Portable system for mounting a solar panel

Abstract

A portable system for mounting a solar panel includes a modular base defining a set of interconnecting components that assemble via a set of intra-assembly features into a portable base for a solar panel. The modular base includes lower and upper relief to provide passive ventilation to the interior of the modular base and recesses to accommodate a user’s appendages during assembly, and ballast volumes to retain a non-rigid ballast to weight the module base holding it in place. The modular base includes adjustable panel retention structures to constrain solar panels of a range of dimensions and configured to carry moisture away from the solar panel. The modular base includes a set of latches and corresponding latch receivers to fix adjacent modular bases together at a fixed distance less than the width of a human hand to form an array.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A system comprising a first module base comprising:
 • a first left component defining:
 ◯ a first left triangular structure comprising:
 ▪ a first left front edge of a first front height; and 
 ▪ a first left rear edge of a first rear height greater than the first front height; and 
 
 ◯ a first set of left intra-assembly features; 
   • a first right component defining:
 ◯ a first right triangular structure comprising:
 ▪ a first right front edge of the first front height; and 
 ▪ a first right rear edge of the first rear height; and 
 
 ◯ a first set of right intra-assembly features; 
   • a first front fascia component:
 ◯ configured to couple to the first left component via the first set of left intra-assembly features; 
 ◯ configured to couple to the right component via the first set of right intra-assembly features; and 
 ◯ defining a first front ballast support surface; 
   • a first rear fascia component:
 ○ configured to couple to the first left component via the first set of left intra-assembly features; 
 ◯ configured to couple to the first right component via the first set of right intra-assembly features; and 
 ◯ defining a first rear ballast support surface; 
   • a first front ballast:
 ◯ defining a first front enclosed volume configured to retain a first front volume of fluid; and 
 ◯ configured to seat on the first front ballast support surface to load a first front section of the first module base; 
   • a first rear ballast:
 ◯ defining a first rear enclosed volume configured to retain a first rear volume of fluid; and 
 ◯ configured to seat on the first rear ballast support surface to load a first rear section of the first module base; 
   • a first front left panel retention structure:
 ◯ coupled to a first left front section upper surface of the first module base; and 
 ◯ configured to retain a first front edge of a first solar panel on the first module base; 
   • a first right front left panel retention structure:
 ◯ coupled to a first right front section upper surface of the first module base; and 
 ◯ configured to retain a first front edge of a first solar panel on the first module base; 
   • a first left rear panel retention structure:
 ◯ coupled to a first left rear section upper surface of the first module base; and 
 ◯ adjustable over a range of longitudinal positions to retain the first rear edge of the first solar panel on the first module base; and 
   • a first right rear panel retention structure:
 ◯ coupled to a first right rear section upper surface of the first module base; and 
 ◯ adjustable over a range of longitudinal positions to retain the first rear edge of the first solar panel on the first module base. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 :
 • wherein the first left component further defines:
 ◯ a first front latch on the first front edge; 
 ◯ a first rear latch on the first rear edge; and 
 ◯ a first left electrical port; 
   • wherein the first right component further defines:
 ◯ a first front latch receiver on the first front right edge; 
 ◯ a first rear latch receiver on the first rear right edge; and 
 ◯ a first right electrical port; 
   • further comprising:
 ◯ a second module base comprising:
 ▪ a second left component defining: 
 • a second left triangular structure comprising; 
 ◯ a second left front edge of a second front height; and 
 ◯ a second left rear edge of a second rear height greater than the second front height; 
 • a second set of left intra-assembly features comprising: 
 • a second front latch on the first front edge; 
 • a second rear latch on the first rear edge; and 
 • a second left electrical port; 
 ▪ a second right component defining: 
 • a second right triangular structure comprising: 
 ◯ a second right front edge of the second front height; and 
 ◯ a second right rear edge of the second rear height; 
 • a second front latch receiver on the second front right edge and configured to engage the first front latch of the first left component to retain the first front section of the first module base to the second front section of the second module base; 
 • a second rear latch receiver on the second rear right edge and configured to engage the first rear latch of the first left component to retain the first rear section of the first module base to the second rear section of the second module base; 
 • second right electrical port aligned with and configured to pass an electrical connection to the first left electrical port; and 
 • a second set of right intra-assembly features; and 
 ▪ configured to abut the first left component of the first module base; 
 
 ◯ a second front fascia component:
 ▪ configured to couple to the second left component via the second set of left intra-assembly features; 
 ▪ configured to couple to the right component via the second set of right intra-assembly features; and 
 ▪ defining a second front ballast support surface; 
 
