Mounting bracket for a photovoltaic module, and kit for attaching a photovoltaic module to a fence system

Abstract

Mounting bracket for a photovoltaic module (4), wherein the bracket is designed to hold the module (4) as part of a fence system in use, and includes the posts and surface elements (1) arranged between the posts, characterized by that the bracket is designed as a set of several elements and • has two clamping pieces (5), o each of which has a groove (12) and is arranged together to encompass the module (4) at two opposite module edges by means of the respective groove (12), • and has a locking element (6, 14) for each clamping piece (5), ◯ which is designed to engage a strut (2, 3) of the surface element (1) on the side facing away from the module (4) during use ◯ and to be fixed to the associated clamping piece (5), • wherein the clamping pieces (5) and / or the securing elements (6, 14) are designed as filler pieces and are each configured to be inserted between two adjacent parallel struts (2, 3) of a surface element (1) during use, • and wherein the set has a stop which is designed to rest against a third edge of the module (4) when in use.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a mounting for a photovoltaic module, wherein the mounting is designed to hold the module as part of a fence system during use, and comprises posts and surface elements arranged between the posts. Within the scope of the present invention, photovoltaic modules are hereinafter referred to simply as PV modules or modules.

[0002] For the vertical arrangement of PV modules, so-called solar fences are a well-known example, representing the closest state of the art. Instead of wooden or metal struts, or closed panels made of wood, plastic, metal, or glass, the solar fence's panels are designed as PV modules, each held between two fence posts. A post and a module form a unit, and these units can be joined together in virtually any number to create a fence of the desired length. The posts act as supports, and to ensure that even the module of the last assembled unit is held between two posts, a single post is used to close the fence – see https: / / venturama-solar.de / produkt / powerpvence-solarzaun-1 80m-hoch-zusatzfeld-mit-pv-modul.

[0003] Furthermore, mounting systems for PV modules on vertical building facades are known, designed as a substructure with vertically and horizontally running rails. The spaced rails above one another have mutually facing grooves into which the PV modules can be inserted – see the installation instructions linked on the website https: / / blackforest-photovoltaik.de / products / wandpv-vertikal.

[0004] For mounting PV modules on vertical grids, especially for the modules of so-called "balcony power plants" on balcony railings, brackets are known that have several individual hooks as well as telescopic spacer struts which allow adjustment of the tilt angle of the PV module - see https: / / www.arebos.de / de de / nuasol-balkongelander-halterung-rund-fur-ein-solarmodul.html.

[0005] The invention is based on the objective of creating a mounting for a photovoltaic module of a fence system, which enables the safest possible mounting of the module on a new or existing fence system with minimal material expenditure, which has surface elements with intersecting struts.

[0006] Features of the invention are specified in claims 1 and 15. Embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0007] The invention thus proposes that the holder be designed as a set of several elements and have two clamping pieces, each of which has a groove and is arranged together to encompass the module at two opposite module edges by means of the respective groove, and that each clamping piece has a locking element which is arranged to engage behind a strut of the surface element on the side facing away from the module in use and to be fixed to the associated clamping piece, wherein the clamping pieces and / or the locking elements are designed as filler pieces and are each arranged to be inserted between two adjacent parallel struts of a surface element in use, and wherein the set has a stop which is arranged to bear against a third edge of the module in use.

[0008] The mounting system according to the invention enables the attachment of a photovoltaic module to a fence. This can be used when constructing a new fence; however, constructing a new fence is not strictly necessary. The mounting system according to the invention can also be used with existing fences. In this context, the invention assumes that the efficiency of vertically installed modules may be lower than that of modules installed at an angle. However, as with the prior art, additional surfaces besides building surfaces can be used to generate solar energy. This can be particularly advantageous in the commercial sector, for example, for companies with high electricity consumption, unlike in private households.

[0009] The invention is based on the premise that the panel elements of the fence system have intersecting struts. The design of the individual elements of the support is adapted to the geometry of the panel elements, whereby, for example, the individual elements can always be fundamentally identical and only be adapted to the respective fence system with regard to their dimensions such as height and / or width and / or depth. In practice, fence systems are widespread whose panel elements are designed as so-called double-wire panels, with vertical struts of, for example, 6 mm in diameter, and with horizontal double struts of 8 mm in diameter each, which accommodate the vertical struts between them. Such a fence system is referred to as a double-wire panel fence.The following explanation of the invention will always be based on the application example that the bracket is used to attach PV modules to a double wire fence.

