Patent ID: 7847185
Filing Date: 2010-12-07
Classification: F24S,H02S,Y02B,Y02E

Abstract:
1. A light-weight photovoltaic system, comprising: a substructure; a plurality of substantially rectangular photovoltaic modules arranged in a mutually abutting relationship in rows and columns on the substructure, each photovoltaic module comprising a photovoltaic panel disposed with a predetermined spacing on a self-supporting lightweight board disposed on the substructure, the lightweight board being water pervious and including a substantially water repellant material; a frame member disposed on opposite sides of each photovoltaic panel having a first surface with a recess; a clamping system including a clamping block having an extension at opposite surfaces thereof and configured for insertion into the recesses of the frame members of abutting photovoltaic panels; a tension cable system including a tension cable extending along at least one of the rows and columns, wherein the clamping system and the tension cable system secure an intersection between the rows and columns of the abutting photovoltaic modules, and wherein the clamping block includes a throughbore and the tension cable is disposed in the throughbore.