Abstract:
Disclosed is a device and a system that provides a bond and ground for the mounting of solar panel systems. The grounding element is pressed into and captivity held in a mounting component of a solar panel system. This can be done during the fabrication process at the manufacturer or distributor so that the mounting component and grounding element can be transported together as a single unit. In an installed solar panel system, the mounting component that includes the captive grounding element makes contact with other elements of the solar panel mounting system and electrically bonds with them.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/260,816 filed on Apr. 24, 2014 which claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application No. 61/817,232 filed Apr. 29, 2013, the contents of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/260,816 and U.S. provisional application No. 61/817,232 are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    This disclosure relates to the bonding and grounding of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels or solar hot water panels, herein collectively referred to as solar panels, to mounting rails or racking system, mounting clamps, and other mounting components that together comprise a solar panel system. 
         [0003]    Solar panel systems can be rooftop or ground mounted, using rails, clamps, and adaptors held with bolts and nuts. Good engineering practice as well as the electrical codes in many locations requires, for the purpose of safety and lightning protection, that the solar panels, rails, and other components be bonded electrically together and then electrically grounded. Many solar panel systems use aluminum components for the rails, splices, mounting clamps, and panel frames. These aluminum components can be anodized to protect their finish from the elements. While aluminum is a good electrical conductor, the anodized surfaces of the aluminum components are electrical insulators. For the purpose of bonding and grounding, these anodized surfaces must be penetrated in order to obtain a good electrical connection. Alternatively, solar panel systems can use steel racking components instead of aluminum. The surfaces of the steel racking components may be galvanized or painted, or alternatively may become oxidized. While steel is an electrical conductor, the above-mentioned surfaces can act as electrical insulators. As with the aluminum rail systems, for the purpose of bonding and grounding, these steel surfaces must be penetrated in order to obtain a good electrical connection. 
         [0004]    At present, many installers electrically connect the chassis of each solar panel together by connecting a large gauge copper conductor to each solar panel by a lug, screw, or similar fastener. Star washers, and more recently, specially formed washers, know as WEEBs, can be installed between the solar panels and the rails. These washers include serrations that penetrate the anodized surfaces of both the solar panel and the rail system thereby electrically bonding the solar panel and rail system to each other. This approach can have shortcomings and disadvantages. For example, extra parts must be counted out, carried to the installation site or onto a rooftop, inserted in the correct order, and aligned correctly to perform the function of effectively bonding and grounding the components of the solar panel system. Often these tasks are performed under adverse conditions, for example, on steep rooftops and while wearing gloves and other safety equipment. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0005]    This Summary introduces a concept in simplified form that is described in the Description. The Summary is not intended to identify essential features or limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. For the purposes of this disclosure, the terms “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “left”, or “right” are relative terms in relationship to the drawings and are not meant to limit any interpretation of the examples in this disclosure. They are merely terms of convenience to help aid in the understanding of the drawings. 
         [0006]    Disclosed is a device and a system for bonding and grounding the mounting components of a solar panel system that attempts to overcome the shortcomings described in the Background section. The device includes a grounding element in the form of a specially formed metal pin. The grounding element can be inserted into a hole or aperture in the body or one or more corresponding solar panel mounting components. The grounding element can be held captive and built into the mounting components simplifying both transportation and installation. 
         [0007]    In one aspect, the grounding element includes a sharp edge or sharp points on its top surface and a slot along its length. The grounding element is held in place within the hole in the body of a solar mounting component by spring tension. The grounding element floats in the hole during the process of securing the component to other components of the solar panel system. Once the two components are secured, the sharp edge on the top surface of the grounding element penetrates the anodizing or oxidation on both surfaces and bonds the components electrically through the grounding element. 
         [0008]    The grounding element can be produced in various lengths and diameters allowing it to be captively pressed into the various solar panel components including mounting rails, rail splices, panel clamps, and grounding lugs. Having the grounding elements inserted into the mounting components has the advantage that the installer does not have to order, inventory, or carry the separate parts. Instead the installer can simply bolt the various components together without having to add additional washers, lugs, and special grounding pieces to the solar panel system. 
