Connecting device for theft-proof connection of photovoltaic modules

Abstract

Connecting device for the theft-proof and / or theft-deterrent connection of photovoltaic modules (26a, 26b, 48a-o), wherein the connecting device (2a, 2b) comprises: a connecting plate (4a-d), wherein when using the connecting device (2a, 2b) the connecting plate (4a-d) rests on two photovoltaic module support frames (28a, 28b) arranged side by side, and two fixing devices (8a-d) for fixing, in particular for non-releasable fixing and / or difficult-to-releasable fixing, the connecting plate (4a-d) to the photovoltaic module support frames (28a, 28b), wherein the connecting plate (4a-d) can be fixed to a first photovoltaic module support frame (28a) by means of a first fixing device (8a; 8c), and wherein the connecting plate (4a-d) can be fixed to a second photovoltaic module support frame (28b) arranged next to the first photovoltaic module support frame (28a) by means of a second fixing device (8b; 8d), characterized in that the connecting plate (4a-d) is made of a material that is difficult to machine, in particular steel or stainless steel, and the connecting plate (4a) has two side legs (6a, 6b), so that the connecting plate (4a) has a U-shaped cross-section, wherein when the connecting device is used, the legs protrude away from the module support frames (28a, 28b) on which the connecting plate (4a) rests.

Description

The invention relates to a connecting device for the theft-proof and / or theft-resistant connection of two photovoltaic modules arranged next to one another, and to an arrangement having a plurality of photovoltaic modules arranged next to one another, wherein adjacent photovoltaic modules are connected to at least one such connecting device.Photovoltaic modules are frequently stolen in solar parks or photovoltaic open-area installations, since the installations are usually located far away from orthodontists and are therefore easily accessible. In a solar park, a plurality of photovoltaic modules are connected to one another. In the event of theft, the photovoltaic modules are separated from one another in order to then be individually loaded / stacked in a transport vehicle. DE 10 2008 062 659 A1 discloses a device for monitoring theft of solar generators, which have a multiplicity of photovoltaic modules. When a photovoltaic module is removed, an alarm signal is triggered.U.S. Pat. No. 9,525,380 B2 shows a connecting device for photovoltaic modules. For connecting the PV modules, a continuous carrier plate rests on the frame of adjacent PV modules, wherein the carrier plate is fastened to the frame by means of screws and nuts.CN 205 356 228 U shows a two-part holder for PV modules, in which a left holder part is a PV module and a right holder part is an adjacent PV module. The two holder parts are joined together during assembly and fastened to a rectangular tube by bolts / screws.EP 1 892 770 A1 shows a fastening means for fixing PV modules, wherein a predetermined breaking point is provided between a fastening part and tool engagement part of the fastening means. After the assembly, the tool engagement part is separated, so that a disassembly of the fastening part is made more difficult.CN 2 03 119 673 U shows eyelet screws for connecting cables.It is the object of the invention to provide a connecting device for the theft-proof and / or theft-resistant connection of photovoltaic modules, and an arrangement of photovoltaic modules which are connected to such connecting devices.This object is achieved with the features of claims 1, 9 and 10, respectively. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of dependent claims.According to claim 1, a connecting device or securing device for the theft-proof and / or theft-resistant connection of two photovoltaic modules arranged next to one another is provided. Photovoltaic modules have a photovoltaic module carrier frame (hereinafter: module carrier frame) in which solar cells generating the electrical energy are held. The module carrier frame serves for fastening / mounting the (sensitive) solar cells to a carrier or frame for the photovoltaic modules. By means of a theft-proof or theft-resistant connecting device as described below, the module carrier frames of two photovoltaic modules arranged next to one another are connected to one another.The connecting device has a connecting plate. When using the connecting device, the connecting plate rests on two module carrier frames arranged side by side. For fixing or fastening the connecting plate to two module carrier frames arranged next to one another, the connecting device has two fixing devices. A first fixing device is configured to fix the connecting plate to a first module carrier frame and a second fixing device is configured to fix the connecting plate to a second module carrier frame, wherein the first and second module carrier frames are arranged next to one another.The connecting plate is formed of a material difficult to work. "Difficult to work" means a severe mechanical work here. The workability is, for example, working