COMPONENTS THEREFOR

The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent application no 2016903854, the contents of which may be considered to be incorporated herein in their entirety by this statement.

TECHNICAL Fl ELD

The present technology relates to solar array assemblies and mounting arrangements therefor. Some embodiments of the technology find particularly effective application in remote locations and sites that are somewhat temporary in nature.

BACKGROUND

It is a challenge to provide isolated communities and enterprises such as mine sites, farmsteads and isolated villages with reliable power. Mine sites use machinery that requires power to be provided within strict tolerances, or the machinery shuts down and cannot easily or quickly restart.

Connecting these remote communities to a nearby regional power grid is not possible or prohibitively expensive.

These remote communities are known to generate electricity using fossil fuel generators. One kind of fossil fuel-burning generator, diesel generators, are a mature technology with a low capital cost. The diesel generator systems are also relatively simple to transport, install, and to redeploy. However, the main disadvantage of diesel power generation is its operating cost - the price of diesel itself, combined with the costs of transporting it to the given remote community - which then lead to high electricity prices output by the diesel generator. Renewable energy generators provide an advantage over fossil-fuel energy generators in that the operating cost is significantly lower and can reduce the reliance on fossil fuel logistics.

However, there are disadvantages associated with the most common renewable energy sources. Both wind turbines and photovoltaic panels currently represent a higher capital expenditure; they are bespoke, 'stick built' and require higher site labour skills and equipment costs; to gain good efficiency they typically involve greater planning and development time; the individual components are quite delicate; and it is generally not economically viable to relocate once installed. Both wind and photovoltaic generators also typically require specialised hardware for installation as well as a large and skilled labour force that is not likely to be present in small, isolated communities, or in areas of low socioeconomic status or in other situations wherein the importation of fuel may be problematic, contributing to increased capital expenditure associated with importing the technical expertise.

Traditional design and construction methods for wind and photovoltaics mean they are not economically relocatable once installed - wind turbines are large and require large footings and heavy-duty crane equipment, and photovoltaic panels require placement into fixed ground mounting assemblies on site.

However, there are situations wherein relocation of an electricity generating source may be beneficial. For example, mine sites will change location over time as deposits are exhausted and new faces are opened; communities may need to relocate for reasons such as natural disasters and/or planning decisions; geographies with geopolitical challenges may become unattractive to asset owners; and settlements such as refugee camps may be forced to move due to changes in the local political situation. Diesel generators, compared to known mounting methods for photovoltaic and wind generators, would be better suited in these situations where relocation and/or recovery are real issues as they tend to be more robust and require less permanent infrastructure to set up. One particular characteristic of photovoltaic panels that inhibits their mobility is their large area and size. There are known mobile photovoltaic panels, but these tend to be small, personal units for use during camping or travel for powering personal electronic devices. The size of utility or large scale photovoltaic panel arrays that are for providing power to buildings or communities are much larger in surface area than those for personal use. These large solar panel arrays, designed for power output on the scale of homes, businesses, and towns, must be transported in a gentle manner and the task requires careful preparation. This further inhibits the ability for an installed photovoltaic array system to be recovered and redeployed.

Known warranties do not cover photovoltaic panels after they have been moved to a location other than that at which they were first installed.

The electrical requirements of remote communities and worksites can vary, in that they can rapidly expand as well as rapidly contract.

In summary, there are advantages to both fossil fuel generators and renewables. Photovoltaic panels provide electricity without requiring ongoing expenditure on fuel and have far less of an impact on the environment. Fossil fuel generators (such as diesel generators) on the other hand are more robust and are widely available in compact, portable forms that are simple to deploy and relocate.

The present technology seeks to provide a large scale solar array, and/or mountings and components therefor, that ameliorates at least one of the abovementioned disadvantages.

Dl SCLOSURE OF THE TECHNOLOGY

In a broad form the present technology provides a large- or utility-scale, modular photovoltaic generator system that can be readily deployed and redeployed. In another broad form the present technology provides one or more components or assemblies of a large- or utility-scale modular photovoltaic generator system to facilitate the deployment and redeployment of the system.

In yet another broad aspect there is provided a substantially demountable mounting assembly for mounting one or more photovoltaic panels thereon.

In accordance with an aspect of the present technology there is provided a base assembly for supporting one or more photovoltaic panels forming part of a photovoltaic array, the base assembly including:

a base configured to support a plurality of electrically interconnected photovoltaic panels; and a wiring loom mounted on the base and configured for electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of photovoltaic panels via at least one first plug at one or more intermediate ends, the wiring loom further including second electrical plugs disposed at the wiring loom ends to connect to adjacent bases or other electrical components in the photovoltaic array.

In one embodiment the plurality of photovoltaic panels are mounted on the base, to form a photovoltaic module.

In one embodiment the plurality of photovoltaic panels are electrically grounded to the base.

In one embodiment the base includes a frame, which includes a plurality of elongate frame elements fastened together, the frame for supporting the plurality of photovoltaic panels.

In one embodiment the frame elements are selected from the group consisting of: Aluminium, steel, FRP, composites and plastics.

In one embodiment there is further included one or more grounding connectors mounted on the base for electrical grounding connection to the base. In one embodiment there are included resilient elements disposed on the base for resiliently mounting the plurality of photovoltaic panels on the base.

In one embodiment there are included one or more spacers disposed on the base and extending upwardly therefrom a distance higher than one thickness of the plurality of photovoltaic panels to protect the plurality of photovoltaic panels when stacking another like base on the base.

In one embodiment there is further included provision between the one or more photovoltaic panels for tie down gaps between the photovoltaic panels.

In one embodiment the tie down gap is adjacent the spacer.

In one embodiment the spacers are spaced apart on the base to provide a tie down gap therebetween.

In one embodiment resilient elements are provided on the base on which to support the plurality of photovoltaic panels.

In one embodiment there is further included one or more handling elements for cooperating with a handling device to deploy or move the base assembly.

In one embodiment the one or more handling elements are sling catches and/or fork receivers.

In one embodiment there is further included at least one fly lead having connectors at each end configured to cooperate with the second wiring loom plug, the at least one fly lead being configured as a series lead to wire adjacent photovoltaic modules in series.

In one embodiment there is further included at least one fly lead having connectors at each end, at least one configured to cooperate with the second wiring loom plug, the at least one fly lead being configured as a parallel lead to wire adjacent photovoltaic modules in parallel.

In one embodiment there is further included at least one fly lead having one or more connectors, at least one configured to cooperate with the second wiring loom plug, the at least one fly lead being configured as a parallel lead to wire a photovoltaic module to a combiner box or inverter.

