In various representative aspects, an assembly for connecting and electrically bonding two solar panel rail guides. More specifically, the assembly provides a splice that slides within two solar panel rail guides and includes an elongated spring element that is inserted into an elongated slot in the splice and enables the two solar panel rail guides to be electrically bonded together when various bonding techniques are used to allow portions of the spring to penetrate the oxidation layers of the inner surfaces of the rail guides as they are joined together. Another embodiment that utilizes a bonding element that is inserted into an elongated slot of a splice and also enables two solar panel rail guides to be electrically bonded when the rail guides are joined.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a solar panel truss mounting system comprising a base and a truss assembly coupled to the base. The truss assembly comprises a first panel rail mount, second panel rail mount parallel to the first panel rail mount, base rail mount parallel to the first and second panel rail mounts, and a plurality of support members. A first portion of the plurality of support members extends between the first and second panel rail mounts. A second portion of the plurality of support members extends between the first panel rail mount and the base rail mount. A third portion of the plurality of support members extends between the second panel rail mount and the base rail mount. The system can further comprise a plurality of connectors for coupling a plurality of photovoltaic solar panels to the truss assembly.

A roof mount system supports a solar panel above a roof and includes a base positioned on the roof and a first fastener connected to the base and extending away from the roof and moveable along the base in a direction generally parallel to the roof. A first clamp supports a bottom surface of a solar panel frame and adjusts the height of the solar panel above the roof by moving the first clamp along a first fastener in a direction perpendicular to the roof. A second clamp is connected to a second fastener and moves with respect to the first clamp perpendicular to the roof. The solar panel is clamped between the first clamp and the second clamp portion. A protrusion extends from the first or second clamp to form an electrical bond between the solar panel frame and the respective first or second clamp.

One embodiment includes a device for solar tracker systems. The device includes a first purlin including a first mating surface configured for frictional attachment to a first side of a torque tube. The first purlin further including a first linear shaped top surface configured for mounting a first solar module. A second purlin includes a second mating surface configured for frictional attachment to a second side of the torque tube. The second purlin further including a second linear shaped top surface configured for mounting a second solar module. The first purlin and the second purlin connect to one another with a fastening clamp that is configured for holding the first purlin and the second purlin against the torque tube.

A support structure for solar panels including a frame having a base plate for abutment on a receiving surface, the base plate extending laterally between a first lateral end and a second lateral end; a first supporting plate projecting from the base plate at the first lateral end thereof; a second supporting plate projecting from the base plate at the second lateral end thereof; a first hook-shaped body secured to the first supporting plate for supporting at least one first solar panel; and a second hook-shaped body secured to the second supporting plate for supporting at least one second solar panel.

In an example, the system has a mechanical isolator comprising an elastic material configured to separate the panel rail from the torque tube cause destructive interference with a natural resonant frequency of the system without the mechanical isolator to reduce a mechanical vibration of the system.

In an example, the system has a mechanical isolator comprising an elastic material configured to separate the panel rail from the torque tube cause destructive interference with a natural resonant frequency of the system without the mechanical isolator to reduce a mechanical vibration of the system.

A solar tracking system including a plurality of bases, a torque tube supported by the plurality of bases and configured to support a plurality of solar modules, and a drive device operably connected to the torque tube and arranged to translate the torque tube in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis. The solar tracking system also includes a plurality of helical guides operably connected to the torque tube, and a plurality of cam assemblies, wherein upon linear movement of the torque tube, interaction between the helical guides and cam assemblies causes the torque tube to rotate about its linear axis.

A solar tracking system including a plurality of bases, a torque tube supported by the plurality of bases and configured to support a plurality of solar modules, and a drive device operably connected to the torque tube and arranged to translate the torque tube in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis. The solar tracking system also includes a plurality of helical guides operably connected to the torque tube, and a plurality of cam assemblies, wherein upon linear movement of the torque tube, interaction between the helical guides and cam assemblies causes the torque tube to rotate about its linear axis.

A method may include positioning one or more PV module mounting devices along a length of a structural component. The method may include specifying one or more parameters related to fastening the PV module mounting devices to the structural component, the one or more parameters indicating a spacing between the PV module mounting devices. The method may include fastening, by an automated attachment equipment, the PV module mounting devices to the structural component based on the specified parameters and moving the PV module mounting devices fastened to the structural component to an assembly platform.