Patent Publication Number: US-2022235544-A1

Title: System and Method for Attaching Panels

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/061,637, filed Oct. 2, 2020 which claims priority benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/910,026, filed Oct. 3, 2019, entitled “SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ATTACHING PANELS,” which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Photovoltaic solar panels, also referred to as solar panels or as photovoltaic (PV) panels, typically absorb sunlight and use irradiant energy in the sunlight in order to generate direct current (DC) electricity. PV panels include an array of photovoltaic cells. A plurality of photovoltaic cells joined together may also be referred to as a photovoltaic module. Some PV panels are packaged in a frame, often constructed of aluminum. Other PV panels are designed without the use of frames around the panels. A glass sheet usually covers the photovoltaic module, providing a protective layer on top of the photovoltaic module. The PV panels are often placed atop support structures, sometimes implemented as a framework of beams, (which may, for example, be constructed of aluminum, and/or other appropriate materials), which hold the PV panels in place, thereby ensuring that the PV panels are kept in a particular orientation and position. Once positioned and oriented in a particular way in relation to the support structures, the PV panels may be attached to the holding structures (e.g., the framework beams), so that the PV panels may not shift or fall, whether due to environmental conditions, catastrophic events, and so forth. 
     SUMMARY 
     The following summary presents a simplified summary of certain features. The summary is not an extensive overview and is not intended to identify key or critical elements. 
     Systems, apparatuses, and methods are described for locking PV panels to support structures, e.g., support beams. The support beams may be designed and built with corresponding connection elements, slots and tabs, by way of example, which may be used to enable locking and unlocking of the PV panels on the support beams. Once in place, a ferromagnetic flap may be put into an engaged position, thereby closing and engaging a panel locking mechanism. The ferromagnetic flap may be lifted by using a magnet. The magnet may be embedded in a suction cup device, which is designed to lift and maneuver an object with a relatively flat surface, e.g. a glass pane. The suction cup device may, when suction is applied, be attached to glass covering the PV panels, and thus the suction cup device may be used to move the PV panels. 
     These and other features and advantages are described in greater detail below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Some features are shown by way of example, and not by limitation, in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, like numerals reference similar elements. 
         FIG. 1A  shows a support structure and locking mechanism for at least one photovoltaic (PV) panel; 
         FIG. 1B  shows a frameless PV panel resting on the support structure of  FIG. 1A , as described herein below; 
         FIG. 2A  shows a detail of a locking slot in one of the outer support beams, such as the outer support beams of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 2B  shows a detail of one end of an inner support beam; 
         FIG. 3  shows a detail of an inner support beam in an unlocked position on one of the outer support beams of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 4  shows a detail of an inner support beam in a locked position on one of the outer support beams of  FIG. 2A ; 
         FIG. 5  shows a mechanism which may be attached to an underside of a PV panel, for locking the PV panel to a support beam; 
         FIG. 6  shows alternative shapes, by way of example, for the ferromagnetic lock flap; 
         FIG. 7A  shows a first detail of the mechanism of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7B , shows a first detail of the mechanism of  FIG. 5  with the latch shown in a semi-transparent manner; 
         FIG. 7C  shows a two side views of panel locking mechanism  301  of  FIGS. 5-7B ; 
         FIG. 8  shows a detail of the mechanism of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 9  shows a first view of an example of a suction cup mechanism for moving the PV panel; and 
         FIG. 10  shows a second view of the suction cup mechanism of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, show examples of the disclosure. It is to be understood that the examples shown in the drawings and/or discussed herein are non-exclusive and that there are other examples of how the disclosure may be practiced. 
     The description below is within the context of locking/unlocking and carrying a PV panel with a glass pane. However, it will be appreciated that the present subject matter can be applied to other situations of locking and carrying other appropriate objects in accordance with the present subject matter. 
     For example, other types of objects with a relatively flat surface, including other types of panels may be attached to a supporting structure/unattached and carried. These other types of panels may include, but are not limited to, a solar panel used in a water heating system, a decorative panel, a panel for a roof vent fan, etc. Similarly, a wooden or plastic surface may be locked/unlocked to/from a supporting frame using methods and systems describe below. 
