Patent Publication Number: US-2012031468-A1

Title: Solar panel systems and methods of use

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/943,360, filed on Nov. 10, 2010, entitled “SOLAR PANEL SYSTEMS AND METHODS OF USE,” U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/943,360 is in turn a non-provisional application claiming priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/260,146, filed on Nov. 11, 2009. U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 12/943,360 and 61/260,146 are incorporated herein by reference in full. 
    
    
     TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present application relates generally to solar panel systems and more particularly relates to integrated solar panel systems with thin-film photovoltaic collection panels in a lightweight, adjustable racking and mounting frame with solar thermal capability and methods for highly efficient use with maximum energy production. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Solar power is a developing alternative or “green” energy source. Due to the unlimited radiant energy provided by the sun, solar power potentially may replace a significant portion of the non-renewable energy sources currently used for power generation. Widespread adoption of solar power as a significant portion of overall power generation, however, generally has been limited by the initial investment and start-up costs as well as by concerns with overall efficiency in known solar power systems and equipment. 
     For example, most existing solar power systems use crystalline photovoltaic panels. In addition to the significant weight involved with crystalline panels, the panels may be positioned on a roof or other type of elevated support surface within ballasted racking mounts, which adds even more weight. Due to wind concerns and other reasons, however, many building codes limit the degree of tilt of the crystalline panels to less than the optimum orientation. Although the crystalline panels may be relatively efficient when properly positioned, optimal angles and positions generally are not available. Moreover, the position of the crystalline panels generally is not adjustable such that there may be significant seasonal variations in overall power output. 
     Certain types of thin-film photovoltaic panels also are in use. Although crystalline panels may be more effective when properly oriented, thin-film panels generally have a broader effective range. Given that the thin-film panels usually are positioned directly on the roof or other type of support structure, however, there also may be orientation issues as well as durability issues with such thin-film panels. As such, neither crystalline panels nor thin-film panels may be particularly efficient in a retrofit installation given the orientation of the existing structure to the sun. 
     Similarly, certain types of solar thermal panels also are in use to collect solar radiation for water heating and the like. These known solar thermal panels, however, generally are designed and installed separately from solar photovoltaic systems. As such, solar thermal systems and solar photovoltaic systems usually are operated as independent systems and thus may have a number of redundant elements. Moreover, the use of independent solar thermal systems and solar photovoltaic systems requires a considerable amount of limited roof space. 
     There is thus a desire for improved solar panel systems and methods of use. Such improved solar panel systems and methods preferably should avoid the efficiency issues present in known crystalline panels or thin-film panels while being easy to install and operate. Moreover, such improved solar panel systems preferably may incorporate solar thermal capability into a single system for even higher efficiencies in a reduced overall footprint. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present application and the resultant patent thus provide an integrated solar panel system. The integrated solar panel system may include a heat transfer plate, a solar photovoltaic subsystem positioned in part on the heat transfer plate, and a solar thermal subsystem positioned beneath the heat transfer plate. The solar thermal subsystem may include one or more internal concentrator plates positioned about the heat transfer plate. 
     The present application and the resultant patent further provide an integrated solar panel system. The integrated solar panel system may include a heat transfer plate, one or more flexible, thin film photovoltaic panels positioned on the heat transfer plate, and a solar thermal subsystem positioned beneath the heat transfer plate. The solar thermal subsystem may include a number of heat exchange coils and one or more internal concentrator plates positioned beneath the heat transfer plate and the heat exchange coils. 
     The present application and the resultant patent further provide an integrated solar panel system. The integrated solar panel system may include an outer frame, one or more flexible, thin film photovoltaic panels positioned about the outer frame, a solar thermal subsystem positioned within the outer frame, and a pivoting bracket assembly connected to the outer frame. The pivoting bracket assembly may include a pivot bracket and a pivot cradle connected by a pivot strap. 
