Solar panel mounting

Abstract

The invention relates to solar panel mounting, particularly a solar panel roof mounting bracket (10) designed for attachment of a solar panel (32) to roof sheeting (30). The bracket (10) includes a body (12) with a base (14) contoured to match the profile of roof sheeting (30). Mounting lugs (16) extend outwardly from the body (12), facilitating tool access to roof mounting screws for efficient installation. An integrated slotted upper support face (18) allows for adjustable positioning of a holding bracket (20) that clamps the solar panel (32) securely in place. The body (12) may be composed of a UV-stabilised composite material, providing anti-corrosive and non-conductive properties. Its height, exceeding 70mm, promotes ventilation between the solar panel (32) and roof sheeting (30). Reinforcing ribs (22) along the body's length enhance durability. The elongated body (12) can be mounted parallel or orthogonal to the roof profile, automatically aligning itself upon fastening. Chamfered holes (34) in the mounting lugs (16) accommodate various roof sheeting (30) profiles, including IBR, corrugated, and Clip Lock.

Description

[0001] SOLAR PANEL MOUNTING

[0002] FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] This invention relates to solar panel mounting. In particular, the invention relates to a solar panel roof mounting bracket.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Conventional methods of affixing solar panels to building roofs rely on extruded metal rails fastened to the roof with clamping brackets then slid into the rail to secure the solar panel in place. Excess material usage in these conventional methods lead to heightened installation costs. Further, these conventional methods have several inherent deficiencies. These include a lack of isolation between the solar panel and the roof, ineffective installation procedures, susceptibility to corrosion, inadequate spacing between the roof and solar panel hindering proper ventilation (which is crucial to prevent overheating), and a propensity for water leaks where the extruded metal rail meets the roof.

[0006] Convention mounting brackets are dimensioned to mount the solar panels up to a distance of 70mm above the roof surface. New regulations require panels to be mounted at least 102mm above the roof surface. These new regulations cause some complications to conventional mounting methods as it requires cumbersome mounting techniques to be implemented to mount rails onto a roof surface.

[0007] The inventor recognises the need for a solar panel mounting system which effectively mitigates the shortcomings prevalent in existing methods.

[0008] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0009] Broadly according to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a solar panel roof mounting bracket, which includes a body designed to be affixed to roof sheeting, the body having a base shaped and dimensioned to mate with the profile of roof sheeting; and mounting lugs extending outwardly from the body to facilitate tool access to roof mounting screws during installation.

[0010] The solar panel roof mounting bracket may further comprise a slotted upper support face integrated into the body for supporting a solar panel, the upper support face arranged to receive a holding bracket for clamping the solar panel onto the roof mounting bracket upper support face.

[0011] The slotted upper face may slideably receive the holding bracket to permit adjustability thereof onto the solar panel.

[0012] The body may be manufactured from a UV-stabilised composite material, or the like, for its anti-corrosive and non-conductive properties.

[0013] The body may have a height exceeding 70mm to facilitate ventilation between the roof sheeting and a solar panel.

[0014] The body may include reinforcing ribs along the body’s length.

[0015] The body may be elongated. The elongated body may be mountable parallel to or orthogonal to the roof sheeting profile and may automatically align itself in such orientation when fastened to the roof sheeting.

[0016] The base being shaped and dimensioned to mate with the profile of roof sheeting may be shaped to mate with the profile of the roof sheeting in any one, or both of the parallel or orthogonal mounting orientation.

[0017] The mounting lugs may comprise chamfered holes from a bottom surface thereof, to receive a flared portion of the roof sheeting into the chamfered hole.

[0018] The roof sheeting may be manufactured in profiles such as IBR, corrugated, Clip Lock, or the like. The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying figures:

[0019] FIGURE(S)

[0020] In the figure(s):

[0021] Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a solar panel roof mounting bracket in accordance with one aspect of the invention;

[0022] Figure 2 shows a solar panel roof mounting bracket, in use, mounted to a roof with a solar panel installed;

[0023] Figure 3 shows a comparison between various base profile adaptations shaped and dimensioned to mate with different roof sheeting profiles;

[0024] Figure 4 shows a side view of a solar panel roof mounting bracket, the base of which is shaped and dimensioned of installation on a corrugated roof sheet in both a portrait and landscape orientation; and

[0025] Figure 5 shows a bottom view of a solar panel roof mounting bracket, with chamfered mounting holes.

[0026] In the Figures, like reference numerals denote like parts of the invention unless otherwise indicated.

