A method for forming a solar panel can include attaching one or more tacking pads to one or both of a first surface of a first solar panel subassembly and a second surface of a second solar panel subassembly. The method further includes dispensing an adhesive onto at least one of the first and second surfaces. The first and second surfaces are placed in contact with the one or more tacking pads, thereby tacking the first and second solar panel subassemblies together, during which the first and second surfaces contact the adhesive, thereby decreasing a thickness and increasing a surface area of the adhesive. Subsequently, the adhesive is cured. The tacking pad(s) maintain fixed alignment of the solar panel subassemblies during curing of the adhesive, and establish a bond line of the adhesive.

The present disclosure is directed to an energy management system that allows leveraging DC energy at user premises. The system allows for use of local or remote DC energy generated by photovoltaic modules or a battery pack. The system comprises a premises electricity network interface arranged to deliver and draw energy to and from a premises electricity network; a premises energy measurement module arranged to measure the amount of energy required by the premises electricity network; a DC energy input arranged to receive energy from one or more DC energy sources; and an energy analytics module arranged to receive data from the energy measurement module and, based on the received data, calculate an amount of energy to be delivered to the premises electricity network via the premises electricity network interface.

A strut and method using same is provided. The strut comprises a body member having a longitudinal axis, a first end and a second end. A first gripping member is connected to the first end of the body member. The first gripping member comprises a first plate for engaging a first structural engagement member. A second gripping member is connected to the second end of the body member. The second gripping member comprises a second plate for engaging a second structural member. The body member of the strut extends in a direction to intercept each of the first and second plates.

Provided are a locking device, a photovoltaic module mounting structure and a photovoltaic system. The locking device includes a blocking portion, a plug portion, and a guide portion. The blocking portion protrudes from the guide rail and is provided with a clamping groove for clamping a frame of the solar module. The plug portion is connected to the blocking portion, and the plug portion is configured to be in plug-in fit with the guide rail. The guide portion is connected to the blocking portion and provided with a guide ramp, one end of the guide ramp is flush with a notch of the clamping groove, and the other end of the guide ramp extends obliquely downward along a length direction of the guide rail.

A support structure for a solar panel includes a beam disposed above a post. The beam includes a first side recessed inwards to form a first rectilinear groove extending in a longitudinal direction of the beam. The first rectilinear groove includes a groove opening having two opposite edges each of which inclines downwards to form a slant face connected to the first side. A spacing between two opposite inclined groove walls of the first rectilinear groove gradually decreases towards the groove opening. A U-shaped saddle is disposed between the post and the beam and straddles a top portion of the post. Two sides of the saddle respectively abut two outer faces of the post and are secured to the post. A top portion of the saddle is secured to the beam by a fastener unit.

[Object] To provide a sheet-like structure capable of highly accurately estimating a sheet-like shape.

[Solving Means] A sheet-like structure includes a sheet-like member and a plurality of detection sensors. The sheet-like member extends along an in-plane direction orthogonal to a thickness direction and receives light incident on the sheet-like member. The plurality of detection sensors are dispersedly arranged on the sheet-like member along the in-plane direction and are for detecting an incident angle of the light with respect to the sheet-like member at each arrangement position of the plurality of detection sensors.

A solar module mounting bracket system including a plurality of solar modules including mounting slots formed in a sidewall of the solar module, a torque tube configured to support the solar modules such that they can be rotated, a plurality of mounting brackets configured for integration with the torque tube and to which the plurality of solar modules are mounted, at least one first retainer assembly connected to one of the plurality of mounting brackets, the first retainer assembly including a through bolt, a spring, a mounting tab, and nut. When a solar module is placed on the mounting bracket and supported by the torque tube the mounting tab retainer assembly is received in the mounting slot of the solar module.

A radiation shielded vault structure includes a rigid outer structure comprising a plurality of rigid structural components that are interconnected at elongated joints to define an interior space. The structural components include a layer of lower atomic number (Z) material such as aluminum alloy and one or more layers of higher atomic number (Z) material titanium and/or tantalum. The vault structure may include radiation shield members extending along the elongated joints to provide radiation shielding at the elongated joints. The shield members comprise a higher atomic number (Z) material such as titanium or tantalum. The rigid structural components may comprise plate members that are interconnected along side edges thereof. End plates may be attached to the plate members to close off the interior space.

A solar panel attachment assembly including a purlin bent into a U-shaped channel with a mounting wall, an upright wall and a cross piece attached to the upper edge. A solar panel having a frame with a lower horizontal wall forming a mounting surface and a vertical wall forming an outer surface. An inwardly directed channel formed on the upper edge of the vertical wall surrounds and fixedly engages the edges of solar sensors. Attachment bolts with a portion of the body being threaded and a tip portion of the body having a drill bit formed therein. The drill bit has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the bolt threads, and the attachment bolts are positioned to extend through the cross piece of the purlin and through the lower horizontal wall of the cross-section to hold the solar panel in abutting engagement with the purlin.

Single-piece hinged-clamps employed used in assemblies used to mount solar power modules to surface installation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a clamp with a right portion with a right notch having a right platform, a left portion with a left notch having a left platform, and a base portion with a flexible hinge is disclosed. The left portion also includes a threaded aperture extending downwardly from the left platform. In some embodiments, a method of securing a component with the clamp is disclosed in which a right member of a component is inserted into a right notch of a clamp, an applied force imparts movement of a left notch away from the right notch, and a buildup of potential energy in the flexible hinge during the application of the force moves the left notch in the opposite direction to engage the left member of the component.