     These and other features and improvements of the present application will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon review of the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the several drawings and the appended claims. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a solar panel system as may be described herein. 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the solar panel system of  FIG. 1  showing the components of a photovoltaic subsystem therein. 
         FIG. 3  is a top plan view of the solar panel system of  FIG. 1  showing the components of a solar thermal subsystem therein. 
         FIG. 4  is a side cross-sectional view of the solar panel system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 5  is a side plan view of a pivoting front bracket assembly that may be used with the solar panel system of FIG. 
         FIG. 6  is a partial side plan view of a pivoting back bracket assembly that may be used with a solar panel system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 7  is a partial top plan view of the pivoting back bracket assembly of  FIG. 6 . 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view of a solar thermal heating system using the solar panel system of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 9  is a side plan view of a pivot bracket positioned about a mounting plate as may be used herein. 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of a ground mount system as may be used herein. 
         FIG. 11  is a side cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a solar panel system as may be described herein. 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a pivoting bracket assembly as may be described herein. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of the pivoting bracket assembly of  FIG. 12 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals refer to like elements throughout the several views,  FIGS. 1-4  shows a solar panel system  100  as may be described herein. The solar panel system  100  may include an outer frame  110 . The outer frame  110  may be made out of aluminum or other types of lightweight but substantially rigid materials including metals, plastics, composites, and the like. The outer frame  110  may have a C-channel shape  120  in total or in part or similar types of shapes. The outer frame  110  may have any desired length, width, or shape with any number of elements. 
     The outer frame  110  may define a bottom end  130 , a top end  140 , a first side  150 , and a second side  160 . The outer frame  110  also may include a number of reinforcing channels  165  that extend from the top end  140  to the bottom end  130  and/or from the first side  150  to the second side  160 . The reinforcing channels  165  also may be made out of aluminum or other types of lightweight but substantially rigid materials including metals, plastics, composites, and the like. Any number or reinforcing channels  165  may be used herein. The outer frame  110 , in connection with the other components described below, forms a substantially weatherproof housing with minimal air infiltration. Any number of outer frames  110  may be connected to one another. Other types of frame configurations also may be used herein. 
     The outer frame  110  also may support a heat transfer plate  170 . The heat transfer plate  170  may extend the width of the outer frame  110  from the top end  140  to the bottom end  130  and the length from the first side  150  to the second side  160 . The heat transfer plate  170  may be relatively thin in dimension. The heat transfer plate  170  may be made out of aluminum or other types of lightweight, substantially rigid materials with good heat transfer characteristics. 
       FIGS. 2 and 4  show a photovoltaic subsystem  180  for use with the solar panel system  100 . The photovoltaic system  180  includes a number of solar photovoltaic panels  190 . The photovoltaic panels  190  may be a number of thin-film or laminate panels  200  positioned on the heat transfer plate  170 . In this example, three (3) photovoltaic panels  190  are shown, although any number of panels  190  may be used together. By way of example only, the photovoltaic panels  190  may be sold by United Solar Ovonic LLC of Rochester Hills, Mich. under the “PVL Series” designation. Other types of solar photovoltaic panels  190  may be used herein. For example, various types of nanotechnology may be applied to produce photovoltaic panels and cells as film or coating and the like. This film or coating may be applied to any type of rigid or flexible substrate. The photovoltaic panels  190  produce variable DC power based upon the local weather and other types of operating conditions. 
