Solar panel suspension system and method of erecting such a system

Abstract

A solar panel suspension system comprising; at least four uprights (10, 12, 14, 16), each upright exhibiting a bottom end (10a, 12a, 14a, 16a) and a top end (10b, 12b, 14b, 16b), said at least four uprights being arrangeable in pairs, wherein each pair comprises two uprights aligned in a first direction and wherein the pairs are arranged in parallel, side by side in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. Supporting wires (20a 20b, 22a, 22b, 24a, 24b, 26a, 26b, 30a 30b, 30c, 30d) are arranged to support the uprights by supportingly connecting each upright to the ground and to at least two neighbouring uprights. At least two first suspension wires (40a, 40b) are arranged to extend in a first direction between the top end of two uprights in a respective pair of uprights. The system further comprises a plurality of rectangular planar support frames (60), which are arranged to be supportingly connected to two first suspension wires (40a, 40b). A hoisting arrangement (50a, 50b, 50d) is arranged to extend and retract each first suspension wire (40a, 40b) from the top end of both uprights (10, 12, 14, 16) in each pair of uprights. A method of erection such a system is also described.

Description

SOLAR PANEL SUSPENSION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF ERECTING SUCH A SYSTEMTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of photovoltaic solar panels and in particular to a system for suspending solar panels above the ground. The disclosure also relates to a method of erecting such a system.BACKGROUND

[0002] As the demand for green energy increases, photovoltaic solar panels are becoming increasingly common. Both large businesses and private individuals may wish to install solar panels for obtaining a passive income from energy conversion or to harvest energy for the use at his or her home and / or business.

[0003] It may be advantageous to arrange the solar panels at a certain height above the ground. By this means the ground beneath the solar panels may be utilized for other purposes, such as for agriculture, parking, sports and many other activities and installations.

[0004] However, present solar panels support systems tend to be bulky and difficult to install and often requires expensive equipment and / or professional installation services which adds to the overall cost of the solar panels. The difficulties of setting up solar panels may be especially limiting for small business owners and private individuals with less recourses.SUMMARY

[0005] An object of the present disclosure is to provide an enhanced system for suspending solar panels above the ground.

[0006] A further object is to provide such a system which is modular allowing the system to readily be adapted to various applications and installation sites by simple adaption of a comparatively low number of standardized components.

[0007] Another object is to provide such a system which readily allows maintenance and exchange of the solar panels.

[0008] Yet another object is to provide such a system which may easily be secured at heavy wind loads.

[0009] Still another object is to provide such a system at which the constituent components present a comparatively low weight in relation to the electrical output capacity of the solar panels caried by the system.

[0010] Another object is to provide such a system which may readily be erected at low cost and time consumption.[oon] A further object is to provide such a system which may be produced at a comparatively low cost.

[0012] Yet another object is to provide a method of erecting such a system.

[0013] Generally, all terms used in the claims are to be interpreted according to their ordinary meaning in the technical field, unless explicitly defined otherwise herein. All references to "a / an / the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc." are to be interpreted openly as referring to at least one instance of the element, apparatus, component, means, step, etc., unless explicitly stated otherwise. The steps of any method disclosed herein do not have to be performed in the exact order disclosed, unless explicitly stated.

[0014] According to a first aspect, the present disclosure provides a solar panel suspension system as set out in the appended claim 1. The solar panel system comprises at least four uprights, each upright exhibiting a bottom end arranged to be supported by the ground and a top end, said at least four uprights being arrangeable in pairs, wherein each pair comprises two uprights aligned in a first direction and wherein the pairs are arranged in parallel, side by side in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction. A set of first supporting wires are arranged to supportingly connect the top end of each upright to the top end of at least two neighbouring uprights. A set of second supporting wires are arranged to supportingly connect the top end of each upright to the ground. The system further comprises at least two first suspension wires, each first suspension wire being arranged to extend in the first direction between the top end of two uprights in a respective pair of uprights and a plurality of rectangular planar support frames, each support frame having a first edge and an opposing second edge and being arranged to carry at least one photovoltaic solar panel. For each support frame, the first edge is arranged to be supportingly connected to the first suspension wire extending between the uprights in a first pair of uprights and the second edge is arranged to be supportinglyconnected to the first suspension wire extending between the uprights in a second pair of uprights, which second pair is adjacent to said first pair. The system further comprises a hoisting arrangement arranged to extend and retract each first suspension wire from the top end of both uprights in each pair of uprights.

