Abstract:
A configurable fence system has a solar panel on a mounting surface that can tilt in accordance with a closed loop control system. A solar system for a fence includes a support structure mounted along the top length of the fence, a first mounting surface extending from the supporting structure, a first solar panel on the first mounting surface, a second mounting surface extending from the supporting structure, a second solar panel on the second mounting surface, and a pair of adjustable arms for tilting the first and second mounting surfaces with respect to the fence for sunlight exposure. The pair of arms can be also coupled to a motor and a solar detection and feedback control system for motorized adjustment.

Description:
The present invention relates to configurable fence and gate systems. This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/349,643, filed on Jan. 22, 2003, which is incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND 
   Man has employed many types of fences having different characteristics to indicate property lines, ensure privacy, segregate activities, and provide barriers for property, people and animals. For example, fences made of stones, bricks, and concrete have long service life, but are difficult to alter after construction. Wood fences have low initial cost, are flexible to alter, but have shorter life when exposed to severe climate or pest infestation. Metal fences having insertable panels are durable, pest resistant and have good service life, but have other problems. For example, the manufacturing tolerances necessary to assemble the metal fences make them vulnerable to vibration and noise generation in wind. One metal fence has lateral stiffeners to hold corrugated sheet metal panels, but the stiffener is a fixed width which limits its application to one width of corrugated sheet metal panel. Another metal fence uses a molded polyvinyl chloride (PVC) interlocking sleeve to hold the fence panels. The interlock sleeve is a fixed width, however, which again restricts flexibility in panels that can be used. In addition, sun exposure degrades the molded PVC interlocking sleeve over time destroying the integrity of the fence. 
   Fences also fail to address certain problems. For example property boundaries are often polygons, that is, closed figures made up of line segments. Two adjacent line segments often form a non-perpendicular angle. Thus, fence sections join at non-perpendicular angles yet need freedom to adjust the angle during construction while maintaining connection strength. Separately, gate widths are often oversized to make sure the gate fits, then a lip or shim added to the gate to cover the gap. This lip/shim technique is labor intensive and affects the appearance of the gate. Another problem concerns the attachment of the gate to the fence post. Gates are cantilever structures which stress the gate hinges. The wider or heavier the gate, the more load the hinge must support. The load can fatigue or deform the hinge causing the gate to sag, the hinge hardware to loosen, and even cause damage to the gate frame or gate post. In some cases, if this damages the gate frame or gate post too much, the gate hinges will need to be relocated. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to a fence and gate system. In an embodiment, the system includes a pair of fence posts connected by two fence stringers forming a fence framework. The system also includes a pair of L-shaped retainer angles, which are parallel to each other, attached adjacent the fence framework, and define the thickness of the panel to be inserted. The retainer angles are mounted on the surface of the framework either face-to-face or back-to-back forming a slotted frame. At least one fence panel is inserted into the slotted frame. Thus, the invention describes a fence and gate system capable of accommodating a variety of panel styles, materials and thicknesses. 
   In other features, the system provides for an insert sandwiched between the panels, an adjustable post angle adapter for joining fence sections, a gate width opening adjuster, and a threaded insert bolt structure that distributes stress in a gate hinge and gate post, but is not strictly limited, to the fence and gate system. 
   In various embodiments, the fence and gate system is moderate in cost, easy to install, reconfigure, maintain and repair, and is strong, durable, able to withstand severe climate conditions, pest resistant, and attractive in appearance. In an embodiment, the fence and gate system is made of preformed and pre-coated galvanized steel sheet metal panels, steel structures and extrusions tubing which is readily available, strong, rigid, corrosion resistant, durable, flexible in style, easy to install and reconfigure, and have long service life. In another embodiment, the fence system can support or contain solar panel(s) either for the generation of electrical power or for generating thermal energy. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  illustrates an embodiment of the fence and gate system. 
       FIG. 2A  illustrates an embodiment of the finished fence and gate system. 
       FIG. 2B  is an exploded view of fence and gate system shown in  FIG. 2A . 
       FIG. 3A  is a top view of a fence post shown in  FIG. 2A  showing face-to-face mounting of a pair of L-shaped side retainer angles to the fence post holding the fence panel. 
       FIG. 3B  is a front view of the fence post shown in  FIG. 3A . 
