A fixed tilt solar panel racking assembly includes gimbled mounting plate mounted atop a stationary structural member that provides a plurality of degrees of freedom during mounting plate installation. In addition, the mounting plate is configured to transfer horizontal load from one solar panel to an adjacent solar panel supported on the same plate, such that the array of panels and plates acts as a horizontal diaphragm. Horizontal load may be transferred from one side of the solar array to another where a stiffer stationary support may be located.