[0015] The solar panel suspension thus comprises only a low number of different main constituent components including a number of uprights, a number of supporting wires and a number of suspension wires. The number of uprights and supporting and suspension wires may readily be selected with regard to the total number of photovoltaic solar panels that are to be carried by the system and the required area to be covered.

[0016] For example, in its simplest form the system comprises only for uprights arranged in two pairs with two suspension wires extending in parallel between the two uprights in each pair. At such a system any suitable number of support frames may be carried one after the other in the longitudinal direction of and between the suspension wires and any suitable number of photovoltaic solar panels maybe carried by each support frame. Thus, a first row of support frames may be carried by four uprights. For each additional row of support frames that is to be added to the system it is sufficient to add only two additional uprights and two additional suspension wires. This may be done either by adding an additional pair of uprights in parallel with the two original pairs. Alternatively or in combination, each original pair of uprights maybe extended longitudinally by an additional upright arranged longitudinally aligned with a respective original pair. By this means the system may readily be arranged in any suitable matrix configuration simply by adding two additional uprights for each additional row of support frames that is to be carried by the system.

[0017] The uprights of the system are supported by a suitable number of second support wires each of which has one end fixed to the top of an upright and the other end anchored to the ground. At the various possible matrix configurations, it is preferred that all uprights arranged at a corner of the matrix are supported by two second support wires extending in two different directions away from the matrix. The uprights arranged at the periphery of the matrix, between the corners, may preferably be supported by a single second support wire typically extending perpendicular to the periphery and away from the matrix. The uprights arranged interior of the peripheryof the matrix, typically do not need to be supported by second support wires anchored to the ground. Instead, these internal uprights, just as the uprights arranged at the periphery of the matrix may be supported by first support wires extending from the top of each upright to the top of each neighbouring upright in the matrix.

[0018] Additionally, the length of the uprights and the wires may readily be adapted to various applications and installation sites. For example, the lengths of the uprights may readily be adapted to various application cases by cutting standardized posts or rods depending on what activities or installations are intended below the solar panels. The length of each upright may also readily be adapted to varying ground levels at the installation site.

[0019] Further, important advantages are achieved by separating the suspension wires from the first and second support wires and by incorporating a hoisting arrangement for extending and retracting each suspension wire from the top of each upright between which it extends. At set up of the system, this allows for that the matrix of uprights and first and second support wires first may be completed without involving the support frames or the solar panels. Independently of erecting the matrix of uprights, the support frames with solar panels may be fixed to the suspension wires while these wires are resting on the ground. Thereafter, the suspension wires carrying the support frames with solar panels may be hoisted up to the desired vertical level above the ground. This greatly facilitates the setting-up of the system since the erection of the uprights may be carried out completely without involving any handling of the solar panels or the support frames.

[0020] Additionally, the separate arrangement of the suspension wires and the hoisting arrangement allows for that the solar panels are readily lowered to the ground for maintenance and repair without the need of disassembling or otherwise manipulating the uprights or the first or second support wires.

[0021] The separate arrangement of the suspension wires and the hoisting arrangement further allows for that the support frames and the solar panels readily may be lowered for the protection at heavy wind loads.

[0022] According to an embodiment the solar panel suspension system may further comprise a plurality of beams arranged to be mutually joined in rows of beam,one after the other in the first direction, and a plurality of second suspension wires arranged to supportingly suspend a row of beam s from each first suspension wire.

[0023] The first and second edge of each support frame may be arranged to be fixed to a respective row of beams.

[0024] The length of each second suspension wire may be adapted such that each row of beams may extend rectilinearly in the horizontal plane.

[0025] Each second suspension wire may be arranged to extend from a junction between two mutually joined beams to a respective first suspension wire.

[0026] Each second suspension wire may be arranged to extend essentially vertically between a first suspension wire and a row of beams.

[0027] The solar panel suspension system may further comprise a plurality of angle adjustment devices arranged for adjusting the angle of each support frame relative to the longitudinal direction of the rows of beams.

[0028] Each angle adjustment device may comprise a first member arranged to be stationary fixed to a row of beams, a second member which is arranged to be stationary fixed to a support frame and pivotal relative to the first member and a locking means for releasably fixing the pivotal angle between the first and second members.

[0029] At one embodiment, the system may comprise first fixation means arranged to hold a third edge extending between the first and the second edge of each support frame at the vertical level of corresponding portions of two first suspension wires and second fixation means arranged to hold a fourth edge extending between the first and the second edge of each support frame suspended below corresponding portions of two first suspension wires.

[0030] Each support frame may be arranged to carry a plurality of photovoltaic solar panels arranged one after the other between the first and second edge of the support frame.

[0031] Each upright may comprise a lattice mast.

