Abstract:
A photovoltaic panel mounting system utilizes rubber tires to anchor and position photovoltaic panels to face the sun and resist wind forces. The shaded interior cavity of the rubber tires physically and thermally protects electronics and batteries. The tires may be filled with soil, concrete, water, or aggregate to provide further ballasting, enabling a photovoltaic mount system to withstand high velocity winds. Telescoping conduits may house wiring for the system and allow for resizing and reshaping of the mounting system. The mounting system decreases used tire waste and provides low cost components and portability.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/807,422, filed Apr. 2, 2013, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Photovoltaic module systems require a mounting system to be used need be held to face the sun and resist the forces created by wind, rain, hail, and snow. Conventional mounting rack systems utilize a rack that clamps the photovoltaic panel or modules by the edge or edge frame. The rack is then attached to beams to the mounting surface such as a roof, wall, or ground. The attachment can be through screws into the mount surface, such as ground screws into the ground, wood screws into roof joists, or bolts and nuts into steel beam roofs. The rack can also be held against the mounting surface by gravity by weighting the rack with concrete weights. Pilings or cast concrete have also been used to hold racks to the ground. 
         [0003]    These mounting systems are expensive because they use a high quantity of virgin materials and require a high energy content to manufacture and transport to the installation site. They are also labor intensive to install. 
         [0004]    These systems have typically been designed to withstand 90 mile per hour (mph) wind speeds, while situations exist in hurricane zones where photovoltaic systems may be required to resist wind forces resulting from 120 mph to 185 mph wind speeds. 
         [0005]    Battery energy storage systems and associated electronics use battery boxes located in separate structures. Energy storage in this manner requires that explosive gasses are vented from the batteries out of those structures. Because these structures are often placed in convenient locations where they receive direct sunlight or are located within a heated structure, the temperature of the storage systems may be above ideal battery operating and energy storage conditions. 
         [0006]    Needs exist for an economical mounting structure for photovoltaic panels that can withstand high wind forces and provide energy storage. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention utilizes one or more rubber tires as a mount for a photovoltaic panel. A means of securely gripping tire walls is accomplished through the use of a interposing the tire between a combination of plates, beams, bolts, rivets, harpoons, ratchets, or pins. This securing assembly holds the photovoltaic panel above the rubber tire. The rubber elastic mount performs as a shock mount, elastically distributing forces over time. This may reduce peak forces on the panel resulting from wind gusts, hail impacts, and vibrations incident on the mounting surface such as those caused by earthquakes or truck transport. 
         [0008]    A photovoltaic panel mounting system of plates and tubes attached to rubber tires to position allows photovoltaic panels to face the sun and resist wind forces. Used rubber tires have a rollable shape, strength, elasticity, weight, size, and coefficient of friction, sufficient to provide a robust and portable mount. The shaded interior cavity of the rubber tires can physically and thermally protect electronics and batteries. Filled tires with soil, concrete, water, or aggregate can provide further ballasting to enable a photovoltaic mount system to withstand high velocity winds, increase portability, and have the added advantage of utilizing discarded tires. 
         [0009]    Discarded tires can be used as a low cost ballast and structural mount for photovoltaic panels. In many areas of the world discarded rubber tires are major waste problem because they degrade very slowly in the environment, cannot be easily compacted into landfills, and are costly to disassemble due to structural toughness and complexity. Discarded rubber tires sourced from local waste sites may be used to replace virgin materials such as concrete, steel, and aluminum, significantly reducing the cost of the system. The tires may be filled with dirt or water as a ballast that is much less expensive than concrete. The ballasted mounting of the present invention allows the photovoltaic system to be fielded or moved with significantly smaller site penetration than conventional ground penetration mounting, such as concrete footers or pilings. The ballasted mounting assemblies of the present invention may be suitable for roofs, fallow agricultural fields, pastures, mud flats, and brown sites (landfills and hazardous material burial sites). 
         [0010]    The tires may be filled with concrete and enable a central tube or pole to be mounted to the tire. The central tube or pole enables the ballasted tire to be leveraged with a tube and rolled. Rubber tires and filled rubber tires can also be lifted and transported with machinery such as forklifts, because when a tire on its side may present a wedge opening at the base where the steel forks can slip under the tire. A concrete filled tire with a central tube can be used as ground pad ballast for photovoltaic array mounting. A rotation shaft can be mounted on the central tube structure to provide a rotational photovoltaic mount. Struts can be mounted to the central tube to provide a truss structure for photovoltaic mounting systems. 
         [0011]    To achieve cooling flow around the photovoltaic panel and to orient the photovoltaic panel toward the sun, the panel may be elevated above the rubber tire through the means of struts, beams, posts, pedestals, or plates. This elevation means can be attached to the rubber tires to position the photovoltaic panels above the rubber tires. The elevation means, reinforced mounting of the panels, and ballasting may be sufficiently robust to withstand the forces of high winds from 90 mph to 185 mph. 
         [0012]    The sheltered and shaded interior of the tire can be used to store electrical components, batteries, ballast, pumps, and water. Many electronics and batteries perform optimally in a temperature range of roughly 0° C. to 25° C. This temperature range is close to the average ground temperature in many parts of the world. By thermally coupling the electronics to the ground and sheltering them from air flow and direct heating from the sun, optimal performance is achievable in many parts of the world. Furthermore, temperature stability may be improved by painting the tire with a coating that reflects visible light and filling the interior or side cavities of the tire with a material that has high thermal capacity, such as water or hydrating salts. Packing the interior cavity of the tire with thermal insulation and placing insulation over the center of the tire can further enhance the temperature stability of the cavity. Radiating heat into the night sky while blocking the infrared emissions from the photovoltaic panel during the day can also cool of the sheltered cavity. Ventilating the sheltered cavity only when outside air temperatures drops below the ground average temperature the cavity can also decrease the average temperature of the cavity. 
         [0013]    Wiring can be connected between the between tire mounted photovoltaic modules and outside electrical connections via telescoping conduit tubes. Clamps may secure the conduits to photovoltaic modules and enable adjustable spacing between photovoltaic modules. The telescoping conduit may also enable electrical connections to be placed inside the conduit and slack electrical wiring to be coiled inside the conduit, thus avoiding protecting wiring from exposure to extreme temperatures. The telescoping electrical conduit is mounted to the photovoltaic panels above the rubber tire and may avoid running wiring underground. This is useful where burial of wiring is extra expense or forbidden, such as on brown field sites. 
         [0014]    These and further and other objects and features of the invention are apparent in the disclosure, which includes the above and ongoing written specification, with the drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0015]      FIG. 1  shows a cross-sectional view of a photovoltaic panel mounted to a rubber tire. 
           [0016]      FIG. 2  shows an enlarged cross-sectional view of the mounting device and rubber tire. 
           [0017]      FIG. 3  shows a back view of a photovoltaic panel mounted on a rubber tire. 
           [0018]      FIG. 4  shows a cross-sectional view of a soil filled rubber tire mount. 
           [0019]      FIG. 5  shows a cross-sectional view of a concrete filled rubber tire mount. 
           [0020]      FIG. 6  shows a cross-sectional view of a center post mounted two-axis tracking array with friction drive. 
           [0021]      FIG. 7  shows a battery placed in the central cavity of a tire and ground thermal contact. 
           [0022]      FIG. 8  shows telescoping conduit tubing. 
           [0023]      FIG. 9  shows a water bladder ballasted tire mount. 
           [0024]      FIG. 10  shows a polar axis rotating photovoltaic panel mount with multiple rubber tire pads. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0025]    Several embodiments of the invention are illustrated with variations in assembly and arrangement. The following numbers identify elements within the drawings: 
         [0026]      FIG. 1  Cross-sectional view of photovoltaic panel mounted to rubber tire.
     1 . Sliding nut     2 . Channel beam (Unistrut)     3 . Photovoltaic panel glass and photovoltaic cells laminate     4 . Channel beam (Unistrut)     5 . Sliding nut     6 . Bolt     7 . Bent plate     8 . Hanger flange     9 . Drain hole     10 . Interior of tire     11 . Side wall of tire     12 . Drain hole     13 . Hanger flange     14 . Blind rivet expansion end     15 . Blind rivet flush head     16 . Bolt     17 . Metal tube     18 . Bent plate     19 . Bolt     20 . Nut     21 . Air flow holes in heat sink fin     22 . Back surface of photovoltaic heat sink fin     23 . Bolt     24 . Plate     25 . Bolt     26 . Cross-section of tube     27 . Bolt     28 . Plate     29 . Bent plate     30 . Nut     31 . Nut     32 . Nut     33 . Glue bead     34 . Glue bead     35 . Tire wall     36 . Bent plate     37 . Micro-inverter     38 . DC electrical wire     39 . DC electrical wire   
 
