Apparatus and method for mounting photovoltaic power generating systems on buildings

A photovoltaic assembly in combination with a building roof, said assembly comprising:

• a plurality of PV module assemblies, each of said assemblies comprising at least two PV modules that are electrically interconnected and mechanically ganged together;
• and
• a plurality of mounting stands distributed on said roof in rows and columns, each of said mounting stands comprising a base plate resting on said roof, and first and second brackets mounted to said base plate in spaced relation to one another, each of said first brackets comprising a first bottom portion secured to said base plate and first and second arms extending upwardly from said bottom portion, and said second brackets comprising three parts, a first part having a second bottom portion secured to said base plate and third and fourth arms attached to and extending upwardly from said second bottom portion, and second and third parts that are coupled to said third and fourth arms respectively of said first part so as to form telescoping extensions of said third and fourth arms of said first part, and further wherein said first and second arms of each of said first brackets is attached to first and second PV modules respectively and said third and fourth arms of said second brackets are attached to third and fourth PV modules respectively, with each PV module assembly being supported at two different points by a first arm of one first bracket and a second arm of another first bracket and at two additional points by a third arm of one second bracket and a fourth arm of another second bracket so that said each PV module extends at an inclined angle to said roof.

A photovoltaic assembly comprising:

• a plurality of mounting stands distributed on a roof in rows and columns, each of said mounting stands comprising a base plate and first and second brackets mounted to said base plate in spaced relation to one another, each of said first brackets comprising a first base portion overlying and attached to said base plate and first and second mutually-spaced arms attached to and extending upwardly from said base portion, each of said second brackets comprising a second base portion and third and fourth mutually-spaced arms attached to and extending upwardly from said base portion, each of said first, second, third and fourth arms having an outer end that is adapted for attachment to a PV module whereby to permit a plurality of PV modules to be supported by said mounting stands;
• and a plurality of PV modules each comprising four side edge surfaces disposed in a rectangular configuration and first and second mounting pins attached to and protruding from one of said four side surfaces and third and fourth mounting pins attached to and protruding from another of said four side surfaces opposite said one side surface, said PV modules being supported by said mounting stands with each of said PV modules having its said first and second mounting pins attached to said outer ends of said first arm of a first bracket and said third arm of a second bracket respectively, and its said third and fourth mounting pins attached to said outer ends of said second third arm of another first bracket and said fourth arm of another second bracket respectively.

A photovoltaic assembly in combination with a building roof, the assembly comprising:

• a plurality of PV module mounting stands distributed on said roof in rows and columns, each of said mounting stands comprising a base plate resting on said roof, and first and second brackets mounted to said base plate in spaced relation to one another, each of said first brackets comprising first and second module support means disposed in spaced side-by-side relation and extending upwardly from said base plate away from said roof, each of said second brackets comprising third and fourth module support means disposed in spaced side-by-side relation and extending upwardly from said base plate away from said roof, said stands being oriented and positioned so that (a) in alternating rows of stands said first and second module support means are aligned with one another and said third and fourth module support means are aligned with one another and (b) in each column each first, second, third and fourth module support means is aligned with other first second, third and fourth module support means respectively;
• and
• a plurality of laminated PV modules each having a rectangular configuration characterized by first and second opposite ends and a first and second opposite sides, first and second mounting pins protruding from said first sides adjacent said first and second ends respectively and third and fourth mounting pins protruding from said second side adjacent said first and second ends respectively;
• said PV modules being attached to and supported by said PV module mounting stands in vertical spaced relation with said roof surface, with each PV module having its said first mounting pin attached to said first module-supporting means of one of said first brackets, its second mounting pin attached to said third module-supporting means of one of said second brackets, its said third mounting pin attached to said second module-supporting means of another of said first brackets, and said fourth mounting pin attached to said fourth module-supporting means of another of said second brackets.

A photovoltaic assembly in combination with a building roof, said assembly comprising:

• a plurality of PV module mounting stands distributed on said roof in rows and columns, said mounting stands having module support arms that extend vertically up away from said roof, with each module support arm having an upper end with a slot extending in from an edge thereof;
• and
• a plurality of rectangular PV modules each having first and second opposite end edges and a first and second opposite side edges, first and second mounting pins protruding from said first side edges adjacent said first and second end edges respectively and third and fourth mounting pins protruding from said second side edge adjacent said first and second end edges respectively;
• each PV module having its said first, second, third and fourth mounting pins removably positioned in said slots of the module support arms of first, second, third and fourth mounting stands respectively, whereby said PV modules are supported by said mounting stands in spaced relation with said roof.