Solar module array pre-assembly method and apparatus

Abstract

An apparatus is provided for pre-assembly of an electrically connected array of solar panels for a solar canopy including: a substantially planar base member for resting on a horizontal surface; a substantially planar support member for horizontally aligning supporting a plurality of solar panels; a track member disposed proximate a bottom portion of the support member attached to or integral with the support or base members for vertically aligning and supporting a plurality of solar panels when a side edge portion of the solar panels rests on the track member; and at least two arm members, each having a free and attached ends, the attached ends pivotally attached proximate to opposing ends of the base or support members and each arm members having a longitudinal axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base and support members and extending outward from the base member and support members.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for pre-assembly of an electrically connected array of solar panels for a solar canopy comprising:
 (a) a support member for aligning side-by-side a plurality of solar panels with a bottom portion of the solar panels exposed; and   (b) an arm member attached at one longitudinal end portion proximate to the side portion of the support member and configured and adapted for removably attaching at least two solar panel support channels.   
     
     
         2 . An apparatus for pre-assembly of an electrically connected array of solar panels for a solar canopy comprising:
 (a) a base member horizontally disposed for supporting other elements;   (b) a support member having attached along one side portion of the support member to the base member and an opposing side portion disposed away from the base member for aligning side-by-side a plurality of solar panels with a bottom portion of the solar panels exposed; and   (c) an arm member attached at one longitudinal end portion proximate to the side portion of the support member attached to the base member and configured and adapted for removably attaching at least two solar panel support channels.   
     
     
         3 . An apparatus for pre-assembly of an electrically connected array of solar panels for a solar canopy comprising:
 (a) a substantially planar base member for resting on a horizontal surface,   (b) a substantially planar support member for horizontally aligning side-by-side and horizontally supporting a plurality of solar panels when a photo-voltaic cell side of the solar panels rests against the support member, wherein a bottom portion of the support member is integral with the base member or fixed attached to the base member, and the support member extends upward from the planar base member;   (c) a track member disposed proximate a bottom portion of the support member attached to or integral with the support member or base member for vertically aligning side-by-side and vertically supporting a plurality of solar panels when a side edge portion of the solar panels rests on the track member; and   (d) at least two arm members, each having a free end and an attached end, the attached ends pivotally attached proximate to opposing ends of the base member or support member and each arm members having a longitudinal axis oriented substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the base member and support member and extending outward from the base member and support member, and configured to pivot in a vertical plane from a position substantially parallel to the ground upward to a position substantially parallel to parallel to the plane of the support member, wherein upon pivoting in one direction the free end moves closer towards the support member and pivoting in the other direction the free end moves away from the support member, the arm members being configured and adapted for removably attaching at least two solar panel support channels.   
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a clamp member attached to each of the arm members for removably attaching a solar panel support channel. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a shaft member rotatable attached to a side portion of the base member and perpendicularly to attached ends of each of the arm members. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a motor attached to the shaft member for rotating the shaft member, thereby actuating pivoting of each of the arm members. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the support member has a height of at least half of the longitudinal axis of a solar panel it is configured to support. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the support member is inclined from vertical sufficiently for supporting the solar panels. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 8 , wherein the support member is inclined from about 3 degrees to about 25 degrees from vertical. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the support member comprises a lattice framework. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the arm members are further configured and adapted for removably attaching at least two solar panel support channels at multiple positions and spacing along the longitudinal axis of arm members so as to be suitable for use with a plurality of solar panel sizes. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising an alignment beam having a free end and a fixed end where the fixed end is movably attached perpendicularly to an arm member and is configured and adapted for aligning and preventing lateral movement of a solar panel support channels, wherein the alignment beam is adjustable along the longitudinal axis of the arm member to suit various solar panel sizes.