Patent ID: 7963813

Claim:
An apparatus for electrically connecting a plurality of elongated photovoltaic modules located within a solar panel, the solar panel including a frame having first and second opposing side rails and first and second opposing end rails, each photovoltaic module having a width and a first output contact, the plurality of first output contacts extending at least partially on a first common axis, the apparatus comprising at least one insert disposed within at least one of the rails of the frame and having a plurality of connectors at least partially disposed therein, each said connector being useful to electrically engage at least of the first output contacts; a plurality of spaces formed between the photovoltaic modules, each said space being disposed between a pair of adjacent photovoltaic modules and having a width extending from one to the other corresponding adjacent photovoltaic modules, wherein each among a majority of said plurality of spaces has a width that is equal to or greater than approximately one-half of the width of the corresponding adjacent photovoltaic modules having the larger width; and a first electrically conductive line extending at least partially along the first common axis, wherein said first electrically conductive line is engageable said plurality of connectors wherein the first common axis and said first electrically conductive line extend at least partially along the length of and within at least one said insert, and wherein said first electrically conductive line electrically connects the plurality of first output contacts within said insert.