by parting working or machining. The term "difficult to process" is known from material science or from mechanical engineering-in this respect 'material' can also be referred to as 'material'. Materials which are mechanically difficult to machine (in particular metals) are, for example, steel, stainless steel, titanium, titanium alloys. (Note: Mechanically easily processable materials are, for example, aluminum, copper, brass. The connecting plate is preferably made of steel, in particular of stainless steel. The aforementioned material selection for the connecting plate preferably also applies to the preferred material selection for or at least for the essential part of the fixing device described herein. Particularly preferably, the fixing device is made of or substantially of steel or stainless steel.The described connecting device offers mechanical theft protection and makes it difficult to theft photovoltaic modules. In the event of theft, the modules must be separated from one another for transport. The steel connecting plate offers the greatest possible (mechanical) resistance to severing, for example by means of a welding device or a grinder, so that the time required for severing the individual modules becomes very great. That is, in contrast to an anti-theft device that triggers an alarm signal when a module is removed, the connection device provides mechanical protection directly on the photovoltaic module and prevents or inhibits the actual theft directly on site or on the module.If, for example, a solar park has an alarm system in addition to the mechanical securing by means of the connecting device, the time window between the triggering of the alarm by the removal of a module and the arrival of police or monitoring personnel can be, for example, approximately 20 minutes. The described connecting device makes the time required for separating the individual modules so great that too few modules can be separated from one another for a ligneous theft within the available time frame or until surveillance personnel arrive.For example, the connecting plate has a material thickness of between 2-8 mm, 2-6 mm, 2-4 mm, preferably a material thickness of or of approximately 2.5 mm. As the material for the connecting plate, stainless steel such as V2A1.4301 may be used.Preferably, the connecting plate can be connected to the photovoltaic module carrier frame in a non-detachable, difficult-to-release, anti-theft and / or anti-theft manner by means of the fixing devices, or a fastening / fixing by means of the fixing devices can be difficult to release and / or non-detachable or no longer detachable. For example, by using fixing devices with tear-off nuts, tear-off screws and / or one-way screws, the connection can no longer be released by means of the tool with which the connection was produced, for example by means of a wrench, after fixing. In particular, fastening / fixing by means of the fixing devices cannot be released in a non-destructive manner, or the fixing / fixing can only be released by destroying the fixing device (e.g. a welded seam or a screw with tear-off nut) and / or the connecting plate. Alternatively or additionally, loosening of the fixing devices can be made more difficult by making access to the fixing device more difficult, for example by covering / covering screw heads / nuts.The fixing devices can have at least one screw connection and / or at least one rivet connection. In this embodiment, the connecting plate has at least two bores for the screws / rivets. Additionally or alternatively, the fixing devices can have at least one welded connection and / or an adhesive connection. For example, the connecting plate can be connected to the module carrier frame by means of welding or adhesive bonding. Alternatively or additionally, the fixing device can have a screw connection which is non-detachably fixed / bonded by means of adhesive. As already described above, the terms "non-detachable" and "difficult-to-detach" are to be understood such that, in order to disconnect the connection of two photovoltaic modules which are connected to a connecting device, (i) the fixing device (e.g. screw connection, welded seam) has to be destroyed, (ii) a significantly increased force exertion is required in order to disconnect the fixing device in relation to the normal force exertion required in order to disconnect e.g. a metric screw connection, and / or (iii) the connecting plate has to be destroyed or severed.Preferably, the first and / or second fixing device has at least one screw connection with at least one tear-off nut. Thus, after the fastening or fixing of the connecting plate, the attachment of spanners is prevented and thus the bolted connection is non-detachable. For example, a threaded rod with two tear-off nuts can be used for the screw connection. Additionally or alternatively, the at least one screw connection can have at least one safety screw. For example, a single-use screw or a tear-off screw. A further advantage of a connecting device with elements of the fixing devices (e.g. screws / nuts) protruding from the connecting plate is that after severing of the connecting plate these protruding parts still protrude from the module carrier frame / s and thus significantly complicate the stacking and transport of (stolen) module carrier frames.The connecting plate has two side legs, so that the connecting plate has a U-shaped cross section or the connecting plate is designed as a U-profile. When using the connecting device, the legs protrude away from the module frames on which the connecting plate rests, so that the fixing device(s) are shielded or concealed by the side legs. The side legs impede access to, for example, screws / nuts of the fixing device(s), as a result of which, in turn, the detachment / theft is made more difficult. In particular, the side legs form a cutting guard for the fixing devices and offer additional resistance to severing of the connecting plate due to the larger cross section. Preferably, the side legs and the part of the connecting plate which rests on the module frame during use are formed in one piece.Preferably, the two side legs are arranged on the sides of the connecting plate with the greater longitudinal extent or the two side legs are arranged on the longer sides of the connecting plate. This ensures that the longer side legs enclose a "corridor / channel" that is as narrow and poorly accessible as possible. In particular, when using the connecting device, each side limb of the connecting plate extends over two adjacent photovoltaic module carrier frames. Particularly preferably, the two side legs extend over the entire or substantially entire side of the connecting plate. Alternatively, the two side legs extend at least over the region in which the fixing devices are arranged and thus make access / attachment of tools more difficult / prevented.Preferably, the side legs and / or the fixing devices are designed (have a height) such that after use (parts of) fixing devices arranged between the side legs are flush with an upper edge / upper edges of the side legs and / or spring back behind an upper edge / upper edges of the side legs. Thus, for example, a screw connection of the fixing device is difficult to grasp or access for tools such as spanners or angle grinders.The connecting device can have at least one angle element, in particular an angle element with an L-profile. When using the connecting device, the at least one angle element rests on a side of a photovoltaic module carrier frame which lies opposite the side on which the connecting plate rests. By means of the first or second fixing device, the angle element can be connected to a module carrier frame and the connecting plate. Thus, when using the connecting device, the following arrangement results: connecting plate - modular frame - angle element, wherein these elements are connected to the fixing devices. A module frame is thus arranged between the connecting plate and the angle element.Preferably, the at least one angle element is an L-shaped profile element and has two limbs arranged at right angles or substantially at right angles to one another. When using the connecting device, a first leg rests on a module carrier frame and a second leg protrudes away from the module carrier frame, so that (parts of) fixing devices protruding from the angle element are flush with an upper edge of the protruding leg and / or spring back behind an upper edge / upper edges of the protruding leg. Similar to the connecting plate with a U-profile, the angle element prevents / obstructs access to the fixing devices and forms in particular a cutting guard. Preferably, when using the connecting device, the at least one angle element extends / lies at right angles or substantially at right angles to the side legs of the connecting plate with U-profile. When using fixing devices with screws or rivets, the angle elements or the (first) legs resting thereon have at least one bore or one hole.The connecting device can have two angle elements, wherein, when the connecting device is used, a first angle element rests on a first module carrier frame and a second angle element rests on a second module carrier frame, which is arranged next to the first module carrier frame. In particular together with a connecting plate with a U-profile, this ensures that the fixing devices are shielded from all sides or are poorly accessible.Preferably, at least one fixing device has an eye screw or eye screw with tear-off nut. A cable can be fastened to the interconnected photovoltaic modules in a simple manner by means of the eye screw. That is to say, with one step (attachment of the connecting device), the photovoltaic modules are connected to one another and a holder for one / more cables is simultaneously mounted.According to one configuration, an arrangement having at least two photovoltaic modules arranged side by side is provided, wherein each photovoltaic module has a module carrier frame. Adjacent photovoltaic modules are connected to at least one connecting device as described above.According to a further embodiment, an arrangement with a plurality of