Snow fence for solar panel

Abstract

An accessory for a solar panel assembly includes a bracket defining an elongated portion extending in a first direction and including a slot, a connector coupled to the bracket and configured to engage at least one panel frame of the solar panel assembly, and a fence member including a first portion and a second portion. The first portion including a planar surface oriented at an angle relative to the bracket portion, and the second portion includes a projection that removably engages the slot.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application 38 238 to secure the fence member 38 relative to the bracket 230. Furthermore, the first portion 274 of the fence member 238 extends above the third portion 278.

FIGS. 11-15 illustrate another embodiment of the snow fence 316. As best shown in FIG. 14, the lower surface of the bracket 330 includes a projection surface 396 proximate the fence member 38. As shown in FIG. 16, the projection surface 396 assists in locating the bracket 30 proximate a leading edge or long side 20 of the solar panel frame 26 during installation. Also, as shown in FIG. 12, a splice plate 398 is positioned between the parallel support members 90 of the fence member 38. The splice plate 398 extends between the fence member 38 and an adjacent fence member 38 to align the fence members 38 and provide rigidity. In other embodiments, shown in FIG. 16, the projection surface 396 includes a ridge 400. The ridge 400 abuts the leading edge of the solar panel frame 26 and assists in positioning the bracket 330 relative to the leading edge of the solar panel 26 during installation. The bracket 330 may also include a rear projection surface 402 that engages the top of the solar panel frame 26.

The embodiments described with respect to FIGS. 1-16 include the strap 28. The strap 28 is primarily coupled to brackets 30 positioned along the leading edge of a panel assembly 12 to further support the fence 16 from being pushed off the edge of the panel assembly 12 in the event of an excessive snow load. For example, a snow fence 316 positioned up-slope from the leading edge may not require a strap 28. In this case, the ridge 400 may engage the adjacent down-slope solar panel frame to prevent the bracket 330 from sliding downwardly.

FIG. 17 illustrates another embodiment of the snow fence 416. The snow fence 416 is positioned adjacent an outer edge of the solar panel assembly 12, adjacent at least one short side 18 of the solar panels 14. The bracket 430 includes a slot 458 and a second portion 454 that is coupled to the strap 28. In the illustrated embodiment, the bracket 430 is formed in an L-shape. The first coupling device 434a includes an L-shaped or angled bracket 464a which engages a bottom surface of the solar panel frame 26. An elongate member or portion 462a extends through the second portion 454 of the bracket 430 and engages the angled bracket 464a to secure the bracket 430 against the panel 26. The second coupling device 434b includes an upper angled portion 480 and a lower angled portion 464b. The upper angled portion 480 engages the top of the solar panel frame 26 and is positioned adjacent the strap 28, and the lower angled portion 464b engages the bottom surface of the panel frame 26. An elongate member or portion 462b extends through the upper angled bracket 480 and engages the lower angled bracket 464b to secure the strap 28 relative to the solar panel frame 26. In some embodiments, the strap 28 is included in a snow fence 416 that is positioned along a leading edge of the solar panel assembly 12, but is not included in snow fences 416 positioned up-slope from the leading edge. A fence member 438 is retained in the slot 458 and secured by the locking member 40 in a similar manner as described above with respect to FIGS. 9 and 10.

Other shapes, configurations and arrangements of the bracket are possible and the brackets 30, 230, 330, 430 illustrated here are given by way of example only. Additionally, any suitable fastener or fastener assembly can be utilized to couple the bracket to the solar panel frame 26 and the embodiments described and illustrated herein are given by way of example only.

Any of the brackets 30, 230, 330, 430 illustrated herein can be used to inhibit the movement of water, snow and ice along the respective solar panels. Additionally, or alternatively, the brackets 30, 230, 330, 430 and/or the strap 28 can be used for attaching conduit to the solar panels, including insulated wiring. In some embodiments, the strap 28 also supports a microinverter (not shown) assembly in communication with at least one of the solar panels 14 to control the operation of the solar panel. The microinverter may be positioned to a lower surface of the strap 28 so that the microinverter is not exposed. In another embodiment, the strap 28 supports a cleaning system for cleaning dust or other material from the surface of the solar panel 14. The cleaning system includes at least one nozzle for spraying a cleaning fluid (e.g., water or air) onto the surface of the panel 14. In some embodiments, the strap 28 is included in snow fences 16 positioned along a leading edge of the solar panel array 12, but is not coupled to snow fences 16 positioned at an intermediate point of the assembly 12. The brackets 30, 230, 330, 430 can have any suitable height extending above the respective solar panels 14. In some configurations, the brackets 30, 230, 330, 430 are of a size that will not allow the sun to cast a substantial shadow over an uppermost point of the brackets 30, 230, 330, 430 on the solar panels 14. Shadows cast on solar panels can diminish the efficiency of the solar panels.

