Assembly comprising a side rail, a solar panel and a reinforcement

Abstract

An assembly comprising at least one side rail (30), at least one solar panel (20) supported by the at least one side rail, and at least one reinforcement (40) extending transversely to the at least on

Description

Title of the invention: Assembly comprising a side rail, a solar panel and a reinforcement Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of solar panel mounting structures, and more specifically an assembly comprising a side rail, a solar panel and a reinforcement. Prior art

[0002] Due to the rise of renewable energies, many types of structures have been designed to fix solar panels to various supports. The accumulation of constraints has led to particularly sophisticated structures, as described for example in international application WO 00 / 12839. Such a structure adequately holds the panels but is complex and its installation requires significant labor time, making it poorly adapted to the current economic requirements.

[0003] Conversely, lighter structures have been proposed, in which solar panels are suspended between rails running along their opposite sides. However, in such a configuration, the solar panels tend to deflect, especially under the influence of climate events such as wind or snow. To limit deflection, documents such as patent JP 3457783 recommend adding a support element to the rear of the solar panel, in the middle thereof. However, such a solution requires panel fixing elements and complicates panel manufacturing.

[0004] There is therefore a real need for a new type of assembly comprising a solar panel. Disclosure of the invention

[0005] For this purpose, the present disclosure relates to an assembly comprising at least one side rail, at least one solar panel supported by the at least one side rail, and at least one reinforcement extending transversely to the at least one side rail, said reinforcement comprising at least one upper rim and at least one lower rim fixed relative to each other, the distance between the upper rim and the lower rim being greater than the thickness of the solar panel such that the upper rim and the lower rim define between them a space configured to receive the solar panel with clearance.

[0006] In the present description, and unless otherwise stated, by "an" or "the" element (for example side rail, solar panel, reinforcement, rim, etc.) it is meant "at least one" or "the at least one" or "each" element. Conversely, the generic use of the plural may include the singular.

[0007] For the sake of brevity, unless explicitly stated otherwise or apparent from the context, the use of the term "rim" alone refers to either the lower rim or the upper rim, or both rims. Regarding the rims, the terms "lower" and "upper" are used with reference to the orientation of the assembly for its normal use, being specified that the upper rim is the one intended to be above the solar panel (that is to say on the side facing the sun), while the lower rim is intended to be on the back of the solar panel.

[0008] A side rail is a support element extending mainly along one direction, designated as the longitudinal direction. One or more solar panels may be supported by the same side rail, side by side in the longitudinal direction. Moreover, one or more solar panels may be supported by the same side rail, side by side transversely to the longitudinal direction. A given solar panel may, in turn, be supported by one or more side rails. In the case of multiple side rails, the side rails may be parallel to each other.

[0009] In accordance with the present disclosure, the assembly also comprises at least one reinforcement comprising two rims, namely an upper rim and a lower rim, defining between them a space configured to receive the solar panel. The reinforcement extends transversely to the side rail and may receive, for example, one side of the solar panel transverse to the side supported by the side rail. As will be seen later, the reinforcement may or may not interact with the side rail.

[0010] The solar panel is at least partly cantilevered from the side rail and, as such, tends to deflect. The reinforcement aims to stiffen the solar panel transversely to the side rail, thereby limiting its deflection. However, in order to maintain ease of installation, the distance between the upper rim and the lower rim is provided to be greater than the thickness of the solar panel, so that the solar panel is received with clearance between said rims. The clearance characterizes the ability of the solar panel to move within the space between the upper rim and the lower rim. The distance between the rims and the thickness of the solar panel are considered at rest, in the absence of forces on the solar panel or on the reinforcement. Thus, at rest, the solar panel is in contact either entirely with the upper rim or entirely with the lower rim or in an intermediate position between the two rims.

[0011] Furthermore, the upper rim and the lower rim each have a free surface, the respective free surfaces being opposite each other; thus, for the purpose of the present disclosure, the rims include any secondary members present with the reinforcement per se, such as gaskets, shims, spacers, etc. The rims are configured to be in direct contact with the solar panel, for example with a solar module frame forming a single block with photovoltaic cells.

[0012] Because the solar panel is received in the space with clearance, the reinforcement can be mounted on the solar panel very easily, by attaching the reinforcement to one side of the solar panel by means of a simple interlocking that requires no particular force. Depending on the configuration, the solar panel can be in contact with either of the rims. However, when the solar panel begins to deflect under the effect of external loads, the opposite faces of the solar panel move one towards the upper rim and the other towards the lower rim until they come into contact with the two rims simultaneously. At this point, the forces are absorbed by the reinforcement, which contributes to limiting the deflection of the solar panel.

