Imitation Solar Module For Use In A Staggered Or Irregularly Shaped Solar Array

Abstract

An imitation solar module for structural and aesthetic use in an array of electricity generating solar modules. The imitation solar module having a non-standard shape and a visual representation such as a decal of an actual solar module surface thereon. The imitation solar module includes triangular shapes for use in staggered module arrays.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An imitation solar module for use in a photovoltaic array, comprising:
 a flat triangular shaped body portion having a first side and a second side;   a visual representation of a portion of a photovoltaic module displayed on the flat triangular shaped body portion;   at least one coupling on the first side of the flat triangular shaped body portion for connecting the triangular shaped body portion to a first adjacent photovoltaic module.   
     
     
         2 . The imitation solar module of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 at least one coupling on the second side of the flat triangular shaped body portion for connecting the triangular shaped body portion to a second adjacent photovoltaic module.   
     
     
         3 . The imitation solar module of  claim 1 , wherein the couplings are rotatable in the first and second sides of the flat triangular shaped body portion. 
     
     
         4 . The imitation solar module of  claim 3 , wherein the couplings have T-shaped heads that are dimensioned to be rotated to lock into side grooves in the first and second adjacent photovoltaic modules. 
     
     
         5 . The imitation solar module of  claim 4 , wherein the first adjacent photovoltaic module is adjacent to the triangular shaped body portion in an X-direction and the second adjacent photovoltaic module is adjacent to the triangular shaped body portion in a Y-direction. 
     
     
         6 . The imitation solar module of  claim 4 , wherein the couplings ground the imitation solar module to the first and second adjacent photovoltaic modules. 
     
     
         7 . The imitation solar module of  claim 1 , wherein the couplings support the imitation solar module with no support from below. 
     
     
         8 . The imitation solar module of  claim 7 , wherein the couplings do not extend below the bottom edges of the sides of the imitation solar module. 
     
     
         9 . The imitation solar module of  claim 1 , wherein the visual representation of a portion of a photovoltaic module is a decal affixed to the top of the flat triangular shaped body portion. 
     
     
         10 . The imitation solar module of  claim 9 , wherein the decal is spaced further from the first side of the triangular shaped body portion than from the second side of the triangular shaped body portion. 
     
     
         11 . The imitation solar module of  claim 1 , wherein the imitation solar module comprises no electricity generating elements. 
     
     
         12 . An imitation solar module for use in a photovoltaic array, comprising:
 a flat, generally planar body portion having at least one curved edge;   a visual representation of a photovoltaic module displayed on the flat generally planar body portion; and   at least two connectors, each connector configured to connect the flat, generally planar body portion to an adjacent photovoltaic module.   
     
     
         13 . The imitation solar module of  claim 12 , wherein each connector connects the flat, generally planar body portion to a different adjacent photovoltaic module. 
     
     
         14 . The imitation solar module of  claim 12 , wherein the curved edge of the flat, generally planar body portion is dimensioned to be received around an obstruction on a roof. 
     
     
         15 . The imitation solar module of  claim 12 , wherein the curved edge of the flat, generally planar body portion is disposed on a different side of the solar module than either of the two connectors. 
     
     
         16 . The imitation solar module of  claim 12 , wherein the curved edge is the side edge of a hole passing through the flat, generally planar body portion. 
     
     
         17 . The imitation solar module of  claim 12 , wherein the visual representation of a portion of a photovoltaic module is a decal affixed to the top of the body portion. 
     
     
         18 . The imitation solar module of  claim 12 , wherein the solar module comprises no electricity generating elements. 
     
     
         19 . The imitation solar module of  claim 12 , wherein the couplings have T-shaped heads that are dimensioned to be rotated to lock into side grooves in two adjacent photovoltaic modules. 
     
     
         20 . The imitation solar module of  claim 12 , wherein the couplings support the imitation solar module with no support from below. 
     
     
         21 . The imitation solar module of  claim 20 , wherein the couplings do not extend below the bottom of the imitation solar module. 
     
     
         22 . An imitation solar module for use in a photovoltaic array, comprising:
 a flat triangular shaped body portion;   a frame extending around the flat triangular shaped body portion, the frame having first, second and third sides;   a visual representation of a portion of a photovoltaic module displayed on the flat triangular shaped body portion; and   a groove extending along the first, second and third sides of the frame.   
     
     
         23 . The imitation solar module of  claim 22 , wherein the groove is bounded by upper and lower flanges. 
     
     
         24 . The imitation solar module of  claim 22 , wherein the groove is dimensioned to receive T-shaped heads of connectors that rotatably lock therein. 
     
     
         25 . The imitation solar module of  claim 22 , wherein two corners of the triangular shaped body portion are truncated, thereby forming a five sided frame. 
     
     
         26 . The imitation solar module of  claim 22 , wherein the visual representation of a portion of a photovoltaic module is a decal affixed to the top of the flat triangular shaped body portion. 
     
     
         27 . The imitation solar module of  claim 22 , wherein the imitation solar module comprises no electricity generating elements.