Carrier structure for photovoltaic system

Abstract

In order to simplify the assembly, but also to increase the mechanical stability of the connection between a vertically extending strut (2) and a horizontally extending latch (3) of a support structure (1) of a photovoltaic system (25) having a photovoltaic module (24) suspended upright on the support structure (1), according to the invention, the connection between the respective strut (2) and the associated locking bolt (3) is established by means of a separate adapter element (4), which is inserted into a through-hole (5) formed in the strut (2), preferably from the inside to the outside, and / or which is supported on at least two outer surfaces (9a, 9b) of the strut (2) in a planar manner, the outer surfaces extend in different directions relative to the longitudinal axis (30) of the associated lock bolt (3).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a support structure for a photovoltaic (PV) system, which can be designed in particular to support upright, preferably bifacial, photovoltaic modules (bifacial photovoltaic modules can receive sunlight on the front and back sides and convert it into electrical energy there). The support structure has a plurality of columns that are fixed, in particular anchored, to or in the ground, and to which locking bolts are fixed, which respectively connect two adjacent columns to each other.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a photovoltaic system having a plurality of, preferably bifacial, photovoltaic modules arranged upright on such a support structure. "Upright" in this context also refers to designs in which the photovoltaic modules are installed at an angle of 80° or even only 70° relative to the horizontal.

[0003] Finally, the present invention also relates to a method for mounting an adapter element as described above on a support structure of a photovoltaic system. Here, the support structure also comprises a plurality of supports that are fixed, in particular anchored, to or in the ground, and to which locking bolts are attached in order to connect two adjacent supports to one another, wherein the locking bolts are each fastened to one of the supports by means of at least one separate adapter element, more specifically preferably independently of the photovoltaic modules of the photovoltaic system. Background Art

[0004] Support structures consisting of vertically extending struts and horizontally extending bolts have been used to construct photovoltaic systems having upright photovoltaic modules which are designed to be bifacial and can therefore receive sunlight both from the front side and from the back side.

[0005] One possible solution described in EP 3 560 098 B1 is to form tongues for fixing the bolts directly on the pillars, wherein the tongues can be formed, for example, at openings in the pillars, which serve as insertion openings for the bolts, so that the bolts can be inserted more deeply or shallowly into the corresponding pillars.

[0006] However, it is also known to use a separate adapter plate, with which the corresponding locking bolt is fixed to the support in the operating position. For example, there are solutions that use simple angle irons as such adapter elements, which are screwed onto the corresponding support. These angle irons can then be screwed, for example, to tongues formed on the locking bolt, thereby establishing the desired connection between the locking bolt and the support. Summary of the Invention

[0007] Based on this, the object of the present invention is to provide a supporting structure for a photovoltaic system, which can safely withstand the high wind loads occurring when using upright photovoltaic modules even with very large module dimensions and at the same time achieve a high electrical efficiency and efficient construction of the photovoltaic system.

[0008] To achieve this object, the present invention provides for a support structure for a photovoltaic system, with the features of claim 1. Therefore, according to the present invention, to achieve this object, for a support structure of the type mentioned at the outset, it is proposed that the locking bolts are each secured to one of the pillars by means of at least one separate adapter element, and that the respective adapter element is supported in a planar manner on at least two surfaces of the pillar extending in different directions transversely to the longitudinal axis of the pillar (vertical z-direction). In this embodiment, the surfaces on which the respective adapter element is supported can be the outer and / or inner surfaces of the pillar (as will be seen further in the exemplary embodiment). This solution, on the one hand, ensures that the moments generated by wind loads are effectively dissipated into the respective pillars via the adapter element, and on the other hand, it also allows for an arrangement that optimizes the unobstructed nature of the photovoltaic module.

[0009] Alternatively or in addition to the aforementioned features, the aforementioned object can also be achieved by the combination of features of independent claim 2: Therefore, according to the invention, in order to achieve this object, it is proposed for a support structure of the aforementioned type that the locking bolts are each fastened to one of the supports by means of at least one separate adapter element, the respective support having at least one through-hole, and at least one adapter element is respectively inserted into the respective through-hole or passes through the through-hole. Such a support structure can thus be used to support bifacial photovoltaic modules upright, i.e., to hold them in place.

[0010] In other words, the present invention proposes inserting adapter elements through the wall of the support and then connecting them to the associated locking bolts. These separate adapter elements are preferably removably connectable to the support and locking bolts, for example, via screws and / or toothing. This approach is particularly advantageous in that, unlike previously known approaches in which adapter elements establish the connection between the module frame of the photovoltaic module and the support, the locking bolts and support can first be connected to each other using the adapter elements, independently of the photovoltaic module being installed, thereby providing a substantially rectangular mounting area for the support structure (for example, a parallelogram-shaped mounting area is also possible when the support is installed at an angle in the ground). The photovoltaic modules can then be installed in the mounting area and connected to the corresponding locking bolts and / or support, completely independently of the adapter element installation. The photovoltaic modules can have their own module frames, which allow them to be mounted / attached to the corresponding locking bolts and / or support. The locking bolts, however, extend only horizontally, meaning they do not surround the photovoltaic modules (as the module frames do).

[0011] The respective adapter element can here have elongated holes (preferably extending in the z-direction) which allow the locking bolt to be mechanically connected to the adapter element at different z heights, preferably by means of a screw connection.

[0012] Each of the adapter elements can provide at least one retaining surface on which the associated locking bolt can be mounted. In particular, it can be provided that the respective adapter element forms or provides at least one retaining surface for retaining the locking bolt on at least one, preferably both, side of the support (relative to the longitudinal direction of the locking bolt) on which the adapter element is mounted. Thus, each of the locking bolts can be retained at its respective end by at least one (or even two) such retaining surfaces formed by the adapter element.

[0013] According to a possible embodiment, the corresponding adapter element can form at least one retaining surface for retaining one of the locking bolts on both sides of the (associated) column (with respect to the longitudinal direction of the locking bolt) on which the adapter element is mounted.

[0014] Preferably, the retaining surface extends in the longitudinal direction of the respective locking bolt, so that the locking bolt can be mounted on the retaining surface at different x-positions in its longitudinal direction. Such a design is advantageous in order to compensate for fluctuations in the distance between the pillars (e.g. due to an inclined position of the pillars).

[0015] Since the support structure includes a plurality of locking bolts and struts, each of which is connected to one another via corresponding adapter elements, the support structure can include a plurality of adapter elements. Preferably, all adapter elements used in the support structure are of similar design. However, for example, different designs according to the invention and / or different adapter element configurations according to the invention can also be combined within the same support structure. Thus, the struts can also differ in their respective designs; for example, there can be a left strut and a right strut, each of which is designed differently. The same applies to the locking bolts, in particular their ends; however, these locking bolts can also, but need not, be of similar design.

[0016] The adapter element is thus a separate component that can be designed so that it can be releasably connected to the associated locking bolt and the associated support, preferably by screwing. A particularly simple design provides that the corresponding adapter element is designed as a bent metal sheet or a longitudinal profile with a constant cross-section. Of course, not all adapter elements used in the load-bearing structure must be designed as described or claimed herein. For example, the adapter element designed and / or arranged according to the present invention can also be combined with conventional simple angle irons or comparable previously known adapter elements.

[0017] The advantages of the support structure according to the present invention are particularly useful in photovoltaic systems in which the photovoltaic modules are designed to be bifacial and are mounted, in particular, vertically on the support structure. However, the support structure according to the present invention can also be used to support other commercially available types of photovoltaic modules, such as monofacial photovoltaic modules.

[0018] The supports of the support structure can be arranged in a row (particularly a single row) or in multiple rows spaced apart from one another. In this case, the corresponding mounting area between two supports can define a module plane in which the photovoltaic modules can be arranged. The photovoltaic modules can be secured to the latches and / or the supports. This can be achieved, in particular, using separate module supports that surround the outer edges of the photovoltaic modules and are themselves secured to one of the latches and / or supports. Such module supports can be designed, in particular, as module frames or as separate components.

[0019] Both the strut and the locking bolt can preferably be designed as longitudinal profiles, particularly preferably as bent sheet metal parts, in particular made of galvanized steel.

[0020] The support can have a longitudinal profile, in particular an open longitudinal profile, in at least one holding section, with a basic C-, U-, Z-, or S-shaped shape. A mounting or support surface can be formed as a flange at the end of the profile. The adapter element can be flatly supported on such a support surface or fastened to such a mounting surface, preferably by means of a screw connection, a riveted connection, and / or an insert.

[0021] For all load-bearing structures described herein that have through-holes in the struts, the locking bolts do not necessarily have to be inserted into the corresponding through-holes; rather, the corresponding locking bolts can be inserted more or less deeply into the through-holes. Instead, the respective ends of the locking bolts can be spaced a greater or lesser distance from the associated struts in the final assembly position. However, when, for example, semi-open longitudinal profiles are used for the struts, the locking bolts can be inserted more or less deeply into the openings in one side of these profiles, for example, into the openings in one side of a C-profile or U-profile of one of the struts.

