In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus. In an example, the apparatus comprises a center of mass with an adjustable hanger assembly configured with a clam shell clamp assembly on the adjustable hanger assembly and a cylindrical torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end such that the center of mass is aligned with a center of rotation of the cylindrical torque tubes to reduce a load of a drive motor operably coupled to the cylindrical torque tube. Further details of the present example, among others, can be found throughout the present specification and more particularly below.

A roof mount system supports a solar panel above a roof and includes a base positioned on the roof and a first fastener connected to the base and extending away from the roof and moveable along the base in a direction generally parallel to the roof. A first clamp supports a bottom surface of a solar panel frame and adjusts the height of the solar panel above the roof by moving the first clamp along a first fastener in a direction perpendicular to the roof. A second clamp is connected to a second fastener and moves with respect to the first clamp perpendicular to the roof. The solar panel is clamped between the first clamp and the second clamp portion. A protrusion extends from the first or second clamp to form an electrical bond between the solar panel frame and the respective first or second clamp.

A holding frame holds a polygonal solar battery panel including a light receiving surface. The frame includes a lower disposed in a spaced relationship with a back surface opposite to the light receiving surface, a rising part extending upward from the lower part, and a holding part formed at an end portion of the rising part on a side of the panel to hold one side of the panel. The holding part includes a portion protruding inwardly from the end portion, a portion protruding outwardly from the end portion, a portion extending upwardly from an outside of the outward-protruding portion, and a sandwiching portion extending inwardly from the upward extending portion to sandwich the panel between the sandwiching portion and the outward-protruding portion. The lower part includes a portion protruding inwardly relative to the rising part, and an outward-protruding portion protruding outwardly relative to the rising part.

A bearing axle for photovoltaic modules includes at least two tubes, which each have a non-circular cross section at least in one end region. The non-circular cross sections of the at least two tubes are designed to correspond to each other such that a non-rotatable connection between at least one first and at least one second of the at least two tubes can be produced by way of inserting the at least one first of the at least two tubes into the at least one second of the at least two tubes. The bearing axle includes at least one separate connection means, which can be arranged intermediately between at least two tubes, and by way of which the particular at least two tubes are connectible non-rotatably to each other by form-lockingly coupling the at least one connection means to their free end regions with non-circular cross sections.

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.

A racking system is configured to install at least one photovoltaic panel on a rooftop. The racking system includes a plurality of rails. A splice bar is connected the plurality of rails and configured to mechanically strengthen the plurality of rails. A ground lug is attached to an extrusion of a side channel on each of the plurality of rails by sliding the ground lug through a rail opening. A ground wire is held in a serrated opening for safely grounding the racking system. A clamp is attached to a top channel of at least one rail such that the at least one rail and the at least one photovoltaic panel are operatively coupled to the clamp and such that the clamp is under pressure due to a spring but is able to freely rotate around a longitudinal axis.

Disclosed is a system and device (10, 100, 200, 300) for mounting a solar panel (11) to a roof (43). The device (10, 100, 200, 300) allows for the mounting of solar panels (11) with various thicknesses using an end clamp (12) and base (13) assembly where the end clamp (12) is height adjustable along an alignment portion (20) that projects vertically upward from a planar top surface (19) of the base (13). The end clamp (12) includes an end portion (18) with a three-angle bearing surface (27) that engages both a side surface and a groove (23) within a side surface of the alignment portion (20). The solar panel (11) frame is secured from the top by an upper clamping surface of the end clamp (12) to the alignment portion (20) and the top surface of the base (13).

A solar module mounting bracket assembly includes a rail configured to support a solar module thereon, and a pair of braces. The braces each have a first end portion movably coupled to the rail. The braces are movable relative to the rail between a collapsed configuration and an expanded configuration. In the expanded configuration, the braces cooperatively define a channel dimensioned for receipt of a frame member.

Photovoltaic modules are mounted onto a solar tracker array torque tube via pairs or left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connectors having spring latch assemblies. The left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connectors have orientation projections that couple with and extend into the interior body of the torque tube. The orientation projections on the spring latch assemblies of each pair of left-handed and right-handed photovoltaic array connector allow for the photovoltaic array connectors to fit over and settle on a torque tube, and thereby support and mount a photovoltaic module as part of a solar tracker array.

Mounting systems are disclosed for attaching photovoltaic modules to torque tubes. Such systems can include saddle brackets that maximize space along a torque tube by sharing torque tube mounting holes between adjacent brackets. The brackets can be positionally stable on the torque tube prior to complete installation to enable a single installer to assemble a complete tracker array.