Solar panel support structure

Abstract

Roof-top solar panel system that is held in place on a roof by the solar array. The system includes a softened design including rounded component edges that protect the roof from uplift damage by solar panel structure components with or without mechanical anchoring or ballast.

What is claimed is 
     
         1 . A solar panel support structure to mount a solar array on a roof comprising:
 a pair of parallel oriented guide rails, wherein each guide rail includes a length and a track extending substantially the entire length of the guide rail;   at least one cross member slidably connected to the tracks of the pair of parallel oriented guide rails, wherein the at least one cross member includes a recess to receive a first edge of the solar array;   a pair of longitudinal members slidably connected to the tracks of the pair of parallel oriented guide rails, wherein each longitudinal member of the pair of longitudinal members includes a recess to receive a second edge of the solar array,   wherein a predetermined distance between the at least one cross member and a pair of longitudinal members defines an angle of incidence Ø of the solar array relative to an upper surface of the roof.   
     
     
         2 . The solar panel support structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a third guide rail with a length and a track extending substantially the entire length of the third guide rail, wherein the third guide rail is disposed between the pair of parallel oriented guide rails and a center member slidably connected to the track of the third guide rail. 
     
     
         3 . The solar panel support structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a protective membrane with a perimeter, wherein the protective membrane is disposed between the pair of parallel oriented guide rails and the upper surface of the roof without the use of ballast to retain the protective membrane on the roof. 
     
     
         4 . The solar panel support structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the protective membrane is not attached to the roof. 
     
     
         5 . The solar panel support structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the protective member comprises a plurality of edges along the perimeter, wherein one or more edges of the plurality of edges of the perimeter of the protective membrane are attached to the roof. 
     
     
         6 . The solar panel support structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a foot disposed under at least one guide rail of the pair of parallel oriented guide rails. 
     
     
         7 . The solar panel support structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the protective membrane is not attached to at least one guide rail of the pair of parallel oriented guide rails. 
     
     
         8 . The solar panel support structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the protective membrane is attached to at least one guide rail of the pair of parallel oriented guide rails. 
     
     
         9 . The solar panel support structure according to  claim 3 , further comprising a bracket and a connector, wherein the bracket coupling the connector to at least one guide rail of the pair of parallel oriented guide rails, wherein the connector counteracts external forces acting on the solar array to maintain the at least one guide rail of the pair of parallel oriented guide rails in substantially contact with the upper surface of the roof. 
     
     
         10 . The roofing system according to  claim 1 , wherein each guide rail of the pair of parallel oriented guide rails comprises rounded bottom edges that prevent cutting of the roof along the rounded bottom edges when wind causes relative motion between the roof and the pair of parallel oriented guide rails due to uplift forces. 
     
     
         11 . The solar panel support structure according to  claim 1 , further comprising a protective membrane disposed between the guide rail and the upper surface of the roof and a ballast to retain the protective membrane on the roof with the use of penetrating anchors. 
     
     
         12 . A solar panel support structure to mount a solar array of a plurality of PV modules on a roof comprising:
 a fastening bolt having a threaded shaft and a bolt head;   a support post having an upper structure and a lower structure, wherein the upper structure includes an aperture sized to receive the threaded shaft of the fastening bolt;   a corner base having a through hole sized to receive the threaded shaft of the fastening bolt; and   a clamp having a base with an edge, a through hole sized to receive the threaded shaft of the fastening bolt, and an outwardly extending tab along the edge, wherein the outwardly extending tab includes a bend angle a relative to the base,   wherein a corner of a PV module of the plurality of PV modules is disposed between the clamp and the corner base and retained in place when the fastening bolt engages the support post and the clamp without one or more rails interconnecting the plurality of PV modules.   
     
     
         13 . The solar panel support structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the aperture of the support post comprises a slot opening sized to receive the threaded shaft of the fastening bolt and a slot base sized to receive the bolt head of the fastening bolt, wherein the slot opening is less than a width of the bolt head such that the fastening bolt is retained in the support post. 
     
     
         14 . The solar panel support structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the aperture of the support post comprises a threaded through hole sized to receive the threaded shaft of the fastening bolt. 
     
     
         15 . The solar panel support structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the outwardly extending tab of the corner clamp comprises a width to form a predetermined space between two PV modules of the plurality of PV modules. 
     
     
         16 . The solar panel support structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the bend angle a ranges between about 120 degrees and about 150 degrees. 
     
     
         17 . The solar panel support structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the corner base comprises a constant thickness such that the PV module has a zero degree slope. 
     
     
         18 . The solar panel support structure according to  claim 12 , wherein the corner base comprises a varying thickness such that the PV module has a greater than zero degree slope. 
     
     
         19 . The solar panel support structure according to  claim 12 , further comprising at least two support posts, wherein heights of the at least two support posts are the same height such that the PV module has a zero degree slope. 
     
     
         20 . The solar panel support structure according to  claim 12 , further comprising at least two support posts, wherein heights of the at least two support posts are different heights such that the PV module has a greater than zero degree slope.