         [0066]      FIG. 2  Cross-sectional enlarged view of mounting to rubber tire
     40 . Bolt head     41 . Bent plate     42 . Flat plate     43 . Washer     44 . Bolt     45 . Nut     46 . Tire side wall     47 . Rivet flush head     48 . Rivet expanded     49 . Hanger flange     50 . Flared rivet end     51 . Hanger flange     52 . Flared rivet end     53 . Washer     54 . Bolt     55 . Tube strut   
 
         [0083]      FIG. 3  Back side view of photovoltaic panel mounted on rubber tire
     56 . Micro-inverter     57 . DC electrical wire     58 . DC electrical wire     59 . Panel junction box     60 . Bent plate     61 . Bolt     62 . Sliding nut     63 . Bolt     64 . Tube strut     65 . Channel beam (Unistrut)     66 . Hole in Channel beam     67 . Heat sink fin     68 . Tube strut     69 . Sliding washer     70 . Bolt     71 . Bent plate     72 . Side Channel beam     73 . Hole in Channel beam     74 . Bolt     75 . Bent plate     76 . Bent plate     77 . White painted rubber tire     78 . Tube strut     79 . Bolt     80 . Slit in telescoping conduit     81 . Band clamp     82 . Small diameter telescoping conduit     83 . Large diameter telescoping conduit     84 . Band clamp     85 . Band clamp     86 . Side Channel beam     87 . Bolt     88 . Channel beam     89 . Head of rivet     90 . Tube strut     91 . Photovoltaic panel   
 
         [0120]      FIG. 4  Cross-sectional view of soil filled rubber tire mount
     100 . Soil fill     101 . Air gap     102 . Air gap     103 . Ground screw     104 . Slot washer     105 . Slot washer     106 . Ground screw     107 . Slot washer     108 . Slot washer   
 
         [0130]      FIG. 5  Cross-sectional view of concrete filled tire
     110 . Ground     111 . Center tube     112 . Concrete fill     113 . Bubble in tire     114 . Bubble in tire above concrete     115 . Tire     116 . Ground screws     117 . Ground screw head     118 . Slot washer     119 . Slot washer     120 . Hole in tire for bolt     121 . Blind rivet     122 . Blind rivet     123 . Hanger flange   
 
         [0145]      FIG. 6  Cross-sectional view of center post mounted 2-axis tracking array with friction drive
     125 . Lipless edge seal (fillet)     126 . Photovoltaic laminate: glass, photovoltaic cells and encapsulants     127 . Outer tube bearing     128 . Inner tube bearing shaft     129 . Motor mount     130 . Lipless edge     131 . Shaft tilt motor     132 . Electric motor rotor     133 . Electric motor stator     134 . Motor bearing     135 . Motor bearing     136 . Motor shaft     137 . Friction wheel     138 . Rotor of motor     139 . Stator of motor     140 . Tilt rotation traction surface and panel support frame     141 . Air flow holes   
 
         [0163]      FIG. 7  Battery placed in tire central cavity and ground thermal contact
     150 . Top cover for battery compartment     151 . Battery case     152 . Battery electrode     153 . Battery electrolyte     154 . Physical and thermal contact between battery container and battery     155 . Vent hole     156 . Vent of battery compartment     157 . Vent between tire cavity and outside air     158 . Lower battery box     159 . Upper laminate actuator valve     160 . Apertures in battery compartment cover     161 . Lower laminate actuator valve     162 . Water or gel     163 . Bladder wall     164 . Electronics     165 . Water collection channel   
 
         [0180]      FIG. 8  Telescoping conduit tubing
     175 . High voltage electrical wiring     176 . Band clamp     177 . Band clamp     178 . Smaller diameter tube     179 . Electrical wire bend     180 . Metal plate with holes     181 . Band clamp     182 . Outer tube     183 . Band clamp     184 . Slit in outer tube     185 . Slit in outer tube     186 . Outer tube     187 . Bolt cross section     188 . Metal plate with holes     189 . Dielectric insulation on electrical wire     190 . Electrical connector   
 