     One or more quick disconnect electrical terminals  210  may be positioned about the panels  190 . The quick connects  210  may be color coded for ease of installation. Various types of electrical wiring and wiring harnesses also may be used internally or externally herein. One or more sensors also may be used to monitor and regulate the electrical output, temperature, and overall operating conditions. The photovoltaic panels  190  may be in communication with a power conversion system (not shown). The power conversion system generally may include the components required to convert the DC power from the photovoltaic panels  190  to AC power. These components may include a DC to DC converter, a DC to AC inverter  60 , and the like. Other types of outputs and configurations may be used herein. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  show a solar thermal subsystem  220  that may be used with the solar panel system  100 . The solar thermal subsystem  220  may include a number of heat exchange coils  230 . The heat exchange coils  230  may be in the form of rigid tubing such as copper or aluminum tubing and the like. Alternatively, the heat exchange coils  230  may be in the form of flexible tubing such as that commercially available from PEX of Sweden under the designation “ThermaPEX” tubing and the like. Other materials may be used herein. Likewise, combinations of materials may be used. For example, flexible tubing with an aluminum thread may be used. Any number of heat exchange coils  230  may be used herein with any number of turns or configurations. The heat exchange coils  230  may have a substantially flat shape for increased surface area and heat transfer. The heat exchange coils  230  may be connected in series or in parallel to a manifold and the like. Other types of heat exchange coil configurations may be used herein. 
     A heat transfer medium  240  may flow therein. The heat transfer medium  240  may be any type of conventional fluid or gas medium including water, a water-glycol solution, or similar solutions with additives that prevent freezing and/or provide improved performance and the like. The heat exchange coils  230 , or each segment of the heat exchange coils  230 , may be in communication with a thermal supply  250  at one end and a thermal return  260  at the other. Other types of connection means and other configurations may be used herein. 
     The heat exchange coils  230  may be positioned underneath the heat transfer plate  170  for contact and heat transfer therewith. The heat exchange coils  230  may be positioned within an insulator  270 . The insulator  270  may be made from fiberglass, mineral wool, plastic fiber, polyurethane foam, nitrogen-based urea formaldehyde foam, phenolic foam, cementitious foam, and the like in any orientation or form. Preferably, the insulator  270  may be a non-organic material such as spray foam insulation available from Icynene, Inc. of Ontario, Canada. Other types of insulators and insulating materials may be used herein. Although one example is shown below, the heat generated in the solar thermal subsystem  220  may be used for any purpose. 
     The solar panel system  100  also may include an adjustable support system  280 . The adjustable support system  280  may include a pivoting front bracket assembly  290 . As is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 5 , the pivoting front bracket assembly  290  includes a frame bracket  300  for attaching to the bottom side  130  of the outer frame  110 . The frame bracket  300  includes a C-clip  310  on one end to attach to the outer frame  110  in a quick connect fashion. The frame bracket  300  sits within a largely “U”-shaped cup  320  such that the frame bracket  300  and the outer frame  110  may pivot thereabout. The U-shaped cup  320  may be fastened to a mounting plate  330 . The mounting plate  330  in turn may be fastened to the roof or other type of support structure  335 . Other types of mounting and pivoting elements and configurations may be used herein. 
     As is shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  6 , and  7 , the adjustable support system  280  also may include a pivoting back bracket assembly  340 . The pivoting back bracket assembly  340  may include a number of adjustable support arms  350 . The adjustable support arms  350  may include a number of inter-locking and overlapping “U”-shaped channels  360 . The U-shaped channels  360  may include a number of apertures  370  spaced along the length thereof with a locking pin  380  for positioning therein. The height of the adjustable support arms  350  thus may be altered by raising a first channel  390  about a second channel  400  and placing the locking pin  380  into the desired apertures  370 . The adjustable support arms  350  have at least two (2) different heights. The adjustable support arms  350  also may include telescoping members, hydraulic members, hinged members, and the like so as to vary the overall length. Other types of adjustable support elements and configurations may be used herein. Other types of mounting and racking systems may be used herein. 
     The pivoting back bracket assembly  340  also includes a top bracket  410  attached to the adjustable support arms  350 . The top bracket  410  may be sized to attach to the top end  140  of the outer frame  110 . The top bracket  410  also may include a C-clip  420  for a quick connect with the outer frame  110 . Other types of fastening elements and configurations may be used herein. 
