Modular Mounting Apparatus

Abstract

A mounting apparatus, primarily for solar panels and other renewable energy panels. The mounting apparatus has a base, sides, a front, a back, and a top. It is generally wedge-shaped. It has a depression designed to fit photovoltaic and solar thermal panels. It has a number of mounting mechanisms, including ballast, tethers, and fasteners, designed to minimize the number of roof-top holes needed to anchor a system.

1 . A mounting apparatus comprising: a base member; a pair of side walls extending vertically from the base; a rear wall that extends upward from the base at an angle less than 90 degrees; a front wall that extends from the base member; and a top surface that extends from the front wall to the rear wall and is intersected by the two side walls. 
     
     
         2 . The invention as described in  1 , in which the shape of the mounting apparatus is wedge-shaped, with the front wall being the narrow part and the rear wall being the tall part. 
     
     
         3 . The invention as described in  2 , in which the angle of the wedge is selected to maximize the amount of sunlight incident on a panel installed to the mounting apparatus. 
     
     
         4 . The invention as described in  1 , in which the mounting apparatus has a cutout to facilitate the mounting of solar panels. 
     
     
         5 . The invention as described in  4 , in which the cutout is replaced with a blank panel, so that the surface of the mounting apparatus can be used for mounting. 
     
     
         6 . The invention as described in  1 , in which the top and/or side have cutouts for mounting hardware. 
     
     
         7 . The invention as described in  1 , in which there are a plurality of semi-circular other semi-round cutouts to route conduits for water or electricity. 
     
     
         8 . The invention as described in  1 , in which the mounting apparatus contains a ballast cavity. 
     
     
         9 . The invention as described in  1 , in which the mounting apparatus contains lips on their front and back walls, so that multiple mounting apparatus may be hooked together, front-to-back. 
     
     
         10 . The invention as described in  1 , in which the sides of the mounting apparatus have tabs and sleeves, so that multiple mounting apparatus may be hooked together, side-by-side. 
     
     
         11 . The invention as described in  1 , in which the mounting apparatus contains tether holes. 
     
     
         12 . The invention as described in  1 , in which the mounting apparatus contains drawers, capable of holding water, ballast, a heat exchanger, etc. 
     
     
         13 . The invention as described in  1 , in which the mounting apparatus has at lease one pipe containing holes, and plumbing connecting the pipe to a liquid source, so that the liquid can be pumped from the interior of the mounting apparatus onto its surface. 
     
     
         14 . The invention as described in  1 , in which the mounting apparatus is modular, with at least two sections. 
     
     
         15 . The invention as described in  14 , in which the modular mounting apparatus has at least three sections. 
     
     
         16 . The invention as described in  14 , in which the modular sections fit together through the use of male and female locking sleeves.