Mounting assemblies for solar panel systems and methods for using the same

Abstract

A solar panel mount assembly includes a base portion mountable to an installation surface, and a support arm defining a support shoulder. The support arm is coupled to the base portion. The support arm and base portion cooperate to accommodate positioning the support arm at an adjustable distance relative to the installation surface. The solar panel mount assembly further includes a rotatable clamp assembly coupled to the support shoulder, and includes at least two brackets that releasably secure a portion of one or more solar panels.

1 . (canceled) 
     
     
         2 . A solar panel mounting clamp assembly, comprising:
 a first bracket component that engages at least a front surface of one or more solar panels; and   a second bracket component that engages at least a back surface of the one or more solar panels, the second bracket component including a protrusion that serves as a fulcrum and engages the first bracket component, the first bracket component cooperating with the second bracket component to releasably secure the one or more solar panels.   
     
     
         3 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the protrusion further comprises at least a tapered or round protrusion, the tapered or round protrusion configured as a fulcrum. 
     
     
         4 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the protrusion is offset from a centerline of the second bracket component. 
     
     
         5 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a threaded base portion mountable to an installation surface.   
     
     
         6 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a support arm configured to releasably connect to the second bracket component.   
     
     
         7 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 2 , further comprising:
 a first aperture in the first bracket component;   a second aperture in the second bracket component; and   a fastener passing through the first aperture and the second aperture, and connecting the first bracket component and the second bracket component.   
     
     
         8 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 7 , wherein the protrusion is offset from the second aperture. 
     
     
         9 . A solar panel mounting clamp assembly, comprising:
 a first bracket component that engages at least a back surface of one or more solar panels; and   a second bracket component that engages at least a front surface of the one or more solar panels, the second bracket component including a protrusion that serves as a fulcrum and engages the first bracket component, the first bracket component cooperating with the second bracket component to releasably secure the one or more solar panels.   
     
     
         10 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the protrusion that serves as a fulcrum further comprises a tapered or rounded protrusion. 
     
     
         11 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 9 , wherein the protrusion that serves as a fulcrum is offset from a centerline of the second bracket component. 
     
     
         12 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a threaded base portion mountable to an installation surface.   
     
     
         13 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a support arm configured to releasably connect to the first bracket component.   
     
     
         14 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 9 , further comprising:
 a first aperture in the first bracket component;   a second aperture in the second bracket component; and   a fastener passing through the first aperture and the second aperture, and connecting the first bracket component and the second bracket component.   
     
     
         15 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 14 , wherein the protrusion is offset from the second aperture. 
     
     
         16 . A solar panel mounting clamp assembly, comprising:
 a first bracket component that engages at least a first surface of one or more solar panels, the first bracket component further comprising:
 at least a first flange portion; and 
 at least a first vertical portion; 
   a second bracket component that engages at least a second surface of the one or more solar panels, the second bracket component further comprising:
 at least a second flange portion; 
 at least a second vertical portion; and 
 at least one protrusion that serves as a fulcrum and engages the first bracket component, wherein the first bracket component cooperates with the second bracket component to releasably secure the one or more solar panels. 
   
     
     
         17 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the first flange portion and the first vertical portion are substantially orthogonal to each other. 
     
     
         18 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the protrusion is offset from a centerline of the second bracket component. 
     
     
         19 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the second flange portion and the second vertical portion are substantially orthogonal to each other, and the at least one protrusion protrudes from the second flange portion and is adjacent the second vertical portion. 
     
     
         20 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 16 , wherein the at least one protrusion further comprises a tapered or rounded protrusion. 
     
     
         21 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a threaded base portion mountable to an installation surface.   
     
     
         22 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a support arm configured to releasably connect to one of the first bracket component or the second bracket component.   
     
     
         23 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 16 , further comprising:
 a first aperture in the first bracket component;   a second aperture in the second bracket component; and   a fastener passing through the first aperture and the second aperture, and connecting the first bracket component and the second bracket component.   
     
     
         24 . The solar panel mounting clamp assembly of  claim 23 , wherein the protrusion is offset from the second aperture. 
     
     
         25 . A solar panel mounting clamp assembly, comprising:
 a first bracket component that engages at least a first surface of one or more solar panels, the first bracket component further comprising:
 at least a first flange portion; and 
 at least a first aperture; 
   a second bracket component that engages at least a second surface of the one or more solar panels, the second bracket component further comprising:
 at least a second flange portion; and 
 at least a second aperture; 
   a fastener configured to connect the first bracket component with the second bracket component by passing through the first aperture and second aperture; and   at least one protrusion that is offset from the fastener to serve as a fulcrum and engage the first bracket component, wherein the first bracket component cooperates with the second bracket component to releasably secure the one or more solar panels.