Abstract: A universal clamp apparatus for use to secure a solar panel frame to a rail coupled to a building roof is provided. The clamp apparatus includes an upper clamp member slidably mounted to a lower clamp member, a bolt disposed through the upper clamp member, and a grounding nut coupled to the lower clamp member and engaged with the bolt. The grounding nut has a base plate and a tubular portion extending through the lower clamp member to engage the bolt. The base plate of the grounding nut has a first pair of opposing edges having pointed pins configured to penetrate the frame of the solar panel to facilitate grounding of the solar panel. The grounding nut rotatably adjusts relative to the bolt to vary the separation distance between the lower clamp member and upper clamp member to permit the solar panel frames with different thicknesses to be secured therein.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus to secure a pair of solar panel rails to an asphalt shingle roof and minimize penetrations or damage to a rafter of the roof is provided. The mounting apparatus permits the solar panel rails to support adjacent solar panels thereon. The mounting apparatus includes a lower assembly coupled to the asphalt shingle roof and having a screw and flashing disposed on an asphalt shingle and coupled together, and an upper arm assembly coupled to the screw of the lower assembly and having a generally U-shaped member with a pair of upright arms continuously connected to opposing ends of a horizontal arm, each upright arm having a slot to receive a fastener that secures one of the pair of solar panel rails thereto.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus to secure a pair of solar panel rails to a metal tile roof and minimize penetrations or damage to a rafter of the roof is provided. The mounting apparatus permits the solar panel rails to support adjacent solar panels thereon. The mounting apparatus includes a lower assembly coupled to the metal tile roof and having a threaded screw and flashing disposed on a metal tile and coupled together, and an upper arm assembly coupled to the threaded screw of the lower assembly, the upper arm assembly having a generally U-shaped member with a first symmetric half member and a second symmetric half member, each symmetric half member of the first and second symmetric half members having a slot to receive a fastener that secures one of the pair of solar panel rails thereto.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus to secure a solar panel rail to a metal tile roof and minimize penetrations or damage to a rafter of the roof positioned below a plurality of metal tiles is provided. The mounting apparatus permits the solar panel rail to support a solar panel thereon. The mounting apparatus includes a lower assembly coupled to the metal tile roof and having a threaded screw and flashing disposed on a metal tile and coupled together, and an upper arm assembly coupled to the threaded screw of the lower assembly, the upper arm assembly having a generally L-shaped member having a slot to receive a fastener that secures the solar panel rail thereto, thereby permitting the mounting apparatus to support the solar panel rail above the metal tile roof.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus to secure a pair of solar panel rails to a S-tile roof and minimize penetrations or damage to the roof's rafter is provided. The mounting apparatus includes a lower hook assembly with a plate coupled to the roof's rafter and an upright tab coupled to the plate, and an upper arm assembly coupled to the lower hook assembly's upright tab, the upper arm assembly having a generally U-shaped member with a first symmetric half member and a second symmetric half member, each symmetric half member having a slot to receive a fastener that secures one of the pair of solar panel rails thereto. The upper arm assembly is slidably mounted to the upright tab of the lower hook assembly to permit height adjustments of the upper arm assembly relative to the S-tile roof. The apparatus can also be used with M, W and clay tile roofs.

Abstract: A mounting apparatus to secure a pair of solar panel rails to a flat tile roof and minimize penetrations or damage to the roof's rafter is provided. The mounting apparatus includes a lower hook assembly with a plurality of arm members continuously connected together, the plurality of arm members having a first end coupled to the rafter of the flat tile roof and a second end, and an upper arm assembly coupled to the second end of the plurality of arms of the lower hook assembly, the upper arm assembly having a generally U-shaped member comprising a first symmetric half member and a second symmetric half member, each symmetric half member having a slot to receive a fastener that secures one of the pair of solar panel rails thereto, thereby permitting the mounting apparatus to support the pair of solar panel rails above the flat tile roof.

Abstract: A solar panel mounting apparatus for use in securing a frame with a solar panel stored therein to a roof of a building includes a non-hollow member with a lower cross-sectional profile and enhanced strength. The apparatus includes a rail coupled to the frame and the roof, the rail having a cross-sectional profile comprising an upper cavity, a first side cavity, a second side cavity and a third side cavity, a first set of fasteners coupled to the frame and the upper cavity, and a second set of fasteners coupled to the roof and the first side cavity or the second side cavity. The upper cavity has a substantially pentagonal cross-sectional shape, the first side cavity has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, the second side cavity has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, and the third side cavity has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A solar panel mounting apparatus for use in securing a frame with a solar panel stored therein to a roof of a building includes a non-hollow member with a lower cross-sectional profile and enhanced strength. The apparatus includes a rail coupled to the frame and the roof, the rail having a cross-sectional profile comprising an upper cavity, a first side cavity, a second side cavity and a third side cavity, a first set of fasteners coupled to the frame and the upper cavity, and a second set of fasteners coupled to the roof and the first side cavity or the second side cavity. The upper cavity has a substantially pentagonal cross-sectional shape, the first side cavity has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, the second side cavity has a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape, and the third side cavity has a substantially trapezoidal cross-sectional shape.