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:
 a first photovoltaic module array extending in a first lateral direction;   a second photovoltaic module array extending in the first lateral direction;   a rail comprising first and second vehicle support surfaces each extending in a second lateral direction that is perpendicular to the first lateral direction;   a transportation vehicle supported by the first and second vehicle support surfaces; and   a photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle,
 the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle being operable along the first photovoltaic module array in the first lateral direction so as to remove dirt or dust on the first photovoltaic module array, 
 the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle being movable by the transportation vehicle along the second lateral direction from the first photovoltaic module array to the second photovoltaic module array, and 
 the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle, after being moved by the transportation vehicle, being operable along the second photovoltaic module array in the first lateral direction so as to remove dirt or dust on the second photovoltaic module array. 
   
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 41 , further comprising:
 a first elongated rail comprising first and second photovoltaic module support surfaces each extending along the first lateral direction,
 the first photovoltaic module array being supported by the first and second photovoltaic module support surfaces; and 
   a second elongated rail comprising third and fourth photovoltaic module support surfaces each extending along the first lateral direction,
 the second photovoltaic module array being supported by the third and fourth photovoltaic module support surfaces. 
   
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the first and second photovoltaic module arrays each are vertically tilted relative to an installation surface. 
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 41 , the rail 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 first photovoltaic module array; and   a sensor disposed on the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle and configured to detect the positional indicator.   
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 41 , further comprising:
 a positional indicator disposed along the rail; and   a sensor disposed on the transportation vehicle and configured to detect the positional indicator.   
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle comprises one or more wheels, continuous tracks, or caterpillar treads that move the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle along the first photovoltaic module array and along the second photovoltaic module array. 
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle comprises one or more wheels, continuous tracks, or caterpillar treads that move the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle along the first photovoltaic module array and along the second photovoltaic module array. 
     
     
         49 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the transportation vehicle comprises one or more wheels, continuous tracks, or caterpillar treads that move the transportation along the first and second vehicle support surfaces. 
     
     
         50 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle operates periodically. 
     
     
         51 . The system of  claim 41 , wherein the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle and the transportation vehicle are configured to communicate with one another. 
     
     
         52 . A method comprising:
 providing a first photovoltaic module array extending in a first lateral direction;   providing a second photovoltaic module array extending in the first lateral direction;   providing a rail comprising first and second vehicle support surfaces each extending in a second lateral direction that is perpendicular to the first lateral direction;   operating a photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle along the first photovoltaic module array in the first lateral direction so as to remove dirt or dust on the first photovoltaic module array;   moving the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle by the transportation vehicle along the second lateral direction from the first photovoltaic module array to the second photovoltaic module array; and   after moving the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle by the transportation vehicle, operating the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle along the second photovoltaic module array in the first lateral direction so as to remove dirt or dust on the second photovoltaic module array.   
     
     
         53 . The method of  claim 52 , further comprising:
 supporting the first photovoltaic module array with first and second photovoltaic module support surfaces of a first elongated rail, the first and second photovoltaic module support surfaces each extending along the first lateral direction; and   supporting the second photovoltaic module array with third and fourth photovoltaic module support surfaces of a second elongated rail, the third and fourth photovoltaic module support surfaces each extending along the first lateral direction.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the first and second photovoltaic module arrays each are vertically tilted relative to an installation surface. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 52 , the rail including a void between the first and second vehicle support surfaces. 
     
     
         56 . The method of  claim 52 , further comprising:
 disposing a positional indicator along the first photovoltaic module array; and   detecting the positional indicator with a sensor disposed on the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle.   
     
     
         57 . The method of  claim 52 , further comprising:
 disposing a positional indicator along the rail; and   detecting the positional indicator with a sensor disposed on the transportation vehicle.   
     
     
         58 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle comprises one or more wheels, continuous tracks, or caterpillar treads that move the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle along the first photovoltaic module array and along the second photovoltaic module array. 
     
     
         59 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle comprises one or more wheels, continuous tracks, or caterpillar treads that move the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle along the first photovoltaic module array and along the second photovoltaic module array. 
     
     
         60 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the transportation vehicle comprises one or more wheels, continuous tracks, or caterpillar treads that move the transportation along the first and second vehicle support surfaces. 
     
     
         61 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle operates periodically. 
     
     
         62 . The method of  claim 52 , wherein the photovoltaic module cleaning vehicle and the transportation vehicle communicate with one another.