Stackable tracking solar collector assembly

摘要

A solar collector assembly may include a frame supporting a solar collector and a frame member defining a tilted pivot axis. Support struts may be used to elevate one end of the frame and may be pivoted between an orientation generally parallel to the frame member and to an orientation generally away from the frame. Anchorless, ballast type bases may be used to support the solar collector assembly. Several assemblies may be stacked on top of one another in a storage or transportation configuration using spacers extending between the frames.

主权项

1. A stack of solar collector assemblies comprising:
a plurality of spacers; a stack of solar collector assemblies, each solar collector assembly comprising:
a frame and a solar collector mounted to the frame, the frame having a first end and a second end, the frame comprising a frame member defining a tilt axis;solar collector having upper and lower surfaces with the upper and lower surfaces of the solar collectors of adjacent ones of the solar collector assemblies facing one another;the frame further comprising spacer engagement areas configured to engage with the spacers;a first side support coupled to the frame member towards the first end;a second side support coupled to the frame member towards the second end, the frame member being pivotally coupled to the first and second side supports to permit the solar collector module to be tilted about a tilt axis; the spacers extending between each of the solar collector assemblies so as to engage with the spacer engagement areas on adjacent solar collector module assemblies to support the solar collector module assemblies in a stacked configuration; and the second side support comprising first and second struts, each strut being coupled to the frame for pivotal movement about a first axis generally parallel to the tilt axis and about a second axis to permit the struts to be extended from a first orientation generally parallel to the frame member to a second orientation generally away from the frame during set up.