Systems and methods for mounting solar panels include a curb assembly coupled to a top surface of a roof. An end of a solar panel rests on a portion of the assembly. An astragal is located with a portion of the astragal extending over the edge of the solar panel. A fastener is engaged through the astragal and the curb assembly such that a portion of the astragal contacts and compressively engages the top surface of the supported solar panel edge, whereby the solar panel is mounted to the roof. Moreover, systems and methods cleaning solar panels of a solar panel system installed on an exterior surface are also described.

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 solar module frame coupling assembly includes a solar module frame and a rail. The solar module frame includes a frame side portion having a protruded guide structure. The rail includes a first rail side and a second rail side that is opposite the first rail side. The first rail side is configured to interface with a torque tube, and the second rail side includes an alignment slot. The alignment slot is configured to receive the protruded guide structure to couple the solar module frame to the rail.

A solar energy collecting blind arrangement includes a blind housing, blind slats, and a retraction arrangement. Each of the blind slats includes a top layer and bottom layer. The top layer is designed to be positioned to face substantially toward a window and the bottom layer is designed to be positioned to face substantially toward an interior space. The top layer includes a solar-collecting material designed to absorb solar energy. The bottom layer includes a heat-emitting material designed to transfer heat energy into passing air in an interior space to thereby heat the interior space.

Systems and methods for mounting solar panels include a curb assembly coupled to a top surface of a roof. An end of a solar panel rests on a portion of the assembly. An astragal is located with a portion of the astragal extending over the edge of the solar panel. A fastener is engaged through the astragal and the curb assembly such that a portion of the astragal contacts and compressively engages the top surface of the supported solar panel edge, whereby the solar panel is mounted to the roof. Moreover, systems and methods cleaning solar panels of a solar panel system installed on an exterior surface are also described.

A solar panel attachment assembly including a purlin bent into a U-shaped channel with a mounting wall, an upright wall and a cross piece attached to the upper edge. A solar panel having a frame with a lower horizontal wall forming a mounting surface and a vertical wall forming an outer surface. An inwardly directed channel formed on the upper edge of the vertical wall surrounds and fixedly engages the edges of solar sensors. Attachment bolts with a portion of the body being threaded and a tip portion of the body having a drill bit formed therein. The drill bit has an outer diameter smaller than an outer diameter of the bolt threads, and the attachment bolts are positioned to extend through the cross piece of the purlin and through the lower horizontal wall of the cross-section to hold the solar panel in abutting engagement with the purlin.

A hybrid-type solar panel comprising a structure suitable for making a photovoltaic panel, a thermal panel, a watertight roof, an electric storage, all integrated in a basic structure (20). A roof for a house is also provided.

Solar panels, which at least at edges of two opposite sides, have frames, for use in fixed tilt solar system as well as use in tracking solar system, are provided with coupling parts together with rails and have coupling parts cooperating with each other, substantially in the form of tongue and groove. The coupling parts have integrated mechanical locking elements, which prevent drifting or separating apart of a coupled solar panel and rail in a direction perpendicular to the solar panel surface and parallel to the solar panel surface. The coupled tongue and groove are balanced by a set of forces and integrated to support each other, and to support solar panel with combined mechanical strength, which provide opportunities to reduce materials usage, dimensions, packaging materials, shipping costs, and installation time, as well as limiting installer error.

Single-piece hinged-clamps employed used in assemblies used to mount solar power modules to surface installation are disclosed. In some embodiments, a clamp with a right portion with a right notch having a right platform, a left portion with a left notch having a left platform, and a base portion with a flexible hinge is disclosed. The left portion also includes a threaded aperture extending downwardly from the left platform. In some embodiments, a method of securing a component with the clamp is disclosed in which a right member of a component is inserted into a right notch of a clamp, an applied force imparts movement of a left notch away from the right notch, and a buildup of potential energy in the flexible hinge during the application of the force moves the left notch in the opposite direction to engage the left member of the component.

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.