Patent · US Active

Mounting interface for a photovoltaic module

US8962973B2 · kind B2 · utility

3Cited by
2References
12Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateDec 17, 2010
Grant dateFeb 24, 2015
Priority date
Expiry dateMay 29, 2031

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
  • CPC primaryY02E10/50
  • WIPO fieldElectrical machinery, apparatus, energy
  • WIPO sectorElectrical engineering

Abstract

The invention relates to a mounting interface configured for a photovoltaic module (1) comprising a backside (2) having an overall backside surface size (4, 5), the mounting interface comprising at least six mounting elements (3) attachable to the backside (2) of the photovoltaic module (1) for mounting the photovoltaic module (1) on a mounting surface, wherein each mounting element (3) comprises a mounting element surface having an overall mounting element surface size (6, 7) such that the contact area between the photovoltaic module (1) and the mounting element (3), when attached to the photovoltaic module (1), equals the overall mounting element surface size (6, 7), and the overall backside surface size (4, 5) of the photovoltaic module (1) divided by the summarized overall mounting element surface size (6, 7) of all mounting elements (3) is ≧40 and ≦160, preferably ≧50 and ≦80, more preferably 52. The invention provides for reducing the size of each mounting element (3) such that the overall amount of material required for the mounting is reduced, resulting in minimized material costs.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.