[0013] Thus, the reinforcement effectively limits the deflection of the solar panel while maintaining a great simplicity for the assembly.

[0014] In some embodiments, the panel has a dimension along the side rail that is smaller than its dimension transversely to the side rail. The panel can be mounted in a so-called landscape format with respect to the side rail. In landscape format, the deflection is even greater, and the reinforcement is therefore more advantageous. However, in other embodiments, the panel may have its largest dimension along the side rail, in which case the panel is mounted in a so-called portrait format.

[0015] In some embodiments, the reinforcement is mounted on the solar panel in a removable manner. For the purpose of the present disclosure, it is considered that an element is removable when it is possible to separate the element from the rest of the device without the use of special tools. Typically, the reinforcement can be mounted on the solar panel without fasteners, being held relative to the solar panel only by either of its rims. The mounting of the reinforcement is therefore particularly easy.

[0016] In some embodiments, the reinforcement is movably mounted relative to the side rail. The reinforcement may or may not come into contact with the side rail. For example, the reinforcement may slide along the side rail. In the absence of means for fixing the reinforcement relative to the side rail, the mounting of the reinforcement is facilitated.

[0017] In some embodiments, the reinforcement extends to the at least one side rail. Thus, the reinforcement comes into contact with the side rail. The side rail can serve as a guide for the correct positioning of the reinforcement. The proposed assembly is therefore particularly easy to mount and robust in use.

[0018] In some embodiments, the lower rim is wider than the upper rim. Since the reinforcement extends mainly along the transverse direction and the upper rim and the lower rim are separated from each other along a height direction, the width of a rim can be measured transversely to the reinforcement, that is to say potentially in the longitudinal direction of the side rail. Because the lower rim is wider than the upper rim, the upper rim is relatively narrow so as not to obscure the useful part of the solar panel (typically, photovoltaic cells), while the lower rim is relatively extended to enable the reinforcement to withstand higher loads. The reinforcement thus configured is therefore appropriately dimensioned without hindering the operation of the solar panel.

[0019] In some embodiments, the at least one upper rim and the at least one lower rim are formed from a same piece, and are preferably formed integrally. Thus, the upper rim and the lower rim can respectively comprise different parts of one or more common pieces, independently of other attached portions (for example gaskets) that would be specific to either of the rims. In these embodiments, the reinforcement is not only simpler to manufacture but also more robust.

[0020] In some embodiments, the reinforcement comprises a gutter extending outside the space on the side of the lower rim. The gutter can lead the water flowing into it to the sides of the reinforcement. The gutter, like the lower rim, can be provided on the back side of the solar panel. Thanks to the gutter, the reinforcement ensures a rainwater recovery function in addition to its mechanical function.

[0021] In some embodiments, the reinforcement comprises a single upper rim and a single lower rim. In these embodiments, the reinforcement is therefore particularly simple to manufacture and use.

[0022] Alternatively, in some embodiments, the reinforcement comprises a first upper rim and a first lower rim defining between them the space configured to receive the solar panel (also called the first solar panel) with clearance, and the reinforcement comprises a second upper rim and a second lower rim, the second upper rim and the second lower rim defining between them a second space configured to receive a second solar panel with clearance. In these embodiments, the reinforcement is a double reinforcement having at least two pairs of rims defining spaces to accommodate at least two solar panels. Thus, the reinforcement can be used at the interface between two adjacent solar panels in the longitudinal direction of the side rail, and secure the positioning of these two panels relative to each other. The fact that a reinforcement serves two solar panels further allows reducing the number of pieces to be used, compared to a situation where two independent reinforcements would be necessary.

[0023] The double reinforcement can be formed from a single piece or from two single reinforcements (that is to say having a single upper rim and a single lower rim) assembled together.

[0024] In some embodiments, the first and second spaces are defined on either side of the reinforcement. The two solar panels are thus received on either side of the reinforcement, with the reinforcement being mounted between the two solar panels. The solar panels which thus enclose the reinforcement contribute to holding it firmly in position. Furthermore, the mounting is simplified since at least one reinforcement associated with the second solar panel is placed during the mounting of the adjacent solar panel preceding it.

[0025] In some embodiments, the second upper rim is opposite (or faces) the first upper rim and the second lower rim is opposite (or faces) the first lower rim. This rim thus allows for easy alignment of the solar panels and ensures balanced load distribution for the first solar panel and the second solar panel.