       FIG. 3C  is an exploded view of the fence post shown in  FIG. 3A . 
       FIG. 3D  is a top view of the fence post showing back-to-back mounting of a pair of L-shaped side retainer angles to the fence post holding the fence panel. 
       FIG. 3E  is an exploded view of the fence post shown in  FIG. 3D . 
       FIG. 4A  is a top view showing two fence panels sandwiching a panel insert held in place by a pair of L-shaped side retainer angles. 
       FIG. 4B  is a front view of one fence panel shown in  FIG. 4A . 
       FIG. 4C  is an enlarged top view of the fence panels held in place by a pair of L-shaped side retainer angles partially shown in  FIG. 4B . 
       FIG. 5A  illustrates a fence and gate system configured to use fence boards. 
       FIG. 5B  is a top view of the fence and gate system shown in  FIG. 5A . 
       FIG. 5C  is a sectional side view of the fence and gate system shown in  FIG. 5A . 
       FIG. 6A  illustrates the frame of the fence and gate system shown in  FIG. 5A . 
       FIG. 6B  shows the top view of the frame shown in  FIG. 6A . 
       FIG. 7A  is an enlarged view of the fence post with stringers shown in  FIG. 6A . 
       FIG. 7B  is a top view of the fence post with stringers shown in  FIG. 7A . 
       FIG. 8A  illustrates post angle adapters as used in the fence and gate system. 
       FIG. 8B  shows the top view of post angle adapters shown in  FIG. 8A . 
       FIG. 9A  is an enlarged front view of the post angle adapter to connect a gate frame to a section of the fence frame also shown in  FIG. 8A . 
       FIG. 9B  is an exploded top view of the post angle adapter shown in  FIG. 9A . 
       FIG. 10A  is a detailed front view showing another post angle adapter for connecting fence sections also shown in  FIG. 8A . 
       FIG. 10B  is a detailed exploded assembly top view of  FIG. 10A . 
       FIG. 11A  is a detailed front view showing part of the gate frame attached to the fence post through a gate hinge also shown in  FIG. 8A . 
       FIG. 11B  is a top section view of  FIG. 11A  showing the use of gate post threaded insert assemblies holding the gate hinge in place. 
       FIG. 11C  is a detailed view of  FIG. 11B  showing the design of the gate post threaded insert. 
       FIG. 12A  is a front view of a gate frame and a gate width opening adjuster assembly in another embodiment, wherein the gate hinges are on the left side. 
       FIG. 12B  is a section view of one end of a gate frame in  FIG. 12A  showing a welded on surround metal back flange. 
       FIG. 12C  is a full section view of  FIG. 12A . 
       FIG. 12D  is an exploded assembly view of  FIG. 12C  showing the gate hinge and the attachment of the gate width opening adjuster to the opposite end. 
       FIG. 13  is a perspective view of a section of the configurable fence system with solar panels and support structure added onto the fence. 
       FIG. 14  is a front view of a section of the configurable fence system with solar panels and the support structure. 
       FIG. 15A  is a top view of the solar panels and the support structure with one panel removed to show an underlying electrical wiring box. 
       FIG. 15B  is a front view of the support structure without any solar panels. 
       FIG. 16A  is an end view of the support structure and the solar panels. 
       FIG. 16B  is a sectional view showing the details of the support structure. 
       FIG. 17  is an exploded end view of the support structure. 
       FIG. 18  is an enlarged detailed view showing the angle adjusting arms. 
       FIG. 19  is a perspective view of another embodiment of the configurable fence system showing two solar panels installed over the existing vertical panel surface area of the fence section. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   The following description includes the best mode of carrying out the invention. The detailed description is made for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention and should not be taken in a limiting sense. The scope of the invention is best determined by reference to the claims. Each part, even if structurally identical to other parts, is assigned its own part number to help distinguish where the part appears in the drawings. 
     FIG. 1  illustrates the fence and gate system. As shown in  FIG. 1 , the fence and gate system includes at least one fence section  17  connected to at least one gate assembly  12 . The embodiment can be configured to different fence framework styles as well as gate styles to fulfill the requirements and needs according to the user&#39;s imagination. This flexibility in configuration will be illustrated with examples as other embodiments of the present invention later. 