     The pivoting back bracket assembly  340  also may include pivot bracket  430 . The pivot bracket  430  may include a bottom U-shaped cup  440  with a top T-section  450 . The T-section  450  may be attached to the adjustable support arms  350  via conventional means. The U-shaped cup  440  may be attached to a further mounting plate  330 . The U-shaped cup  440  may be attached to the mounting plate  330  via a pivot clip  460  such that the U-shaped cup  440  and the attached adjustable support arm  350  may pivot within the mounting plate  330 . Other types of fastening elements, pivoting elements, and configurations may be used herein. 
     Each pivot bracket  430  may support a pair of adjustable support arms  350 . The solar panel system  100  may use any number of the pivot brackets  430  and the adjustable support arms  350 . The orientation of the overall solar panel system  100  thus may be varied by extending the length of the adjustable support arms  350  and pivoting the outer frame  110  about the U-shaped cup  320  of the pivoting front bracket assembly  290  and the pivot bracket  430  of the pivoting back bracket assembly  340 . Specifically, a tilt angle θ may be varied to at least two different angles. Other types of adjustment means may be used herein. Specifically, although the adjustable support system  280  has been described herein in the context of the pivoting front bracket assembly  290  and the pivoting back bracket assembly  340 , any type of structure that allows for the pivoting of the outer frame  110  and the components therein to a desired orientation and tilt angle θ may be used. 
       FIG. 8  shows an example of use of the solar panel system  100  with a solar thermal heating system  500 . The solar thermal subsystem  220  of the solar panel system  100  may be in communication with a boiler  510  via a thermal circuit  520 . The boiler  510  acts as a heat exchanger between the heat transfer medium  240  of the solar thermal subsystem  220  and a secondary water flow  530 . Specifically, the boiler  510  may have a secondary water input  540  and a secondary water flow output  550 . Likewise, the boiler  510  may have a thermal flow input  560  and a thermal flow output  570  in communication with the thermal circuit  520 . The solar thermal heat from the solar panel system  100  thus heats the secondary water flow  530  through heat exchange therewith. An electronic heating element  580  also may be positioned about the boiler  510  to assist in heating the secondary water flow  530  as needed. The heat generated herein may be used for any purpose for domestic, commercial, or industrial use. 
     Various other components also may be used with the solar thermal circuit  520 . For example, the thermal return  260  of the solar thermal subsystem  220  may be in communication with a pump  590 . The pump  590  may be of conventional design. Operation of the pump  590  may be controlled by an electronic control unit  600  such that the heat transfer medium  240  may be circulated at specific boiler temperatures. The electronic control unit  600  also may operate in conjunction with a pressure and temperature gauge  610 . The pressure and temperature gauge  610  may be of conventional design and may monitor the temperature and pressure of the heat transfer medium  240 . An expansion tank  620  also may be used to regulate the pressure within the solar thermal circuit  520 . The expansion tank  620  may be of conventional design. The solar thermal circuit  520  also may include a number of other pressure gauges  610  as well as any number of flow valves  630 . Other types of flow and control elements may be used herein in any orientation. The solar panel system  100  does not necessarily need to include the solar thermal subsystem  220  or the solar thermal heating system  500 . Other heating configurations may be used herein. 
     In use, the solar panel system  100  described herein is easy to install as a retrofit or as original equipment. Specifically, the outer frame  110  with the photovoltaic subsystem  180  and the solar thermal subsystem  220  is relatively flat such that shipping to the instillation location may be relatively easy and inexpensive. Moreover, the use of aluminum for the outer frame  110  also makes transport relatively easy. The components herein may be delivered as a kit and in either standard or custom sizes. 