[0022] All features of the support structure described here are achievable in particular in the final assembled position of the adapter element.

[0023] According to the invention, this object is also achieved by further advantageous embodiments according to the dependent claims. The different designs of the adapter element and / or the through-opening described below can be combined with one another in a variety of ways in a support structure. Thus, for example, the support structure can include different struts with different profiles and / or struts with through-openings of different configurations and / or adapter elements of different configurations.

[0024] For example, it can be provided that the respective struts are designed with longitudinal profiles, and the respective adapter elements are inserted from the inside out into the respective through-holes. However, the installation direction is not important here, but rather the final assembly position, in which the adapter element can rest on the inside against the longitudinal profiles of the struts (i.e., on the inside of the profiles) and thereby protrude outward from the struts. Thus, the adapter element can provide at least one retaining surface that protrudes outward from the struts.

[0025] It is preferred that the respective adapter element is guided along the inner contour of the longitudinal profile and / or is supported on the longitudinal profile on the inside (preferably flatly). Preferably, at least one of the inner surfaces of the support, on which the adapter element is supported flatly and / or at the end, is oriented transversely to the insertion direction in which the adapter element can be inserted into the through-hole.

[0026] In general, the terms "inner side", "inner contour" or "on the inside" are understood to refer in particular to the first side of the longitudinal profile; correspondingly, the second side of the longitudinal profile, opposite to the first side, is understood to refer to the outer side, outer profile or outer side. Thus, for example, a Z-profile or S-profile can also have a first (inner) side and an opposite second (outer) side.

[0027] In order to adapt the adapter element to the inner contour of the pillar, it can preferably be provided that the adapter element has at least two bends. These bends can preferably extend in the longitudinal direction of the pillar (in the final assembled position).

[0028] According to a preferred embodiment, the corresponding adapter element can have four bends (i.e., four deformations). This allows the adapter element to rest flatly against at least three inner or outer surfaces of the longitudinal profile of the support. The term "bend" / "deformation" is to be understood here particularly in a geometric sense, meaning that the bend / deformation need not necessarily be produced by a bending or plastic deformation process. For example, if the adapter element is designed as a longitudinal profile produced using a casting process, the adapter element can have a geometric bend. This embodiment is technically equivalent to producing the bend using a bending / deformation process.

[0029] In such a design, at least one contact leg of the adapter element can thus bear flatly against the inner contour of the longitudinal profile (of the support). Designs in which the adapter element forms at least two contact legs, each of which bears flatly against two inner surfaces of the longitudinal profile. The term "inner surface" should be understood to mean that, in the assembled state of the support, the outer surface (e.g., on which solar radiation impinges) lies opposite the corresponding inner surface (wherein the intermediate space is filled with material from the longitudinal profile).

[0030] It is particularly advantageous if the two inner surfaces extend in different directions transversely to the longitudinal axis of the support and / or if at least one of the inner surfaces extends transversely to the insertion direction in which the adapter element can be inserted into the through-opening, because in this case both longitudinal and transverse forces can be effectively dissipated into the support.

[0031] Typically, for the through-hole according to the present invention, the hole cross-section of the through-hole can be selected to be smaller than the cross-section of the associated locking bolt. In such a design, the locking bolt can no longer be inserted into the through-hole (unlike when inserting through the hole); that is, the locking bolt is only retained via a corresponding adapter element. However, when using a C- or U-profile for the support, for example, the locking bolt can be inserted more or less deeply into the opening on one side of the profile (at least on one side of the support). Naturally, for this purpose, the opening on one side of the longitudinal profile of the support must be aligned with the associated locking bolt to enable such insertion.

[0032] According to a further advantageous embodiment, in particular one which advantageously influences shading of the photovoltaic module, the width of the through-hole transversely to the longitudinal direction of the support is at most 80%, preferably at most 60%, of the associated width of the support (at the height of the through-hole).

[0033] In other embodiments (for example, when two slot-shaped through-holes are formed side by side at the same height in the same pillar), the corresponding abutment edges of the pillar laterally outwardly delimit the corresponding through-holes (i.e., for example, to the left and right of the latch). These abutment edges have a distance relative to one another (here, the distance between the outer edges of the through-holes) and transverse to the longitudinal direction of the pillar that is up to 80%, preferably up to 60%, of the corresponding width of the pillar. This embodiment also allows adapter elements inserted into the corresponding through-holes to grip latches whose width is less than 80%, particularly less than 60%, of the width of the corresponding pillar. Using such narrow latches while maintaining the pillar's width ensures high mechanical stability of the pillar and minimizes shading of the photovoltaic module by the latch. Advantageous in this regard is the central positioning of the latch relative to the pillar's outer edges (in this case, the center plane of the latch can coincide with the module plane, i.e., the plane of the photovoltaic module).

[0034] The respective contact edges of the struts that laterally delimit the respective through-holes (and thus determine the lateral position of the retaining surface of the adapter element inserted into the through-holes) can thus be offset inwardly toward the module plane in which the active surfaces of the photovoltaic modules of the photovoltaic system lie, more specifically with respect to the outer surfaces of the struts that are laterally spaced apart from this module plane (these outer surfaces of the struts can therefore extend parallel to and at a distance from the module plane). This design can result in the respective contact edges being spaced apart from the outer edges of the struts relevant for shading by a distance of at least 10%, preferably at least 20%, of the respective width of the strut. Thus, in this case, a latch having a width of only approximately 80%, or even only 60%, of the width of the respective strut can be retained.

[0035] According to one possible embodiment, only one adapter element is inserted into each of the through-holes of the respective struts. In such an embodiment, the respective adapter element can be designed in particular as a flat surface, i.e., for example, without (shaped) bends (for example, reinforcing ribs can be formed). In the simplest case, the adapter element according to the invention can be designed as a flat part, in particular as a rectangular flat metal part.

[0036] Alternatively or additionally, through-holes can also be formed in the respective pillars, with a width that is smaller than, preferably twice or even four times smaller than, the width of the associated locking bolt. Thus, the through-holes according to the present invention can, for example, exhibit a height-to-width ratio measured in the longitudinal direction of the pillar of greater than 5:1 or even greater than 10:1, depending on the thickness and height of the (particularly flat) adapter element. If, for example, two through-holes cooperate by having the same locking bolt held by the adapter elements inserted therein, and only one adapter element is inserted into each of the two cooperating through-holes, it is advantageous if the two cooperating through-holes are positioned symmetrically relative to the pillar's central axis, which extends in the pillar's longitudinal direction. This allows the locking bolt to be centered relative to the pillar's outer edge that is relevant for shading, and thus the module plane can also be centered relative to the outer edge of the pillar that causes shading. This also reduces shading of the photovoltaic module.

[0037] In yet another embodiment, it is provided that at least two adapter elements are respectively inserted into some of the through-holes.

[0038] The through-hole according to the present invention can also have a width that corresponds to the width of the associated locking bolt; depending on the design, the width of the through-hole can even exceed the width of the locking bolt, which is particularly advantageous when the retaining surface of the adapter element is mounted on the outside of the locking bolt. For such a wide through-hole, it is advantageous to position the through-hole centrally, specifically with respect to the width of the associated support, transversely to the longitudinal direction of the associated locking bolt and transversely to the longitudinal direction of the associated support. If two adapter elements are inserted into the through-hole in this case, they can rest on the left and right sides of the support, respectively, on the left and right sides, delimiting the through-hole. Thus, the two adapter elements can also be oriented symmetrically with respect to the central axis of the support (so that the locking bolt, which is retained by the two adapter elements, is centered with respect to the support). However, depending on the bifaciality of the solar module used, the through-hole and the corresponding adapter element can also be arranged eccentrically / non-centrally. This can be particularly advantageous when using single-sided photovoltaic modules, for example, but the design according to the present invention can still be achieved in such cases.

[0039] In this design, even after the corresponding adapter element is installed, the through-hole remains free across the entire width of the associated locking bolt. In this case, the locking bolt can be inserted into the through-hole, which then functions as a through-hole into which the bolt can be inserted more or less deeply. This facilitates compensating for variations in the distance between the struts. If the through-hole also functions as a through-hole, it can be at least as wide, in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction of the struts, as the sum of the corresponding width of the associated locking bolt and twice the material thickness of the adapter element used. This is because, in this case, the locking bolt can be grasped from both sides by one or both adapter elements inserted into the through-hole, while simultaneously being insertable into the through-hole.

[0040] A particularly advantageous embodiment provides that the respective adapter element is held in the through-hole in a rotationally fixed manner and / or in a manner that prevents displacement in at least two directions. For example, the adapter element can thus be held in the through-hole in a manner that prevents displacement in the longitudinal direction of the bolt. Such an embodiment can be achieved, for example, by means of a slot-shaped recess in the support and / or by means of a slot-shaped recess in the adapter element itself.

