BACKGROUND

The industry for racks to mount solar panels (e.g., modules) on roofs is very competitive. However, because manufactures of the solar panels have not standardized, the sizes of the solar panels vary depending the manufacture. For example, the thickness (e.g., height) of a solar panel may vary depending on the manufacturer. As such, the racks for mounting the solar panels are relatively customized according to the size of the solar panel produced by the particular manufacturer. Accordingly, there remains a need for solar panel racks that are more adjustable.

SUMMARY

Solar panel mounting systems that have the ability to adjust for variations in the thickness (e.g., height) of the variety of solar panels are described herein. More specifically, this disclosure relates to solar panel mounting systems that include a clip (e.g., a module clip) that attaches to a rail (e.g., a trim rail) according to a solar panel (e.g., module) thickness (e.g., height). This summary is provided to introduce simplified concepts of solar panel mounting systems, which are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended for use in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

In an embodiment, a solar panel mounting system includes a rail and a clip. The rail may include a horizontal flange protruding from an upper surface of the rail along a longitudinal length of the rail. The rail may include a rib protruding from a lower surface disposed a distance below the horizontal flange. The rib may extend along the longitudinal length. The clip may include a first notch and a second notch disposed in a back of the clip. When the first notch of the clip receives a portion of the rib, a first ledge of the clip may be positioned a first distance from the horizontal flange such that the first distance is sized to receive an end of a first solar panel having a first thickness. The end of the first solar panel having the first thickness may be received between the horizontal flange and the first ledge. When the second notch of the clip receives the portion of the rib, a second ledge of the clip is positioned a second distance, different than the first distance, from the horizontal flange such that the second distance is sized to receive an end of a second solar panel having a second thickness different than the first thickness of the first solar panel. The end of the second solar panel having the second thickness may be received between the horizontal flange and the second ledge. A fastener may fasten the clip to the rail via an opening arranged between the first ledge of the clip and the second ledge of the clip.

In an embodiment, a solar panel mounting system includes a clip having a first end separated a distance from a second end and a front opposite a back. The clip may include a first notch disposed in the back of the clip proximate to the first end of the clip for receiving a portion of a rib of a rail. The clip may include a second notch disposed in the back of the clip proximate to the second end of the clip for receiving a portion of the rib of the rail. The clip may include a first ledge protruding from the front of the clip opposite the first notch. The first ledge may interface with at least a portion of an end of a solar panel. The clip may include a second ledge protruding from the front of the clip opposite the second notch. The second ledge may interface with at least a portion of an end of a solar panel. When the first notch of the clip receives a portion of a rib of a rail, the first ledge is positioned a first distance from a horizontal flange of the rail such that the first distance is sized to receive an end of a first solar panel having a first thickness. When the second notch of the clip receives the portion of the rib of the rail, the second ledge is positioned a second distance, different than the first distance, from the horizontal flange of the rail such that the second distance is sized to receive an end of a second solar panel having a second thickness different than the first thickness of the first solar panel. The clip may include an opening arranged between the first ledge and the second ledge for receiving at least a portion of a fastener to fasten the clip to a rail.

In an embodiment, a solar panel mounting system includes a rail. The rail may attach to a bracket attached to a roof. The rail may include a horizontal flange protruding from an upper surface of the rail along a longitudinal length of the rail. The horizontal flange may interface with at least a portion of an end of a solar panel. The rail may include a rib protruding from a lower surface disposed a distance below the horizontal flange. The rib may extend along the longitudinal length. The rib may interface with a notch disposed in a back of a clip. The rail may include a channel extending along the longitudinal length adjacent to the rib. The channel may receive at least a portion of a fastener to fasten a clip to the rail.

Depending on the desired esthetic and mechanical properties of the solar panel mounting system, and a structure (e.g., a house, a building, a tower, a container, etc.) the solar panel mounting system is intended to mount thereto, components may comprise metal, plastic, and/or ceramic.

