Solar module slide-in frame design

A mounting system for mounting a solar module to a torque tube, the mounting system comprising:

• a first module support rail couplable to a torque tube, the first module support rail comprising:
• a first end portion including a first tab;
• a second end portion defining a first hole configured to accept a first fastener;
• a second module support rail couplable to the torque tube, the second module support rail comprising:
• a first end portion including a second tab;
• a second end portion defining a second hole configured to accept a second fastener;
• and
• a solar module coupled with a solar module frame, the solar module frame defining:
• a first tab slot sized and shaped to accept the first tab on a first side of the solar module frame;
• a second tab slot sized and shaped to accept the second tab on a second side of the solar module frame;
• a first hole spaced apart from the first tab slot along a length of the first side of the solar module frame, the first hole of the solar module frame configured align with the first hole of the first module support rail and to accept the first fastener to couple the solar module frame to the first module support rail;
• and
• a second hole spaced apart from the second tab slot along a length of the second side of the solar module frame, the second hole of the solar module frame configured align with the second hole of the second module support rail and to accept the second fastener to couple the solar module frame to the second module support rail.

A method of mounting a solar module to a torque tube, the method comprising:

• providing a first module support rail, the first module support rail including a first tab;
• providing a second module support rail, the second module support rail including a second tab;
• coupling the first module support rail and the second module support rail to a torque tube;
• providing a solar module having a solar module frame, the solar module frame defining:
• a first tab slot on a first side;
• a second tab slot on a second side;
• aligning one or both of the first tab slot with the first tab of the first module support rail, or the second tab slot with the second tab of the second module support rail;
• lowering the solar module frame relative to one or both of the first module support rail or the second module support rail, the lowering of the solar module frame causing the first tab to enter the first tab slot and/or causing the second tab to enter the second tab slot;
• and
• moving the solar module frame laterally relative to one or both of the first module support rail or the second module support rail to couple the solar module frame to one or both of the first module support rail or the second module support rail, the lateral movement causing the first tab to securely engage the first tab slot and/or causing the second tab to securely engage the second tab slot.