     FIG. 2A  shows the finished fence and gate system in an embodiment including the parts that comprises it.  FIG. 2B  is an exploded view of the assembled fence and gate system shown in  FIG. 2A .  FIGS. 2A–2B  shows the parts of the fence and gate system. Each fence section  17  includes two fence posts  26 ,  27 , which in one embodiment are constructed of industry standard thickness precoated galvanized steel tubing of predetermined length. Each end of the fence section  17  is anchored to the foundation or soil  34  by fence posts  26 ,  27 . Placed on top of each fence posts  26 ,  27  is a post cap, such as post cap  24  on fence post  26 . It can be a variety of styles such as an ornamental post cap to keep out rain or ornamental lamp (not shown). A fence stringer  22 , which in one embodiment is constructed of industry standard thickness galvanized steel tubing of predetermined length, is placed at the bottom with specified clearance from the soil, and connects the two fence posts  26 ,  27 . Each end of the fence stringer  22  is firmly attached to the fence posts  26 ,  27  using a pair of stringer hangers  13 ,  19  and a plurality of self drilling and self tapping screws identical to the screw  42  shown in  FIG. 3A . 
   A pair of cross section L-shaped retainer angles, the front L-shaped retainer angle  20  being shown, which in one embodiment are constructed of industry standard thickness precoated galvanized steel sheet metal extrusion of predetermined length, are fastened parallel and face-to-face to the fence stringer  22  using a plurality of self drilling and self tapping screws such as the screw  42  forming a cross section U-shaped slot along the length of the fence stringer  22 . 
   A pair of cross section L-shaped side retainer angles  30 ,  31 , which in one embodiment are constructed of industry standard thickness precoated galvanized steel sheet metal extrusion of predetermined length, are fastened parallel and face-to-face to the interior side of each fence post  26 ,  27  using a plurality of self drilling and self tapping screws identical to the screw  42  forming a cross section U-shaped slot along the length of the interior side of the fence posts  26 ,  27 . 
   A cross section U-shaped three-sided slotted fence framework is thus formed to insert and to hold the fence panels  28 ,  33  and the lattice fence panel  18  in place. The fence panels  28 ,  33  are constructed of but not limited to corrugated precoated galvanized steel sheet metal of predetermined length, wood, plastic, fiber glass or composite material, and the lattice fence panel  18  is constructed of but not limited to wood, steel sheet metal or other materials, are inserted into the slotted structure sequentially. The design of the individual panels such lattice or corrugated etc. is not considered to be essential to the present invention and is simply a matter of preference. 
   A pair of cross section L-shaped retainer angles, the front L-shaped retainer angle  21  being shown, is fastened parallel and face-to-face to a fence stringer  23  using a plurality of self drilling and self tapping screws identical to the screw  42  forming a cross section U-shaped slot along the full length of the fence stringer  23 . The lattice fence panel  18  is capped under compression by the slotted top fence stringer assembly. The fence stringer  23  is firmly attached on both ends to the fence posts  26 ,  27  using a pair of stringer hangers  15 ,  16  on each side, and a plurality of self drilling and self tapping screws identical to the screw  42 . If necessary, additional self drilling and self tapping screws can be used to hold the panels in place. 
   In another embodiment, the L-shaped retainer angles  20 ,  21  and the L-shaped side retainer angles  30 ,  31  can be fastened parallel and back-to-back on the fence stringers  22 ,  23  and fence posts  26 ,  27  to form a cross section U-shaped three-sided slotted fence framework in similar manner to that shown in  FIGS. 3D and 3E . 
   The gate assembly  12  is in one embodiment constructed of Industry standard thickness galvanized steel tubing and sheet metal strips of predetermined length. The rectangular structure is welded together with a surround back metal flange  82  ( FIG. 11B ) to form a gate frame  38  with resemblance to a picture frame. A plurality of gate hinges such as gate hinge  14  is welded onto the gate frame  38 . The gate panel  40  constructed of material not limiting to corrugated precoated steel sheet metal or wood and the lattice gate panel  36  constructed of not limiting to wood, steel sheet metal or other material, are fastened onto the gate frame  38  using a plurality of self drilling and self tapping screws identical to screw  42  to form the gate assembly  12 . The gate assembly  12  is firmly attached to the fence post  27  through a plurality of gate hinges identical to gate hinge  14 , using a combination of a plurality of hardware to be described in detail in  FIGS. 11A ,  11 B and  11 C. A gate width opening adjuster  10  is attached to the gate frame  38  using a plurality of self drilling and self tapping screws identical to screw  42 . Those who are skilled in arts will realize that the panel and lattice material used in the preferred embodiment is not limited to precoated sheet metal, wood, plastic, composite material, fiber glass and therefore is not restrictive in interpretation. 
