A floating platform for solar panels is provided. The floating platform may include a plurality of plates. Each of the plurality of plates may have a ballast chamber filled with a ballast material. Each of the plurality of plates may further have a float chamber disposed over the ballast chamber. Each of the plurality of plates may further have a channel passing through the ballast chamber and the float chamber. The channel may further have one or more openings to pass water into the ballast chamber and an opening to pass air from the channel. Each of the plurality of plates may further have a locking member. Each of the plurality of plates may further have one or more connection sections for placing one or more strap assemblies. The strap assemblies may be provided for disposing one or more solar panels on the plurality of plates.

A mounting assembly includes a rail configured to support a photovoltaic module. The rail includes a first slot, a second slot, and a web extending between the first slot and the second slot. The web being offset from a plane extending along an outer surface of the rail, so as to form a recess in the second side of the rail. The mount assembly further includes a clip configured to be secured to the rail and to a secondary structure. The clip includes a base having a flange extending from an end of the base, and an arm extending from the base in a second direction opposite the first direction, the flange being inserted in the second slot when the clip is secured to the rail and the secondary structure and at least a portion of the arm abuts the recess of the rail when the clip is secured to the rail.

In various embodiments, a stabilization assembly may comprise a shaft, a foot, a snap plate and a nut. The foot may be operatively coupled to the shaft. The snap plate may be configured to surround and retain the shaft. The nut may be installable on the shaft and engagable to raise and lower a foot. The stabilization assembly may be installed in a solar panel coupling. The foot may be driven to engagement with a roof surface in response to the coupling being installed on the roof.

A mounting bracket for a solar array includes a top hat assembly including an outer top hat having a longitudinally extending first rail configured to contact a solar module of the solar array, and an inner top having a longitudinally extending second rail also configured to contact the solar module, an actuator arm assembly comprising a pair of actuator arms which extend from the top hat assembly and which form an opening configured to receive a tubular member of the solar array, and a fastener assembly configured to connect the pair of actuator arms and secure the mounting bracket to both the solar module and the tubular member.

Disclosed herein is a roof mount installation assembly. The roof mount installation assembly includes a roof mount, a flashing patch, and an adapter cap. The roof mount has a base and a threaded post. The flashing patch has an opening. The flashing patch is configured to surround the base. The opening is configured to allow the threaded post to extend therethrough. The adapter cap is configured to be removably mounted over the flashing patch. The adapter cap is configured to apply a force to the flashing patch for sealing the flashing patch around the roof mount.

A solar power system may include rails, solar modules, and a plurality of clamps to secure the solar modules to the rails. An end clamp may be partially disposed inside a rail at an end of the rail. The end clamp may secure a solar module to the rail by coupling to the frame of the solar module. The end clamp may include a fastener that may be tightened to engage the end clamp and secure the solar module by holding it on top of the rail. The end clamp may establish an electrical grounding connection between the frame of the solar module and the rail.

A u-shaped splice that is used to connect two solar mounting rails, includes barbs that interact with the rails, requiring more force to remove the splice from the rails than the force required to insert the splice into the rails. Wedges, located at a mid-point between ends of the splice interact with the rails, creating an interference fit between the splice and the rails.

In various representative aspects, an assembly for securing a solar panel rail and rail-less support structures to a shingle roof. More specifically, the apparatus includes a connection bracket and flashing device for use in installing solar panel rail support structures. The connection bracket is secured to the flashing device by rotating its base around a threaded connection until it locks in place so that a solar panel rail support guide can be connected to a generally U-shaped connection on the top of the bracket. The apparatus also offers an improved means to cover the penetration point on the flashing to protect it and prevent water from leaking into the roof as well as an improved way to install the apparatus over existing products. An alternate embodiment of the apparatus is offered to support a rail-less pivot mount as well.

A photovoltaic panel includes: a plurality of power generation portions each having a light receiving surface, each power generation portion including a plurality of power generating elements each configured to generate power in accordance with an amount of received light; and a coupling portion configured to couple each power generation portion, wherein each power generation portion is coupled so as to be rotatable about the coupling portion used as a rotation axis, and the power generation portions are capable of, by being rotated, taking a light receiving position at which the power generation portions are located such that the light receiving surfaces of the power generation portions are oriented to an identical direction, and a fold position at which the power generation portions are located such that a set of the light receiving surfaces of the power generation portions face each other.

A snow guard structure has the configuration in which a first frame body holding a ridge-side end side of a solar cell panel and a second frame body holding an eaves-side end side of an adjacent solar cell panel are fixed to a roof surface such that spaces are formed under their bottom face portions, and a snow guard fitting includes an upper abutment piece abutting against upper face portions of the two frame bodies, a lower abutment piece abutting against bottom face portions of the two frame bodies, an external thread member extending upward from the lower abutment piece and penetrating through the upper abutment piece and fastening the upper abutment piece and the lower abutment piece by screwing with an internal thread between the two frame bodies, and a snow guard portion extending upward from the upper abutment piece.