         [0197]      FIG. 9  Water bladder ballasted tire mount
     220 . Wheel     221 . Water or water gel     222 . Bladder     223 . Air volume   
 
         [0202]      FIG. 10  Polar axis rotating photovoltaic panel mount with multiple rubber tire pads
     250 . Rubber tire     251 . Concrete or wheel     252 . Securing bolt into tire assembly     253 . Bolt in tube strut     254 . Bent plate     255 . Tube     256 . Beam cross     257 . Axial nut or snap ring     258 . Axial nut or snap ring     259 . Axial rod     260 . Axial nut or snap ring     261 . Axil nut or snap ring     262 . Twisted bent plate     263 . Twisted or bent plate     264 . Telescoping back tube strut     265 . Telescoping back tube strut     266 . Bolt     267 . Hole     268 . Rubber tire mount     269 . Rubber tire mount     270 . Rubber tire mount     271 . Rubber tire mount     272 . Horizontal strut     273 . Horizontal strut     274 . Horizontal strut     275 . Horizontal strut     276 . Horizontal strut     277 . Horizontal strut     278 . Horizontal strut     279 . Ground     280 . Elevated strut     281 . Elevated strut     282 . Elevated strut     283 . Bent plate     284 . Bent plate     285 . Bent plate     286 . Smaller diameter tube strut     287 . Bolt   
 