[0010] The design of the surface elements of a double-wire fence is largely standardized, so that correspondingly designed elements of the mounting according to the invention can be used without modification in a large number of existing and commercially available double-wire fences. The post spacing for double-wire fences is typically 2.5 m, and many commercially available rectangular photovoltaic modules have dimensions that allow two vertically oriented modules to be mounted side by side between two fence posts. The number of modules that can be stacked depends on the height of the fence.

[0011] The use of clamping pieces with grooves that hold the module at opposite edges makes the use of the mounting bracket according to the invention safer during its installation, as it enables a positive locking connection of the module and, for example, eliminates the need to screw the bracket to the module frame. Unintentional damage to the module is thus significantly less likely, and any warranty or guarantee that may exist for the PV module is not affected or invalidated by damage that would otherwise inevitably be caused by the screw holes in the PV module, e.g., in a surrounding frame of the module. The clamping piece, together with the module, is located on the side of the fence system facing the sun, and therefore referred to as the front.

[0012] The locking element provided according to the invention, which interacts with the clamping piece, is located on the rear side of the fence system, so that it engages a strut of the surface element on the side facing away from the module. When the locking element is fixed to the clamping piece, for example by gluing or screwing, the module is thus secured against forces acting transversely to the plane of the surface element.

[0013] Either the clamping piece, or the locking element, or both, are designed to extend into the relatively shallow space bounded by the struts of the surface element. Due to the intersecting struts, some are referred to as longitudinal struts and others as transverse struts. These designations are not tied to the longitudinal and transverse dimensions of a rectangular surface element, but are merely chosen as examples to illustrate the two different directions of the respective struts.The element of the support that extends between two parallel first struts, referred to as longitudinal struts, is called a filler piece because it is not only located exclusively on one side or exclusively on the other of the surface element, but also extends into the aforementioned flat space of the surface element, namely between two struts of the surface element, and at least partially fills this space. The filler pieces limit the sliding movements of the module relative to the surface element of the fence system because the filler pieces extend between the struts of the surface element and, accordingly, when they are moved along with the module relative to the surface element, they come into contact with a strut and thus prevent further movement.

[0014] According to the invention, in addition to the two clamping pieces mentioned above, which hold the module at opposite edges, a stop is part of the mounting, the stop being positioned against a third edge of the module. For example, the stop can be designed as a further clamping piece into whose groove the module with a third edge is inserted. If, for example, the two aforementioned clamping pieces hold the module at its two vertical edges, the stop, as a third clamping piece, can hold the module at its upper or lower edge. Alternatively, the stop can be designed without a groove and support the module at its lower edge. In any case, the stop serves to secure the module against displacement movements that could otherwise occur along the longitudinal axis of the notes held by the two aforementioned clamping pieces.By using the two clamping pieces and the stop, the module is secured against undesirably large displacements in three directions of movement parallel to the plane of the surface element. An additional stop can be used to secure the module against upward displacements; however, due to the module's own weight, such a stop is not necessary but optional.

[0015] One embodiment of the mounting is characterized by the fact that, firstly, the overlap with which the module is received in the groove, and secondly, the width of the filler piece, with which it projects between two struts of the surface element running parallel to the groove, are coordinated in such a way that the module is held securely in one direction perpendicular to the groove of the filler piece. The filler piece can accordingly be displaced relative to the module and perpendicular to its groove, thus reducing the overlap with which the module enters the groove. However, the dimensions of the filler piece are selected to match the design of the surface element such that the filler piece cannot be displaced so far that the module is completely removed from the groove. This ensures that the module is always held by the clamping element, since the movement of the clamping element is restricted by the design of the filler piece.

[0016] One embodiment of the bracket is characterized by the fact that the filler pieces are designed to essentially fill the gap between two struts during use. This minimizes the displacement between these two struts. In practice, a small displacement is advantageous to allow for easy installation of the filler pieces with a certain amount of play, particularly considering manufacturing tolerances regarding the spacing of the respective longitudinal and transverse struts of the surface element. Because the filler piece largely, indeed essentially, fills the gap between two parallel struts, its displacement perpendicular to these two struts is limited.The filler piece can also essentially fill the gap between the two struts running in the other direction, so that the displacement path of the filler piece is also very narrowly limited in this other direction and the module is accordingly held securely against displacement on the surface element of the fence system.