In one embodiment there is further included a fly lead kit which includes a plurality of fly leads having connectors configured to cooperate with the wiring loom plug, the plurality of fly leads including at least one fly lead being configured as a series lead and at least one fly lead being

configured as a parallel lead.

In one embodiment wherein the fly lead kit includes a termination plug.

In one embodiment there is further included one or more locating elements on the base to locate a like second base relative to a first base when the second base is stacked on the first base.

In one embodiment the one or more locating elements is a pin fastened to and extending from the base to cooperate with a cooperating locating feature on the second base when the second base is stacked on the base.

In one embodiment the pin extends generally vertically from the base so as to interengage with a cooperating aperture on an underside of the second base.

In accordance with another aspect of the present technology there is provided one embodiment demountable photovoltaic module assembly including:

a demountable mounting assembly for mounting one or more base assemblies in accordance as hereindescribed, the mounting assembly including:

a ground engaging post having a base end and a head end for connecting components thereto;

a support for supporting one or more base assemblies, the support connected to the post at the head end; and

a photovoltaic module as hereindescribed connected to the mounting assembly.

In one embodiment the post is selected from the group consisting of: I- beam, RHS, SHS, tube, channel, angle and screw pile.

In one embodiment the connection to the post is an operative connection which includes a joint for altering the angle of the support.

In one embodiment the joint is a tilt adjuster.

In one embodiment the tilt adjuster includes a post head portion and a cooperating selector mounted thereon to tilt relative to the post head portion.

In one embodiment the post head portion includes one or more support mounts for mounting the photovoltaic panel support at a selected tilt angle.

In one embodiment the one or more support mounts are spaced apart apertures for receiving a screw, bolt, boss or like element for

interengagement with a cooperating feature on the cooperating selector.

In one embodiment the cooperating selector includes a tilt angle selector.

In one embodiment a plate or wall on the tilt angle selector on which there are disposed one or more through apertures to correspond with the spaced apart apertures on the post head portion. In one embodiment the tilt adjuster includes a pair of spaced-apart apertures on either the post head portion or tilt angle selector for each desired angle of tilt.

In one embodiment there are three pairs of spaced-apart apertures disposed on three respective axes on the tilt adjuster such that the base assembly is supported at 10, 15 and 20 degrees.

In one embodiment the support wholly supports the base assembly.

In one embodiment the support is configured to support the base assembly in cooperation with another base support element on an adjacent post, so as to support the base therebetween.

In one embodiment the support includes, on at least one side of the post, a plurality of base support arms or a plate so as to provide a wide base support for the base on the selected angle.

In one embodiment the arm or arms or plate extend either side of the post or joint so that there is some adjustability to allow for post

misalignment/poor placement or selection of post position.

In one embodiment there is further provided a locator or a stop on one or more of the arms or plate, the locator or stop being configured to retain the module and inhibit release of the module off the arms.

In still another aspect of the present technology there is provided a

photovoltaic module kit for use in a solar array, the photovoltaic module kit including:

a base;

a plurality of photovoltaic panels supported on the base;

the plurality of photovoltaic panels configured to be wired together and configured to be earthed to the base to form a panel module; a wiring kit including

a wiring loom including one or more intra-connecting plugs for connecting to the plurality of photovoltaic panels, and one or more interconnecting plugs for connecting with other electrical elements; and

a plurality of flyleads for connection to the inter-connecting plugs, the plurality of flyleads configured to wire the panel module in either series or parallel.

In a yet further aspect of the present technology there is provided a kit for utility-scale conversion of solar energy into electricity, the kit including:

a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each module including

a base configured to mount a plurality of panels and a wiring loom; a plurality of photovoltaic panels configured to be mounted on the base and configured to be wired together to form a panel module, and

a wiring loom configured to be mounted on the base and including one or more intra-connecting plugs to connect to one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic modules, the wiring loom further including one or more interconnecting plugs configured to electrically connect to other electrical elements in the kit;

a plurality of inverters for plugged electrical connection to the plurality of photovoltaic modules;

one or more substations for plugged electrical connection to the plurality of inverters.

In one embodiment there is further provided a plurality of flyleads for connection to the inter-connecting plugs, such that at least one of the the plurality of flyleads is configured to wire the panel module in series and at least one of the plurality of flyleads is configured to wire the panel module in parallel.

In one embodiment there is further included a plurality of combiner boxes having a plugged electrical connection to at least some of the plurality of photovoltaic modules. In one further additional aspect of the present technology there is provided inverter station for electrical communication with a plurality of combiner boxes, photovoltaic modules and one or more electrical substations, the inverter station including:

an elongate base;

a shelf mounted on the elongate base for supporting items a selected distance above the elongate base;

a plurality of inverters mounted on the shelf;

a roof mounted on the elongate base and disposed above the shelf to provide protection for the plurality of inverters.

In one still further aspect of the present technology there is provided a method of assembling a photovoltaic array, the method including the steps of: driving a plurality of posts into spaced-apart ground locations, each post having a base and a head and a photovoltaic module support;

fastening a photovoltaic module having a plurality of photovoltaic panels to two adjacent apart photovoltaic module supports on adjacent posts, so that the photovoltaic module is supported between the two spaced-apart photovoltaic module supports, the photovoltaic module having a wiring loom connecting to at least one of the photovoltaic panels and at least one cooperating connector for connecting to other elements in the photovoltaic array;

connecting one or more flyleads to the cooperating connectors on the photovoltaic modules for connection with other elements in the photovoltaic array.

A method of assembling a photovoltaic array, the method including the steps of: driving a plurality of posts into spaced-apart ground locations, each post having a base end and a photovoltaic module support at a head end of the post; fastening a plurality of photovoltaic modules to two spaced-apart photovoltaic supports so that the photovoltaic module is supported between the two spaced-apart photovoltaic module supports, the plurality of photovoltaic modules comprising a wiring loom connected to at least one of the photovoltaic modules, and the wiring loom further comprising at least one end plug; connecting flyleads to cooperating connectors on the wiring looms for connection with other elements in the photovoltaic array.

In one aspect of the present technology there is provided a substantially demountable mounting assembly for mounting one or more photovoltaic panels thereon, the mounting assembly including:

a ground engaging post having a base end and a head end for connecting components thereto;

a support for supporting one or more photovoltaic panels, the support connected to the post at the head end.

The support may be operatively connected to the post at the head end.

In one embodiment the post is a screw pile. Other embodiments are

contemplated including posts that are driven in with a post or pile driver without rotation. The post may be an I-beam, star picket, RHS, SHS, channel, flat, profiled, angle or other suitable section. The type of post depends on ground conditions where the solar array is to be sited.

