Solar panel attachment system
A method, system and apparatus are disclosed regarding an attachment system for solar equipment, sometimes referred to as a flashing device allowing quick and easy assembling of the solar equipment into an array or other combination in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, a flashing device may include a flashing plate which may contain one or more raised features to further direct and control the flow of liquid over the flashing plate. The flashing device may also contain a fluid restrictor such as a seal or part of a seal usually held within an aperture of a block having a skyward facing essentially or substantially flat surface. One or more various items of solar equipment may be attached to the essentially flat surface of the block. Also disclosed are adjustable mounting feet which may be installed in connection with other solar equipment.
1. An attachment system for solar equipment, comprising:
(a) a flashing plate having a raised portion with a single central fastener aperture passing therethrough;
(b) a support body having a single central fastener aperture passing therethrough, the support body portion having a flat mounting surface with a plurality of mounting holes formed therein, wherein for each mounting hole a distance from the center of the mounting hole to the nearest outer edge of the flat mounting surface is at least as large as a radial distance from the center of the mounting hole to the center of the single central fastener aperture in the support body such that the center of said each mounting hole is not closer to the nearest outer edge of the flat mounting surface than to the center of the single central fastener aperture;
(c) a fluid restrictor having a single central fastener aperture passing therethrough, the fluid restrictor being positioned between the flashing plate and the support body; and
(d) a fastener passing through the single central fastener apertures in the flashing plate, support body and fluid restrictor.
2. The attachment system of claim 1 , wherein a side edge of the mounting surface is curved around the plurality of mounting holes.
3. The attachment system of claim 2 , wherein a side edge of the mounting surface of the support body wraps around edges of a plurality of circles, wherein each circle is centered on one of the mounting holes and has a radius greater than the distance from the mounting hole to the single central fastener aperture in the support body.
4. The attachment system of claim 3 , wherein the plurality of circles overlap one another.
5. The attachment system of claim 1 , wherein the single central fastener aperture passing through the support body is recessed from the flat mounting surface of the support body.
6. The attachment system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of mounting holes are all equidistantly spaced away from the single central fastener aperture in the support body.
7. The attachment system of claim 1 , further comprising:
(e) a height-adjustable leveling foot mounted on top of the mounting surface with the fastener passing through the height-adjustable leveling foot, wherein the leveling foot is fully rotatable around the fastener such that the leveling foot is not primarily cantilevered off of the mounting surface.
8. The attachment system of claim 1 , wherein the support body further comprises a rear slot extending from the single central fastener aperture to a rear edge of the support body.
9. An attachment system for solar equipment, comprising:
(a) a flashing plate having a raised portion with a fastener aperture passing therethrough;
(b) at least one anti-rotation bump on the flashing plate;
(c) a support body having a fastener aperture passing therethrough, the support body portion having a flat mounting surface with at least one mounting hole formed therein;
(d) at least one anti-rotation notch on the support body;
(e) a fluid restrictor having a fastener aperture passing therethrough, the fluid restrictor being positioned between the flashing plate and the support body; and
(f) a fastener passing through the fastener apertures in the flashing plate, support body and fluid restrictor,
wherein the anti-rotation notch on the support body mates with the anti-rotation bump on the flashing plate to resist rotation of the support body with respect to the flashing plate when the fastener is rotated.
10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the anti-rotation notch on the support body permits water drainage therethrough.
11. The system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one mounting hole in the support body comprises a plurality of mounting holes formed in the support body.
12. The system of claim 11 , wherein a side edge of the mounting surface is curved around the plurality of mounting holes.
13. The system of claim 11 , wherein the number of mounting holes in the support body is greater than the number of fasteners passing through the flashing plate, support body and fluid restrictor.
14. The system of claim 9 , wherein the fastener aperture passing through the support body is recessed from the flat mounting surface of the support body.