[0041] In the final assembled position, the two recesses in the support and in the adapter element itself can meet each other and thus cooperate so that the adapter element is fixed in all three spatial directions. For this purpose, it is advantageous if, in the final assembled position, the adapter element extends transversely to the outer surface of the support in which the slot-shaped recess is formed.

[0042] To facilitate securing the final assembly position of the adapter element by means of the recess, it is advantageous if the recess in the support has a width at least equal to the material thickness of the adapter element and / or if the recess in the adapter element has a width at least equal to the material thickness of the support. To secure the position of the adapter element orthogonally, it is advantageous if the adapter element has at least two such slot-shaped recesses, which are oriented along the z-axis, i.e., in the longitudinal direction of the support, and are preferably aligned with one another.

[0043] Therefore, it can be provided in particular that the final assembly position of the adapter element relative to the support is secured by a positive fit between the adapter element and the support. During assembly, this fixation can initially occur without fixing means. However, for the strength of the support structure, it can be provided that the final assembly position is subsequently secured by fixing the adapter element to the support and / or to a locking bolt. Thus, in particular, a rotationally or displaceably secured locking can be achieved by the positive fit between the adapter element and the support in the final assembly position. Here, the positive fit positions the adapter element rotationally and / or displaceably fixed relative to the support. Therefore, in this context, rotationally and / or displaceably secured locking can be understood to mean that the adapter element is already rotationally and / or displaceably fixed in the through-hole even before final fixing by means of a fixing element (e.g., a screw).

[0044] Corresponding recesses in the support and / or in the adapter element can fix the lateral position of the adapter element (and thus the lateral position of its retaining surface for retaining the locking bolt) relative to the module plane or the center axis of the support. A preferred embodiment is one in which the recess in the support is spaced apart from the center axis of the support, but also from the outer surface of the support, which in turn is spaced apart from the module plane / center axis.

[0045] Furthermore, it can be provided that the respective adapter element rests or sits on a resting surface of the associated support, in particular extending transversely or obliquely to the longitudinal direction of the support. Furthermore, a design is advantageous in which the respective adapter element rests on a resting edge of the support, preferably extending in the longitudinal direction of the support. These features also apply when the adapter element is fully inserted into the through-hole and thus reaches the final assembly position. This design allows the z-position of the adapter element relative to the support to be predetermined by the resting surface and / or the y-position of the adapter element relative to the support to be predetermined by the resting edge.

[0046] As already mentioned, the adapter elements can each form at least one retaining surface on the bolt side, against which the associated bolt can rest flatly on its inner or outer surface. For example, such a retaining surface can grip the bolt on the outside or on the inside. It is preferred that each bolt is retained at its respective end by at least two such retaining surfaces (retained in pairs). These retaining surfaces can, for example, surround the bolt on both sides from the outside or grip it on both sides from the inside (combinations of these are also possible).

[0047] According to a preferred embodiment, two adapter elements are provided to provide a pair of retaining surfaces for retaining a locking bolt (on one side of the support). The corresponding locking bolt can thus be fixed at one end to the pair of retaining surfaces. Both retaining surfaces can be located on the inside, or both on the outside, or one retaining surface can be located on the outside and the other on the inside to hold the respective locking bolt. With a correspondingly designed locking bolt, retaining surfaces can also be provided below or above, or both below and above, using the adapter elements. All such paired retaining surface designs are considered technically equivalent.

[0048] As mentioned above, the holding surface pair can also be formed on both sides of the pillar, especially when two separate adapter elements are used (wherein each of the two adapter elements provides a holding surface on the left side of the pillar and a holding surface on the right side of the pillar).

[0049] The respective retaining surfaces of the adapter element can preferably be oriented in the longitudinal direction of the locking bolt to be retained. This has the advantage that when the locking bolt is mounted / fixed, preferably by means of a screw connection, on the retaining surface of the associated adapter element, the locking bolt can be moved in its longitudinal direction along the retaining surface. This allows for compensation of fluctuations in the distance between the supports, which can occur in particular when the supports are fixed in the ground at an angle.

[0050] Designs are also possible in which the respective adapter element forms at least one retaining surface for retaining one of the locking bolts on both sides of the column to which the adapter element is mounted, relative to the longitudinal direction of the locking bolt. For simplified assembly, it is advantageous in these cases if the respective retaining surfaces of the adapter element (on the left and right sides of the column) extend beyond the column in the longitudinal direction of the associated locking bolt. Furthermore, it is advantageous if the two retaining surfaces of the adapter element on the left and right sides of the column are aligned with one another.

[0051] Thus, one such adapter element can connect two locking bolts to a single pillar, with the locking bolts then being arranged on the left and right sides of the pillar. In particular, the single adapter element can extend beyond the pillar on both sides. Aligning the retaining surfaces offers the advantage that the locking bolts can be arranged jointly on the left and right sides of the pillar and centered with respect to the module plane, where the active surface of the photovoltaic module lies. This helps minimize shading of the photovoltaic module.

[0052] It can also be provided that the respective adapter element forms two tongues, in particular a left and a right tongue, or, for example, an upper and a lower tongue, which have or form corresponding retaining surfaces. These retaining surfaces / tongues can thus be configured, in particular, as pairs for retaining locking bolts fixed to the adapter element. To increase the stability of such an adapter element, the two tongues can be connected to one another via at least one, preferably at least two, bridges formed by the adapter element. Furthermore, in such a design, it is expedient for the two tongues to rest on the outside of the support against abutment edges that delimit the through-hole in the support, into which the adapter element is inserted.

[0053] As already mentioned, the pillars can advantageously be designed with longitudinal profiles, wherein the pillars can be divided, in particular, into a fixed section anchored in the ground and a retaining section located above the ground, the two sections being connected to one another. Preferably, the longitudinal profiles can be designed with a semi-open cross-section, i.e., in particular, with a C-shaped, U-shaped, Z-shaped, or S-shaped cross-section. In such a design, the corresponding adapter element can, for example, bear flatly against at least one inner surface, preferably at least two inner surfaces, and / or at least one outer surface, preferably at least two outer surfaces, of the longitudinal profile of the corresponding pillar. Another design, which can supplement or alternatively be used, provides that one end of the corresponding longitudinal profile is bent at least partially to form a flange, and the corresponding adapter element bears flatly against the flange (i.e., at least in a section of the flange).

[0054] Thus, the inner or outer surface of the strut can serve as a support surface, at which the adapter element is supported, and / or as a mounting surface, at which the adapter element is fastened, preferably screwed.

[0055] For example, it can be provided that the respective adapter element bears flatly against at least two inner surfaces and one outer surface of the longitudinal profile of the associated support. Furthermore, to ensure the most stable connection possible between the support and the adapter element, it is preferred that one of the inner surfaces, on which the adapter element bears flatly, extends transversely to a retaining surface of the adapter element, which is provided for retaining one of the locking bolts. This allows both tensile forces in the longitudinal direction of the associated locking bolt and torques about its transverse axis to be safely dissipated into the support via the respective contact surfaces between the adapter element and the outer or inner surfaces of the longitudinal profile. The two inner / outer surfaces, on which the adapter element bears flatly, can preferably extend opposite each other and, in particular, parallel to each other. This is possible, for example, with a C-shaped longitudinal profile having a substantially rectangular shape.

[0056] The corresponding adapter element can be fixed on at least one outer surface of the support, in particular on a flange formed by the support. Alternatively or in addition to this, the corresponding adapter element can also be fixed on at least one inner surface of the support.

[0057] According to another embodiment (if a through-hole is used, the through-hole can be designed accordingly), it is provided that the respective adapter element can be continuously displaced in the longitudinal direction of the associated support in a non-final assembly position, i.e., before final attachment to the associated support, in particular in order to thereby fix the z-position of the adapter element relative to the support. For this purpose, it can be provided in particular that the adapter element is (respectively) displaceably positioned in the longitudinal direction of the support on the outside against the outer contour of the support and / or on the inside against the inner contour of the support. If a through-hole is used, it can also be provided that the height of the adapter element in the longitudinal direction of the support is smaller than the height of the through-hole into which the adapter element is inserted, preferably at least 20% smaller.

[0058] Alternatively or additionally, the locking bolt can also be adjustable in the longitudinal direction of the associated support and relative to the associated adapter element that has already been installed. This can be achieved, for example, by forming an elongated hole or a grid of holes in the adapter element. In this case, the locking bolt can be mounted on the adapter element at different heights relative to the adapter element. Furthermore, the retaining surface of the adapter element can be designed to be long (and, if necessary, have elongated holes formed on the locking bolt and / or on the adapter element in the longitudinal direction of the locking bolt) so that the locking bolt can be mounted on the adapter element at different longitudinal positions. This allows the effective connection length provided by the locking bolt to be varied without having to use / manufacture locking bolts of different lengths.