The operative connection to the post may include a joint for altering the angle of the support.

The joint may be in the form of a ball and socket joint or other suitable operative connection for altering the angle of support.

The joint may be in the form of a yaw bearing. The joint may include a yaw adjuster. The yaw adjuster may include a cooperating flange having arcuate slots so as to provide yaw adjustment of an angle corresponding with the slot length. The yaw adjuster may include a removable post head portion for installation and adjustment to compensate for post misalignment.

The joint may be in the form of a tilt adjuster. In one embodiment the tilt adjuster includes a post head portion and a cooperating selector.

In one embodiment the post head portion includes one or more support mounts for mounting the support at a selected angle. The post head portion may include a pivot. The one or more support mounts may be disposed beside the pivot. The one or more support mounts may be apertures for receiving a screw, bolt, boss or like element for interengagement with a cooperating feature on the

cooperating selector.

The post head portion may include a plate or a portion of the head that includes a pair of spaced apart apertures for receiving bolts therethrough. The spaced apart apertures may be disposed horizontally apart from one another to form a horizontal axis extending therebetween, or they may be spaced apart along a tilted axis, say, at 10, 15 or 20 degrees from the horizontal.

In one embodiment the cooperating selector includes a tilt angle selector. The tilt angle selector may include one or more cooperating features, cooperating apertures or corresponding apertures that correspond with the one or more support mounts on the post head portion. The one or more apertures or features may cooperate with the one or more support mounts so that the support may adopt a selected angle relative to the ground and relative to the sun.

The tilt angle selector is in one embodiment a plate or some similarly-contoured surface on which there are disposed one or more through apertures to

correspond with the spaced apart apertures on the post head portion. In one embodiment there are a pair of spaced-apart apertures for each desired angle of tilt and in one embodiment there are three desired angles, being 10, 15 and 20 degrees. Other angles are contemplated but three covers many situations between most useful latitudes. Other angles may be 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and so on. There may be a tilt pivot with a friction selector which can be loosened and tightened to select an infinite number of angles. The friction selector is intended to be within the scope of the technology disclosed even though it is more complex in execution than the one described in the preferred embodiment herein.

In one aspect of the present technology there is provided a base assembly (which may be the support above described) for supporting one or more photovoltaic panels, the base assembly including:

a base for supporting one or more photovoltaic panels; and one or more spacers disposed on the base and extending upwardly therefrom to provide room on the base for the one or more solar panels and to space another like base thereon for support thereof on the base;

one or more handling elements for cooperating with a handling device to deploy or move the base assembly.

In one embodiment the one or more handling elements are in the form of fork receivers. In one embodiment the one or more handling elements are in the form of posts or pins for receiving sling loops. The posts or pins may extend laterally, in one embodiment, from one or more opposed ends, to cooperate with the slings.

In one embodiment the one or more spacers includes a stand, a post, a boss, a plate, a strip, a tube, a channel, or the like, mounted, welded, integral, or fastened to the base and extending therefrom. The one or more stands are to support a second base which may be placed on the base, at a selected distance above the base to accommodate the PV panels, when the base assemblies are to be transported in a shipping container.

The base may include a plate.

In one embodiment the base includes a frame for supporting the one or more photovoltaic panels. In one embodiment the frame includes a plurality of frame elements of any suitable section, whether it be angle, RHS, SHS, channel or like section. The frame elements may be of any suitable material including Aluminium, steel, composite, FRP, carbon fibre, plastics, rolled or injected, folded or otherwise formed. The frame elements may be fastened together in any suitable way.

The base may include one or more locating elements to locate the second base from the second support. The one or more locating elements may be in the form of a pin fastened to and extending from the base to cooperate with a cooperating locating feature on the second base when the second base is stacked on the base. The pin in one embodiment vertically extends from the base so as to interengage with a cooperating aperture. The base may also include one or more of the cooperating aperture on an underside face, in a suitable position.

In one embodiment, adjacent the spacers is a gap for receiving a tie down.

In one embodiment the support further includes a base support element. The base support element may wholly support the whole base or it may in cooperation with another base support element on an adjacent post, support the base therebetween. The base support element may include a plate or a table. The base support element in one embodiment includes at least one arm, and in one embodiment, a pair of spaced apart arms so as to provide a functional table with less material than a plate to support the base on the selected angle. The pair of spaced apart arms are mounted in one embodiment at either end of the tilt selector element or elements.

In one embodiment the arms are circular in section. Any particular section may be suitable but circular is useful for providing strength of engagement with U- bolts which are commercially available for securing the base to the arms and for facilitating sliding therealong.

The arms in one embodiment extend either side of the post or joint so that there is some adjustability to allow for post misalignment/poor placement or selection of post position. In one embodiment the posts are about 1m long but longer or shorter posts may be selected to suit the ability of the installation workforce.

The one or more arms may include a locator.

The one or more locators may be an enlargement of any kind or say, a pin, so that the base or module or a U-bolt fastener or other kind of fastener may be inhibited from sliding off the arms. The pin acts as a catch to catch a frame element to hold the frame generally in place on the arms while the U-bolts are tightened.

The present technology seeks to provide a substantially demountable mounting assembly for at least one PV panel that may be assembled, wired, unwired and disassembled by a small and/or unskilled workforce.

Electrical architecture/ topography

In accordance with still another aspect of the present technology there is provided a photovoltaic module for use in a solar array, the photovoltaic module including:

a base;

a plurality of photovoltaic panels supported on the base;

the plurality of photovoltaic panels wired together and earthed to the base assembly;

a wiring loom including one or more connectors for connecting to one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic panels, and one or more connectors to connect the plurality of photovoltaic panels to other components of the solar array.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present technology there is provided a kit for utility-scale conversion of solar energy into electricity, the kit including:

a plurality of photovoltaic modules, each module including a plurality of photovoltaic panels wired together, and a wiring loom including one or more connectors for connecting to one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic patnels connected thereto and including one or more connectors to connect the plurality of photovoltaic modules to other components of the solar array;

a plurality of pre-wired inverters for plugged electrical connection to the plurality of photovoltaic modules;

one or more substations for plugged electrical connection to the plurality of inverters.

In one embodiment there is provided a plurality of combiner boxes having a plugged electrical connection to at least some of the plurality of photovoltaic modules, wherein the pre-wired inverters plug or otherwise connect into the combiner boxes.

