Abstract: A mounting system includes a footer having a cavity section and a cover section. The cavity section includes: a base and a first patterned wall extending upward from the base to at least partially define a cavity; and a hole for receiving a connector to attach the footer to a fixed surface. The cover section is releasably attachable to the cavity section and has a second patterned wall. An intermediate support has a stem and a head, at least two sides of the stem have a pattern, the head having at least one support surface shaped to supporting an object and a lock configured to secure the object to the head. The first patterned wall, the second patterned wall and the pattern on the two sides of the stem collectively define a plurality of defined height and width positions for the intermediate support to align relative to the footer.

Abstract: A mounting system includes a footer having a cavity section and a cover section. The cavity section includes: a base and a first patterned wall extending upward from the base to at least partially define a cavity; and a hole for receiving a connector to attach the footer to a fixed surface. The cover section is releasably attachable to the cavity section and has a second patterned wall. An intermediate support has a stem and a head, at least two sides of the stem have a pattern, the head having at least one support surface shaped to supporting an object and a lock configured to secure the object to the head. The first patterned wall, the second patterned wall and the pattern on the two sides of the stem collectively define a plurality of defined height and width positions for the intermediate support to align relative to the footer.

Abstract: A solar panel system for determining how many solar panels connected to a controller is provided. An electrical pathway connects the controller to at least one solar panel. A first resistance is associated with each of the at least one solar panel. An external environment resistance is defined by a cumulative presence of at least the first resistance associated with each of the at least one solar panel, wherein the external environment resistance is different based on a total number of the at least one solar panels connected to the electrical pathway. A second resistance is associated with the controller. The external environment resistance and the second resistance at least partially define a voltage divider to receive an input voltage and produce an output voltage. The controller is programmed to determine from the produced output voltage the total number of the at least one solar panel connected to the controller along the electrical pathway.

Abstract: A mount for support of a component on a surface is provided. A base includes a bottom adapted to be supported on the surface, a circuit component, and a data pathway extending from the circuit component. A compressible component is mounted above the base and in electrical contact with the data pathway of the base, the compressible component having an uncompressed state in which the circuit component is not electrically accessible through the compressible component, and a compressed state in which a data pathway is formed through the compressible component such that the data pathway of the base is electrically accessible through the compressible component. The compressible component is adapted to transition from the uncompressed state to the compressed state in response to a lag bolt passing through the compressible component and base and applying sufficient downward pressure to secure the base to the surface.

Abstract: A solar panel system for determining how many solar panels connected to a controller is provided. An electrical pathway connects the controller to at least one solar panel. A first resistance is associated with each of the at least one solar panel. An external environment resistance is defined by a cumulative presence of at least the first resistance associated with each of the at least one solar panel, wherein the external environment resistance is different based on a total number of the at least one solar panels connected to the electrical pathway. A second resistance is associated with the controller. The external environment resistance and the second resistance at least partially define a voltage divider to receive an input voltage and produce an output voltage. The controller is programmed to determine from the produced output voltage the total number of the at least one solar panel connected to the controller along the electrical pathway.

Abstract: A controller for a plurality of solar panels is provided. An input connector is configured to receive (a) power from the plurality of solar panels, and (b) information from the individual solar panels. An output is configured to forward from the input connector the power from the plurality of solar panels; A controller is configured to receive the information, and based on the information selectively enable or disable the flow of power from the input to the output. The controller enables the flow of power when (a) a number of solar panels connected to the input is within a first threshold, and (b) the total rated output of solar panels connected to the input is within a second threshold. The controller disables the flow of power when (a) a number of solar panels connected to the input exceeds the first threshold, and/or (b) the total rated output of solar panels connected exceeds the second threshold.