Tuesday, October 20, 2009 at 11:41:13 AM - by Danny Vo

A solar equipment installer, groSolar, announced plans to distribute innovative panel mounting hardware developed by California-based Zep Solar.

The hardware eliminates the need for cumbersome rails in roof installations of photovoltaic (PV) modules.

"This will dramatically reduce system design and installation costs," anticipates groSolar CEO Jeff Wolfe. The hardware will allow home solar installations to get up and running "as quickly as possible." In fact, Zep Solar estimates that its technology will halve the time required to install a solar array on a traditional sloped roof.

Furthermore, the system's relative simplicity - its secret is an interlocking design called the Zep Groove - will ease the work of PV module installers. The elimination of panel racks should aid maintenance efforts, as well.

However, there has been a rise in solar panel theft, according to the Wall Street Journal. Thieves snatch panels and resell them on the black market for a few hundred dollars each. Easy-in roof modules like Zep Solar's may be more susceptible to theft.

Zep Solar will demonstrate its system at Solar Power International 2009 in Anaheim, Calif., from October 27 to October 29. And groSolar plans to begin distribution in early 2010.