[0017] One embodiment of the mounting is characterized by the stop being designed as a foot, which is configured to support the module during use, as its lower edge rests on the foot. In this way, the stop can be designed to be particularly simple and therefore also particularly economical, since it does not need to have a groove like a clamping piece, but merely needs to project under the module so that the module can rest on the stop. The dimensions and material of the stop are accordingly chosen such that the stop can bear the weight of the module.This applies at least to the possibility of temporarily bearing the module's weight, namely when, during the module's installation on the mounting surface, the module is initially placed on the base and its weight is borne solely by the base before the securing elements are connected to the filler pieces. Depending on the design of the clamps and securing elements, a portion of the module's weight may also be borne by these mounting elements, for example, if the filler pieces rest on the horizontal struts of the mounting surface and thus also bear or transfer a portion of the module's weight into the mounting surface. Therefore, the base's permanent load-bearing capacity does not necessarily have to be designed to support the entire module's weight permanently.Furthermore, two or more feet can optionally be used per module, so that for this reason as well the load-bearing capacity of each individual foot does not necessarily have to be able to support the entire module dish.

[0018] One embodiment of such a bracket is characterized by the fact that the base is designed as an essentially Z-shaped insertion tab, which is configured to be inserted between the two bars of a double strut of a double-wire fence and, in use, essentially lies horizontally. Such an insertion tab can be inserted into the panel element quickly and easily, i.e., without tools. Its rear section engages the rear bar of the double strut, and its front section, which projects in front of the front of the panel element, rests on the front bar of the double strut, providing a support upon which the module can be placed.

[0019] One embodiment of the mounting is characterized in that a locking element has a substantially U-shaped cross-section, with a base and two arms projecting from the base in the same direction. The locking element is configured to accommodate two parallel struts of the surface element between the two arms during use. This provides anti-displacement protection in one or both directions within the plane of the surface element. Anti-displacement protection in one direction back and forth is achieved because, upon displacement, the two arms of the locking element come into contact with the struts, thus limiting the displacement. Optionally, the two arms may even rest against the two struts, preventing displacement in a direction transverse to the struts.Furthermore, the locking element can also provide anti-displacement protection in a second direction, namely in the longitudinal direction of the struts, by means of a corresponding length, so that the locking element comes into contact with one of the other struts that run perpendicular to the arms of the locking element after only a short displacement distance, so that the displacement movement is also limited back and forth in this direction.

[0020] One embodiment of such a holder is characterized in that at least one of the two arms is deformable in such a way that it can be guided around the adjacent strut of the surface element. This simplifies the attachment of the locking element to the clamping piece, as the locking element is temporarily held in a form-fitting manner to at least one strut of the surface element until it is, for example, screwed to the clamping piece. The relevant arm of the locking element can, for example, be guided around the strut by its plastic deformation. Alternatively, the arm can be spring-deformable so that the locking element can be clipped onto the strut. One of the two arms can form a kind of pocket for this purpose and—for example, without a clip or locking mechanism—be placed onto the first strut, which then acts like a hinge axis.The locking element is then pivoted around this axis and pressed against the second bridge, whereby the arm there is deformed by spring elasticity until it grips the second bridge and is thus clipped onto it. Alternatively, both arms can work together to form a constriction and then open outwards in a funnel-like shape, so that they can be positioned together against their two bridges and, by overcoming this constriction, the locking element can be clipped onto the two bridges.

[0021] One embodiment of the bracket is characterized by a locking element designed as a strip, which is configured to extend between the two bars of a double strut of a double-wire fence during use. This locking element thus acts as a positive locking mechanism and prevents movement of the module perpendicular to the plane of the panel element. Movements within the plane of the panel element can be prevented, for example, by the filler pieces, as explained above.

[0022] One embodiment of such a bracket is characterized by the fact that the strip is dimensioned and designed to extend between the bars of two superimposed double struts during use. Hinge-like pendulum or pivot movement is therefore not possible for the securing element; instead, two spaced-apart points are created at which the strip prevents movement on the surface element perpendicular to the plane of the surface element.

