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 solar module mounting assembly comprising:
a first trim-rail including:
a rail;
a trim monolithically formed with the rail; and
at least one clamping ledge monolithically formed with the trim, the trim comprising:
a curved surface extending from a top portion of the trim;
a first vertical surface monolithically formed with the curved surface and extending downward; and
a second vertical surface monolithically formed with the first vertical surface and extending below the rail; and
a second trim-rail extending perpendicular to the first trim-rail.
2. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first trim-rail extends along at least two adjacent solar panel frames.
3. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one clamping ledge includes:
an upper clamping ledge extending from a top portion of the trim; and
a lower clamping ledge extending from a vertical section extending from the top portion of the trim.
4. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 3 , wherein a distance between the upper clamping ledge and the lower clamping ledge defines a slot dimensioned to retain a solar panel frame between the upper clamping ledge and the lower clamping ledge.
5. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the curved surface, the first vertical surface, and the second vertical surface have a smoothly rounded surface.
6. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the curved surface extending from the top portion of the trim is rounded over and creates a smooth transition with an upper clamping ledge extending horizontally from a top portion of the trim.
7. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the second vertical surface extends to a surface upon which the solar module mounting assembly is mounted.
8. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the first trim-rail is disposed on an outer-most edge of the solar module mounting assembly and the second trim-rail is disposed transversely with respect to the first trim-rail.
9. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the rail includes:
a first horizontal flange extending horizontally from the trim;
a second horizontal flange extending horizontally from the trim; and
a vertical web coupling the first horizontal flange and the second horizontal flange.
10. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , further comprising a splice to mechanically couple two adjacent first trim-rails to one another, the splice being dimensioned to fit within a first hollow defined in a first one of the two adjacent first trim-rails and a second hollow defined in a second one of the two adjacent first trim-rails, the splice comprising a spring connector to couple the splice to the first one of the two adjacent first trim-rails and the second one of the two adjacent first trim-rails.
11. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 1 , wherein the second trim-rail includes:
a clamp;
a bracket mechanically coupled to the clamp; and
a base mechanically coupled to the bracket and a surface on which the solar module mounting assembly is coupled.
12. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 11 , wherein the base is variably positionable along a length of the bracket.
13. A solar module mounting assembly comprising:
a first trim-rail including:
a rail;
a trim monolithically formed with the rail, the trim comprising:
a curved surface extending from a top portion of the trim;
a first vertical surface monolithically formed with the curved surface and extending downward; and
a second vertical surface monolithically formed with the first vertical surface and extending below the rail; and
at least one clamping ledge monolithically formed with the trim.
14. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 13 , further comprising a second trim-rail extending perpendicular to the first trim-rail and disposed between two adjacent devices, the second trim-rail comprising:
a clamp;
a bracket mechanically coupled to the clamp; and
a footer mechanically coupled to the bracket and a surface on which the solar module mounting assembly is coupled,
wherein the footer is variably positionable along a length of the bracket.
15. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the first trim-rail extends along at least two solar modules.
16. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the at least one clamping ledge includes:
an upper clamping ledge extending horizontally from a top portion of the trim; and
a lower clamping ledge extending horizontally from a vertical section extending from the top portion of the trim.
17. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 16 , wherein a distance between the upper clamping ledge and the lower clamping ledge defines a slot dimensioned to retain a device between the upper clamping ledge and the lower clamping ledge.
18. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the curved surface, the first vertical surface, and the second vertical surface have a smoothly rounded surface.
19. The solar module mounting assembly according to claim 13 , wherein the curved surface extending from the top portion of the trim is rounded over and creates a smooth transition with an upper clamping ledge extending horizontally from a top portion of the trim.
20. A trim-rail comprising:
a rail;
a trim monolithically formed with the rail, the trim including:
a vertical extension portion extending upward from the rail,
a curved exterior surface extending downward and outward from a top end of the vertical extension portion, and
a vertical wall extending from the curved exterior surface and extending below the rail, the vertical wall being monolithically formed with the vertical extension portion; and
at least one clamping ledge monolithically formed with the trim.