Abstract: A micro-inverter assembly for use in a photovoltaic system includes a housing, a direct current (DC)-to-alternating current (AC) micro-inverter disposed within the housing, and a DC connector electrically coupled to the DC-to-AC micro-inverter. The DC connector is positioned within a recess formed in a bottom surface of the housing such that at least one electrical contact of the DC connector is accessible from outside the housing. According to alternative embodiments, the DC connector comprises a plug-and-play connector constructed for one of a rotational engagement and a translational engagement with a DC connector of a photovoltaic (PV) panel.

Abstract: An alternating current (AC) harness for a photovoltaic (PV) system includes a wire assembly having a first end and a second end, the wire assembly having a plurality of lead wires, and at least one AC connection module positioned at a location along a length of the wire assembly between the first end and the second end. Further, the at least one AC connection module includes a first connection terminal electrically coupled to the plurality of lead wires of the wire assembly and constructed to electrically couple the wire assembly with an output of a first PV module of the PV system. The at least one AC connection module also includes a second connection terminal electrically coupled to the plurality of lead wires of the wire assembly and constructed to electrically couple the wire assembly with an output of a second PV module of the PV system.

Abstract: A micro-inverter assembly for use in a photovoltaic system includes a housing, a direct current (DC)-to-alternating current (AC) micro-inverter disposed within the housing, and a DC connector electrically coupled to the DC-to-AC micro-inverter. The DC connector is positioned within a recess formed in a bottom surface of the housing such that at least one electrical contact of the DC connector is accessible from outside the housing. According to alternative embodiments, the DC connector comprises a plug-and-play connector constructed for one of a rotational engagement and a translational engagement with a DC connector of a photovoltaic (PV) panel.

Abstract: A micro-inverter assembly includes a housing having an opening formed in a bottom surface thereof, and a direct current (DC)-to-alternating current (AC) micro-inverter disposed within the housing at a position adjacent to the opening. The micro-inverter assembly further includes a micro-inverter DC connector electrically coupled to the DC-to-AC micro-inverter and positioned within the opening of the housing, the micro-inverter DC connector having a plurality of exposed electrical contacts.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) grounding system includes a first grounding path comprising an electrical connection between a plurality of support bars of a rail system and a connection box coupled to the rail system. The PV grounding system also includes a second grounding path comprising an electrical connection between the connection box and a plurality of PV modules disposed within the rail system, the second ground path extending from micro-inverter ground leads of the plurality of PV modules, through an extension harness electrically connected to the plurality of PV modules, to a ground connection within the connection box. The PV grounding system further includes a third grounding path that includes an electrical connection between the ground connection within the connection box and a building load panel. The first grounding path, the second grounding path, and the third grounding path are electrically connected within the connection box.

Abstract: Photovoltaic systems are presented. The photovoltaic system includes an array including a plurality of photovoltaic modules. At least one photovoltaic module in the array is movably coupled with an adjacent photovoltaic module and the array is configured to be slidably mounted on a plurality of support structures. A solar port is also presented.

Abstract: A deployable solar panel system including a basic unit of a plurality of photovoltaic (PV) panels electrically interconnected to each other and mechanically interconnected to each other by a hinge bonded to each PV panel, thereby allowing the basic unit to be folded for transportation and storage into a compact form and then unfolded for installation.

Abstract: An alternating current (AC) harness for a photovoltaic (PV) system includes a wire assembly having a first end and a second end, the wire assembly having a plurality of lead wires, and at least one AC connection module positioned at a location along a length of the wire assembly between the first end and the second end. Further, the at least one AC connection module includes a first connection terminal electrically coupled to the plurality of lead wires of the wire assembly and constructed to electrically couple the wire assembly with an output of a first PV module of the PV system. The at least one AC connection module also includes a second connection terminal electrically coupled to the plurality of lead wires of the wire assembly and constructed to electrically couple the wire assembly with an output of a second PV module of the PV system.

Abstract: A micro-inverter assembly includes a housing having an opening formed in a bottom surface thereof, and a direct current (DC)-to-alternating current (AC) micro-inverter disposed within the housing at a position adjacent to the opening. The micro-inverter assembly further includes a micro-inverter DC connector electrically coupled to the DC-to-AC micro-inverter and positioned within the opening of the housing, the micro-inverter DC connector having a plurality of exposed electrical contacts.