[0026] In some embodiments, the second solar panel has the same thickness as the first solar panel. The assembly is therefore homogeneous and the dimensioning of the reinforcement is facilitated.

[0027] In some embodiments, the assembly comprises at least two adjacent side rails supporting the at least one solar panel. The side rails may be spaced from each other by a distance less than or equal to the dimension of the solar panel transversely to the longitudinal direction of the side rail. As previously stated, the side rails are preferably substantially parallel to each other. The solar panel may be supported by the side rails at its respective ends in the transverse direction.

[0028] In some embodiments, the reinforcement is shorter than the distance separating the two adjacent side rails. In these embodiments, the reinforcement may not come into contact with the side rails, which facilitates its installation. Brief description of the drawings

[0029] The aforementioned characteristics and advantages, as well as others, will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments. This detailed description refers to the appended drawings.

[0030] Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembly according to a first embodiment.

[0031] Figure 2 is a sectional view of the assembly according to the first embodiment, along plane ll-ll of Figure 1.

[0032] Figure 3 is a sectional view of an assembly according to a second embodiment.

[0033] Figure 4 is a sectional view of a reinforcement according to a third embodiment.

[0034] Figure 5 is a sectional view of an assembly according to a fourth embodiment.

[0035] Figure 6 schematically shows the operation of an assembly according to the first embodiment, in cross-section along plane VI-VI of Figure 1. Description of the embodiments

[0036] An assembly 10 according to a first embodiment is described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Unless otherwise stated, the assembly 10 is described at rest, that is to say in the absence of forces acting on the components of the assembly 10.

[0037] The assembly 10 comprises at least a solar panel 20, for example a thermal or photovoltaic solar panel. The solar panel 20 has a useful surface 22, or upper surface, able to convert the received solar energy into a recoverable form, for example electricity or heat. The useful surface 22 is directed towards the sun. Conversely, the solar panel 20 has a back 24, or lower surface, which generally does not have a solar energy recovery function.

[0038] The assembly 10 also comprises at least one side rail 30 that supports the solar panel 20. The side rail 30 may be elongated and extends mainly along a longitudinal direction X. A transverse direction Y and a height direction Z are also defined such that the directions (X, Y, Z) form an orthogonal reference frame, in which the solar panel 20 extends mainly in the plane (X, Y), the thickness of the solar panel 20 being measured in the height direction Z. The height direction Z is oriented towards the sun, and for the sake of brevity, elements referred to as "high", "above", "upper" elements or the like are closer to the sun, in the height direction Z, than elements referred to as "low", "below", "lower” elements or the like, in the use position.

[0039] In this case, the assembly 10 comprises a plurality of side rails 30, each side rail 30 supporting the solar panel 20 at one of its ends. A solar panel 20 may be supported by only two adjacent side rails 30, without an intermediate side rail therebetween, or by more side rails 30. In other embodiments, however, a solar panel 20 could be supported by one or more side rails 30 arranged at a central part of the solar panel 20.

[0040] As illustrated in Figure 1, the solar panel 20 may have a dimension L1 along the side rail, that is to say here along the longitudinal direction X, that is smaller than its dimension L2 transversely to the side rail, that is to say here along the transverse direction Y. In other words, the solar panel 20 can be positioned relative to the side rails 30 in landscape format. This allows for greater spacing between the side rails 30, thus saving material and pieces. However, this results in increased deflection of the solar panels 20 between two successive side rails.

[0041] As can be seen from Figure 1, in this embodiment, the side rail 30 defines a housing 32 able to receive one side of the solar panel 20, here a side extending in the longitudinal direction X. The housing 32 may define a longitudinal track in which the solar panel 20 is able to slide, particularly during its installation. In this case, the side rail 30 of the type illustrated in Figure 1 defines two housings 32 on either side in the transverse direction Y, preferably symmetrical and / or parallel to each other, in order to accommodate two adjacent solar panels 20 in the transverse direction Y.

[0042] The side rail 30 may also define a gutter 34 in a part below the housing 32, in order to recover and guide rainwater running off the sides of the solar panel. The gutter 34 can take the form of a generally U-shaped profile whose opening is facing the solar panel 20 and extends longitudinally along the rest of the side rail 30.

[0043] The assembly 10 also comprises at least one reinforcement 40 extending transversely to the at least one side rail 30, that is to say here along the transverse direction Y. The reinforcement 40 can be elongated. The reinforcement 40 can be mounted on the solar panel 20, and more specifically, as will be seen later, define a space configured to receive the solar panel 20. More specifically, the space can receive one side of the solar panel 20, here a side extending in the transverse direction Y.

