Claims:1. A tilt or tilt and telescopic solar module support system for mounting plurality solar panel modules, on plurality of ground embedded posts comprising :-
a. a solar module holder type rafter means mounted on post means,
b. a tilt tube type bracing means terminating on rafter means at one end and terminating with post means at other end,
c. a first hinge means for pivotably attaching the bracing means to rafter means,
d. a second hinge means for pivotably attaching the bracing means to the post means,
e. a third hinge means for pivotably attaching the rafter means on the post means which together forming a triangular configuration between the three hinges, and
f. a support purlin means extending continuously between two adjacent rafters of the plurality of rafters and further configured with a surface on its other side to receive plurality of solar panel modules.
g. a torque tube which is mounted across plurality of posts.

2. The support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support trail means includes a torque tube for connecting the purlin, rail and solar panel modules together.

3. The support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein a single torque tube is mounted across a plurality of post means.

4. The support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tilt tube type bracing means is telescopic type.

5. The support system as claimed in claim 1, wherein all the hinge means include pivot type jointing means.
, Description:Field of invention:

The invention relates to solar module mounting structure to tilt the module in different season.

Prior art:

In Solar power plants, the Module Mounting Structure (MMS) is used to mount the solar modules which generate the electric power from the sunlight. The MMS provides stability and protect the solar modules from adverse wind & seismic condition.

Generally the fixed type of structure is used in the solar power plants, where module shall be facing particular direction (towards South- in India) with some tilt to get the higher solar radiation. But the solar radiation varies from one season to other, due to earth’s orbital rotation on its own axis and revolving around the sun in a particular path.

So in order to get higher power generation, the solar module should be tilted towards sun’s direction during seasonal variation.

Description of Invention:

The invention relates to a support structure with tilt alterable provision for solar modules. The support structure provided with a plurality of solar modules form a typical solar system and are ground based systems with posts embedded on the ground. Typically solar module holder units are mounted on the posts which are arranged in a single plurality rows. Depending on the season and demand the solar module holder units are mounted at different tilt angles. For this, the support structure needs to have a corresponding mechanism for changing the tilt angle.
Accordingly it is an object of the invention to disclose a support structure, which allows a secure and reliable tilt angle adjustment of solar modules at a very low structure expenditure. The structure is illustrated in figure 1 as per the invention.

Part no. Part name
1 Post means/Post
2 Solar module Holder means/Rafter means
3 Tilt tube means/Bracing means
4(1), 4(2), 4(3) Hinges
5 Solar modules
6 Rail
7 Purlin
8 Torque tube

The invention discloses a tilt, or tilt and telescopic solar module support structure, which is extremely useful to capture maximum sunlight from the available sunlight at different seasons, location and time.

The normal solar module mounting structure is modified to tilt the PV module according to the seasonal solar radiation to get higher generation throughout the year. The solar panels need to be rotated to receive sunlight incident at a right angle on the solar panels. This increases the sunlight received by the solar panels and can increase power generated by the solar panels. This is known as the seasonal tilt structure. The seasonal tilt structure which has been developed in the invention is unique and provides economical, time-saving & easy tilting of module with the help of minimum number of resources. The following comparison shows the unique features of seasonal tilt structure as per invention.

Sl. No: Features of seasonal tilt structure- Available in the market Unique features of L&T seasonal tilt structure with respect to design available in the market
1 Safety Risk: There is no mechanism to hold the structure in position during tilt change and hence excess man power is required. Safety of modules and human resource are under risk during operation. Safe & secure: The bracing in the structure is provided with telescopic bracing arrangement which helps to hold the whole structure in position and to avoids the damage of modules, structural steel members & manpower safety during module tilt change.
2 Time consuming: The Single pivot joint system in the structure cause the more number of bolt removals which is time consuming process during tilt change. Time saving: There are 3 numbers of pivot connections in the structure which ease the tilt change without removal of bolts and hence the tilt change can be done in short duration.
3 Non-Uniform Tilt: The single pivot joint system in each post causes non-uniform tilting of modules and hence it may cause the damage to the modules and structural steel members. Uniform Tilt: All the PV modules in a structure are connected to the single steel tube section which allows uniform & smooth tilting of all the modules. The tube is called as torque tube.

The fixed tilt angle never provides optimal array output, hence tilt angle is varied for season to ensure optimal array output is given during the peak electrical demand portion of a typical year. Also solar panel electrical output is extremely sensitive to shading, as the shaded cell(s) absorb power turning it into heat.

In one aspect the invention discloses a tilt or tilt and telescopic solar module support system for mounting solar modules, an plurality of ground embedded posts. It comprises of solar module holder means mounted on post means, a tilt tube (which is telescopic) terminating on solar module holder means at one end and terminating with post means at other end. A first hinge is pivotably attaching the tilt tube to solar module holder means. A second hinge is pivotably attaching the tilt tube to the post. A third hinge is pivotably attaching the solar module holder means in combination with torque tube on the post.

In another aspect the solar module holder means is a torque tube.

In another aspect the single torque tube is mounted across a plurality of post means.

In one aspect the invention relates to a telescopic solar module support system which is tiltable for mounting plurality solar panel modules, on plurality of ground embedded posts. It comprises of
a. a solar module holder type rafter means mounted on post means,
b. a tilt tube type bracing means terminating on rafter means at one end and terminating with post means at other end,
c. a first hinge means for pivotably attaching the bracing means to rafter means,
d. a second hinge means for pivotably attaching the bracing means to the post means,
e. a third hinge means for pivotably attaching the rafter means on the post means which together forming a triangular configuration between the three hinges, and
f. a support purlin means extending continuously between two adjacent rafters of the plurality of rafters and further configured with a surface on its other side to receive plurality of solar panel modules.
g. a torque tube which is mounted across plurality of posts.

In another aspect, the support trail means includes a torque tube for connecting the purlin, rail and solar panel modules together.

In another aspect, a single torque tube is mounted across a plurality of post means.

In another aspect, the tilt tube type bracing means is telescopic type.

In another aspect, all the hinge means include pivot type jointing means.

All the embodiments and variations are provided for the purpose of understanding the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. All the variations as obvious to the skilled persons are well within the scope and spirit of the invention.