Solar Photovoltaic Module Clamping System

Abstract

A clamping system for securing the corners of four photovoltaic modules to a carport purlin, the clamping system having upper and lower body portions with a size adjustable gap to receive the purlin therein, and a pair of rotating connectors at opposite ends of the clamp assembly, each rotating connector having arms extending from opposite sides, the arms being rotated to lock into side grooves in the photovoltaic modules.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of assembling a photovoltaic array, comprising:
 (a) securing a clamping assembly onto a beam by inserting the beam into a gap between an upper portion and a lower portion of the clamping assembly, and then tightening a fastener extending downwardly from below the lower portion of the clamping assembly, thereby securing the beam between the upper portion and the lower portion of the clamping assembly;   (b) placing a side edge of a first photovoltaic module onto an upper surface of the clamping assembly;   (c) rotating a first rotating connector on the clamping assembly to secure the first rotating connector to the side edge of the first photovoltaic module; and   (d) placing a side edge of a second photovoltaic module onto the upper surface of the clamping assembly, wherein the side edge of the first photovoltaic module and the side edge of the second photovoltaic are positioned on opposite sides of the first rotating connector, and wherein the side edge of the second photovoltaic module is secured to the first rotating connector.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener on the clamping assembly is tightened by an installer positioned below the beam reaching upwardly and rotating the fastener. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first rotating connector on the clamping assembly is rotated by an installer positioned below the beam reaching upwardly and rotating the first rotating connector. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 3 , wherein rotating the first rotating connector is performed by the installer inserting a screwdriver into a slot of the bottom of the first rotating connector, and then rotating the first rotating connector. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first rotating connector is rotated by  90  degrees to secure the first rotating connector to the side edges of the first and second photovoltaic modules. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the first rotating connector has arms extending from opposite sides thereof, and one arm is received into a side groove in a frame of the first photovoltaic module and the other arm is received into a side groove in a frame of the second photovoltaic module. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6 , further comprising tightening a nut onto a threaded bottom portion of the first rotating connector, thereby holding the first rotating connector in a final locked position in a hole passing through the upper body portion. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 (e) placing a side edge of a third photovoltaic module onto the upper surface of the clamping assembly;   (f) rotating a second rotating connector on the clamping assembly to secure the second rotating connector to the side edge of the third photovoltaic module; and   (g) placing a side edge of a fourth photovoltaic module onto the upper surface of the clamping assembly, wherein the side edge of the third photovoltaic module and the side edge of the fourth photovoltaic are positioned on opposite sides of the first rotating connector, and wherein the side edge of the fourth photovoltaic module is secured to the second rotating connector,   such that the upper support surface of the clamping assembly supports corners of each of the four photovoltaic modules thereon.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the beam is a beam in a carport roof.