[0044] The reinforcement 40 can be mounted on the solar panel 20 in a removable manner, for example simply interlocked with the solar panel 20, preferably without any fastener between the solar panel 20 and the reinforcement 40. When the solar panel 20 comprises a rigid frame that is integral with the rest of the solar panel 20, the reinforcement 40 can be outside this frame.

[0045] Moreover, the reinforcement 40 can be provided movable relative to the side rail 30. In this embodiment, the reinforcement 40 is located at a distance from the side rails 30, for example by being provided shorter (length L3) than the distance L4 separating the two adjacent side rails 30. In other embodiments (see Figure 3 for example), the reinforcement 40 can come into contact with either or both of the side rails 30 while being movable relative to this / these side rail(s) 30. For example, the reinforcement 40 can be received in the housing 32 and can slide longitudinally in the housing 32, just as the solar panel 20.

[0046] It is immediately apparent from the preceding description that the installation of the assembly 10 is particularly simple: once the side rails 30 are placed on a support such as a roof or a shade structure, it suffices to slide the solar panels 20 and the associated reinforcements 40 in the longitudinal direction X until an entire row is installed; other rows, if necessary, can be installed in the same way. The reinforcements 40 cooperate with the solar panels 20 and / or with the side rails 30 during their sliding, thus ensuring their guiding. The sliding can be assisted by gravity when the side rails 30 are inclined: the solar panels 20 and the reinforcements 40 can be introduced at the high end of the side rails 30 and go freely down towards the low end until they encounter a stop or an adjacent solar panel 20 or reinforcement 40. In the installed position, most of the reinforcements 40 can be held longitudinally simply by being enclosed between two adjacent solar panels 20, thus avoiding additional fixing means.

[0047] Figure 2 illustrates a sectional view of the assembly 10 along plane ll-ll of Figure 1. As is more clearly apparent in this figure, the reinforcement 40 comprises at least one upper rim, in particular a first upper rim 42, and at least a lower rim, in particular a first lower rim 44. The first upper rim 42 and the first lower rim 44 are fixed relative to each other. Particularly, the first upper rim 42 and the first lower rim 44 may be devoid of the possibility of movement relative to each other, which allows the reinforcement 40 to have a particularly simple structure. Typically, the first upper rim 42 and the first lower rim 44 may belong to the same piece.

[0048] The first upper rim 42 and the first lower rim 44 define between them the space 46 configured to receive the solar panel 20. To facilitate the interaction between the rims 42, 44 and the solar panel 20, the first upper rim 42 and the first lower rim 44 may extend parallel to each other, and particularly parallel to the solar panel 20. The rims 42, 44 may be planar, except for any localized singularities. In the present embodiment, for example, the first upper rim 42 and the first lower rim 44 each extend in the plane (X, Y).

[0049] As can be seen from Figure 2, the distance E1 between the first upper rim 42 and the second lower rim 44 is greater than the thickness E2 of the solar panel 20. In this case, the distance E1 and the thickness E2 are measured in the height direction Z. Thanks to this characteristic, the solar panel 20 is received in the space 46 with clearance; that is to say the solar panel 20, in the absence of any force, has the possibility of moving within the space 46, in particular in the height direction Z.

[0050] The clearance, of strictly positive length E1-E2, extends taking into account the actual thickness of the rims 42, 44, including any ancillary part that might be associated with the piece forming the structure of the rims 42, 44 (gaskets, spacers, etc.). The clearance refers to the non-zero gap actually available for the solar panel 20 to move within the space 46. Thanks to this clearance, it is very easy to interlock the reinforcement 40 onto the solar panel 20, without any particular force.

[0051] As illustrated in Figure 2, the first lower rim 44 may have a width L6 greater than the width L5 of the first upper rim 42, particularly transversely to the reinforcement 40, that is to say for example in the longitudinal direction X. This allows minimizing the obstruction of the useful surface 22 by the first upper rim 42 while sufficiently dimensioning the reinforcement 40 thanks to a wider first lower rim 44, since there is no drawback, in terms of energy efficiency, with further covering the back 24 of the solar panel 20.

