Solar panel structure mounting bracket and system

Abstract

Solar panel (10) structure mounting bracket (100a-b), wherein the solar panel structure mounting bracket (100a-b) is formed by an elongated L-shaped body forming a structure attachment leg (110) and a single-profiled (120a) or double profiled (120b) fixation leg arranging solar panels (10) to a structure in a flat or inclined position.

Description

[0001] Solar panel structure mounting bracket and system

[0002] The disclosed embodiments relate to a solar panel structure mounting bracket.

[0003] The disclosed embodiments especially relate solar panel structure mounting bracket for arrangement of solar panels on mainly vertically extending structures.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] With the green shift ongoing there has been a considerable increase in the interest of installing solar panels on walls of buildings and other support structures. As the solar panels also have become cheaper, the interest in the private & public market has also increased.

[0006] Presently there exists no simple wall mounting device that can be used for rapid and cheap mounting of solar panels to walls. The existing solution are often complex and involves joints and other complicated components to facilitate the angle of the solar panel. This brings along high costs as well as increases the time to install the solar panels, and thus also the costs.

[0007] In addition, many of the known solution have large building height that is technically complicated and / or not visually attractive and often results in that one does not install solar panels.

[0008] The prior art solutions suffer from that they comprise many parts and is timeconsuming to mount. Prior art solutions further suffer from being heavy, expensive and non-environmental (galvanized steel) that is being shipped around the world.

[0009] Prior art further fails to disclose a solution that may be manufactured locally.

[0010] Due to they being expensive, as well as not visually attractive, one does not choose to utilize the potential of wall-mounted solar panels that can produce electric energy the entire year. Of course there will be higher amount of energy produce some times of the year as well as where on the earth the solar panel is installed.

[0011] It is thus a need for a solar panel structure mounting bracket partly or entirely solving the issues of prior art solutions.

[0012] SUMMARY

[0013] The disclosed embodiments provide a solar panel structure mounting bracket.

[0014] Provided herein is a solar panel structure mounting bracket partly or entirely solving the drawbacks and lacks of prior art solutions. Provided herein is a solar panel structure mounting bracket enabling the arrangement of solar panels to a structure in a flat or inclined position.

[0015] Also provided herein is a solar panel structure mounting bracket making the installation of solar panels to structures in a rapid and plain manner.

[0016] Provided herein is a solar panel structure mounting bracket being plain and cheap to manufacture.

[0017] Also provided herein is a solar panel structure mounting bracket having low building height.

[0018] Provided herein is a solar panel structure mounting bracket having low weight.

[0019] Also provided herein is a solar panel structure mounting bracket that can be manufactured on site in an easy manner.

[0020] Provided herein is a solar panel structure mounting bracket enabling installation of solar panels on mainly vertically extending structures, such as walls, in a visually more attractive manner than the prior art solutions.

[0021] Also provided herein is a solar panel structure mounting bracket that is cost effective.

[0022] Provided herein is a solar panel structure mounting bracket that is environmentally friendly by having a long operating time.

[0023] Also provided herein is a solar panel structure mounting bracket that is universal and easy fit for all known solar panels.

[0024] THE INVENTION

[0025] A solar panel structure mounting bracket according to the present invention is defined by the technical features of claims 1 and 2. Preferable features of the solar panel structure mounting bracket are described in the dependent claims.

[0026] The present invention is related to solar panel structure mounting brackets (SPSMB) for arrangement and fixation of solar panels to a structure in a flat or inclined position. The SPSMB according to the present invention is especially suitable for mainly vertically extending structure, but not limited thereto. The SPSMB according to the present invention can be used both for arrangement of solar panels to planer and curved structures.

[0027] In accordance with the present invention, the SPSMB is formed by an elongated L- shaped body forming a structure attachment leg and a single-profiled or doubleprofiled fixation leg. According to one embodiment of the SPSMB according to the present invention, the structure attachment leg forms an attachment flange and wherein the single-profiled or double-profiled fixation leg protrudes in a perpendicularly plane from a lower end of the structure attachment leg.