     Once onsite, the mounting plates  330  may be attached to the roof or other type of support structure  335 . The pivoting front bracket assembly  290  may be fastened thereto and the outer frame  110  may be positioned therein. The C-clip  310  of the frame bracket  400  makes for quick installation. Likewise, the pivoting back bracket assembly  340  may be installed by attaching the pivot bracket  430  to the mounting plate  330  via the pivot clip  460 . The adjustable support arms  350  thus may be extended to the desired height and locked into place via the apertures  370  and the locking pin  380 . The top bracket  410  then may be attached via the C-clip  420 . The solar panel system  100  thus may be positioned at the desire tilt angle θ. The tilt angle θ may be about ten degrees) (10° to about twenty-eight degrees (28°). Other angles may be used herein. The tilt angle θ may be varied to at least two different angles. The outer frame  110  and the solar panel system  100  as a whole may comply with ASCE-7 section 6.1.4.2 concerning wind design and chapter 13 concerning seismic design. Significantly, the tilt angle θ also may be changed seasonally or otherwise such that the solar panel system  100  may be positioned at the optimal angle. The solar panel system  100  also provides passive shading/cooling to the roof or other support structure. 
     The photovoltaic subsystem  180  then may be connected electrically via the quick disconnect electrical terminals  210 . Depending upon the size of the overall solar panel system  100 , the photovoltaic subsystem  180  may generate about 144 watts or more per panel (about 288 watts or more for two (2) panels, about 432 watts or more for three (3) panels, about 576 watts or more for four (4) panels, etc.) Any number of panels  190  may be used herein. Bypass diodes also may be used for shadow tolerance. 
     The solar thermal subsystem  220  then may be connected to the thermal circuit  520  via the thermal supply  250  and the thermal return  260 . Additional quick connects may be used with integrated automatic shut off valves. The solar thermal subsystem  220  thus may heat the secondary water flow  530  to provide on demand hot water. The heat generated by the solar thermal subsystem  220  may be used for any purpose. The heat transfer medium  240  also serves to cool the photovoltaic subsystem  180  so as to increase overall power production. Moreover, use of the greater tilt angle for the solar power system  100  as a whole as described above also provides increased cooling for the photovoltaic system  180  given that the thin film panels  200  are not position directly on the roof or other structure. The solar panel system  100  thus provides the photovoltaic subsystem  180  and the solar thermal subsystem  220  in the same footprint of a typical photovoltaic panel system. Such a combination provides increased overall energy production and efficiency. The solar panel system  100  also is easy to remove and/or upgrade. 
     The combination of the thin film panels  200 , the solar thermal subsystem  220 , and the adjustable support system  280  thus results in an overall solar panel system  100  that may have a DC to AC derate factor of about 1.0 or higher. The overall DC-to-AC derate factor accounts for losses from the DC nameplate power rating of the panels  200  and is the mathematical product of the derate factors for the components of a photovoltaic system. Moreover, the combination of the outer frame  110  with the photovoltaic subsystem  180  and the solar thermal subsystem  220  may be less than about 1.5 pounds per square foot (about 7.3 kilograms per square meter). As such, the system  100  provides high power output at a low weight. 
     Although the use of the pivoting back bracket assembly  340  about the mounting plate  300  was described above,  FIG. 9  shows further details of one example of the mounting plate  330 . The mounting plate  330  may include a bottom cup  650  enclosed by an upper cap  660 . Both the cup  650  and the cap  660  may include a largely U-shaped rim  670 . The cap  660  may define a pivot path  680  positioned therein. Other configuration may be used herein. 
     In use, the mounting plate  330  may be attached to the roof  335  or other type of support structure by fastening the lower cup  650  directly thereto. The upper cap  660  may be fitted thereon. The pivot bracket  430  then may be positioned about the pivot path  680 . The pivot clip  460  may extend through the U-shaped cup  450  of the pivot bracket  430  and attach about the rim  670 . Other configurations may be used herein. The mounting plate  330  thus provides for easy and quick installation. Likewise, the use of the cap  660  also provides a largely waterproof instillation. The pivoting of the pivot bracket  430  within the pivot path  680  is shown. The use of the mounting plate  330  thus describes one example of a roof based mounting system  690 . 