         [0241]      FIG. 1  shows a photovoltaic panel  3  mounted to a rubber tire  35 . The photovoltaic panel  3  has a heat sink fin  22  mounted to the back side of the photovoltaic panel  3  to cool and strengthen the panel  3 . Heat sink fins  22  are glued to the back of the panel  3  with a stress relief structure and a heat sink fin backing, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 8,537,554. Holes  21  in the heat sink fins  22  allow cooling air flow through the fins  22  and reduce the boundary layer of air flowing across the surface of the fins  22 . A channel beam frame  2 ,  4  goes around the photovoltaic panel  3  on the back side of the laminate and is glued to the frame  2 ,  4  such that the edge of the laminate is covered and the surface flush with the glass outer surface of the laminate. The heat sink fins  22  are welded or glued to the channel beam frame  2 ,  4 . The flush or lipless front surface may prevent water, snow, and dirt from collecting on the edges of the photovoltaic panels  3  and obscuring light reaching the photovoltaic panels  3 . The channel beam frame  2 ,  4  is gripped between sliding nuts  1 ,  5 , bolts  6 ,  19 , and the bent plates  7 ,  18  with holes in them. The sliding nuts  1 ,  5  enable the plates  7 ,  18  to be slid along the edge of the panels  3 . 
         [0242]    A plate  36  is mounted on the lower edge of the photovoltaic panel  3  and attaches to a micro-inverter  37 . The DC electrical output of the photovoltaic panel  3  is delivered through wires  38 ,  39  to the micro inverter  37 . In one embodiment, voltages in the direct current (DC) electrical wires  38 ,  39  are below 40 volts and do not pose a significant shock hazard. Additionally, the wires  38 ,  39  may be prevented from extending out from the perimeter of the photovoltaic panel  3 , avoiding accidental tripping, crushing, breaching, or shocking animals or personnel. The DC wires  38 ,  39  are not covered by a conduit. 
         [0243]    In one embodiment, the alternating current (AC) output of the micro-inverter  37  is typically 240 volts and needs to traverse between multiple photovoltaic panels  3  and the electrical load or power grid connection. Thus, the AC wires  175  are covered with a plastic or metal conduit  182  to prevent accidental tripping, crushing, breaching, or shocking animals or personnel. The electrical conduit  182  is shown in cross section and has a band clamp  176  that attaches to a plate  180 . The plate  180  is attached to the attachment plates  36  on the micro inverter  37  and the channel beam frame  4  of the photovoltaic panel  3 . Bolting and securing the electrical conduit provides strain relief protection of the AC electrical wiring  175 . 
         [0244]    Bent plates  7 ,  18 ,  24 ,  28 ,  29 , are attached with bolts  19 ,  20 ,  25 ,  27 , and nuts  30 ,  31 ,  32  to tubes  17 ,  26  to form strut positioning supports for the photovoltaic panel  3  on the rubber tire  35 . The strut positioning supports further facilitate tilting the panel. The tubes  17 ,  26  and plates  7 ,  18   24 ,  28 ,  29  are bolted to the tire  35 . 
         [0245]    Discarded tires  35  are prepared for use as a mount by drilling a plurality of holes in the tire. In one embodiment, eight holes are drilled in the tire  35 . In  FIG. 1 , only two holes  9 ,  12  are shown. The holes  9 ,  12  drilled in the tire sidewall  35  facing the ground side may be used to drain water that collects in the interior  10  of the rubber tire  35 . The side of the tire  35  facing away from the ground may have a central threaded hole and two side holes and may support one or more Hanger flanges  8 ,  13 . 
         [0246]    Small holes to accommodate rivets  14 ,  15  may be drilled in the side wall  11  of the rubber tire  35 . The rivets  14 ,  15  are driven through the side wall  11  and expanded on the other side of the Hanger flange  8 ,  13  to secure the Hanger flange  8 ,  13  to the interior of the rubber tire  35 . Bolts  16 ,  23  may pass through the Hanger flange  8 , 13  and the bent plates  7 ,  24 ,  28 ,  29  to attach them together. 
         [0247]    By securing the threaded plates  8 ,  13  to the inside of the tire  35  with flush rivets  14 ,  15 , the struts may not require bolts. This may allow the tire  35  to have a smooth outer surface that may facilitate rolling without catching. Such a smooth outer surface may not be possible if threaded bolts were attached to the side wall of the tire  35 . A plate or large washer would be used to distribute the force over the surface of the tire  35 . The plate or large washer and one or more bent plates may grip the side walls of the tire  35 . 
         [0248]    An enlarged cross-sectional view of the plate mounting to the wall of the rubber tire is shown in  FIG. 2 . Holes are drilled in the sidewall  46  of the rubber tire  35 . A large hole to accommodate a bolt  53  is drilled into the sidewall  46  as well as two smaller holes to accommodate rivet attachments  47 ,  48 ,  50 ,  51 . Hanger flange  49  is placed on the inside wall of the tire  46  and two blind rivets  47 ,  48 ,  50 ,  51  secure the Hanger flange  49  from the outside of the tire by expanding the rivet end  48 ,  50  on the outer surface of the Hanger flange  49 . 
         [0249]    Placing the Hanger flange  49  on the inside of the tire side wall  46  may allow the outer surface of the tire  35  to remain smooth, with only flush rivet heads  47 ,  51  exposed on the outside of the tire  35 . This outer smooth surface of the tire may enable the tire  35  to be trucked and rolled into placement without significantly snagging or catching external surfaces. 
         [0250]    To field the tire mount for photovoltaic panels  3 , the tire  35  is rolled into place and tube-plate struts  40 ,  41 ,  42 ,  43 ,  44 ,  45 ,  54 ,  55  are secured over the Hanger flange  49  by a bolt  53  and washer  52  through holes in the plates and threaded into the Hanger flange  49  clamping to the side wall  46  of the rubber tire  35 . 
         [0251]    In the enlarged cross-sectional view of  FIG. 2 , the cross-section goes between the horizontal plate  42  and tube strut  54  that go between the tire mounts. The vertically rising plate tube strut  55  goes to the edge of the photovoltaic panel  3 . The plates  41 ,  42  are secured to the tubes  54 ,  55  by means of bolts  44  with bolt heads  40 , nuts  45 , and washers  43 . The bolts  44  pass through holes in the plates  41 ,  42  and tubes  54 ,  55  and clamps the plates on the interior curving surface of the tubes  54 ,  55 . The plates  41 ,  42  center themselves on the interior curving surfaces of the tubes  54 ,  55 . When the nuts  45  and bolts  44  are tightened, they deform the tubes  54 ,  55  to create cradles for the plates  41 ,  42 , preventing the plates  41 ,  42  from rotating around the single bolts  44 . The vertical plate  41  is bent to enable the plate  42  to lay flat on the tire bolting point, and the tube  55  tilts up toward the attachment point on the photovoltaic panel  3 . 
         [0252]      FIG. 3  shows the backside view of the photovoltaic panel  91  mounted on a rubber tire  77 . The rubber tire  77  may be painted with a white reflective paint on the outer exposed surfaces that contains titanium dioxide pigments. Painting the tire  77  may aid to reflect UV light and reduce the temperature of the interior cavity of the tire  77 , and to absorb UV light and extend the life of the tire  77 . Other colors of paint may be used to match esthetic desires. 
         [0253]    Bent plates  75 ,  76  are bolted to the side walls of the rubber tire  77 . The plates  75 ,  76  are bolted to the tube struts  68 ,  78 ,  64 . Tube struts  68 ,  78 ,  64  are attached with plates  60 ,  71 , bolts  61 ,  63 ,  70 ,  87 , and sliding nuts  62 ,  69  to the channel beams  65 ,  88  of the photovoltaic panel  91 . 
         [0254]    In one embodiment, the tube struts  68 ,  78 ,  64 ,  90  are placed on a truck tire with a diameter of 44 inches. The placement and angles of the struts  68 ,  78 ,  64 ,  90  were chosen to increase the stiffness of the mounting structure, such that the natural resonate frequency is greater than three Hertz, much higher than a one Hertz aerodynamic oscillation flutter regime for a rectangular panel  91  of 30 by 60 inches. 