         [0009]    Taken together, the entire solar panel system, consisting of numerous solar panels, rails, clamps and splices and other components, by incorporating the grounding element in the mounting components, is bonded together electrically as a single unit which can then be connected to a single ground conductor. 
     
    
     
       DRAWINGS 
         [0010]      FIG. 1  shows a side view of basic roll pin commonly used in industry. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a top view of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  shows a side view of a modification to a roll pin to make it into a grounding element. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  shows a top view of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  shows a side view of an alternative modification to a roll pin to make it into a grounding element. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  shows a top view of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  shows a side view of an alternative modification to a roll pin to make it into a grounding element. 
           [0017]      FIG. 8  shows a top view of  FIG. 7 . 
           [0018]      FIG. 9  shows a front exploded view of the grounding element and a metal surface with a through-hole for receiving the grounding element. 
           [0019]      FIG. 10  shows an assembled view of  FIG. 9 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 11  shows a front view of a portion of a solar panel mounting system, where the grounding element is held captive with a solar panel end clamp. 
           [0021]      FIG. 12  shows a detailed view of a portion of  FIG. 11 . 
           [0022]      FIG. 13  shows a front view the solar panel system components of  FIG. 11  showing the position of the grounding element in relation to the solar panel end-clamp and mounting rail after the end-clamp is secured to the mounting rail. 
           [0023]      FIG. 14  shows a detailed view of a portion of  FIG. 13 . 
           [0024]      FIG. 15  shows a front exploded view of the grounding element and a portion of metal plate with a blind-hole for receiving the grounding element. 
           [0025]      FIG. 16  shows an assembled view of  FIG. 15 . 
           [0026]      FIG. 17  shows a front view of a portion of a solar panel system where the grounding element is used with a rail splice to electrically bond to mounting rails together. The grounding elements are shown in hidden lines. 
           [0027]      FIG. 18  shows a side view of  FIG. 17  with the grounding elements shown with hidden lines. 
           [0028]      FIG. 19  shows a portion of a solar panel system where the grounding element is held captive with a mid-clamp and used electrically bond to mount two solar panels to the mounting rail. The grounding elements are shown in hidden lines. 
           [0029]      FIG. 20  shows a portion of a solar panel system with the grounding elements is used in combination with a lug to electrically bond a solar mounting rail to a wire. The grounding elements are shown in hidden lines. 
           [0030]      FIG. 21  shows a side view of a portion of a solar panel system where a plurality of grounding elements are used to electrically bond solar panels in a non-rail type solar mounting systems. 
           [0031]      FIG. 22  shows a top view of  FIG. 21 . 
           [0032]      FIG. 23  shows a side view of a grounding element with improved resiliency for repeated adjustments. 
           [0033]      FIG. 24  shows a sectional view of the grounding element of  FIG. 23  taken along section lines  24 - 24 . 
           [0034]      FIG. 25  shows a top view of the grounding element of  FIG. 23 . 
           [0035]      FIG. 26  shows a front view of the grounding element of  FIG. 23 . 
           [0036]      FIG. 27  shows a front and top perspective view of the grounding element of  FIG. 23 . 
           [0037]      FIG. 28  shows a top front perspective view of a grounding element. 
           [0038]      FIG. 29  shows a bottom left perspective view of the grounding element of  FIG. 28 . 
           [0039]      FIG. 30  shows a perspective view of the grounding element  FIG. 28  positioned sideways. 
           [0040]      FIG. 31  shows left side view of the grounding element of  FIG. 28 . 
           [0041]      FIG. 32  shows a sectional view of  FIG. 31  taken along section lines  32 - 32 . 
           [0042]      FIG. 33  shows a top view of the grounding element of  FIG. 28   
           [0043]      FIG. 34  shows a sectional view of  FIG. 33  taken along section lines  34 - 34   
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION 
       [0044]    The following description is made with reference to figures, where like numerals refer to like elements throughout several views.  FIG. 1  shows a side, and  FIG. 2  a corresponding top view, of a roll pin  10  commonly found and used in industry to fasten two parts together such as a pulley to a shaft. The roll pin  10  is fabricated of a spring metal in a cylinder  11  with a slot  12  along the length of the pin to allow compression of the pin when inserted into a hole. The spring metal can be spring steel or spring stainless steel which has significant anti-corrosion ability when used in an outdoor environment. 