[0059] According to another solution, which may have independent inventive qualities, for achieving the aforementioned object, for a support structure of the type mentioned above (which can in particular be designed as described above or as claimed herein), it is provided that the locking bolt is respectively fixed to one of the pillars by means of at least one separate adapter element, the respective adapter element being guided on the outside around the respective pillar to which it is fixed, and the adapter element is further supported flatly on at least two outer surfaces of the pillar extending in different directions transversely to the longitudinal axis of the pillar. The features of independent claim 13 can therefore be used instead of or in addition to the features set forth above in claim 1 and / or claim 2 to achieve the aforementioned object.

[0060] In the embodiment according to claim 13 , it can also be provided that the adapter element rests on at least two outer surfaces of the associated support, wherein the adapter element is preferably fastened to at least one of these outer surfaces.

[0061] In yet another embodiment, the adapter element can be placed on at least three outer surfaces of the associated support. In this case, the adapter element is preferably fixed to at least one of these three outer surfaces. Furthermore, in such an embodiment, it is possible for the adapter element to retain the corresponding locking bolts by means of a retaining surface on both sides of the support, preferably with the two retaining surfaces aligned with each other.

[0062] The scheme of guiding the adapter element around the pillar on the outside and the scheme of using the through hole can also be combined with each other.In fact, all the characteristics previously set forth can also be applied to the adapter element guided around the pillar on the outside.

[0063] For example, one embodiment provides that the respective adapter element is inserted into two through-holes of a pillar, each of which is formed in the pillar to which the adapter element is fixed. In particular, it can be provided that the adapter element is passed through the respective through-holes of the pillar once from the outside inward and once from the inside out. Thus, the adapter element can be supported on the outside, preferably on at least two outer surfaces of the pillar extending in different directions, then pass through the first through-hole, then rest against the pillar on the inside, and finally pass through the second through-hole, thereby exiting the pillar again from the inside out (this consideration therefore follows the longitudinal extension of the adapter element; this embodiment is not shown in the figures but can be readily derived from similar embodiments with a single through-hole).

[0064] To achieve the above-mentioned object, a photovoltaic system is proposed, comprising a plurality of bifacial photovoltaic modules arranged upright on a supporting structure. According to the present invention, the supporting structure of the photovoltaic system can be designed as described above or in accordance with one of the claims relating to the supporting structure. In this case, the two pillars and two locking bolts of the supporting structure define a substantially rectangular mounting area. At least one photovoltaic module can be arranged in this mounting area, but multiple photovoltaic modules can also be arranged in this mounting area. The plane within the mounting area, in which the active surfaces of the photovoltaic modules are arranged, is referred to herein as the module plane. This is the plane that is relevant for shading.

[0065] To achieve the aforementioned objectives and, in particular, to simplify the construction of the photovoltaic system described above, the present invention also provides a corresponding method for mounting an adapter element on a support structure of a photovoltaic system. Naturally, the adapter element and the support structure or support structure can be designed as described above or in accordance with one of the claims for the support structure.

[0066] To simplify assembly, the method provides for the respective adapter element to be flatly supported on at least two surfaces of the support, each extending in different directions transversely to the longitudinal axis of the support. The respective adapter element can then be securely connected to the support in the thus positioned final assembly position, for example by means of a screw connection.

[0067] Additionally or alternatively, the method may also provide for inserting an adapter element (for positioning in the final assembly position), preferably from the inside out, into a through-hole in one of the pillars. As a result, the adapter element protrudes outward from the through-hole. Thus, the retaining surface formed by the adapter element can protrude outward from the pillar (preferably in the longitudinal direction of the bolt).

[0068] Alternatively or additionally, it can also be provided that the adapter element rests on the inner side against the inner contour of one of the pillars. This can be done in particular by supporting the adapter element flatly on two inner surfaces of the pillars extending in different directions transversely to the longitudinal axis of the pillars.

[0069] Finally, in addition and / or as an alternative to the features explained above, in the method, provision can also be made to achieve the object that the adapter element is supported flatly on at least two outer surfaces of one of the pillars, each extending in different directions transversely to the longitudinal axis of the pillar.

[0070] All the method steps described above are ultimately used to position the adapter element on the corresponding support in the final assembly position. In the assembly position, the adapter element can be connected to the support, for example, by screwing or by other means and methods, with force and / or form (and thus firmly) connected to the support.

[0071] Depending on the design of the respective adapter element, the method may also provide for inserting the respective adapter element into the through-hole of the associated pillar in an insertion direction, preferably from the inside out with respect to the pillar, in particular so as to subsequently abut against the pillar from the inside. In particular, it may be provided that the final assembly position of the adapter element is only achieved by moving the adapter element in a displacement direction extending transversely to the insertion direction, while the adapter element is already inserted into the through-hole. This may particularly ensure that, in the final assembly position, the adapter element abuts against an abutment edge of the pillar that delimits the through-hole.

[0072] In another variant of the method, it is provided that the final assembly position of the adapter element is achieved only by shifting and / or tilting the adapter element in a displacement direction extending transversely to the insertion direction and in the longitudinal direction of the support, specifically while the adapter element is already inserted into the through-hole. This assembly makes it possible for the adapter element to be held in the through-hole in the final assembly position in a rotationally locked or rotationally and / or displacement-proof manner, for which purpose in particular the recesses described above in the support or in the adapter element itself can be used.

[0073] Another possible method step according to the invention provides that the corresponding adapter element is inserted in advance (i.e. before being introduced into the second through-hole) through the first through-hole of one of the pillars, in particular from the outside to the inside with respect to the pillar, and then through the second through-hole of the pillar, in particular from the inside to the outside.

[0074] When inserting the adapter element into the through-hole, it can also be provided that the corresponding adapter element is inserted into the through-hole in an oblique orientation relative to the longitudinal axis of the pillar in the insertion direction. Preferably, the adapter element is then rotated about the axis of the insertion direction. Additionally or alternatively, the adapter element can also be moved transversely to the insertion direction, in particular transversely to and / or in the longitudinal direction of the pillar, to thereby reach the final assembly position. This method of operation also allows the adapter element to rest against a contact edge of the pillar that delimits the through-hole and / or rest on a support surface of the pillar in the final assembly position.

[0075] The present invention will now be described in detail based on embodiments, but the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. Further configurations of the present invention can be obtained from the following description of preferred embodiments in conjunction with the general description, the claims and the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0076] In the following description of various preferred embodiments of the present invention, elements that are identical in their function are provided with identical reference numerals even if they are designed or shaped differently.

[0077] In the picture:

[0078] Figure 1 A first example of a support structure with a through-hole is shown, into which a separate adapter element is introduced.

[0079] Figure 2 The example of a support with two through-holes is shown, into which a corresponding adapter element can be introduced in each case.

[0080] Figure 3 Show Figure 1, in which the adapter element is now completely assembled in the through-hole in the final assembly position,

[0081] Figure 4 An example of an adapter element designed according to the invention is shown, which bears on the inside against both inner surfaces of the longitudinal profile of the strut shown.

[0082] Figure 5 An example of an adapter element according to the invention is shown, which is inserted into a through-hole of a support and forms two tongues which are provided for holding a bolt in pairs.

[0083] Figure 6 Show Figure 5 A top view of a design example,

[0084] Figure 7 and Figure 8 Two different views of a further example are shown, in which the adapter element according to the invention is inserted into a through-hole of a support so as to be displaceable in the z-direction.

[0085] Figure 9 Shown from another perspective Figure 4 For example,

[0086] Figure 10 A top view of a support is shown, in which two adapter elements are inserted into the through-holes, as previously described in Figure 4 and Figure 9 As described in, wherein a corresponding locking bolt is held by the two adapter elements on the left and right side of the pillar,

[0087] Figures 11 to 13 Show will already be in Figure 1 The flat adapter element shown in FIG is inserted into the corresponding through hole of the corresponding support.

[0088] Figure 14 shows a schematic component part of a support structure according to the invention, wherein the position of the adapter element is only schematically indicated but not shown in detail, and

[0089] Figure 15 An example of an adapter element according to the invention is shown (on the left, viewed from above in the longitudinal direction of the pillar and on the right in a perspective view), which is guided around the pillar on the outside in order to thus form holding surfaces on both sides of the pillar, and

[0090] Figure 16 shows a side view of an upright bifacial photovoltaic module arranged in the mounting region of the support structure according to the invention, and

[0091] Figures 17 to 26A corresponding schematic top view of a support structure according to the invention is shown, which consists of a corresponding support column and two locking bolts fastened thereto by means of adapter elements. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0092] Figure 14 The schematic diagram shows the components of a photovoltaic system 25 according to the present invention. The photovoltaic system comprises a supporting structure 1 on which a plurality of upright bifacial photovoltaic modules 24 are arranged. The supporting structure 1 comprises a plurality of pillars 2 fixed in the ground, to which bolts 3 are fixed. These bolts each connect two adjacent pillars 2 to each other and extend horizontally. The connection between the end of each bolt 3 and the associated pillar 2 is established by means of at least one separate adapter element 4.

