Solar array mounting system with universal clamp
A mounting system for photovoltaic solar panels providing support for different sized panels, and/or panels having mounting holes located in different locations. A universal panel clamp includes at least one elongated hole or slot to attach to a mounting hole on a solar panel frame. A clamp is attached to an upper hole, and a second clamp is attached to a lower mounting hole. The upper clamps are attached to an upper lateral support member, and the lower clamps are attached to a lower lateral support member. This assembly may be supported by A-shaped support members having adjustable tilt arms, or posts with specially configured brackets.
1. A solar panel mounting system comprising:
at least two A-shaped support frames, each A-shaped support frame including a respective top bracket;
a tilt arm connected to an A-shaped support frame at a position along a front of the A-shaped support frame, such that each A-shaped support frame has a respective tilt arm;
a top lateral support member connected to the at least two A-shaped support frames at each respective top bracket;
a bottom lateral support member connected to each respective tilt arm, wherein each tilt arm is attached to an A-shaped support member at a location to align the bottom lateral support member with at least one bottom mounting hole on a solar panel frame; and
a first solar panel clamp attached to the top lateral support member; and a second solar panel clamp attached to the bottom lateral support member, wherein the first and second panel clamps comprise:
a top section comprising:
at least one elongated slot for aligning with a mounting hole on a solar panel; and
a spacer fin configured to provide a fixed gap between adjacent solar panels;
a rear section;
mounting hardware to attach the top and rear sections together around a lateral support member;
a first solar panel having a frame connected to a first side of the first and second solar panel clamps; and
a second solar panel having a frame connected to a second side of the first and second solar panel clamps;
wherein the spacer fin of each solar panel clamp provides a fixed gap between the first and second solar panels.
2. The mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one elongated slot is sized to accommodate solar panel mounting holes which are located in a band approximately 0.5″ to 1.25″ from an edge of a solar panel frame.
3. The mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one elongated slot is sized to accommodate solar panel mounting holes which are located in a band approximately 0.2.5″ to 2″ from an edge of a solar panel frame.
4. The mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the top and rear sections are configured to attach to a round metal support tube.
5. The mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the top section comprises two elongated slots for aligning with mounting holes on adjacent solar panels in an array.
6. The mounting system of claim 5 , herein the two elongated slots are enclosed elongated holes approximately 0.35×0.75 inches, and spaced approximately 1.4 inches apart at their inner edges.
7. The mounting system of claim 1 , wherein the top section further comprises a top attachment hole and a bottom attachment hole, and the rear section comprises a top attachment hole and a bottom attachment hole.
8. A solar panel mounting system comprising:
at least two mounting posts;
a mounting bracket connected at a top of a mounting post;
a top lateral support member connected to each mounting bracket;
a bottom lateral support member connected to each mounting bracket at a location to align the bottom lateral support member with at least one bottom mounting hole on a solar panel frame; and
a first solar panel clamp attached to the top lateral support member; and a second solar panel clamp attached to the bottom lateral support member, wherein the first and second panel clamps comprise:
a top section comprising:
at least one elongated slot for aligning with a mounting hole on a solar panel; and
a spacer fin configured to provide a fixed gap between adjacent solar panels;
a rear section;
mounting hardware to attach the front and rear sections together around a lateral support member; and
a first solar panel having a frame connected to a first side of the first and second solar panel clamps; and
a second solar panel having a frame connected to a second side of the first and second solar panel clamps;
wherein the spacer fin of each solar panel clamp provides a fixed gap between the first and second solar panels.
9. The mounting system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one elongated slot is sized to accommodate solar panel mounting holes which are located in a band approximately 0.5″ to 1.25″ from an edge of a solar panel frame.
10. The mounting system of claim 8 , wherein the at least one elongated slot is sized to accommodate solar panel mounting holes which are located in a band approximately 0.25″ to 2″ from an edge of a solar panel frame.
11. The mounting system of claim 8 , wherein the top and rear sections are configured to attach to a round metal support tube.
12. The mounting system of claim 8 , wherein the top section comprises two elongated slots for aligning with mounting holes on adjacent solar panels in an array.
13. The mounting system of claim 12 , wherein the two elongated slots are enclosed elongated holes approximately 0.35×035 inches, and spaced approximately 1.4 inches apart at their inner edges.
14. The mounting system of claim 8 , wherein the top section further comprises a top attachment hole and a bottom attachment hole, and the rear section comprises a top attachment hole and a bottom attachment hole.
15. The mounting system of claim 8 , wherein the top section further comprises a spacer fin to provide a fixed gap between adjacent solar panels.
16. The mounting system of claim 15 , wherein the spacer fin is 0.375 inches wide.