     FIG. 3A  is a detailed top section view of the fence post in an embodiment. A pair of cross section L-shaped side retainer angles  25 ,  30 , which in one embodiment are constructed of industry standard thickness precoated galvanized steel sheet metal extrusion of predetermined length, are fastened parallel and face-to-face to the interior vertical side of each fence post using a plurality of self drilling and self tapping screws identical to the screw  42  forming a cross section U-shaped slot along the interior side of the fence posts  26 . A fence panel  28  of certain thickness that determines the spacing of the cross section L-shaped side retainer angles  25 ,  30  is held tightly in the cross section U-shaped slot formed. 
     FIG. 3B  is a front view of  FIG. 3A  showing the fence panel  28  being held in place by a pair of cross section L-shaped side retainer angles, the front angle  30  being shown.  FIG. 3C  is an exploded assembly view of the fence post shown in  FIG. 3A .  FIG. 3D  is a detailed top section view of the fence post in another embodiment. A pair of cross section L-shaped side retainer angles  25 ,  30 , which in one embodiment are constructed of industry standard thickness precoated galvanized steel sheet metal extrusion of predetermined length, are fastened parallel and back-to-back to the interior vertical side of the fence post  26  using a plurality of self drilling and self tapping screws identical to screw  42  forming a cross section U-shaped slot along the interior side of the fence post  26 . A fence panel  29  has a certain thickness that determines the spacing between the cross section L-shaped side retainer angles  25 ,  30  is held tightly in the cross section U-shaped slot formed.  FIG. 3E  is an exploded assembly view  FIG. 3D  showing the parts that comprise the structure. 
   The U-shaped slot formed in the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3D  has the flexibility to accept fence panels  28 ,  29  of different thicknesses by adjusting slot width or mounting orientations without the need to change the types of fence parts. 
     FIG. 4A  shows the top view of panel in another embodiment with a panel sandwiching configuration.  FIG. 4B  is a front view of  FIG. 4A  with sandwiching panel configuration held in place by a pair of retainer angles  20 ,  47  ( FIG. 4C ) on each side.  FIG. 4C  is a detailed view of  FIG. 4A . The panels  43 ,  45  are held tightly in place by a pair of retainer angles  20 ,  47 . The fence panels  43 ,  45  are constructed of a wide range of material and are not limited to such as precoated corrugated sheet metal, wood, plastic, fiber glass or any composite material. The panel insert  44  is constructed of a wide range of material and not limited to such as fiber board, plastic, composite or foam. The panel insert  44  functions as spacer to fill slack under compression from the retainer angles  20 ,  47  on each side. If the panel insert  44  material has acoustic property, it also functions as a noise suppression layer to dampen panel resonance, vibration or echoes under wind load and traffic noise. The extent of sandwiched area may vary from a full fence width to a portion of the fence width. 
     FIG. 5A  illustrates an embodiment using substantially identical parts that can be configured to accept traditional fence boards  48  and gate boards  46 . In various embodiments, the parts could be made of wood, metal, or a combination thereof. The parts will be now described as primarily of wood.  FIG. 5B  shows the top view of the fence and gate shown in  FIG. 5A . A plurality of stringer angle hanger identical to the angle hangar  51  and a wood horizontal gate stringer  50  are used in this configuration.  FIG. 5C  shows the sectional side view of  FIG. 5A . The fence stringers  22 ,  23  are rotated 90 degree from what was described in the earlier embodiment, and mounted on the top and the bottom across the fence posts  26 ,  27  with a plurality of stringer angle hangers identical to the stringer angle hangar  51 . Wood horizontal fence stringers  54 ,  55  are attached to the fence stringers  22 ,  23  through a plurality of stringer angle hangers  52 ,  53  and wood screws. Wood fence boards  48  are attached onto the horizontal fence stringers  54 ,  55  by a plurality of wood screws. 