photovoltaic modules arranged side by side is provided, wherein each photovoltaic module has a module carrier frame. Adjacent photovoltaic modules are connected to a connecting device as described above, wherein a connecting device with a connecting plate with side legs (U profile) and a connecting device with a connecting plate without side legs are arranged alternately. Connecting devices with connecting plates without side legs are more cost-effective. Connecting devices with connecting plates with a U-profile additionally impede access to the fixing devices. By using the two configurations of the connecting devices alternately, a cost-effective and secure connection of all photovoltaic modules can be provided.Embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail with reference to figures. The following are shown: FIG. 1 shows a lateral sectional view of an arrangement of two photovoltaic modules which are connected to a connecting device according to a first embodiment, FIG. 2 shows a view of the arrangement of FIG. 1 from below, FIG. 3 is a side view of the arrangement of FIG. 1, FIGS. 4 a- c show a plan view and side views of a connecting plate of the connecting device of FIG. 1, FIGS. 5 a- c show a plan view and side views of an angle element of the connecting device of FIG. 1, FIG. 6 shows a schematic lateral sectional view, not to scale, of an arrangement of two photovoltaic modules which are connected to a connecting device according to a second embodiment, FIGS. 7 a- c are plan views of various configurations of a connecting plate of the connecting device of FIG. 6 ; and FIG. 8 shows a schematic plan view, not to scale, of an arrangement of interconnected photovoltaic modules according to one embodiment.FIG. 1 shows a lateral sectional view of an arrangement of two photovoltaic modules 26 a, 26 bwith module carrier frames 28 a, 28 bconnected to a connecting device 2 aaccording to a first embodiment. FIG. 2 shows a view of the arrangement of FIG. 1 from below and FIG. 3 shows a side view of the arrangement of FIG. 1 The arrangement shown is an example for connecting a plurality of photovoltaic modules 26 a, 26 b; for example for a solar park or a photovoltaic open-area installation.As shown in FIG. 1, the connecting device 2 ais arranged on a lower side of the connected photovoltaic modules 26 a, 26 b, so that no part of the current-generating upper side of the photovoltaic modules 26 a, 26 bor of the solar cells is covered by the connecting device 2 a. By means of the connecting device 2 a, an anti-theft or at least anti-theft connection of the photovoltaic modules 26 a, 26 bis provided. That is to say, the connecting device 2 ais a mechanical protection against theft, which prevents or complicates a disconnection of the modules 26 a, 26 bnecessary for theft of photovoltaic modules 26 a, 26 b.In this embodiment, the connecting device 2a has a connecting plate 4a with two side legs 6a, 6b (FIGS. 2, 3 ) or the connecting plate 4a is designed as a U-profile. In use, the central region of the connecting plate 4a rests on both module carrier frames 28a, 28b and the side legs 6a, 6b project away from the module carrier frames 28a, 28b (downwards).The connecting plate 4a has two bores 30a, 30b (FIGS. 4a-c) and is fastened to the module carrier frame 28a, 28b by means of two fixing devices 8a, 8b, wherein in this embodiment both fixing devices 8a, 8b are designed as a screw connection. A first fixing device 8a has an internal hexagonal screw 10 fixed by a break nut 12a. A second fixing device 8b comprises an eyelet screw 14 fixed with a nut 18 on the side of the eyelet and a tear-off nut 12b. The eye screw 14 additionally forms a holder for one / more cables.As shown in FIG. 2, the connecting plate 4 ais arranged such that each side leg 6 a, 6 bextends over both module carrier frames 28 a, 28 b. The side legs 6 a, 6 bare arranged on the longer sides of the connecting plate 4 a,resulting in a smallest possible "channel", which makes access to the fixing devices 8 a, 8 bor the screws / nuts more difficult / prevented. Preferred lengths a of the connecting plate 4a are or are approximately 57 mm, 62 mm and 80 mm.The connecting device has two (optional) angle elements 20 a, 20 bwith an L-profile and in each case one bore 30 c(FIGS. 5 a- c) for the fixing devices 8 a, 8 b. The angle elements 20 a, 20 bor a first leg 24 a, 24 bof the angle elements 20 a, 20 blies on a side of a module carrier frame 28 a, 28 bwhich lies opposite the side on which the connecting plate 4 alies. A second leg 22 a, 22 bof the angle elements projects away from the module carrier frames 28 a, 28 b. The protruding legs 22 a, 22 bare arranged in such a way that they prevent or impede or complicate access to the fixing devices 8 a, 8 b. The angle elements 20 a, 20 bare preferably embodied with equal sides, wherein the angle elements 20 a, 20 bhave in particular a length b of or of approximately 40 mm and a leg length c of or of approximately 15 mm.By means of the connecting plate 4 awith a U-profile and the angle elements 20 a, 20 b, the fixing devices 8 a, 8 