Solar capture mounting systems and methods

摘要

A partially non-rigid solar capture mounting system which reduces the risk of damage due to wind is disclosed. The solar capture mounting system includes at least one pole, a horizontal beam mounted to the pole, and at least one backing plate hanging from the horizontal beam via a pivotal connection. Examples of pivotal connection are bushings with ball bearings, hinges, steel rings and spring clips. Each of the backing plates supports at least one solar cell. Wind pressure against a backing plate pivots the backing plate about the horizontal beam such that the system experiences reduced stress and reduced risk of damage due to wind and wind carried objects.

主权项

1. Solar capture mounting system, comprising:
two vertical poles, each supported directly by the ground; a plurality of horizontal beams mounted to the vertical poles, the plurality of horizontal beams being collectively formed from a single cable threaded through holes in the two vertical poles, the holes passing through the entirety of the vertical poles, the single cable forming vertical portions between two of the plurality of horizontal beams at an outer surface of the vertical pole opposite a plurality of backing plates; and the plurality of backing plates each hanging, at a top edge of each backing plate, from and underneath a respective one of the plurality of horizontal beams, each backing plate supporting at least one solar cell and being responsive to wind pressure to pivot about the horizontal beam wherein a bottom edge of a first backing plate of the plurality of backing plates is free to move independently from a bottom edge of a second adjacent backing plate of the plurality of backing plates such that the first backing plate is capable of swinging independently of the second adjacent backing plate in response to the wind pressure.