     In some cases, the panel has at least a portion that is magnetically neutral, so that if an object with ferromagnetic properties is placed on a first side of the panel and a magnet is placed on a second side of the panel, e.g. opposite to the first side of the panel, the object will be attracted to, and held in place by the magnetic field of, the magnet. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 1A , which shows a support structure  10  and locking mechanism for at least one photovoltaic (PV) panel. The support structure, presented as one possible example for a support structure, includes vertical outer support beams  110 A,  110 B and horizontal outer support beam  120 . The example presented in  FIG. 1A  is not meant to be limiting, and other support structures are also possible. The framework may also include inner support beams  130 A,  130 B. The term “inner,” as used in the phrase “inner support beams” is intended to be descriptive. Meaning, such inner support beams  130 A,  130 B are disposed beneath an inner portion of the PV panel  100 , and not at the edges of the PV panel  100  (as is the case with vertical outer support beams  110 A,  110 B and horizontal outer support beam  120 ). 
     A ferromagnetic lock flap  180 , a dovetail latch  190 , and second dovetail latch  197 , are shown in one possible configuration as being attached to and or partly inside inner support beams  130 A,  130 B. The ferromagnetic lock flap  180  and the dovetail latch  190  comprise portions of a PV panel locking mechanism, as will be described below, in greater detail. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 1B , which depicts a photovoltaic (PV) panel  100  resting on the support structure  10 . The support structure  10  provides a framework including vertical outer support beams  110 A,  110 B and horizontal outer support beam  120 . Vertical outer support beams  110 A,  110 B and horizontal outer support beam  120  are disposed around and support an outer portion/edges of the PV panel  100 .  FIG. 1B  presents a high-level depiction of the framework and a locking apparatus, which will be described in greater detail below, with reference to  FIGS. 2-10 . The PV panel  100  is depicted as a frameless PV panel. However, the depiction in  FIG. 1B  of the PV panel  100  as being a frameless PV panel is not meant to be limiting. 
     Vertical outside support beams  110 A and  110 B are substantially parallel to one another, and are generally aligned along parallel first and second “side” edges of the frameless PV panel  100 , respectively. Horizontal outside support beam  120  is generally aligned along a third “bottom” edge of the frameless PV panel  100 , and is disposed generally perpendicularly to the vertical outside support beams  110 A and  110 B. In this case, the first and second edges are longer than the third edge. The vertical outside support beams  110 A,  110 B, and horizontal outside support beam  120  as depicted in  FIGS. 1A and 1B  may be part of/attached to a larger framework of support beams for PV panels (which may be frameless PV panels, such as PV panel  100 ), which may be disposed in a solar energy harvesting installation. Such solar energy harvesting installations may have relatively large numbers of PV panels (e.g. tens, hundreds, or thousands of PV panels, each of the PV panels being similar to PV panel  100 ). Solar energy harvesting installations may be, for example, a solar energy farm, or a household solar installation, and may be found, for example, on a rooftop of a domicile. A PV panel, such as PV panel  100 , will have one side (typically the side that is opposed to the support structure  10 ) which is photovoltaicly active and responds to sunlight by generating DC electricity, and a second side (typically, the side which is facing the support structure  10 ) which is photovoltaicly neutral and does not respond to sunlight. 
     The inner support beams  130 A,  130 B are substantially parallel to horizontal outer support beam  120 , and are disposed generally parallel to the third “bottom” edge of the frameless PV panel  100 . Inner support beam  130 A and inner support beam  130 B are each typically attached on one end to vertical outer support beam  110 A, and on the other end to vertical outer support beam  110 B. A support beam locking mechanism, including a locking slot  170  (described below with reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B ) enables locking inner support beam  130 A and inner support beam  130 B to interlock with vertical outer support beams  110 A,  110 B. 
     The PV panel  100  typically includes a sheet of glass  140 , which is disposed over a plurality of photovoltaic cells  150 . A length of conductive material  160  electrically connects the plurality of photovoltaic cells  150  to each other, thereby joining the plurality of photovoltaic cells  150  into a string of photovoltaic cells. A positive terminal  165 P and a negative terminal  165 N may be provided so that electricity generated by the PV panel  100  may be output from the PV panel  100  to a solar energy harvesting system (not shown). 
     As will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 2A-4 , the support structure  10  may be designed and built with corresponding connection elements on the inner and outer support beams which may be used to enable locking and unlocking of the support beams to and from one another. The corresponding connection elements may be part of a support beam locking mechanism  200 , which is described below with reference to  FIGS. 2A-4 . 