[0023] Another embodiment of such a bracket is characterized by a filler piece creating a channel in which the securing element, designed as a strip, is guided in such a way that the strip is slidable in the plane of the surface element and guided in a way that prevents it from falling out transversely to the plane of the surface element. "Guided in a way that prevents it from falling out" means that the strip does not need to be clamped in the channel, but can be guided with some play to facilitate its attachment to the surface element of the fence system during assembly. "Proof of falling out" means that the strip cannot be moved out of the channel transversely to its direction of movement—that is, transversely to the longitudinal direction of the channel. Accordingly, the module is secured in all directions transverse to the direction of movement of the strip.

[0024] Another embodiment of a holder, which includes a locking element designed as a strip, is characterized in that the strip has a head configured to limit its downward movement during use. The strip can be screwed to the clamping piece with which this strip-shaped locking element interacts, or otherwise fixed to it. In this case, the head serves as a temporary lock, holding the strip in its position intended for screwing until the screw is tightened. Alternatively, the strip can simply be inserted, for example, if a filler piece is provided with the aforementioned channel for receiving the strip. The strip is then positively locked to the filler piece by gravity, and the head ensures that the strip cannot slip downward out of the channel.The head can be created, for example, by having a screw penetrate the top of the strip. More simply, without requiring a second component, the head can be created by the strip not having a uniform cross-section (e.g., rectangular) along its entire length, but rather an enlarged cross-section at the top, for example, L-shaped or T-shaped. Even more simply, the head can be created by bending the top of the strip, for example, into an L-shape.

[0025] One design of the bracket is characterized by the fact that the clamping pieces and / or the locking elements and / or the stop are each designed as an extruded profile. Using the extrusion process, the relevant elements can be manufactured cost-effectively and in large quantities within a short time. Adaptation to different fence types, especially to differently designed panel elements with varying strut spacing, can be achieved by appropriately cutting the respective extruded profile to length. Suitable materials include plastics, particularly reinforced plastics such as fiber-reinforced plastics, or metals such as aluminum alloys.

[0026] Alternatively, one embodiment of the bracket is characterized by the fact that the clamping pieces and / or the locking elements and / or the stop are each designed as bent sheet metal parts. In this way, advantageous material properties can be combined, such as, firstly, the inherent elasticity of the material used and, secondly, high weather resistance, for example, by using a stainless steel sheet to create the respective element of the bracket.

[0027] One embodiment of the mounting is characterized in that the clamping pieces are each designed to engage an arm of a substantially U-shaped edge profile of the module with their groove during use. In this case, the clamping pieces do not encompass the outer edge of the module, but are instead attached to an arm of the U-shaped edge profile, so that they are invisibly positioned behind the module from the front. This is advantageous, firstly, from an aesthetic point of view because the clamping pieces are concealed and not visible from the outside. Secondly, this external invisibility also provides improved protection against vandalism.

[0028] To increase solar yield, the fence system can be fitted with modules on both sides of the panel elements. Depending on the fence's orientation, direct sunlight can strike both sides throughout the day. However, it can also be ecologically and economically advantageous to utilize the diffuse sunlight that reaches modules not directly exposed to the sun. For such double-sided panel mounting, clamps can be used that, due to their design, can be mounted on either side of the panel and simultaneously serve as a locking mechanism for the clamp on the opposite side. It is particularly advantageous if the clamps used are designed in such a way that only a single type of clamp is required.

[0029] The invention further relates to a kit for attaching a photovoltaic module to a fence system, comprising a mounting bracket according to the invention and a mounting aid having a substantially U-shaped cross-section and designed to encompass a horizontally extending strut of the fence panel and the upper edge of the module during use. The mounting aid is not intended to remain permanently attached to the module and hold it against the fence panel. Rather, the mounting aid can be handled quickly and easily without tools, e.g., in a downward movement with its downwardly open, U-shaped cross-section, guided onto a horizontally extending strut of the fence panel and onto the upper edge of the module, so that the module is now held with its upper edge against the fence panel.The mounting aid is particularly useful when the module is already temporarily held to the surface element by clamps and the additional stop. The locking elements can then be connected to the clamps by a single person without having to hold the module, freeing up both hands to, for example, hold a screw and drive it through the locking element and the clamp using a screwdriver. The mounting aid can then be quickly, easily, and without tools removed and reused elsewhere.

