The disclosure provides a back-hang mounting assembly of a thin film photovoltaic module, which includes: a back-hang hook plate of which a cross section is L-shaped and which includes a horizontal plate and a vertical plate, wherein the horizontal plate is fixedly connected to the photovoltaic module; a fixed beam which includes a base plate and a pair of opposite side plates fixed on the base plate, wherein the base plate is configured to be fixedly connected to a roof; and a fastener which passes through the vertical plate and the pair of side plates and fixedly connects the back-hang hook plate to the fixed beam.

The disclosure provides a back-hang mounting assembly of a thin film photovoltaic module, which includes: a back-hang hook plate and a cross beam, wherein the cross section of the back-hang hook plate is F-shaped and it is fixedly connected to the photovoltaic module. The cross beam is configured to be fixedly connected to a roof and fixed to the back-hang hook plate by the hook joint.

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.

An attachment system for a solar panel racking system is provided. The attachment system comprises a rail, a nut and a fastener. The rail includes a receiver to releasably receive the nut. The receiver has an arcuate channel and a retainer. The nut has an arcuate portion sized and dimensioned to be receivable within the arcuate channel, and a flange for releasable engagement with the retainer. Upon receipt of the arcuate portion within the arcuate channel, the flange releasably engages the retainer to releasably engage the nut within the receiver. The fastener secures the nut within the receiver and thereby secures the rail to the structure. The arcuate channel assists in the releasable engagement between the nut and the rail by assisting in cooperatively orienting and positioning the nut to guide the nut into the receiver.

A fixture which fixes a solar cell module to a rail member for supporting the solar cell module is provided with: a side section that abuts a side surface of the solar cell module intersecting a light-receiving surface of the solar cell module; an upper section that extends from the upper end of the side section so as to face the light-receiving surface of the solar cell module; a lower section that extends from the lower end of the side section so as to face the lower surface, of the solar cell module, on the opposite side to the light-receiving surface of the solar cell module; and a fixing section that is fixed to a side section of the rail member. The fixing section extends downward from a position on the lower section that is away from a connecting part between the side section and the lower section.

A solar support mounted on a vehicle roof includes a module bracket and a photovoltaic module disposed on the module bracket. The module bracket fits the vehicle roof. The module bracket is provided with at least two fixing units. Each of the at least two fixing units detachably fits an upper edge of a vehicle door frame.

Mounting components of photovoltaic (PV) modules and PV module assemblies are described, including PV module couplings and PV module mounting chassis. In an example, a PV module includes a PV module coupling having a toe portion extending from a PV module frame, and a PV module mounting chassis includes a toe slot to receive the toe. The toe and toe slot construction allows for the PV module frame to be assembled to the PV module mounting chassis without using tools, and thus, permits a PV module assembly to be quickly constructed during installation of a PV module system. Furthermore, the toe and toe slot construction accommodates thermal expansion and other environmental loads seen after installation, while providing a grounding connection for the PV module assembly.

This disclosure describes methods and apparatus for assembly a roofing structure that incorporates photovoltaic modules as shingles of the roofing structure. A sidelap is used to both establish consistent spacing between the solar shingles and prevent water passing between adjacent shingles from collecting beneath the solar shingles by guiding the water passing through the solar shingles and redirecting the water down-roof. In some embodiments, the sidelaps can have additional functionality. For example, a sidelap can include tabs configured to interact with lateral securing features positioned on downward-facing surfaces of the solar roofing modules to help keep the lateral sides of the photovoltaic modules from pulling away from the roofing structure during severe weather conditions. The sidelap could also include means for attaching a wire clip to one end of the sidelap.

Building integrated photovoltaic (BIPV) systems provide for solar panel arrays that can be aesthetically pleasing to an observer. BIPV systems can be incorporated as part of roof surfaces as built into the structure of the roof, particularly as multi-region roofing modules that have photovoltaic elements embedded or incorporated into the body of the module, in distinct tiles-sized regions. Such multi-region photovoltaic modules can replicate the look of individual roofing tiles or shingles. Further, multi-region photovoltaic modules can include support structures between the distinct regions having a degree of flexibility, allowing for a more efficient installation process.

A solar module system is coupled directly to a fixed structure either individually or collectively as an array. Universal mounting brackets attached to the back of each solar panel module each connect to one or more other brackets of adjacent solar panels and/or to mounting feet that anchor to the fixed structure. Mounting brackets interlock with mounting brackets on adjacent solar modules and include a flexible snap coupling mechanism including a locking feature to selectively flexibly connect to and disconnect from other mounting brackets of adjacent solar panels.