Solar modules including mounts for mounting on a surface
View Patent ↗A solar module for installation on a structure includes a laminate for converting solar energy into electricity. The solar module also includes a mount connected to the laminate for mounting the solar module on a surface of the structure. The mount includes features to facilitate mounting the solar module on a surface or positioning the solar module in a solar array with other solar modules.
1 . A solar array comprising:
a solar module including a laminate and a mount for mounting the solar module on a surface of a structure; and
a lock assembly securing the laminate to the mount, wherein the lock assembly transitions between a closed position and an open position, the lock assembly comprising:
a first slider;
a second slider, wherein the first slider and the second slider each comprise a lever capture feature, and wherein the first slider and the second slider translate in opposite directions; and
a rotating lever to engage the first slider and the second slider, wherein the rotating lever engages the lever capture feature on each of the first slider and the second slider in the closed position to secure the laminate to the mount and is rotatable to translate the lever capture feature on each of the first slider and the second slider to the open position to release the laminate from the mount.
2 . The solar array of claim 1 , wherein the mount is a corner mount positioned at a corner of the solar module.
3 . The solar array of claim 1 , wherein the mount includes a base.
4 . The solar array of claim 1 , wherein the mount is a side mount positioned along an edge of the respective solar module.
5 . The solar array of claim 4 , wherein the mount is offset from the midline of the solar module.
6 . A solar array comprising:
a solar module including:
a laminate;
a mount for mounting the solar module on a surface of a structure; and
a lock assembly securing the laminate to the mount, wherein the lock assembly transitions between a closed position and an open position, the lock assembly comprising:
a first slider;
a second slider, wherein the first slider and the second slider each comprise a lever capture feature, and wherein the first slider and the second slider translate in opposite directions; and
a rotating lever to engage at least one of the sliders, wherein the rotating lever engages the lever capture feature of at least one of the first slider and the second slider in the closed position to secure the laminate to the mount and the open position to release the laminate from the mount.
7 . The solar array of claim 6 , wherein the mount includes a base.
8 . The solar array of claim 6 , wherein the mount is a side mount positioned along an edge of the solar module.
9 . The solar array of claim 8 , wherein the mount offset from midline of the solar module.
10 . The solar array of claim 1 , wherein the lever includes a slider capture feature to engage at least the first and second sliders, such that lever rotation moves each slider to the open or closed position.