Methods and systems for mounting an array of photovoltaic modules atop a rooftop are disclosed. In particular the mounting hardware includes a photovoltaic module tray supported above the rooftop by a number of support structures fastened to the rooftop. The photovoltaic module trays include bottom
Methods and systems for mounting an array of photovoltaic modules atop a rooftop are disclosed. In particular the mounting hardware includes a photovoltaic module tray supported above the rooftop by a number of support structures fastened to the rooftop. The photovoltaic module trays include bottom and sidewalls configured to support and align photovoltaic modules along the rooftop. Since the bottom wall supports the weight of the photovoltaic module, the sidewalls can have a thin form-factor that allows the photovoltaic modules trays to be tightly spaced. In this way, the photovoltaic module tray can occupy very little area on the roof allowing the effective collection area of photovoltaic modules supported by the photovoltaic module trays to be significantly larger than photovoltaic modules using wider photovoltaic module frames.
대표청구항▼
1. A photovoltaic module array, comprising: a photovoltaic module;a photovoltaic module tray supporting the photovoltaic module;a base coupled to a rooftop and defining a fastener opening;a fastener, comprising a threaded shaft extending through the fastener opening, the threaded shaft having a head
1. A photovoltaic module array, comprising: a photovoltaic module;a photovoltaic module tray supporting the photovoltaic module;a base coupled to a rooftop and defining a fastener opening;a fastener, comprising a threaded shaft extending through the fastener opening, the threaded shaft having a head at a first end of the threaded shaft and a screw drive defined by a second end of the threaded shaft; anda support member comprising a recessed central portion and lateral wings arranged on opposing sides of the recessed central portion, the recessed central portion defining a threaded aperture engaged by a portion of the threaded shaft,wherein the lateral wings support one side of the photovoltaic module tray. 2. The photovoltaic module array as recited in claim 1, wherein rotation of the fastener translates the support member in a direction aligned with a longitudinal axis of the fastener. 3. The photovoltaic module array as recited in claim 1, further comprising locking features protruding from each of the lateral wings. 4. The photovoltaic module array as recited in claim 3, wherein each of the locking features comprises a locking tab folded over a sidewall of the photovoltaic module tray. 5. The photovoltaic module array as recited in claim 1, wherein a portion of the base defining the fastener opening protrudes away from the rest of the base and is sized to accommodate the head of the fastener between a supporting surface to which the base is mounted and the portion of the base that defines the fastener opening. 6. The photovoltaic module array as recited in claim 1, wherein the photovoltaic module tray is a first photovoltaic module tray and the photovoltaic module array further comprises a second photovoltaic module tray adjacent to the first photovoltaic module tray, wherein the lateral wings support both the first and second photovoltaic module trays. 7. The photovoltaic module array as recited in claim 1, wherein the photovoltaic module tray comprises: a bottom wall and sidewalls integrally formed with the bottom wall and disposed on opposing lateral sides of the bottom wall, the photovoltaic module being positioned between the sidewalls; andan engaging member disposed at a front side of the bottom wall and an interlock region disposed at a rear side of the bottom wall, the interlock region being configured to cooperate with an engaging member of another photovoltaic module tray to secure the rear side of the bottom wall to a front side of the other photovoltaic module tray. 8. The photovoltaic module array as recited in claim 7, wherein the support member supports the bottom wall of the photovoltaic module tray above a rooftop upon which the photovoltaic module array is positioned. 9. The photovoltaic module array as recited in claim 7, wherein the engaging member of the other photovoltaic module tray comprises a compressible hook. 10. The photovoltaic module array as recited in claim 9, wherein a surface of the interlock region cooperates with a downward facing surface of the photovoltaic module to define a slot configured to capture the compressible hook. 11. The photovoltaic module array as recited in claim 7, wherein the bottom wall defines a number of openings through which cabling can be routed beneath the photovoltaic module tray. 12. The photovoltaic module array as recited in claim 7, wherein the lateral sides of the bottom wall are substantially longer than front and rear sides of the bottom wall. 13. A mounting system for a photovoltaic roofing system, comprising: a base mounting bracket, comprising a base portion having a substantially planar geometry and a threaded member projecting away from the base portion; anda support member having a pair of lateral wings and a central recessed portion, the central recessed portion comprising a threaded through-hole engaging the threaded member, and each lateral wing comprising a slot accommodating a vertical module tray connector that bisects the lateral wing and that includes a pair of opposing attachment tabs for securing a pair of adjacent module trays to either side of the bisected lateral wing. 14. The mounting system as recited in claim 13, further comprising: a plurality of base mounting brackets and corresponding support members distributed across a rooftop. 15. The mounting system as recited in claim 14, further comprising a photovoltaic module tray elevated above the rooftop by two or more of the corresponding support members. 16. The mounting system as recited in claim 15, wherein the photovoltaic module tray comprises: a bottom wall and sidewalls integrally formed with the bottom wall, the sidewalls disposed on opposing lateral sides of the bottom wall and separated by an interval sized to accommodate a photovoltaic module between the sidewalls; andan engaging member disposed at a front side of the bottom wall and an interlock region disposed at a rear side of the bottom wall, the interlock region being configured to cooperate with an engaging member of another photovoltaic module tray to secure the rear side of the bottom wall to a front side of the other photovoltaic module tray. 17. A photovoltaic array, comprising: a plurality of photovoltaic modules distributed across a rooftop, each of the plurality of photovoltaic modules comprising: a photovoltaic module tray;a photovoltaic module disposed within and supported by the photovoltaic module tray; andtwo or more support structures elevating the photovoltaic module tray above a rooftop, each of the support structures comprising: a base coupled to a rooftop;a threaded shaft extending from the base; anda support member comprising a recessed central portion and lateral wings arranged on opposing sides of the recessed central portion, the recessed central portion defining a threaded aperture engaged by a portion of the threaded shaft,the lateral wings supporting one side of the photovoltaic module tray. 18. The photovoltaic array as recited in claim 17, wherein each of the lateral wings defines a slot accommodating a vertical module tray connector that bisects the lateral wing and that includes a pair of opposing attachment tabs for securing a pair of adjacent module pans to either side of the bisected lateral wing. 19. The photovoltaic array as recited in claim 17, wherein the threaded shaft defines a screw drive and wherein engagement of the screw drive and rotation of the threaded shaft adjusts a vertical position of the support member, allowing for fine adjustment of a height of the photovoltaic module tray above the rooftop. 20. The photovoltaic array as recited in claim 17, wherein a first end of the photovoltaic module tray comprises engaging members that engage an interlock region of a down-roof photovoltaic module tray.
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Wildes, Brian James, Modular sloped roof solar mounting system.
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