     FIG. 6A  illustrates the frame of fence and gate system shown in  FIG. 5A . It can be made of wood, metal or a combination thereof. Thus, wood horizontal fence stringers  54 ,  55  are attached to the fence stringers  22 ,  23  through a plurality of stringer angle hangers including the stringer hangers  52 ,  53  and wood screws forming a hybrid metal and wood member framework across the full fence width on the top and the bottom. Wood fence boards  48  are to be attached to the hybrid framework by a plurality of wood screws forming a traditional wood fence. A wood horizontal gate stringer  50  is attached to the top of the gate frame  66  by a plurality of machine screw/bolts  58 , flat washers  64 , nut and flat washer assemblies  62 . The wood horizontal gate stringer  50  length can be sized accordingly to provide a good fit to the gate width opening functioning and a gate width opening adjuster. The style of the gate frame  66  is not limiting to this embodiment that has a cross brace welded diagonally to increase support of the wood gate boards  46 . 
     FIG. 6B  is the top view of the system shown in  FIG. 6A  showing the hybrid metal wood framework in this embodiment. The gate frame  66  is attached to the fence post by a gate hinge  14  and a combination of gate post threaded inserts  32  and bolt and flat washer assembly  72 . 
     FIG. 7A  is a detailed view  60  of the fence post  26  shown in  FIG. 6A , which is connected differently to the stringers  23 ,  69 . In this embodiment, the fence stringer  23  is rotated 90 degrees. The two stringer angle hangers  51 ,  56 , one on the top end and the other in the bottom end of the fence stringer  23  are mounted to the fence post  26  using a plurality of self drilling and self tapping including the screws  67 ,  49 . 
     FIG. 7B  is a top view of  FIG. 7A  showing the configurations of fence stringers  23 ,  69  mounted to the fence post  26 . The fence stringer  69  is mounted without rotation to the fence post  26  using a pair of stringer hangers  16 ,  59  one on each side and a plurality of self drilling and self tapping screws identical to the numbered screws  57 ,  73 . 
     FIG. 8A  illustrates the use of post angle adapters  70 ,  76  of the fence and gate system. The gate is connected to another section of the fence using a post angle adapter  70  that has an acute angle of about 20 degrees. The fence is connected to another section of the fence through another post angle adapter  76  that has an acute angle of about 45 degrees. One of ordinary skill would understand that these illustrated angles are not essential to the invention. The details of gate hinge  74  will be discussed later. 
     FIG. 8B  shows the top view of  FIG. 8A  showing the post angle adapters  70 ,  76 . Both the post angle adapters  70  and  76 , which in one embodiment are constructed of standard industry thickness preformed and precoated steel sheet metal parts, can be formed in a range of angle increments to connect adjacent sections of the fence structure. 
     FIG. 9A  is a detail front view of  FIG. 8A  showing a gate frame  66  connected to another section of the fence on a fence post  27  using a post angle adapter  70 . The post angle adapter  70  is attached firmly to the gate post  27  on both sides using a plurality of self drilling and self tapping screws identical to the numbered screw  65 . 
     FIG. 9B  is a detail top view of portion  80  shown in  FIGS. 8B and 9A . In this illustration, a gate frame  66  is connected to another section of the fence on a fence post  27  using a post angle adapter  70  and a plurality of self drilling and self tapping screws identical to screw  63 . The fence stringers  71 ,  75  are connected to the post angle adapters  70  with a pair of stringer hanger  61 ,  73  on each side and a plurality of self drilling and self tapping screws identical to screws  63 ,  89 . In this illustration, an angle of 20+/−10 degree can be achieved by flexing the post angle adapter  70  from its mounted position on the fence post  27 . It is also shown that the stringer hanger  61  on one side of the fence stringer  71  is being flexed slightly. This minor flexing is tolerated by the steel sheet metal material construction. 
     FIG. 10A  is a detailed front view showing using another post angle adapter  76  to connect two fence sections together in  FIG. 8A . The post angle adapter  76  is attached firmly to the gate post  26  on both sides using a plurality of self drilling and self tapping screws  81 ,  83 .  FIG. 10B  is a detailed top view of portion  78  shown in  FIGS. 8B and 10A . In this illustration, two fence sections are connected on a fence post  26  using a 45+/−10 degree post angle adapter  76  and a plurality of self drilling and self tapping identical to the screws  81 ,  91 . It is also shown that there is no flexing on the stringer hanger  90 ,  92  on either side of the fence stringer  77  using this post angle adapter  76 . 