 ◯ a second rear fascia component:
 ▪ configured to couple to the second left component via the second set of left intra-assembly features; 
 ▪ configured to couple to the second right component via the second set of right intra-assembly features; and 
 ▪ defining a second rear ballast support surface; 
 
 ◯ second front ballast:
 ▪ defining a second front enclosed volume configured to retain a second front volume of fluid; and 
 ▪ configured to seat on the second front ballast support surface to load a second front section of the second module base; 
 
 ◯ second rear ballast:
 ▪ defining a second rear enclosed volume configured to retain a second rear volume of fluid; and 
 ▪ configured to seat on the second rear ballast support surface to load a second rear section of the second module base; 
 
 ◯ a second front left panel retention structure:
 ▪ coupled to a second left front section upper surface of the second module base; and 
 ▪ configured to retain a second front edge of a second solar panel on the second module base; 
 
 ◯ a second right front left panel retention structure:
 ▪ coupled to a second right front section upper surface of the second module base; and 
 ▪ configured to retain a second front edge of a second solar panel on the second module base; 
 
 ◯ a second left rear panel retention structure:
 ▪ coupled to a second left rear section upper surface of the second module base; and 
 ▪ adjustable over a range of longitudinal positions to retain the second rear edge of the second solar panel on the second module base; and 
 
 ◯ a second right rear panel retention structure:
 ▪ coupled to a second right rear section upper surface of the second module base; and 
 ▪ adjustable over a range of longitudinal positions to retain the second rear edge of the second solar panel on the second module base. 
 
   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 :
 • wherein the first module base is configured to transiently locate on a nonplanar terrain surface;   • wherein the second module base is configured to transiently locate on the nonplanar terrain surface adjacent the first module base; and   • wherein the first front latch and the first rear latch define a first latch length configured to;
 ◯ maintain a target gap between a first lower edge of the first left component and a second lower edge of the second right component; and 
 ○ enable a variable gap between a first upper rear corner of the of the left component and a second upper rear corner of the of the second right component to accommodate variance in the nonplanar terrain surface. 
   
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 :
 • wherein the first front latch and the first rear latch cooperate to maintain the target gap, between the first left component and the second right component, less that a nominal human hand width;   • wherein the first left electrical port is located a distance from the top edge of the left component greater than a nominal human hand length; and   • wherein the second right electrical port is located a distance from the top edge of the right component greater than a nominal human hand length.   
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein:
 • the first left component further defines a first upper latch located at the upper rear left corner;   • the second right component further defines a second upper latch receiver at the upper rear right corner;   • the first rear latch and the second rear latch receiver cooperate to retain the first lower edge of the first left component and the second lower edge of the second right component when positioned on a convex section of the nonplanar terrain surface; and   • the first upper latch and the second upper latch receiver cooperate to retain the first upper rear corner of the first left component and the second upper rear corner of the second right component when positioned on a concave section of the nonplanar terrain surface.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 1 :
 • the first left component further comprising:
 ◯ a first left front lower protrusion:
 ▪ located proximal the first front left edge; and 
 ▪ extending normal from a first left lower edge; 
 
 ◯ a first left rear lower protrusion:
 ▪ located proximal the first rear left edge; and 
 ▪ extending normal from the first left lower edge; 
 
 ◯ a first left front upper protrusion:
 ▪ located proximal the first front left edge; and 
 ▪ extending normal from a first upper left edge; 
 
 ◯ a first left rear upper protrusion:
 ▪ located proximal the first rear left edge; and 
 ▪ extending normal from the first upper left edge; 
 
 ◯ a first left midpoint upper protrusion:
 ▪ located proximal a midpoint of the first upper left edge; and 
 ▪ extending normal from the first upper left edge; and 
 
   • the first right component further comprising:
 ◯ a first right front lower protrusion:
 ▪ located proximal the first front right edge; and 
 ▪ extending normal from a first right lower edge; 
 
 ◯ a first right rear lower protrusion:
 ▪ located proximal the first rear right edge; and 
 ▪ extending normal from the first right lower edge; 
 
 ◯ a first right front upper protrusion:
 ▪ located proximal the first front right edge; and 
 ▪ extending normal from a first upper right edge; 
 
 ◯ a first right rear upper protrusion:
 ▪ located proximal the first rear right edge; and 
 ▪ extending normal from the first upper right edge; and 
 
 ◯ a first right midpoint upper protrusion:
 ▪ located proximal a midpoint of the first upper right edge; and 
 ▪ extending normal from the first upper right edge. 
 
