A system and apparatus are disclosed including PV modules having a frame allowing quick and easy assembling of the PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, the PV modules may have a grooved frame where the groove is provided at an angle with respect to a planar surface of the modules. Various couplings may engage within the groove to assemble the PV modules into the PV array with a pivot-fit connection. Further examples of the present technology operate with PV modules having frames without grooves, or with PV modules where the frame is omitted altogether.

A solar collector has an opaque cover heated by solar energy. Heat flows from the opaque cover by conduction, convection, and infrared emittance across a gap within an at least substantially airtight enclosure to an absorber containing a working fluid. The exterior surface of the opaque cover has high solar energy absorptance and the interior surface has high infrared emittance. The exterior surface preferably has low infrared emittance. In one embodiment, fully wetted surface geometry permits direct and reflected infrared absorption by the absorber. The opaque cover eliminates the weight, cost and other shortcomings of glass. A hollow continuous side wall with rounded corners provides an embodiment that is robust yet economical, that is easy to manufacture and seal, that permits a reduced thickness of the opaque cover and mitigates the destructive potential of severe winds, and that can withstand the compressive forces experienced by an evacuated solar collector.

A solar panel mounting base and system for solar panel installation uses a mounting base that is injection molded to include different connection locations which provide flexibility when installing solar panels to the mounting bases. Attachment clamps are secured to the mounting base using carriage bolts which are secured to the mounting base in an attachment well and allow the installer to attach solar panels from the top which makes installation easy and fast. The attachment clamps have a horizontal and vertical portion that use grooves to adjustably secure the two together when in the desired location. Ballast blocks are used to provide a non-invasive installation. In an array, multiple bases are used to provide the structure to support the solar array. Installers may vary the angle the solar panels form 5 degrees to 10 degrees by selecting the appropriate connection location.

A rotating, pivoting mount for mounting a panel is disclosed. The mount can include a mounting block, a driveshaft, and a base. A socket in the mounting block can be mounted on a ball of the base to pivotally couple the panel to a structure. The ball can also include a cam profile, while the mounting block can include a complementary cam follower. As the mounting block rotates, therefore, the cam follower can follow a path set forth by the cam profile to tilt the mounting block about one axis as the mounting block rotates about a second axis. In this manner, the panel can be rotated and tilted—or moved about two axes—using a single motor. The use of a single motor can, in turn, reduce the cost and complexity of the system, while maintaining high efficiency for the panel (e.g., a solar panel) mounted thereon.

The invention relates to a device for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising an inflatable concentrator cushion, which comprises a cover film element comprising a light-permeable entry window for coupling in solar radiation and a reflector film, which sub-divides the concentrator cushion into at least two hollow spaces, for the concentration of solar radiation in an absorber, comprising a pivoting apparatus, by means of which the concentrator cushion can be pivoted, in particular about its longitudinal axis, and comprising a retaining apparatus mounted to the pivoting apparatus, for retaining the concentrator cushion, which retaining apparatus comprises an upper longitudinal member extending in the longitudinal direction of the concentrator cushion, for suspending the absorber, wherein the upper longitudinal member is arranged on a substantially air-tight closed upper passage opening of the concentrator cushion.

Clamping assemblies for securing a solar module to a structure include a base, a bracket, and a fastener. The base may be attached to a multi-planar roof of the structure. The base and the bracket together define a mounting region for receiving a portion of the solar module. The fastener connects the base and the clamp and can selectively apply a clamping force to the portion of the solar module.

In an example, the present invention provides a solar tracker apparatus. In an example, the apparatus comprises a center of mass with an adjustable hanger assembly configured with a clam shell clamp assembly on the adjustable hanger assembly and a cylindrical torque tube comprising a plurality of torque tubes configured together in a continuous length from a first end to a second end such that the center of mass is aligned with a center of rotation of the cylindrical torque tubes to reduce a load of a drive motor operably coupled to the cylindrical torque tube. Further details of the present example, among others, can be found throughout the present specification and more particularly below.

A mounting system for supporting a plurality of photovoltaic modules on a sloped support surface, such as a sloped roof, is disclosed herein. The mounting system may include one or more support surface attachment devices, each support surface attachment device configured to attach one or more photovoltaic modules to a support surface; and one or more module coupling devices, each module coupling device configured to couple a plurality of photovoltaic modules to one another.

A holding frame holds a polygonal solar battery panel including a light receiving surface. The frame includes a lower disposed in a spaced relationship with a back surface opposite to the light receiving surface, a rising part extending upward from the lower part, and a holding part formed at an end portion of the rising part on a side of the panel to hold one side of the panel. The holding part includes a portion protruding inwardly from the end portion, a portion protruding outwardly from the end portion, a portion extending upwardly from an outside of the outward-protruding portion, and a sandwiching portion extending inwardly from the upward extending portion to sandwich the panel between the sandwiching portion and the outward-protruding portion. The lower part includes a portion protruding inwardly relative to the rising part, and an outward-protruding portion protruding outwardly relative to the rising part.

Solar panel installation systems are disclosed that reduce or eliminate the need for large, costly rails for mounting solar panels on an installation surface. The systems may include an array of framed solar modules supported above an installation surface using a number of height-adjustable base members. Adjacent solar modules in the array may be coupled to one another at or near their corners using module links that can structurally couple the frames of the adjacent solar modules together.