Solar panel system and method utilizing unframed solar panels

Abstract

A solar panel system and method wherein unframed solar panels are positioned on support beams above a support structure in a configuration that leaves two of the edges of the solar panels unframed. This avoids trapping of water and dirt and the like, which occurs with prior art, framed panels. A liner comprised of a compliant material may be interposed between the support beams and the two panel edges so as to protect those two edges, while leaving the remaining two edges in their original, unframed condition.

1 . A solar panel system comprising, in combination:
 a liner comprised of a compliant material positionable about two opposing edges of a four edge solar panel;   two support beams configured to support the two opposing edges of the four edge solar panel, with the liner interposed between the two support beams and the two opposing edges, and with two remaining edges of the four edge solar panel in an unframed condition; and   a support structure for the solar panel system that is adapted to receive thereon the two support beams.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the compliant material is butyl rubber. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the liner has a substantially “U” shape. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the liner is comprised of a first L-shaped component and a second flat component. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1  wherein the two support beams each comprise a lower horizontal member, an upper horizontal member, a vertical member interposed between the lower horizontal member and the upper horizontal member, and a separator positioned on an upper surface of the upper horizontal member. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5  further comprising a top plate coupled to the separator. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1  further comprising a four edge solar panel. 
     
     
         8 . A solar panel system comprising, in combination:
 a four edge solar panel;   a liner comprised of a compliant material positionable about two opposing edges of the four edge solar panel;   two support beams configured to support the two opposing edges of the four edge solar panel, with the liner interposed between the two support beams and the two opposing edges, and with two remaining edges of the four edge solar panel in an unframed condition;   wherein the two support beams each comprise a lower horizontal member, an upper horizontal member, a vertical member interposed between the lower horizontal member and the upper horizontal member, and a separator positioned on an upper surface of the upper horizontal member;   a top plate coupled to the separator; and   a support structure for the solar panel system that is adapted to receive thereon the two support beams.   
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the compliant material is butyl rubber. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the liner has a substantially “U” shape. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 8  wherein the liner is comprised of a first L-shaped component and a second flat component. 
     
     
         12 . A method for assembling a solar panel array comprising:
 providing a four edged solar panel;   providing a support structure for the solar panel array;   positioning on the support structure two support beams;   interposing a liner comprised of a compliant material between two opposing edges of the four edge solar panel and the two support beams; and   leaving two edges of the four edge solar panel in an unframed condition.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the compliant material is butyl rubber. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the liner comprises a lower portion configured to be positioned above an opposing edge of the four edge solar panel and an upper portion configured to be positioned below an opposing edge of the four edge solar panel. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the liner has a substantially “U” shape. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 14  wherein the lower portion has an L-shape and the upper portion is flat. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the two support beams each comprise a lower horizontal member, an upper horizontal member, a vertical member interposed between the lower horizontal member and the upper horizontal member, and a separator positioned on an upper surface of the upper horizontal member. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17  further comprising:
 positioning on the upper surface of a layer of the upper horizontal member the lower portion of the liner;   positioning an edge of the four edge solar panel on the lower portion of the liner;   positioning the upper portion of the liner above the edge of the four edge solar panel; and   coupling the top plate to the separator above the upper portion of the liner.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12  wherein the liner is first positioned on the two opposing edges of the four edged solar panel, and the four edged solar panel, with the liner positioned thereon, is then positioned on the support beams. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 14  further comprising:
 positioning the lower portion of the liner on one of the support beams;   positioning one edge of the four-edged solar panel on top of the lower portion;   positioning the upper portion of the liner on top of the four-edge solar panel, proximate the one edge thereof,   positioning a top plate over the top portion of the liner; and   securing the top plate to the one of the support beams.