FIGS. 18-22 illustrate the snow fence 316 including a coupling device 634a according to another embodiment. The bracket 630 is substantially similar to the bracket 330 described above with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 16. As shown in FIGS. 21 and 22, the coupling device 634a includes an elongate portion in the form of an adjustment bolt 662a and a rotating portion in the form of a jack plate 664a that is rotated until the plate 664a engages a bottom surface of the panel frame 26. The elongated portion 662a includes a first end 666a and a support foot 668a coupled to an opposite end of the bolt 662a. The support foot 668a engages an upper surface of the roof. As shown in FIG. 20, the panel frame is cantilevered from a rack and the load due to the weight of the snow retained by the fence 416 causes a bending moment on the end of the panel. The foot 668a provides additional support to resist the bending moment where the guard is attached.

In some embodiments, the snow fence can be dark in color. In some embodiments, the snow fence is black to absorb more heat and thereby encourage any snow on the snow fence to melt. The snow fences described and illustrated herein may be used as small individual components that increase friction to inhibit the movement of snow and ice. The snow fences may also be used in continuous runs for the same purpose or to function as a rain water diverter.

Claims

1. An accessory for a solar panel assembly, the solar panel assembly including at least one solar panel having a panel frame supported on a surface, the accessory comprising:

a bracket having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bracket defining an elongated portion extending in a first direction, the elongated portion including a slot;

a connector coupled to the bracket and configured to engage at least one of the panel frames; and

a fence member including a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion, the first portion extending above the third portion, the first portion including a planar surface oriented at an angle relative to the bracket, the second portion including a projection that removably engages the slot, and the third portion installable in and supportable by the bracket, wherein the bottom surface is configured to engage a solar panel frame and the top surface is configured to engage one of the second portion or the third portion, and wherein the first portion is configured to protrude above the solar panel frame to retain snow in response to being installed on the solar panel assembly; and

a locking member that engages the second portion of the fence member to secure the projection within the slot;

wherein the locking member includes a flange extending over the second portion of the fence and a fastener for coupling the flange to the bracket, wherein tightening the fastener causes the flange to clamp the projection of the fence member within the slot.

2. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the first portion of the fence member extends in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to the first direction.

3. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the slot of the bracket and the projection of the fence member engage one another in a dove-tail arrangement.

4. The accessory of claim 1, further comprising a strap coupled to the bracket and configured to engage a second clamp spaced apart from the first clamp.

5. The accessory of claim 4, wherein the strap supports a microinverter that is in communication with the solar panel assembly.

6. The accessory of claim 4, wherein the strap supports a cleaning system for cleaning a surface of the solar panel assembly.

7. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the bracket further includes a protrusion extending substantially perpendicular to the first direction, the protrusion configured to be positioned between adjacent panel frames.

8. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the bracket includes a lower ridge configured to engage a front edge of the panel frame.

9. The accessory of claim 1, wherein the first connector includes a threaded fastener and a nut engaging the fastener, the threaded fastener including a first end adjacent the bracket and a second end, the nut threadingly received onto the second end of the fastener and configured to contact the panel frame, wherein threading the nut onto the fastener clamps the bracket onto the frame.

10. An accessory for a solar panel assembly, the solar panel assembly including at least one solar panel having a panel frame supported on a surface, the accessory comprising:

a bracket having a top surface and a bottom surface, the bottom surface including a flange that bisects and protrudes from the bottom surface, the bracket defining an elongated portion extending in a first direction, the elongated portion including a surface configured to contact the panel frame;

a threaded bolt having a first end proximate the elongated portion of the bracket and a second end;

a nut received onto the second end of the bolt and threadingly engaging the bolt;

a fence installable on the bracket and supported by the top surface in response to being installed, the fence configured to at least partially protrude above a portion of the solar panel assembly and retain snow, the fence including a first portion and a second portion, the first portion including a planar surface extending at an angle relative to the first direction of the bracket, the second portion including a projection that removably engages the bracket; and

a locking member coupled to the bracket and including an end engaging the second portion of the fence to releasably secure the fence relative to the bracket;

wherein the bracket further includes a slot for receiving the projection of the fence;

wherein the end of the locking member is formed on a flange and extends over the second portion of the fence, the locking member further including a fastener for coupling the flange to the bracket, wherein tightening the fastener causes the flange to clamp the projection of the fence member within the slot.