In one embodiment each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules includes:

a base;

a plurality of photovoltaic panels supported on the base;

the plurality of photovoltaic panels wired together and earthed to the base;

a wiring loom including one or more connectors to connect to one or more of the plurality of photovoltaic panels and one or more connectors to connect the plurality of photovoltaic panels to other components of the solar array.

In one embodiment the base assembly is sized to fit within a 20-foot container or a 40-foot container for ease of transport.

In one embodiment there are components of a kit to form the array which are sized to fit inside a plurality of 40-foot containers, for example: the photovoltaic modules in one 20-foot container, the pre-wired inverter and combiner boxes into a 40-foot container, and a substation in another 40-foot container.

In one aspect of the present technology there is provided a modular

containerised solar array in kit form, components of which can be readily plugged into adjacent components. That is, elements of the kit are configured to be containerised by having each element in the kit sized to just fit into a container for efficient transportation, and then unloaded and readily connected together.

In one embodiment the kit is configured to include one or more fly leads for connection to adjacent components, each fly lead being of a selected length to suit connection the adjacent component.

In accordance with a yet further aspect of the present technology there is provided an inverter station for electrical communication with a plurality of photovoltaic modules and one or more electrical substations, the inverter station including:

an elongate base;

a shelf mounted on the elongate base for supporting items a selected distance above the elongate base;

a plurality of inverters mounted on the shelf;

a roof mounted on the elongate base and disposed above the shelf to provide protection for the plurality of inverters.

In one embodiment the inverter station is configured to electrically connect to one or more combiner boxes.

In one embodiment the base is configured to be mounted on skids. In one embodiment the skids are disposed transversely to the elongate base. In one embodiment the elongate base allows water to flow therethrough such that it may be formed of mesh, grid or like material.

In one embodiment the plurality of inverters are mounted back to back to facilitate work on any one of the inverters.

In one embodiment the shelf is substantially centrally mounted on the elongate base to facilitate access to the inverters. In one embodiment the roof is mounted on roof posts disposed at either end of the elongate base. In one embodiment the roof is centrally mounted to facilitate protection for the inverters. In one embodiment the roof is pitched to facilitate water runoff. In one embodiment there are provided lifting lugs on the elongate base. In one embodiment there are provided lifting lugs on the roof posts.

In one embodiment there is provided cable management facilities along the centre between the inverters. In one embodiment there is provided central connection areas to the combiner boxes at one end and to the substation at the other.

In one embodiment the elongate sides of the inverter station are open for ease of access and to facilitate cooling.

In one embodiment there is provided one or more access control gates disposed on at least one end of the elongate base.

In one embodiment there is provided a guardrail along at least one elongate side of the elongate base.

In one embodiment the electrical topography is such that each element of the kit and the system is prefabricated, so that it fits into a kit without particular customisation or tailoring. That is, each wiring loom is cut to length and provided in the kit so that it fits with its adjacent part which is a selected distance away when installed, and plugs thereinto for ease of installation.

In one embodiment the solar array is arranged so that each module is connected to other modules to form a string, the connection between the modules in the string being in series or parallel as required. Each module is formed from five 435W solar panels connected in series, which provides 2.175 kW of DC power with a rated voltage of 364.5V and rated current of 5.97A. Each string then is formed from a row of 8 modules. These 8 modules are connected via the fly leads such that there are 4 parallel connections of two modules connected in series. 3 rows are connected to the combiner box which effectively connects them all in parallel, forming what is known as a 52.2kW array. Note with the relevant drawings there is a left hand and right hand orientation due to the polarity of the modules.

An embodiment of the present technology provides a demountable support assembly for a photovoltaic panel comprising at least one post adapted to be erected in a substantially upright position, wherein the post has at least one pair of holes in each of at least two opposing vertical faces. The embodiment may further comprise a pair of opposing plates adapted to be mounted onto the post, wherein each plate has at least one pair of corresponding holes arranged to match with the at least one pair of holes on the at least one post, mounting rods attached to each of the opposing plates, arranged such that when the opposing plates are mounted on the post, the mounting rods are substantially horizontal and are parallel to one another and a frame adapted to hold the photovoltaic panel, the frame further comprising a pair of mounting brackets adapted to engage with the mounting rods.

In an embodiment of the present technology, the pair of opposing plates comprise a front plate and a rear plate with at least two pairs of holes by which the opposing plates may be affixed to the post. In an embodiment, by altering which of the holes and corresponding holes are matched in either the front or rear faces, the vertical distance between the horizontal mounting rods may be varied, thereby altering the tilt angle of the photovoltaic panel.

In an embodiment of the present technology, the pair of opposing plates comprise a left plate and a right plate. In an embodiment of the present technology, mounting the left plate on the left vertical face of the post such that one of the plurality of pairs of holes matches with the at least one pair of holes of the left vertical face of the post and mounting the right plate on the right vertical face of the post such that one of the plurality of pairs of holes matches with the at least one pair of holes of the right vertical face of the post, the perpendicularly-extending mounting rods will be parallel to one another and substantially horizontal. In an embodiment of the present technology, by altering which pair of the plurality of pairs of holes are matched to the at least one pair of holes in the vertical faces, the angle at which the plate is mounted to the post may be altered, thereby altering the angle of the perpendicularly-extending mounting rods and thus altering the tilt angle of the photovoltaic panel.

In an embodiment of the present technology, at least two pairs of the plurality of pairs of holes are arranged such that the at least two pairs share a common hole. In an embodiment, the perpendicularly-extending mounting rods are attached to the opposing plates via cross-members, such that they are offset from the edge of said plates, wherein the absolute distance between the pair of mounting rods is substantially similar to the distance between the pair of mounting brackets.

In an embodiment, the frame further comprises structural elements adapted for engagement with forklift tines. In an embodiment, the frame further comprises cushioning means adapted to limit vibrational- and impact-induced damage to the PV panel. In an embodiment, at least some of the cushioning means are located on the exterior surfaces of the frame. In an embodiment, at least some of the cushioning means are located between the frame and the PV panel.

In an embodiment, the mounting brackets comprise a pair of brackets arranged to reversibly engage with the pair of mounting rods. In an embodiment, the mounting brackets further comprise a pair of inwardly-engaging latches wherein through urging one of the mounting rods into contact with the latch opens, thereby permitting the mounting rod to enter and engage with the mounting bracket whereby the latch will close. In an embodiment, in order to disengage the mounting rod from within the mounting bracket, the latch must be manually opened by an operator. In an embodiment, the mounting brackets further comprise means of reversibly locking the mounting rods into engagement with said brackets.

In an embodiment, the demountable support assembly comprises a wiring loom and a plurality of connectors arranged such that a plurality of photovoltaic panels may be electrically connected in series or parallel. In an embodiment the demountable support assembly is prefabricated.