[0027] EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0028] In the Figures 1 to 5, reference number 10 generally refers to a solar panel roof mounting bracket, which includes a body (12) defining a base (14) and mounting lugs (16).

[0029] Referring to Figure 1 , the body (12) is elongated to permit parallel or orthogonal mounting to the profile of roof sheeting (not shown). The body (12) is manufactured from a UV-stabilised composite material for its anti-corrosive and non- conductive properties. In this embodiment, the base (14) is shaped and dimensioned to be mounted to IBR profiled roof sheeting (not shown). The mounting lugs (16) extend outwardly from the body (12) to facilitate tool access to roof mounting screws during installation. Reinforcing ribs (22) are included along the length of the body (12) to increase rigidity. The receiving of a holding bracket (not shown) for clamping a solar panel (not shown) onto the roof mounting bracket (10) is facilitated by a slotted upper face (18) integrated into the body (12).

[0030] In these embodiments, the roof mounting brackets (10) are manufactured by injection moulding of a polymer type material. It is to be appreciated that the roof mounting brackets (10) can be manufactured from recycled materials.

[0031] Referring to Figure 2, a solar panel (32) is installed on roof sheeting (30) by clamping the solar panel (32) between the solar panel roof mounting bracket (10) and the holding bracket (20). In this embodiment, the body (12) has a height, measured from the base (12) to the slotted upper face (18), of approximately 100mm which facilitates ventilation between the roof sheeting (30) and the solar panel (32). It is to be appreciated that the slotted upper face (18) slideably receives the holding bracket (20) to permit adjustability thereof onto the solar panel (32).

[0032] Figure 3 shows the base (12), differently shaped and dimensioned to mate with a variety of different roof sheeting profiles, including IBR, corrugated and Clip Lock.

[0033] Figure 4 shows the base (12), shaped and dimensioned to mate with the profile of corrugated roof sheeting (not shown) in a parallel or orthogonal mounting orientation, which allows for various solar panel layouts and further ensures automatic alignment of the solar panel roof mounting bracket (10) relative to the roof sheeting (not shown) when fastened to the roof sheeting.

[0034] Referring to Figure 5, the mounting lugs (16) comprise chamfered holes (34) facilitating a water-tight seal between the body (12) and the roof sheeting (not shown) upon fastening, allowing the roof sheeting to deform into the chamfered holes The inventor believes that the invention provides a novel and inventive solar panel roof mounting bracket, which addresses the shortcomings of conventional mounting brackets.

Claims

Claims:1 . A solar panel roof mounting bracket, which includes a body designed to be affixed to roof sheeting, the body having a base shaped and dimensioned to mate with the profile of roof sheeting; and mounting lugs extending outwardly from the body to facilitate tool access to roof mounting screws during installation.

2. The solar panel roof mounting bracket as claimed in claim 1 , which includes a slotted upper support face integrated into the body for supporting a solar panel, the upper support face arranged to receive a holding bracket for clamping the solar panel onto the roof mounting bracket upper support face.

3. The solar panel roof mounting bracket as claimed in claim 2, in which the slotted upper face slideably receives the holding bracket to permit adjustability thereof onto the solar panel, in use.

4. The solar panel roof mounting bracket as claimed in claim 1 , in which the body is manufactured from a UV-stabilised composite material for its anti-corrosive and non-conductive properties.

5. The solar panel roof mounting bracket as claimed in claim 1 , in which the body has a height exceeding 70mm to facilitate ventilation between the roof sheeting and a solar panel.

6. The solar panel roof mounting bracket as claimed in claim 1 , in which the body includes reinforcing ribs along the body’s length.

7. The solar panel roof mounting bracket as claimed in claim 1 , in which the body is elongated.

8. The solar panel roof mounting bracket as claimed in claim 7, in which the elongated body is mountable parallel to or orthogonal to the roof sheeting profile and automatically aligns itself in such orientation when fastened to the roof sheeting.

9. The solar panel roof mounting bracket as claimed in claim 1, in which the base being shaped and dimensioned to mate with the profile of roof sheeting is shaped to mate with the profile of the roof sheeting in any one, or both of the parallel or orthogonal mounting orientation.

10. The solar panel roof mounting bracket as claimed in claim 1, in which the mounting lugs have chamfered holes at a bottom surface thereof, to receive a flared portion of the roof sheeting into the chamfered hole.

11. The solar panel roof mounting bracket as claimed in claim 1 , in which the roof sheeting is manufactured in profiles selected from any one of IBR sheets, corrugated sheets or Clip Lock sheets.

12. A solar panel roof mounting bracket as claimed in claim 1 , substantially as herein described and illustrated.

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