     The overall solar panel system  100  also may be used without the adjustable port system  280  and the like. Rather, the outer frame  110  with the photovoltaic subsystem  180  positioned therein also may be positioned directly about a roof or other type of support structure  335 . For example, the pitch of the roof may be sufficient for adequate electrical output. Likewise, non-adjustable support systems also may be used herein. Although flat or angled support surfaces have been described herein, the solar power system  100 , and components thereof, also may be mounted on walls and other types of substantially vertical structures. 
       FIG. 10  shows an example of an alternative mounting system using a number of ground mounts  700 . The ground mounts  700  may include a number of stanchions  710  positioned on a mounting plate  720 . In this example, four (4) stanchions  710  are used although any number may be used herein. The stanchions  710  may have any height. The stanchions  710  extend to a leveling plate  730 . An anchor plate  740  may be positioned about the mounting plate  720  and one or more earth anchors  750  may extend therethrough. The earth anchor  750  may be an extended rod for anchoring the ground base mounting system  700  within the earth. Likewise, a threaded rod  760  may extend through the leveling plate  730 . The threaded rod  760  may be attached to the aluminum outer frame  110 . The position of the threaded rod  760  may be varied such that the angle of the outer frame  110  may be varied as desired. A number of the ground mounts  700  may be used together as a ground base mounting system  770 . Other configurations may be used herein. 
     In use, a number of the ground mounts  700  may be anchored into the earth via the earth anchor  750 . The desired length of the threaded rod  760  may be determined and the outer frame  110  may be attached. The desired tilt angle also may be changed by changing the length of the threaded rod  760 . The ground base mounting system  770  has the advantage of being largely prefabricated and may be installed without the use of concrete. As such, the ground base mounting system  770  thus may be preferred for use in wetlands or other types of remote locations in that welding equipment, concrete trucks, and other types of heavy equipment need not be used. Further, because of the use of the stanchions  710 , the overall solar power system  100  is elevated off of the ground at any desired length. As such, the photovoltaic panels  190  will not be interfered with by, for example, tall grasses or flying debris from mowed grass. Likewise, the elevation largely avoids interaction with wildlife. Other configurations and other types of mounting and racking systems may be used herein. 
       FIG. 11  shows an alternative embodiment of a solar panel system  800  as may be described herein. The solar panel system  800  may include an outer frame  810 . The outer frame  810  may support a heat transfer plate  820 . The heat transfer plate  820  may be relatively thin in dimension. The heat transfer plate  820  may be made out of aluminum or other types of lightweight, substantially rigid materials with good heat transfer characteristics. 
     The solar panel system  800  also may include a solar photovoltaic subsystem  830 . The solar photovoltaic subsystem  830  may include a number of solar photovoltaic panels  840 . The solar photovoltaic panels  840  may be a number of flexible, thin film or laminate panels  850  positioned on the heat transfer plate  820 . Other types of solar photovoltaic panels  840  may be used herein. Other components and other configurations also may be used herein. 
     The solar panel system  800  also may include a solar thermal subsystem  860 . The solar thermal subsystem  860  may include any number of heat exchange coils  870 . In this example, the heat exchange coils  870  may be in the form of flexible tubing  880 . The flexible tubing  880  may be considerably lighter than traditional rigid tubing made out of copper, aluminum, and the like. The flexible tubing  880  may be made out of a polycarbonate material and similar types of substantially flexible materials. A heat transfer medium  890  may flow therein. The nature of the heat transfer medium  890  may vary herein. 
     The heat exchange coils  870  may be positioned underneath the heat transfer plate  820  for contact and heat transfer therewith. One or more internal concentrator plate  900  may extend below the heat transfer plate  820  and/or encircle each of the heat exchange coils  870  in whole or in part. The concentrator plate  900  may be in the form of a mirror-like surface  910 . The concentrator plate  900  has a high absorptance rate and transfers energy from the heat transfer plate  820  to the solar thermal subsystem  860 . The concentrator plate  900  will reflect up to about 97% of the radiant heat of the sun. The internal concentrator plate  900  serves to focus radiant heat towards the heat transfer plate  820  in general and the heat exchange coils  870  in specific as well as to the solar photovoltaic panels  840 . The internal concentrator plate  900  thus serves to boost the BTU output of the overall solar thermal subsystem  860  by a considerable percentage. The internal concentrator plate  900  may be made out of a metalized aluminum membrane, aluminum with a cooper oxide (CuO), and similar types of materials. Other components and other configurations may be used herein. 