     FIG. 11A  is a detailed front view of portion  74  shown in  FIG. 8B . This shows the portion of the gate frame  66  attached to the fence post  27  through a gate hinge  14  in  FIG. 8A . 
     FIG. 11B  is a section view of  FIG. 11A  showing the use of a gate post threaded insert  32  with a gasket  82  swaged tightly with the matching bolt and flat washer assemblies  72  across both sides of the fence post  27  holding the gate hinge  14  in place. Also shown is gate frame  66  connected to the gate hinge  14 . 
     FIG. 11C  is a detail view of  FIG. 11B  showing the design of the gate post threaded insert  32 . The gate post threaded insert  32  in an embodiment is machined from a solid hard metal or alloy such as steel. One end forms the head with a pattern that can be held in place or driven with a tool. The head pattern is not limiting in its current hexagonal design. A nut driver or other tools can be fitted over the head to hold the gate post threaded insert  32  in position or to rotate for tightening. The body of the gate post threaded insert  32  is smooth. The tail end is blind drilled and tapped to a specified depth. The thread size of the gate post threaded insert  32  will be industry standard. It is threaded to mate with common and available bolt hardware. It should be pointed out that the outer body of this preferred embodiment structure can be machined to a lower diameter forming a minor diameter at the tail end for hole clearance to the steel fence post  27  when under tight compression. 
   In the preferred embodiment, the gate post threaded insert  32  is used together with a combination of the gasket  82  for a moisture seal and a bolt and flat washer assembly  72  to achieve tight compression on both surfaces of a hollow steel fence post  27 . Along with the benefits of other anticipated applications, one of the purposes of this gate post threaded insert  32  is to distribute suspended load stress across the entire hardware assembly. This improves the strength of the hardware holding the gate hinge  14 . It is understood that the post threaded insert  32  is suitable for a variety of application beside its illustrated use in the fence and gate systems. 
     FIG. 12A  is a front view of a gate frame  39  and a gate width opening adjuster  10  in another embodiment, wherein the gate hinges, e.g., gate hinge  14  are on the left side.  FIG. 12B  is a section of one end of the gate frame shown in  FIG. 12A  showing a weld  84  between the gate frame  39  to the surround metal back flange  86 . 
     FIG. 12C  is a full section view of  FIG. 12A . The gate width opening adjuster  10  in one embodiment is constructed of Industry standard thickness galvanized steel metal extrusion or formed from sheet metal. The top end of the gate width opening adjuster  10  is welded close to keep rain out while the other end is open for venting. The gate hinge  14  is welded to the gate frame  39 . 
     FIG. 12D  is a detailed exploded assembly view of  FIG. 12C  showing the gate hinge plate  14  welded to the gate frame  39  to one end and the attachment of the gate width opening adjuster  10  to the opposite end. The width adjustment is achieved by attaching the gate width opening adjuster  10  at the opposite end of the gate frame  39  by sliding back and forth to determine the position using a plurality of self drilling and self tapping screws identical to screw  87 . The gate panel  88  is screwed down to the surround metal back flange  86  using a plurality of self drilling and self tapping screws identical to screw  93 . This gate width opening adjustment method eliminates the use of a gate shim or lip. 
     FIG. 13  is a perspective view of an embodiment of the configurable fence system  100  showing solar panels  102 ,  103  installed over the support structure  110  that is mounted on top of a fence section  104 . The support structure  110  spans the length of the fence section  104  to support the solar panels  102 ,  103 , where the solar panels  102 ,  103  convert solar energy into either electrical power or thermal energy for a variety of applications. This has several advantages since solar power generation research has become a mature technology with much improved power conversion efficiency. With sufficient solar panels it is possible to supply much if not all the power requirements to the household and even with spare power to sell back to the power grid during certain hours of the day. With solar power installation rebate incentives from the power company along with tax credit from some state and the federal government, the rate of return on the total energy cost savings after rebates and tax credit is attractive. The fence system, solar panels, and installation cost may be recaptured within several years. 
     FIG. 14  shows the front view of a section of the configurable fence system  100  with a solar panel  102  installed on the mounting surface  117  of the support structure  110  that is mounted on top of the fence posts  106 ,  107  of a fence section  104  through the post extensions  112 , 111 . 