[0032] According to one embodiment, the bottom end of each upright is connected to a base member arranged to be supported on and / or anchored to the ground, by means of a pivotal link defining a pivot axis.

[0033] According to a second aspect, the present disclosure provides a method of erecting a solar panel suspension system. The method comprises the steps of:- placing an upright laying on the ground with the base member positioned at the intended position of the upright.- connecting one end of at least one second supporting wire to the top end of said upright and anchoring the other end of said at least on second supporting wire to the ground,- connecting a hauling wire to said upright, at a distance from the bottom end,- pulling said hauling wire in a direction which is essentially perpendicular to the pivot axis, such that said upright is erected to the vertical orientation by a pivotal movement about the pivot axis.

[0034] According to an embodiment of the method, the length of said at least one second supporting wire is adapted such that said supporting wire is stretched when the upright has been erected by pivotal movement to its vertical orientation.

[0035] According to a further embodiment said steps are preformed, for each upright in the solar panel suspension system and the method further comprises connecting the top end of each upright to the top end of at least two neighbouring uprights by means of a respective first supporting wire.

[0036] Further objects and advantages of the system will be apparent from the following description of examples and from the appended claims.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] Aspects and embodiments are now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0038] Fig 1 is a schematic perspective view of a solar panel system according to a first embodiment.

[0039] Fig 2 is a schematic perspective view of a system according to a second embodiment.

[0040] Fig. 3a is a schematic perspective view of a component comprised in the system shown in fig. 1 and fig. 3b is a perspective view in enlarged detail showing a detail thereof.

[0041] Fig. 4a is a schematic perspective view of a further component comprised in the system shown in fig. 1 and fig. 4b is a perspective exploded view in enlarged detail showing details thereof.

[0042] Fig. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a solar panel suspension system according to a further embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] The aspects of the present disclosure will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown.

[0044] These aspects may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limiting; rather, these embodiments are provided by way of example so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and to fully convey the scope of all aspects of invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout the description.

[0045] Fig 1 illustrates schematically a solar panels suspension system according to a first embodiment. The system comprises four uprights 10, 12, 14, 16 arranged in a matrix comprising a first pair 10, 12 and a second pair 14, 16 of uprights. Each upright has a bottom end 10a, 12a, 16a arranged to be supported by the ground and a top end 10b, 12b, 14b, 16b arranged to be supported vertically above the respective bottom end. In the shown example the matrix is rectangular and the uprights in each pair is aligned in the longitudinal direction of the matrix. At this embodiment each upright 10, 12, 14, 16 is thus arranged in a respective corner of the matrix. Each upright 10, 12, 14, 16 shown in fig. 1 is formed of a lattice mast. Such an arrangement may be preferable at larger system intended to carry a comparatively high number of photovoltaic solar panels. However, at other applications the uprights may comprise or be formed of plain posts having a constant cross section, such as square or cylindrical tube shapes. Preferably the uprights are made of steel even though other materials such as e.g. aluminium and composite may also be used.

[0046] The system further comprises a number of second supporting wires 20a, 20b, 22a, 22b, 24a, 24b, 26a, 26b. One end of each second supporting wire is fixed to the top end of a respective upright and the other end is anchored to the ground. Since all uprights are positioned in a respective corner of the matrix, each upright issupported by two second supporting wires one 20a, 22a, 24a, 26a of which extends in the longitudinal direction of the matrix and thus in the longitudinal direction of a respective pair of uprights. The other second supporting wires 20b, 22b, 24b, 26b extend in the transverse direction i.e. generally perpendicular to the line connecting both uprights in the respective pair of uprights. However, other angular configurations of the second supporting wires are also possible.

[0047] The uprights 10, 12, 14, 16 are further supported by a number of first supporting wires 30a, 30b, 30c, 3od which extend horizontally between the top end of neighbouring uprights. Hence in the system shown in fig. 1 the top ends 10b and 12b are connected by means of first supporting wire 30a, top ends 14b, 16b are connected by means of first supporting wire 30b, top ends 10b and 14b are connected by first supporting wires 30c and top ends 12b and 16b are connected by means of first supporting wire 3od.

[0048] By such an arrangement of the second 20a, 20b, 22a, 22b, 24a, 24b, 26a,26b and first 3Oa-d supporting wires all uprights 10, 12, 14, 16 in the matrix are supported in all horizontal directions.