[0030] One embodiment of the kit is characterized by the assembly aid being designed as a profile element. For example, the profile element can be made of plastic and be extruded, or it can be formed from sheet metal and bent, for example. Designing the assembly aid as a profile element allows it to have a significantly longer length, such as 5 to 10 cm, unlike a narrow, pliers-like gripper with a width of only 1 to 2 cm. Consequently, the module is subjected to a significantly lower surface pressure, and the risk of pressure marks or damage to the module is minimized.

[0031] One design of such a kit is characterized by the fact that the two opposing arms of the essentially U-shaped cross-sectional profile are spring-loaded, such that in use they spring-loaded the module against the fence panel. The flush fit of the module to the panel facilitates the simplest possible attachment of the locking elements, resulting in a virtually play-free fixation of the module to the fence. Furthermore, the retractable arm allows for tolerances regarding minor dimensional variations in the module's frame and the fence panel's struts.

[0032] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the purely schematic drawings. These show: Fig. 1 A perspective view of a surface element of a fence system, with PV modules attached to it, each module being held to the surface element by means of a bracket, Fig. 2 a frontal view of the back of the surface element of Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a horizontal cut along line III-III of Fig. 2, Fig. 4 a side view of the surface element of Fig. 1, Fig. 5 a view of detail V of Fig. 4 on a larger scale, Fig. 6 a view of detail VI of Fig. 3 on a larger scale, and Fig. 7 a view similar Fig. 6 on a surface element with PV modules attached to it on both sides.

[0033] The Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a panel element 1 of a double-wire fence, wherein the panel element 1 is designed as a grid with intersecting struts and has individual vertical struts 2, while the horizontal struts are designed as double struts 3. The double struts 3 each consist of two parallel bars that accommodate the vertical struts 2 between them and are welded to them. Two photovoltaic modules, hereinafter referred to as modules 4, are attached to the panel element 1 and whose front faces away from the panel element 1, so that the Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 each show the back of the surface element 1 and behind it the back of the modules 4.

[0034] Each module 4 is held on the surface element 1 by a bracket, each bracket being designed as a set of several elements. The modules 4 are held at their two opposite longitudinal edges, which run vertically in the case of the upright modules 4, by means of clamping pieces 5 and locking elements 6. A further, third edge of each module 4 rests against a stop, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a foot 7, so that the lower edge of the modules 4 rests on the stop.

[0035] In the illustrated embodiment, each holder includes a base 7 and four clamping pieces 5. By way of example, the clamping pieces 5 visible at the two inner, adjacent edges of the modules 4 are not covered from behind by large locking elements 6. While the clamping pieces 5 also present at the two outer edges of the modules 4 are concealed by the large locking elements 6 and therefore not visible in the drawings, narrower, strip-shaped locking elements are arranged on the four clamping pieces 5 mounted at the two inner, adjacent edges of the modules 4, as will be explained in more detail later.

[0036] In Fig. 3 indicates that the ones in the Fig. 1 and Fig. The 2 visible locking elements 6 are concealed by clamping pieces 5. Accordingly, each module 4 is held on the surface element 1 by a total of four clamping pieces 5, the large-area locking elements 6 and the strip-shaped locking elements, as well as by the foot piece 7.

[0037] Fig. Figure 4 illustrates that the foot piece 7, on which the module 4 stands, is located on the lowest double strut 3 of the surface element 1.

[0038] Fig. Figure 5 shows the lowest double strut 3 of the surface element 1, wherein the two rods of the double strut 3 are welded to the vertically extending strut 2 arranged between them. The foot piece 7 is arranged between the two rods of the double strut 3, between two vertical struts 2. The foot piece 7 is essentially Z-shaped and thus forms an insertion tab that can be assembled without tools by inserting it between the two rods of the double strut 3 and then into the Fig. The visible position is pivoted. Due to its essentially Z-shaped shape, the insertion tab forms a first, front, higher section 8 and a second, rear, lower section 9. The front section 8 rests on the front rod of the double strut 3, projects in front of the front of the surface element 1, is longer than the rear section 9, and serves as a stop that limits the downward movement of a module 4 and on which the module 4 can rest with its lower edge. The rearward-projecting rear section 9 is shorter than the front section 8, rests against the rear rod of the double strut 3 from below, and thus supports the front section 8 against downward forces.

