The present disclosure relates to a simple, lightweight, cost-effective, aesthetically pleasing, and strong system for mounting solar panel tiles (or other tiles/panels) over a roof (surface). The system includes frames (footage) parallelly positioned over the surface using reference bars passing through the frames, and bolts/screws to couple the frames to the surface. The frames include C-shaped grooves at both ends. Each groove is configured with a flat spring that is coupled to the grooves using a spring fixing bracket. Further, Z-shaped clamps are coupled at the bottom surface of the tiles to form a tile assembly. The spring is adapted to be pressed upon application of a force while mounting the tile assembly in the frames, which allows one side of the tile assembly, and the Z-shaped clamp on the other side of the tile assembly to be accommodated and locked in the two opposite C-shaped grooves of the frames.

The present disclosure relates to a simple, lightweight, cost-effective, aesthetically pleasing, and strong system for mounting solar panel tiles (or other tiles/panels) over a roof (surface). The system includes frames (footage) parallelly positioned over the surface using reference bars passing through the frames, and bolts/screws to couple the frames to the surface. The frames include C-shaped grooves at both ends. Each groove is configured with a flat spring that is coupled to the grooves using a spring fixing bracket. Further, Z-shaped clamps are coupled at the bottom surface of the tiles to form a tile assembly. The spring is adapted to be pressed upon application of a force while mounting the tile assembly in the frames, which allows one side of the tile assembly, and the Z-shaped clamp on the other side of the tile assembly to be accommodated and locked in the two opposite C-shaped grooves of the frames.

A method for manufacturing a concentrating photovoltaic solar sub-module equipped with a reflective face having a concave predefined geometric shape, wherein it includes laminating, in a single step, a multi-layer assembly comprising in succession: a structural element equipped with a reflective first face and a second face, opposite the first; a layer of a material of good thermal conductivity, higher than that of the material from which the structural element is composed, the layer being placed on the second face of the structural element; a layer of encapsulant or of adhesive; a photovoltaic receiver, the layer of encapsulant or of adhesive being placed between the layer of a material of good thermal conductivity and the receiver; a layer made of transparent encapsulating material, covering at least the entire surface of the photovoltaic receiver; and a transparent protective layer covering the layer made of transparent encapsulating material; and during the lamination, the reflective face of the structural element is shaped by being brought into contact with a convex surface of a counter-mold, in order to obtain the reflective face of concave predefined geometric shape.

A self-deployable array of panels includes a plurality of panels, each panel having a first compressed panel thickness state and a second expanded panel thickness state, and including a spring bias element biased to the second expanded panel thickness state. A plurality of locking hinges hingedly couple each of the panels to an adjoining panel. Each locking hinge is biased to an open position. A release of stored potential energy of both of the spring bias element biased to the second expanded panel thickness state, and the locking hinges biased to the open position causes the self-deployable array of panels to self-deploy from a folded stowed state. A single part offset locking hinge is also described.

A self-deployable array of panels includes a plurality of panels, each panel having a first compressed panel thickness state and a second expanded panel thickness state, and including a spring bias element biased to the second expanded panel thickness state. A plurality of locking hinges hingedly couple each of the panels to an adjoining panel. Each locking hinge is biased to an open position. A release of stored potential energy of both of the spring bias element biased to the second expanded panel thickness state, and the locking hinges biased to the open position causes the self-deployable array of panels to self-deploy from a folded stowed state. A single part offset locking hinge is also described.

A mounting system for mounting a solar panel assembly to a base assembly includes a panel support bracket, a base bracket and a clamp configured to exert a compressive force to hold the panel support bracket and the base bracket together. The clamp comprises a V-shaped clamp body that includes a pair of legs that are spring-loaded to oppose an approximation of the legs by an external compressive force. The clamp includes a pair of receiver slots, with each of the pair of receiver slots located on a corresponding one of the pair of legs. The pair of receiver slots collectively provides a clearance to admit the panel support bracket and the base bracket when the legs are compressed together.

A mounting system for mounting a solar panel assembly to a base assembly includes a panel support bracket, a base bracket and a clamp configured to exert a compressive force to hold the panel support bracket and the base bracket together. The clamp comprises a V-shaped clamp body that includes a pair of legs that are spring-loaded to oppose an approximation of the legs by an external compressive force. The clamp includes a pair of receiver slots, with each of the pair of receiver slots located on a corresponding one of the pair of legs. The pair of receiver slots collectively provides a clearance to admit the panel support bracket and the base bracket when the legs are compressed together.

A ballast system includes a first ballast tray and a second ballast tray. The first ballast tray has a first side profile including a south leg connected to a north leg. The second ballast tray has a second side profile that is different than the first side profile. A length of the north leg of the second side profile is greater than a length of the south leg of the first side profile, and a height of the north leg of the second side profile is substantially equal to a height of the south leg of the first side profile. The north leg of the second side profile includes a curvature so as to partially curve toward the south leg of the second side profile.

A ballast system includes a first ballast tray and a second ballast tray. The first ballast tray has a first side profile including a south leg connected to a north leg. The second ballast tray has a second side profile that is different than the first side profile. A length of the north leg of the second side profile is greater than a length of the south leg of the first side profile, and a height of the north leg of the second side profile is substantially equal to a height of the south leg of the first side profile. The north leg of the second side profile includes a curvature so as to partially curve toward the south leg of the second side profile.

A solar tracker system is a system and method to integrate the solar cells to a greenhouse. The solar tracker system comprises solar tracker modules that include solar cells, racks, gears, pinons, motors, and mounting brackets to efficiently and conveniently be installed to the roofs and walls of a new greenhouse and/or an existing greenhouse for retrofit application. Additionally, the solar tracker system uses various sensors to provide real-time conditions to the greenhouse. The method uses actual or system default values to adjust the angle and position of solar cells according to various environmental factors, such as DLI, weather, date, time, direction of sunlight, or type of plant.