a securing system 502 comprising four securing devices 504.

Moreover the securing devices 504 are resiliently attached to the rear of a solar panel 506 using resilient adhesive material on the rearward surfaces which resiliently attache the securing devices 504 to the module 506. In this embodiment a special bonding tape 508 provides the adhesive and offers the benefit of being able to stretch to about 3x it's width (in this instance 3 x 1.1 mm), the tape also offers good dampening properties, which in conjuction with the dampening properties of the rubber (polyurethane) cable grip material greatly reduce the stress on the glass as well as reducing vibration through the system. In this particular case 3M VHB tape is used

Advantageously in the case of the module 506 the glass itself plays and active role in the structural component of the system Typically in Solar Arrays the glass performs a passive role in the structure. Within the present system the glass performs as a compression rod between the cables The module 506 will bow under larger wind loads and in doing so will also dampen. energy in the system. The glass along with the tape 508 offers an overlapping dampening system at a macro level, as each panel and its grip has this capability. This metliod of securing panels also offers the additional benefit that by securing the glass in a manner that does not induce localised stress on the glass it is now possible to reduce the strength of the glass. Currently glass is specified to endure the rigours of side mounting, this requires the use of hardened and/or toughened glass in the make up of the panel. The ability to reduce tbe weight of the glass panels means panels can be made lighter and cheaper and by doing so allow us to increase tbe unsupported span of our system .

Notably it is envisaged that in the future technological advances may mean that panels are surpassed by sheets of PV material, this could very well be deployed in long rolls. The applicant considers that as well as the 2 pauel mounting methods (framed and unframed) system could also include the provision for mounting film . The lighter nature of film would mean there could be a higher pre-tenston in the cable as the static load would be far less. One way of mounting a film may be to print it as mesh, which would allow the wind through, either way one would may need to add 'rods' to the system to make up for the flexibility of the film.

As highlighted above and as shown in Figure 18 tbe system 500 includes changes some to the previous mounting system and feed out deployment. The system 500 is considered to advantageously allow for the attachment to the solar power system cable forming a large spanned array. In embodiment, one system that is envisaged comprises an array having:

a flexible foundation system (provided by screw pile caps) cable clamp plates - to control of cable dynamics

plastic panel grips - to distribute forces on panels reducing edge point loads

plastic panel grips - to dampen high frequency vibrations

plastic panel grips - designed to withstand abrasion from metal cable without damaging cable

metal panel grips - designed to mount framed panels to cable metal panel grips - designed to withstand abrasion from cable without damaging cable

metal panel grips - designed to transfer loads to panel frame structure array design - panel gaps designed to mitigate wind loading of structure array design - spaces between spans specified to dilute wind load

As such according to one aspect there is provided a solar panel mounting arrangement comprising: an integrated system of foundation, structural supports, tensioned cables, cable management systems and solar technology mounting systems

The system design is expressed in a large scale array with each span of the array contributing to the strength of the whole. The individual span consists of a foundation system, such as a screw pile.

In this instance the screw pile is used both as a cable anchor in which the screw pile is in tension and also as a structural foundation in which the screw pile would be in compression and onto which is mounted a cable support frame.

In the screw pile embodiment the screw pile also has the addition of a screw pile cap which allows for installation tolerance and for a limited amount of lateral and vertical deviation of the screw pile as might typically occur during the construction stage. The structural metal work is designed to be lightweight and is designed to support and position the cables such that the relative angle of the upper cable to the lower would orientate the mounted so!ar PV technology to its most efficient angle. Provision is also included for single axis tracking within the frame to further enhance efficiency.

Cable clamps are designed to both secure the cables and to allow controlled movement of the cable clamps under wind load. The panels can be mounted to the cables tn a number of ways, the distinction between the methods being based on the panel type and also whether it is 'framed^* or 'unframed'. It is preferred that the fraroeless panels are mounted onto the cables by the use of a plastic cable grip which is affixed to the back of the panel The cable grip is designed to secure the panel to the cable while also ensuring that the cable does not abrade the plastic component thereby rendering it ineffectual Benefits of this system are that they do not induce stress on the edges of the panel but distribute the load more evenly across the panel. This is a critical factor for the typically glass sealed photovoltaic panels, as glass performs badly under point load conditions. The method of affixing framed panels is by design of a cable mount clamp which when fitted to the framed panel is considered to possible allows for rapid mounting of the framed panel to the cable and which would also distribute the static and dynamic load of the glass to the panel frame using clamp designs discussed below.

