A window blind is disclosed. The window blind includes a slat having a convex curved surface. The window blind also includes a solar cell module having solar cells and being attached to the convex curved surface of the slat. The carrier generating portions of the solar cells are made of a thin film group III-V compound semiconductor that can be bent, so that the solar cells can be attached to the convex curved surface. The length of the curved surface of the solar cell module in the longitudinal direction is at least half the length of the curved surface of the slat in the longitudinal direction. The solar cell module is disposed eccentrically to one side with respect to the transverse centerline of the slat.

A support structure for maximizing solar-panel efficiency and facilitating solar-panel installation reduces the effort of installing solar-panels. The support structure includes a support pole, a primary panel-supporting bracket, an extension arm, and an extension leg. The support pole pivots about a first rotation axis to lower the primary panel-supporting bracket for the solar-panel installation process. The primary panel-supporting bracket is designed to support a variable number of solar-panels depending on the budget constraints and power generation demands. An extension arm raises the primary panel-supporting bracket over the support pole, allowing the primary panel-supporting bracket to rotate about the support pole. The extension leg secures the support structure to the ground and provides a fulcrum for the support pole to pivot about.

A module bracket includes first and second mounting clips (202, 204) that are spaced from each other along the pitch of a roofing surface. An inlet (212) to the first mounting clip (202) faces or projects in the general direction that the second mounting clip (204) is spaced from the first mounting clip (202). An inlet (212) to the second mounting clip (204) faces or projects in the general direction that the first mounting clip (202) is spaced from the second mounting clip (204). A second module flange (134) of a first photovoltaic module (120) is slid into the first mounting clip (202) of the module bracket. A first module flange (128) of a second photovoltaic module (120) is slid into the second mounting clip (204) of this same module bracket.

A module bracket includes first and second mounting clips (202, 204) that are spaced from each other along the pitch of a roofing surface. An inlet (212) to the first mounting clip (202) faces or projects in the general direction that the second mounting clip (204) is spaced from the first mounting clip (202). An inlet (212) to the second mounting clip (204) faces or projects in the general direction that the first mounting clip (202) is spaced from the second mounting clip (204). A second module flange (134) of a first photovoltaic module (120) is slid into the first mounting clip (202) of the module bracket. A first module flange (128) of a second photovoltaic module (120) is slid into the second mounting clip (204) of this same module bracket.

A support assembly for mounting photovoltaic modules on a support surface and a mounting system including the same are disclosed herein. The support assembly may comprise a the body portion including a base portion and at least one upright support member coupled to the base portion, the at least one upright support member comprising an integrally formed ballast tray slot in one side thereof for receiving an upturned edge of a ballast tray; and at least one clamp subassembly coupled to the at least one upright support member of the body portion, the at least one clamp subassembly configured to be coupled to one or more photovoltaic modules. In addition to a plurality of support assemblies, the mounting system may further comprise at least one ballast tray support bracket, the ballast tray support bracket supporting a portion of a ballast tray on the support surface.