     As will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 5-8 , a panel locking mechanism  301  ( FIG. 5 ) may be used to reversibly attach the PV panel to the support structure  10 . The panel locking mechanism  301  may include, for example, a ferromagnetic lock flap  180 / 340 , a tongue  370  ( FIG. 7B ), and the dovetail latch  190 / 320 . The ferromagnetic lock flap  180 / 340  may be arranged to help lock the PV panel  100  to the inner support beams  130 A,  130 B in order to keep the PV panel  100  in place. A tongue  370  ( FIG. 7B ) which is actuated by the ferromagnetic lock flap  180 / 340  may engage or disengage into the dovetail latch  190 / 320 . The dovetail latch  190 / 320  is configured to be physically attached (e.g., by glue or other appropriate adhesive) to the PV panel  100  when tongue  370  is actuated, in order to lock the PV panel  100  to inner support beams  130 A,  130 B. In an engaged position, ferromagnetic lock flap  180 / 340  causes the tongue  370  to enter the dovetail latch  190 / 320  through a hole in the inner support beams  130 A,  130 B (as shown in  FIG. 7C ), thereby holding the PV panel  100  locked to the inner support beams  130 A,  130 B. In a disengaged position, the ferromagnetic lock flap  180 / 340  causes the tongue  370  to disengage from the dovetail latch  190 / 320 , thereby releasing the PV panel  100  so that it is now unlocked from the inner support beams  130 A,  130 B. 
     For example, an installer may maintain the ferromagnetic lock flap  180 / 340  in a disengaged position during the process of installation of the PV panel  100 . Once the PV panel  100  has been installed, however, the installer may actuate the ferromagnetic lock flap  180 / 340  to engage the tongue  370  to the dovetail latch  190 / 320 , thereby locking the PV panel  100  to at least one of the intermediate support beams  130 A,  130 B. Alternatively, if, for some reason, the PV panel  100  is to be removed, for example, in order to replace the PV panel  100 , then the installer may first deactivate the ferromagnetic lock flap  180 / 340  in order to disengage tongue  370  from the dovetail latch  190 / 320 , thereby unlocking the PV panel  100  from the inner support beams  130 A,  130 B, and allowing removal of the PV panel  100  from the support structure  10 . Second dovetail latch  197  provides additional stabilization to the PV panel  100 . 
     Once installed on the support structure  10 , one PV panel rests on the framework formed by vertical outer support beams  110 A,  110 B, horizontal outer support beam  120 , and inner support beams  130 A,  130 B. The one PV panel, such as PV panel  100  depicted in  FIG. 1B  is locked to the framework by the locking mechanism at two dovetail latches  190 / 320  (a first one on the left of inner support beam  130 A, and a second one diagonally opposed to the first one, on the right of inner support beam  130 B). Additionally, for further stability, two diagonally opposed second dovetail latches  197  are provided. Utilizing these four dovetails to attach the PV panel  100  to the framework provides redundancy as well. 
     As will be described below with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 , an unlocking/carrying mechanism may be used to help unlock the panel locking mechanism  301  from the support structure  10 , and to help transport/maneuver the PV panel  100 . The unlocking/carrying mechanism  301  may include a suction cup mechanism  195 , which is described below with reference to  FIGS. 9 and 10 . Suction cup mechanism  195  may be attached to the sheet of glass  140  and be used to maneuver the PV panel  100  (e.g., in order to help carry and/or adjust the PV panel to install or to remove the PV panel  100 ). Suction cup mechanism  195  may include a magnet (described below with reference to  FIG. 10 ), which may engage with and raise the ferromagnetic lock flap  180 / 340 , thereby releasing the tongue  370  from the dovetail latch  190 , and unlocking/detaching the PV panel  100  from the support structure  10 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIGS. 2A-4 , which shows a detail of a support beam locking mechanism  200  including corresponding connection elements, for connecting support beams to one another. Support beam locking mechanism  200  includes a first corresponding connection element/portion, which may be disposed in a first support beam  225 , and a second corresponding connection element/portion, which may be disposed in a second support beam  228 . First support beam  225  may be the same as or similar to one of the vertical outer support beams  110 A,  110 B of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . Second support beam  228  may be the same as or similar to one of the inner support beams  130 A,  130 B of  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The first corresponding connection element/portion may include the locking slot  170  with a flexible tongue  210  on the first support beam  225 . The second corresponding connection element/portion may include tabs  235 ,  245  on the second support beam  228 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2B , which shows a detail of one end of the second support beam  228 .  FIG. 2B  illustrates the corresponding connection element/portion of the support beam locking mechanism  200  that is on the second support beam  228 . In this case, the corresponding connection element includes tabs  235 ,  245  on second support beam  228 . A first pair of tabs  235  extend off of sides of second support beam  228  (note that only one end of second support beam  228  is shown in  FIG. 2B ). A second pair of tabs  245  is disposed perpendicular to and descend in a direction indicated by a z-axis, off of the first pair of tabs  235 . 