[0093] In addition, people Figure 14 It can be seen that the locking bolts 3 are each aligned with a row of pillars 2 and that a locking bolt 3 is also arranged between two of the pillars 2. Accordingly, the connection between the pillars 2 and the locking bolts 3 is established at the respective ends of the locking bolts 3. It should also be mentioned that the pillars 2 are designed to be wider than the locking bolts 3, which contributes to the mechanical stability of the support structure 1 but also greatly simplifies assembly with the adapter element 4 according to the invention.

[0094] exist Figure 16 A conceivably simple design of such a support structure 1 can be seen in FIG. A framed PV module 24 is mounted in the mounting area formed by two locking bolts 3 and two columns 2. To this end, the module frame 34 of the photovoltaic module 24 is fixed to the upper locking bolt 3 by means of a separate fixing element 35. The locking bolts 3 are themselves fixed at their respective ends to the corresponding associated columns 2 by means of corresponding adapter elements 4 according to the invention.

[0095] Figure 1 A first possibility is shown of how such an adapter element 4 and the associated support 2 can be designed according to the invention: the support 2 has a through-hole 5 in its outer surface 9a (module-side outer surface) facing the associated locking bolt 3 and thus the photovoltaic module 24 mounted thereon, which has a width 31 that is greater than the width 28 of the associated locking bolt 3 transversely to its longitudinal direction 30 (see also Figure 10 As can be seen, the corresponding adapter element 4 is formed in the form of a metal plate in a flat and non-bent manner. Corresponding rectangular recesses 15 are formed at the upper and lower edges of the metal plate.

[0096] In all the designs according to the figures, the corresponding adapter element 4 is supported in a planar manner on at least two surfaces of the corresponding pillar 2, wherein these surfaces extend in different directions transversely to the longitudinal axis 29 (=vertical z direction) of the pillar 2, so that the torque caused by the wind load can be effectively discharged from the adapter element 4 into the pillar 2.

[0097] exist Figures 1 to 3 In this case, the two supporting surfaces of the support 2 are the surface formed by the support 2 in the region of the contact edge 20 (this section plane delimiting the through-opening 5) and the outer surface 9d formed by the flange 11 at the end of the longitudinal profile 7 of the support 2. The adapter element 4 bears flatly against both surfaces.

[0098] In other words, in Figures 1 to 3 In the embodiment, the adapter element 4 is supported flatly on the flange 11 of the support 2. However, the adapter element 4 also rests on the abutment edge 20 of the through-hole 5 defined in the support and is also supported on the support surface 13 (which is formed on the bottom of the recess 12 in the support 2). Thus, the flange 11 serves as a contact surface for the adapter element 4. The adapter element 4 and the flange 1 cooperate to achieve a latching fastening that allows longitudinal adjustment of the latch 3 and simultaneously dissipates high transverse forces into the support 2.

[0099] exist Figures 19 to 26 In the embodiment of the present invention, for example, the respective locking bolt 3 is held at its respective end by at least one holding surface 6 provided by the adapter element 4 according to the invention.

[0100] The at least two support surfaces are Figure 4 、 9 In the case of 10, the inner surfaces 8a and 8b and the outer surface 9d of the support 2 are located there. Figures 5 to 8 In the case of the inner surfaces 8a and 8b of the pillar 2, Figure 15 In this case, these are the outer surfaces 9a and 9b of the strut 2 there (due to manufacturing tolerances, there may be an air gap between the outer surface 9c and the adapter element 4). Figure 17 In the case of the inner surfaces 8a and 8b; Figure 18 In the case of the outer surfaces 9a and 9b; Figure 19 In the middle are inner surfaces 8b, 8c and outer surfaces 9b, 9c; Figure 20 In the middle are outer surfaces 9b, 9c for the upper adapter element 4 and inner surfaces 8b and 8c (on opposite sides of the S-profile 7) for the lower adapter element 4; Figure 21 、 Figure 22 and Figure 24 In the middle are outer surfaces 9a, 9b and inner surfaces 8a, 8b; Figure 23 The inner surface 8a and the corresponding side wall surface defining the through hole 5 in the U-shaped profile 7 (with Figure 3 similar); and finally in Figure 25 and Figure 26 In the figure, there are outer surfaces 9c, 9d and inner surfaces 8c, 8d. Figures 1 to 18 23 , in that two separate adapter elements 4 are used to hold the end of one of the locking bolts.

[0101] exist Figure 15 and Figure 18 In the example of FIG, the corresponding adapter element 4 is supported on the outside on the support 2. Therefore, the formation of the through-hole 5 can be omitted there. Figure 18 In FIG. 1 , it can be seen that the space between the two holding surfaces 6 (on the left side of the support) remains at least partially free. This creates space for the longitudinal adjustment of the locking bolt 3. Figure 18 It can be seen here, but also in other design examples, that the support surface 9 a , which prevents the adapter element 4 from tilting, projects laterally beyond the locking bolt 3 (in the drawing plane and transversely to the longitudinal direction of the locking bolt 3 ).

[0102] Figure 17 and Figure 18 The comparison shows that the at least two support surfaces via which the adapter element 4 is supported on the support 2 can be formed by the inner surfaces (20, 8a, 8b) and / or outer surfaces (9a, 9b) of the longitudinal profile (7) forming the support. These inner and outer surfaces extend in the longitudinal direction of the support 2.

[0103] Figures 11 to 13 It shows how the adapter element 4, which is designed as a flat part without being bent, is mounted on the support 2 and is held in a rotationally locked and non-displaceable manner in the through-hole 5 of the support 2 even before the final screw connection with the corresponding locking bolt 3. To this end, the adapter element 4 is inserted into the through-hole 5, which can be done from both sides in the present embodiment.

[0104] like Figure 11 As shown, for this purpose, the adapter element 4 is first oriented obliquely with respect to the longitudinal axis 29 of the support 2 extending in the z direction in the insertion direction 17 shown (in FIG. Figure 11 In this case, the recess 15 formed at the lower edge of the adapter element 4 engages with the recess 12 formed at the lower edge of the through hole 5 in the support 2, which can also be Figure 1 The adapter element 4 is then rotated clockwise about the axis of the insertion direction 17 (negative X direction) (see Figure 12), wherein the adapter element 4 is also moved downwards in the negative Z direction, counter to the longitudinal direction 29 of the pillar 2, i.e. transversely to the insertion direction 17, so that the recess 15 and the recess 12 are completely engaged with each other.

[0105] After the complete rotation and the complete transverse movement, the adapter element 4 is in the final assembly position 19, which is Figure 13 In the figure, the adapter element 4 is placed on the support 2 at the support edge 20, which defines the right edge of the through hole 5. Figure 1 1 and is formed on a support surface 13 on the bottom of the recess 12 in the support 2. Thus, in the final assembly position 19 shown, the z position of the adapter element 4 relative to the support 2 is predetermined by the support surface 13 and the y position of the adapter element 4 relative to the support 2 is predetermined by the support surface 13. Figure 12 The contact edge 20 visible in the figure is predetermined.

[0106] exist Figure 1 In the example of FIG. 5 , the width 31 of the through hole 5 is less than 60% of the corresponding width 32 of the support 2 (the width is, for example, Figure 2 As shown in FIG), so that once the two adapter elements 4 provided for this purpose are in the support 2 Figure 1 In the example shown, the through-holes 5 are mounted on the left and right sides of the abutment edges 20, respectively. These two adapter elements 4 can then grasp from both sides a latch 3 whose width 28 is thus significantly narrower (more than 20% narrower) than the width 32 of the associated support 2. This helps minimize shading of the front and back sides of the photovoltaic module 24 while simultaneously ensuring high stability of the support 2. For the same reason, the through-holes 5 are also centrally located relative to the outer edges 23 of the support 2 that are relevant for shading. In other words, the through-holes 5 are centered relative to the width 32 of the support 2, which is transverse to its longitudinal direction 29 and to the longitudinal direction 30 of the associated latch 3. However, if monofacial photovoltaic modules are used (with the front side of the single active surface of the respective module oriented toward the sun), an eccentric arrangement of the latch / through-hole can also be employed to further minimize shading. In this case, it is advantageous to position the active surface as close as possible to the outer surfaces of the support (on which solar radiation impinges).

[0107] Figure 2 A second possible design example is shown, in which two relatively narrow, slot-shaped through-holes 5a and 5b are formed in the outer surface 9a of the support 2. In this example, the adapter element 4 is also designed to be flat and can be inserted into the corresponding through-hole 5. Figure 1In contrast to the example of FIG, in which two adapter elements 4 can be inserted into the through-hole 5 there, the two adapter elements then rest on the left and right sides of the support 2 on the corresponding resting edges 20 that delimit the through-hole 5 shown, while Figure 2 In the example of FIG, it is provided that only one adapter element 4 is inserted into the corresponding through-opening 5 a / 5 b.