In an embodiment the demountable support assembly further comprises a sleeve adapted to fit over at least a portion of the at least one post such that the sleeve is situated between and affixed to the opposing plates and the at least one post. In an embodiment the sleeve further comprises at least one pair of holes in substantial alignment with the at least one pair of holes in each of the at least two opposing vertical faces of the at least one post.

An embodiment of the present technology provides a modular solar farm comprising a plurality of photovoltaic panel modules assembled using the demountable support assembly of at least one of the embodiments of the present technology. In an embodiment, the plurality of photovoltaic panel modules may be electrically connected in series or parallel.

BRI EF DESCRI PTI ON OF THE DRAW I NGS

In order to enable a clearer understanding of the invention, some embodiments will hereinafter be described with reference to the drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an isometric view of a tilt adjuster which facilitates tilt angle selection for support of a photovoltaic module on an angle;

Figure 2 is a front elevation view of a demountable solar array including photovoltaic module supported between two demountable mounting assemblies;

Figure 3 is a side elevation view of a demountable mounting arrangement for a solar array;

Figure 4 is an underside view of a solar panel module having a plurality of solar panels and a base or a frame showing series wiring between panels, and a wiring loom for connection to the end wires, and plugs for connecting to other modules;

Figure 5 is an end elevation view of a photovoltaic module having a plurality of solar panels and a base or frame; Figure 6 is a schematic circuit diagram, and a side elevation view of, flyleads for connection between wiring loom plugs on adjacent photovoltaic modules shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5;

Figure 7 shows a schematic circuit diagram, and a side elevation view of, a flylead, for connection from a wiring loom plug on a photovoltaic module shown in Figures 2, 4 and 5 to a combiner box or inverter;

Figure 8 is a schematic representation of three solar arrays or photovoltaic module strings connected to a combiner box, and in turn, to one or more inverters, all in an installed position;

Figure 9 is an isometric view of an inverter station configured to connect to a plurality of combiner boxes and a substation;

Figure 10 is a schematic view of a containerised substation configured to connect to the inverter station;

Figure 11 is a schematic view of a solar block in an installed position, showing a plurality of strings of modules, combiner boxes, inverter station and substation;

Figure 12 shows one means by which a plurality of modules may be stacked for transport inside a container;

Figures 13, 14, 15, 16, an 17 show steps in a method of installation of at least a portion of a solar block array in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 18 is a plan view of a post head portion of a demountable mounting assembly having a fixed angle of tilt;

Figure 19 is a side elevation view of the post head portion of the demountable mounting assembly shown in Figure 18; Figure 20 is a wiring loom showing intra connecting plugs and wires leading to a photovoltaic panel assembly wired in series and also showing interconnecting plugs at the ends for connection to other photovoltaic modules; and

Figure 21 shows two different handling machines for handling photovoltaic modules - a forklift and a mobile crane.

DETAI LED DESCRI PTI ON OF EMBODI MENTS

An advantage of the present technology is that the system facilitates ready assembly of a photovoltaic (PV) panel array without a highly skilled workforce and with minimal infrastructure. In addition, the system may be designed for ready disassembly, transport and reassembly in another location. Elements of the system are, advantageously, formed into modules so as to readily connect to other like modules and/or cooperating elements to facilitate increasing size and scale and generation capacity.

Other advantages include that certain misalignments in post installation angle and location can be accommodated by the post and support without loss of efficiency or uniformity of generation power across the array.

Another advantage is that the wiring and components are prefabricated and substantially all the parts are pre-engineered into modules suitable for ready connection to other cooperating elements and/or modules so that various cooperating elements of the array or kit can be readily interconnected. This arrangement makes it generally clear to installers which elements connect to which other elements because of their location when, for example, each cable element is unrolled from its position, say, connected to a photovoltaic element.

Mechanical structures

Referring to Figures 1 to 11 at least, an embodiment of the present technology provides a utility-scale, modular, prefabricated photovoltaic generator system generally indicated at 10 that can be readily deployed and redeployed. Embodiments of structure, mountings and components of the modular and prefabricated photovoltaic generator system 10 which facilitate the deployment and redeployment of the system will hereinafter be described.

A substantially demountable mounting assembly is generally indicated at 20 in at least Figures 1 and 2 for mounting one or more photovoltaic panels 22 thereon.

The substantially demountable mounting assembly 20 for mounting one or more photovoltaic panels thereon is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The mounting assembly 20 includes a ground engaging post 24 having a base end 25 and a head end 26 for connecting components thereto, and a support 30 for supporting one or more photovoltaic panels 22, wherein the support 30 is operatively connected to the post 24 at the head end 26.

The post 24 is a screw pile 27 since the ground in the drawings shown is suitable for screwing piles.

The operative connection to the post is in the form of a joint 29 for altering the angle of the support 30 relative to the post 24. The joint includes a yaw adjuster 32 for adjusting angle about a longitudinal post axis. The yaw adjuster 32 includes at least one cooperating flange 34 having arcuate slots 36 so as to provide yaw adjustment of an angle corresponding with the slot length. The yaw adjuster 32 also includes a removable post head portion 38 connected to or integral with the cooperating flange for installation and adjustment to

compensate for post misalignment.

The joint 29 also includes a tilt adjuster 40 for adjusting the angle of tilt relative to the post 24. The tilt adjuster 40 includes a post head portion 42 and a cooperating selector 44. The post head 42 portion includes one or more support mounts 46 for mounting the support 30 at a selected angle. The one or more mounts 46 are one or more, in this case two, apertures 47 for receiving a bolt for interengagement with a cooperating feature on the cooperating selector 44. Thus the post head portion 42 includes a plate 43 that includes a pair of spaced apart apertures 47 for receiving bolts therethrough. The spaced apart apertures 47 are disposed horizontally apart from one another to form a horizontal axis extending therebetween.

The cooperating selector 44 includes a tilt angle selector 45. The tilt angle selector 45 includes one or more cooperating apertures 48 that correspond with the one or more spaced apart apertures 47 on the post head portion 42. The one or more apertures cooperate with the one or more support mounts 46 so that the support may adopt a selected angle relative to the ground and relative to the sun.

The tilt angle selector 45 in the Figures shown (1, 2 and 3) is a channel member having walls on which there are disposed one or more through apertures 48 to correspond with the spaced apart apertures 47 on the plate 43 of the post head portion. As shown there are a pair of spaced-apart apertures, each pair set on a respective axis for each desired angle of tilt and it can be seen that there are three pairs, and therefore three desired angles, being 10, 15 and 20 degrees. Other angles are contemplated but the three angles covers many situations in most of the useful latitudes on Earth. Other angles may be 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 17, 18, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and so on.