     The corresponding connection element/portion on the second support beam  228 , in this case second pair of tabs  245 , is inserted in the locking slot  170  of the first support beam  225 . As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , once inserted, the second support beam  228  may slide, in a direction indicated by a pair of arrows  234  depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , so that the second support beam  228  engages a flexible tongue  210  of the support beam locking mechanism  200 , thereby being locked in place, as will be described in greater detail below with reference to  FIG. 4 . 
     The flexible tongue  210  may be disposed on one side of the locking slot  170 . The flexible tongue  210  is held in place by a first part  220 , which may be fully joined at one side to the first support beam  225 . A second part  230  of the flexible tongue  210  may extend along an inside edge  240  of the locking slot  170 , while not being attached along the inside edge  240  of the locking slot  170 . Accordingly, a space  250  is created between the inside edge  240  and the second part  230 . When the second support beam  228  is slid into place (as is indicated by the pair of arrows  234  in  FIGS. 3 and 4 ), the second part  230  is depressed by the second support beam  228 . However, when the second support beam  228  is completely engaged in the locking slot  170  (as in  FIG. 4 ), the flexible tongue  210  is no longer depressed. The second support beam  228  can no longer slide into the position shown in  FIG. 3 , as the flexible tongue  210  is now blocking such reverse motion, thereby locking the second support beam  228  to the first support beam  225 . 
     As is shown in  FIG. 3 , one end of the second support beam  228  is inserted into the locking slot  170 , such that at least one tab of the second pair of tabs  245  is inserted in the space  250  between the second part  230  and the inside edge  240  of the first support beam  225 . The second support beam  228  is then slid in the direction indicated by the pair of arrows  234 , into the position shown in  FIG. 4 . Flexible tongue  210  is depressed by the second support beam  228  while the action of sliding the second support beam  228  is in progress, so that the second support beam  228  depresses the flexible tongue  210 . Once engaged in the position shown in  FIG. 4 , however, the second support beam  228  is blocked from returning to the position shown in  FIG. 3 , because the flexible tongue  210  serves to block reverse motion by the intermediate support beam  225 , thereby locking the second support beam  228  to the first support beam  228 . 
     The above description of assembly and attachment of the intermediate support beam  225  to the vertical outer support beams  110 A,  110 B and horizontal outer support beam  120  is an example of one method for performing such attachment. Persons of skill in the art will understand that the above description is by way of example only, and is not meant to be limiting or excluding of any other appropriate method. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 5 , which shows a panel locking mechanism  301 . Panel locking mechanism  301  includes, for example, a latch  320 , a flap  330 , a ferromagnetic lock flap  340 , and a tongue  370 , which will be described in greater detail below. Panel locking mechanism  301  may be attached to an underside of a PV panel, such as frameless PV panel  100 , (i.e., a side which is not operative to absorb sunlight and convert the sunlight to DC electricity), for locking the PV panel to a support beam, typically an inner support beam. By way of example, the panel locking mechanism  301  may be attached with glue or other adhesive material, which is resistant to appropriate environmental or elemental factors. For example, a glue or adhesive susceptible to extreme heat or extreme cold may not be appropriate for use in locations where such extreme temperature conditions may be prevalent. 
     In some cases, however, the locking mechanism described herein may be designed to lock the PV panel to the outer support beams, such as vertical outer support beams  110 A,  110 B and horizontal outer support beam  120 . 
     Inner support beam  310  (which may be the same as or similar to inner support beams  130 A,  130 B, and second support beam  228 ) interlocks with the latch  320 . The latch  320  may be the same as or similar to the dovetail latch  190  described above, with reference to  FIG. 1 . 