         [0045]      FIGS. 3-8  show examples of grounding elements  13  fabricated from roll pins with slot  12 . The grounding element  13  can have a sharp edge on either both ends or on one end. In the examples given throughout this disclosure, the sharp edge is on both ends of the grounding element  13 .  FIG. 3  shows a side view, and  FIG. 4  shows a top view, of a grounding element  13  with a sharp edge  14  along the top surface of the grounding element  13 . The sharp edge is formed by beveling in the end of the grounding element  13  so that the edge formed by the inside diameter of the grounding element  13  comes to a point  14   a .  FIG. 5  shows a side view, and  FIG. 6  a top view, of a grounding element  13  with a sharp set of points  15  along the top edge.  FIG. 7  shows a side view and  FIG. 8  a top view of a grounding element  13  with a tooth edge  16 . In  FIGS. 3-8 , the sharp edge is shaped to penetrate the anodizing commonly applied to solar racking components. However, the sharp edge is also capable of penetrating oxide, paint, or galvanized coatings. The grounding element  13  can be made in various lengths and diameters for the specific application as will be disclosed further in the drawings. 
         [0046]      FIGS. 9-10  show the use of a grounding element  13  in an application where two metal surfaces need to be bonded together during the installation of the solar system. The metal plate  17  includes a through-hole  18  between its top and bottom surfaces.  FIG. 10  shows the grounding element  13  pressed into the through-hole  18  in the metal plate  17 . The grounding element  13  is illustrated with broken lines to denote that it is hidden. The through-hole  18  is undersized so that the grounding element  13  is firmly held into the hole by the spring pressure. The grounding element  13  is longer than the height of the metal plate  17  so that upon tightening of mounting bolts or other securing hardware, the grounding element  13  is forced into the upper and lower surfaces. The sharp end on each end of the grounding element breaks the surface coating or oxide layer of the upper and lower surfaces creating an electrically conductive path. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 11-12  show the solar mounting system configured for rooftop mounting with a solar panel  19 , a rail  20 , and an end-clamp  21 . The grounding element  13  is held securely in a through-hole in the end-clamp  21  by spring action of the roller pin shape and will not fall out while the clamp is handled loosely and installed. The grounding element  13  and is longer than the height of the base of the end-clamp  21  and is positioned so that it makes electrical contact with the frame of the solar panel  19  and the rail  20 . The end-clamp  21  is tightened using a bolt  22  or other threaded-fastener. The head of the bolt  22  is held captively a slot along the top of the rail  20 . A nut  23 , other threaded-fastener securing element, is used to tighten the end-clamp  21 . The grounding element  13  is slightly longer than the height of the base of the end-clamp  21 , in this case extending below the bottom surface of the end-clamp  21  base before installation.  FIG. 12  shows a detail view of a portion of the end-clamp  21 , the edge of the solar panel  19 , the rail  20 , and the bolt  22  which secures the end-clamp  21 . During installation before the end-clamp  21  is fully tightened, the end-clamp  21  can be repositioned and aligned on the rail  20 . 
         [0048]      FIG. 13  show a portion of the solar panel  19 , the rail  20 , the end-clamp  21 , and grounding element  13 , in combination, after the bolt  22  and nut  23  are tightened. The bolt  22  is held captive within a rail-slot on the top of the rail  20 . The rail-slot typically includes an opening and a cavity. The opening is wider than the diameter of the body of the bolt  22 , but smaller than the head of the bolt  22 . The cavity is large enough to receive the head of the bolt  22 . As a result of tightening the nut  23  and bolt  22 , the end-clamp  21  seats down on the rail  20 , the grounding element  13  is driven upward to penetrate the frame of the solar panel  19  and also penetrate the rail  20 . The spring action of the grounding element  13  allows it to move and center itself in the hole as it is tightened. 