[0049] The system further comprises a number of first suspension wires 40a, 40b. Each first suspension wire 40a, 40b extends between the top end 10b, 12b, 14b, 16 of both uprights 10, 12, 14, 16 in a pair of uprights. Thus, in the shown example one first suspension wire extends between top ends 10b, 12b of one pair of uprights 10, 12 and one first suspension wire 40b extends between the top ends 14b, 16b of the other pair 14, 16 of uprights.

[0050] The system also comprises a hoisting arrangement 50a, 50b sod which is arranged to allow each first suspension wire 40a, 40b to be retracted towards and extended from both top ends 10b, 12b, 14b, 16b between which the respective first suspension wire 40a, 40b extends. In the shown example the hoisting arrangement has been schematically illustrated by winches 50a, 50b, sod arranged at the lower end of each upright 10, 12, 14, 16. Both first suspension wires 40a, 40b extend over a respective pulley (not shown) arranged at the top end 10b, 12b, 14b, 16b of each upright. Each end portion of both first suspension wires 40a, 40b extends from a respective pulley along the respective upright down to a respective winch 50a, 50b, 50d. By this means each suspension wire 40a, 50b maybe extended from and retracted towards both top ends, between which it extends. The hoisting arrangement501, 50b, 50c may comprise a manually operated crank or the like arranged at the lower portion of each upright. However, it may be preferable that the hoisting arrangement is automatic such as comprising electrical motors for operating a respective winch. Such motorized winches may, instead of being arranged at the lower portion of the respective upright be arranged at the top end or at any portion therebetween. It may be advantageous to synchronize the operation of the hoisting arrangements such that the winches of the neighbouring uprights of two pairs of uprights are operated in unison. By this means both first suspension wires 40a, 40b may be extended and retracted synchronically.

[0051] The system further comprises a plurality of support frames 60 which are supportingly connected to both first suspension wires 40a, 40b. In the example shown in fig. 1, the system comprises thirteen rectangular support frames 60 which extend transversely between and are supportingly connected to both first suspension wires 40a, 40b. Each support frame 60 carries six photovoltaic solar panels 65, which are arranged one after the other in the longitudinal direction of the respective frame 60, i.e. transversely to the direction in which the first suspension wires 40a, 40b extend. Each support frame exhibits a first 60a and an opposing second 60b edge. The first 60a and second 60b edges are connected by a third 60c and a fourth 6od edge.

[0052] The support frames are preferably made of steel rods or beams joined together by welding or by other suitable means. However, the support frames may also be made of other materials such as by profile elements of aluminium or composite materials.

[0053] At the embodiment shown in fig. 1 the support frames 60 are supportingly connected to the two first suspension wires 40a, 40b by means of a plurality of second suspension wires 70a, 70b and a plurality of beams 80a, 80b. The beams comprise a plurality of first beams 80a and a plurality of second beams 80b. The first beams 80a are arranged and mutually connected one after the other in the longitudinal direction of one first suspension wire 40a. Correspondingly, the second beams 80b are arranged and mutually connected one after the other in the longitudinal direction of the neighbouring first suspension wire 40b. The first beams 80a are suspended from one first suspension wire 40a by means of a plurality of first second suspension wires 70a which extend vertically from the respective firstsuspension wire 40a to the below arranged row of beams 80a. The second beams 80b are suspended from the other first suspension wire 40b by means of a plurality of second second suspension wires 70b which extend vertically from the respective first suspension wire 40b to the below arranged row of beams 80b. At both rows of beams 80a, 80b the second suspension wires 70a, 70b are preferably fixed to respective ends of the rows and to the junctions between the mutually connected beams 80a, 80b.

[0054] By selecting a preferable slack of the first suspension wires 40a, 40b and under the influence of the gravity acting on the supporting frames 60 with solar panels 65 and the beams 8a, 8b suspended from the first suspension wires, the first suspension wires 40a, 40b will exhibit a corresponding downwardly convex curvature as indicated in fig. 1. By selecting the vertical lengths of the different second support wires 70a, 70b correspondingly it is possible to arrange the rows of beams 80a, 80b to extend generally in the horizontal direction below the first suspension wires. This maybe advantageous since it allows the beams 80a, 80b to be rigidly connected to each other in rectilinear rows of beams 80a, 80b.

[0055] At the embodiment shown in fig. 1 the first suspension wires 40a, 40b, the two rows of beams 80, the thirteen support frames 60 carrying solar panels 65 and the second suspension wires 70a, 70b may be said to be included in a solar panel carrying arrangement 90 of the system.

[0056] Preferably, the first and second supporting wires just as the first and second suspension wires are preferably made of steel. However other materials such as aluminium, polymers and composite materials may also be used for forming the wires.

