Mounting systems for PV modules and assemblies of modules, including apparatus and methods of use. The disclosed systems generally involve mounting a flexible photovoltaic module in a slight arch, bending it with a large radius around one axis of the module.

The invention relates to a support device for a curved mirror having support elements and a curved mirror. The objective of providing a support device for a curved mirror which is constructed in a particularly simple manner and which enables particularly low production costs is achieved by a support device in that the support device has at least one bent metal carrier profile-member, the bent carrier profile-member having in the longitudinal direction an at least similar curvature to the curved mirror and being substantially mirror-symmetrical in the longitudinal direction.

Discussed are solar panel systems as well as devices and methods for mounting the solar panel systems to roofs and building structures. Catch clamp, mid clamp, and optionally end clamp assemblies can be preinstalled to the solar panels at the job site before placing and securing the resulting solar panel assemblies to the building structure such as a roof. After an installer places and secures a first solar panel assembly to the building structure, they can install each subsequent solar panel assemblies by attaching the leading edge of the subsequent solar panel assembly to the trailing edge of the previous solar panel assembly using a catch and catch receiver, hook and slot, tab and slot, or similar mechanism.

The invention relates to a heliostat sub-assembly and to a method of forming such a sub-assembly. The method of mounting a concave mirror to a supporting structure of a heliostat includes the steps of bonding a plurality of risers at predetermined spaced intervals to a rear face of the mirror, each riser having a bonding pad and a stem extending from the bonding pad, and applying a predetermined concave curvature to the mirror by conforming the front face of the mirror with a convex forming jig or die. The supporting structure and curved mirror are then aligned, and the supporting structure is clinched to the stems of the risers when the curved mirror is conformed with the forming die. The riser stems may be coupled to the bonding pads via multi-axial joint assemblies to enable limited multi-pivotal movement of the stems relative to the bonding pads to facilitate alignment of faces of the stems with the faces of the ribs defined by webs, and relative expansion and contraction of the mirror and supporting structure, the overlap between the riser stems and the webs being sufficient to accommodate clinching with variations in curvature of the glass sheet.

Discussed are solar panel systems as well as devices and methods for mounting the solar panel systems to roofs and building structures. Catch clamp, mid clamp, and optionally end clamp assemblies can be preinstalled to the solar panels at the job site before placing and securing the resulting solar panel assemblies to the building structure such as a roof. After an installer places and secures a first solar panel assembly to the building structure, they can install each subsequent solar panel assemblies by attaching the leading edge of the subsequent solar panel assembly to the trailing edge of the previous solar panel assembly using a catch and catch receiver, hook and slot, tab and slot, or similar mechanism.

Discussed are solar panel systems as well as devices and methods for mounting the solar panel systems to roofs and building structures. Catch clamp, mid clamp, and optionally end clamp assemblies can be preinstalled to the solar panels at the job site before placing and securing the resulting solar panel assemblies to the building structure such as a roof. After an installer places and secures a first solar panel assembly to the building structure, they can install each subsequent solar panel assemblies by attaching the leading edge of the subsequent solar panel assembly to the trailing edge of the previous solar panel assembly using a catch and catch receiver, hook and slot, tab and slot, or similar mechanism.

A solar panel assembly includes a substrate and a solar array coupled to the substrate. The solar array includes a plurality of photovoltaic cells. An optical layer is disposed over the solar array. The optical layer, the solar array, and the substrate together form a solar assembly. A frame surrounds the solar assembly and includes a plurality of frame members. Each frame member of the plurality of frame members includes an arcuate member that forms an aerodynamic outer edge of the frame member.

A support assembly for mounting photovoltaic modules on a support surface and a mounting system including the same are disclosed herein. The support assembly may comprise a the body portion including a base portion and at least one upright support member coupled to the base portion, the at least one upright support member comprising an integrally formed ballast tray slot in one side thereof for receiving an upturned edge of a ballast tray; and at least one clamp subassembly coupled to the at least one upright support member of the body portion, the at least one clamp subassembly configured to be coupled to one or more photovoltaic modules. In addition to a plurality of support assemblies, the mounting system may further comprise at least one ballast tray support bracket, the ballast tray support bracket supporting a portion of a ballast tray on the support surface.