     FIG. 15A  is a top view of the support structure  110  with one solar panel  102  removed to expose the mounting surface  117 . The mounting surface  117  shows an opening to an electrical wiring box  134  where electrical wiring from solar panel  102  passes through. The solar panels  102 ,  103  in this embodiment are known as solar panels or mats such as a Uni-Solar™ photovoltaic laminate of standard length with adhesive backing that adheres to the mounting surfaces  116 ,  117 . A suitable material for the mounting surfaces  117 ,  116  is an electro-galvanized sheet metal that can be obtained from Galvalune™. 
     FIG. 15B  is a front view of the support structure  110  with solar panel  102  removed. The entire support structure  110  slides over the fence posts  106 ,  107 , on each side of stringer  23 , through the post extensions  112 ,  111  on both ends.  FIG. 17  will describe additional details of the electrical wiring box  134 , angle adjusting arm  113 , center support and wiring tray  118  and the wire raceway cover  120 . 
     FIG. 16A  is an end view of the support structure and solar panels. In an embodiment, the support structure  110  is preferably made of powder coated galvanized sheet metal steel mounted on top of a fence section  104  ( FIG. 14 ). To install the support structure  110  on the fence section  104 , the post cap on the fence is removed and the post extension  112  is inserted into the fence post  106 . Likewise, the post extension  111  ( FIG. 14 ) is inserted into the fence post  107  ( FIG. 14 ) In an alternative embodiment, the fence posts  106 ,  107  can extend vertically upward to serve as post extensions  112 ,  111  so that the support structure  110  is an integral extension of the fence section  104 . The fewer parts in this embodiment permit faster assembly when the owner knows solar panels  102 ,  103  will be used with the fence. 
     FIG. 16B  is a sectional view of the support structure  110  taken on line A—A of  FIG. 15B . In this embodiment, the support structure  110  includes arm  114 ,  113  to independently tilted mounting surfaces  116 ,  117  whose tilt angle can be adjusted manually or by a conventional closed loop control system using solar detection by providing a motor (not shown) to actuate the arms  113 ,  114  so electric power generation is maximized. 
     FIG. 17  is an exploded end view of the support structure  110 . In this embodiment, the solar panel  103  rests over the mounting surface  116  with an opening where an electrical wiring box  134  with wiring conduit  136  assembly beneath the mounting surface  116  brings the insulated electrical wiring from the solar panel  103  to the center support and wiring tray  118 . The rectangular mounting panels  116 ,  117  with electrical wiring boxes  134 ,  133  underneath are connected to the center support and wiring tray  118  that can be made from a single piece gutter like corrugated steel structure through a pair of support hinges  122 ,  123  to allow certain degree of angular movement. The center support and wiring tray  118  is a conduit for the insulated wire conducting the electrical current to the adjacent fence sections or to the power grid. 
   A wire raceway cover  120  can be also made of a single piece of sheet metal which is secured as a cover with driller screws  147 ,  149  to the center support and wiring tray  118  to protect the insulated electrical wiring from rain and sunlight weathering. An arm support plate  126  is welded beneath the center support and wiring tray  118  to function as a pivot point to provide angular adjustment by allowing the angle adjusting arms  113 ,  114  to slide along the slots  150 ,  152 . The opposite ends of the angle adjusting arms  113 ,  114  are connected to the angle brackets  124 ,  125  that are welded onto the mounting surfaces  116 ,  117 . The bolt and nut assemblies  144 ,  145 ,  146  are to hold the angle adjusting arms  113 ,  114  in place. The entire support structure  110  is secured in place at both ends to the post extension  112  and post extension  111  ( FIG. 14 ) with a plurality of driller screws  148 ,  300 , and inserted over the fence post  106  and fence post  107  ( FIG. 14 ). 
     FIG. 18  is an enlarged detailed view showing the angle adjusting arms  113 ,  114  where angular adjustment is made by sliding the arm along the slots  150 ,  152  then locking the position in place by tightening the bolt and nut assembly  146 . The entire supporting structure  110  may be constructed with any high strength material with acceptable life expectancy. 
     FIG. 19  is a perspective of an embodiment of configurable fence system  130  where one or more solar panels  302 ,  304  can be installed in place as described above or laminated over the existing vertical fence panels of the fence section  104 .