Solar Innovation
Martin Solar Patents Hidden-Fastener Roof Mount
H.F.S.M. positions solar attachment points beneath the overlying asphalt shingle instead of penetrating its exposed surface
Martin Solar has secured a U.S. patent for its Hidden-Fastener Solar Mount, or H.F.S.M., a rooftop solar attachment designed to avoid penetrating the exposed surface of asphalt shingles.
Martin Solar has secured a U.S. patent for its Hidden-Fastener Solar Mount, or H.F.S.M., a rooftop solar attachment designed to avoid penetrating the exposed surface of asphalt shingles.
The patent, issued to inventors Preston Nelson and Matthew Brendel, covers a mount for installing photovoltaic panels or solar cells on shingled roofs. Its fasteners are positioned entirely beneath the overlying shingle, concealing and protecting the attachment points.
Unlike conventional solar attachments that may rely on sealants such as caulk or butyl around penetrations, Martin Solar said H.F.S.M. installs beneath the shingle courses through the traditional nail-strip area, allowing the upper course to cover the fasteners.
The company says the approach is intended to reduce the potential for water intrusion over the life of a roof. Martin Solar designed the system to support a leak-free attachment guarantee matching the roof's service life, including roofs lasting 25 years or longer.
The patent comes as H.F.S.M. was named a finalist in the U.S. Department of Energy's American-Made Solar Prize Round 8. Nelson said longer-term ownership of residential solar systems through leases and power purchase agreements could increase scrutiny of rooftop attachment systems and their potential impact on roofs.
Martin Solar plans to showcase H.F.S.M. at RE+, Nov. 17-19 in Las Vegas, along with its patent-pending Dual-Channel Solar Rail and a new solar clamp. The company said it manufactures its products in Illinois from American aluminum and distributes them nationwide through ABC Supply Co.
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