     In some aspects, the latch  320  may be designed to have a generally dovetail-like shape, as depicted in  FIGS. 1, and 5-7B . The dovetail-like shape is used in instances when a corresponding slot (not shown) may receive the dovetail-like shaped item (in this case, the latch  320 ). For instance, a slot on the PV panel  100  may be shaped to receive the latch  320 . When a dovetail-like shaped item is in place, it is typically resistant to forces, which push the item out of position. It is appreciated that the depiction of the latch  320  as having a dovetail-like shape is by way of example, and other appropriate shapes, as are known in the art, which may have their own properties, may be used for the latch  320 . 
     When the locking mechanism  301  is engaged, the flap  330  engages the tongue  370  (note that in  FIG. 5 , the tongue  370  is mostly occluded, however, see  FIGS. 7B and 8 , where the tongue  370  is depicted more clearly). The tongue  370  is raised to an engaged position or lowered to a disengaged position by the raising/lowering ferromagnetic lock flap  340 , which may be the same as or similar to ferromagnetic lock flap  180  of  FIG. 1 . Specifically, when the ferromagnetic lock flap  340  is raised, the tongue  370  is in a disengaged position, and the locking mechanism is unlocked. When the ferromagnetic lock flap  340  is lowered, the tongue  370  is in an engaged position, and the locking mechanism is locked. The mechanics of raising and/or lowering the tongue  370  are described below. 
     Note that depictions of elements in the figures may have a particular shape. By way of example, ferromagnetic lock flap  340  is depicted as having a round shape and extending from one side of a thinner and longer element (first member  375 , discussed below with reference to  FIGS. 6-8 ). In general, the shape of particular elements in the figures is not meant to be limiting. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 6 , which shows, alternative shapes, by way of example, for the ferromagnetic lock flap  340 . E.g., ferromagnetic lock flap might be a hexagon  346 , or an octagon  348 , or some irregular shape (not depicted). Furthermore, instead of ferromagnetic lock flap  340  being disposed at one side of the first member  375 , the ferromagnetic lock flap  340  and the first member  375  might both be one large rectangular flap  347  or ovoid flap  349 . Other examples, not provided here, where different shapes of the elements depicted in the figures might have the same functionality will be apparent to persons of skill in the art. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 7A  which shows a first detail of the panel locking mechanism  301  of  FIG. 5 . Reference is also made to  FIG. 7B , which shows a second detail of the panel locking mechanism  301  of  FIG. 5 . In  FIG. 7B , the latch  320  is shown in a semi-transparent manner, so that the tongue  370  is no longer occluded by the latch  320  and the flap  330 . The ferromagnetic lock flap  340  has an elbow  350  forming a substantially 90 degree (i.e., right) angle between a first member  375 , which terminates at the ferromagnetic lock flap  340  on one end and the elbow  350  on the other end, and a second member  380 . The second member  380  includes a hinge  360  and the tongue  370 , which protrudes off of one end of the second member  380  at a substantially 90 degree angle. Accordingly, the first member  375  and the second member  380  are hingedly attached. 
     Ferromagnetic lock flap  340  by design comprises at one end a member, which, due to gravity, weighs down first member  375 . When ferromagnetic lock flap  340  is in a ‘down position,’ i.e., in an ‘engaged position/state,’ and is not actuated, elbow  350  is naturally pushed up by the weight of ferromagnetic lock flap  340  and the first member  375 . When elbow  350  is pushed up, then it applies an upward force on second member  380 . Accordingly, a center of gravity of the ferromagnetic lock flap  340  is located in the second member  380 , as the upward force is applied to the hinge  360 , the tongue  370  is pushed up, thereby engaging with the flap  330 . Accordingly, the panel locking mechanism  301  of  FIGS. 5-7B  will be locked, and the PV panel  100  will be secured to the support structure  10  ( FIG. 1A ). 
