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.

Surface mount assemblies for mounting to a solar panel frame to an installation surface are disclosed. In some embodiments, a base is coupled to a height-adjustable rail mount to slidably couple a track with a fastener assembly that includes of a fastener, spacer, and nut. In some embodiments, a base is coupled to a rail mount and positioned on a base plate to slidably couple to a surface track with a fastener assembly that includes a first fastener slidably coupled to a groove formed by the track, spacer, and second fastener. In some embodiments, a base is coupled to a rail mount for slidably coupling the rail to a height-adjustable base with a fastener. In some embodiments, a two-configuration, track-mounted, rectangular base is designed with a rectangular base having a pair of short-sided legs, a pair of long-sided legs, and a fastener for engaging outer surfaces of a track.

Surface mount assemblies for mounting to a solar panel frame to an installation surface are disclosed. In some embodiments, a base is coupled to a height-adjustable rail mount to slidably couple a track with a fastener assembly that includes of a fastener, spacer, and nut. In some embodiments, a base is coupled to a rail mount and positioned on a base plate to slidably couple to a surface track with a fastener assembly that includes a first fastener slidably coupled to a groove formed by the track, spacer, and second fastener. In some embodiments, a base is coupled to a rail mount for slidably coupling the rail to a height-adjustable base with a fastener. In some embodiments, a two-configuration, track-mounted, rectangular base is designed with a rectangular base having a pair of short-sided legs, a pair of long-sided legs, and a fastener for engaging outer surfaces of a track.

An extension panel may include a mating surface shaped to interface with a back surface of a clamp that includes a mounting hole corresponding to a bolt slot in the back surface of the clamp to accommodate a single bolt passing through the extension panel and the clamp. The extension panel may also include a pair of flanges projecting outward from the mating surface and positioned to be on either side of the clamp. The extension panel may also include a flat top surface generally parallel and aligned linearly with another flat top surface of a flexible member. The extension flat top surface may be sized to be approximately a same width as the flexible member at a first end of the extension flat top surface proximate the mating surface and may flare out as the extension flat top surface extends away from the flexible member.

There is proposed an apparatus used for holding solar panels and a roof structure, including an elongate rail member, an elongate capping member movably connected to the elongate rail member, a plurality of interconnected adjustment devices, and a drive mechanism. The adjustment devices are spaced apart along a length of the elongate rail member and are configured to move the elongate capping member relative to the elongate rail member. The drive mechanism is configured to control the movement of the adjustment devices to affect the clamping of the solar array panels between the elongate capping member and the elongate rail member. The drive mechanism is adjustable from a single location along the elongate rail member, such as from an end.

There is proposed an apparatus used for holding solar panels and a roof structure, including an elongate rail member, an elongate capping member movably connected to the elongate rail member, a plurality of interconnected adjustment devices, and a drive mechanism. The adjustment devices are spaced apart along a length of the elongate rail member and are configured to move the elongate capping member relative to the elongate rail member. The drive mechanism is configured to control the movement of the adjustment devices to affect the clamping of the solar array panels between the elongate capping member and the elongate rail member. The drive mechanism is adjustable from a single location along the elongate rail member, such as from an end.

Provided is a sensor mounting member and a sensor mounting method for easily fixing a sensor of a type among various types to a track rail of a rolling guide device in one operation. The sensor mounting member includes: a sensor holding portion configured to cover the sensor so as to hold the sensor between a top surface of the track rail and the sensor holding portion; and a pair of leg portions, which are formed at both ends of the sensor holding portion, respectively, and are configured to sandwich the track rail from both sides in a width direction of the track rail while being elastically deformed. Further, along with sandwiching of the track rail by the pair of leg portions, the sensor holding portion presses the sensor onto the top surface of the track rail.

A roof-mounted solar energy apparatus including a mounting frame having a plurality of struts positioned in a first direction, the plurality of struts substantially parallel to one another, and a plurality of cross-member struts positioned in a second position that is substantially perpendicular to the plurality of struts positioned in the first direction. The plurality of struts attached to the crossmember struts. The apparatus also including a bracket having an end for engaging a strut or a cross-member strut and dimensioned to hold a solar panel. The solar panel or panels are held at an angle with respect to the flat roof or with respect to the struts. A method of forming a solar energy apparatus includes laying a plurality of struts in a first orientation, the plurality of struts being substantially parallel to one another, and attaching at least one crossmember to the plurality of struts to form a frame.

A roof-mounted solar energy apparatus including a mounting frame having a plurality of struts positioned in a first direction, the plurality of struts substantially parallel to one another, and a plurality of cross-member struts positioned in a second position that is substantially perpendicular to the plurality of struts positioned in the first direction. The plurality of struts attached to the crossmember struts. The apparatus also including a bracket having an end for engaging a strut or a cross-member strut and dimensioned to hold a solar panel. The solar panel or panels are held at an angle with respect to the flat roof or with respect to the struts. A method of forming a solar energy apparatus includes laying a plurality of struts in a first orientation, the plurality of struts being substantially parallel to one another, and attaching at least one crossmember to the plurality of struts to form a frame.

The present disclosure describes a solar power system including rails, solar modules, and a plurality of adjustable clips to secure the solar modules to the rails. The clips include at least a base member, an elastomeric support member, a bracket member, and an alignment member configured to secure the various members of the clip together. The adjustable clips are configured to slide within a slot defined through a portion of a surface of a rail and including a recessed edge thereby allowing the rail system to accommodate solar modules of varying dimensions.