The support 30 for supporting one or more photovoltaic panels 22 is connected to a base 52 for supporting one or more photovoltaic panels 22; and two spacers 51 disposed on the base 52 and extending upwardly therefrom to provide room on the base for the one or more photovoltaic panels 22 and in use to space another like base thereon for support thereof on the base 52; as well as four handling elements 54 for cooperating with a handling device (not shown) to deploy and/or move the support 30.

The handling elements 54 are in the form of posts 55 for receiving sling loops (sling loops are not shown). The posts 55 extend laterally from one or more opposed ends of the base, to cooperate with the sling loops. The spacers 51 are in the form of stands 53 welded to the base 52 and extending upwardly therefrom. In use, the one or more stands 53 are to support a second base 52 (shown stacked, for containerisation, in Figure 12) which may be placed on the base, at a selected distance above the base to accommodate the photovoltaic panels 22 when the supports are to be transported in a shipping container.

As shown in the Figures the base 52 includes a frame 56 for supporting the one or more photovoltaic panels 22. The frame 56 includes a plurality of steel frame elements 57 of RHS, channel, angle or like section, welded or otherwise fastened together. There may be elements made of non-conducting material and in that embodiment there will be provided electrical wires to carry an earth from an earth connector to a post 24.

The base 52 also includes at least one locating element 58 to locate a corresponding second base 52 on top of a first base. The at least one locating element 58 is a pin 59 fastened to and extending from the base 52 to cooperate with a cooperating locating feature, in the embodiment shown in the drawings, a hole 61, on the corresponding second base 52 when the second base is stacked on the base 52. The pin 59 in the drawings shown vertically extends from the base so as to interengage with the cooperating aperture 61.

Adjacent the spacers 51 is a gap 62 for receiving a tie down. The tie down gap 62 may be disposed in any suitable place, but the advantage of it being adjacent the spacer 51 is that the tie down is less likely to dislodge or put transverse force on a photovoltaic panel 22. In that regard, the spacers 51 may alternate on either side of the tie down gap 62 to provide a gap disposed in a channel.

The support 30 further includes a base support element 64. The base support element 64 in the drawings shown supports the base 52 in cooperation with another base support element 64 on an adjacent post 24 so as to support the base 52 therebetween. The base support element 64 includes a pair of arms 65 extending from each side, spaced apart so as to provide a broad support so as to support the base 52 on the selected angle. The pair of spaced apart arms 65 are mounted at either end of the tilt selector 45. The arms are circular in section, so as to be suitable for providing strength of engagement with U-bolts which are commercially available for securing the base to the arms and for facilitating sliding therealong.

The arms 65 extend either side of the post or joint so that there is some adjustability to allow for post misalignment/poor placement or selection of post position. The arms 65 shown are about 1m long but longer or shorter posts may be selected to suit the ability of the installation workforce.

The one or more arms 65 include a locator 66.

The one or more locators 66 is a catch 67 so that a base or module or a U-bolt fastener or other kind of fastener may be inhibited from sliding off the arms 65 during installation. The catch 67 is a pin which catches the frame on one or more of the frame elements to hold the frame generally in place on the arms 65.

Electrical architecture/ topography

A photovoltaic module is shown in the drawings at 70, the photovoltaic module 70 being for use in a solar block array 90, the photovoltaic module 70 including a plurality of photovoltaic panels 22 supported on a base 52, the plurality of photovoltaic panels 22 wired together in series with wire assembly 33, and earthed to the base 52, as well as a wiring loom 80 including one or more intraconnecting plugs 35 to connect to the wire assembly 33, the wiring loom 80 also including inter-connecting plugs or sockets 82 to connect the plurality of photovoltaic panels to other components of the solar block array 90 via fly leads 77.

The solar array block 90 can be formed from a kit 99, different elements of which are shipped in containers. The elements of the kit are shown in the drawings from at least Figures 1 to 21. The array block 90 is for utility-scale conversion of solar energy into electricity, and the kit includes: a plurality of photovoltaic modules 70, each module 70 including a plurality of the photovoltaic panels 22 (in the drawings shown there are five panels 22 for each module) wired together in series with wire assemblies 33, and a base 52 to which the plurality of photovoltaic panels 22 are fastened, by their frames, as is known in this technical field. The module 70 also has a wiring loom 80 mounted on tabs 39 to the base 52, which further includes one or more interconnecting plugs 82 to facilitate electrical connection to other components of the solar array block 90 via fly leads 77, as well as intraconnecting plugs 35 which connect the wiring loom 80 to the solar panels 22;

a plurality of combiner boxes 85 configured to plug into at least some of the plurality of photovoltaic modules,

a plurality of pre-wired inverters 97 for electrical connection to the combiner boxes 85; and

one or more substations 95 for electrical connection to the plurality of inverters 97.

The kit 99 also includes the demountable mounting assembly which includes a post 24 and a support 30 for supporting the base 52, the support 30 being configured to be operatively connected to the post 24 at a head end 26. The operative connection includes a yaw adjuster 32 and a tilt adjuster 40.

The kit further includes a plurality of fly leads 77, each one of a different circuit arrangement. One fly lead (Type A in Figure 6) has a four-terminal plug at each end to cooperate with the plug 82 and is for series connection of the wiring loom to another wiring loom of another like module 70. Another fly lead (Type B in Figure 6) is for parallel connection of the wiring loom to another wiring loom of another like module 70, both ends having a four-pin plug. Another fly lead is a terminating plug to close off the circuit. Another fly lead (type C in Figure 7) is a parallel circuit with one end having two standard solar connector plus , the other end being four-pin.

The base 52 is sized to fit within a 20-foot container or a 40-foot container for ease of transport. The components of the kit 99 are sized to fit inside a plurality of 40-foot containers, for example: the photovoltaic modules 70 in one 20-foot container, the pre-wired inverter 97 and combiner boxes 85 into a 40-foot container, and a substation 95 in another 40-foot container.

It can be seen in the drawings that there is provided a modular containerised solar block array 90 assembled from elements of a prefabricated kit 99, components of which can be readily plugged into adjacent components. That is, elements of the prefabricated kit 99 are configured to be containerised by having each element in the kit sized to just fit into a container for efficient

transportation, and then unloaded and readily connected together. It is possible that the kit components are placed on skids for open-sided transportation.

The kit 99 is configured to include a plurality of flyleads 77 for connection to adjacent components, each flylead 77 being of a selected length to suit connection to an adjacent component such as a corresponding module 70 or a combiner box 85 or to an inverter 97.