The tenstoned cable in the structure is designed such that it has an equalising effect on the system, whereby if due to wind direction and force the system is unbalanced the cable will seek to balance tension and thereby the forces across the total length of the cable span.

The cable is secured at each point of the structure where it is either supported, in the case of the uprights, or anchored, in the case of the tensioo pile The tension is rebalanced across the system by the cable causing the supporting frames to deflect, which in turn induces an increase in tension on the neighbouring span lengths such that the overall increase in tension is equal to the wind force acting upon the effected span. The axis adjustment could also be used to reduce wind load on the panels under abnormal weather conditions.

While particularly preferred embodiments are directed to large scale arrays it is also possible that embodiment could be smalt scale such as say system having a 50m span, with footings for 2 intermediate cable supports

Referring to Figure 19 there is shown a securing arrangement 510 in the form of a grip 512 for solar panels. Unlike other embodiments which secure panels to cable by deflecting the tensioned cable, the grip 512 is now designed to clamp to the cable (Figure 18 to 22 show the new system witb position of the upper grips 512 on the panel and the grip design):

Each grip 512 includes a base portion 514 and a securing portion 516 (in the form of a cover) The base portion 516 includes a recess 518 in the form of a channel 520 for receiving a solar panel system cable The base portion 514 and cover portion 516 are adapted such that the cover can be slid into a secured position 522 on the base portion to anchor the cable in the recess. The securing portion 516 includes a number of inwardly facing tab potions 524 that receive a guide 526 in the form of flanges extending from the base portion 514 The securing portion includes a snap lock portion S28 that snaps into a recess 530. In the embodiment the system is symmetrical and the recesses 530 are provided in the flanges 526. As shown in Figured 1 and 22 the securing portion 516 is able to be slid from an open condition 532 to the secured portion 522 in which a cable 534 is held in place. The flexible adhesive strips 536 serve to fix the securing arrangement to the upper portion of the panel 506.

As would be apparent grip system has been designed to allow quick loading of the panels by the bottom grip having an open "C section profile which is easily locatable on the cable and allows the cable to take the weight of the panel, reducing the strain on the installer. The top grip is a two part system and the latest iteration of this design uses a sliding locking system to secure the grip to the panel. Furthermore, as would be apparent, previously the panel mounting system was a sleeve like design, which secured the panel by supporting the panel underneath and gripping the panel edges. The new design relies on a high bond foam cell tape to secure the grips to the underside of the panel.

The new 'grip' design is considered to provide substantial performance and economic benefits over previous designs. The new design uses significantly less material, which has a threefold benefit in that the tool size is smaller, machine cycle limes faster and obviously less material cost. The new base grip is designed to allow relatively quick positioning of the panel, this is in part also bio mechanical consideration given that each panel could weights 12kg and each I00m span can accommodate over 100 panels (other weights and spans would of course be possible.

The new design incorporates a polyurethane inner moulding which is designed to compress to allow the cable into the 'C shaped grip but reforms behind the cable to secure the cable in position. The polyurethane moulding is designed to allow for a degree of cable movement to reduce stress on the panel connection and panel but this movement occurs through compression of the rubber so the cable will return to its normal position under static or light wind loads. The new fop grip design bas a positive locking mechanism, which is quick to and simple to secure. The locking system for the top grip is also not under load from the forces transmitted through from the panel. The grip body is created from a high strength plastic which has excellent environmental weathering benefits, such as UV resistance, a low creep modulus (when the plastic deforms under load over time), the second material, which grips the cable is a Po!yurethane rubber, which has excellent dampening, abrasion resistance and weathering benefits.

F urther to these designs, we will also look to define the sleeve option as this could still have merit for certain types of panels, such as those which are backed with laminate plastic film rather than toughened or hardened glass, which is the case with thin film photovoltaic panel designs. This design would likely be an evolved version of previous design

An alternative gripping arrangement 540 according to a further embodiment is illustrated in Figure 23. The arrangement 540 includes a base portion 542 and a securing portion 544. Advantageously the securing portion 542 is rotatable from a released condition into a secured position on the base portion to anchor the cable in the recess The securing portion comprises a cover 542 rotatable about and upper element 546 and locks into position using an inwardly facing clip 54S. The manner of operation is illustrated in Figure 24 and 25. Figures 26 and 27 illustrate some preferred sizes of various embodiments.