[0057] Fig. 2 schematically illustrates a solar panel system according to a second embodiment. At this embodiment the system comprises forty uprights no arranged in a 10x4 matrix, which system comprises three rows and nine columns of solar panel carrying structures 190. In fig. 2 the solar panel carrying structures 190 are merely schematically indicated. In practice, each solar panel carrying structure 190 may comprise two first suspension wires, a plurality of support frames carrying solar panels, two rows of horizontally aligned beams and a plurality of second suspension wires as shown and described above with reference to fig. 1.

[0058] All uprights no arranged at the periphery of the matrix is supported by at least one second support wire 120a extending from the top end of each upright no to the ground in a first direction. In addition, all four uprights no arranged at a corner of the matrix is supported by an additional second support wire 120b extending from the top of each such upright 110 to the ground in a second direction, which typically may be approximately perpendicular to said first direction.

[0059] The top end of each upright 110 is further supportingly connected to the respective top end all neighbouring uprights no, by means of a respective second support wire 130a, 130b. By this means the top end of each upright arranged at a corner of the matrix is supportingly connected to two neighbouring uprights. Each upright arranged at the periphery of the matrix but not in a corner is supportingly connected to three neighbouring uprights by three first support wires 13a, 130b. Correspondingly, each upright arranged interiorly of the periphery of the matrix is connected to four neighbouring uprights no by means of four first support wires 130a, 130b.

[0060] At the embodiment shown in fig. 2 it may be noted that some of the uprights form part of two pairs of uprights. For example, the uprights 110a, nob and 110c together form a first pair of uprights comprising upright 110a and nob and a second pair of uprights comprising upright nob and 110c, such that upright nob forms part of both the first and the second pair of uprights. For each pair of uprights noa-b and nob-c, a separate first suspension wire (not shown in fig. 2) extends between the top end of both uprights forming part of the respective pair. It may also be noted that the top end of the uprights arranged at both ends of each row of solar panel arrangements, except the uprights arranged at the corners of the matrix receives two first suspension wires extending in parallel with the longitudinal direction of the rows. Additionally, the top of all uprights not being positioned at the periphery of the matrix receives four first suspension wires.

[0061] When staring out from a solar panel suspension system comprising four uprights arranged in a 2x2 matrix for the suspension of a single solar panel carrying structure, the system may readily and at low cost be expanded to comprise any additional number of solar panel carrying structures by adding only two uprights for each additional solar panel carrying structure.

[0062] Figs 3a-b schematically illustrate the arrangement of a beam 280 which may form part of the solar panel suspension system. The exemplifying beam 280 comprises a square tube of steel having the cross-sectional dimensions of approx. 50x50 mm and a wall thickness of 3 mm. Both ends of each beam 280 exhibits a bracket 281 comprising two steel plates 282 welded to the beam and exhibiting coaxial transverse through holes 283 for receiving any suitable connection means for connecting several beams one after the other in a rectilinear manner, in order to form a row of beams. Two beams 260 may e.g. be mutually connected by arranging the brackets 281 at adjacent ends of the beams in an overlapping position and inserting a fixation bolt (not shown) through the co-axially aligned through holes 283 of the four overlapping steel plates 282.

[0063] Figs. 4a and 4b illustrates a support frame 260 for carrying a number of photovoltaic solar panels (not shown). The support frame 260 is rectangular exhibiting a first edge 261 and an opposed second edge 262, which first and second edges forms short sides of the rectangular support frame. The first 261 and second262 edges are connected by a third 263 fourth 264 longitudinal edges. All four edges 261-264 maybe formed of square steel tubes having the cross-sectional dimensions 40x40 mm and the wall thickness 2 mm. A central square tube 265 of steel extends longitudinally between the centres of the first 261 and second 261 edges. A plurality of reinforcing rods 266 of steel extends diagonally between and are fixed to the third263 and fourth 264 edges as well as to the central tube 265.

[0064] An angle adjustment device 267 is arranged at each of the first 261 and second 262 edge. Each angle adjustment device 267 comprises a pivotal shaft 268 which extends longitudinally from a respective end of the central tube 265. Each angle adjustment device 267 further comprises an angle fixation plate 269 arranged to be fixed relative to a corresponding row of beams 280 (fig. 3a). The angle fixation plate exhibits a cylindrical through hole forming a pivotal seat 270 and a plurality of angle fixation holes 271 arranged along a circle segment line around the pivotal seat 270. Each angle adjusting device also comprises an angle fixation arm 272 which is fixed relative to the support frame 260 and which protrudes radially from the pivotal shaft 268.

