US Patent 10116254 Solar-powered vending machine and related apparatus and methods

A solar-powered vending machine includes a photovoltaic (PV) panel assembly connected to a vending machine. The PV panel assembly includes a panel subassembly and mounting subassembly connecting the panel subassembly to the vending machine. The panel subassembly includes a plurality of PV panels foldably interconnected to expand to a deployed width greater than a vending machine width and collapse to a stowed width less than or approximately equal to the vending machine width. The mounting frame supports the PV panels for movement between a deployed position above the vending machine and a stowed position adjacent a side of the vending machine.