Pre-Assembled Solar Panel Mounting System and Rapid Solar Panel Mounting System

Abstract

A solar panel mounting system includes first and second mounting supports, at least one having a lower mounting ledge, and at least the other having an upper mounting ledge. At least two brackets each have a first platform coupled to the lower mounting ledge and a second platform spaced apart therefrom. Each bracket includes a first hinge portion with a curved channel and a first catch. A first frame, at a first end, has a panel gripping portion for gripping an edge of a solar panel oriented generally parallel to the lower mounting ledge, and at an opposing second end has a second hinge portion with a flange and a curved hook extending therefrom. The first hinge portion is configured to rotatably receive the second hinge portion. The hook is received in the channel and retained by the first catch and the flange is supported on the second platform.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A solar panel mounting system for use with a solar panel having a plurality of apertures formed in a mounting surface of the solar panel proximate first and second opposing ends of the solar panel, the mounting system comprising:
 a first support having a horizontal support section, an inclined side wall, and a mounting ledge, the horizontal support section and the mounting ledge of the first support each being coupled to opposing ends of the inclined side wall of the first support;   a first plurality of spaced-apart studs each disposed on and extending from the mounting ledge of the first support, each of the first plurality of spaced-apart studs being configured to mate with corresponding ones of the plurality of apertures proximate the first end of the solar panel;   a second support having a horizontal support section, an inclined side wall, and a mounting ledge, the horizontal support section and the mounting ledge of the second support each being coupled to opposing ends of the inclined side wall of the second support; and   a second plurality of spaced-apart studs each disposed on and extending from the mounting ledge of the second support, each of the second plurality of spaced-apart studs being configured to mate with corresponding ones of the plurality of apertures proximate the second end of the solar panel.   
     
     
         2 . The solar panel mounting system of  claim 1 , further comprising a third plurality of spaced-apart studs each disposed on and extending from the horizontal mounting section of the first support. 
     
     
         3 . The solar panel mounting system of  claim 2 , further comprising an additional second support having a horizontal support section, an inclined side wall, and a mounting ledge, the horizontal support section of the additional second support having a first plurality of spaced-apart openings formed therein, the first plurality of spaced-apart openings being configured to mate with corresponding ones of the third plurality of spaced-apart studs of the first support. 
     
     
         4 . The solar panel mounting system of  claim 3 , further comprising a bracket having a second pair of spaced apart openings, one of the second pair of spaced-apart openings of the bracket being configured to mate with one of the third plurality of spaced-apart studs on the first support, and the other of the second pair of spaced-apart openings of the bracket being configured to mate with a stud on an additional laterally adjacent first support. 
     
     
         5 . The solar panel mounting system of  claim 1 , further comprising a first plurality of spaced-apart openings formed in the horizontal support section of the second support. 
     
     
         6 . The solar panel mounting system of  claim 5 , further comprising an additional first support having a horizontal support section, an inclined side wall, and a mounting ledge, the horizontal support section of the additional first support having a third plurality of spaced-apart studs disposed thereon and extending therefrom, the first plurality of spaced-apart openings of the second support being configured to mate with corresponding ones of the third plurality of spaced-apart studs on the additional first support. 
     
     
         7 . The solar panel mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second supports are each formed by a single sheet of material selectively bent to form the respective horizontal mounting sections, inclined side walls, and mounting ledges. 
     
     
         8 . The solar panel mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the inclined side wall of the first support is inclined with respect to the horizontal support section of the first support at an angle between ninety and ninety-five degrees, and
 wherein the mounting ledge of the first support is inclined with respect to the horizontal support section of the first support at an angle between five and twenty-five degrees.   
     
     
         9 . The solar panel mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the inclined side wall of the second support is inclined with respect to the horizontal support section of the second support at an angle between forty-five and sixty-five degrees, and
 wherein the mounting ledge of the second support is inclined with respect to the horizontal support section of the second support at an angle between negative five and negative twenty-five degrees.   
     
     
         10 . The solar panel mounting system of  claim 1 , wherein the horizontal mounting section of the first support is configured to receive a ballast weight.