[0108] exist Figure 2 In the example of FIG, the opening cross section of the through holes 5a and 5b is selected to be smaller than the cross section of the corresponding locking bolt 3 to be mounted on the adapter element 4. Therefore, the locking bolt 3 cannot be introduced into the corresponding through hole 5a or 5b. Figure 1 As in the example of FIG. 1 , here too, the corresponding adapter element 4 is first inserted into the through-hole 5 in the illustrated insertion direction 17, counter to the x-direction, to a depth corresponding to the position of the recess 15 visible at the upper edge of the adapter element 4. The adapter element 4 can then be moved transversely to the insertion direction 17 in the illustrated displacement direction 18 (at Figure 2 Move along the y-axis) until the final assembly position 19. In the final assembly position 19, Figure 2 The adapter element 4 here rests again on the abutment edge 20 of the pillar 2 extending in the longitudinal direction 29 of the pillar 2, wherein the abutment edge 20 delimits the shown through-opening 5b laterally on the right (the abutment edge 20 is formed by the pillar 2).

[0109] for Figure 1 For example, the final assembly position 19 is Figure 3 , where it can be seen in the left-hand illustration that the adapter element 4 is positioned in a rotationally and displacement-proof manner by means of a recess 12 formed in the support 2 and a recess 15 formed in the receiving element 4 itself: the upper recess 15 of the adapter element engages with the support 2 and determines the x-position of the adapter element 4 relative to the support 2; while the lower recess 12 in the support 2 engages with the adapter element 4 and thus determines the y-position of the adapter element 4 relative to the support 2. Here, too, the adapter element 4 bears flatly against the outer surface 9d shown of the support 2. Figures 1 to 13 In all examples, the support 2 is formed by means of a longitudinal profile 7 with a C-shaped cross section. The two ends 10a and 10b of the longitudinal profile 7 are bent here and thus form corresponding flanges 11a, 11b, which provide corresponding contact surfaces for the adapter element 4 to rest on the flange 11 in a flat manner.

[0110] In the design examples described so far, the respective adapter element 4 is designed so large in terms of its height that even two locking bolts 3 placed one above the other can be mounted on the respective retaining surfaces 6 provided by the adapter element 4. The elongated holes 14 provided in the adapter element 4 ensure that the respective locking bolts 3 can be mechanically connected to the adapter element 4 at different z-heights, for example via a screw connection. This makes it possible to compensate for, for example, height fluctuations of the support 2 and / or inclinations of the terrain.

[0111] Figure 4 Another example according to the invention is shown, in which a through hole 5 is re-formed in the support 2, which is also re-designed (only by way of example) with a C-shaped longitudinal profile 7. Figure 4 As can be seen in FIG, the adapter element 4 there has a cross-section similar to an omega, viewed in the z-direction. Consequently, the adapter element 4 is no longer designed to be flat, but rather has a total of four bends 16, each of which extends in the longitudinal direction 29 of the strut 2. The adapter element 4 thus provides a plurality of contact surfaces, with which it bears flatly against the inner surfaces 8a, 8b shown, but also against the outer surface 9d of the longitudinal profile 7 of the strut 2. As can be seen here, the adapter element 4 is inserted into the through-hole 5 from the inside out, as its shoulder strikes the inner surface 8a of the strut 2 and bears flatly there.

[0112] Fit the adapter element 4 to Figure 4 Here again, the adapter element 4 is first inserted into the through-hole 5 along the shown insertion direction 17. Figure 4 The final assembly position 19 shown in FIG is only achieved by displacing the adapter element 4 transversely to the insertion direction 17 in the displacement direction 18 shown, while the adapter element 4 is already inserted into the through-opening 5. In the final assembly position 19, the adapter element 4 thus abuts against a contact edge 20 of the strut 2 that transversely delimits the through-opening 5. Furthermore, the right-hand tongue 21 formed by the adapter element 4 and providing the retaining surface 6 for retaining the associated locking bolt 3 abuts flatly against the flange 11 of the C-profile 7.

[0113] exist Figure 4 In the example of FIG, the adapter element 4 is thus clearly guided along the inner contour 26 of the longitudinal profile 7 and is supported flatly on the longitudinal profile 7, namely on the surfaces 8a, 8b and 9d. Figure 9 and Figure 10 This can be seen in the two figures, which also show that Figure 4 The previously known final assembly position 19 of the adapter element 4 on the same support 2 is obtained. Figure 10It can be clearly seen here that the adapter element 4 is supported in a planar manner on the inner side of the longitudinal profile 7 , more precisely on the inner surfaces 8 a and 8 b .

[0114] As in Figure 4 As shown in FIG, the adapter element 4 thus forms two abutment legs 27, which are respectively supported flatly on two inner surfaces 8a or 8b of the longitudinal profile 7. The two inner surfaces 8a and 8b are respectively transverse to the support 2 in different directions. Figure 4 The longitudinal axis 29 shown in FIG extends. Thus, not only longitudinal forces but also transverse forces acting on the locking bolt 3 can be safely conducted to the pillar 2.

[0115] exist Figure 4 、 9 The adapter element 4 shown in FIG. 10 can be seen on both sides of the pillar 2, that is, with respect to the corresponding locking bolt 3. Figure 10 The longitudinal direction 30 shown in FIG constitutes at least one holding surface 6 for holding one of the locking bolts 3. Figure 10 As can be seen in FIG, the two retaining surfaces 6a and 6b of the upper adapter element 4a extend beyond the pillar 2 in the longitudinal direction 30 of the associated locking bolt 3 and are also aligned with each other. The respective retaining surfaces 6a and 6b are provided here by respective tongues 21 of the adapter element 4. Figure 10 However, this is not absolutely necessary, since the tongue 21 already allows a certain longitudinal adjustability of the lock bolt 3 in the x direction (this also applies to the two tongues 21 on the right side of the adapter element 4).

[0116] Figure 5 Another possible design of an adapter element 4 according to the invention is shown, which is inserted from the inside out into the through-hole 5 of the associated support 2. The adapter element forms two contact legs 27a and 27b, which contact the inner surface of the longitudinal profile 7 of the support 2. Figure 10 The example is slightly different, Figure 5 The adapter element 4 is already provided with two tongues 21, which are provided for gripping a locking bolt 3 on both sides. Figure 5 The adapter element 4 shown in FIG 4 thus forms a left-hand and a right-hand tongue 21, which have correspondingly provided holding surfaces 6 for holding the associated locking bolts 3 in pairs. The two tongues 21a and 21b are connected to one another via two bridges 22 formed by the adapter element 4 and rest on the outside of each of the support 2 edges 20 that delimit the through-opening 5.

[0117] In the shown Figure 5 A top view of the situation Figure 6The upper bridge 22 can be clearly seen in FIG. 2 , as well as the fact that the adapter element 4 shown bears flatly against two opposite inner surfaces 8 b of the longitudinal profile 7 of the strut 2 .

[0118] Figure 7 and Figure 8 Shows a Figure 5 The adapter element of the embodiment of the present invention is similar to the adapter element 4, which accordingly forms two tongues 21a and 21b, which are provided for holding the associated locking bolts 3 in pairs. Figure 5 As in the example, Figure 7 and Figure 8 In the example shown, the height H1 of the through-hole 5 is also selected to be significantly greater than the height H2 of the adapter element 4 in the z-direction. This makes it possible to move the adapter element 4 continuously along the longitudinal direction 29 of the corresponding support 2 even before it is finally fixed to the corresponding support 2, in order to thereby determine or adjust the z-position of the adapter element 4 relative to the support 2. This results in a z-adjustment range that is even longer than the total height of the shown elongated hole 14. Here, the adapter element 4 is placed on the inside of the support 2 at Figure 6 The adapter element 4 is positioned on the inner contour 26 shown in FIG. 2 and, more precisely, enables a displacement of the adapter element 4 in the longitudinal direction 29 of the pillar 2. After the final fastening of the adapter element to the pillar, the adapter element contributes to the mechanical stabilization of the pillar.

[0119] In such a design, it can even be provided that the respective strut consists of two longitudinal profiles which together form the through-opening 5, thereby saving material waste during production. If the respective strut is designed in two parts, a relatively wide adapter element can preferably be used in order to mechanically stabilize the actually obtained width of the two-part strut in view of the then higher wind loads.

[0120] Instead of mounting by screwing the adapter element, the fixed connection / joint between the support and the adapter element can also be formed by means of a latching mechanism, for example. For example, a corresponding latching mechanism can be provided, wherein for this purpose the adapter element can latch into tongues stamped onto the support and extending in the z-direction.

