Hybrid solar panel mounting assembly
An apparatus and method for mounting a solar panel array on a surface is disclosed. The solar panel array includes a plurality of solar panel modules and a hybrid solar panel module mounting assembly. The hybrid solar panel module mounting assembly includes a component of a rail-based mounting system and a component of a rail-less mounting system. At least one of the plurality of solar panel modules is mounted on the component of the rail-based mounting system and at least one of the plurality of solar panel modules is mounted on the component of the rail-less mounting system.
1. A hybrid solar module mounting assembly for mounting a plurality of solar modules, the hybrid solar module mounting assembly comprising:
a trim-rail of a rail-based mounting system, the trim-rail including:
a continuous structural unit of both a rail and a trim that extends across a distance approximately as long as at least two adjacent solar modules of the plurality of solar modules,
a panel mounting portion, on a side opposite the trim, for securing the at least two adjacent solar modules of the plurality of solar modules, and
a tab on the side opposite the trim below the panel mounting portion, the tab for interfacing with a footer; and
a bracket of a rail-less mounting system, the bracket having a length that is less than a length of the trim-rail.
2. A hybrid solar module mounting assembly for mounting a plurality of solar modules, the hybrid solar module mounting assembly comprising:
a trim-rail of a rail-based mounting system, the trim-rail including:
a continuous structural unit of both a rail and a trim that extends across at least two solar modules of the plurality of solar modules,
a panel mounting portion, on a side opposite the trim, for securing the at least two solar modules of the plurality of solar modules, and
a tab on the side opposite the trim below the panel mounting portion, the tab for interfacing with a footer; and
a bracket of a rail-less mounting system, the bracket being disposed with at least one solar module of the plurality of solar modules;
wherein
the trim-rail is not supported by the bracket.
3. A hybrid solar module mounting assembly for mounting a plurality of solar modules, the hybrid solar module mounting assembly comprising:
a trim-rail of a rail-based mounting system, the trim-rail including:
a continuous structural unit of both a rail and a trim that has a length that is greater than a width of a solar module of the plurality of solar modules,
a panel mounting portion, on a side opposite the trim, for securing the solar module of the plurality of solar modules, and
a tab on the side opposite the trim below the panel mounting portion, the tab for interfacing with a footer; and
a bracket of a rail-less mounting system, the bracket having a length that is less than or equal to the width of the solar module.
4. The hybrid solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the trim rail is disposed on an outer-most edge of the solar array.
5. The hybrid solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the trim rail includes a lower ledge and an upper ledge on only one side of the trim-rail, the lower ledge and the upper ledge mounting the at least one solar module on only the one side of the trim-rail.
6. The hybrid solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the trim rail is a monolithic structure including a structural rail portion combined with a non-structural trim portion.
7. The hybrid solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the bracket is a micro-rail or a short micro-rail.
8. The hybrid solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the bracket includes a helical vertical drive having a freestanding helical drive element and is vertically adjustable by rotating the freestanding helical drive element.
9. The hybrid solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the bracket is disposed within an outer periphery of the solar array.
10. The hybrid solar module mounting assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the bracket extends a portion of a length or width of the at least one solar module.
11. The hybrid solar module mounting assembly according to claim 10 , wherein the at least one solar module is a first solar module, and the bracket extends a discrete portion of a length or width of at least a second solar module of the plurality of solar modules of the solar array.
12. The hybrid solar module mounting assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the trim rail is disposed on an outer-most edge of the solar array.
13. The hybrid solar module mounting assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the trim rail includes a lower ledge and an upper ledge on only one side of the trim-rail, the lower ledge and the upper ledge mounting the at least one solar module on only the one side of the trim-rail.
14. The hybrid solar module mounting assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the bracket is a micro-rail or a short micro-rail.
15. The hybrid solar module mounting assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the bracket includes a helical vertical drive having a freestanding helical drive element and is vertically adjustable by rotating the freestanding helical drive element.
16. The hybrid solar module mounting assembly according to claim 2 , wherein the bracket is disposed within an outer periphery of the solar array.
17. The hybrid solar module mounting assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the solar module is a first solar module, and the bracket extends a portion of a width of the first solar module and a discrete portion of a width of at least a second solar module of the plurality of solar modules of the solar array.
18. The hybrid solar module mounting assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the bracket is disposed within an outer periphery of the solar array.
19. The hybrid solar module mounting assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the trim rail is disposed on an outer-most edge of the solar array.
20. The hybrid solar module mounting assembly according to claim 3 , wherein the bracket includes a helical vertical drive having a freestanding helical drive element and is vertically adjustable by rotating the freestanding helical drive element.