Solar collectors, articles for mounting solar modules, and methods of mounting solar modules

A solar collector comprising:

• at least one frame, said frame comprising a module supporting surface and at least one solar module bracket;
• at least one solar module positioned on said module supporting surface, said solar module having at least one solar collection surface;
• at least two profile channel engagement hooks, each profile channel engagement hook comprising an attachment portion, a neck portion and a foot portion, said attachment portion being attached to or integral with said frame, said neck portion extending from said attachment portion to said foot portion, said foot portion being farther from said solar collection surface than at least a portion of said neck portion in a direction perpendicular to said solar collection surface, said foot portion having a foot portion cross-sectional area in a first plane which is larger than a cross-sectional area of said neck portion in a second plane parallel to said first plane;
• a support structure;
• and
• at least one profile channel, said profile channel having a support structure engaging surface and a module supporting surface, said support structure engaging surface being attached to or integral with said support structure and having an engaging surface orientation, said module supporting surface having at least one opening, each profile channel engagement hook engaging an opening such that said neck portion extends through said opening,
• said module supporting surface having a module supporting surface orientation which is different from said engaging surface orientation of said support structure engaging surface.

A solar collector comprising:

• at least one frame comprising at least two profile channel engagement hooks;
• at least one solar module positioned on said frame, said solar module having at least one solar facing surface;
• each profile channel engagement hook comprising an attachment portion, a neck portion and a foot portion, said attachment portion being attached to or integral with said frame, said neck portion extending from said attachment portion to said foot portion, said foot portion being farther from said solar facing surface than at least a portion of said neck portion in a direction perpendicular to said solar facing surface, said foot portion having a foot portion cross-sectional area in a first plane which is larger than a cross-sectional area of said neck portion in a second plane parallel to said first plane;
• a support structure having a support structure surface;
• and
• at least two profile channels attached to or integral with said support structure, each profile channel having at least one opening, each profile channel engagement hook engaging an opening such that said neck portion extends through said opening,
• said support structure surface being substantially parallel to said solar facing surface.