SOLAR PANEL BALLASTED GROUND SUPPORT SYSTEMS

摘要

A structure, system and method for the in situ ballasting of solar panel ground support structures, the method, system and structures comprising the positioning of supporting posts or anchoring elements therefor within a peripherally enclosing frame constructed of removable interfitting plates, with the frame having an open top and preferably open bottom, on the ground at a final solar panel array supporting position. The supporting posts or anchoring elements therefor are vertically aligned and maintained in position relative to each other and a ballast material, such as concrete, is poured into the enclosing frame around the supporting posts or anchoring elements therefor in the final solar panel supporting position thereof with the ballast material being allowed to harden. A solar panel support structure is constructed with the solar panel support structure being ballasted, in final solar panel array position, in situ. Thereafter solar panels are placed on the ballasted support structure to provide the solar panel array.

主权项

1. A method for the in situ ballasting of solar panel array support structures in a ground support system, the method comprises the steps of:
i. removably building and positioning at least one peripherally enclosing reusable frame element having an open top and an open or closed bottom, on the ground, with encircling walls of the at least one frame element being positioned to peripherally enclose a final solar panel supporting position of one or more supporting posts or anchoring elements therefor; ii. positioning the one or more supporting posts or anchoring elements therefor within the at least one frame element and substantially vertically aligning the one or more supporting posts or anchoring elements therefor, for the solar panel with each other within the at least one frame element; iii. providing the supporting posts or anchoring elements therefor with at least one post support member, with the post support member being configured to maintain the at least one post support or anchoring element therefor in a fixed relative position to the ground, for support of a solar panel array, at the final solar panel supporting position thereof respectively; iv. repeating steps i-iii, as required, for a desired number of supporting posts or anchoring elements therefor for support of the solar panel array; v. connecting appropriate supporting posts to provide structural support for the solar panel array to be placed thereon; and vi. filling the frame elements around the supporting posts or anchoring elements therefor either before or after step v, with a ballast material, in the final solar panel supporting position thereof with, if necessary, the ballast material being allowed to harden to provide the ballasted solar panel support structure in situ; supportingly integrating any anchoring elements with adjacent supporting posts vii. thereafter placing solar panels on the ballasted support structure to provide the solar panel array; and viii. removing the framing element from around the ballasting material for reuse thereof.