A method including loading solar panel assemblies onto a vehicle, transporting the solar panel assemblies on the vehicle to a pile row of a solar project installation site, and individually unloading the solar panel assemblies along the pile row at the installation site to facilitate installation of the solar panel assemblies on the pile row. Other embodiments are described.

A method including loading solar panel assemblies onto a vehicle, transporting the solar panel assemblies on the vehicle to a pile row of a solar project installation site, and individually unloading the solar panel assemblies along the pile row at the installation site to facilitate installation of the solar panel assemblies on the pile row. Other embodiments are described.

A vehicle utility boom assembly includes a first roof rail including a first boom passage, a second roof rail including a second boom passage and structured to be mounted opposite the first roof rail, a boom housing structured to connect the first and second boom passages, and a boom structured to be positionable in the housing so as to be deployable from the housing along a side of the vehicle, through any of the first and second boom passages. The boom may be retracted into the boom housing for compactness and concealment when not in use. The boom is deployable from the housing to a side of the vehicle, to support objects above a ground surface adjacent the vehicle.