Folding mount for photovoltaic modules

Abstract

This invention relates to photovoltaic modules and arrays, methods of assembling photovoltaic arrays, and methods for shipping components of photovoltaic arrays.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for shipping folding mounts for photovoltaic modules, the method comprising:
 nesting a first folding mount comprising a top side and a bottom side adjacent to a second folding mount comprising a top side and a bottom side, wherein the bottom side of the first folding mount is adjacent to the bottom side of the second folding mount.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first folding mount comprises:
 a first beam;   a second beam substantially parallel to the first beam;   a first rail pivotally connected to the first beam and pivotally connected to the second beam; and   a second rail pivotally connected to the first beam and pivotally connected to the second beam, wherein the first beam can be moved toward the second beam by moving the first and second rails from a perpendicular orientation relative to the first and second beams to an oblique orientation relative to the first and second beams.   
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second folding mount comprises:
 a first beam;   a second beam substantially parallel to the first beam;   a first rail pivotally connected to the first beam and pivotally connected to the second beam; and   a second rail pivotally connected to the first beam and pivotally connected to the second beam, wherein the first beam can be moved toward the second beam by moving the first and second rails from a perpendicular orientation relative to the first and second beams to an oblique orientation relative to the first and second beams.   
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein nesting a first folding mount adjacent to a second folding mount forms a first nested pair of folding mounts, and
 wherein the first and second rails of the first folding mount are arranged in an oblique orientation relative to the first and second beams of the first folding mount, and   wherein the first and second rails of the second folding mount are arranged in an oblique orientation relative to the first and second beams of the second folding mount.   
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , further comprising stacking a first nested pair of folding mounts adjacent to a second nested pair of folding mounts to form a nested group of folding mounts within a shipping container. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising loading the shipping container onto a vehicle suitable for transporting the shipping container to a job site. 
     
     
         7 . A method for assembling a photovoltaic array, the method comprising:
 providing a first upright member from a planar surface;   providing a second upright member from the planar surface, wherein the second upright member is substantially parallel to the first upright member and the first and second upright members are substantially perpendicular to the planar surface;   fastening a first mounting bracket to an exposed end of the first upright member;   fastening a second mounting bracket to an exposed end of the second upright member;   fastening a first beam of a folding mount to the first mounting bracket;   fastening the first beam of the folding mount to the second mounting bracket;   fastening a second beam of a folding mount to the first mounting bracket; and,   fastening the second beam of the folding mount to the second mounting bracket.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the planar surface is the ground. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the first mounting bracket comprises a top surface; a bottom surface; and a slotted hole extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the second mounting bracket comprises a top surface; a bottom surface; and a slotted hole extending from the top surface to the bottom surface. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the folding mount is fastened to the first mounting bracket by inserting a fastener through the slotted hole from the bottom surface toward the top surface. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the folding mount is fastened to the second mounting bracket by inserting a fastener through the slotted hole from the bottom surface toward the top surface. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the folding mount comprises a first rail and a second rail pivotally connected to a first beam and second beam, the method further comprising unfolding the folding mount and mounting a rear surface of a photovoltaic module adjacent to the first rail and the second rail of the unfolded mount. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the photovoltaic module is secured to the first and second rails with a plurality of fasteners. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the plurality of fasteners include tamper proof fasteners. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second rails are pivotally connected to the first and second beams by self-tightening fasteners such that when the folding mount moves from a folded condition to an unfolded condition prior to or during fastening of the first and second beams to the first and second mounting brackets the fasteners self-tighten. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 13 , wherein the first and second rails are pivotally connected to the first and second beams by snap fasteners.