Apparatus and Method for Mounting a Photovoltaic Module

Abstract

An apparatus for mounting a photovoltaic module is disclosed. The apparatus includes a clamp assembly, where the clamp assembly includes a clamp and a fastener engageable with the clamp. The clamp includes a sharp portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An apparatus for mounting a photovoltaic module, comprising:
 a clamp assembly, wherein the clamp assembly includes:
 a clamp; and 
 a fastener engageable with the clamp; 
 wherein the clamp includes a sharp portion. 
   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamp includes a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and wherein the sharp portion extends from the bottom surface. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the plate includes a side that is curved downward. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus according to  claim 3 , wherein the sharp portion is disposed on the side that is curved downward. 
     
     
         5 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamp includes a plate, wherein the clamp includes a plurality of sharp portions, and wherein the plurality of sharp portions extend from ends of the plate. 
     
     
         6 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the clamp includes a plate, wherein the clamp includes a plurality of sharp portions extending from the plate, and wherein the plate includes a downward extending flange. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a rail, wherein the fastener extends through an aperture in the clamp and into a slot in the rail. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the fastener is a threaded bolt. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 7  in combination with a photovoltaic module, wherein the photovoltaic module is clamped between the clamp and the rail and wherein the sharp portion engages with the photovoltaic module. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein the sharp portion pierces through a non-conductive coating of the photovoltaic module and embeds into a conductive substrate of the photovoltaic module. 
     
     
         11 . A photovoltaic module assembly, comprising:
 a clamp assembly, wherein the clamp assembly includes:
 a clamp; and 
 a fastener; 
 wherein the clamp includes a first sharp portion and a second sharp portion; 
   a rail, wherein the fastener extends through an aperture in the clamp and into a slot in the rail; and   a first photovoltaic module and a second photovoltaic module, wherein the first photovoltaic module is adjacent to the second photovoltaic module;   wherein the first and second photovoltaic modules are clamped between the clamp and the rail and wherein the first sharp portion of the clamp engages with the first photovoltaic module and the second sharp portion of the clamp engages with the second photovoltaic module.   
     
     
         12 . The photovoltaic module assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the first sharp portion pierces through a non-conductive coating of the first photovoltaic module and embeds into a conductive substrate of the first photovoltaic module and wherein the second sharp portion pierces through a non-conductive coating of the second photovoltaic module and embeds into a conductive substrate of the second photovoltaic module. 
     
     
         13 . The photovoltaic module assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the clamp includes a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and wherein the first and second sharp portions extend from the bottom surface. 
     
     
         14 . The photovoltaic module assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the plate includes a first side and a second side that are curved downward. 
     
     
         15 . The photovoltaic module assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the first sharp portion is disposed on the first side and wherein the second sharp portion is disposed on the second side. 
     
     
         16 . The photovoltaic module assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the clamp includes a plate and wherein the first and the second sharp portions extend from respective ends of the plate. 
     
     
         17 . The photovoltaic module assembly according to  claim 11 , wherein the clamp includes a plate, wherein the first and second sharp portions extend from the plate, and wherein the plate includes a downward extending flange. 
     
     
         18 . A method for grounding adjacent first and second photovoltaic modules that are disposed between a clamp and a rail, comprising the steps of:
 engaging a first sharp portion of the clamp with the first photovoltaic module wherein the first sharp portion pierces through a non-conductive coating of the first photovoltaic module and embeds into a conductive substrate of the first photovoltaic module; and   engaging a second sharp portion of the clamp with the second photovoltaic module wherein the second sharp portion pierces through a non-conductive coating of the second photovoltaic module and embeds into a conductive substrate of the second photovoltaic module.   
     
     
         19 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the clamp includes a plate having a top surface and a bottom surface and wherein the first and second sharp portions extend from the bottom surface. 
     
     
         20 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the plate includes a first side and a second side that are curved downward. 
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the first sharp portion is disposed on the first side and wherein the second sharp portion is disposed on the second side. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the clamp includes a plate and wherein the first and the second sharp portions extend from respective ends of the plate. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 18 , wherein the clamp includes a plate, wherein the first and second sharp portions extend from the plate, and wherein the plate includes a downward extending flange.