         [0049]      FIG. 14  shows a detailed view of a portion of  FIG. 13 . The grounding element  13  has centered during tightening such that the sharp edge on the top of the grounding element  13  penetrates both the anodized surface of the solar panel  19  and the sharp edge on the bottom of the grounding element penetrates the anodized or oxide surface of the rail  20 . The grounding element  13  creates an electrical path  24  between the solar panel  19 , end-clamp  21 , and the rail  20 . The electrical path  24  of the ground connection between the solar panel  19  and the rail  20  is denoted by a dashed line. 
         [0050]      FIG. 15  shows a front exploded view of the grounding element  13  and a portion of a metal plate  17  with a blind-hole  25  for receiving the grounding element  13 .  FIG. 16  shows an assembled view of  FIG. 15 .  FIG. 16  shows the grounding element  13  pressed into the blind-hole  25  of the metal plate  17 . The grounding element  13  may be shorter to accommodate a metal plate  17  that is thinner, and may be larger or smaller in diameter. 
         [0051]      FIGS. 17-18  show a rail-splice  26  used to join two of the rails  20 . The rail-splice  26  is illustrated a have the shape of an L-bracket. The rail-splice  26  can be any shape that has sufficient structural integrity to rigidly join the rails  20  together. For example, the rail-splice  26  may in the shape of rectangular plate. This rail-splice  26  is shown securing the rails  20  together by bolts  22  and nuts  23  to the rails  20  to be spliced. Other threaded fasteners may be used, for example, screws. The rail-splice  26  has two or more of the grounding elements  13  mounted in the face of the rail-splice  26  that contacts the rail  20 . The grounding elements  13  are hidden and shown represented by dashed lines.  FIG. 18  shows a side view of  FIG. 17  showing the relationship between the rail-splice  26 , the rail  20 , and the grounding elements  13  after tightening the nuts  23 . Note that the grounding element  13  has centered in the blind-hole  25 , the sharp edge on one end of the grounding element  13  penetrates the bottom of the blind-hole  25  in the rail-splice  26  and the opposing end of grounding element  13  penetrates the anodizing  40  of the rail  20 . The electrical path  24 , denoted by a dashed line, extends from each rail  20  through the rail-splice  26 , thereby providing continuity from rail  20  to rail  20 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 19  shows the grounding elements  13  used to electrically join the ground path of solar panels  19  through a mid-clamp  27 . The mid-clamp  27  is shown using a bolt  22  and nut  23  to secure the edges of two of the solar panels  19  onto the rail  20 . The grounding elements  13  are secured within the body of the mid-clamp  27  through corresponding blind-holes. The grounding elements  13  electrically connect the frames of the solar panels  19  together by the sharp opposing edges of the grounding elements  13  penetrating the surface coating or oxide layers as previously described. The electrical path  24 , denoted by a dashed line, extends from each of the solar panels  19  through the mid-clamp  27 , thereby providing bonding and continuity from solar panel  19  to solar panel  19 . 
         [0053]      FIG. 20  shows a grounding lug  28  used to electrically connect the rail  20  to a wire  29 . The wire  29  can be used to electrically connect the chassis of active electrical equipment to rail  20  and as a supplemental electrical ground for the solar panel system. A nut  23  and bolt  22  secure grounding lug  28  to the rail  20 . The wire  29  is clamped into the grounding lug  28  with a seizure screw  30 . The grounding elements  13  are set in blind-holes  25  in the grounding lug  28 . When the grounding lug  28  is tightened with the nut  23 , the grounding elements  13  are compressed and centered so that the sharp edge of one end penetrates the metal in the base  32  of the blind-hole  25  and the sharp edge of the other end penetrates the anodizing of the rail  20 . The electrical path  24  from the wire  29 , the body of the grounding lug  28  through the rail  20  is denoted by a dashed line. 
