Mounting system for solar panels, and mounting rail and anchoring device therefor

Abstract

In one broad aspect, the present invention provides a mounting system (100) for mounting one or more solar panels (S), comprising: a plurality of elongate mounting members (20) adapted to be arranged and secured spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another; and a plurality of anchoring devices (30) for securing each of the mounting members (20) to a support structure, such as a roof structure. Each of the mounting members (20) is adapted to receive and support an edge region (E) of a solar panel (S), such that each solar panel (S) extends between at least two mounting members (20). Furthermore, each anchoring device (30) comprises a footing (31) to be rigidly fastened to the support structure, and a coupling member (35) for connection with a respective one of the mounting members (20). A spacing between the coupling member (35) and the footing (31) is selectively variable by a user to adjust and / or set an elevation (X) of the respective mounting member (20) relative to the support structure. In a related aspect, the invention provides a mounting rail (20) for the mounting system (100). In another related aspect, the invention also provides an anchoring device (30) for the mounting system (100).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present invention relates to a mounting system for mounting solar panels, as well as to a mounting rail and an anchoring device designed for use in the mounting system of the invention.[0002]The mounting system of the invention and, of course, the associated mounting rail and the anchoring device are particularly suitable for use in mounting solar panels on a rooftop, such as a pitched rooftop, or similar structure, and it will convenient to describe the invention in this exemplary context. It is to be appreciated, however, that the mounting system of the invention is not limited to use on rooftops or sloping surfaces, but may also be employed where the solar panels are to be mounted on any of a variety of supporting frameworks.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]As a result of the increasing trend towards adoption of renewable energy sources, the installation of solar panel arrays is gaining in popularity, not only for industrial and institutional applications...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008]According to one aspect, the present invention provides a mounting system for mounting one or more solar panels on a support structure, such as a roof structure, the system comprising: a plurality of elongate mounting members adapted to be arranged and secured spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another, each of the mounting members being adapted to receive and support an edge region of a solar panel such that each solar panel extends between at least two of the mounting members; and a plurality of anchoring devices for securing each of the mounting members to the support structure, with each of the anchoring devices comprising a footing to be rigidly fastened to the support structure and a coupling member for connection with a respective one of the mounting members. According to the invention, a spacing between the coupling member and the footing is selectively variable by a user to adjust and / or set an elevation or height of the respective mounting member relative to the support structure. In this way, when installing a solar panel array on a roof structure, the mounting system is able to be readily adapted by the operator to suit the particular roof structure concerned, including the positions and sizes of the roof beams. This is particularly convenient for adjusting and setting the disposition of the solar panels to overlap at their respective upper and lower edge regions, e.g. on a pitched or inclined roof structure, so that the solar panels can be arranged to function as part of the building envelope and effectively replace the original roof cladding material. In other words, the solar panels themselves can be arranged to guide rain-water and / or snow melt over the roof area without permitting any significant ingress into the roof space.

Problems solved by technology

Roof structures are particularly convenient for this purpose as they present a large surface area directed towards the sun, which is both out of the way and often largely out of view from the normal visual perspective, thereby rendering the installations relatively unobtrusive.

Many roof structures, however, are not horizontal but rather are pitched or angled, and thereby present significant challenges for the workers installing the solar panel array.

Thus, in addition to the fact that the frameless glass panels are difficult to mount reliably without causing damage at the edge regions of the panels, the individual panels can be quite heavy and of an unwieldy size, presenting an area which, during handling, is susceptible to even light gusts of wind, making their handling by a single person installing the array difficult.

It is therefore apparent that the installation of such panels on a pitched or inclined roof surface can present major challenges for an efficient installation procedure.

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