Patent ID: 8735714

Claim:
A device for disabling a photovoltaic panel or array including an end portion and a surface having a plurality of photovoltaic cells, said device comprising: an enclosure structured to be mounted to the end portion of said photovoltaic panel or array, said enclosure comprising: a plurality of sides defining an interior and an opening, an inclined ramp contained within the interior, a door pivotally disposed at the opening, said door having an open position and a closed position, said door being structured to be disposed on the surface of said photovoltaic panel or array in the open position, said door blocking the opening in the closed position, and a latch mechanism operatively associated with said door, said latch mechanism latching said door in the closed position and releasing said door to the open position; a solar shut off member comprising: a flexible material sized and structured to block light from reaching the photovoltaic cells of the surface of said photovoltaic panel or array, said flexible material including a first end and an opposite second end, the first end being coupled to the inclined ramp within the enclosure, and a rod coupled to the opposite second end of said flexible material, wherein said flexible material is rolled up about the rod and rests on the inclined ramp within the interior of said enclosure; wherein the closed position of said door blocks deployment of said flexible material; and wherein in the open position of said door, said flexible material, which is rolled up about the rod, is structured to roll down the inclined ramp and cover the surface of said photovoltaic panel or array.