US 11,863,115 B2
Solar panel with integral cable management
Stuart Koch, Audubon, PA (US); and Jon Costanza, Collegeville, PA (US)
Assigned to SOLAROFF SYSTEMS, LLC
Filed by SolarOff Systems, LLC, Collegeville, PA (US)
Filed on Feb. 28, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/682,341.
Application 17/682,341 is a continuation of application No. 16/695,353, filed on Nov. 26, 2019, granted, now 11,283,396.
Claims priority of provisional application 62/771,642, filed on Nov. 27, 2018.
Prior Publication US 2022/0182012 A1, Jun. 9, 2022
Int. Cl. H01L 31/042 (2014.01); H02S 10/00 (2014.01); H02S 30/10 (2014.01); F24S 25/35 (2018.01); F24S 25/40 (2018.01); H02S 40/36 (2014.01); H02S 20/23 (2014.01); F24S 25/61 (2018.01); F24S 25/60 (2018.01)
CPC H02S 30/10 (2014.12) [F24S 25/35 (2018.05); F24S 25/40 (2018.05); F24S 25/61 (2018.05); H02S 20/23 (2014.12); H02S 40/36 (2014.12); F24S 2025/6006 (2018.05)] 18 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A solar panel with integrated cable management system comprising:
a front side comprising a photovoltaic cell array for capturing solar radiation;
a rear side opposite the front side;
a peripheral frame supporting the photovoltaic cell array and defining a perimeter of the solar panel;
the peripheral frame comprising a plurality of orthogonally arranged peripheral frame members including a top peripheral frame member, a bottom peripheral frame member opposite the top peripheral frame member, a first lateral peripheral frame member on a first lateral side of the solar panel, and a second lateral peripheral frame member on a second lateral side of the solar panel and arranged opposite the first lateral peripheral frame member;
a covered cable compartment formed on the rear side of the solar panel and extending between the first and second lateral peripheral frame members;
the cable compartment comprising a laterally elongated removable cover detachably mounted to the rear side of the solar panel;
wherein the cable compartment and cover defines an enclosed space on the rear side of the solar panel which is configured for protecting and routing an electrical cable between the first and second lateral frame members;
wherein the cover comprises a laterally-extending first mounting edge having a first length extending completely between the first and second lateral peripheral frame members, and an opposite laterally-extending second mounting edge parallel to the first mounting edge, the second mounting edge having a second length extending completely between the first and second lateral peripheral frame members; and
wherein the cover is a separate component not formed by any of the peripheral frame members.