Leveling foot apparatus, system, and method for photovoltaic modules

Abstract

A system and apparatus are disclosed including for quickly and easily assembling PV modules into a PV array in a sturdy and durable manner. In examples of the present technology, the system includes a leveling foot for engaging a PV module and supporting the PV module on a support structure. The leveling foot allows adjustment of the height of engaged PV modules relative to the support structure.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A leveling foot for use in a solar array, comprising:
 a base portion;   a coupling portion having a first photovoltaic module connector on a first side and a second photovoltaic module connector on a second side; and   a rotatable stud connecting the coupling portion to the base portion, wherein rotation of the rotatable stud varies a distance between the coupling portion and the base portion, and further wherein the rotatable stud is accessible from above a pair of photovoltaic modules after the pair of photovoltaic modules have been engaged with the first and second module connectors to adjust a height of the pair of photovoltaic modules relative to the base portion.   
     
     
         2 . The leveling foot of  claim 1 , wherein a top end of the rotatable stud has a tool interface. 
     
     
         3 . The leveling foot of  claim 2 , wherein the tool interface is a tool-receiving recess. 
     
     
         4 . The leveling foot of  claim 1 , wherein the height of the coupling portion with respect to the base portion is continuously adjustable over a range of different heights. 
     
     
         5 . The leveling foot of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling portion extends fully across a gap between a first and second photovoltaic module after the first and second modules are attached to the coupling portion. 
     
     
         6 . The leveling foot of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the rotatable stud is threaded. 
     
     
         7 . The leveling foot of  claim 6 , wherein the coupling portion has a threaded hole passing there through and an end of the rotatable stud is accessible via the threaded hole. 
     
     
         8 . The leveling foot of  claim 1 , further comprising a slot passing through the base portion of the leveling foot and a fastener received through the slot to secure the base portion to a support surface. 
     
     
         9 . The leveling foot of  claim 8 , wherein a primary axis of the fastener is parallel to a primary axis of the rotatable stud. 
     
     
         10 . The leveling foot of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling portion comprises a first tongue on the first side and a second tongue on the second side. 
     
     
         11 . The leveling foot of  claim 10 , wherein the first photovoltaic module connector and second photovoltaic module connector connect to respective photovoltaic modules using a pivot fit via the first and second tongues. 
     
     
         12 . The leveling foot of  claim 1 , wherein the coupling portion comprises a wraparound interlock. 
     
     
         13 . A solar array comprising:
 a first photovoltaic module;   a second photovoltaic module; and   a leveling foot connecting the first and second photovoltaic modules together, wherein the leveling foot comprises:
 a base portion; 
 a coupling portion have a first photovoltaic module connector portion for supporting the first photovoltaic module on a first side and a second photovoltaic module connector portion on a second side for supporting the second photovoltaic module; and 
 a rotatable stud connecting the coupling portion to the base portion, 
   wherein rotation of the rotatable stud varies a distance between the coupling portion and the base portion, and wherein the rotatable stud is accessible from above the first and second photovoltaic modules after the first and second photovoltaic modules have been connected to the coupling portion to simultaneously vary the heights of the first and second photovoltaic modules relative to the base portion.   
     
     
         14 . The solar array of  claim 13 , wherein a top end of the rotatable stud has a tool interface. 
     
     
         15 . The solar array of  claim 13 , further comprising a slot passing through the base portion of the leveling foot and a fastener received through the slot to secure the base portion to a roof. 
     
     
         16 . The solar array of  claim 15 , wherein a primary axis of the fastener is parallel to a primary axis of the rotatable stud. 
     
     
         17 . The solar array of  claim 13 , wherein each of the first and second sides of the coupling portion comprises a tongue portion. 
     
     
         18 . The solar array of  claim 17 , wherein the coupling portion of the leveling foot connects to the first and second photovoltaic modules using a pivot fit via the tongue portions. 
     
     
         19 . The solar array of  claim 13 , wherein the coupling portion comprises a wraparound interlock that wraps around frames of the first and second photovoltaic modules. 
     
     
         20 . A leveling foot for use in a solar array, comprising:
 a base portion;   a coupling portion having a two-sided wraparound module connector for connecting to a pair of photovoltaic modules; and   a rotatable stud connecting the coupling portion to the base portion, wherein rotation of the stud varies a distance between the coupling portion and the base portion, and further wherein the rotatable stud is accessible from above to simultaneously vary a height of a first and second photovoltaic module relative to the base portion after the first and second photovoltaic modules are engaged with the coupling portion.