Patent ID: 8904718

Claim:
A panel for use in supporting a solar module, said panel comprising: (a) a first side that is defined between first and second edges that are oppositely disposed from each other with said first side located between said first and second edges, said first side also being defined between third and fourth edges that are oppositely disposed from each other with said first side located between the third and fourth edges, said first side comprising: a first rail that is located on said first side adjacent to said first edge, said first rail extending from said third edge to said fourth edge; a second rail that is located on said first side between said first rail and said second edge, said second rail extending from said third edge to said fourth edge, said second rail being spaced apart from said first rail to define a first overlap area between said first rail and said second rail; a third rail that is located on said first side adjacent to said second edge, said third rail extending from said third edge to said fourth edge; a fourth rail that is located on said first side between said third rail and said second rail, said fourth rail extending from said third edge to said fourth edge, said fourth rail being spaced apart from said third rail to define a second overlap area between said third rail and said fourth rail; a boss that is located on said first side and between said third rail and said fourth rail and between said third edge and said fourth edge, said boss not extending from said third edge to said fourth edge, said boss having a longitudinal dimension between said third and fourth edges and a lateral dimension between said third rail and said fourth rail, said longitudinal dimension being greater than said lateral dimension, said boss defining a support surface for the vertical support of said solar module; and (b) a second side that is oppositely disposed on said panel from said first side, said second side being defined between said first and second edges and located between said first and second edges, said second side also being defined between said third and fourth edges and located between said third and fourth edges, said second side comprising: a first groove that is located on said second side adjacent to said second edge, said first groove extending from said third edge to said fourth edge and being located on said panel oppositely from said third rail, said first groove having a profile that is complementary to the profile of said third rail; and a second groove that is located on said second side between said first groove and said first edge, said second groove extending from said third edge to said fourth edge and being located on said panel oppositely from said fourth rail, said second groove being spaced apart from said first groove to define a third overlap area between said first groove and said second groove, said second groove having a profile that is complementary to the profile of said fourth rail.