     The heat exchange coils  870  may be positioned within an insulator  920 . The insulator  920  may be in the form of a relatively rigid, lightweight foam and the like. Other types of insulators and insulation materials may be used herein. The insulator  920  may fill the interior of the outer frame  810  in whole or in part. 
     The solar panel system  800  also may include one or more external concentrator plate  930 . The external concentrator plate  930  may be placed on a bottom of the outer frame  810 , i.e., on the side opposite the photovoltaic panels  840 . The external concentrator plate  930  serves to reflect sunlight from a first solar panel system  800  onto the photovoltaic subsystem  830  of an adjacent second solar panel system  800 . The reflected sunlight thus serves to increase the output of the photovoltaic subsystem  830  in the second solar panel system  800 . The external concentrator plate  930  also may be made out of a metalized aluminum membrane, aluminum with a cooper oxide (CuO), and similar types of materials. Other components and other configurations may be used herein. 
     The solar panel system  800  thus provides increased BTU output in a lightweight, low cost system. The internal concentrator plate  900  increases the BTU output of the solar thermal subsystem  860  while the external concentrator plate  930  increases the output of the adjacent photovoltaic subsystem  830 . Likewise, the use of the flexible tubing  880  as the heat exchange coils  870  requires less overall weight and, hence, lower costs. 
       FIGS. 12 and 13  show an alternative embodiment of pivoting bracket assembly  950 . The pivoting bracket assembly  950  may include a pivot bracket  960 . The pivot bracket  960  may include a bottom U-shaped cup  970  with a top T-section  980  and/or similar shapes. The pivot bracket  960  may pivot within a pivot cradle  990 . The pivot cradle  960  may have a complimentary curved shape  965  to accommodate the U-shaped cup  970  of the pivot bracket  960  for rotation therein. The pivot cradle  990  may be made out of aluminum or other types of substantially rigid materials. The pivot cradle  990  also may be made out of solid hard rubber and the like. The solid hard rubber provides good weather resistance and grounding. The pivot bracket  960  may be retained within the pivot cradle  990  via a pivot strap  1000 . The pivot strap  1000  may be made out of a heat stabilized nylon material and/or other materials with good tensile strength and reasonable costs. Other components and other configurations may be used herein. 
     The pivot bracket assembly  950  also may include a roof mount plate  1010 . The roof mount plate  1010  may include a number of pivot cradle anchor holes  1020  and a number of offset roof mount anchor holes  1030 . A number of pivot cradle bolts  1040  may connect the pivot cradle  990  and the roof mount plate  1010  through the pivot cradle anchor holes  1020  and a number of aligning top anchor holes  1050 . Likewise, a number of roof bolts  1060  may mount the pivot bracket assembly  950  via the roof mount anchor holes  1050 . The roof mount anchor holes  1030  may include a counterbore. The use of the pivot cradle anchor holes  1020  and the offset roof mount anchor holes  1030  thus create multiple layers of water seals without an exposed penetration via the pivot cradle  990 . The use of the multiple roof mount anchor holes  1030  also prevents twisting as shear stress is applied. Although three (3) roof mount anchor holes  1030  and bolts  1060  are used, any number may be used herein. A number of the pivot bracket assemblies  950  may be used together so as to provide redundant support. Other components and other configurations may be used herein. 
     It should be apparent that the foregoing relates only to certain embodiments of the present application and that nuoncruuo changes and modifications may be made herein by one of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the general spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims and the equivalents thereof.