[0052] The first upper rim 42 and the first lower rim 44, which define the space 46, have been described above. However, as illustrated in Figure 2, in this embodiment, the reinforcement 40 is a double reinforcement able to receive and reinforce two solar panels 20. For this purpose, the reinforcement 40 may comprise a second upper rim 52 and a second lower rim 54, the second upper rim 52 and the second lower rim 54 defining between them a second space 56 configured to receive a second solar panel 20 with clearance.

[0053] The second upper rim 52 may have all or part of the characteristics detailed for the first upper rim 42. Moreover, the second lower rim 54 may have all or part of the characteristics detailed for the first lower rim 44. Moreover, the second space 56 may have all or part of the characteristics detailed for the space 46.

[0054] The space 46 and the second space 56 may be defined on either side of the reinforcement 40, in this case on either side, in the longitudinal direction X, of a framework 50 extending in the transverse direction Y. More specifically, the framework 50 may extend mainly in the plane (Y, Z). The rims 42, 44, 52, 54 protrude from the framework, here in the longitudinal direction X. The spaces 46, 56 are delimited by the framework 50 and respectively by the first rims 42, 44 and the second rims 52, 54.

[0055] To facilitate the relative arrangement of the solar panels 20 with respect to each other, the second upper rim 52 can be opposite the first upper rim 42. For example, the first upper rim 42 and the second upper rim 52 can belong to the same plane. Moreover, the second lower rim 54 can be opposite the first lower rim 44. For example, the first lower rim 44 and the second lower rim 54 can belong to the same plane. The second space 56 can have the same thickness E1 as the space 46. Furthermore, the second solar panel 20 can have the same thickness E2 as the first solar panel 20.

[0056] As can be seen from Figure 2, the reinforcement 40 can have a general I- or H-shape. In this case, the reinforcement 40 is formed by two C-shaped profiles welded or otherwise assembled back-to-back, the framework 50 being formed by the two backs assembled against each other. However, the reinforcement 40 could also be formed by a single folded sheet metal, or by one or more extruded components, or formed in any other way suitable for the desired shape. Regardless of these alternatives, it is advantageous for the upper rim 42, 52 and the corresponding lower rim 44, 54 to be formed from a single piece, preferably formed integrally.

[0057] Figures 3 to 5 show the assembly, in whole or in part, in other embodiments. In these figures, the elements corresponding to or identical to those of the first embodiment will be given the same reference sign and will not be described again.

[0058] Figure 3 shows, in cross-section similar to Figure 2, an assembly according to a second embodiment. The reinforcement 40 of Figure 3 is not a double reinforcement but a single reinforcement. It comprises for example a single upper rim 42 and a single lower rim 44 connected to each other by the framework 50. The reinforcement 40 has a generally C-shaped section and can be formed from a folded sheet metal. A single reinforcement is in particular useful for the solar panels 20 located at the ends of a row. However, instead of a double reinforcement, one example of which has been described in relation to Figures 1 and 2, two independent single reinforcements can be used to each support one of two adjacent solar panels 20.

[0059] In this embodiment, it should also be noted that the reinforcement 40 can extend to the side rail 30. The reinforcement 40 can be received in the housing 32. The cooperation between the reinforcement 40 and the side rail 30 increases the resistance of the reinforcement 40 to deflection.

[0060] Figure 4 illustrates, in cross-section, a reinforcement 40 according to a third embodiment. The reinforcement 40 according to this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, except that it is formed by a cut and folded sheet metal instead of two profiles assembled back to back. The rims 42, 44, 52, 54 are formed by the same piece, which also forms the framework 50.

[0061] Figure 5 illustrates, in cross-section similarly to Figure 2, an assembly according to a fourth embodiment. The reinforcement 40 according to this embodiment is similar to that of the first embodiment, except that it can be formed by extrusion or by assembly of metal strips together, for example by welding.

[0062] Moreover, this embodiment illustrates the fact that the reinforcement 40 may comprise a gutter 48 extending outside the space 46, on the side of the first lower rim 44. The gutter 48 may extend from the framework 50 which here extends beyond the first lower rim 44. The gutter 48 may protrude, from the framework 50, at least on the same side as the first lower rim 44. The gutter 48 may be provided with a return forming a border 49, at its distal end, in order to form a channel to guide the runoff of water. This channel is open in the direction of the space 46, in other words, in the direction of the solar panel 20.

[0063] In order to effectively recover the water running off from the space 46, the gutter 48 may be wider than the first lower rim 44, in particular in the longitudinal direction X.

[0064] If necessary, a second gutter 58, identical or not in whole or in part to the first gutter 48, may extend outside the second space 56, on the side of the second lower rim 54. The gutters 48, 58 may belong to the same plane.

