RECONFIGURABLE SOLAR ARRAY AND METHOD OF MANAGING CROP YIELD USING THE SAME

摘要

A method and apparatus are provided that combine solar technology and agriculture in a symbiotic relationship that optimizes revenue from both sources. An array of reconfigurable solar collector assemblies is deployed in a crop field. As various crops benefit from varying degrees of shade through their development cycles, and are prone to damage from high winds and hail, the array of adaptable, reconfigurable solar collectors is deployed in the crop field and allows for the easy reconfiguration of each solar collector assembly to vary the amount of shade that is applied to the crops below the assembly, and to provide maximum hail and wind protection when necessary.

主权项

1. A reconfigurable solar collector, comprising:
a telescoping base comprising a fixed tube and a telescoping mounting post extensible from a top end of said fixed tube; a support pole removably mountable on said telescoping mounting post; and a panel array moveable from a deployed, generally horizontal position to a collapsed, generally vertical position, said panel array mounting at least one photovoltaic cell.