Abstract: An integral solar module power conditioning system includes one or more solar module support frames. Each frame includes a plurality of plug-and-play electrical connectors integrated therewith. A microinverter or microinverter connector is also integrated with each frame. Each frame is configured to receive a respective solar electric module and to carry electrical power through a plurality of solar electric modules and corresponding microinverters connected together via a plurality of solar module support frames connected together via the plurality of integrated plug-and-play electrical connectors.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) mounting system includes at least one PV module, a pair of metallic rail sections, and a grounding bar connected to each end of the metallic rail sections for grounding the metallic rail sections. The system also includes a wiring harness for electrically connecting several PV modules, a locking cover for covering and protecting the wiring harness, a standard connector box electrically connected to one end of the wiring harness, and a home run cable electrically connected to the connector box. A method for grounding the PV mounting system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) grounding system includes a first grounding path comprising an electrical connection between a plurality of support bars of a rail system and a connection box coupled to the rail system. The PV grounding system also includes a second grounding path comprising an electrical connection between the connection box and a plurality of PV modules disposed within the rail system, the second ground path extending from micro-inverter ground leads of the plurality of PV modules, through an extension harness electrically connected to the plurality of PV modules, to a ground connection within the connection box. The PV grounding system further includes a third grounding path that includes an electrical connection between the ground connection within the connection box and a building load panel. The first grounding path, the second grounding path, and the third grounding path are electrically connected within the connection box.

Abstract: A photovoltaic framed module array apparatus for mounting a first framed photovoltaic (PV) module and a second framed PV module is provided. The photovoltaic framed module array apparatus comprises a first rail. The first rail includes an insert slot for accommodating an insert edge of the first framed PV module, and a capture slot for accommodating a capture edge of the second framed PV module. The capture slot is positioned substantively parallel to the insert slot.

Abstract: A common solar-thermal electric system and a method for assembling the common solar-thermal electric system are provided. The common solar-thermal electric system includes an adjustable mounting rack. The adjustable mounting rack includes a plurality of rails that support at least one solar thermal module and at least one photovoltaic module. Further, the system includes an electric wiring connector with a plurality of connecting ports. The plurality of connecting ports are electrically coupled with electric jacks at each of the at least one photovoltaic module. Furthermore, the system includes a common piping assembly with a plurality of branching points. The plurality of branching points are mechanically coupled with output of each of the at least one solar thermal modules.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) ac-module grounding system includes a plurality of PV dc-voltage modules. Each PV dc-voltage module is integrated with a corresponding dc-ac micro-inverter to provide a corresponding PV ac-voltage module. Each PV ac-voltage module includes an ac-voltage plug and play connector that includes a dc ground conductor. Each dc-ac micro-inverter is internally electrically connected to its own chassis ground or metal enclosure which in turn is electrically connected to a corresponding dc ground conductor. A dc ground path is carried through an ac power bus from ac-voltage module to ac-voltage module through the plug and play connectors via the dc ground conductors.

Abstract: A mounting system is presented. An embodiment of a mounting system that includes a support platform configured to fasten the mounting system to a mounting surface. The mounting system further includes a stud operatively coupled to the support platform and disposed substantially perpendicular to the support platform. In addition, the mounting system includes an elevating unit operatively coupled to the stud, wherein the elevating unit includes a fastener operatively coupled to one end of the stud and configured to vary a height of the mounting system, and a rail-clip coupled to the fastener, wherein a rotational motion of the rail-clip is independent of a rotational motion of the fastener. Furthermore, the mounting system includes a rail operatively coupled to the rail-clip and configured to support at least one module.

Abstract: An integral solar module power conditioning system includes one or more solar module support frames. Each frame includes a plurality of plug-and-play electrical connectors integrated therewith. A microinverter or microinverter connector is also integrated with each frame. Each frame is configured to receive a respective solar electric module and to carry electrical power through a plurality of solar electric modules and corresponding microinverters connected together via a plurality of solar module support frames connected together via the plurality of integrated plug-and-play electrical connectors.

Abstract: A photovoltaic (PV) mounting system includes at least one PV module, a pair of metallic rail sections, and a grounding bar connected to each end of the metallic rail sections for grounding the metallic rail sections. The system also includes a wiring harness for electrically connecting several PV modules, a locking cover for covering and protecting the wiring harness, a standard connector box electrically connected to one end of the wiring harness, and a home run cable electrically connected to the connector box. A method for grounding the PV mounting system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A photovoltaic roofing system and a method of installing the photovoltaic ridge cap structure have been provided. The photovoltaic roofing system includes a ridge cap adapted to cover a ridge of a roof structure. The system also includes at least one photovoltaic cell disposed within the ridge cap. The method of installing a photovoltaic ridge cap structure includes mounting the ridge cap over multiple photovoltaic cells along a ridge of a roof structure. The method further includes routing electrical leads from each photovoltaic cell through one or more openings along the ridge of the roof structure.

Abstract: A photovoltaic module package and fabrication method. The module includes photovoltaic cells, a dielectric material, and metallized material. Each photovoltaic cells includes a substrate material having a sun side and a backside, first doped regions interdigitated with second doped regions, both doped regions being located on the backside, and one being positively doped and the being negatively doped, and electrical contacts on each of the first and second doped regions. The dielectric material is adhered to the backside of the substrate material. Vias are formed through the dielectric material, extending to at least a portion of the electrical contacts. The metallized material extends from the electrical contacts through the vias and are patterned on a backside of the dielectric material. The metallized material is formed of a material that is both electrically and thermally conductive.