A mounting system 110 for a solar panel 11 includes a base plate 114 having an elongated mounting slot 116, a spacer beam 124 with a slot 128, a first T-shaped fastener 131 having a mounting plate 132 with a width slightly smaller than the size of the slot and a length larger than the size of the slot, so that the mounting plate may be passed through the slot and then rotated so that it then cannot pass back through the slot. A second T-shaped fastener 137 having the same configuration couples the solar panel to the spacer. The system optionally has a ballast system 145 which includes a ballast tray 146 and third T-shaped fastener 155 of the same configuration for coupling the tray to the base plate. An anti-creep strip 161 is coupled to the base member through fourth T-shaped fasteners 162 of the same configuration.

A mounting system 110 for a solar panel 11 includes a base plate 114 having an elongated mounting slot 116, a spacer beam 124 with a slot 128, a first T-shaped fastener 131 having a mounting plate 132 with a width slightly smaller than the size of the slot and a length larger than the size of the slot, so that the mounting plate may be passed through the slot and then rotated so that it then cannot pass back through the slot. A second T-shaped fastener 137 having the same configuration couples the solar panel to the spacer. The system optionally has a ballast system 145 which includes a ballast tray 146 and third T-shaped fastener 155 of the same configuration for coupling the tray to the base plate. An anti-creep strip 161 is coupled to the base member through fourth T-shaped fasteners 162 of the same configuration.

Systems and techniques for boltlessly supporting and securing solar modules are disclosed. For example, in an aspect, a system features a support structure including a support rail, and a frame including a plurality of rails each having a slot to receive a solar module therein and a bottom plate to boltlessly couple to the top surface of the support rail via one or more boltless mounting components. A boltless mounting component may include a post operative to interlock with an insertion hole for securing the frame to the support structure. Moreover, a locking pin may be disposed through a pin hole on each of the top surface of the support rail and the bottom plate of the frame, where the locking pin advantageously maintains a predetermined alignment and advantageously provides a shared electrical ground connection between the support rail and the frame.

A solar power system may include rails, solar modules, and a plurality of clamps to secure the solar modules to the rails. An end clamp may be partially disposed inside a rail at an end of the rail. The end clamp may secure a solar module to the rail by coupling to the frame of the solar module. The end clamp may include a fastener that may be tightened to engage the end clamp and secure the solar module by holding it on top of the rail. The end clamp may establish an electrical grounding connection between the frame of the solar module and the rail.

A photovoltaic mounting system for tile roofs is disclosed. In one embodiment, mounting bracket is attached to a roof deck and passes through a flashing support and flexible flashing that mimics the contour of the adjacent roof tiles. In other embodiments, a tile hook passes through partial or full tile replacement flashing. A plug or other structure blocks the space around the tile hook preventing the ingress of pests and debris under the flashing and surrounding tiles. Additional photovoltaic module mounting hardware, including sections of rails and frame mounts are attached either the mounting bracket or tile hook.

Photovoltaic modules are mounted onto PV module mounting brackets of a solar torque tube via clamps. The clamps include a first hook rotatably attached to a main body, and a second hook rotatably attached to the main body. The clamps provide for simultaneously securing a first photovoltaic module to the bracket with the first hook and securing a second photovoltaic module to the bracket with the second hook without the need for tools.

Embodiments relate to an enhanced method for installing solar roofs by primarily reducing the installation time. The design is for a roofing shingle with an embedded solar module that installs intuitively like normal roofing shingles without special tools, fasteners or alignment. The shingle structure is molded out of low thermal expansion plastic composite and is compatible with commercial photovoltaic modules as well as solar infrared radiation absorbing devices.

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 photovoltaic module comprising: a base plate and a photovoltaic laminate that are connected together; wherein the photovoltaic module is configured to be directly connected to a roofing structure and provide roofing functions, and wherein the photovoltaic laminate is removable from the base plate without damaging the base plate and the base plate retains its roofing functions when the photovoltaic laminate is removed.

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.