     On, the other hand, when the ferromagnetic lock flap  340  is in an ‘up position,’ i.e., in a ‘disengaged position/state,’ (meaning that the ferromagnetic lock flap  340  is actuated, and is not weighing down the first member  375 ) minimal upward force (if any) may be applied at the elbow  350 , and thus, the second member  380  is not pushed up. Accordingly, the tongue  370  is not pushed up by the hinge  360 , and the tongue  370  does not engage with the flap  330 . In such a case, the panel locking mechanism  301  of  FIGS. 5-7B  is not locked, and the PV panel  100  will not be secured to the support structure  10  ( FIG. 1A ). 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 7C , which shows a two side views of panel locking mechanism  301  of  FIGS. 5-7B . In the depiction on the top of  FIG. 7C , the locking mechanism is engaged, and tongue  370 -E appears occulted, as it is within one of the intermediate support beams, such as intermediate support beams  130 A,  130 B. Ferromagnetic lock flap  340 -E is depicted as being in its engaged position. In the depiction on the bottom of  FIG. 7C , the locking mechanism is disengaged, and tongue  370 -D can be seen, beneath one of the intermediate support beams, such as intermediate support beams  130 A,  130 B. Ferromagnetic lock flap  340 -D is depicted as being in its disengaged position. 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 8 , which shows a detail of the panel locking mechanism  301  of  FIG. 5 . Although the panel locking mechanism  301  is described in detail above, an additional feature which may be implemented in the panel locking mechanism  301  not discussed above is shown in  FIG. 8 . Optionally, a spring  390  may be disposed on the second member  380  on a side of the hinge  360 . The spring  390  may be positioned/oriented in a way (in relation to the second member  380 /hinge  360 ) which will result in the spring  390 , when not compressed, exerting downward force, and therefore adding additional force on a distal side of the hinge  360 . This additional force, applied when the ferromagnetic lock flap  340  is disengaged, and thus the tongue  370  is engaged, is applied so as to push the tongue  370  up (i.e., engaged with the flap  330 ), in the absence of any other factors which might otherwise cause the tongue  370  to disengage from the flap  330 . 
     Reference is now made to  FIG. 9 , which shows a first view of an example of a suction cup mechanism  400  for moving the PV panel (such as PV panel  100  of  FIG. 1B ). Reference is also made to  FIG. 10 , which shows a second view of the suction cup mechanism  400 . As was noted above, when installing or replacing PV panel  100  on the support structure  10 /the various support beams (such as vertical outer support beams  110 A,  110 B and horizontal outer support beam  120 , inner support beams  130 A,  130 B, and so forth), the suction cup mechanism  400  may be attached to the glass of the panel by suction, thereby enabling the glass to be lifted or put in place. Because of the construction of the PV panel  100 , when the glass is lifted up, the entire PV panel is lifted up along with the glass. 
     The view of  FIG. 9  is a view of the top of the suction cup mechanism  400  to be held by a user when carrying the glass/panel, and the view in  FIG. 10  is a view of the bottom of the suction cup mechanism  400  to be attached to the glass/panel, as will be elaborated on herein below. 
     The suction cup mechanism  400  includes a handle  405 , by which an installer, for instance, is able to hold the suction cup mechanism  400 . When the suction cup mechanism  400  is attached to the glass  140  of the PV panel  100 , the installer is able to maneuver the PV panel  100 , for example to place the PV panel  100  on the support structure  10 /framework of vertical outer support beams  110 A,  110 B and horizontal outer support beam  120  as described above with reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B . The handle  405  is attached to one or more suction cup cases  410 . Each suction cup case  410  holds at least one suction cup  420  in place. One or more suction cups  420  are included in the suction cup mechanism  400 . In the example of  FIGS. 9 and 10 , there are two suction cups  420  on opposite ends of the handle  405 . In cases where there are a single suction cup  420 , or three or more suction cups  420 , they may be configured in an appropriate manner. The handle  405  is typically positioned so that weight of the glass (and, by extension, the PV panel  100 ) is equally distributed among the suction cups, when there is more than one suction cup) when a pane of glass, such as the glass  140 , is attached to the suction cups  420 . The suction cups  420  may be activated so that they form a vacuum and apply suction to the glass  140  of the PV panel  100  by raising or lowering a suction cup deactivation element  430 , depicted as levers  430 . Suction cups  420  may be deactivated by using suction cup deactivation element  430  to release the suction cups  420  by removing the vacuum, thereby releasing the suction cup mechanism from glass  140  and panel  100 . 
