SOLAR MODULE INTEGRATION SYSTEM
Embodiments of the present inventions are directed to systems, devices for use with systems, and method of mounting and retaining solar panels. A solar module mounting system may include a ballast, a sole mechanically coupled to a bottom surface of the ballast, a link member embedded in the ballast, an attachment module mechanically coupled to the link member, and a deflector mechanically coupled to the link member. A method of mounting a solar panel module may include forming a link member and a ballast, attaching the ballast to the link member, bonding a sole to a lower surface of the ballast and/or the link member, attaching a solar panel module to the link member with an attachment module member, electrically grounding the mounting system, routing a wiring from the solar panel module through a wire chase, and attaching a deflector module to the link member.
1 . (canceled)
2 . A system for mounting an array of solar panel modules on a surface, the system comprising:
a plurality of link members configured to support the array;
a plurality of attachment modules, each adapted to attach a corner portion of a respective solar panel module to a respective one of the link members;
wherein each link member of the plurality of link members comprises:
a fin-shaped link portion extending in a direction away from the surface and comprising:
a first attachment facility having a plurality of first attachment points located at different heights on the fin-shaped link portion above the surface and adapted for attaching a first respective one of the solar panel modules to one of the first attachment points at a first height above the surface; and
a second attachment facility having at least one second attachment point located above the surface and adapted for attaching a second respective one of the solar panel modules to the at least one second attachment point at a second height above the surface different from the first height.
3 . The system of claim 2 , further comprising a plurality of wind deflectors, each wind deflector extending between a respective pair of link members.
4 . The system of claim 2 , wherein each link member of the plurality of link members includes a platform portion positioned substantially parallel to the mounting surface.
5 . The system of claim 4 , wherein the platform portion of each link member is configured to receive a ballast for stabilizing the respective link member on the supporting surface.
6 . The system of claim 4 , wherein each link member of the plurality of link members includes a sole coupled to a bottom surface of the platform portion.
7 . The system of claim 2 , wherein each link member of the plurality of link members includes a fin-shaped portion extending away from the mounting surface.
8 . The system of claim 2 , wherein each link member of the plurality of link members includes a grounding attachment.
9 . The system of claim 2 , wherein each attachment module of the plurality of attachment modules includes a first section with a first surface and a second section with a second surface, the second section coupled to the first section, the first surface spaced away from the second surface.
10 . The system of claim 9 , wherein each attachment module of the plurality of attachment modules includes a first fastener for securing a solar panel module between the first surface and the second surface.
11 . The system of claim 9 , wherein each attachment module of the plurality of attachment modules includes a second fastener for attaching the attachment module to one of the first and second attachment facilities.
12 . The system of claim 9 , wherein each attachment module of the plurality of attachment modules includes a threaded hole in one of the first surface and the second surface, the threaded hole configured to receive a fastener.
13 . The system of claim 2 , wherein, for at least one of the link members of the plurality of link members:
the first attachment facility is attached by a respective one of the attachment modules to a left edge of the first respective one of the solar panel modules at a corner portion more adjacent to the top edge than the bottom edge of the first respective one of the solar panel modules;
the second attachment facility attached by a respective one of the attachment modules to the left edge of the second respective one of the solar panel modules at a corner portion more adjacent to the bottom edge than the top edge of the second respective one of the solar panel modules;
the first attachment facility is attached by a respective one of the attachment modules to the right edge of a third respective one of the solar panel modules at a corner portion more adjacent to the top edge than the bottom edge of the third respective one of solar panel modules; and
the second attachment facility is attached by a respective one of the attachment modules to the right edge of a fourth respective one of the solar panel modules at a corner portion more adjacent to the bottom edge than the top edge of the fourth respective one of the solar panel modules.
14 . A method of installing a solar panel module, the method comprising:
providing a plurality of link members and a plurality of attachment modules configured to support a solar panel module, each link member including a fin-shaped portion extending in a direction away from the surface, a first attachment facility comprising a plurality of first attachment points located at different heights on the fin-shaped portion above the surface, and a second attachment having at least one second attachment point located above the surface;
attaching a first corner of the solar panel module to a first attachment point located at a first height on the fin-shaped portion of a first link member of the plurality of link members via a first attachment module of the plurality of attachment modules;
attaching a second corner of the solar panel module to the first attachment point located at the first height on the fin-shaped portion of a second link member of the plurality of link members via a second attachment module of the plurality of attachment modules;
attaching a third corner of the solar panel module to a second attachment point located at a second height on the fin-shaped portion of a third link member of the plurality of link members via a third attachment module of the plurality of attachment modules;
attaching a fourth corner of the solar panel module to the second attachment point located at the second height on the fin-shaped portion of a fourth link member of the plurality of link members via a fourth attachment module of the plurality of attachment modules.
15 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising attaching at least one wind deflector between a respective pair of link members of the plurality of link members.
16 . The method of claim 14 , wherein each link member further comprises a platform portion positioned substantially parallel to the mounting surface.
17 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising attaching a ballast to the platform portion of at least one link member of the plurality of link members.
18 . The method of claim 16 , further comprising attaching a sole to a bottom surface of the platform portion of at least one link member of the plurality of link members.
19 . The method of claim 14 , further comprising electrically coupling at least one of the link members of the plurality of link members to ground.
20 . The method of claim 14 , wherein each attachment module of the plurality of attachment modules includes a first section with a first surface and a second section with a second surface, the second section coupled to the first section, the first surface spaced away from the second surface.
21 . The method of claim 20 , wherein each attachment module of the plurality of attachment modules includes a first fastener, the method further comprising:
securing the solar panel module between the first surface and the second surface of each respective attachment module using the respective fastener.