[0065] In the transverse direction Y, the gutters 48, 58 may be shorter than the rest of the reinforcement 40 so as not to hinder the insertion of the reinforcement 40 into the housing 32 of the side rail, if applicable.

[0066] The operation of the reinforcement 40 is detailed with reference to Figure 6. Although Figure 6 is a sectional view along plane VI-VI of Figure 1, the principles described below apply to all the embodiments. Figure 6 shows two views: view (A) is a view of the assembly at rest, while view (B) is a view of the assembly when the solar panel 20 is subjected to a load, which is for example related to climatic conditions exerted on the solar panel 20 (wind, snow, etc.). In Figure 6, the proportions may be distorted and the displacements illustrated in an exaggerated way to facilitate understanding.

[0067] At rest, as illustrated in view A, the reinforcement 40 can be held on the solar panel 20 by its first upper rim 42, which prevents the reinforcement 40 from falling. The clearance with which the space 46 receives the solar panel 20 implies that the first lower rim 44 is then at a distance from the back 24 of the solar panel 20.

[0068] When the solar panel 20 is subjected to a load that causes its deflection, the solar panel 20 tends to bend between the side rails 30 that support it, or more generally in the transverse plane (Y, Z). The useful surface 22 and the back 24 bend until both the useful surface 22 is in contact with the first upper rim 42 and the back 24 is in contact with the first lower rim 44. In this configuration, the reinforcement 40 absorbs part of the load exerted on the solar panel 20 and contributes to limiting the deflection of the solar panel 20.

[0069] A downward deflection of the center of the solar panel 20 is represented here, which can occur under the weight of snow for example; however an opposite deflection is also possible, for example under the effect of wind rushing under the solar panel 20. Mutatis mutandis, the reinforcement 40 then performs the same 5 function.

[0070] Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific exemplary embodiments, it is obvious that modifications and changes can be made to these examples without departing from the general scope of the invention as defined by the claims. Particularly, individual characteristics of the 10 various embodiments illustrated / mentioned can be combined in additional embodiments. Consequently, the description and drawings should be considered in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.

[0071] It is also obvious that all the characteristics described with reference to one method are transposable, alone or in combination, to one device and, conversely, 15 all the characteristics described with reference to one device are transposable, alone or in combination, to one method.

Claims

1. An assembly comprising at least one side rail (30), at least one solar panel (20) supported by the at least one side rail (30), and at least one reinforcement (40) extending transversely to the at least one side rail (30), said reinforcement (40) comprising at least one upper rim (42) and at least one lower rim (44) fixed relative to each other, the distance (E1) between the upper rim (42) and the lower rim (44) being greater than the thickness (E2) of the solar panel (20) such that the upper rim (42) and the lower rim (44) define between them a space (46) configured to receive the solar panel (20) with clearance.

2. The assembly according to claim 1, wherein the solar panel (20) has a dimension (L1) along (X) the side rail (30) that is smaller than its dimension (L2) transversely to the side rail (30).

3. The assembly according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the reinforcement (40) is mounted on the solar panel (20) in a removable manner.

4. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the reinforcement (40) is movably mounted relative to the side rail (30).

5. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the reinforcement (40) extends to the at least one side rail (30).

6. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the lower rim (44) is wider than the upper rim (42).

7. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the at least one upper rim (42) and the at least one lower rim (44) are formed from a same piece, and are preferably formed integrally.

8. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the reinforcement (40) comprises a gutter (48) extending outside the space (46) on the side of the lower rim (44).

9. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the reinforcement (40) comprises a first upper rim (42) and a first lower rim (44) defining between them the space (46) configured to receive the solar panel (20) with clearance, and the reinforcement (40) comprises a second upper rim (52) and a second lower rim (54), the second upper rim (52) and the secondlower rim (54) defining between them a second space (56) configured to receive a second solar panel (20) with clearance.

10. The assembly according to claim 9, wherein the first space (46) and the second space (56) are defined on either side of the reinforcement 5 (40).

11. The assembly according to claim 9 or 10, wherein the second upper rim (52) is opposite the first upper rim (42) and the second lower rim (54) is opposite the first lower rim (44), the second solar panel (20) having preferably the same thickness as the first solar panel (20).10

12. The assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 11, comprising at least two adjacent side rails (30) supporting the at least one solar panel (20).

13. The assembly according to claim 12, wherein the reinforcement (40) is shorter than the distance (L4) separating the two adjacent side rails 15 (30).A

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