         [0255]    The horizontal struts  78 ,  90  provide stiffness against rolling motion into the rubber tire  77  that can occur if the horizontal strut is not used. Such a rolling motion may lead to potentially damaging twisting stresses on the edge of the frame  88  of the photovoltaic panel  91 . 
         [0256]    For low cost and high strength performance, the channel beams  65 ,  72 ,  86 ,  88  and heat sink fins  67  are made of galvanized steel. In high corrosion environments such as marine environments, or where light-weight materials are needed, channel beams  65 ,  72 ,  86 ,  88  and heat sink fins  67  may be made from aluminum or fiberglass plastic resin composites (obtainable from Unistrut, 4205 Elizabeth, Wayne, Mich. 48184). A fiberglass composite is a dielectric and may not require grounding of the edge frame  65 , 72 , 88 , 86 . A range of materials is possible for the channels beams  65 ,  72 ,  86 ,  88 , plates  62 ,  71 ,  75 ,  76 ,  90 , tubes  64 ,  68 ,  78 ,  90 , nuts, and bolts  61 ,  62 ,  63 ,  69 ,  70 ,  87 ,  74 ,  75  to meet environmental needs, conditions of the application, and system performance. Such materials include painted steel, galvanized steel, aluminum, polyvinylchloride (PVC), plastic, nylon, polyester, and glass fiber reinforced polymer resins. Plastic components with dielectric properties can useful in some applications where non-corroding and non-electrical conduction is useful. 
         [0257]    The channel beams  65 ,  72 ,  86 ,  88 , and fins  67  have holes  66 ,  73  drilled in them to allow air flow across the back of the photovoltaic panels  91 . Holes are also drilled into the tube struts  64 ,  68 ,  78 ,  90  and rectangular plates  60 ,  71 ,  75 ,  76 . Bolts  63 ,  87 ,  74  attach plates  60 ,  71 ,  75 ,  76  to the inside of the tube struts  64 ,  68 ,  78 ,  90  with the use of nuts and washers. 
         [0258]    The position of the bolt point in the tube struts  64 ,  68 ,  78 ,  90  can be adjusted to allow different mounting angles of the photovoltaic panel  91  in relation to the plane of the rubber tire  77 . The length of the tubes  64 , 68  can be cut to match the desired tilt in the photovoltaic panels  91 . Sliding and securing the slider nuts  62 ,  69  at different positions along the channel beam  65  allows adjustment of the tilt on the photovoltaic panel  91 . 
         [0259]    The channel beams  65 ,  72 ,  86 ,  88 , if formed from steel or aluminum, may be welded at the corners. Heat sink fins  67  made with sheet metal or expanded metal mesh (steel or aluminum) may be attached to the back of the photovoltaic panel  91  and spot welded. 
         [0260]    The DC electrical output from the photovoltaic panel comes out through a junction box  59  mounted on the photovoltaic panel  91 . The DC electrical output from the junction box goes to the micro-inverter  56  through two electrical cables  57 ,  58 . The high voltage output of the micro-inverter  56  is delivered into wires inside the telescoping electrical conduit  90 ,  83 ,  82  which may be formed from PVC, plastic, or galvanized steel. The telescoping electrical conduit  90 ,  83 ,  82  is secured with band clamps  81 ,  84 ,  85  that hold ends of the larger diameter of the conduit  83 ,  90  and slides over the smaller diameter of the conduit tubing  82 . The outer tube  83  is slotted  80  on four sides of the end of the tube to allow the band clamp  81  to squeeze the outer tube  83  and reduce the diameter of the outer tube to grip the inner conduit tube  82 . During assembly, paraffin wax or Teflon powder may be rubbed on the surface the inner tube  82  to avoid sticking and repel water ingress. 
         [0261]    In  FIG. 4 , the photovoltaic panel  3  is mounted on a rubber tire  11 . The tire cavity  10  is filled with dirt  100  to weight the tire down and resist wind force tending to lift the photovoltaic panel  3 . The unfilled tire  11  can be pushed over the ground, and the ground can be shaped to position the tire  35  at a desired position and tilt angle before filling tire cavity  10  to preserve the position. Filling the tire cavity  10  with soil also secures the tire to the ground to reduce settling or sliding movement, and discourages theft by increasing the weight of the entire assembly. A typical discarded truck tire  11  weighs 140 lbs. Loading the tire  11  with dirt can increase the weight of the tire  11  to 840 lbs. and the total weight with the panel  3  to 960 lbs. 
         [0262]    Air gaps  101 ,  102  may be left inside the tire cavity  10  next to the Hanger flanges  8 ,  13  to avoid fouling the Hanger flanges  8 ,  13  and bolts  16 , 23 . The entire bolt  2 ,  6 ,  16 ,  19 ,  20 ,  23 ,  25 ,  30  connections can be welded or locked with glue to also avoid loosening and theft. 
         [0263]    Maximum upward lift force that a photovoltaic panel  3  could experience was predicted by assuming an air foil shape of NACA 23012 with a coefficient of maximum lift of 1.7, air temperature of 16° C., and air pressure of 1 Bar. The maximum wind speeds expected from United States building codes range from 90 mph to 120-185 mph in hurricane zones. The lift on a typical rectangular photovoltaic panel  3  with dimensions of 30 by 60 inches (1.26 square meters) is 844 lbs. in a 90 mile per hour (mph) wind speed. Therefore, dirt filling the rubber tire  11  will meet the ballasting needed for 90 mph zoned areas. 
         [0264]    For hurricane zones, the uplift force for a photovoltaic panel  3  could be as high as 1500 lbs. for 120 mph wind speeds and 3600 lbs. for 185 mph wind speeds. In this case, a greater securing force than dirt filling the tire  11  will be needed to hold the system to the ground. Ground screws  103 ,  106  may be run through the drain holes  9 ,  12  in the bottom of the tire  11  and slotted washers  107 ,  108  may be inserted under the top ends of the ground screws  103 ,  106 . The drain holes  9 , 12  in the side wall of the tire  11  may also be used to drain water from the tire cavity  11 . 
         [0265]      FIG. 5  shows a tire  115  filled with concrete  112 ,  113 . A central tube  111  is placed in the center of the tire  115 . Concrete  112  has a density roughly twice that of dry dirt, thus enabling the ballasting of a truck tire  115  to reach 1600 lbs. to 1700 lbs. This weight may be sufficient to hold a panel down in a 120 mph wind speed. 
         [0266]    The concrete can be cast on soil with a polyethylene sheet to contain the bottom center of the tire  115  as a form. A central tube  111  is placed with a plug in the bottom of the tube and a removable plastic plug. Plastic or steel bolts with Teflon or wax coating may be threaded into the Hanger flanges  123  to avoid ingress of concrete  112  into the Hanger flanges  123 . A void  114  may be created inside the tire  115  when filling the tire  115  with concrete  112  to avoid fouling or blocking access to the Hanger flanges  123 . Removable plastic plugs are placed in the drain holes  9  on the tire side walls. Once the concrete  112  is set, the drain plugs and tube plug are removed. 
         [0267]    The tire  115  may be pried and rolled using the central tube  111  and an axial tube or rod. The central tube enables the pry and roll moving steps so that several workers may be able to move the heavy tire  115  and mounts into position on a solar energy collection site. By using a ramp and an axial through the central tube  111 , the tire  115  and mounts can be loaded into and unloaded from trucks. 
         [0268]    Once the tires  115  are placed at the solar energy collection site, photovoltaic panels  3  can be mounted to the tire  115  through the bolts attaching to the Hanger flanges  123  inside the side walls of the rubber tire  115 . Securing the Hanger flanges  123  to the tire  115  may be achieved through the use of blind rivets  121 ,  122 , expanding bolts, ratchet bolts, harpoons, casting in concrete nuts or studs, or adhesives. 
