ADAPTER CLAMP FOR FACILITATING INSTALLATION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC COMPONENTS TO A CYLINDRICAL PILE

1 . An adapter clamp for facilitating installation of photovoltaic (PV) components to a cylindrical pile, the adapter clamp comprising:

a first arm configured to be secured to a first side of the cylindrical pile, the first arm having a first edge that is configured to create a first Hertzian contact with an outer surface of the cylindrical pile, a second edge that is configured to create a second Hertzian contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical pile, and a first mounting surface configured for coupling a first PV component;

a second arm configured to be secured to a second side of the cylindrical pile, the second arm having a second mounting surface configured for coupling a second PV component; and

a fastener configured to secure the first arm to the second arm and decrease a distance therebetween in order to create a frictional attachment between the first and second arms and the cylindrical pile.

2 . The adapter clamp of claim 1 , further comprising a top surface that connects the first arm to the second arm.

3 . The adapter clamp of claim 2 , wherein the first arm, the second arm, and the top surface are integrally formed from a single sheet of metal.

4 . The adapter clamp of claim 1 , wherein the mounting surface defines one or more mounting holes.

5 . The adapter clamp of claim 1 , wherein the first and second edges are machined edges.

6 . The adapter clamp of claim 1 , wherein the first and second edges are rounded edges.

7 . The adapter clamp of claim 1 , wherein the second arm includes a third edge that is configured to create a third Hertzian contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical pile and a fourth edge that is configured to create a fourth Hertzian contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical pile.

8 . The adapter clamp of claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a bolt.

9 . The adapter clamp of claim 8 , wherein the first and second arms each define at least one fastener hole.

10 . The adapter clamp of claim 8 , wherein the fastener is a U-bolt.

11 . The adapter clamp of claim 1 , wherein the second arm is curved such that an inner surface of the second arm is configured to create a third Hertzian contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical pile.

12 . The adapter clamp of claim 1 , wherein the first arm further includes a vertical locking tab.

13 . The adapter clamp of claim 1 , wherein the first and second arms are configured to ensure alignment on opposite sides of the cylindrical pile.

14 . The adapter clamp of claim 1 , wherein the first and second arms are configured to ensure that the first and second Hertzian contacts are approximately parallel with an axis of the cylindrical pile.

15 . A solar installation system comprising:

a cylindrical pile having a round or oval cross sectional shape;

an adapter clamp comprising:

a first arm configured to be secured to a first side of the cylindrical pile, the first arm having a first edge that is configured to create a first Hertzian contact with an outer surface of the cylindrical pile, a second edge that is configured to create a second Hertzian contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical pile, and a first mounting surface configured for coupling a first PV component;

a second arm configured to be secured to a second side of the cylindrical pile, the second arm having a second mounting surface configured for coupling a second PV component; and

a fastener configured to secure the first arm to the second arm and decrease a distance therebetween in order to create a frictional attachment between the first and second arms and the cylindrical pile.

16 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the adapter clamp further comprises a top surface that connects the first arm to the second arm.

17 . The system of claim 16 , wherein the first arm, the second arm, and the top surface are integrally formed from a single sheet of metal.

18 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the first and second edges of the adapter clamp are machined edges.

19 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the first and second edges of the adapter clamp are rounded edges.

20 . The system of claim 15 , wherein the second arm includes a third edge that is configured to create a third Hertzian contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical pile and a fourth edge that is configured to create a fourth Hertzian contact with the outer surface of the cylindrical pile.