Flat Tile Solar Panels - Intervening Structure III

Abstract

An earth mount-enabled utility-scale solar photovoltaic array has plural rows of solar panels supported on the grounds to establish an earth orientation of the solar panels. Edge portions of the panels rest on a ground support area and provide mechanical support, and an end curb member abuts at least one edge of the arrangement. The panels are interconnected in at least one series-connected string extending in at least two rows so that the string has a total distance between terminal ends of the series connection less than a lengthwise dimension of the solar panels constituting the string, routed to reduce “home run” connections at the end of the string.

1 . A utility-scale photovoltaic array comprising PV modules having long and short edges mounted on a structure that elevates at least one of the PV modules a height of 0-70, 0-50, or 0-40 cm above ground level. 
     
     
         2 . The array of  claim 1 , wherein the structure extends into the ground 50 or less percent of the height. 
     
     
         3 . The array of  claim 1  further comprising a type-a connector forming a connection between a first module long edge adjacent to a second module long edge. 
     
     
         4 . The array of  claim 3  further comprising a type-a connector forming a connection between a third module short edge adjacent to the first or second module short edges. 
     
     
         5 . The array of  claim 4 , wherein the type-a connector has a length shorter than a module short edge. 
     
     
         6 . The array of  claim 5 , wherein the type-a connectors electrically bond the first module, the second module, and the third module. 
     
     
         7 . The array of  claim 5 , further comprising a type-b connector that is an electrical interconnect, some of the type-b connectors form a series-connected string, and the string comprises terminal string ends with a distance between the ends of less than a lengthwise module dimension. 
     
     
         8 . The array of  claim 7 , wherein the string has a path that starts with a first end, extends along a direction, returns along an opposite direction, and ends with a second end. 
     
     
         9 . The array of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second terminal ends exit from the same array side. 
     
     
         10 . The array of  claim 9 , wherein the modules are mounted flat. 
     
     
         11 . The array of  claim 1  not containing a rigid connection between the module and any point further than an intermediate distance into the ground. 
     
     
         12 . The array of  claim 11 , wherein a rigid connection is any connection containing ceramic, wood, metal, or plastic. 
     
     
         13 . The array of  claim 12  further comprising a type-a connector forming a connection between a first module long edge adjacent to a second module long edge. 
     
     
         14 . The array of  claim 13  further comprising a type-a connector forming a connection between a third module short edge adjacent to the first or second module short edges. 
     
     
         15 . The array of  claim 14 , wherein the type-a connector has a length shorter than a module short edge. 
     
     
         16 . The array of  claim 15 , wherein the type-a connectors electrically bond the first module, the second module, and the third module. 
     
     
         17 . The array of  claim 15  further comprising a type-b connector that is an electrical interconnect, wherein some of the type-b connectors form a series-connected string, and the string comprises terminal string ends with a distance between the ends of less than a lengthwise module dimension. 
     
     
         18 . The array of  claim 17 , wherein the string has a path that starts with a first end, extends along a direction, returns along an opposite direction, and ends with a second end. 
     
     
         19 . The array of  claim 18 , wherein the first and second terminal ends exit from the same array side.