Adjustable Solar Panel Mounting With Integrated Grounding
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current solar panel mounting systems lack a combination of ease of installation, cost-effectiveness, and universal applicability to various solar panel manufacturers, while also ensuring adequate grounding and flexibility on uneven roofs.
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 for safe and flexible installation on different roof types, using standard framed solar panels and innovative grounding methods.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adjustable roof mounts and panel supports are used to accommodate uneven roofs and various panel types, then adaptability and ease of installation are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: roof mounts that attach to the roof structure, panel supports that hold the solar panels, and adjustable connectors that link them. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently while maintaining overall adaptability to different roof conditions and panel types.
Solution Approach 2:
The roof mounts and panel supports are designed with universal attachment mechanisms that can accommodate various solar panel manufacturers and styles. The adjustable height and positioning features enable the same basic components to serve multiple functions across different installation scenarios, reducing the need for specialized hardware for each situation.
2Reliability
If all metal parts are electrically grounded together for safety, then reliability and safety are improved, but ease of installation deteriorates due to additional grounding requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting hardware is designed so that metal components naturally contact and electrically connect to each other during the mechanical assembly process. The structural connection between roof mounts, panel supports, and solar panel frames simultaneously provides both mechanical support and electrical grounding pathways, eliminating the need for separate grounding installations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses its own structural metal components to provide the grounding function. As installers assemble the mounting hardware to support the solar panels, the metal-to-metal contacts automatically create the required electrical grounding paths without requiring additional grounding wires or separate grounding steps.
3Strength
If roof mounts are secured to roof rafters for structural integrity, then strength and reliability are improved, but ease of installation deteriorates due to difficulty in locating and attaching to rafters
Solution Approach 1:
The panel supports incorporate adjustable positioning mechanisms that allow installers to adapt the mounting location to match the actual rafter positions found in the field. This dynamic adjustability accommodates variations in rafter spacing and positioning while maintaining secure structural attachment, making the installation process more forgiving of on-site conditions.
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. An intercalative junction piece, nut, or washer has tines for grounding, a dissociation guide and flexture and keeps off the surface for association and perforation to clamp panel firmly via different clamps including wedge clamps, top restraints, lip end clamps, side support clamps, compression clamps, etc.