Solar panel fire skirt

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention are directed towards fire blocking apparatuses. A fire blocking apparatus for a solar panel is mounted to an underlying mounting surface. The fire blocking apparatus includes a panel support structure sized and shaped to be mounted between a solar panel and the mounting surface thereby supporting and creating a gap between at least a portion of the solar panel and the mounting surface, where at least a portion of the panel support structure comprises a heat or fire sensitive material configured to melt, deform, or warp at a predetermined temperature such that when the structure is mounted between the solar panel and the mounting surface and heated at or above the predetermined temperature, the panel support structure collapses to reduce the gap between the at least a portion of the solar panel and the mounting surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A fire blocking apparatus for a solar panel mounted to an underlying mounting surface, the fire blocking apparatus comprising:
 a panel support structure configured to be mounted between a solar panel and the mounting surface thereby supporting and creating a gap between at least a portion of the solar panel and the mounting surface, wherein at least a portion of the panel support structure comprises a heat or fire sensitive material configured to melt, deform, or warp at a predetermined temperature such that when the structure is mounted between the solar panel and the mounting surface and heated at or above the predetermined temperature, the panel support structure collapses to reduce the gap between the at least a portion of the solar panel and the mounting surface.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the panel support structure comprises a heat or fire sensitive leg. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the panel support structure comprises a support leg and a coupling joint that includes a heat or fire sensitive adhesive or fastener. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 3 , further comprising a first mounting bracket disposed between the solar panel and the mounting surface, and a second mounting bracket disposed between the support leg and the mounting surface. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein the first mounting bracket is configured to pivot about a point to enable collapsing of the solar panel, and the second mounting bracket is configured to pivot about a point to enable collapsing of the support leg. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the panel support structure positions the solar panel at an angle relative to the mounting surface. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the angle is defined by the solar panel and the mounting surface. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the angle decreases when the panel support structure collapses. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the panel support structure comprises a first end and a second end opposite of the first end. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the first end is coupled to a bottom surface of the solar panel, and the second end is coupled to the underlying mounting surface. 
     
     
         11 . A solar panel system, comprising:
 a solar panel configured to be mounted on a mounting surface; and   a fire blocking apparatus coupled to the solar panel and the mounting surface, wherein the fire blocking apparatus comprises:
 a panel support structure configured to be vertically positioned between the solar panel and the mounting surface to support the solar panel and create a gap between at least a portion of the solar panel and the mounting surface, wherein at least a portion of the panel support structure comprises a heat or fire sensitive material configured to melt, deform, or warp at a predetermined temperature such that when the structure is mounted between the solar panel and the mounting surface and heated at or above the predetermined temperature, the panel support structure collapses to reduce the gap between the at least a portion of the solar panel and the mounting surface. 
   
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the panel support structure comprises a heat or fire sensitive leg. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the panel support structure comprises a support leg and a coupling joint that includes a heat or fire sensitive adhesive or fastener. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising a first mounting bracket disposed between the solar panel and the mounting surface, and a second mounting bracket disposed between the support leg and the mounting surface. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the first mounting bracket is configured to pivot about a point to enable collapsing of the solar panel, and the second mounting bracket is configured to pivot about a point to enable collapsing of the support leg. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the panel support structure positions the solar panel at an angle relative to the mounting surface. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the angle is defined by the solar panel and the mounting surface. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the angle decreases when the panel support structure collapses. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein the panel support structure comprises a first end and a second end opposite of the first end. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the first end is coupled to a bottom surface of the solar panel, and the second end is coupled to the underlying mounting surface.