         [0269]    To withstand the maximum lift forces of 185 mph wind speeds, ground screws  116  can be placed in the center tube  111 , screwed into the ground  110 , and secured with two slot washers  118 ,  119  under the head  117  of the ground screw  116 . Ground screws  116  could also be screwed into the ground and the concrete filled tire  115  placed over the head  117  of the ground screw with two slot washers  118 ,  119  secured to the surface of the concrete and tube  111 . To increase the height and weight of the tire mounts  115 , tires or tire mounts  115  may be bolted together through the center tubes  111  in stacks or bolted together through side wall holes  9 . 
         [0270]      FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of a tire  11  mount filled with concrete  112 ,  113 . A central axial post  128  is cast into the concrete  112 , filling the rubber tire  11 . The central axial post  128  may have dents, bumps, or protuberances to enable concrete  112  to securely grip the central post. The central post  128  may have a bearing cap end that fits within an outer journal sleeve  127 . A plate or box  129  is made as part of the outer journal sleeve  127 , and friction wheel motors  131 ,  132 ,  133 ,  134 ,  135 ,  136 ,  137 ,  138 ,  139  are attached to the outer edges of the plate or box  129 . The first two directional electric motors as shown with bearings  134 ,  135 , rotor  138 , and stator  139  will drive the photovoltaic panel assembly  125 ,  126 ,  129 ,  130 ,  140  and journal sleeve  127  in azimuthal rotation with a friction wheel  137  in contact on the rubber surface of tire side wall  11 . The second motor  131 ,  132 ,  133 , with shaft  131 , rotor  132  and stator  133  with friction wheel contact to the rotation frame  140 , drives changes in the tilt of the panel mount frame. Ventilation holes  141  are placed in the panel mount frame  140  to allow air flow crosswise across the back of the photovoltaic panel  126 . The panel mount frame  140  supports and is glue bonded to the back of the photovoltaic panel laminate  126 . A lipless bead of glue  125 ,  130  is shown protecting the edge of the photovoltaic panel  126  and being flush to the surface of the photovoltaic panel  126 . 
         [0271]      FIG. 7  shows a cross-sectional view of the photovoltaic panel  3  mounted on a rubber tire  35  with a battery  151  and electronics disposed inside the tire cavity and mounted to the ground. In this embodiment example, the photovoltaic laminate  3  is secured to the side walls  11  of the rubber tire  35  with Hanger flanges  8 ,  13 , bolts  6 ,  16 ,  19 ,  20 ,  23 ,  25 ,  27 ,  30 , nuts  31 ,  32 , rivets  14 ,  15 , tube struts  17 ,  26 , channel beams  2 ,  4 , slider nuts, and the back side heat sink fins  22 , with ventilation holes  21 . 
         [0272]    A battery compartment  158 ,  150  which may be made of plastic or metal is shown secured with the bolts  25 ,  27  on the lateral tube  26  strut plates  24 ,  28 . The battery compartment  158 ,  150  could also be secured to separate holes in the strut plates  24 ,  28  or the tire grip bolts  16 ,  23 . The battery compartment  158 ,  150  may be placed within the central cavity of the tire  10  with a lip that rests on the inner rim wall  157  of the rubber tire  35 . In this case, the battery compartment  158 ,  150  may not be attached to the plates  24 ,  28  or struts  26 . A battery  151  and electronics  164  may be placed in the battery box  158 ,  150 . 
         [0273]    The battery compartment  158 ,  150  and battery  151  may be arranged to have a low center of gravity such that if the tire side wall cavity  10  were filled with a buoyant material, the system could stably float. This includes that the battery compartment may extend bellow the lower plane of the tire  35  and into the dirt  100 . The electrode  152  and electrolyte  153  of the battery  151  are shown in cross section in  FIG. 7 . 
         [0274]    A gas vent  155  is shown on the battery case  151  and vent on the side of the battery box  156 . A vent route along the inner tire rim  155  out of the tire cavity  10  is needed to allow hydrogen and other gases to diffuse from the battery  151  to the outside air and dissipate before gases build up to an explosive concentration inside the battery case  151 , the battery compartment  158 ,  150  and the tire cavity  10 . 
         [0275]    A battery box cover  150  is placed over the battery  151  and protects the battery  151  and or electronics  164  from blown rain and dust. The battery box cover  150  is shown with a convex cover in the cross sectional view, but the cover may also be largely concave and provide a water flow route that would enable dust and water to flow off the cover and channel water, past the battery box  158 , and toward the ground  100 . The battery box  158  and battery  151  are shown resting on the ground  100 . Thermal contact  154  between the battery and the ground  100  enables the battery  151  to dissipate heat in charging and discharge into the thermal mass of the ground. 
         [0276]    The central space under the photovoltaic panel  3  is shadowed from direct sunshine while the panel  3  can view and radiate to the sky. Thus, such a space may be cooled by radiation to the night sky and not heated by direct sunlight may stay cooler than the surroundings. The temperature difference can be increased by blocking and reducing the heat transfer from the surrounding air and materials that are heated by sunlight. By using the air spaces  10  inside the tire  35  as conduction thermal insulation or filling these spaces with thermal insulation, the space between the cover  150  and the battery  151  can be kept cooler than the surroundings. The battery box cover  150  may be transparent to infrared radiation to enhance the radiant cooling effect and increase air flow to cool the battery box when outside air temperatures fall. A baffled or collimating cover that has an infrared view of the sky and blocks the view of the back of the photovoltaic panel may enhance this radiation heat loss effect. 
         [0277]    Laminate Actuator Valves  159 ,  160 ,  161  of U.S. Pat. No. 8,156,170 may be part of the cover  150  of the battery case  158 . The Laminate Actuator Valves  159 ,  160 ,  161  may preferentially open when air temperatures drop to radiantly cool the surface of the battery and may close when air temperatures are high, blocking radiant heat to the battery  151  from the back of the photovoltaic panel  3 ,  22  and the sky. The laminate actuators  159 , on apertures  160  as part of the battery box cover  150  may also permit air flow through the battery box  150 ,  158  when exterior air temperatures are low. A second barrier membrane of actuator valves  161  on the apertures  160  as part of the battery box cover  150  may close if temperatures drop below a set threshold to avoid excessive cooling at night. In colder climate regions, where only elevation of the average battery and electronics temperature is needed, the laminate actuators valves  159 ,  160 ,  161  could be set to open only when temperatures rise above a set threshold. 
         [0278]    The battery  151  and electronics box  150 ,  158  could be used to store water  162  that is collected from the runoff of the photovoltaic panel  3 . The water  162  may pass from the lower edge of the panel  3  through a channel  165  into the bladder  163  with low evaporation rates due to the low average temperature and largely sealed environment. Water filled bags  163 , containers, or phase change materials may be packed in alongside the battery  151  or electronics to increase the thermal stability and heat dissipation characteristics of the central cavity. Food and medicines may be stored in the battery box  150 ,  158  to keep them cool and extend their preservation time. Metal plates or heat pipe plates may form part of the floor  154  or walls  156  of the battery cavity to dissipate heat throughout the battery cavity. 
         [0279]      FIG. 8  shows a cross-sectional view of a telescoping electrical conduit  82 . The telescoping electrical conduit  82  may be formed from two polyvinylchloride (PVC) or steel conduit pipes, where the inside diameter of the larger pipes  186 ,  182  is sufficiently large to allow the inner pipe  178  to slip inside. In one embodiment example, typical clearances are PVC schedule 80 (0.225 inch wall thickness). The larger pipe  186 ,  182  may have a 1.90 inch inside diameter and the inner pipe may have a 1.88 inch outside diameter, resulting in a 0.010 inch average wall clearance. In a second embodiment example, steel conduit pipe wall with a thickness of 0.0625 inches may be used, with an outer pipe  186 ,  182  having an inside diameter of 2.275 inches and an inner pipe  178  having an outside diameter of 2.20 inches, resulting in an average wall clearance of 0.037 inches. In installations using PVC tubing, the surface may be lubricated with a coating of Teflon powder to reduce sticking. Teflon powder also makes the joints very hydrophobic so as to repel water ingress. 
