Lateral Solar Panel Mounting With Adjustable Grounded Roof Supports
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar panel mounting systems lack a combination of ease of installation, cost-effectiveness, and universal applicability, particularly in providing adequate grounding and flexibility for various solar panel manufacturers and roof types.
Innovation Solution
A solar panel support system that includes adjustable roof mounts and panel supports, allowing for secure attachment to roof rafters or OSB/plywood, with all metal parts electrically grounded, enabling flexible placement and easy installation on uneven roofs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable roof mounts and panel supports are used to provide flexibility for various roof types and solar panel manufacturers, then adaptability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate modular components including roof mounts, panel supports, and adjustable connectors. Each component can be independently selected and configured based on specific roof types and panel requirements, providing adaptability without requiring a completely different system for each application.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates adjustable roof mounts with movable components that can be positioned at various heights and angles. The panel supports feature adjustable connectors that allow for lateral movement and positioning adjustments, enabling the system to adapt to uneven roofs and different panel configurations while maintaining a relatively simple base structure.
2Ease of operation
If multiple adjustable components are incorporated to allow installation on uneven roofs and various roof rafters, then ease of operation is improved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system provides more adjustment capability than strictly necessary for most installations, with roof mounts that can be positioned at multiple height levels and panel supports that allow lateral movement. This excessive adjustability is achieved through simple mechanical components rather than complex systems, keeping manufacturing costs reasonable while ensuring ease of installation across diverse roof conditions.
Solution Approach 2:
The panel supports act as intermediary components between the fixed roof mounts and the solar panels. These supports can be laterally moved and adjusted to accommodate variations in roof rafter positions and spacing, absorbing the complexity of adaptation while maintaining simple, cost-effective roof mount and panel interface components.
3Reliability
If all metal parts are electrically grounded together for safety, then reliability is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The grounding system merges all metal components including roof mounts, panel supports, and solar panel frames into a single electrical ground network. This is achieved through direct metal-to-metal contact between components and a common grounding conductor, providing reliable grounding without requiring separate grounding systems for each component.
Solution Approach 2:
The metal components of the mounting system serve dual functions: structural support and electrical grounding. The same roof mounts and panel supports that provide mechanical attachment also serve as grounding conductors, eliminating the need for separate grounding hardware and reducing overall system complexity while maintaining reliable electrical grounding.
Data Source
AI summary
Solar panel array with a plurality of solar panels on support system attached at corners or off such corners for foundation structure needs and irregularities secured to roof by lag bolt with mount channel and flashing pre-assembled into mount by crimp for positive seal and mount riser height adjustable can include bilateral or quadrilateral mounts, a coupler seat to affix panel to mount and lateral movement seat for solar panel, and different clamps including wedge clamps, top restraints, lip end clamps, side support clamps, compression clamps, etc.