Flat-on-ground Utility-Scale Photovoltaic Array With Edge Portions Resting On Ground Support Area

Abstract

An earth mount-enabled utility-scale solar photovoltaic array has plural rows of solar panels supported on the ground s 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.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An earth mount enabled utility scale solar photovoltaic array comprising a plurality of solar modules supported by touching the ground to establish an azimuth-independent earth orientation of the modules. 
     
     
         2 . The array of  claim 1 , wherein the modules sit in an adjacent arrangement of rows. 
     
     
         3 . The array of  claim 2 , wherein the array contacts the ground without an intermediate structural support between the array and the ground. 
     
     
         4 . The array of  claim 3 , wherein the module edge frames of some of the modules directly touch the ground. 
     
     
         5 . The array of  claim 4 , wherein some of the modules rest on native topography or a smoothed or substantially flat portion of the ground. 
     
     
         6 . The array of  claim 5  wherein the ground mechanically supports edge frames resting on the ground. 
     
     
         7 . The array of  claim 6 , wherein a retention clip comprising a bracket links modules at a predetermined proximity to each other. 
     
     
         8 . The array of  claim 7 , wherein the clips form flexible connections between module rows. 
     
     
         9 . The array of  claim 8 , wherein the clips connect between individual modules to form the array. 
     
     
         10 . The array of  claim 9 , wherein the clips engage adjacent module edge frames. 
     
     
         11 . The array of  claim 10 , wherein the clips mechanically and flexibly join the modules with both lateral and differential vertical movement inherently limited. 
     
     
         12 . The array of  claim 8 , wherein the clips engage adjacent module edge frames. 
     
     
         13 . The array of  claim 12 , wherein the clips mechanically and flexibly join the modules with both lateral and differential vertical movement inherently limited. 
     
     
         14 . The array of  claim 13 , wherein a retention clip comprising a bracket links modules at a predetermined proximity to each other. 
     
     
         15 . The array of  claim 14 , wherein the clips form flexible connections between module rows. 
     
     
         16 . The array of  claim 15 , wherein the clips connect between individual modules to form the array. 
     
     
         17 . The array of  claim 16 , wherein the clips engage adjacent module edge frames. 
     
     
         18 . The array of  claim 17 , wherein the clips mechanically and flexibly join the modules with both lateral and differential vertical movement inherently limited. 
     
     
         19 . The array of  claim 15 , wherein the clips engage adjacent module edge frames. 
     
     
         20 . The array of  claim 19 , wherein the clips mechanically and flexibly join the modules with both lateral and differential vertical movement inherently limited.