   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 • a first left lower relief section between the first left front lower protrusion and the first left rear lower protrusion to accommodate passive ventilation between an interior of the first module base and an exterior of the first module base;   • a first right lower relief section between the first right front lower protrusion and the first right rear lower protrusion to accommodate passive ventilation between the interior of the first module base and the exterior of the first module base;   • a first left lower relief section between the first left front upper protrusion and the first left midpoint upper protrusion to accommodate passive ventilation between the interior of the first module base and the exterior of the first module base;   • a first left rear upper relief section between the first left midpoint upper protrusion and the first left rear upper protrusion to accommodate passive ventilation between the interior of the first module base and the exterior of the first module base;   • a first right lower relief section between the first right front upper protrusion and the first right midpoint upper protrusion to accommodate passive ventilation between the interior of the first module base and the exterior of the first module base; and   • a first right rear upper relief section between the first right midpoint upper protrusion and the first right rear upper protrusion to accommodate passive ventilation between the interior of the first module base and the exterior of the first module base.   
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 ◯ a first left lower relief section between the first left front lower protrusion and the first left rear lower protrusion to accommodate footwear during installation of the first solar panel on the first module base;   ◯ a first right lower relief section between the first right front lower protrusion and the first right rear lower protrusion to accommodate footwear during installation of the first solar panel on the first module base;   ◯ a first left lower relief section between the first left front upper protrusion and the first left midpoint upper protrusion configured to receive a hand during installation of the first solar panel on the first module base;   ◯ a first left rear upper relief section between the first left midpoint upper protrusion and the first left rear upper protrusion configured to receive a hand during installation of the first solar panel on the first module base;   ◯ a first right lower relief section between the first right front upper protrusion and the first right midpoint upper protrusion configured to receive a hand during installation of the first solar panel on the first module base; and   ◯ a first right rear upper relief section between the first right midpoint upper protrusion and the first right rear upper protrusion configured to receive a hand during installation of the first solar panel on the first module base.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 1 :
 • wherein the front left panel retention structure further defines:
 ◯ a retention base; 
 ◯ a retention fastener; and 
 ◯ a clamping feature; 
   • wherein the front right panel retention structure further defines:
 ◯ a retention base; 
 ◯ a retention fastener; and 
 ◯ a clamping feature; and 
   • further comprising:
 ◯ a first left spring element fixed to the first left component proximal the first upper front left edge; and 
 ◯ a first right spring element:
 ▪ fixed to the first right component proximal the first upper front right edge; and 
 ▪ configured to cooperate with the first left spring element to center the first solar panel on the first module base and to guide the first front edge of the first solar panel into the first front left panel retention structure and into the first front right panel retention structure during installation of the first solar panel on the first module base. 
 
   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 :
 • wherein the first left component further defines:
 ◯ a first rear ballast fill window proximal the first rear edge of the first left component; 
 ◯ a first rear ballast drain window proximal the first rear edge of the first left component and below the first rear ballast fill window; 
 ◯ a first front ballast fill window proximal the first front edge of the first left component; and 
 ◯ a first front ballast drain window proximal the first front edge of the first left component and below the first front ballast fill window; 
   • wherein the first rear ballast further defines:
 ◯ a first rear ballast fill neck configured to pass through the first rear ballast fill window; and 
 ◯ a first rear ballast drain neck configured to pass through the first rear ballast drain window; 
   • wherein the first front ballast further defines:
 ◯ a first front ballast fill neck configured to pass through the first front ballast fill window; and 
 ◯ a first front ballast drain neck configured to pass through the first front ballast drain window; and 
   • further comprising:
 ◯ a first rear ballast fill cap configured to install on the first rear ballast fill neck and accessible through the first rear ballast fill window to fill the first rear ballast with the first rear volume of fluid; 
 ◯ a first rear ballast drain cap configured to install on the first rear ballast drain neck and accessible through the first rear ballast drain window to drain the first rear volume of fluid from the first rear ballast; 
 ○ a first front ballast fill cap configured to install on the first front ballast fill neck and accessible through the first front ballast fill window to fill the first front ballast with the first front volume of fluid; and 
 ○ a first front ballast drain cap configured to install on the first front ballast drain neck and accessible through the first front ballast drain window to drain the first front volume of fluid from the first front ballast. 
   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 1 :
 • wherein the first module base further comprises a first closing panel:
 ◯ configured to install between the first left component and the first right component proximal the first rear section upper surface of the first module base; and 
 ◯ configured to extend under the first rear edge of the first solar panel; and 
   • wherein the first left rear panel retention structure is mounted to a first left section of the first closing panel and the first right rear panel retention structure is mounted to a first right section of the first closing panel.   
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 :
 • wherein the first left rear panel retention structure defines:
 ◯ a channel:
 ▪ extending along a longitudinal axis, between and parallel to the left component and right component of the module base; and 
 ▪ configured to carry moisture away from a lower surface of the solar panel; 
 