bare protected from access / detachment from both sides, so that a disconnection of the connecting device 2 aor of the photovoltaic modules 26 a, 26 bby detaching the fixing devices 8 a, 8 bis impossible or at least takes too much time to be worthwhile for theft.At least the connecting plate 4 ais formed from steel, in particular from stainless steel. As a result, the connecting plate 4a offers a high mechanical resistance against severing of the connecting plate 4a by means of, for example, an angle grinder or welding device, so that the time required for releasing the connecting device 2a becomes too great for a ligneous theft. For example, the connecting plate 4a has a material thickness of between 2-8 mm, 2-6 mm, 2-4 mm, preferably a material thickness of or of approximately 2.5 mm. As the material for the connecting plate, stainless steel such as V2A1.4301 may be used. Angle elements 20 a, 20 bare preferably likewise made of steel, in particular stainless steel, in order to provide the greatest possible mechanical resistance to severing.FIG. 6 shows a schematic lateral sectional view, not to scale, of an arrangement of two photovoltaic modules 26 a, 26 bwith module carrier frames 28 a, 28 bconnected to a connecting device 2 bin accordance with a second embodiment.In contrast to the above-described connecting device 2 a, in this embodiment the connecting device 2 bhas a connecting plate 4 bwithout side legs 6 a, 6 band no angle elements 20 a, 20 b. As already described above, the connecting plate 4 bis made of steel, in particular stainless steel, in order to offer the greatest possible mechanical resistance to severing.The schematically illustrated connecting device 2b offers a cost-effective, theft-proof / theft-resistant connection of photovoltaic modules 26a, 26b. As described above with respect to the arrangement of FIG. 1, the connection plate 4 blies on (a lower side of) the two module carrier frames 28 a, 28 b. The connecting plate 4 bis fastened to the module carrier frame 28 a, 28 bby means of two fixing devices 8 c, 8 d. By way of example, in this embodiment, the first fixing device 8 ccomprises a round head screw 40 with tear-off nut 12 cand the second fixing device 8 dcomprises a threaded rod 42 with two tear-off nuts 12 d, 12 e.Both fixing devices 8 c, 8 dare unreleasable or difficult or can only be released with great time expenditure and thus prevent / prevent theft.In Figs. 7a-c are schematically shown top views of connecting plates 4b, 4c, 4d in different lengths a for a connecting device as in Fig. 6. The connecting plates 4 b, 4 c, 4 deach have two elongated holes 44 a- f, through which the screws / threaded rods of the fixing devices 8 c, 8 dare inserted when the connecting device is used. Preferred lengths a are or are about 57 mm, 62 mm and 80 mm.Alternatively or additionally to the illustrated connections of the fixing devices 8 a- dby means of screws, rivets can be used, for example, as well as additionally or alternatively materially bonded connections such as welded connections and / or adhesive connections. For example, screw connections and / or rivet connections can additionally be welded and / or glued. Screws and / or nuts can be secured against loosening, for example, by means of adhesive.FIG. 8 shows a schematic plan view, not to scale, of an arrangement 46 of interconnected photovoltaic modules 48 a- oaccording to an exemplary embodiment. The photovoltaic modules 48 a- ocorrespond to the photovoltaic modules 26 a, 26 bdescribed above, wherein adjacent modules 48 a- oare connected to one another by connecting devices 2 a, 2 bas described below.A cost-effective and thereby theft-proof connection of all photovoltaic modules 48 a- ois provided by the alternating use of a connecting device 2 awith a connecting plate 4 awith a U-profile (FIG. 1 ) and a connecting device 2 bwith a connecting plate 4 b- dwithout a U-profile (FIG. 6 ). As schematically shown in FIG. 8, the connecting devices 2 a, 2 bare alternately arranged once in an upper region of adjacent photovoltaic modules 48 a- oand once in a lower region of adjacent photovoltaic modules 48 a- o. The eyelet screws 14 of the connecting devices 2 acan be used, for example, to pull a cable of an electronic anti-theft device.List of reference characters2 a, 2 bconnecting device 4 a- dconnecting plate 6 a, 6 bside legs 8 a- dfixing device 10 screw (hexagon socket) 12 a- e break nut 14 eye screw 18 screw nut 20 a, 20 bangle element / L-profile 22 a, 22 bprotruding away leg 24 a, 24 blies resting leg 26 a, 26 bphotovoltaic module 28 a, 28 bmodulator frame 30 a- c bore 40 round head screw 42 threaded rod 44 a- funtilt 46 photovoltaic module arrangement 48 a- ophotovoltaic module a length connecting plate b length angle element c leg width angle element

Claims