[0121] Figure 15Another embodiment according to the invention, which may have an independent inventive quality, is shown: Here, the adapter element 4 is guided on the outside around the associated support 2, and the adapter element 4 is supported in a planar manner on a total of three outer surfaces 9a, 9b and 9c of the support 2. Here, for example, the outer surfaces 9a and 9b each extend in different directions transversely to the longitudinal axis 29 of the support 2. The adapter element 4 is thus placed in a planar manner on at least two outer surfaces 9a and 9b of the support 2, and the two outer surfaces 9a, 9b can be used to connect the adapter element 4 to the support 2, for example by screwing. Figure 15 In the example shown, the adapter element 4 can also hold an associated locking bolt 3 on each side of the pillar 2 by means of corresponding retaining surfaces 6, because the two tongues 21 shown providing corresponding retaining surfaces 6 are arranged on both sides of the pillar 3 and are also aligned with each other.

[0122] Figures 17 to 26 Another possible embodiment of the connection according to the invention between a support 2 and at least one associated locking bolt 3 is shown by means of at least one adapter element 4 designed according to the invention. Here, (by way of example) C-, U-, Z- and S-shaped profiles are used for the respective support 2. Figure 18 、 20 , 22, 24 and 26, no through-holes 5 are formed in the longitudinal profile 7 of the respective support 2, but rather the respective adapter element 4 bears flatly against at least two outer surfaces 9 of the support 2 extending in different directions transversely to the longitudinal axis of the support 2 (= viewing direction of the respective figures). Figure 17 、 19 , 21, 23 and 25, a through-hole 5 is formed in each case in the longitudinal profile 7 of the support 2, wherein an adapter element 4 is inserted and guided through the corresponding through-hole 5. In all these embodiments, the corresponding adapter element 4 provides a retaining surface 6 which is oriented in the longitudinal direction of the associated locking bolt 3 and projects from the longitudinal profile 7 of the support 2.

[0123] exist Figure 17 In the example of FIG, the respective adapter element 4 provides a respective retaining surface 6 on each side of the pillar 2, to which the respectively associated locking bolt 3 is fixed in a planar manner.

[0124] And in Figure 18 In the example of FIG, the right-hand locking bolt 3 is fastened to the support 2 by means of retaining surfaces 6 which are formed by the longitudinal profiles 7 of the support 2, more precisely by flanges 11 at the respective ends of the longitudinal profiles 7.

[0125] This also applies to Figure 19 Example, but here the flange 11 of the S-shaped profile 7 constituting the support 2 is formed on both sides of the support 2 (i.e. not as in Figure 18 Correspondingly, the corresponding adapter elements 4 are inserted on the left and right through the corresponding through-holes 5 in the S-profile 7 to respectively form a second retaining surface 6 for retaining the associated locking bolt 3 (on both sides).

[0126] Figure 20 The example follows Figure 19 The principle of the example of FIG. 1 is the same as that of FIG. 2 , with the difference that here the adapter elements 4 each rest on the outside against the S-shaped profile 7 and no through-opening 5 is formed.

[0127] and Figure 21 The example can be used with Figure 19 : Here, too, through-holes 5 are formed on the left and right sides of the S-profile 7 of the support 2, into which an adapter element 4 is inserted. Likewise, in both examples, the adapter elements are respectively flat against the opposite sides of the corresponding S-profile 7 ( Figure 19 : 8b, 8c vs. 9b, 9c; Figure 21 : 8a, 8b vs. 9a, 9b). But Figure 19 The S-shaped profile 7 has a total of eight bends, and Figure 21 The S-profile of has only six bends, but this is compensated by the greater length of the adapter element 4 .

[0128] Figure 22 The example is designed to be Figure 21 The example of is similar, but differs in that the adapter element 4 rests only on the outside in the form of an S-shaped profile 7 of the support 2 .

[0129] exist Figure 23 In the case of a U-profile, a slightly greater distance between the two flanges 11 compared to the distance between the holding surfaces 6 of the two adapter elements 4 can be compensated by the spacer so that the two locking bolts 3 can have the same width.

[0130] Figure 24 A U-profile 7 is shown as an example of a support 2 , on which a total of four adapter elements 4 are arranged for gripping two locking bolts 3 in pairs with their retaining surfaces 6 on both sides.

[0131] Figure 25 The Z-shaped profile 7 as Figures 19 to 22 Like the S-shaped profile, flanges 11 are provided on both sides, which provide the holding surfaces 6 for holding the corresponding locking bolts 3. The two other required holding surfaces 6 are provided by a corresponding adapter element 4 inserted into the corresponding through-hole 5. However, this is not absolutely necessary. Figure 26 As shown in the example of , a similar stable structure can be achieved.

[0132] In summary, to simplify assembly and the components to be manufactured therefor, while also increasing the mechanical stability of the connection between vertically extending struts 2 and horizontally extending bolts 3 of a supporting structure 1 of a photovoltaic system 25, particularly one having photovoltaic modules 24 suspended vertically on the supporting structure 1, it is proposed that a separate adapter element 4 be used to establish the connection between the respective struts 2 and the corresponding associated bolts 3, with the adapter element 4 being supported flatly on at least two mutually angled surfaces of the struts 2. To this end, provision can be made, in particular, for the adapter element 4 to be inserted into a through-hole 5 formed in the module-side outer surface 9a of the strut 2, preferably from the inside out. Alternatively or in addition, the adapter element 4 can be supported flatly on at least two outer surfaces 9b, 9c of the strut 2, which extend in different directions relative to the longitudinal axis 30 of the associated bolt 3. Of course, designs with and without through-holes 5 in the struts 2 can also be combined.

[0133] Reference Signs List

[0134] 1 load-bearing structure

[0135] 2 Pillars

[0136] 3 lock bolts

[0137] 4 adapter element (for fixing 3 to 2)

[0138] 5 through holes

[0139] 6 holding surface (used to hold 3 on 4)

[0140] 7 longitudinal profiles

[0141] 8 (7's) inner surface

[0142] 9 (7's) outer surface

[0143] 10(7) end

[0144] 11 (made of 2 / 7) flange

[0145] 12 recesses (in 2, for fixing the rotation of 4)

[0146] 13 (2 for fixing the z position of 4) placement surface

[0147] 14 long holes

[0148] 15 Recess (in 4, for fixing the rotation of 4)

[0149] 16(4) bending part

[0150] 17 Insertion direction

[0151] 18 Movement direction

[0152] 19 Final assembly position

[0153] 20 against the edge (2, defining 5)

[0154] 21(4) tongue

[0155] Bridge 22 (connecting to Bridge 21)

[0156] 23 (related to occlusion) outer edge (2, spaced apart from 20)

[0157] 24 photovoltaic modules

[0158] 25 Photovoltaic equipment

[0159] 26 (2 / 7) inner contour

[0160] 27 rests on the support leg (4 is used to rest on 26)

[0161] 28 (3, horizontal to 30) width

[0162] 29(2) longitudinal direction

[0163] 30(3) longitudinal direction

[0164] 31(5) width

[0165] 32 (2, transverse to 29) width

[0166] 33 (the central axis of 2, extending in 29 and evenly dividing 32)

[0167] 34 module frame (including 24, for assembly on 2 and / or 3)

[0168] 35 fixing element (for connecting 34 with 3 and thus for final assembly of 24

[0169] On 3)

[0170] 36 module plane

[0171] 37(24) active surface

Claims

1. A supporting structure (1) for a photovoltaic device (25), in particular designed to support upright bifacial photovoltaic modules (24), The supporting structure (1) has a plurality of pillars (2) which are fixed, in particular anchored, on or in the ground, and to which locking bolts (3) are fixed which respectively connect two adjacent pillars (2) to each other, and is characterized in that: The locking bolts (3) are each fixed to one of the pillars (2) by means of at least one separate adapter element (4), and The respective adapter element (4) is supported in a planar manner on at least two surfaces (8a, 8b, 8c, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) of the support (2), which surfaces extend in different directions transversely to the longitudinal axis (29) of the support (2).

2. The load-bearing structure (1) according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular according to claim 1, characterized in that: The locking bolts (3) are each fixed to one of the pillars (2) by means of at least one separate adapter element (4). The respective support (2) has at least one through hole (5), and At least one adapter element among the adapter elements (4) is respectively inserted into the corresponding through-hole (5).

3. The load-bearing structure (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, in, At least one abutment leg (27) of the adapter element (4) bears flatly against the inner contour (26) of the longitudinal profile (7), It is particularly preferred that the adapter element (4) forms at least two abutment legs (27), which are respectively supported in a planar manner on two inner surfaces (8a, 8b, 8c) of the longitudinal profile (7), preferably, the two inner surfaces (8a, 8b, 8c) extend in different directions transversely to the longitudinal axis (29) of the pillar (2) and / or one of the inner surfaces (8a, 8c) extends transversely to the insertion direction (17), in which the adapter element (4) can be inserted into the through hole (5).

4. The load-bearing structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The opening cross section of the through hole (5) is selected to be smaller than the cross section of the associated locking bolt (3), in particular so that the locking bolt (3) cannot be inserted into the through hole (5).

