Phtovoltaic module mounting and installation system

Abstract

A photovoltaic system, comprising: a photovoltaic module attached to a photovoltaic rectangular mount frame; a deflector having a first end rotatably coupled to the mount frame so as to pivot the deflector from a nested position under the photovoltaic module in the mount frame to an installation position raising at least a first side of the mount frame; and a mount foot rotatably coupled to a second end of the deflector so as to pivot the mount foot from a nesting position in a mount foot nesting indention in the deflector to an installation position planar to a mounting surface.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A photovoltaic system, comprising:
 a photovoltaic module attached to a photovoltaic rectangular mount frame;   a deflector attached to said mount frame by a rotatable deflector and mount frame attachment, wherein said deflector is configured to pivot around said rotatable deflector and mount frame attachment from a first position under said photovoltaic module in said mount frame to an installation position raising at least a first side of said mount frame; and   a mount foot attached to said deflector by a rotatable mount foot and deflector attachment, wherein said mount foot is configured to pivot around said rotatable mount foot and deflector attachment from a nesting position in a mount foot nesting indention in said deflector to an installation position planar to a mounting surface.   
     
     
         2 . The photovoltaic system of  claim 1 , wherein said photovoltaic module comprises a plurality of electrically connected encapsulant embedded solar cells. 
     
     
         3 . The photovoltaic system of  claim 2 , wherein said photovoltaic module includes a glass or plastic cover material and module back sheet. 
     
     
         4 . The photovoltaic system of  claim 1 , wherein said mount frame, said deflector, and said mount foot are made of plastic composite. 
     
     
         5 . The photovoltaic system of  claim 1 , wherein said mount frame further comprises an internal ledge for photovoltaic module support. 
     
     
         6 . The photovoltaic system of  claim 1 , wherein said mount frame further comprises a plurality of internal ribs for photovoltaic module support. 
     
     
         7 . The photovoltaic system of  claim 1 , wherein said mount frame, said deflector, and said mount foot are made of fiber reinforced plastic. 
     
     
         8 . The photovoltaic system of  claim 1 , wherein said first position of said deflector is a nested position within and parallel to the mount frame. 
     
     
         9 . The photovoltaic system of  claim 1 , wherein said mount frame includes an attachment hook on a first side of said mount frame; and wherein said deflector is attached to a second side of said mount frame opposite said mount frame first side. 
     
     
         10 . The photovoltaic system of  claim 9 , wherein said second side of said mount frame includes a flared mount frame side wall. 
     
     
         11 . A stack of photovoltaic systems, comprising: a stack of photovoltaic systems formed of at least a first photovoltaic system on a second photovoltaic system; said first photovoltaic system and said second photovoltaic system each having a photovoltaic module attached to a corresponding photovoltaic mount frame and a deflector, said deflector having at a first end a pivotable mount foot member coupled thereto, said pivotable mount foot member positioned in a nesting position in a mount foot nesting indention in said deflector when stacked, wherein each said mount frame has a rectangular shape, each said photovoltaic module of said photovoltaic system attached to said mount frame, a lip of said mount frame exposed above said attached photovoltaic module, and said deflector attached at a second end to said mount frame by a rotatable deflector and mount frame attachment wherein said deflector pivots around said rotatable deflector and mount frame attachment from a nesting position under said photovoltaic module in said mount frame to an installation position raising at least a first side of said mount frame, and wherein said deflector is positioned in the nesting position when stacked. 
     
     
         12 . The stack of photovoltaic systems of  claim 11 , wherein said photovoltaic mount system is made of fiber reinforced plastic. 
     
     
         13 . A photovoltaic system, comprising:
 a photovoltaic module attached to a photovoltaic rectangular mount frame;   a deflector having a first end rotatably coupled to said mount frame so as to pivot the deflector from a nested position under said photovoltaic module in said mount frame to an installation position raising at least a first side of said mount frame; and   a mount foot rotatably coupled to a second end of said deflector so as to pivot said mount foot from a nesting position in a mount foot nesting indention in said deflector to an installation position planar to a mounting surface.   
     
     
         14 . The photovoltaic system of  claim 13 , wherein the first end of the deflector extends along a majority of at least one side of the rectangular mount frame. 
     
     
         15 . The photovoltaic system of  claim 13 , wherein the deflector includes grasp indentions for receiving a side connector attachable to said deflector for connecting to another photovoltaic system. 
     
     
         16 . The photovoltaic system of  claim 13 , wherein said mount frame includes an attachment hook on a side of said mount frame and distal to said deflector. 
     
     
         17 . The photovoltaic system of  claim 13 , wherein said photovoltaic module comprises a plurality of electrically connected encapsulant embedded solar cells.