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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Solar panel module and support therefor

Patent ·
OSTI ID:7183255

A solar panel module is described for mounting to a surface of a roof or the like comprising: a solar panel having an upper surface for receiving incident solar radiation, an opposed under surface and conductive means electrically connected thereto; an elongate frame including a generally flat rectangular base having a support surface for supporting the under surface of the solar panel; means removably sealably securing the solar panel under surface to the frame support surface; raceway means on the frame for concealed passage of electrical wires electrically connected to the conductive means of the solar panel; means for interlocking the frames for forming an assembly of solar panel modules; means for attaching the frame to the roof surface, the raceway means being defined by first and second upstanding continuous walls extending longitudinally adjacent opposing laterally spaced edges of the solar panel, the first and second walls defining first and second channels, respectively for concealed receipt of electrical wires. The laterally spaced walls are differently configures so as to provide the means for interlocking the frames along their longitudinal extents, the first longitudinally extending wall of a module adapted to be relatively overlapped with the second differently configured longitudinally extending wall of another similar module.

Assignee:
Thomas and Betts Corp., Raritan, NJ
Patent Number(s):
US 4636577
OSTI ID:
7183255
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English