Patent ID: 8307606

Claim:
A method of installing photovoltaic modules, comprising: placing at least two photovoltaic modules onto a substantially flat surface; aligning the modules laterally; repositioning at least one of the modules longitudinally until a shaped leading edge of one of the modules registers with a shaped trailing edge of another one of the modules; and physically connecting the modules with a connection member that spans the leading edge and the trailing edge; wherein the connection member is a u-bolt assembly including a u-shaped bolt and a connecting plate, and wherein physically connecting the modules includes: a. inserting a first leg portion of the u-shaped bolt into a first aperture in the leading edge, and inserting a second leg portion of the u-shaped bolt into a second aperture in the trailing edge; and b. engaging each leg portion with a corresponding aperture formed in a connection plate disposed on a side of the leading and trailing edges opposite a direction of insertion of the leg portions into the leading and trailing edges.