[0039] Fig. Figure 6 shows a horizontal section illustrating how an edge of module 4 is held in the groove of a clamping piece 5. Module 4 has a photovoltaically active plate 10, which can be designed, for example, as a glass plate, and which carries a multitude of photovoltaic cells. The plate 10 is enclosed by a surrounding metallic frame 11, which has a U-shaped cross-section. The frame 11 rests against the plate 10 only at the front; at the rear, it projects away from the plate 10 so that it can engage in a groove 12 of the clamping piece 5. The components are in Fig. 6 is shown in the undeformed state; this applies to the struts 2 and double struts 3 as well as to the clamping piece 5, whose groove width is shown to be smaller than the material thickness of the frame 11. The groove 12 can be opened against the action of restoring forces so that it can receive the frame 11.

[0040] The clamping piece 5 forms a channel 13, the cross-section of which tapers, so that a locking element designed as a strip 14 can be moved in the longitudinal direction of this channel 13, namely transversely to the plane of the drawing. Fig. 6, but in all other directions its movement is limited by channel 13.

[0041] Both the clamping piece 5 and the large-area securing element 6 with its U-shaped cross-section are designed as filler pieces that extend into a space bounded by adjacent double struts 3 and adjacent struts 2. The depth of the groove 12 and the position and width of the channel 13 are adapted to the distance between the two struts 2 of the surface element 1 in such a way that the clamping piece 5 cannot be displaced laterally to such an extent that it can be pulled off the frame 11.

[0042] The attachment of a module 4 to the surface element 1 can be carried out as follows: First, the foot piece 7 is inserted without tools as a plug-in tab between the two rods of the lowest double strut 3 of the surface element 1 and then into the Fig. The module 4 is pivoted into the visible position in which the front and rear sections 8 and 9 of the base 7 run essentially horizontally. To clamp the clamping pieces 5 onto the frame 11, the module 4 is first placed on the base 7 and then tilted diagonally away from the surface element 1, so that the clamping pieces 5 can now be slid onto the frame 11.

[0043] When all clamping pieces 5 are arranged on the module 4, the module 4 is tilted towards the surface element 1 until it rests against it, with the section of each clamping piece 5, which has the channel 13, projecting into the space bounded by the double struts 3 and the struts 2. The module 4 is now in its intended position for use. An assembly aid, not shown in the drawings, designed as a profile with a substantially U-shaped cross-section, serves to temporarily hold the module 4 in this position. For this purpose, the assembly aid is placed onto the upper edge of the module 4 from above in such a way that it also engages a double strut 3 of the surface element 1, thus preventing the module 4 from tilting away from the surface element 1 again.This temporary securing mechanism now allows permanent securing elements to be installed, if necessary by a single person who has both hands free thanks to the installation aid.

[0044] The module is then permanently secured in this position using locking elements, for example, by inserting a strip 14 as a locking element between the two bars of a double strut 3 and into the channel 13. The strip 14 is dimensioned to be long enough to extend through two double struts 3 that run above and below the channel 13. Each strip 14 has a so-called head at its upper end, which limits its downward movement so that it cannot slip out of the channel 13. The strip 14, which consists of an elongated, rectangular sheet metal blank, is bent at its upper end so that this head rests on the double strut 3 that runs above the clamping piece 5.

[0045] As an alternative to using strips 14 as locking elements, large-area locking elements 6 can be used. These elements rest against two struts 2 and are connected to a clamping piece 5 by inserting screws – not shown in the drawings – through the locking element 6 and the clamping piece 5 in the area of ​​the channel 13, e.g., self-tapping sheet metal screws. In the illustrated embodiment, the locking element 6 has an approximately U-shaped cross-section, with a base 15 and two lateral arms 16 and 17, each extending from the base 15 towards the front, i.e., in the direction of the module 4. In this way, the locking element 6 secures the clamping piece 5 connected to it – and thus also the module 4 – not only against forces acting transversely to the plane of the surface element 1, but also against displacement movements in or parallel to this plane.Both arms 16 and 17 decrease their distance from each other, starting from the base 15, so that they not only rest against the struts 2 laterally but also grip them. In particular, the longer arm 17 can be manually deformed and bent around the strut 2 to such an extent that the locking element 6 is held securely to the surface element 1. The locking element 6 is thus provisionally held to the struts 2 by means of arms 16 and 17, allowing the aforementioned screws to be inserted without having to manually hold the locking element 6. The screws extend through the base 15 of the locking element 6 and through a parallel section of the clamping piece 5, which is designated as the connecting section and marked 18.