[0065] When two angle fixation plates 269 have been fixed relative to a respective row of beams, the pivotal shafts 267 maybe inserted in an a respective pivotal seat270 and the support frame may be adjusted to any desired angle of inclination by pivotal adjustment of the support frame 260 relative to the row of beams 280. When the desired angle of inclination has been reached the angle may be fixed by inserting and securing a fixation pin 273 through a fixation hole in the fixation arm 272 and a selected corresponding angle fixation hole 271 in the angle fixation plate 270.

[0066] At some embodiments the angle fixation plate 269 may be fixed at the connection between two adjacent beams 280 in a row of beams, such that the pivotal seat 270 is arranged coaxially with the through holes 283 of two adjacent and overlapping connection brackets 282. By this means the pivotal shaft 268 maybe received both by the pivotal seat 270 and by the through holes 283 such that the pivotal shaft 268, in addition to allowing angular adjustment of the support frame 260 with solar panels, also functions as a fixation bolt for securely connecting the adjacent ends of two beams 280 arranged one after the other in a row of beams.

[0067] Fig. 5 illustrates schematically a solar panel suspension system according to a further embodiment. This system comprises four uprights 310, 312, 314, 316 arranged in a 2x2 matrix and forming a first pair 320, 322 and a second pair 324, 326 of uprights. The top end of each upright is anchored to the ground by means of two first supporting wires 320a, 320b, 322a, 322b, 324a, 324b, 326a, 326b extending from the respective top end to the ground. For each upright, one 320a, 322a, 324a, 326a of the two first supporting wires extends in the longitudinal direction defined by the two uprights in each pair. The other 320b, 322b, 324b, 326b of the first supporting wires of each upright extends generally transversely to the longitudinal direction defined by the two uprights in each pair. The top end of each upright 320, 322, 324, 326 is further supportingly connected to two neighbouring uprights by means of two second supporting wires 330a, 330b, 330c, 33od. The so supported uprights carries a single solar panel carrying structure 390 which comprises two first supporting wires 340a, 340b each of which extends between the top end of both uprights in a respective pair, and six support frames 360 each of which is supportingly connected to both first supporting wires 340a, 340b. Each support frame 360 exhibits a first edge 360a and a second edge 360b opposing said first edge 360a. A third edge 360c and a fourth edge 36od connects the first 360a and the second edge 360b. Each support frame 360 carries a plurality of photovoltaic solar panels 365 arranged one after the other in the transverse direction.

[0068] The system according to this embodiment differs from the embodiment shown in fig. 1 mainly in that the solar panel carrying structure 390 does not comprise any beams arranged one after the other in two rows. Instead, at the embodiment shown in fig. 5 the system comprises first fixation means 261a, 261b arranged to hold the third edge 360c of each support frame 360 at the vertical level of corresponding portions of two first suspension wires 340a, 340b. Additionally, the system comprises second fixation means 370a, 370b arranged to hold the fourth edge 36od suspended below corresponding portions of the two first suspension wires 340a, 340b.

[0069] In the shown example, the corner formed by the first 260a and the third 360c edges is directly fixed to one 340a the first suspension wires by means of a first fixation means which is schematically illustrated as 361a in fig. 5. Correspondingly, the corner formed by the second 360b and the third 360c edge is directly fixed to the other 340b of the first suspension wires by means of a first fixation means 361b. Additionally, the corner formed by the first edge 360a and the fourth edge 36od is fixed to and suspended from one 340a of the first suspension wires by a second fixation means in the form of a second suspension wire 370a. Correspondingly, the remaining corner formed by the second edge 360b and the fourth edge 36od is fixed to and suspended from the other 340b of the first suspension wires by means of a second fixation means in the form of another second suspension wire 370b.

[0070] At embodiments as shown in fig. 5 the desired angle of inclination of each support frame 360 relative to the horizontal plane maybe adjusted by adapting the vertical length of the second supporting wires 370a, 370b.

[0071] In correspondence with the embodiment shown and described with reference to fig. 1, the system schematically shown in fig. 5 also comprises a hoisting arrangement (not shown in fig. 5) which is arranged to allow each of the first suspension wires 340a, 340b to be extended from and retracted towards the top end of both uprights 320, 322, 324, 326 in each respective pair of uprights.

[0072] At an embodiment which is not shown in the figures, the bottom end of each upright is connected to a base member arranged to be supported on and / or anchored to the ground, by means of a pivotal link defining a pivot axis. The base member may comprise a plate member having a surface area which is large enough the support the vertical load transferred to it by means of the respective uprightwithout any substantial deformation of the ground supporting the base member. At some applications it may be sufficient merely to place the base member with plate member onto the ground without any further fixation or anchoring means. At other applications it maybe advantageous anchor the base member to the ground, e.g. by means of ground anchoring screws extending through the base plate and into the ground. At still other applications the base member, with or without a base plate, may be fixed to the ground by means of casted concrete or the like.