[0028] In accordance with one embodiment of the SPSMB according to the present invention, the single-profiled fixation leg comprises a profile configured for receiving and accommodating an upper or lower end of the solar panel enabling arrangement of the solar panel in a flat position to a structure. The SPSMB according to this embodiment can be arranged both horizontally, vertically, as well as laterally reversed horizontally and vertically depending on the desired mode of fixation.

[0029] In accordance with one embodiment of the SPSMB according to the present invention, the double-profiled fixation leg comprises first and a second profiles configured for receiving and accommodating upper and lower ends, respectively, of the solar panel. In accordance with this embodiment of the SPSMB, the first profile is positioned proximal the structure attachment leg and the second profile is positioned distal the structure attachment leg. Openings of the first and second profiles are further arranged in opposite directions, enabling arrangement of the solar panel in an inclined position to a structure.

[0030] According to a one embodiment of the SPSMB according to the present invention, the SPSMB is formed from a metal plate by bending or buckling.

[0031] In accordance with one embodiment of the SPSMB according to the present invention, the profile or first profile is L-shaped and is formed by a first side extending in a perpendicular plane to the attachment flange with a desired width and a second side extending in a mainly perpendicular plane of the plane of the first side with a desired width. The profile or first profile will, when the SPSMB is arranged to the structure, form a U-shape profile together with the structure.

[0032] According to one embodiment of the SPSMB according to the present invention, the plane of the second side deviates from the vertical plane by an angle positing the second side at an inclination angle in relation to the vertical plane.

[0033] In accordance with one embodiment of the SPSMB according to the present invention, the second profile is U-shaped and is formed by a third side extending in a mainly perpendicular plane of the plane of the second side with a desired width, in a plane parallel to the first side, and a forth side extending in a mainly vertical parallel plane to the second side with a desired width. According to one embodiment of the SPSMB according to the present invention, the plane of the fourth side deviates from the vertical plane by an angle positing the fourth side at an inclination angle in relation to the vertical plane.

[0034] In accordance with one embodiment of the SPSMB according to the present invention, the widths of the first and third sides are configured according to the thickness of the solar panels.

[0035] According to a further embodiment of the SPSMB according to the present invention, the angle(s) of the second and / or fourth side is / are configured according to the length of the solar panels, and / or possible curvature of the structure.

[0036] In accordance with one embodiment of the SPSMB according to the present invention, the attachment flange is provided with multiple through holes for insertion of screws or bolts for attachment to the structure, or the solar panel structure mounting bracket or attachment flange is made of a material allowing the use of self-drilling screws to penetrate therethrough attaching the solar panel structure mounting bracket to the structure.

[0037] According to a further embodiment of the SPSMB according to the present invention, the double-profiled fixation leg is configured for arranging solar panels with an overlap.

[0038] By the disclosed embodiments of the SPSMB according to the present invention is provided a SPSMB enabling arrangement of the solar panels to the structure in a flat position or an inclined position.

[0039] The SPSMB according to the present invention enables installation of solar panels to structures in a rapid and plain manner.

[0040] The SPSMB according to the present invention is further plain and cheap to manufacture.

[0041] By the SPSMB according to the present invention, a SPSMB having low building height and weight is provided.

[0042] The SPSMB according to the present invention can further be manufactured on site in an easy manner by the use of a buckling / bending apparatus, enabling adaption / tailoring of the SPSMB in relation to any structure and solar panels.

[0043] By the present invention is provided a SPSMB enabling installation of solar panels on structures in a visually more attractive manner than the prior art solutions.

[0044] Further preferable features and advantageous details of the present invention will appear from the following example description, claims and attached drawings. Example

[0045] The present invention will below be described in further detail with reference to the attached drawings, where:

[0046] Fig. la-b are principle drawings of solar panel structure mounting bracket according to a first embodiment of the present invention,

[0047] Fig. Ic-d are principle drawings of a second embodiment of a solar panel structure mounting bracket according to the present invention, and

[0048] Fig. 2a-c are principle drawings of the use of the solar panel structure mounting brackets according to the present invention.