Figures 28 and 29 illustrate another preferred embodiment in the form of a slide 550. The slide 550 includes an open channel 552 for receiving a solar panel system cable 544. The open channel 552 is adapted to allow movement of the slide 52 along the solar panel system cable 554. In addition the open channel 554 is arranged to permit movement of the solar panel cable system away from the base of the channel by a relatively small amount 556 to provide for advantageous dampening when the securing arrangement is used to hold a solar panel to the solar panel cable system.

Again the slide 550 secured to the panel by a high bond foam cell tape 558. The tepe we are currently using is 3M VHB 5652 tape This tape is able to be used to mount glass panels and other fascia materials to steel and aluminium frameworks and advantageously The benefit of the tape is that reduces localised stress points on the glass and distributes the load more evenly. The applicant considers that this product has not been used with solar panels before. It has been seen to have advantageous performance relating to its mechanical properties.

Notabiy a key issue with some current systems for gripping solar PV panels is that they grip the panels on the edge Due to issue with shading the grips cannot encroach onto or shade the PV irvterlayer of the panel. This situation means that all other systems for gripping PV panels grip the glass by the edge, by doing so they create a localised stress point on the glass edge, which is weakest part of the glass, as any stress fractures can rapidly propagate and lead to the glass failure

The applicant is envisages current rig designs based on mounting the cable support rig onto. compression screw piles. The cables are secured at either end by a tension screw pile. The cable is pre-teosioned and tJbis tension as well as the static load of the mounted panels ensures that even with a wind on the rear of the panel, which would result in uplift forces the rig would stay in compression. The computer modelling of the systems to date provide load factors under static and dynamic conditions, specifically within the parameters set by Australia's structural design codes.

It is possible to modelling of lightweight tensile structures and wind conditions that allow understanding of the resonant frequeocy of the structure, which could result in catastrophic failure of the system, as the wind load amplifies within the structure to the point that it exceeds it maximum loading.

Figure 30 illustrates another preferred clamp according to an embodiment having certain applications. The design, in the embodiment, has an injection moulded plastic body, that is moulded to allow it to fit to varying aluminium frames, so the plastic can hinge from 3mm to 5mm

The top metal bracket is designed to rotate over the cable and engage the top bolt. The direction of this engagement is not aligned with the forces that would act on the bracket during operation The bracket uses the cable as a pivot point so that when the top bolt is tightened it rotates the bracket around the cable This means that only one bolt requires tightening and so reduces install time, given that there are 4 grips per panel The design is considered to be relatively simple to fabricate. The design has a pressed metal design and consists of 1 large base plate with 2 symmetrical top plates. The 2 top plates are used to reduce the risk of differential clamping pressure during field installation The metal is finished by hot dip, spin or spray galvanizing. This finishing is both to reduce corrosion and also to reduce abrasion to the clamp and cable. Clamp 2 (metal and high dampening rubber) - as discussed

In concluding the present description of embodiments it is to be recognised that the embodiments described are conceptual in nature and that the applicant is developing further arrangements that arc more likely to be put into commercial use and are advantageous in a number of respects.

The embodiments discussed above are considered to be illustrative of a number of advantageous systems and methods including:

(it) Systems and methods that provide advantageous tensioning of cables in a commercially sized solar array;

(iti) Systems and methods that allow for advantageous dampening in a commercially sized solar arra

(iv) Systems and methods tbat allow for the ready mounting of solar panels to a cable loop without requiring conventional cable clamps to hold the solar panels in position on the cable loop.

(v) Systems and methods that advantageously allow for the expansion and contraction of cables in different environmental conditions in a commercially sized solar arra

As would be apparent, various alterations and equivalent forms may be provided without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. This includes modifications within the scope of the appended claims along with all modifications, alternative constructions and equivalents. In terms of the deployment mechanism, for example, a temporary but moveable first wheel element 36 may employed. In further embodiments there may be only a second wheel element 38 and no first wheel element 36 Various modifications may be made to the solar panel mounting arrangements including the use of roller bearings to engage tbe lower cable. Resilient members that provide for cable deflection to accommodate changes in cable length of course be worked into the top grippers themselves with specially designed silicon rubber buttons or inserts.

There is no intention to limit the present invention to the specific embodiments shown in the drawings. The present invention is to be construed beneficially to the applicant and tbe invention given its full scope.