The drawings also show an inverter station 93 for electrical communication with a plurality of PV panels 22 and one or more electrical substations 95, the inverter station 93 including an elongate base 92, a shelf 91 mounted on the elongate base 92 for supporting items a selected distance above the elongate base 92; a plurality of inverters 97 mounted on the shelf 91 ; a roof 94 mounted on the elongate base 92 and disposed above the shelf 92 to provide weather protection for the plurality of inverters 97.

The base 92 can be seen configured to be mounted on skids 89. The skids 89 are disposed transversely to the elongate base 92, and the elongate base 92 can be seen to allow water to flow therethrough such that it may be formed of mesh, grid or like material.

The plurality of inverters 97 are mounted back to back to facilitate work on any one of the inverters 97. The shelf 91 is substantially centrally mounted on the elongate base to facilitate access to the inverters 97. The roof 94 is mounted on roof posts disposed at either end of the elongate base 92 to provide stable support for the roof 94. The roof 94 is centrally mounted to facilitate weather protection for the centrally- mounted inverters 97. The roof 94 is pitched to facilitate water runoff. There are provided lifting lugs 88 on the elongate base 92. There are provided lifting lugs 88 on the roof posts.

There is provided a cable management facility (not shown) along the centre between the inverters 97. The elongate sides of the inverter station are open for ease of access and to facilitate cooling.

There is provided one or more access control gates 87 disposed on at least one end of the elongate base 92. There is provided a guardrail 86 along at least one elongate side of the elongate base 92.

The electrical topography shown in the drawings is such that substantially each element of the kit and the system is prefabricated and pre-plugged (although in practice, only to secure a high IP (International Protection) code rating, some may be terminated on site with simple connectors using a screw and screwdriver) using plugs like those shown at 82. In accordance with the prefabricated nature of the system, a cabling loom 11, say, for connecting an inverter station 93 to a combiner box 85, or a cabling loom 11 unrolled from the inverter station 93 to a substation 95, is prewired before shipping and cut to a selected length and provided with the inverter station 93 such that when unrolled from there, it extends to its intended part and then connects with that intended part which is by then adjacent the end of the cabling loom 11. The fly leads 77 are also of a selected length, wherein fly leads A and B are 1200mm and fly lead C are 6500mm.

There is provided on the base 52 a plurality of 'standard' commercially of-the- shelf (COTS) solar PV panels or a single large custom panel located on and affixed to the base, each solar PV panel 22 being in series electrical communication with an electrical wiring loom, to provide a module 70 of 2kW of rated power. That is, each module 70 includes 5 x SunPower E20-435W panels connected in series providing 2.175kW of available DC power with a rated voltage of 364.5V and rated current of 5.97A. Other panel 22 combinations are contemplated, such as a custom single-panel of 2.175 kW or similar output.

The flyleads 77 such as A and B (Figure 6) are provided to facilitate reconfiguring of the electrical communication with other like modules 70 as required. Fly lead C 77 (Figure 7) connects to other elements such as combiner boxes 85 or inverters 97. Using various combinations of the flyleads 77 (Flyleads A and B) as shown in drawings there is the facility to provide array strings (a linear group of modules 70) left and/or right of the centre aisle with a rated power output of approximately 50kW. It can be seen that in an array block 90, there are provided rows of eight modules 70. These eight modules are connected via the fly leads 77 such that there are 4 parallel connections of two modules connected in series. Three rows are connected to a combiner box which effectively connects them all, forming what is known as a 52.2kW array.

It can be seen that there is provided a block array 90 of solar photovoltaic generating power of approximately ~ 1 MW. These are block arrays 90 provided by electrical plugging or otherwise coupling of a plurality of arrays (which are themselves a plurality of modules 70) to a transformer/substation 95, via inverters 97 whether with or without a plurality of combiner boxes 85. The wires to connect the components are pre-fabricated, that is, pre-engineered, measured and cut to substantially suit the layout of the array, so that there is reduced waste.

In commercial operation, the 1 MW Block array 90 is a 'standard unit' offered to customers. Since there is provided a modular arrangement of elements, all plugged together and set out a selected distance apart from one another, a customer may order a plurality of 1 MW block arrays, and each block array 90 can be packed into a plurality of containers and shipped to site in kit form, and then each block 90 assembled and deployed following the same steps and operating installation procedures as the first one was when it was deployed.

A 1 MW block array partially shown in the figures at 90 comprises 20 Arrays, resulting in 1.044MW available DC power. This block array 90 comprises two sections of ten array strings (eight modules each string) with an aisle between them in which the combiner boxes 85 are disposed, and the DC cabling is run along the aisle on prefabricated cable ladders and cable ladder stands (also included in the kit). The cables are precut to a length suitable for optimization of the space required for the array and cable consumption.

There are provided combiner boxes 85 for combining input from 3 rows of modules 70 via flylead 77. Each row of modules 70 in this embodiment shown is connected to a DC circuit breaker for protection, and then all of the rows are connected in parallel to a large DC isolator. The output side of the DC isolator contains two cables which carry the 52.2kW of available power to the inverters along the cable ladders. Two combiner boxes 85 are mounted on a metal stand that also supports the cable trays. Each combiner box 85 on the stand connects to the left or right hand side of the block. There are 10 of these twin structures in the block, resulting in a total of 20 combiner boxes.

There are provided two main cable ladder routes that are attached to the combiner box stand as well as a smaller supporting stand. The two cable ladders are disposed on either side of a separate centre post, and extend along the length of the 1 MW block array for protection from inadvertent damage and for optimization of cable length. They are configured to connect the block to the inverter stand, and then go on to connect the inverter bank to the Substation.

There is provided an inverter station 93. The inverter station 93 is a 9m long skid mounted station, which includes an elongate base 92 having an elevated centre shelf on which are disposed ten inverters (5 back to back) each, with an angled roof to protect the inverters, as well as built in cable management. The inverters are prewired, i.e. the AC, DC, and control cables are connected prior to shipping. Each inverter has an ID number, which corresponds with both the control cabling connection order, as well as the combiner box it must connect to. All cables are pre-cut to length.

There is shown a compact substation 95 which is a 40ft container that includes:

A LV Switchboard for connecting to the inverters on the inverter station A 415V/ 11 kV step up transformer

A HV Ring main unit with a circuit breaker, fuse, and metering system A Main control system, metering, communications and like parts

Aircon, lights, other auxiliaries.