Connecting device for the theft-proof and / or theft-resistant connection of photovoltaic modules (26a, 26b, 48a-o), wherein the connecting device (2a, 2b) comprises: a connecting plate (4a-d), wherein, when the connecting device (2a, 2b) is used, the connecting plate (4a-d) rests on two photovoltaic module carrier frames (28a, 28b) arranged next to one another, and two fixing devices (8a-d) for fixing, in particular for non-detachably fixing and / or difficultly fixing, the connecting plate (4a-d) to the photovoltaic module carrier frames (28a, 28b), wherein, by means of a first fixing device (8a; In the embodiment of FIG. 8c), the connecting plate (4a-d) can be fixed to a first photovoltaic module support frame (28a), and wherein the connecting plate (4a-d) can be fixed by means of a second fixing device (8b; 8d) to a second photovoltaic module support frame (28b) arranged next to the first photovoltaic module support frame (28a), characterized in that the connecting plate (4a-d) is formed from a material which is difficult to work, in particular from steel or stainless steel, and the connecting plate (4a) has two side limbs (6a, 6b), such that the connecting plate (4a) has a U-shaped cross section, wherein, when the connecting device is used, the limbs protrude away from the module support frames (28a, 28b) on which the connecting plate (4a) rests.Connecting device according to claim 1, wherein the connecting plate (4a-d) has a material thickness of between 2-8 mm, 2-6 mm, 2-4 mm, preferably a material thickness of or of approximately 2.5 mm.Connecting device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the fixing devices (8a-d) have at least one screw connection and / or at least one rivet connection, and / or wherein the fixing devices have or comprise at least one welded connection and / or an adhesive connection, and / or wherein the fixing devices (8a-d) are formed from or substantially from a material which is difficult to work, in particular from steel or stainless steel.Connecting device according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein the fixing devices (8a-d) have at least one screw connection with at least one tear-off nut (12a-d), and / or wherein the fixing devices have at least one screw connection with at least one safety screw, in particular a one-way screw or a tear-off screw, and / or wherein the fixing devices (8b) have at least one screw connection with an eye screw (14) with tear-off nut (12b) for connecting a cable.Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the two side legs (6a, 6b) are arranged on the sides of the connecting plate (4a) with the greater longitudinal extent.Connecting device according to claim 5, wherein the side legs (6a, 6b) and / or the fixing devices (8a-d) are formed such that, when the connecting device (2a) is used, parts of fixing devices (8a-d) arranged between the side legs (6a, 6b) are flush with an upper edge of the side legs (6a, 6b) and / or spring back behind an upper edge of the side legs (6a, 6b).Connecting device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the connecting device (2a) has at least one angle element (20a, 20b), in particular an angle element (20a, 20b) with an L profile, wherein, when the connecting device (2a) is used, the at least one angle element (20a, 20b) rests on a side of a photovoltaic module carrier frame (28a, 28b) which is opposite to the side on which the connecting plate (4a) rests, and wherein, by means of the first or second fixing device (8a - d), the angle element (20a, 20b) can be connected to a photovoltaic module carrier frame (28a, 28b) and the connecting plate (4a), and / or wherein the connecting device (2a) has at least one angle element (20a, 20b) with an L-profile with two limbs (22a, 22b; 24a, 24b) arranged at right angles or substantially at right angles to one another, and wherein, when using the connecting device (2a), a first limb (24a, 24b) rests on a photovoltaic module carrier frame (28a, 28b) and a second limb (22a, 22b) projects away from the photovoltaic module carrier frame (28a, 28b), such that parts of fixing devices projecting out of the first limb (24a, 24b) are flush with an upper edge of the projecting or second limb (22a, 22b) and / or spring back behind an upper edge of the projecting or second limb (22a, 22b).The connecting device according to claim 7, wherein in use of the connecting device (2a), the at least one angle element (20a, 20b) extends at right angles or substantially at right angles to the side legs (6a, 6b) of the connecting plate (4a).Arrangement having at least two photovoltaic modules (26a, 26b) arranged next to one another, wherein each photovoltaic module has a module carrier frame (28a, 28b), and wherein adjacent photovoltaic modules (26a, 26b) are connected to at least one connecting device (2a, 2b) according to one of Claims 1 to 8.Arrangement (46) having a plurality of photovoltaic modules (48a-o) arranged side by side, each photovoltaic module (48a-o) having a module carrier frame, adjacent photovoltaic modules (48a-o) being connected to a connecting device (2a, 2b) according to one of Claims 1 to 8, a connecting device (2a) having a connecting plate (4a) with side limbs (6a, 6b) and a connecting device (2b) having a connecting plate (4b) without side limbs being arranged alternately.

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