[0049] The present invention is related to solar panel structure mounting brackets (SPSMB) lOOa-b for arrangement and fixation of solar panels 10 on a mainly vertically extending structure 20, such as, but not limited to, mainly vertically extending walls of a building. The embodiments of the SPSMB lOOa-b are however not limited to strict vertically extending structures 20, but may also be used on inclined structures as well as curved structures.

[0050] In accordance with the present invention, the SPSMB lOOa-b is formed by an elongated L-shaped body forming a structure attachment leg 110 and a singleprofiled 120a or double-profiled fixation leg 120b.

[0051] Reference is now made to Fig. la-b showing principle drawings of a solar panel structure mounting bracket (SPSMB) 100a according to a first embodiment of the SPSMB 100a according to the present invention comprising the structure attachment leg 110 and a single-profiled 120a fixation leg. The structure attachment leg 110 has a mainly rectangular shape and forms an attachment flange 111 of the SPSMB 100a. The single-profiled fixation leg 120 protrudes in a perpendicular plane from a lower end of the structure attachment leg 110 and comprises a profile 130a configured for receiving and accommodating upper 11 or lower 12 end of a solar panel 10. In accordance with the first embodiment, the profile 130a has an opening 131a facing the opposite direction of the attachment flange 111.

[0052] The SPSMB 100a is according to the present invention is according to one embodiment formed by bending / buckling of a mainly rectangular metal plate of a desired thickness, length and width.

[0053] In accordance with the present invention, the mainly rectangular metal plate is at a desired width DI bent / buckled a first time, in upwards direction, forming an attachment flange 111 for the structure attachment part 110 and a first side 121 of the single-profiled fixation leg 120a extending in a perpendicular plane to the attachment flange 111 with a desired width W 1.

[0054] The mainly rectangular metal plate is further bent / buckled a second time, in a downwards direction, seen in the plane of the first side 121, forming a second side 122 extending in a mainly perpendicular plane of the plane of the first side 121 with a desired width W2a. In accordance with the first embodiment, the plane of the second side 122 deviates from the vertical plane by an angle ai, positing the second side 122 at an inclination angle in relation to the vertical plane. In an alternative embodiment, the second side 122 extends in the vertical plane perpendicular to the first side 121, and thus in a parallel plane to the attachment flange 111.

[0055] The first 121 and second 122 sides thus form an L-shaped profile 130a, that, when the SPSMB 100a is arranged to a structure 20, the L-shaped profile 130a together with the structure 20 will form a mainly U-shaped profile with the opening 131a facing downwards, i.e. away from the first side 121.

[0056] The mentioned attachment flange I l l is provided with multiple through holes 112 for insertion of screws or bolts 113 for attachment to a structure 20, or the SPSMB 100a / attachment flange I l l is made of a material allowing the use of self-drilling screws to penetrate therethrough attaching the SPSMB 100a to the structure 20 in question.

[0057] The width W1 is configured according to the thickness of the solar panels 10 to be arranged to a structure 20 by the SPSMB 100a. The width DI of the attachment flange I l l is configured to provide a sufficient engagement surface with the structure 20 as well as enable the arrangement of sufficient number of holes 112 / area for arrangement of screws or bolts 113.

[0058] The width W2 is in the first embodiment configured such that the solar panel 10 is safely secured in the profile 130.

[0059] The SPSMB 100a according to the first embodiment has multiple use applications, depending on the properties. The SPSMB 100a can be used to arrange a solar panel 10 flat to a structure 20 by the lower end 12 thereof by arranging the SPSMB 100a to the structure 20 with the opening 131a of the L-shaped profile 130 facing upwards. The SPSMB 100a can further be used to arrange a solar panel 10 flat to a structure 20 by the upper end 11 thereof by arranging the SPSMB 100a to the structure 20 with the opening 131a of the L-shaped profile 130 facing downwards. Similarly, the SPSMB 100a can also be used for securing the upper end 11 of an angled solar panel 10 to a structure 20, further described below. In addition to the mentioned applications, the SPSMB 100a according to the first embodiment can be arranged with the axial direction in the vertical plane and used for fixation of a solar panel 10 via a longitudinal side 13 thereof, by that the L-shaped profile 130 is facing the longitudinal side 13 of the solar panel 10.

