INNOVATIVE ENERGY GENERATING PHOTOVOLTAIC AWNING

摘要

Apparatus, systems and methods are provided for awnings or canopies, preferably solar awnings or canopies that include rigid solar modules, for example photovoltaic cells or panels. The awnings have solar modules or panels stacked together substantially vertically (e.g., each module is oriented vertically with respect to the next module). The solar modules in the stack are interconnected to each, other both mechanically and electrically, such that each solar module is connected electrically and mechanically to adjacent solar modules. The first solar module in the stack of modules is fixed to one end of the awning, called the base. The base of the awning is typically mounted to a building, vehicle, mobile home, or other appropriate structure. The last solar module in the stack is attached to the arm of the awning, also referred to as the lead arm. The lead are moves back and forth (e.g., away and toward) from the base of the awning to enable the expansion or retraction of the awning. It should be appreciated that as the lead arm moves away from the base, the awning is expanding, splaying the solar modules out along the length of the awning, and when the lead arm moves toward the base, the awning is retracted, stacking the solar modules together at the base.