     A magnet  440  is embedded between at least one of the suction cups  420  and its corresponding suction cup case  410 . The magnet  440  may be a permanent magnet or an electromagnet. The permanent magnet may be a magnet having appropriate ferromagnetic properties, such as an iron magnet, a nickel magnet, a cobalt magnet, or a rare earth magnet, such as a neodymium or a samarium-cobalt magnet. If the magnet  440  is an electromagnet, then, for instance, a button or a lever (not shown) may be used to activate/deactivate the electromagnet using an appropriate electrical circuit. The button or the lever may be provided in an appropriate location, for example, on the body of the suction cup mechanism  400 , e.g. in a proximity to handle  405  so that the button/lever can be actuated/deactivated while holding the handle  405 . A battery (not shown) may be disposed within the body of the suction cup mechanism  400 . The battery provides an electrical current to power the electromagnet when the electromagnet is activated. Additionally, instead of a single magnet, as depicted in  FIG. 10 , a plurality of magnets may be arranged in an appropriate pattern. As one non-limiting example, a disk, comprising 6, 8, or 10 rectangular or circular shaped magnets radially disposed around a central point in the disk may be disposed beneath suction cup  420 . 
       FIG. 9  does not illustrate a panel, but a panel  100  may be disposed between panel locking mechanism  301  and suction cup mechanism  400  as illustrated in  FIG. 1B . 
     As can be seen in  FIG. 9 , when the suction cup mechanism  400  is aligned over the ferromagnetic lock flap  340 , the magnetic properties of the ferromagnetic lock flap  340  are such that the ferromagnetic lock flap  340  is attracted to the magnet  440 . As described above, with reference to  FIGS. 5-8 , when the ferromagnetic lock flap  340  is in the raised “up position” or “disengaged position/state”, tongue  370  is disengaged from the flap  330 , and panel-locking mechanism  301  is in an unlocked state, allowing the panel  100  to be maneuvered. The suction cup mechanism  440  may also be secured to panel  100  to allow the carrying of panel  100  while the panel  100  is unlocked from the support structure  10 . 
     The panel may then be moved. After the panel has been moved, suction cup mechanism may be deactivated. Then the magnet  440  can be brought out of alignment with the ferromagnetic lock flap  340 , thereby once again locking the panel locking mechanism  301 , and, for example, securing the panel  100  to the support structure  10 . 
     Alternatively, if the magnet  440  is an electromagnet, then when the electromagnet is powered on, the ferromagnetic lock flap  340  is attracted to the magnet  440 . In such a case the panel locking mechanism  301  will be in an “up position” or “disengaged position”, and the tongue  370  will be disengaged from flap  330 , thereby unlocking the panel locking mechanism  440 , and unlocking panel  100  from support structure  10 . In such a case, if the suction cup mechanism  400  is also secured to the panel  100 , then it may be used to carry/maneuver the unlocked panel  100 . When the magnet  440  is removed (either by physically moving the magnet  440  out of alignment with ferromagnetic lock flap  340  or by turning off the electromagnet), then the ferromagnetic lock flap  340  will fall into a “down position” or “engaged position” (e.g. due to the weight of ferromagnetic lock flap  340  and the effect of gravity on ferromagnetic lock flap  340 ) and the tongue  370  will thereby engage the flap  330 . At such time, the PV panel  100  will, effectively, be locked to the support structure  10 , e.g., intermediate support beams  130 A,  130 B. In such a case, if the suction cup mechanism  400  is no longer secured to the panel  100 , then the suction cup mechanism  400  may be removed from the locked panel  100 . 
     In some aspects, the mechanism described above may be modified so that the latch is engaged and locked when the ferromagnetic flap is in the engaged position and is disengaged when the when the ferromagnetic flap is in the disengaged position. In such an aspect, by way of example, an electromagnet may be placed on the side of the panel away from the ferromagnetic flap, thereby drawing the ferromagnetic flap towards the panel, ensuring that the ferromagnetic flap, and thus the latch is in the engaged position. In such an aspect, the electromagnet may receive power from the solar panel (e.g., via a power converter connected to the solar panel), from a battery, from an inverter, or from an alternative power source. 
     Aspects of the invention include: 
     A magnetic locking mechanism which is engaged by engaging a magnet. 
     A magnetic locking mechanism which is disengaged by engaging a magnet. 
     A magnetic locking mechanism which is engaged by disengaging a magnet. 
     A magnetic locking mechanism which is disengaged by disengaging a magnet. 
     Although examples are described above, features and/or steps of those examples may be combined, divided, omitted, rearranged, revised, and/or augmented in any desired manner. Various alterations, modifications, and improvements will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Such alterations, modifications, and improvements are intended to be part of this description, though not expressly stated herein, and are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, the foregoing description is by way of example only, and is not limiting.