[0073] The base member further comprises a link mechanism by which the upright is connected to the base member. The link mechanism is arranged to allow a single-axis pivotal movement of the upright relative to the base member. This may readily be accomplished e.g. providing the base member with a horizontal pivot shaft which is arranged at a short distance above the base plate or a corresponding portion of the base member and which is received by two or more pivotal holes arranged at the bottom end of the upright.

[0074] By connecting the upright to the base member by means of a single-axis pivot mechanism, the erection of the upright is facilitated in that the pivotal movement is restricted in a single plane. By this means it is sufficient to control the movement of the upright in the pivotal direction during erection. No further means for preventing sideways pivoting is needed during the erection.

[0075] When setting up and erecting the solar panel suspension system the following method may preferably be used.

[0076] Each upright forming part of the system is placed lying on the ground and positioned such that the base member is positioned at the position on the ground from where the upright is to be extending vertically. If deemed suitable the base members maybe anchored to the ground at their respective position.

[0077] For each upright, one end of at least one second supporting wire is fixed to the top end of the upright and the second end is anchored to the ground at a distance from the respective base member. Said distance is selected in view of the load carrying capacity of the second supporting wire after erection at use of the solar panel system. The length of the second supporting wire is preferably adapted such that said wire is fully stretched when the upright has reached its erected vertical position. Bythis means no further adaptation of the second supporting wires is required after erection.

[0078] A hauling wire is connected to each upright at a distance from the bottom end and the base member with the link mechanism. The distance defines the length of the lever between the pivot axis and the fixation point of the second supporting wire to the upright and is selected in view of the pulling force to be applied to the hauling wire during the pivotal erection of the upright.

[0079] Thereafter each upright is erected by pulling the respective hauling wire in a direction which is essentially perpendicular to the respective pivot axis such that each upright is pivoted about the pivot axis to a vertical orientation.

[0080] Preferably, the anchoring point to the ground of the second supporting wire has been positioned such that the supporting wire and the hauling wire, for each upright define a vertical plane oriented such that the respective pivot axis is normal to this plane. By this means and in combination with adapting the length of the second supporting wire, the second supporting wire will be fully stretched and tensioned when the upright reaches its vertical orientation. Thereby the second supporting wire will prevent the upright from pivoting past the vertical orientation. Correspondingly and as discussed above the single axis link mechanism of the base member will prevent the upright from sideways pivoting during the one plane pivotal erection movement of the upright.

[0081] After erection of an upright the hauling wire may be used for temporarily maintaining the upright in the vertical orientation until all uprights comprised in the system have been erected.

[0082] After erection of all or at least a number of uprights, the uprights may be further secured by arranging the first supporting wires between the top ends of neighbouring uprights. It may be noted however that the first supporting wire extending between two neighbouring uprights which are pivotally erected in a parallel direction and simultaneously may be fixed to both top ends before the pivotal erection. Correspondingly, any second supporting wire anchored to the ground at an anchoring point which is aligned with the pivot axis of the respective upright may be anchored to the ground and fixed to the top end before the pivotal erection of the upright.

[0083] Preferably, a portion of the respective first suspension wire is attached to and maintained at the top end of each upright before the pivotal erection.

[0084] When at least four uprights of the system have been erected as described above and secured to each other by means of the first supporting wires as well as to the ground by means of the second supporting wires, the first suspension wires may be extended such that relevant portions thereof are accessible from the ground. Thereafter any suitable number of solar panel carrying support frames maybe suspended from and / or fixed to the first suspension wires as described above and the suspension wires may thereafter be retracted for raising the support frames to the position intended for use.

