Rail systems and methods for installation and operation of photovoltaic arrays

Abstract

Rail system and method for a photovoltaic array. The system includes at least one modular rail in a first direction. The modular rail includes a first vehicle support surface along the first direction and a first mounting surface along the first direction. The first vehicle support surface is configured to support at least a first vehicle moving in the first direction, and the first mounting surface is configured to support one or more photovoltaic modules mounted on the first mounting surface.

1 .- 40 . (canceled) 
     
     
         41 . A system comprising:
 an elongated support system comprising:
 first and second vehicle support surfaces each extending along a first lateral direction; and 
 first and second photovoltaic module support surfaces each extending along the first lateral direction,
 each of the first and second photovoltaic module support surfaces being disposed between the first vehicle support surface and the second vehicle support surface; 
 
   a photovoltaic module array supported by the first and second photovoltaic module support surfaces; and   a photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle supported by the first and second vehicle support surfaces and operating along the first lateral direction so as to remove dirt or dust on the photovoltaic module array.   
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the photovoltaic module array includes an edge extending along the first direction, and wherein the first vehicle support surface extends beyond the edge in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the photovoltaic module array is vertically tilted relative to an installation surface. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 41 , the elongated support system including a void between the first and second vehicle support surfaces. 
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 41 , further comprising:
 a positional indicator disposed along the elongated support system; and   a sensor disposed on the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle and configured to detect the positional indicator.   
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle comprises:
 one or more wheels, continuous tracks, or caterpillar treads that contact the first vehicle support surface; and   one or more wheels, continuous tracks, or caterpillar treads that contact the second vehicle support surface.   
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle operates periodically. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle is configured to remove dirt or dust on a plurality of discrete photovoltaic panel arrays. 
     
     
         49 . A method comprising:
 providing an elongated support system comprising:
 first and second vehicle support surfaces each extending along a first lateral direction; and 
 first and second photovoltaic module support surfaces each extending along the first lateral direction,
 each of the first and second photovoltaic module support surfaces being disposed between the first vehicle support surface and the second vehicle support surface; 
 
   providing a photovoltaic module array supported by the first and second photovoltaic module support surfaces; and   supporting a photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle by the first and second vehicle support surfaces; and   operating the photovoltaic module cleaning module along the first lateral direction so as to remove dirt or dust on the photovoltaic module array.   
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the photovoltaic module array includes an edge extending along the first direction, and wherein the first vehicle support surface extends beyond the edge in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the photovoltaic module array is vertically tilted relative to an installation surface. 
     
     
         52 . The method of  claim 49 , the elongated support system including a void between the first and second vehicle support surfaces. 
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 49 , further comprising:
 disposing a positional indicator along the elongated support system; and   detecting the positional indicator by a sensor disposed on the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle comprises:
 one or more wheels, continuous tracks, or caterpillar treads that contact the first vehicle support surface; and   one or more wheels, continuous tracks, or caterpillar treads that contact the second vehicle support surface.   
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle operates periodically. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle removes dirt or dust on a plurality of discrete photovoltaic panel arrays.