 ◯ a retention fastener; 
 ◯ a clamping feature mounted to the retention fastener; and 
 ◯ a retention insert constrained within the channel, configured to run longitudinally along the channel and configured to accept the retention fastener; and 
   • wherein the first right rear panel retention structure defines:
 ◯ a channel:
 ▪ extending along a longitudinal axis, between and parallel to the left component and right component of the module base; and 
 ▪ configured to carry moisture away from a lower surface of the solar panel; 
 
 ◯ a retention fastener; 
 ◯ a clamping feature mounted to the retention fastener; and 
 ◯ a retention insert constrained within the channel, configured to run longitudinally along the channel and configured to accept the retention fastener. 
   
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 :
 • wherein the first module base defines an assembled width greater than the width of the first solar panel;   • wherein the first left component defines a width:
 ◯ to extend under the first left edge of the first solar panel; and 
 ◯ to extend outward beyond the first left edge of the first solar panel; and 
   • wherein the first right component defines a width:
 ◯ to extend under the first right edge of the first solar panel; and 
 ◯ to extend outward beyond the first left right of the first solar panel. 
   
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 :
 • wherein the front left lower protrusion further defines an adjustable contact surface arranged between the lower surface of the front left lower protrusion and the nonplanar terrain surface;   • wherein the front right lower protrusion further defines an adjustable contact surface arranged between the lower surface of the front right lower protrusion and the nonplanar terrain surface;   • wherein the rear left lower protrusion further defines an adjustable contact surface arranged between the lower surface of the rear left lower protrusion and the nonplanar terrain surface; and   • wherein the rear right lower protrusion further defines an adjustable contact surface arranged between the lower surface of the rear right lower protrusion and the nonplanar terrain surface.   
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the rear panel retention surface extends beyond the first rear section upper surface to retain a first solar panel with a longitudinal dimension greater than the longitudinal dimension of the upper surface of the first modular base. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the left component, the right component, the front component, the rear component, and the closing panel are each formed as a hollow molded polymer part. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 :
 • further comprising a storage case;   • wherein the left component and the right component are configured to nest in the storage case with the left top edge of the left component facing right top edge of the right component for shipping; and   • wherein the front ballast, rear ballast, front fascia, and rear fascia are configured to nest below the left component and the right component in the storage case for shipping.   
     
     
         18 . A system comprising a module base comprising:
 • a left component defining:
 ◯ a left triangular structure comprising:
 ▪ a left front edge of a front height; and 
 ▪ a left rear edge of a rear height greater than the front height; and 
 
 ◯ a set of left intra-assembly features; 
   • a right component defining:
 o a right triangular structure comprising:
 ▪ a right front edge of the front height; and 
 ▪ a right rear edge of the rear height; and 
 
 ◯ a set of right intra-assembly features; 
   • a front fascia component:
 ◯ configured to couple to the left component via the set of left intra-assembly features; and 
 ◯ configured to couple to the right component via the set of right intra-assembly features; 
   • a rear fascia component:
 ◯ configured to couple to the left component via the set of left intra-assembly features; and 
 ◯ configured to couple to the right component via the set of right intra-assembly features; 
   • a front panel retention structure:
 ◯ coupled to a front section upper surface of the module base; and 
 ◯ configured to retain a front edge of a solar panel on the module base; and 
   • a rear panel retention structure:
 ◯ coupled to a rear section upper surface of the module base; and 
 ◯ configured to retain the rear edge of the solar panel on the module base. 
   
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 18 :
 • wherein the front fascia component further defines a front ballast support surface;   • wherein the rear fascia component further defines a rear ballast support surface; and   • further comprising:
 ◯ a front ballast:
 ▪ defining a front enclosed volume configured to retain a front volume of fluid; and 
 ▪ configured to seat on the front ballast support surface to load a front section of the module base; and 
 
 ◯ a rear ballast:
 ▪ defining a rear enclosed volume configured to retain a rear volume of fluid; and 
 ▪ configured to seat on the rear ballast support surface to load a rear section of the module base. 
 
   
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 18 , wherein the rear panel retention structure further defines:
 • a channel:
 ◯ extending along a longitudinal axis, between and parallel to the left component and right component of the module base; and 
 ◯ configured to carry moisture away from a lower surface of the solar panel; 
   • a retention fastener;   • a clamping feature mounted to the retention fastener; and   • a retention insert constrained within the channel, configured to run longitudinally along the channel and configured to accept the retention fastener.