         [0054]      FIGS. 21-22  shows the grounding elements  13  applied to a non-rail mounting system.  FIG. 21  shows a side view and  FIG. 22  a top view of the non-rail mounting system. A generic non-rail mounting system is shown for the purpose of illustration. Referring to  FIGS. 21-22 , the illustrated non-rail mounting system includes a stepped spacing section  31 , a base  32 , a mid-clamp  27 , and a bolt  22  for securing the mid-clamp  27  to the stepped spacing section  31 . In  FIG. 22 , the stepped section is hidden and represented by dashed lines. Other configurations of the non-rail mounting system may include a mid-clamp  27 , or an end-clamp  21 , as well as variation of the base  32 , spacing, bolt  22 , or nut  23 . The grounding elements  13  are configured to provide a grounding path between the solar panels  19  through the base  32  of the mounting system. In the illustrated configuration, the bottom of the base  32  is shown mounted to a roof  33 . The stepped spacing section  31  may be integrally formed with the base  32  or permanently secured to the base  32 . The stepped spacing section  31  can be square shaped to allow for one of two orthogonally opposed orientations of the solar panels  19 . For example, the stepped spacing section  31  can be oriented so that the solar panels  19  can aligned either vertically or a horizontally with respect to orientation of the roof  33 . The grounding elements  13  can be located anywhere on top surface of the base  32  that makes contact with the frame  34  of the solar panel  19 . The grounding elements  13  are shown located approximately adjacent to each corner of the stepped spacing section  31 . In this configuration, the solar panels  19  will engage two of the grounding elements  13  independent of mounting orientation.  FIG. 20  shows the solar panels  19  vertically oriented with respect. Each frame  34  of the solar panels  19  makes an electrical connection with the two of the grounding elements  13 . Similarly, if the solar panels  19  and frames  34  were mounted in a horizontal orientation with respect to the roof  33 , the frame  34  of each of the solar panels  19  would come in contact with two of the grounding elements  13 . 
         [0055]    Referring back to  FIGS. 3-4 , the inventor chose to sharpen the inside circumference rather than the outside circumference of the grounding element  13  since a sharp outside edge would tend to dig into the hole when being inserted in the solar panel mounting devices such as in  FIGS. 11-14 , and  17 - 22 . The grounding element  13  length is such that the outward projecting end would, after tightening the fastener, provide enough edge to sufficiently penetrate the oxide or paint to provide the grounding required, yet not hold-off the two surfaces from full mechanical fit. 
         [0056]    In the United States, safety standards such as UL  2073  require certain conductively for system grounded components. In order for the grounding element  13  of  FIGS. 3-4  to achieve this conductivity and allow the use of standard mechanical components, the grounding element  13  may become relatively small in diameter. It may be desirable to increase the diameter size of the grounding element for ease of handling during manufacture and assembly while still allowing the use of standard mechanical fasteners. It may also be desirable to improve the resiliency of the grounding element for multiple fastenings. 
         [0057]      FIGS. 23-27  show a grounding element  13  and  FIGS. 28-34  show an alternative version of the grounding element  13 . The grounding elements  13  of  FIGS. 23-27  and  FIGS. 28-34  both have improved resiliency for multiple fastenings. The grounding element  13  of  FIGS. 23-27  and alternative grounding element of  FIGS. 28-34  have a larger diameter as compared with  FIGS. 3-4  but with comparable oxide penetration capability. Each end of the grounding element  13  of  FIGS. 23-27  and  FIGS. 28-34  include cutouts  37  shaped as the minor arc of a circle. Between the cutouts  37  is a grounding contact surface. 
