Abstract: A grid support system for tracker-mounted solar panel array for rooftop applications includes a base frame having a plurality of interconnected lateral members which define a generally planar area substantially parallel with the rooftop. The system also includes a set of support legs corresponding to each one of the tracker devices. The set of support legs are secured to the lateral members and extend upward and inward toward one another to a respective tracker mounting plate. The tracker mounting plate supports a tracker device and associated solar panel(s). A plurality of ballast trays are secured to the base frame and are adapted to hold a plurality of ballast weights for applying a downward force on the base frame to stabilize and resist movement of the base frame.

Abstract: A solar tracking system for controlled movement of an array of solar panels and a method for installing the system is provided. The system includes an elongate drive shaft rotatable about a central axis and mechanically coupled to an array of solar panels which are rotatable about the drive shaft. A plurality of posts support the drive shaft along the length of the drive shaft, and a plurality of couplers couple the posts to the drive shaft in a manner that facilitates adjustment of the position and orientation of the couplers relative to the posts during installation of the system, and in a manner which minimizes the contact area between the couplers and the drive shaft to reduce the torque and power requirements of the system.

Abstract: A solar photovoltaic module including a base member supporting an array of photocells as well as corresponding concentrating lenses and light guides. At least one opaque light shield defines cutouts corresponding to the light guides. The at least one opaque light shield is positioned above the base member and operates to block light incident thereon from reaching portions of the base member. The at least one light shield can be installed with a convex shape that directs condensation away from the cutouts and preferably functions as part of guide channels that guide condensation toward one or more vented hydrophilic members (e.g., sponges and the like), which are preferably disposed at one or both ends of the module.

Abstract: A solar photovoltaic module containing a housing that supports an array of photovoltaic cells and corresponding light guides. The housing includes a base member having a generally planar support surface and two side walls projecting from the support surface. Two side panels detachably connect to the side walls, and a top panel detachably connects to the side panels. The top panel includes a plurality of concentrating lenses that focus incident solar radiation into the inside of the housing towards the light guide. The light guides are disposed between the corresponding concentrating lenses and photovoltaic cells such that the concentrating lenses and light guides work together to direct light onto the photovoltaic cells. At least one retaining member interfaces to the light guides and applies a downward force that biases the respective light guides toward the corresponding photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: A grid support system for tracker-mounted solar panel array for rooftop applications includes a base frame having a plurality of interconnected lateral members which define a generally planar area substantially parallel with the rooftop. The system also includes a set of support legs corresponding to each one of the tracker devices. The set of support legs are secured to the lateral members and extend upward and inward toward one another to a respective tracker mounting plate. The tracker mounting plate supports a tracker device and associated solar panel(s). A plurality of ballast trays are secured to the base frame and are adapted to hold a plurality of ballast weights for applying a downward force on the base frame to stabilize and resist movement of the base frame.

Abstract: A solar photovoltaic module including a base member supporting an array of photocells as well as corresponding concentrating lenses and light guides. At least one opaque light shield defines cutouts corresponding to the light guides. The at least one opaque light shield is positioned above the base member and operates to block light incident thereon from reaching portions of the base member. The at least one light shield can be installed with a convex shape that directs condensation away from the cutouts and preferably functions as part of guide channels that guide condensation toward one or more vented hydrophilic members (e.g., sponges and the like), which are preferably disposed at one or both ends of the module.

Abstract: A solar photovoltaic module containing a housing that supports an array of photovoltaic cells and corresponding light guides. The housing includes a base member having a generally planar support surface and two side walls projecting from the support surface. Two side panels detachably connect to the side walls, and a top panel detachably connects to the side panels. The top panel includes a plurality of concentrating lenses that focus incident solar radiation into the inside of the housing towards the light guide. The light guides are disposed between the corresponding concentrating lenses and photovoltaic cells such that the concentrating lenses and light guides work together to direct light onto the photovoltaic cells. At least one retaining member interfaces to the light guides and applies a downward force that biases the respective light guides toward the corresponding photovoltaic cells.

Abstract: A system for accessing telephone lines at a main distribution frame includes an access block positioned between a vertical input terminal block and protector modules of the distribution frame. The access block has a set of terminals which make direct connection between the corresponding terminals of the input and protector modules and, in addition, includes a printed circuit with individual conductors coupled to respective ones of the access block terminals. Multiplexing circuitry connects with the printed circuit for sequential coupling of messages among the various telephone lines passing through the access block. Additional multiplexing circuitry is located on the distribution frame at a site remote from the input blocks and is coupled to the multiplexers associated with each of the input blocks to scan through the output signals of each of the multiplexers.

Abstract: An access device is provided for a main distribution frame of a telephone system. The access device, which may be structured as a set of access blocks, is positioned between surge protection modules and their corresponding vertical input terminal block so as to make electrical contact with the subscriber telephone line without interruption of the array of harnesses which couple together the various terminal blocks of the main distribution frame. A printed circuit contained within each of the access blocks comprises conductors which contact feed-through terminals of the access block, the conductor coupling these terminals to multiplexers which provide for the selective coupling of messages from the subscriber lines to the subscriber line of a message receiving station.