Solar power folding deck structure

Abstract

A standalone or partially standalone solar photovoltaic structure and methods for assembling the structure are described. The solar photovoltaic structure can employ a hinged photovoltaic roof deck that can be folded for transportation. Described are hinges that can be removed after assembly and act as protective elements to facilitate transportation. Also described is an attachment arrangement for joining purlin or frame members to vertical support columns by locking the frame numbers into column capitals.

1 . A foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck, comprising:
 a first and second panel section, each panel section comprising:
 a solar photovoltaic surface, and 
 a rectangular frame for seating the solar photovoltaic surface; 
   a plurality of hinges defining a first foldable and user separable junction between the first and second panel sections and a second foldable and user separable junction between the first and second panel sections; and   the first foldable and user separable junction opposing the second foldable and user separable junction.   
     
     
         2 . The foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first and second panel sections when folded together provides a pair of inward facing photovoltaic surfaces separated by a gap and when unfolded provides a planar photovoltaic top surface of the foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck.   
     
     
         3 . The foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck of  claim 1  wherein:
 separating the first foldable and user separable junction allows the first and second panel sections to unfold along the second foldable and user separable junction and separating the second foldable and user separable junction allows the first and second panel sections to unfold along the first foldable and user separable junction. 
 
     
     
         4 . The foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck of  claim 1 , further including:
 a lifting hook; and   the lifting hook attachable to one or more hinges of the plurality of hinges.   
     
     
         5 . The foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the plurality of hinges are shaped and arranged to evenly space the foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck in the folded position from a second similar foldable photovoltaic roof deck in the folded position when both solar photovoltaic roof decks are horizontally or vertically stacked against each other.   
     
     
         6 . The foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck of  claim 5 , wherein:
 the first and second panel sections when folded together provides a pair of inward facing photovoltaic surfaces separated by a gap and when unfolded provides a planar photovoltaic top surface of the foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck.   
     
     
         7 . The foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck of  claim 5 , further including:
 a lifting hook; and   the lifting hook attachable to one or more hinges of the plurality of hinges.   
     
     
         8 . The foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck of  claim 5  wherein:
 separating the first foldable and user separable junction allows the first and second panel sections to unfold along the second foldable and user separable junction and separating the second foldable and user separable junction allows the first and second panel sections to unfold along the first foldable and user separable junction. 
 
     
     
         9 . The foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck of  claim 8 , wherein:
 the first and second panel sections when folded together provides a pair of inward facing photovoltaic surfaces separated by a gap and when unfolded provides a planar photovoltaic top surface of the foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck.   
     
     
         10 . The foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck of  claim 8 , further including:
 a lifting hook; and   the lifting hook attachable to one or more hinges of the plurality of hinges.   
     
     
         11 . A foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck comprising:
 (a) a pair of panel sections, each panel section comprising:   a first, second, third, and fourth frame members connected together to define a rectangular frame, the second frame member opposing, and third and fourth frame members adjacent to the first frame member; and   one or more solar photovoltaic surfaces attached to the rectangular frame;   (b) a plurality of removable hinges, at least one of which defines a first foldable and user separable junction between the first frame member of each panel section and at least one of which defines a second foldable and user separable junction between the second frame members of each panel section;   the solar photovoltaic surfaces of each panel section facing inward and separated by a gap when the foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck is folded; and   the removable hinges are shaped and arranged to evenly separate the foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck in the folded position from a second similar foldable photovoltaic roof deck in the folded position when both solar photovoltaic roof decks are horizontally or vertically stacked against each other.   
     
     
         12 . The foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck of  claim 11  wherein separating the first foldable and user separable junction allows the panel sections to unfold along the second foldable and user separable junction and separating the second foldable and user separable junction allows the panel sections to unfold along the first foldable and user separable junction. 
     
     
         13 . The foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck of  claim 12  further wherein the first foldable and user separable junction further comprises:
 a first hinge portion; 
 a second hinge portion; 
 a removable pin; and 
 the first hinge portion and the second hinge portion separable or joinable by the removable pin. 
 
     
     
         14 . The foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck of  claim 11 , wherein:
 a first hinge and a second hinge form the first foldable and user separable junction that when folded provide a support base for the foldable solar photovoltaic roof deck that is substantially parallel to the frame edge of each first frame member.