         [0280]    The ends of the tubes  182 ,  186  that are slid over the inner conduit pipe  178  are slotted  184 ,  185  with a cut 0.125 inches wide on four opposite sides and back four inches along the pipe. Band clamps  175 ,  177 ,  181 ,  183  are slipped over the pipes. These band clamps  175 ,  177 ,  181 ,  183  may be glued or welded to the ends of the pipes  182 ,  186  to make installations and adjustments more convenient. The band clamps  176 ,  181  at the end of the pipe assemblies bolt to a four hole plate  180 ,  188  that is then bolted to the plate that holds the micro-inverters and the photovoltaic panels. The telescoping electrical conduit  82  may be installed with dielectric insulated  189 , metallic electrical cable  175 , or cables pulled through the conduit with the outer diameter tubes  182 ,  186  and then pulled over the inner tube  178 . Micro-inverters  37  typically come with a stock size cable  175  and connectors  190  built into the inverter that will enable most manufactured photovoltaic panels  3  to be placed side-by-side with a length of excess cable  175 . 
         [0281]    The telescoping conduit  82  may have extra space inside to accommodate coiling the excess cable  175  inside the conduit and  82  to avoid exposing the cable  175  to UV light exposure and unintentional contact. The telescoping conduit  82  can adjust the distance between the micro-inverters  37  to accommodate a range of distance between the panels  3 . 
         [0282]    The electrical interconnection  190  is made with a cable connector. The outer tubes  186 ,  182  are then slid over the cable  175  with slack cable being coiled  179  and folded into the volume of the conduit  82 . The end clamps  180  are bolted  187  to the plates and attached to the micro-inverter  37  and the photovoltaic panels  3 . All the band clamp bolts  187  and nuts are tightened once the inner tube  178  is deemed to be sufficiently within the two outer tubes  186 ,  182 , and the distance between the photovoltaic panels  3  is such that the cable  175  is not stressed and the panels  3  do not impact each other. The panels  3  may be disconnected by loosening the bolts  187  on the band clamps  176 ,  177  on either side of a connector  190  and sliding off the inner tube  178  to access the connector  190  for disconnection. 
         [0283]      FIG. 9  shows a cross-sectional view of a photovoltaic panel  3  mounted on a rubber tire  11  and wheel  220 , with the tire  11  filled with a bladder  222  filled with liquid or gel  221 . In some installations, such as flat roof  110  mounting, minimal surface disturbance may be achieved by rolling the empty tires  11  on the roof  110  and then filling the tires with water  221 . This method may cause very low surface wear and impact ballasting. 
         [0284]    A rubber bladder  222 , such as a rubber truck tire inner tube, may be placed inside the tire cavity and the steel wheel is centered in the tire. The tire  11  is rolled to the placement point. The rubber bladder  222  is filled with water  221 , and the side walls of the tire  11  seat on the inner rim of the wheel  220 . If water freezes and expands within the bladder, rubber bladders  222  and the rubber tire  11  may have a sufficiently wide elastic range to enable them to accommodate the expansion of the ice without tension failure that may occur with plastic, metal or ceramic containers. 
         [0285]    A small air cavity  223  is left in the bladder  222  to accommodate expansion and avoid pressing the bladder  222  onto the Hanger flanges  8 ,  13  and fasteners  14 ,  15 ,  16 ,  23 . As an alternative to liquid water, hydrogels or foams  221  may be used inside the rubber bladder  222 . In this case, use of a gel or foam may stabilize the position of the liquid  221  and reduce the leakage rate from the rubber bladder  222  if there is a leak. Filling the tires  11  with light weight, closed cell foams may be useful in areas where flooding is a possibility, and could allow the tire  11  to float, protecting the photovoltaic cells  3 , electronics, and cables  175 . A plastic bladder and plastic tube may replace the rubber bladder  222  and steel wheel  220 . 
         [0286]    The Hanger flange  8 ,  13  is bolted to the bent plates  7 ,  24 ,  28 ,  29 ,  18 , and tube struts  17 ,  20 ,  25 ,  26 ,  27 ,  30 ,  31 ,  32  are bolted to channel beams  2 ,  4 . Sliding nuts  1 ,  5  may be used to mount the heat sink reinforced photovoltaic panel  3  to the ballasted rubber tire  11 . 
         [0287]      FIG. 10  shows an aerial view of a large polar axis tracking strut array  282  mounted on concrete or wheeled rubber tires  250 ,  268 ,  269 ,  270 ,  271 . The tires  250 ,  268 ,  269 ,  270 ,  271  are filled with concrete  251  with central tube shaft  111  as described in  FIG. 5 . The tire mounts  250 ,  268 ,  269 ,  270 ,  271  are rolled onto the fielding position. Bolts  252  are attached to the tires when the plane of the rubber tires  250 ,  268 ,  269 ,  270 ,  271  is parallel to the ground  279 . 
         [0288]    Eight struts  255 ,  272 ,  273 ,  274 ,  275 ,  276 ,  277 ,  278  that may be parallel to the ground plane  279  are mounted with bolts  252  to the rubber tires  250 ,  268 ,  269 ,  270 ,  271  to form four strut triangles. A beam crossing joint  256  may be formed in the center of the four strut triangles by welding tubes together. In high wind zones, ground screws may replace bolts  252  to secure each tire mount  250 ,  268 ,  269 ,  270 ,  271  to the ground  279 . At each tire mount  250 ,  268 ,  269 ,  270 ,  271  the securing bolt  252  goes through bent plates  254  of each tube strut that are attached to the tube struts with a bolt  253 . The angles of the bent plates  254 ,  262 ,  263  correspond to the angle of the tube struts  255 ,  266 ,  265 ,  272 ,  273 ,  274 ,  275 ,  276 ,  277 ,  278 ,  280 ,  281 ,  282 . 
         [0289]    On the left side of  FIG. 10 , six struts  276 ,  277 ,  278 ,  280 ,  281 ,  282  form a tetrahedron on three rubber tire mounts  250 ,  270 ,  271 . Joining of the three bent plates  283 ,  284 ,  285  forms the elevated pivot point of the assembly  282 . At the peak of the tetrahedron, three bent plates  283 ,  284 ,  285  are bolted to the rotation axial rod  259  through two axial nuts  257 ,  258  on either side of twisted bent plates  283 ,  284 ,  285 . At the opposite end of the rotation axial rod  259 , the axial rod may be placed through two twisted plates  262 ,  263  and secured with two axial nuts  260 ,  261 . A bearing and rack with photovoltaic arrays  3  may be mounted on the axial rod  259 . 
         [0290]    In one embodiment, the axial rod  259  corresponds to the longitudinal angle of the installed site such that it parallel to the rotation axis of the earth. The axial rod tilt angle may be adjusted by changing the length of the two back struts  264 ,  265 . Adjustment may be accomplished by sliding the small diameter tube struts  267 ,  286 , each with a series of holes to match through holes  266 ,  287 , into the larger diameter tube struts  264 ,  265 . The large diameter struts  264 ,  265  are then bolted to the small diameter tube struts  267 ,  286  when the desired axial rod tilt is reached. 
         [0291]    The two back telescoping struts  264 ,  265  may be seasonally adjusted to track the 47 degree range of solar declination by changing the bolts to hole positions  267 ,  286  in the tube struts. Alternatively, the two back struts  264 ,  265  may be linear actuators and automatically adjust to the solar declination plane. In this case, axial nuts  257 ,  258 ,  260 ,  261  coupling to the axial rod shaft  259  would be replaced with ball joints bolts coupled to the axial rod shaft  259 . 
         [0292]    Some features of the invention include, without limitation: 
         [0000]    Rubber tires on their sides
 