         [0058]    Referring to the grounding element  13  of  FIGS. 23-27 ,  FIG. 23  shows a side view of a grounding element  13 .  FIG. 24  shows a sectional view of the grounding element  13  of  FIG. 23  taken along section lines  24 - 24 .  FIG. 25  shows a top view of the grounding element  13  of  FIG. 23 .  FIG. 26  shows a front view of the grounding element  13  of  FIG. 23 .  FIG. 27  shows a front and top perspective view of the grounding element  13  of  FIG. 23 . The grounding element  13  can be formed by a cylindrical shaped slotted steel roll pin. 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIG. 25-27 , the grounding element  13  includes a slot  12  shown longitudinally along the face of the grounding element body  35 . Illustrated are cutouts  37  on both ends of the grounding element  13 . In  FIGS. 23-24  and  26 - 27 , the cutouts  37  are shaped as minor arcs of a circle. In  FIG. 27 , the cutouts are illustrated as identical in size and aligned vertically with respect to each end of the grounding element  13 . In  FIGS. 25 and 27  the cutouts  37  within each end are arranged 90-degrees apart from each other. Referring to  FIGS. 23-27 , the cutouts  37  are sized as to leave flat portions  39  on each end of the grounding element  13 . The flat portions define the oxide penetrating grounding contact surfaces of the grounding element  13 . Referring to  FIGS. 25 and 27 , the flat portions  39  form a trapezoidal shape as a result of the parallel cut edges of the cutouts  37 , lie in the same plane, and are spaced 90-degrees apart. 
         [0060]      FIGS. 23-27  shows four cutouts  37  on each end of the grounding element  13 . The cutouts  37  shown are all equal in size and shape. Using a standard sized ground pin, which is typically 0.125 inches in diameter (0.00318 meters), the inventor has determined that as few as two and as many as six of the cutouts  37  can achieve similar utility. The inventor has also found, maintaining the flat portion  39  outside edge arc length to 40% to 60% of the outside edge arc length of the cutout  37  can help assure proper oxide penetration. In  FIG. 25 , “a” represents the arc length of the inside-surface edge  45  and “b” represents the outside surface arc-length of the cutout  37 . In  FIG. 33 , “a” is approximately 50% of “b.” While the inventor believes that the combination of shape (i.e. minor arc of the circle) and ratio of cutout size vs. contact edge described above provides superior performance, these examples are not meant in any way to limit the claimed invention. One skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure, should be able to determine, in accordance with local regulatory standards, what contact pressure is desirable to achieve sufficient oxide penetration, and thereby adapt their grounding pin arc-length ratio, diameter of pin, and number of cutouts accordingly. 
         [0061]    The grounding element  13  of  FIGS. 23-27  can be formed from a standard roll pin, with the cutouts  37  machined into roll pin at the ends and into the cylindrical body. Alternatively, the grounding element  13  can be stamped and then rolled with the cutouts  37  formed during the stamping process. In the either of these processes, after preforming the above-described steps, the inventor found that hardening the pins significantly improved the performance. 
         [0062]      FIGS. 28-34  show a grounding element  13 , in the alternative, with improved resiliency for multiple fastenings.  FIG. 28  shows a top front perspective view of a grounding element  13 .  FIG. 29  shows a bottom left perspective view of the grounding element  13  of  FIG. 28 .  FIG. 30  shows a perspective view of the grounding element  13   FIG. 28  positioned sideways.  FIG. 31  shows left side view of the grounding element  13  of  FIG. 28 .  FIG. 32  shows a sectional view of  FIG. 31  taken along section lines  32 - 32 .  FIG. 33  shows a top view of the grounding element  13  of  FIG. 28   FIG. 34  shows a sectional view of  FIG. 33  taken along section lines  34 - 34 . 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIGS. 28-30  and  32 - 33 , the grounding element  13  includes a slot  12  shown longitudinally along the face of the grounding element body  35 . Illustrated are cutouts  37  on both ends of the grounding element  13  in  FIGS. 28-34 . In  FIGS. 28-32  and  34 , the cutouts  37  are shaped as minor arcs of a circle. In  FIGS. 28-30 , the cutouts are illustrate as identical in size and aligned vertically on each end of the grounding element  13 . In  FIGS. 28-30  and  33  the cutouts  37  within each end are arranged 90-degrees apart from each other. Referring to  FIGS. 28-34 , the cutouts  37  are sized as to leave beveled portions  41  on each end of the grounding element  13 . In  FIGS. 28-30  and  33 , the beveled portions  41  are shown spaced 90-degrees apart because of the spacing of the cutouts  37 . As illustrated in the perspective views of  FIGS. 28-30 , and sectional views of  FIGS. 32 and 34 , the bevel extends from the outside-surface  43  to the inside-surface edge  45  of the grounding element  13  body forming a sharp point along the inside-surface edge  45 . 