In the present specification, the presence of particular features does not preclude the existence of further features. The words 'comprising', 'including' and 'having' are to be construed in an inclusive rather than an exclusive sense.

Claims

TH E C LAI MS DE FI N I NG TH E I N V E NTION A R E A S FOL LOWS :

1. A solar panel mounting arrangement comprising: a first structure for accommodating a first cable, the first structure having at least one portion for retaimug the first cable in a deviated position by bearing against the first cable when the first cable is tensioned such that, when the first cable is teasioued, th at least one portioD holds the solar panel mounting arrangement in position on the first cable.

2. A solar panel mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein the at least one portion includes a resilient portion, the resilient portion being adapted to partially yield when bearing against the first cable such that the deviation of the first cable Varies with tension in the first cable and where a reduction in the tension of the first cable is met by increased deviation of the cable due to a reduction in the amount the resilient portion has yielded so as to assist with maintaining a desirable tension in the first cable.

3. A solar panel mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 2 where the resilient portion has an elongate contact surface that is adapted to bear against the cable in a direction extending along the cable.

4. A solar panel mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 2 or 3 including a first element and a second element for providing abutment portions assisting with forcing the cable to deviate around the resilient portion.

5. A solar panel mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 4 wherein the first element provides a first abutment portion and the second element provides a second abutment portioo, the first abutment portion and the second abutment portions being positioned either side of the resilient portion.

6. A solar panel mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 4 or 5 wherein the first and second elements comprise portions for preventing the cable moving away from the solar panel mounting arrangement in a direction substantially perpendicular to the length of the cable.

7. A solar panel mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 6 wherein the first and second elements are adapted to extend over the cable when the cable is accommodated by tbe first structure.

8. A solar panel mounting arrangement as claimed any one of claims 4 to 7 wherein the resilient portion is positioned such that tbe first cable, when tensioned, can be forcibly manoeuvred over tbe resilient portion when the first cable is otherwise in position on the first and second elements ready for being accommodated by the first structure such that the cable does not have to be untensioned. to bring the resilient portion into engagement with the first cable to hold the solar mounting arrangement in position on the first cable.

9. A solar panel mounting arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8 including a second structure having at least one portion for preventing rotation of the solar panel about the first cable when the first cable is tensioned to hold the solar panel mounting arrangement in position on the first cable.

10. A solar panel mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 9 wherein the second structure comprises an arrangement for engaging a second cable such that when the solar pane] mounting arrangement holds a solar panel in position on the first cable the solar panel is held in position relative to both the first cable and the second cable.

1 1 . A solar panel mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 10 wherein the second structure comprises a skid arrangement adapted to position the solar panel mounting arrangement on the second cable and allow the solar panel mounting arrangement to move thereover

12. A solar panel mounting arrangement as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 1 1 wherein the each of the at least one portions of the second structure provides an open channel element for allowing the second structure to be placed on the second cable with the or each open channel element receiving the second cable laterally, relative to the second cable.

13 A solar panel mounting arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12 including a receiving portion for receiving a solar panel.

14. A solar panel mounting arrangement as claimed in any one of claims I to 13 wherein the receiving portion includes spacing portions for protecting a panel received by the receiving portion in environments in which similar solar panel mounting arrangements would bear against one another.

1 5. A solar panel system comprising: a foundation arrangement for supporting a plurality of solar panels by a first cable, and a deployment mechanism for moving the first cable so as to allow for the solar panels to be deployed in series along ttie first cable.

16. A solar panel system as claimed in claim 15 wherein the first cable is provided as a cable loop and the foundation arrangement includes a first base structure and a second base structure spaced apart and each adapted to receive the cable loop so that the cable loop extends therebetween, the deployment mechanism including a first wheel element and a second wheel element, the first wheel element and the second wheel element being adapted mount the cable loop and rotate to allow movement of the cable loop between the first base structure and the second base structure.

17. A solar panel system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the first wheel element comprises a feed wheel separate from the first base structure

18. A solar panel system as claimed in claim 16 wherein the first wheel element comprises a feed wheel removably mounted to the first base structure.

19. A solar panel system as claimed in claim 16, 17 or 18 wherein the second wheel element is mounted to the second base structure.

