A mounting assembly for mounting a solar panel to a surface includes a mounting base that is supported on the surface. The mounting base defines an elongated opening that extends along an axis. A module mount can be coupled to the mounting base. The module mount includes a first mount portion that is received within the elongated opening of the mounting base such that the module mount is movable with respect to the mounting base along the axis. A second mount portion is coupled to the solar panel for mounting the solar panel to the surface through the mounting base.

An integral, monolithic mounting bracket supports a corner of a photovoltaic module. The bracket includes a ballast tray for holding one or more ballast blocks, and includes a plurality of monolithic support legs that are disposed at acute angles from a plane of the ballast tray and that are integral with the ballast tray. The bracket can be manufactured by stamping at least two identical sections of metal from the sheet and then bending-up each section on its remaining uncut fourth side into a near-vertical position, so that each bent-up section forms a monolithic support leg.

An integral, monolithic mounting bracket supports a corner of a photovoltaic module. The bracket includes a ballast tray for holding one or more ballast blocks, and includes a plurality of monolithic support legs that are disposed at acute angles from a plane of the ballast tray and that are integral with the ballast tray. The bracket can be manufactured by stamping at least two identical sections of metal from the sheet and then bending-up each section on its remaining uncut fourth side into a near-vertical position, so that each bent-up section forms a monolithic support leg.

An integral, monolithic mounting bracket supports a corner of a photovoltaic module. The bracket includes a ballast tray for holding one or more ballast blocks, and includes a plurality of monolithic support legs that are disposed at acute angles from a plane of the ballast tray and that are integral with the ballast tray. The bracket can be manufactured by stamping at least two identical sections of metal from the sheet and then bending-up each section on its remaining uncut fourth side into a near-vertical position, so that each bent-up section forms a monolithic support leg.

An integral, monolithic mounting bracket supports a corner of a photovoltaic module. The bracket includes a ballast tray for holding one or more ballast blocks, and includes a plurality of monolithic support legs that are disposed at acute angles from a plane of the ballast tray and that are integral with the ballast tray. The bracket can be manufactured by stamping at least two identical sections of metal from the sheet and then bending-up each section on its remaining uncut fourth side into a near-vertical position, so that each bent-up section forms a monolithic support leg.

A photovoltaic assembly with integrated mounting structure is disclosed, which comprises a back sheet made of a single sheet and accommodating at least one solar module in a central portion of the back sheet, wherein the back sheet comprises a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion extending along two opposite sides of the central portion and forming a predetermined angle with respect to the central portion, wherein the first and second lateral portions respectively comprise a first base portion and a second base portion adapted to lay on a roof surface. The back sheet is therefore both a supporting sheet for the solar modules and a mounting structure in a single body.

A photovoltaic assembly with integrated mounting structure is disclosed, which comprises a back sheet made of a single sheet and accommodating at least one solar module in a central portion of the back sheet, wherein the back sheet comprises a first lateral portion and a second lateral portion extending along two opposite sides of the central portion and forming a predetermined angle with respect to the central portion, wherein the first and second lateral portions respectively comprise a first base portion and a second base portion adapted to lay on a roof surface. The back sheet is therefore both a supporting sheet for the solar modules and a mounting structure in a single body.

The solar collector unit is adapted for reflecting light onto a receiver, and comprises a reflector element, and a support structure supporting the reflector element. The reflector element is flexible and comprises a reflective surface and a substrate having a predefined length and width. The support structure comprises a predefined number of profiles per length unit connected to the reflector element at a distance from each other to provide a predefined shape of the solar collector unit. The number of profiles per length of substrate may be varied and lies in the interval 3 to 12, preferably 4 to 10, most preferred 5 to 8 per 2000 mm of length of the substrate.

The present invention provides a mounting unit for solar panels that simplifies the complexity of storage, transit and in-field installation of solar electric generation systems. According to one embodiment, the mounting unit comprises a top panel, a bottom panel and a pair of panel guides, each formed integral with and adjacent to an opposing side of the top panel. Each panel guide includes a horizontal portion for supporting a solar panel and a vertical portion for providing an air channel between a bottom surface of the solar panel and an upper surface of the top panel. The air channel enables natural convection to cool the solar panel and optionally a power conversion device used within the system, thereby improving the solar conversion efficiency of the system. An improved method for installing a solar electric generation system is also provided herein.

An integral, monolithic mounting bracket supports a corner of a photovoltaic module. The bracket includes a ballast tray for holding one or more ballast blocks, and includes a plurality of monolithic support legs that are disposed at acute angles from a plane of the ballast tray and that are integral with the ballast tray. The bracket can be manufactured by stamping at least two identical sections of metal from the sheet and then bending-up each section on its remaining uncut fourth side into a near-vertical position, so that each bent-up section forms a monolithic support leg.