         [0064]      FIGS. 28-34  shows four cutouts  37  on each end of the grounding element  13 . The cutouts  37  shown are all equal in size and shape. Using a standard sized ground pin, which is typically 0.125 inches in diameter (0.00318 meters), the inventor has determined that as few as two and as many as six of the cutouts  37  can achieve similar utility. The inventor has also found, the arc length of each inside-surface edge  45  of the beveled portion  41  to 40% to 60% of the outside edge arc length of the cutout  37  can help assure proper oxide penetration. In  FIG. 33 , “c” represents the arc length of the inside-surface edge  45  and “d” represents the outside surface arc-length of the cutout  37 . In  FIG. 33 , c is approximately 50% of d. While the inventor believes that the combination of shape (i.e. minor arc of the circle) and ratio of cutout size vs. contact edge described above provides superior performance, these examples are not meant in any way to limit the claimed invention. One skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure, should be able to determine, in accordance with local regulatory standards, what contact pressure is desirable to achieve sufficient oxide penetration, and thereby adapt their grounding pin arc-length ratio, diameter of pin, and number of cutouts accordingly. 
         [0065]    The grounding element  13  of  FIGS. 28-34  can be formed from a standard roll pin. The roll pin can first be beveled from the outside-surface  43  to the inside-surface edge  45  of the roll pin so that the inside surface edge comes to a sharpened point. The cutouts  37  can then be machined into the surface. The steps can be reversed depending on equipment and manufacturing preference. Alternatively, the grounding element  13  can be stamped with the cutouts  37  and then rolled and sharpened. In any of these processes, after preforming the above-described steps, the inventor found that hardening the pins significantly improved the performance. 
         [0066]    The grounding element  13 , as illustrated throughout this disclosure, has a smooth outside surface between the end portions. These smooth outside surfaces are without bumps or projections. Throughout this disclosure, the grounding element  13  is placed within apertures that have a diameter smaller than the uncompressed grounding element but larger than the compressed grounding element. This allows the grounding element to stay within the aperture. The smooth outside surface encourages slidably of the grounding element within the aperture when a force is applied along the length of the sufficient to overcome the outward spring force. The combination of outward spring force and smooth outside surface allow the grounding element to self-align during final system assembly. 
         [0067]    A device and a system for bonding and grounding the mounting components of a solar panel system have been described. It is not the intent of this disclosure to limit the claimed invention to the examples, variations, and exemplary embodiments described in the specification. Those skilled in the art will recognize that variations will occur when embodying the claimed invention in specific implementations and environments. The appearance of the end-clamps  21 , the mid-clamps  27 , and rail-splices  26  throughout the disclosure is for illustrative purposes. It is the intent of the inventor that the grounding element  13  can be used in a wide range of end-clamps  21 , mid-clamps  27 , and rail-splices  26 . Those skilled in the art will readily understand after reading what has been disclosed hereto how to apply the grounding element  13  to end-clamps  21 , mid-clamps  27 , and rail-splices  26  other than those illustrated. It should also be understood that even when not explicitly stated, throughout the examples in this disclosure, the sharp edge on opposing ends of the grounding element  13  penetrates the surface coating or oxide layer of the corresponding surface of contact. Throughout the disclosure, various mounting components of the solar panel system have been secured by bolts  22  and nuts  23 , however, it should be understood by the reader, that threaded fasteners and threaded fastener/locking element combinations that have equivalent functionality can be used. 
         [0068]    In addition, it is possible to implement certain features described in separate embodiments in combination within a single embodiment. Similarly, it is possible to implement certain features described in single embodiments either separately or in combination in multiple embodiments. It is the intent of the inventor that these variations fall within the scope of the claimed invention. While the examples, exemplary embodiments, and variations are helpful to those skilled in the art in understanding the claimed invention, it should be understood that, the scope of the claimed invention is defined solely by the following claims and their equivalents.