Patent ID: 8832938

Claim:
A method of installing a solar panel array, the method comprising the steps of: obtaining a first support mechanism comprising: a support post pivotably attached to a support base and multiple attachment points on the support post configured for attaching a solar panel at different heights above the support base; a support frame coupled to the support post, the support frame comprising a first elongated member coupled to the support post and extending from a front end to a rear end along a direction substantially perpendicular to the support post, a second elongated member extending at an angle to the first elongated member between a front end coupled to the front end of the first elongated member and a rear end, the second elongated member include at least one facility adapted to receive an attachment module to couple the solar panel to the support frame, and a facility for adjusting the height of the first elongated member relative to the support base to a selected one of a plurality of heights; selecting an angular orientation of the support post with respect to the support base; setting the selected an angular orientation of the support post; selecting a height of the first elongated member relative to the support base; setting the height of the first elongated member relative to the support base to the selected height; coupling the attachment module to the second elongated member; obtaining a first solar panel; selecting one of the multiple attachment points at a selected height on the first support mechanism for attaching the first panel; and attaching the first panel to the first support mechanism at the selected height using the selected one of the multiple attachment points.