Solar panel mounting clamp and system

Abstract

A system having a plurality of solar panel mounting clamps for mounting a plurality of solar panels including a plurality of threaded projections fixed in a mounting surface; a plurality of the solar panel mounting clamps, each respectively disposed upon one of the plurality of threaded projections such that the threaded receiving portion of each solar panel mounting clamp receives each respective threaded projection, such that the plurality of solar panel mounting clamps are capable of securing a plurality of solar panels to the mounting surface such that each clamp makes a conductive bond with one or more panels such that each panel shares a common ground. The system may include one or more mounting plates to rest upon the mounting surface that has one or more retainer clip to ease in cable management.

It is claimed: 
     
         1 . A solar panel mounting clamp comprising a plate having an inner circumference formed by a central hole, the central hole capable of receiving a threaded projection, wherein the inner circumference comprises one or more tabs extending radially inward towards a center of the central hole such that the one or more tabs form a slip lock mechanism for securing the plate to a threaded projection. 
     
     
         2 . The solar panel mounting clamp of  claim 1  further comprising a threaded projection fixed in a mounting surface, wherein the plate receives the threaded projection through the central hole such that the plate is secured to the threaded projection by the slip lock mechanism such that the plate rests on the fixed mounting surface, and wherein the plate is capable of supporting a panel for mounting. 
     
     
         3 . The solar panel mounting clamp of  claim 2 , wherein the plate further comprises one or more clip members extending at least partially radially outward from an outer edge of the plate, the one or more clip members being deformed away from a plane including a top surface of the plate. 
     
     
         4 . The solar panel mounting clamp of  claim 3 , wherein the clip members are capable of retaining one or more electrical cables. 
     
     
         5 . The solar panel mounting clamp of  claim 4 , wherein the mounting surface is a roof mounting bracket for securing accessories to a seamed panel roof 
     
     
         6 . The solar panel mounting clamp of  claim 4 , wherein the mounting surface is one of the ground, a wall, a frame, a solar panel mounting frame, a solar panel mounting system, or a roof 
     
     
         7 . A solar panel mounting system comprising the solar panel mounting clamp of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         8 . A solar panel mounting system for mounting a solar panel array to a fixed mounting surface having a plurality of projections, comprising:
 at least two solar panels, wherein the at least two solar panels collectively comprise the solar panel array, and wherein at least one edge of each respective solar panels forms an end-edge of the solar panel array and wherein each at least one edge constitutes an internal-edge of the array; at least one solar panel mounting clamp capable of securing both (1) the end-edge of one solar panel or (2) one internal-edge of each of two panels; wherein each solar panel mounting clamp secures at least one solar panel to a projection of the fixed mounting surface.