Patent ID: 8124866
Filing Date: 2012-02-28
Classification: F24S,H02S,Y02B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A method of deploying a photovoltaic module on a support surface comprising: providing a first photovoltaic module including: a first panel having first and second elongated edges that extend along an elongated axis of the panel and two transverse edges each having a length less than the length of the elongated edges and extending substantially perpendicular to the elongated axis; attaching a first attachment member to the first panel along the first elongated edge such that the first attachment member is entirely below a bottom surface of the first panel and a second attachment member to the first panel along the second elongated edge such that the second attachment member is entirely below the bottom surface of the first panel; providing a second photovoltaic module including: a second panel having third and fourth elongated edges that extend along an elongated axis of the panel and two transverse edges each having a length less than the length of the elongated edges and extending substantially perpendicular to the elongated axis; attaching a third attachment member to the second panel along the third elongated edge such that the third attachment member is entirely below a bottom surface of the second panel and a fourth attachment member to the second panel along the-fourth elongated edge such that the fourth attachment member is entirely below the bottom surface of the second panel; and coupling each of the four attachment members to respective support segments extending along a direction substantially perpendicular to the elongated axis such that each attachment member is isolated from the support surface, wherein the first and second attachment members each have a portion that extends beyond respective elongated edges of the first panel, the portions extend away from each other and being substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the first panel, and wherein the third and fourth attachment members each have a portion that extends beyond respective elongated edges of the second panel, the portions extend away from each other and being substantially parallel to the bottom surface of the second panel, and wherein the second and third attachment members are attached to the same support segments but separated from each other so as to define an opening between the first and second panels that facilitates free flow of air between the first and second panels.