[0046] At the in Fig. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the clamping piece 5 is secured to the surface element 1 not only by a single locking element, but also by the large-area locking element 6 and the strip 14. When the aforementioned screws are installed, they extend through the base 15 of the locking element 6, then through the connecting section 18, and also through the strip 14. The strip 14 thus supports a particularly secure screw connection with especially high pull-out forces, so that the module 4 is securely held to the surface element 1 even under high wind loads.

[0047] Once the module 4 has been permanently secured in its position using securing elements such as the large-area securing element 6 and / or the strip 14, the mounting aid can be removed and reused elsewhere for mounting another module 4.

[0048] Fig. 7 shows a horizontal section similar to the Fig. 6, however, the surface element 1 carries photovoltaic modules 4 not only on one, but on both sides. The clamping pieces 5 used here are shaped differently than those of the Fig. 6 and have connecting sections 18 that serve to engage with the respective adjacent, opposite clamping piece 5, namely with its connecting section 18. Due to their design as components made of a flat, multiply folded sheet metal, the clamping pieces 5 do not cover the bars of the double strut over a large area. Nevertheless, these two bars are shown with dashed lines in the area of ​​the connecting section 18 to illustrate the cross-sectional profile of the clamping pieces 5 more clearly. By means of sections that run transversely to the plane of the surface element 1, and by the length of the connecting section 18 adapted to the depth of the groove 12, each clamping piece 5 ensures that its displacement in the longitudinal direction of the double struts 3 is limited so that the frame 11 of the module 4 cannot slip out of the groove 12.Together with a similar clamping piece 5 on the opposite edge of the same module 4, a secure fastening of the module 4 to the surface element 1 is achieved.

[0049] Near each groove 12, the clamping pieces 5 have further sections that serve to connect them to the adjacent, opposite clamping piece 5. Unlike the connecting sections 18, however, these sections are oriented transversely to the plane of the surface element 1 and are dimensioned to such an extent that the two clamping pieces 5 overlap there, and these sections are therefore referred to as overlapping sections 19. In both the connecting sections 18 and the overlapping sections 19, the two clamping pieces run close to each other or even abut each other, so that they can be screwed together in the area of ​​these sections.

[0050] In the area of ​​the overlap sections 19, the two clamping pieces 5 are not positioned exactly opposite each other, but with a slight offset to allow the overlap. This offset is small and, due to the sheet thickness of the two clamping pieces 5, is, for example, in the range of 1 to 2 mm. In the schematic representation of the Fig. 7. This slight offset is therefore not shown everywhere in the illustration of the clamping pieces 5. Due to the smallness of the offset, both clamping pieces 5 can be identically designed, which helps to keep manufacturing and storage costs advantageously low, and which simplifies the assembly of the modules 4 on the surface element 1, because different clamping pieces do not have to be distinguished from each other and handled appropriately in each case.

[0051] In the exemplary embodiment of the Fig. 7 Each clamping piece 5 simultaneously forms the locking element for the opposite clamping piece 5: starting from a first clamping piece 5, the opposite second clamping piece 5 engages as a locking element behind a strut 2 of the surface element 1 on the side facing away from the first clamping piece 5 and the module 4 held therein. Furthermore, the second clamping piece 5 is fixed to the first clamping piece 5. Both clamping pieces 5 are designed as filler pieces and each, with the connecting sections 18 and the overlapping sections 19, engages between two adjacent parallel struts 2 and double struts 3 of the surface element 1. As for the embodiment of the Fig. As described in sections 1 to 6, the bracket also features the following for the embodiment described in the Fig. 7 a stop which abuts a third edge of the module 4 and which may, for example, be designed in the form of the foot piece 7.

[0052] The invention is not limited to one of the embodiments described above, but can be modified in a variety of ways. All features and advantages arising from the claims, the description, and the drawings, including design details, spatial arrangements, and process steps, can be essential to the invention both individually and in various combinations. Reference symbol list 1 surface element 2 struts 3 double struts 4 Module 5 clamping piece 6 safety element 7 foot piece 8 Front section 9 Rear section 10 plates 11 frames 12 Nut Channel 13 14 strips 15 base 16 Arm 17 Longer arm 18 Connecting section 19 Overlap section

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