Patent ID: 8256170

Claim:
An assembly on which an array of solar modules are mounted on an inclined surface of an underlying body, the assembly comprising: a plurality of rail structures that are arrangeable over the underlying body to form an overall perimeter for the assembly, the plurality of rail structures being extendable along a gradient of the incline to provide an up-gradient perimeter and a down-gradient perimeter; one or more retention structures provided with the plurality of rail structures, wherein the retention structures are configured to support one or more of the plurality of solar modules at a given height above the underlying body; wherein at least some of the plurality of rail structures each include a flashing component that extends to the underlying body, wherein the plurality of rail structures and the flashing component combine to provide an open length along the down-gradient perimeter of the array, so as to enable air flow to enter a space formed under the array by the plurality of rail members, the air flow being constrained underneath the one or more solar modules; and wherein at least one of (i) one or more of the rail structures, or (ii) the one or more retention structures are adjustable so as to adapt the assembly to accommodate solar modules of varying forms or dimensions.