11. The accessory of claim 10, wherein the slot of the bracket and the projection of the fence engage one another in a dove-tail arrangement.

12. The accessory of claim 10, wherein the flange is configured to be positioned between adjacent panel frames.

13. The accessory of claim 10, wherein the bracket includes a lower ridge configured to engage a front edge of the panel frame.

14. The accessory of claim 10, wherein threading the nut on the bolt causes the nut to contact the panel frame, thereby clamping the panel frame between the bracket surface and the nut.

15. A snow fence comprising:

a bracket;

a locking member operatively coupled to the bracket, the locking member defines a flange;

a fence member coupled to the bracket by the locking member, the fence member including a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion,

the first portion extending above the third portion and including a planar surface oriented at an angle relative to the bracket,

the second portion including a projection that removably engages the bracket and the flange of the locking member,

the third portion formed as parallel support members defined between the first portion and the second portion, the third portion installable on and supportable by the bracket,

wherein a top surface of the bracket is configured to engage the second portion, and wherein the first portion is configured to retain snow; and

the locking member engaging the second portion of the fence member to secure the projection, wherein the locking member is coupled to the bracket.

16. The snow fence of claim 15, further comprising a fastener coupling the locking member to the bracket, wherein tightening the fastener causes the flange to clamp the projection of the fence member.

17. The snow fence of claim 15, further comprising a splice plate positioned between the parallel support members of the fence member.

18. The snow fence of claim 17, further comprising a second fence member adjacent the first fence member, wherein the splice plate extends between the first fence member and the second fence member to align the first fence member and the second fence member.

19. The snow fence of claim 15, wherein the snow fence is mounted to a roof.

20. The snow fence of claim 19, wherein the planar surface of the first portion is perpendicular to the roof.

21. The snow fence of claim 20, further comprising a bolt extending through the bracket to secure the bracket to the roof.

22. The snow fence of claim 15, wherein the bracket comprises a substantially flat lower surface.

23. The snow fence of claim 15, the bracket having a first end and a second end defining an axis therebetween, wherein the planar surface of the first portion of the fence member is perpendicular to the axis.

24. A snow fence for mounting on a roof to preventing an avalanche effect, comprising:

a bracket having a substantially flat lower surface, the bracket having a first and a second end defining a first axis therebetween;

a fence member coupled to the bracket an including a first portion, a second portion, and a third portion,

the first portion including a generally planar surface and extending along a second axis perpendicular to the first axis,

the second portion including a projection configured to removably engage the bracket and extending generally parallel to the first axis,

the third portion extending between the first portion and the second portion and formed as a pair of parallel support members, the fence member installed on and supported by the bracket and

a locking member coupled to the bracket by a fastener, the locking member defining a flange, with a first edge of the projection engaging the bracket and a second member of the projection engaging the flange of the locking member,

wherein tightening the fastener causes the locking member to clamp the projection of the fence member.

25. The snow fence of claim 24, further comprising a splice plate positioned between the parallel support members of the fence member.

26. The snow fence of claim 25, further comprising a second fence member adjacent the first fence member, wherein the splice plate extends between the first fence member and the second fence member to align the first fence member and the second fence member.

27. The snow fence of claim 24, wherein the snow fence is mounted to a roof.

28. The snow fence of claim 27, wherein the planar surface of the first portion is perpendicular to the roof.

29. The snow fence of claim 24, further comprising a bolt extending through the bracket to secure the bracket.

30. The snow fence of claim 24, wherein the bracket comprises a substantially flat lower surface.

31. The snow fence of claim 24, the bracket having a first end and a second end defining an axis therebetween, wherein the planar surface of the first portion of the fence member is perpendicular to the axis.

32. The snow fence of claim 24, wherein the bracket includes a projection member.