A channel having a base portion, an open central region, and an integral pair of sidewalls. The integral pair of sidewalls having an upper portion of each sidewall that includes an inward-facing downturned internal flange and an outward-facing upturned external flange.

A mounting system for mounting a photovoltaic module onto at least one mounting rail. The mounting system comprises a frame for the photovoltaic module with at least one opening or protrusion at a lateral side or a bottom side of the frame, the bottom side being opposite to light incidence side of the photovoltaic module. The mounting system further comprises a plurality of mounting elements, each comprising a first portion and a second portion for securing the frame to the at least one mounting rail, the first portion defining a hook-like engagement portion to hook into the opening or the protrusion or the bottom side of the frame to provide an interlocking connection, the second portion enabling a secure fixation to the at least one mounting rail.

Mounting clamps may be utilized to quickly and easily secure solar panel modules relative to mounting rails, which may in turn be secured relative to a mounting surface (e.g., a roof). The mounting clamps may be configured to quickly secure the solar pane modules relative to the mounting rails by tightening a tightening element to pull a clamp element toward the surface of a mounting rail, thereby clamping a portion (e.g., a frame) of a solar panel module between the clamping element and an outer surface of the mounting rail.

Solar module clips that may be advantageously employed in solar trackers to decrease time and effort in the installation and the alignment of solar modules as well as address mechanical challenges posed by extreme weather events and other forces encountered in the course of use. Alignment may be simplified by tabs on the module clips that secure the solar panels as well as provide a visual marker. Module clips may also include other features, such as any of standoffs, module stops, or pillars for ease of installation and further constraining movement of solar panels.

A rail assembly (530) includes a rail (540) and an adapter (640). The adapter (640) may be slidably interconnected with the rail (540) via a first rail channel (604a) on a first rail side (600a) of the rail (540), and may also be slidably interconnected with the rail (540) via a second rail channel (604b) on a second rail side (600b) of the rail (540). The adapter (640) may be inverted (whether installed via the first rail channel (604a) or the second rail channel (604b)) between two different orientations that dispose a mounting flange (670) at different elevations to accommodate two different mounting configurations.

A roof integrated solar power system includes a plurality of solar modules. Each solar module carries a photovoltaic or solar panel with solar cells. Edge regions of the solar module are disposed to the sides of the solar panel and are devoid of solar cells. An electrical component such as a junction box or micro-inverter, or DC optimizer is mounted on top of the solar module within at least one of the edge regions. Cabling for interconnecting the electrical component to electrical components of others of the plurality of solar modules also is located within the side regions. In one embodiment, the electrical component and cabling is disposed within a recess within a side region and covered by a flat access panel. In another embodiment, the electrical component and cabling is located atop the side region and is covered by an access panel in the form of a protective cover strip. The solar modules are installable on a roof in aligned or staggered courses to form the solar power system, and with the installed courses of modules together forming a water barrier protecting the roof.

This invention provides a solar fluid heating panel with fluid conduits that allow a fluid to be heated by the sun. It also provides a mounting system and weather sealing system that allow the panels to replace a traditional roof. The roof replacing panels can be installed quickly using mounting brackets attached to roof purlins. The panels can allow natural ambient light to enter the building while harnessing the sun's energy to heat fluid within the conduits.

Corner connection members for a photovoltaic module frame include thru-passages for receiving insert components that perform and facilitate a variety of functions, such as attaching the photovoltaic module to a roof, providing a ground connection for the solar cells, to facilitate the mechanical and electrical connection of photovoltaic modules which are arranged side-by-side, to facilitate securing photovoltaic modules in a stack, and providing mechanical and electrical connections to adjacent photovoltaic modules in an array. Insert components may also include electronic devices, such as microinverters and energy storage devices, which are connected to the photovoltaic modules when the insert component is installed in the corner member.

A solar panel mounting assembly including a cap that includes a secure-side wing, a catch-side wing, and an integral vertical leg that protrudes downwardly from the catch-side wing. The vertical leg is integral with the catch-side wing and has a top end and a bottom end. A plurality of inwardly facing corrugations are disposed at the bottom end of the vertical leg. The solar panel mounting assembly further includes a base that includes a secure-side support surface, a tilted spring support ledge on a catch-side, and a plurality of outwardly-facing corrugations disposed on an upper horizontal portion of the base. An inwardly-facing corrugation of the vertical leg contacts and engages an outwardly-facing corrugation on the upper horizontal portion of the base, and the base is vertically adjustable with respect to the cap.

Mounting clamps may be utilized to quickly and easily secure solar panel modules relative to mounting rails, which may in turn be secured relative to a mounting surface (e.g., a roof). The mounting clamps may be configured to quickly secure the solar pane modules relative to the mounting rails by tightening a tightening element to pull a clamp element toward the surface of a mounting rail, thereby clamping a portion (e.g., a frame) of a solar panel module between the clamping element and an outer surface of the mounting rail.