Photovoltaic module mount with integrated cable management feature
A photovoltaic (PV) module mount having an integrated cable management feature, a system incorporating a PV module mount, and a method for making a PV module mount are disclosed. In one embodiment, a PV module mount may include a mounting rail configured to be secured to a PV module. The mounting rail may include a first side wall having a top edge and a bottom edge, a second side wall having a top edge and a bottom edge, a connecting structure connecting the first side wall to the second side wall, and a cable management feature configured to retain one or more electrical cables. The cable management feature may be integrally formed with at least one of the first side wall, the second side wall, and the connecting structure.
1 . A photovoltaic (PV) module mount comprising:
a mounting rail configured to be secured to a PV module, the mounting rail including:
a first side wall having a top edge and a bottom edge,
a second side wall having a top edge and a bottom edge,
a connecting structure connecting the first side wall to the second side wall, and
a cable management feature configured to retain one or more electrical cables, wherein the cable management feature is integrally formed with at least one of the first side wall, the second side wall, or the connecting structure, the cable management feature being formed by material cut from the mounting rail, the material being cut from the mounting rail to define a cutout that is sized and shaped to receive a portion of a support structure; and
an attachment mechanism configured to secure the mounting rail to the support structure.
2 . The PV module mount of claim 1 , wherein the first side wall, the second side wall, the connecting structure, and the cable management feature are all integrally formed from a single sheet of metal.
3 . The PV module mount of claim 1 , wherein the cable management feature is cut from a portion of the first side wall, the second side wall, or the connecting structure.
4 . The PV module mount of claim 1 , wherein the connecting structure connects at least a portion of the bottom edge of the first side wall with at least a portion of the bottom edge of the second side wall.
5 . The PV module mount of claim 1 , wherein the connecting structure connects at least a portion of the top edge of the first side wall with at least a portion of the top edge of the second side wall.
6 . The PV module mount of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is a torque tube.
7 . The PV module mount of claim 1 , wherein the attachment mechanism is a clamp.
8 . A system comprising:
a photovoltaic (PV) module;
a support structure; and
a PV module mount that secures the PV module to the support structure, the PV module mount including:
a mounting rail secured to the PV module, the mounting rail including:
a first side wall having a top edge and a bottom edge,
a second side wall having a top edge and a bottom edge,
a connecting structure connecting the first side wall to the second side wall, and
a cable management feature configured to retain one or more electrical cables, wherein the cable management feature is integrally formed with at least one of the first side wall, the second side wall, or the connecting structure, the cable management feature being formed by material cut from the mounting rail, the material being cut from the mounting rail to define a cutout that is sized and shaped to receive a portion of the support structure; and
an attachment mechanism secured to the support structure.
9 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the first side wall, the second side wall, the connecting structure, and the cable management feature of the mounting rail are all integrally formed from a single sheet of metal.
10 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the cable management feature is cut from a portion of the first side wall, the second side wall, or the connecting structure.
11 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the connecting structure connects at least a portion of the bottom edge of the first side wall with at least a portion of the bottom edge of the second side wall.
12 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the connecting structure connects at least a portion of the top edge of the first side wall with at least a portion of the top edge of the second side wall.
13 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the support structure is a torque tube.
14 . The system of claim 13 , wherein the attachment mechanism is a clamp.
15 . The system of claim 8 , wherein the support structure is polygonally shaped.
16 . The PV module mount of claim 1 , wherein the support structure is polygonally shaped.