[0085] The aspects of the present disclosure have mainly been described above with reference to a few embodiments and examples thereof. However, as is readily appreciated by a person skilled in the art, other embodiments than the ones disclosed above are equally possible within the scope of the invention, as defined by the appended patent claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A solar panel suspension system comprising;- at least four uprights (10, 12, 14, 16), each upright exhibiting a bottom end (10a, 12a, 14a, 16a) arranged to be supported by the ground and a top end (10b, 12b, 14b, 16b), said at least four uprights being arrangeable in pairs, wherein each pair comprises two uprights aligned in a first direction and wherein the pairs are arranged in parallel, side by side in a second direction which is perpendicular to the first direction,- a set of first supporting wires (30a, 30b, 30c, 3od) arranged to supportingly connect the top end of each upright to the top end of at least two neighbouring uprights.- a set of second supporting wires (20a, 20b, 22a, 22b, 24a, 24b, 26a, 26b) arranged to supportingly connect the top end of each upright to the ground,- at least two first suspension wires (40a, 40b), each first suspension wire being arranged to extend in the first direction between the top end of two uprights in a respective pair of uprights,- a plurality of rectangular planar support frames (60), each support frame having a first edge (60a) and an opposing second edge (60b) and being arranged to carry at least one photovoltaic solar panel (65), characterized in that;- for each support frame (60), the first edge (60a) is arranged to be supportingly connected to the first suspension wire (40a) extending between the uprights (10, 12) in a first pair of uprights and the second edge (60b) is arranged to be supportingly connected to the first suspension wire (40b) extending between the uprights (14, 16) in a second pair of uprights, which second pair is adjacent to said first pair, and wherein- the system further comprises a hoisting arrangement (50a, 50b, sod) arranged to extend and retract each first suspension wire (40a, 40b) from the top end of both uprights (10, 12, 14, 16) in each pair of uprights.

2. A solar panel suspension system according to claim 1, further comprising a plurality of beams(8o) arranged to be mutually joined in row of beam, one after the other in the first direction, and a plurality of second suspension wires (70a, 70b)arranged to supportingly suspend a row of beams (80) from each first suspension wire (40a, 40b).

3. A solar panel suspension system according to claim 2, wherein the first (60a) and second (60b) edge of each support frame (60) is arranged to be fixed to a respective row of beams (80).

4. A solar panel suspension system according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the length of each second suspension wire (70a, 70b) is adapted such that each row of beams (80) may extend rectilinearly in the horizontal plane.

5. A solar panel suspension system according to any of claims 2-4, wherein each second suspension wire (70a, 70b) is arranged to extend from a junction between two mutually joined beams (80) to a first suspension wire (40a, 40b).

6. Solar panel suspension system according to any of claims 2-5, wherein each second suspension wire (70a, 70b) is arranged to extend essentially vertically between a first suspension wire (40a, 40b) and a row of beams (80).

7. A solar panel suspension system according to any of claims 3-5, further comprising a plurality of angle adjustment devices (267) arranged for adjusting the angle of each support frame (260) relative to the longitudinal direction of the rows of beams (280).

8. A solar panel suspension system according to claim 6, wherein each angle adjustment device (267) comprises a first member (270) arranged to be stationary fixed to a row of beams (280), a second member (268, 272) which is arranged to be stationary fixed to a support frame (260) and pivotal relative to the first member and a locking means (273) for releasably fixing the pivotal angle between the first and second members.

9. A solar panel suspension system according claim 1, further comprising first fixation means (361a, 361b) arranged to hold a third edge (360c) extending between the first (360a) and the second (360b) edge of each support frame (360) at the vertical level of corresponding portions of two first suspension wires (340a, 340b) and second fixation means arranged to hold a fourth edge (36od) extending between the first (360a) and the second (260b) edge of each support frame (360) suspended below corresponding portions of two first suspension wires (340a, 340b).

10. carryingA solar panel suspension system according to any of claims 1-9, wherein each support frame (60) is arranged to carry a plurality of photovoltaic solar panels (65) arranged one after the other between the first (60a) and second edge (60b) of the support frame.

11. A solar panel suspension system according to any of claims 1-10, wherein each upright (10, 12, 14, 16) comprises a lattice mast.

12. A solar panel suspension system according to any of claims 1-11, wherein the bottom end of each upright is connected to a base member arranged to be supported on and / or anchored to the ground, by means of a pivotal link defining a pivot axis.

13. Method of erecting a solar panel suspension system according to claim 12, the method comprising the steps of;- placing an upright laying on the ground with the base member positioned at the intended position of the upright.- connecting one end of at least one second supporting wire to the top end of said upright and anchoring the other end of said at least on second supporting wire to the ground,- connecting a hauling wire to said upright, at a distance from the bottom end,- pulling said hauling wire in a direction which is essentially perpendicular to the pivot axis, such that said upright is erected to the vertical orientation by a pivotal movement about the pivot axis.

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein the length of said at least one second supporting wire is adapted such that said supporting wire is stretched when the upright has been erected by pivotal movement to its vertical orientation.

15. Method according to claim 13 or 14, wherein said steps are preformed for each upright in the solar panel suspension system and wherein the method further comprises connecting the top end of each upright to the top end of at least two neighbouring uprights by means of a respective first supporting wire.

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