Abstract: An apparatus for mounting solar panels to a rail. The apparatus has a body configured to be attached to a solar panel support structure, and arms on opposite sides of the body configured to engage the rail. The arms hold the apparatus on the rail and allows the support structure to move along the length of the rail. The support structure can be in the form of a carrier which holds one or more solar panels, or may be formed as part of a backside of a solar panel.

Abstract: A method of mounting a plurality of solar panel carriers, which comprise one or more solar panels mounted thereon, to a support structure is described. Mounting is performed by first placing a solar panel carrier onto the support structure at a first position along the support structure and advancing that solar panel carrier on the support structure to allow a second solar panel carrier to be placed on the support structure behind it. The second solar panel carrier is placed on the support structure and advanced into contact with the first solar panel carrier and both can be advanced together along the support structure. Additional solar panel carriers can be placed on the support structured and advanced in the same fashion. Single and multiple solar panel carriers are also described.

Abstract: A system of method for automated deployment of a plurality photovoltaic solar panels carried as a unit by a carrier. The system includes an installation trailer, a robot having a mechanism for picking up a carrier and a push actuator. Carriers carrying a plurality of solar panels as a unit may be installed using the system by carrying a plurality of carriers on an installation trailer to a row of rails onto which the carriers are to be installed. The robot picks up each carrier and aligns and places the carrier on the rail system. The push actuator pushes the carrier down the rail system, making space for the next carrier to be installed.

Abstract: A solar panel mounting system that supports field installation of solar panels. The system comprises a carrier for holding a plurality of individual solar panels together as a unit and an attachment structure on the carrier for mounting the carrier to a support structure. The support structure may comprise a plurality of spaced parallel rails. The carrier can be slidably mounted to the spaced parallel rails using the attachment structure provided on the carrier.

Abstract: A solar panel mounting system that supports field installation of solar panels. The system comprises a carrier for holding a plurality of individual solar panels together as a unit and an attachment structure on the carrier for mounting the carrier to a support structure. The support structure may comprise a plurality of spaced parallel rails. The carrier can be slidably mounted to the spaced parallel rails using the attachment structure provided on the carrier.