Holes drilled into the rubber tires
 
Plates or disks on inside of tire
 
Bolts or rivets going through the walls of tire
 
Fastener go through walls of tires of expanding bolts, ratchet fasteners, harpoon fasteners, screws, and welds
 
Glues used to secure to the rubber tires
 
Plates and/or tubes, strut beams mounted to the tire
 
Plates, tubes, or beams attached to photovoltaic panels
 
Electrical conduits mounting to the attachment points or the plates, tubes, or beams
 
Batteries held inside the cavity of rubber tire
 
Electronics held inside the cavity of rubber tire
 
Heat sink fins/or beams mounted to the back side of photovoltaic panel
 
Channel beam framing of panels with flush glue and lipless mounting
 
Fill of soil, concrete, water, aggregate, stones, inside tire
 
Central tube or beam mounted in center of tire with concrete
 
Thermal insulation or buoyancy material filled inside tires.
 
         [0293]    The battery compartment with battery weighting can form a weighted keel for the buoyant material loaded tire or gas inflated bladder inside tire, and a photovoltaic array on top of tire to enable the system to stably float on water 
         [0000]    Painting the tire
 
Ground screws holding down tire
 
Conduits between tires and panels to protect electrical wiring
 
Telescoping conduits to enable protection and concealment of excess wire and permit flexible assemblies
 
Telescoping struts with pin positions can enable angular tilt in the panels mounting and seasonal adjustments
 
Optimizing electronics mounted to panels or rubber tires
 
Wheels used inside the rubber tires.
 
Bearings mounted to rubber tire
 
Actuators mounted to rubber tires
 
Actuators mounted to the photovoltaic panels
 
Pivot on the mounted tire
 
Posts mounted to rubber tire
 
The rubber tire is mounted with the tire on its side with the axis of symmetry (former wheel axis) going into to the ground
 
Photovoltaic panels with beams mounted on the surface opposite the photovoltaic cell
 
The beams mounted to the walls of the rubber tire enable a soft elastic mount that helps the panels and attachments spread out mechanical shocks minimizing sudden forces such as wind gusts, earthquakes, and hail
 
By mounting the beams to the back of the photovoltaic panels the panels can have no lip over the edge of the photovoltaic panel and avoiding a dirt buildup within the conventional frame lip. The mounting system of plates and struts with the photovoltaic panels should have a primary resonate frequency higher than 1 hertz to avoid wind flutter oscillations
 
The mounting plates on the inside of the rubber tires can be riveted, glued or bolted to the walls of the tire such that the outer surface of the tire is smooth and enables the tires to be rolled when the struts, beams or outer plates are not attached
 
The mounting plates on the inside of the rubber tires can be taped to mate to bolts from the outer surface plates, beams or struts
 
The positions and angles of the struts or beams attached between the beams panels and the rubber tires are such that they form triangles
 
Drain holes in sidewalls of rubber tire to eliminate water puddling inside tire.
 
Shaping the ground to tilt the panels
 
Multiple tires attached to each other to form taller mounts
 
Backing plates to the photovoltaic panels also form the plates to the rubber tires
 
Batteries and/or fuel cells mounted inside the rubber tires
 
Thermal insulation placed within the tires
 
A protective cover over the batteries covers the top of the tire and attached to the rubber tire
 
The protective cover over the batteries can also form the racking mount to the photovoltaic panel
 
A molded lower cover can fit inside the center hole of the tire and rest on the ground
 
Laminate actuating valves in the wall of the central compartment can act to allow air flow heat transfer and/or infrared emission heat transfer from the battery compartment
 
Battery mounted inside the tire is in thermal contact with the ground
 
A heat pipe and metal plates into the ground under the batteries increases the thermal contact and temperature stability of the battery. Heat pipes without wicks can also act as a one way heaters when temperatures in the top of the pipe are low to move heat from the ground to the batteries
 
A phase change material located in the central cavity of the tire
 
A water jacket within the tire and around the battery and electronics to obtain thermal stability and ballast
 
Filling a bladder (inner tube) inside the tire with water as ballast
 
Rubber bladders can withstand freezing water expansion without bursting
 
Rain water and dew condensation off photovoltaic panel collected and stored into a cistern inside the inner cavity of the rubber tire.
 
         [0294]    While the invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention.