Patent ID: 8922972

Claim:
An apparatus comprising: a first solar module support frame comprising both a microinverter connector and a plurality of plug-and-play electrical connectors integrated therein, wherein the first solar module support frame is configured to receive both a first solar electric module and a first microinverter and to carry electrical power to the first solar module support frame plug-and-play electrical connectors, and wherein the first solar module support frame further comprises a plurality of plug-and-play thermal fluid plumbing connectors integrated therein and is further configured to receive a solar thermal module; and a thermal cooling brace comprising a heat transfer cooling pipe in fluid communication with the plurality of plug-and-play thermal fluid plumbing connectors for transferring a thermal fluid therethrough, wherein the thermal cooling brace is supported by the first solar module support frame, and further wherein the heat transfer cooling pipe is in direct contact with and transfers heat from a backside of the first solar electric module.