Solutions for photovoltaic modules with integrated mounting systems

A photovoltaic (PV) system, comprising:

• a PV laminate with a frame, together forming a PV module, the frame having a frame mount along one frame edge to elevate the frame edge of the PV module;
• the frame mount is configured to be rotatable and folded in underneath the frame for stacking and transportation into a folded position and rotated out and unfolded for installation;
• the frame mount further comprising mount feet attached in a rotatable way;
• the mount feet comprising an engagement bar;
• the frame further comprising connecting hooks on the side opposing the side where the frame mount is attached;
• the connecting hooks able to engage with mount feet of a neighbor module by rotating the PV modules around such that the connecting hooks connect with an engagement bar which is part of the neighbor PV modules mount feet;
• wherein the mount feet are compatible with an adhesive mounting to a roof by having an adhesive layer attached to the side of the mount feet that is to mate with the roof top and wherein the adhesive layer is protected by a release liner that is removed prior to installation;
• wherein the mount feet are also compatible with ballasted mounting to a roof by providing space and at least partial confinement for at least one paver to be placed on top of at least one of the mount feet;
• wherein each mount foot further comprises an elevating bar and the frame edge opposite of the frame edge containing the frame mount is lifted up by the at least one elevating bar to an extent that prevents shading along the opposite frame edge from a paver placed on at least one of the mount feet;
• wherein the elevating bar is rotatable around a hinge which is part of the mount foot, and wherein for transport and stacking this elevating bar is rotated into a position flush with the mount foot, and the mount foot with attached elevating bar is rotated and folded into the confines of the frame for transportation,
• wherein frame mount, mount foot, and elevating bar are all rotated and unfolded into place for installation, with the mount foot being rotated around its hinge with the frame mount and with the elevating bar being rotated around its hinge with the mount foot;
• and
• wherein the rotatable elevating bar serves to enable lifting the edge of another neighbor PV module, and wherein the elevating bar comprises an opening in the elevating bar which is able to engage the connecting hooks of the another neighbor PV module.

A photovoltaic system, comprising:

• a PV laminate with a frame, together forming a PV module, the frame having a frame mount along one frame edge to elevate the frame edge of the PV module;
• the frame mount being rotatable and folded in underneath the frame for stacking and transportation into a folded position and rotated out and unfolded for installation;
• the frame mount further having mount feet (attached in a rotatable way;
• the mount feet having an engagement bar;
• wherein the mount feet are compatible with an adhesive mounting to a roof by having an adhesive layer attached to the side of the mount feet that is to mate with the roof top, and wherein the adhesive layer is protected by a release liner that is removed prior to installation;
• wherein the mount feet are also compatible with ballasted mounting to a roof by providing space and at least partial confinement for at least one paver to be placed on top of at least one of the mount feet:
• wherein the frame further comprises an elevating bar, located along the frame edge opposite of the frame edge containing the frame mount;
• wherein the frame edge opposite of the frame edge containing the frame mount is lifted up by the elevating bar to an extent that prevents shading along the opposite frame edge from a paver placed on at least one of the mount feet;
• wherein each elevating bar comprises at least one connecting hook configured to engage with an engagement bar which is part of each mount foot of a neighbor PV module, and wherein the elevating bar is a fixed part of the frame edge which is opposite to the frame edge to which the frame mount is attached to;
• and
• wherein the connecting hooks are configured to engage with mount feet of a neighbor PV module by rotating the PV modules around such that the connecting hooks connect with an engagement bar which is part of the neighbor PV modules mount feet.