The invention includes an apparatus for mounting a photovoltaic (PV) module onto a structure where the apparatus includes a base portion, a stud portion, and a coupling portion. The coupling portion includes a male portion that acts as a spring under load and a clip portion that penetrates the PV module frame to create a grounding bond. The apparatus includes a lower jaw, shaped to pry open a groove, and a key portion that can compress to allow for tolerances. The invention further includes a clip with one or more tabs and one or more teeth. The invention further includes a replacement roof tile which includes a support structure with a horizontal flange, a vertical component, a horizontal component, a flashing with an upper surface and a lower surface, and a tile-shaped metal surface having a curvilinear shape that reflects the shapes of adjacent tiles.

In various representative aspects, a clamp assembly that secures a solar panel module to a rail support structure that utilizes a generally c-shaped clamp in combination with a t-bolt and a binding bolt such that the t-bolt and binding bolt fit through a pair of apertures in the c-shaped clamp. This enables the foot of the t-bolt to be inserted into a guide on the top of the rail support structure so that the clamp can subsequently secure the solar panel module to the rail support structure by rotating the binding bolt, which in turn locks the t-bolt within the guide and the top of the clamp is then tightened with continuous rotation of the binding bolt, which also enables raised portions on the foot of the t-bolt and top of the clamp to create an electrical bonding path between the solar panel module and the rail support structure.

A connector for attaching first and second photovoltaic modules to a mounting rail, with a lower body portion that rotates to lock into a mounting rail groove and an upper body portion with a hook that is lowered towards the lower body portion to grasp onto the first photovoltaic module and a key that receives the second photovoltaic module slidably-connected thereon.

A clamp is provided that allows for easily and securely mounting an object such as a PV panel to a rail having an internal recess or channel. The clamp utilizes one or more splice bars that extend into a recess of a rail that supports a PV panel. In one arrangement, the splice bar is inserted through an end of the rail into the recess such that a portion the splice bar extends beyond the end of the rail. A sliding clamp body engages lateral edges of the slice bar to, in one embodiment, compress a PV panel against a surface of the rail. The sliding clamp body may be affixed to the splice bar to secure the panel.

A system for mounting and supporting photovoltaic (PV) modules includes a frame rail that is formed with a longitudinally extending channel for retaining a plurality of mounting clips, and mounting clamps for anchoring the frame rail to a support base or support structure. Each mounting clamp includes a pair of jaws for engaging along a base portion of the fame rail. The mounting clips are arranged along the length of the frame rail, and are used to support the PV modules adjacent to the frame rails. Module clamps are used to hold the PV modules in place, the module clamps being secured to the mounting clips using elongated fasteners having an engaging end for engaging the mounting clip. The mounting clamps allow the frame rail position to be adjusted in two directions, and the mounting clips facilitate rapid mounting of the PV modules to the frame rail structure.

An attachment point apparatus and system for photovoltaic arrays is disclosed as well as an installed photovoltaic array using attachment apparatus. One embodiment provides a rail for receiving a PV module, including a rail member located substantially beneath at least a portion of a second photovoltaic module and having a first end located near a gap between a first and second photovoltaic modules. An embodiment also provides a second photovoltaic module which is substantially coplanar with and located between a first and third photovoltaic modules and wherein said rail member is connected to the first, second, and third photovoltaic modules and attached to a support structure by a first and second attachment brackets. A further embodiment provides a lever clip, said lever clip comprising a head portion connecting a photovoltaic module to a rail, a lever portion extending away from a head portion, and a retaining portion near an end of a lever portion wherein the lever portion acts as a lever to rotate the head portion during installation such that the head portion secures the photovoltaic module to a frame.

The invention relates to a profile rail, a clip holder, a cross-connector and an attachment system for mounting solar modules. The components are so designed and matched to each other that solar modules in many variations can be mounted quickly and easily and with the components having a low weight.

A connector for attaching first and second photovoltaic modules to a mounting rail, with a lower body portion that rotates to lock into a mounting rail groove and an upper body portion with a hook that is lowered towards the lower body portion to grasp onto the first photovoltaic module and a key that receives the second photovoltaic module slidably-connected thereon.

A solar panel mounting apparatus for use in securing a frame with a solar panel stored therein to a roof of a building includes a non-hollow member with a lower cross-sectional profile and enhanced strength. The apparatus includes a rail coupled to the frame and the roof, the rail having a cross-sectional profile comprising an upper cavity, a first side cavity, a second side cavity and a third side cavity, a first set of fasteners coupled to the frame and the upper cavity, and a second set of fasteners coupled to the roof and the first side cavity or the second side cavity. The upper cavity has a substantially pentagonal cross-sectional shape, the first side cavity has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, the second side cavity has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, and the third side cavity has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape.

A photovoltaic system includes a pole member which stands on an installation surface, a connecting support member disposed on an upper end section of the pole member, a rail member supported by the connecting support member, and a photovoltaic cell module disposed on the rail member, wherein the pole supporting member includes a lower section that covers at least a portion of an outer peripheral surface of the upper end section of the pole member.