20. A solar panel system as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 19 wherein the deployment mechanism includes a tensioning mechanism for moving the first wheel element so as to allow adjustment of the tension in the cable loo

21. A solar panel system as claimed in any one of claims 15 to 20 wherein the cable loop itself includes a tensioning arrangement that is adapted to change the length of the cable loop.

22. A solar panel system as claimed in claims 15 to 21 wherein the deployment mechanism includes a motor for moving the first wheel element to selectively move the cable so as to allow for the solar pane⁾ to be deployed in series along the cable.

23. A method of installing solar panels in a solar array system in which a cable is provided between two base structures, the method including: attaching a solar panel to the cable, moving the cable using a deployment mechanism such that the solar panel moves away from the position in which it was attached to the cable; and repeating the process so as to install a number of solar panels in series along the cable

24. A method as claimed in claimed in claim 22 wherein the cable is moved by providing wheels having the cable looped therearouod and by rotating one of the wheels to cause the cable to move from one of the base structures to the other base structure.

25. A method as claimed in claim 22 or 23 including forcibly manoeuvring the cable over a resilient portion of the a first structure of the solar panel such that the cable does not have to be untensioned to allow the solar panel to be attached to the cable.

26. A method as claimed io claim 22 or 23 wherein including reducing the tension in at least a portion of the cable to allow the solar panel being attached to cable, to be attached to the cable, and reapplying the tension to the cable to allow the solar panel to be moved away from the position in which it was installed.

27 A method as claimed in any one of claims 22 to 25 wherein the cable is provided as a cable loop and attaching tbe solar panel to the cable loop comprises having a first structure of the solar panel accommodate a portion of an upper cable of the cable loop and a second structure of tbe solar panel accommodate a lower cable of the cable loop and reapplying the tension forces the upper cable against at least one portion of the first structure with the upper cable being retained in a deviated position such that tbe solar panel is firmly held to the upper cable.

28. A method of installing solar panels in a solar array system including attaching a plurality of solar panels to a cable and with tbe use of a deployment mechanism drawing die cable such the cable extends between two base structures with the solar panels being sequentially moved away from one of the base structures towards the other base structure so that the solar panels are installed in scries along the cable between the base structures.

29. A solar panel having a securing system for securing the solar panel to an upper cable and a lower cable, the securing arrangement comprising one or more securing devices wherein the securing devices are resiliently attached to the rear of the solar panel to assist with dampening.

30. A solar panel as claimed in claim 29 wherein tbe securing devices including resilient adhesive material on their rearward surfaces which resiliently attaches the securing devices to the solar panel

31. A solar panel as claimed in claim 29 or 30 wherein the solar panel resilient material comprises at least one relatively thick adhesive layer designed to dampen motion of the panel in relatively windy conditions

32. A solar panel as claimed in claim 29, 30 or 31 wherein the each of the securing devices includes a flat rearward surface for receiving adhesive tape.

33. A securing arrangement for a solar panel wherein the securing arrangement includes a base portion and a securing portion, the base portion including a recess for receiving a solar panel system cable and the base portion and securing portion being adapted such that the securing arrangement can be slid into a secured position on the base portion to anchor the cable in the recess.

34. A securing arrangement as claimed io claim 33 inctuding a snap lack facility for snapping the securing portion into the secured position on the base portion to anchor the cable in the recess.

35 A securing arrangement as claimed in claim. 33 or 34 wherein the recess includes resilient material for bearing against the solar panel system cable.

36. A securing arrangement to a solar panel wherein the securing arrangement includes an open channel for receiving a solar panel system cable, the securing arrangement

37 A securing arrangement as claimed in claims 36 wherein the open channel is adapted to allow movement of the securing arrangement along the solar panel system cable

38. A securing arrangement as claimed in claim 36 or 37 wherein the open channel is arranged to permit movement of the solar panel cable system away from the base of the channel by a relatively small amount to provide for advantageous dampening when the securing arrangement is used to hold a solar panel to the solar panel cable system.

39. A securing arrangement as claimed in any one of claims 33 to 38 wherein removal of the cable in the direction outwardly away from the channel would result in partial destruction of the securing arrangement

40. A securing arrangement for a solar panel wherein the securing arrangement includes a base portion and a securing portion, the base portion including a recess for receiving a solar panel system cable and the base portion and cover portion being adapted such that cover is rotatable from a released condition into a secured position on the base portion to anchor the cable in the recess.

41 A solar panel system or device substantially as herein descnbed with reference to the accompanying drawings.

42. A method substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawings.