An outdoor structure is disclosed. In some examples, the outdoor structure includes a front beam, a back beam opposite the front beam, and a first side beam and a second side beam each coupled to the front beam and the back beam. The outdoor structure also includes a plurality of posts coupled to one or more of the beams. Further, the outdoor structure includes a plurality of panel supporting elements secured to the posts. In some examples, one or more panels are secured to the panel supporting elements. In some examples, the outdoor structure includes a plurality of rod supporting elements secured to the posts. In some examples, a rod is secured to the plurality of rod supporting elements.

An outdoor structure is disclosed. In some examples, the outdoor structure includes a front beam, a back beam opposite the front beam, and a first side beam and a second side beam each coupled to the front beam and the back beam. The outdoor structure also includes a plurality of posts coupled to one or more of the beams. Further, the outdoor structure includes a plurality of panel supporting elements secured to the posts. In some examples, one or more panels are secured to the panel supporting elements. In some examples, the outdoor structure includes a plurality of rod supporting elements secured to the posts. In some examples, a rod is secured to the plurality of rod supporting elements.

A bracket system, for suspending pergola beams from an existing structure, the existing structure having a vertical wall and roof rafters that each have a rafter top and a rafter end that extends beyond the vertical wall over a ground surface, each of the pergola beams having a supported end, including a plurality of brackets. Each bracket having a mounting assembly for attaching to one of the rafters, a support assembly for attaching the support end of one of the pergola beams, and a connecting assembly that suspends the support assembly from the mounting assembly. The pergola beams extend over the ground surface, away from the existing structure, supported only by the bracket at the support end and without any vertical supports.

A bracket system, for suspending pergola beams from an existing structure, the existing structure having a vertical wall and roof rafters that each have a rafter top and a rafter end that extends beyond the vertical wall over a ground surface, each of the pergola beams having a supported end, including a plurality of brackets. Each bracket having a mounting assembly for attaching to one of the rafters, a support assembly for attaching the support end of one of the pergola beams, and a connecting assembly that suspends the support assembly from the mounting assembly. The pergola beams extend over the ground surface, away from the existing structure, supported only by the bracket at the support end and without any vertical supports.

A structural bracket assembly for a residential or commercial trellis. The structural bracket assembly comprises an aluminum mounting plate securable to a vertical wall having a support member extending outwardly therefrom at an angle and terminating with an end plate. Plywood is fastened to the top and the bottom of the support member. Roofing material is fastened to the upper piece of plywood, and a soffit panel is secured to the lower piece of plywood. A frieze board is secured to the vertical wall beneath the lower piece of plywood to conceal the mounting plate, and a hollow rafter tail is secured to the soffit panel. In one embodiment, the rafter tail is spaced apart from a support bracket by a cross beam.

A structural bracket assembly for a residential or commercial trellis. The structural bracket assembly comprises an aluminum mounting plate securable to a vertical wall having a support member extending outwardly therefrom at an angle and terminating with an end plate. Plywood is fastened to the top and the bottom of the support member. Roofing material is fastened to the upper piece of plywood, and a soffit panel is secured to the lower piece of plywood. A frieze board is secured to the vertical wall beneath the lower piece of plywood to conceal the mounting plate, and a hollow rafter tail is secured to the soffit panel. In one embodiment, the rafter tail is spaced apart from a support bracket by a cross beam.

A device for day lighting the interior of structure deploys reflective louvers that are spaced apart in stacks. The louvers include a coating or multilayer structure that is operative to reflect visible light but transmit IR light through the louver. The louvers also have a retro-reflective structure to return the IR light by reverse reflection in the opposite direction of the incident light, which is back toward the sun. The interior of the structure is more uniformly illuminated with visible light while the louvers and interior are not heated by IR light or radiation from the sun.

A device for day lighting the interior of structure deploys reflective louvers that are spaced apart in stacks. The louvers include a coating or multilayer structure that is operative to reflect visible light but transmit IR light through the louver. The louvers also have a retro-reflective structure to return the IR light by reverse reflection in the opposite direction of the incident light, which is back toward the sun. The interior of the structure is more uniformly illuminated with visible light while the louvers and interior are not heated by IR light or radiation from the sun.

A panel assembly includes two frame members and a plurality of panels extending between the frame members. Each panel has fastening elements at either end. The fastening elements are arranged to clip onto mating portions of the frame members, and are also arranged to frictionally engage internal surfaces of the panels to thereby hold the panels relative to the frame members.

In accordance with various exemplary embodiments, solar energy shade structures and methods of design and revenue generation are disclosed. These systems comprise structures capable of supporting solar panel at heights greater than 18 feet above their mounting surface. These systems may be installed in confined spaces. These systems also comprise structures that are customizable, allowing an installation to be configured with a desired lighting and environmental effect. The methods discussed herein describe processes for achieving desired design effects based on natural elements. Moreover, the methods discussed herein describe processes for reducing the costs of generating solar energy and/or reducing the costs of providing a solar structure.