Patent ID: 8748733

Claim:
A system for mounting an array of substantially flat solar panel modules on a surface, each solar panel module comprising a top edge, a bottom edge, a left edge, a right edge, and four corner portions, the system comprising: a plurality of link members configured to support the array; the system further comprising a plurality of attachment modules, wherein each corner portion of each of the solar panel modules is directly attached by a respective one of the attachment modules to a respective one of the link members; wherein each link member comprises: an elongated platform portion adapted to rest on the surface and receive the weight of one or more ballasts; a fin-shaped link portion extending from the platform portion along the length of the platform portion and in a direction away from the surface and substantially perpendicular to the platform portion and comprising: a first attachment facility comprising a plurality of first attachment points located at different heights above the surface and adapted for attaching a first respective one of the solar panel modules to one of the first attachment points at a first height above the surface; a second attachment facility comprising a plurality of second attachment points located at different heights above the surface and adapted for attaching a second respective one of the solar panel modules to one of the second attachment points at a second height above the surface which is different from the first height; wherein each attachment module comprises: a first section with a first surface; a second section with a second surface, the second section coupled to the first section, the first surface spaced from the second surface; a first fastener for retaining a portion of a solar panel module between the first surface and the second surface; a second fastener for directly fastening a respective one of the attachment modules to a respective one of the attachment facilities.