5. The load-bearing structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The width (31) of the through-hole (5) transversely to the longitudinal direction (29) of the support (2) is at most 80%, preferably at most 60%, of the associated width (32) of the support (2), or The respective contact edges (20a, 20b) of the support (2) define the respective associated through-holes (5a, 5b) laterally to the outside, and the distance of these contact edges transversely to the longitudinal direction (29) of the support (2) is at most 80%, preferably at most 60%, of the associated width of the support (2), In particular, the adapter element (4) inserted into the corresponding through hole (5) can respectively grasp the locking bolt (5) whose width is less than 80%, in particular less than 60%, of the width of the corresponding pillar (2).

6. The load-bearing structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: Only one adapter element (4) is inserted into each of the through holes (5) of the corresponding struts (2). In particular, the adapter element (4) is designed to be flat, in particular without curvature, and / or In particular, the corresponding through-hole (5) has a width (31) which is smaller, preferably 2 times or even 4 times smaller, than the width (28) of the associated locking bolt (3), and / or The corresponding through-hole (5) exhibits an aspect ratio of height to width measured in the longitudinal direction (29) of the pillar (2) of greater than 5:1, and / or Only one adapter element (4) is inserted into each of two cooperating through-holes (5a, 5b), which are positioned symmetrically relative to a center axis (33) of the support (2) extending in the longitudinal direction (29) of the support.

7. The load-bearing structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: At least two adapter elements (4a, 4b) are respectively inserted into some of the through holes (5), and / or the corresponding through-hole (5) has a width (31) which is equal to the width (28) of the associated locking bolt (3), in particular exceeds this width (28), and / or The respective through-hole (5) is centrally positioned with respect to the width (32) of the associated support (2) transversely to the longitudinal direction (30) of the associated locking bolt (3) and transversely to the longitudinal direction (29) of the associated support (2).

8. The load-bearing structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: corresponding adapter element (4) Preferably by means of a slot-shaped recess (12) in the support (2) and / or By means of a slot-shaped recess (15) in the adapter element (4) itself, The through-hole (5) is held in a rotationally fixed manner and / or in a displacement-proof manner in at least two directions.

9. The load-bearing structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: corresponding adapter element (4) Placed on a placement surface (13) of the associated support (2), in particular a placement surface extending transversely or obliquely to the longitudinal direction (29) of the support (2), and / or Abutting against a contact edge (20) of the support (2), preferably a contact edge extending in the longitudinal direction (29) of the support (2), Once the adapter element is fully inserted into the through hole (5), In particular, the z position of the adapter element (4) relative to the support (2) is predetermined by the placement surface (13) and / or the y position of the adapter element (4) relative to the support (2) is predetermined by the contact edge (20).

10. The load-bearing structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The respective adapter element (4) forms at least one retaining surface (6) for retaining one of the locking bolts (3) on both sides of the pillar (2) on which the adapter element (4) is mounted, with respect to the longitudinal direction (30) of the locking bolt (3), Preferably, the corresponding retaining surface (6) of the adapter element (4) projects beyond the support (2) in the longitudinal direction (30) of the associated locking bolt (3), and / or The two retaining surfaces (6a, 6b / 6c, 6d) of the adapter element (4) are aligned with one another on the left and right sides of the support (2).

11. The load-bearing structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The respective adapter element (4) forms two tongues (21a, 21b), in particular a left and a right tongue or an upper and a lower tongue, which have corresponding retaining surfaces (6), In particular, the retaining surfaces (6) are provided for retaining the locking bolts (3) fixed to the adapter element (4) in pairs. Preferably, the two tongues (21a, 21b) are connected to one another via at least one bridge (22) formed by an adapter element (4), and / or The two tongues (21) each rest on the outside against a contact edge (20) of the support (2) that delimits the through-opening (5).

12. The load-bearing structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein: The respective adapter element (4) can be displaced continuously in the longitudinal direction (29) of the associated support (2) in a non-final assembly position, i.e. still before final fastening to the associated support (2), in order to thereby determine the z position of the adapter element (4) relative to the support (2). In particular, because the adapter element (4) is movably placed on the outside on the outer contour of the pillar (2) and / or on the inside on the inner contour (26) of the pillar (2) in the longitudinal direction (29) of the pillar (2), and / or because the adapter element (4) has a height in the longitudinal direction (29) of the pillar (2) that is smaller, preferably at least 20% smaller, than the height of the through-hole (5) into which the adapter element (4) is inserted.

13. A support structure (1) for a photovoltaic system (25) according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular according to one of the preceding claims, in particular designed to support upright bifacial photovoltaic modules (24), characterized in that The locking bolts (3) are each fixed to one of the pillars (2) by means of at least one separate adapter element (4). The respective adapter element (4) is guided on the outside around the respective support (2) to which the adapter element (4) is fixed, and The adapter element (4) is supported flatly on at least two outer surfaces (9a, 9b, 9c) of the support (2), which extend in different directions transversely to the longitudinal axis (29) of the support (2).

14. The load-bearing structure (1) according to the preceding claim, wherein The corresponding adapter element (4) is placed on at least two outer surfaces (9a, 9b) of the corresponding support (2), preferably and fixed on at least one of the two outer surfaces (9a, 9b), or The adapter element (4) is placed on at least three outer surfaces (9a, 9b, 9c) of the corresponding pillar (2), preferably fixed on at least one of the three outer surfaces (9a, 9b, 9c), In particular, the adapter element (4) holds the corresponding locking bolt (3) on both sides of the support (2) by means of the holding surfaces (6). The two retaining surfaces (6) are preferably aligned with each other.

15. The load-bearing structure (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein The corresponding adapter element (4) is inserted into two through-holes (5) which are respectively formed in the support (2) to which the adapter element (4) is fixed. In particular, the adapter element (4) is guided through the corresponding through-hole (5) once from the outside to the inside and once from the inside to the outside for this purpose.

16. Photovoltaic system (25), comprising a plurality of photovoltaic modules (24), preferably bifacial photovoltaic modules, which are arranged upright on a supporting structure (1), It is characterized by: The supporting structure (1) is designed according to one of the above claims, Preferably, the two pillars (2) and the two locking bolts (3) of the supporting structure (1) define a substantially rectangular mounting area, in which at least one photovoltaic module (24) is arranged.

17. Method for mounting an adapter element (4) on a supporting structure (1) of a photovoltaic system (25), in particular a support (2) of the supporting structure according to one of claims 1 to 15, in, The supporting structure (1) has a plurality of pillars (2) which are fixed, in particular anchored, on or in the ground, and to which locking bolts (3) are fastened in order to connect two adjacent pillars (2) to one another. The locking bolts (3) are each fastened to one of the pillars (2) by means of at least one separate adapter element (4), characterized in that: The corresponding adapter element (4) is supported in a planar manner on at least two surfaces (8a, 8b, 8c, 9a, 9b, 9c, 9d) of the support (2) extending in different directions and transversely to the longitudinal axis (29) of the support (2), and / or Insert the corresponding adapter element (4) Insertion, in particular from the inside out, into a through hole (5) of one of the pillars (2), and / or The inner side of the support is in contact with the inner contour (26) of one of the pillars (2), in particular it is supported in a planar manner on two inner surfaces (8a, 8b) of the pillar (2) extending in different directions and transversely to the longitudinal axis (29) of the pillar (2), and / or The invention is supported in a planar manner on at least two outer surfaces (9a, 9b, 9c) of one of the pillars (2) extending in different directions transversely to the longitudinal axis (29) of the pillar (2), In order to thereby position the adapter element (4) on the corresponding support (2) into the final assembly position (19).

18. The method according to the preceding claim, wherein For this purpose, the corresponding adapter element (4) is inserted into the through-hole (5) in the insertion direction (17), preferably from the inside out, with respect to the support (2), in particular in order to then bear laterally against the support (2) on the inside. In particular, the final assembly position (19) of the adapter element (4) is achieved only by displacing and / or tilting the adapter element (4) in a displacement direction (18) extending transversely to the insertion direction (17), while the adapter element (4) is already inserted into the through-opening (5). Preferably, the adapter element (4) is arranged in the final assembly position (19) to rest against a resting edge (20) of the support (2) that delimits the through-opening (5).

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein The corresponding adapter element (4) is first inserted through the first through-hole (5) of one of the pillars (2), in particular from the outside to the inside with respect to the pillar (2), and then inserted through the second through-hole (5) of the pillar (2), in particular from the inside to the outside.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein: The corresponding adapter element (4) is introduced into the through-hole (5) in an oblique orientation relative to the longitudinal axis (29) of the support (2) along the insertion direction (17), preferably Then Rotation about the axis of insertion direction (17) and / or Transversely to the insertion direction (17), in particular transversely to the longitudinal direction (29) of the support (2) and / or in the longitudinal direction (29) of the support (2), To reach the final assembly position (19), Preferably, the adapter element (4) in the final assembly position (19) rests on a resting edge (20) of the support (2) that delimits the through-opening (5) and / or rests on a resting surface (13) of the support (2).

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