Other embodiments may include other substations 95 including a 20ft container that includes:

a LV Switchboard for connecting to the inverters on the inverter station a 415V/11 kV step up transformer

a HV Ring main unit with HV switchgear and protective fuse

a local control panel for interaction with main control system

a Aircon, lights, other auxiliaries

Figure 12 shows a further purpose for the cushioning means within the framework of each module. The design of the demountable support assembly is such that the frames and photovoltaic panels may be stacked and transported. The ability for the frames to be manoeuvred through mechanical means (for example forklifts, telehandlers or other machine-operated means) and to be stacked without damaging panels above or below each integer means there is a lowered need for protective packaging.

ASSEMBLY METHOD

To assemble the generator system 10 on a remote site, the elements of the prefabricated photovoltaic generator system 10 are provided in various containers and then a relatively unskililed workforce goes through the steps set out below and shown on Figures 13 to 17. In the module container, the photovoltaic panel modules 70 are stacked as shown in Figure 12, one atop the other, being held stably in position by the locators 65 cooperating with apertures 61. The container is opened, and the panel modules 70 extracted.

From another container, the posts 24 are extracted. In accordance with an engineering drawing layout, shown generally and partially at Figures 8 and 11, the location for each post 24 is identified and each post 24 is then driven into the ground by a suitable driver or method. As shown in Figure 13, the posts 24 are screwed into the ground. The posts 24 are set out on the ground such that a panel module 70 fits between two posts 24 so that two posts support one module. That means that if there is a string array of eight modules as shown in Figure 8 and 11, there are nine posts 24 spaced out along a line of the string array.

The posts 24 do not have to be precisely vertically aligned or even aligned rotationally because of the features disclosed. That increases speed of deployment. So, the head end 38 of the support 30 is then operatively connected to the post 24 on the post head 26. As shown in the second pane of Figure 13 and in Figures 1 and 3, to operatively connect the head end 38 of the support 30, a slotted flange 34 on the base of the head end 38 is aligned with arcuate slots on a cooperating flange on the post head 26, such that the arcuate slots align. Yaw adjustments can then be made so that the support 30, in particular the support arms 65, align with the desired direction - that is, along the string, generally along the line of posts 24.

One embodiment of head end shown in the drawings does not have an operative connection in that there is no tilt feature. It has a yaw adjuster in the form of arcuate slots but the tilt connection is fixed and the base support tilt angle cannot move. This is shown in Figures 18 and 19. Turning back to the operative connection of tilt, the tilt angle of the support 30 is then adjusted, depending on the latitude of the installation site. To do that, an appropriate pair of spaced-apart apertures 48 on the tilt selector 45 are aligned with the spaced-apart mounting apertures 47 in the plate 43, which are spaced apart on a horizontal axis and then bolts placed through the holes. Nuts are tightened on the bolts to hold the post head end 38 to the tilt selector channel 44. The appropriate pair of apertures 48 depends on the latitude of the installation site. As disclosed herein, the selected apertures may set the base 52 (and panels in the module 70) on an angle of 10, 15, or 20 degrees from the horizontal.

Once an appropriate tilt angle is selected and the support 30 is fixed into position on at least two posts 30, the handling elements 54 on the panel module 70 uppermost in the stack (Figure 12) are engaged by sling loops or fork lifts and located on cylindrical base support arms 65. As shown in Figure 14, a U-bolt is connected to the base 52 and tightened up so that the U fits snugly around at least a part of the circumference of the base support arms 65. Even if there is some misalignment such that the post is not plumb and the distance between the posts varies, and even if the posts as a result are not level or parallel with each other, the length of the arms 65 and the U-bolts, allow a certain amount of adjustment. Movement of posts after installation can be accommodated by the length of the arms as well as the stop 68 which keeps the U-bolt and consequently the panel module 70, on the arms 68.

Thus, it can be seen in Figures 15 and 11, that lines of nine posts 24 are set out to form a plurality of array strings, each array string having eight modules 70, as shown in Figure 11. The array strings are set out on either side of a central aisle, along which cable trays are then placed on cable tray stands (shown in Figures 15 and 16). Twenty array strings are set out to form a 1 MW array block. It can be seen that the modules 70 are supported between arms 65 which extend on either side of the post 24. When the U-bolts are bolted to the arms, this holds the base frame 56 tightly and when the whole string of eight modules is bolted together, the base frames 56 all facilitate an increase in strength of the whole string. That reduces the likelihood of movement of the posts over time, since all nine posts are indirectly connected to one another through the frames 56.

Next, (Figures 15, 16, 17), the combiner boxes 85 are installed generally in the positions shown by engineering drawings (for example, Figures 11 and 8), which is every three or four array strings. As shown in Figure 17, the wiring looms are connected between modules 70 by flylead A (Figure 6 - series) or flylead B (Figure 6 - parallel) and then the wiring looms at the module closest to the aisle is connected to the combiner boxes by flylead C. It is possible that there is no combiner boxes and the flylead C connects directly to the inverter 97. A terminator plug is installed on the module wiring loom plug furthest from the aisle.

The inverter station 93 is sited on skids 89 at one end of the central aisle, adjacent the end of the cable trays. The inverter station 93 at this stage has been shipped pre-wired and as such, at this the installation stage, the cable looms 11 are unrolled from the inverter station 93, such that each one is substantially the right length to connect to respective combiner boxes 85, each one sited in the place assigned to it on the engineering drawings. That is, the cabling looms 11 for connection to combiner boxes 85 nearer the inverter station 93 are shorter in length than those cabling looms 11 that are intended for connection to combiner boxes 85 that are sited further along the aisle. In this way, each array block is prefabricated and shipped with the same amount of wires, and the installation for each one is the same procedure. The cabling loom 11 is plugged or terminated at the combiner boxes 85, depending on the IP rating desired.

A substation 95 is sited at the distance dictated by the engineering drawings, and the correct amount of cabling loom 11 is then unrolled from the inverter station 93 and the distal end of that cabling loom 11 is plugged to the substation.

Disassembly is conducted in generally the reverse order of the steps set out above. It can be seen that once the prefabricated elements are assembled and packed in containers, the assembly on site is, broadly speaking, a bolt together and plug- and-play method. That is, it involves simple driving or deployment of posts with a fairly broad vertical tolerance, and then bolting together other the other components, unrolling cables and then connecting substantially the nearest plug to its nearest socket. This method does not require special tools or skill.

In this specification, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise, the term "comprising" has the non-exclusive meaning of the word, in the sense of "including at least" rather than the exclusive meaning in the sense of "consisting only of". The same applies with corresponding grammatical changes to other forms of the word such as "comprise", "comprises" and so on.