# US 2014/0151312 A1 · Support system for solar panels > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0151312 A1 - Document ID: US20140151312A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/173,005 - Filed: 2014-02-05 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2009-03-20 - Assignees: Northern States Metals Company - Inventors: Paul R. Cusson; Thomas P. Kilar, JR.; Robert J. Voytilla; Charles Blackman; Michael G. Greenamyer - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140151312A1 ## CPC - F24S 25/30: using elongate rigid mounting elements extending substantially along the supporting surface, e.g. for covering buildings with solar heat collectors (extending in directions away from the supporting surface F24S25/10; peripheral frames for modules F24S25/20) - F24S 25/12: using posts in combination with upper profiles - F24S 25/13: Profile arrangements, e.g. trusses (F24S25/12 takes precedence) - F24S 25/35: by means of profiles with a cross-section defining separate supporting portions for adjacent modules - F24S 25/63: for fixing modules or their peripheral frames to supporting elements - H02S 20/10: Supporting structures directly fixed to the ground (H02S20/30 takes precedence) - H02S 20/23: specially adapted for roof structures - H02S 20/30: Supporting structures being movable or adjustable, e.g. for angle adjustment - H02S 40/36: characterised by special electrical interconnection means between two or more PV modules, e.g. electrical module-to-module connection - F24S 2025/012: {Foldable support elements} - F24S 2025/6004: {by clipping, e.g. by using snap connectors} - Y02B 10/10: Photovoltaic [PV] - Y02B 10/20: Solar thermal - Y02E 10/47: Mountings or tracking - Y02E 10/50: Photovoltaic [PV] energy - Y10T 24/44573: including track or way guided and retained gripping member - Y10T 29/49117: Conductor or circuit manufacturing - F24S: SOLAR HEAT COLLECTORS; SOLAR HEAT SYSTEMS (for producing mechanical power from solar energy F03G6/00) - H02S: GENERATION OF ELECTRIC POWER BY CONVERSION OF INFRARED RADIATION, VISIBLE LIGHT OR ULTRAVIOLET LIGHT, e.g. USING PHOTOVOLTAIC [PV] MODULES (obtaining electrical energy from radioactive sources G21H1/12; light sensitive inorganic semiconductor devices H10F; light sensitive organic semiconductor devices H10K30/00; thermoelectric devices H10N10/00; pyroelectric devices H10N15/00) - Y02B: CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO BUILDINGS, e.g. HOUSING, HOUSE APPLIANCES OR RELATED END-USER APPLICATIONS - Y02E: REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION - Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION ## Abstract A panel support and wiring system is used as part of a bi-directional solar panel support matrix having lower support joists and upper panel rails. Both the panel clip and wiring arrangements are configured to facilitate rapid deployment and installation of the entire solar panel system, including supports and interfaces with the underlying substrate. A standardized wiring system is one of the factors facilitating rapid installation. ## Claims ### Claim at position 1 -37. (canceled) ### Claim 38 (depends on 52) The panel clip of claim 52, wherein each respective gasket arranged beneath said upper holding structure and on said upper surface of said upper panel rail is U-shaped. ### Claim 39 (depends on 38) The panel clip of claim 38, wherein said U-shaped gasket has two saw-tooth surfaces of a first type facing each other on an interior of said U-shape. ### Claim 40 (depends on 39) The panel clip of claim 39, wherein said U-shaped gasket has a second saw tooth configuration on an exterior surface of said U-shaped gasket facing said upper surface of said upper panel rail. ### Claim 41 (depends on 38) The panel clip of claim 38, where said U-shaped gasket comprises a connection prong interfacing with a complementary concavity on said panel clip. ### Claim 42 (depends on 40) The panel clip of claim 40, wherein said first saw-tooth configuration is smaller than said second saw-tooth configuration. ### Claim at position 7 -49. (canceled) ### Claim 50 A bidirectional panel support array including a plurality of separate, individual attachable panel clips operable to hold at least one panel to an upper panel rail of said bi-directional panel support array by using said plurality of separate, individually attachable panel clips spaced along a perimeter of said at least one panel, each said panel clip comprising: a) a base structure arranged to extend parallel to an upper surface of said upper panel rail to which said panel clip is mounted, said base structure including two substantially parallel feet extending perpendicular to said upper surface of said upper panel rail for supporting said panel clip on said upper surface of said upper panel rail, said parallel feet being arranged along a width of said upper surface of said upper panel rail wherein said entire panel clip is balanced thereupon; b) at least one upper holding structure spaced from said base structure wherein the panel fits beneath said upper holding structure and is held thereby; and, c) an aperture arranged at least substantially midway along a width of said base structure to accommodate a single, separate, through-connector, and positioned so that said single separate through-connector passes through said aperture and into a complementary aperture in said upper panel rail. ### Claim 51 (depends on 50) The panel support array of claim 50, wherein said panel clip further comprises: d) a vertical support structure extending from said base structure to said upper holding structure. ### Claim 52 (depends on 51) The panel support array of claim 51, wherein each said panel clip further comprises: e) a resilient gasket arranged under said upper holding structure, said gasket having a lower portion contacting said upper surface of said upper panel rail, the lower portion having a thickness to space said panel a distance from said upper surface of said upper panel rail to prevent contact between the panel and said upper surface of said upper panel rail when each panel clip of said plurality of panel clips spaced along the perimeter of the corresponding panel is firmly secured by its respective through-connector.