[0060] Reference is now made to Fig. Ic-d showing a SPSMB 100b according to a second embodiment of the SPSMB 100b according to the present invention comprising a structure attachment leg 110 and a double-profiled 120b fixation leg. The structure attachment leg 110 is similar to the first embodiment and thus has a mainly rectangular shape and forms an attachment flange 111 of the SPSMB 100b. The double-profiled fixation leg 120b protrudes in a perpendicular plane from a lower end of the structure attachment leg 110 and comprises first 130b and a second 140 profiles configured for receiving and accommodating upper 11 and lower 12 ends, respectively, of a solar panel 10, wherein the first profile 130b is positioned proximal the structure attachment leg 110 and the second profile 140 is positioned distal the structure attachment leg 110. In accordance with the second embodiment, the first profile 130b has an opening 131b facing downwards and is configured to receive the upper end 11 of a solar panel 10 and the second profile 140 has an opening 141 facing upwards and is configured to receive the lower end 12 of a solar panel 10.

[0061] Similar to the first embodiment, the SPSMB 100b according to the second embodiment is formed by bending / buckling of a mainly rectangular metal plate of a desired length and width to form the double-profiled fixation leg 120b in a similar manner as described above. In accordance with the present invention, the mainly rectangular metal plate is at a desired width DI bent / buckled first time, in upwards direction, forming an attachment flange 111 for the structure attachment leg 110 and a first side 121 of the double-profiled fixation leg 120b extending in a perpendicular plane to the attachment flange 111 with a desired width W 1.

[0062] The mainly rectangular metal plate is further bent / buckled a second time, in a downwards direction, seen in the plane of the first side 121, forming a second side 122 extending in a mainly perpendicular plane of the plane of the first side 121 with a desired width W2b. In accordance with the shown embodiment of the present invention, the plane of the second side 122 deviates from the vertical plane by an angle ai, positing the second side 122 at an inclination angle in relation to the vertical plane.

[0063] The first 121 and second 122 sides thus form the first profile 130b with an L-shape, that, when the SPSMB 100b is arranged to a structure 20, the first L-shaped profile 130b together with the structure 20 will form a mainly U-shaped profile with the opening 131b facing downwards, i.e. away from the first side 121.

[0064] In accordance with the second embodiment, the metal plate is further bent / buckled a third time upwards again, seen in the plane of the second side 121, forming a third side 123 extending in a mainly perpendicular plane of the plane of the second side 122 with a desired width W3 in a plane parallel to the first side 121. According to second embodiment of the present invention, the metal plate is further bent / buckled a fourth time upwards again, seen in the plane of the third side 123 forming a forth side 124 extending in a mainly vertical parallel plane to the second side 122 with a desired width W4. In accordance with the shown embodiment of the present invention, the plane of the fourth side 124 deviates from the vertical plane by an angle 012, positing the fourth side 124 at an inclination angle in relation to the vertical plane. The second 122, third 123 and fourth 124 sides thus form a mainly U-shaped profile with the opening 141 facing upwards, i.e. away from the third side 123. The angles 012 and ai are preferably the same, but some application they may also be different, such as if the structure 20 is curved. In an alternative embodiment, the second 122 and fourth 124 sides extend in the vertical plane perpendicular to the first 121 and third 123 side, respectively, and thus in a parallel plane to the attachment flange 111.

[0065] Accordingly, the SPSMB 100b has two profiles 130b, 140 arranged successively in transversal direction of the SPSMB 100b configured to receive and accommodate upper and lower ends 11, 12 of solar panels 10 to be arranged to a structure 20.

[0066] The mentioned widths W1 and W3 are configured according to the thickness of the solar panels 10 to be arranged to a structure 20 by the SPSMB 100b, while the inclination angles ai, 012 are configured according to the length of the solar panels 10 to be mounted, further described below. The inclination angles ai, 012 will also have to take into consideration a possible curvature of the structure 20.

[0067] In the alternative embodiment where the second 122 and fourth 124 sides are extending in the vertical plane perpendicular to the first 121 and third 123 sides, respectively, the widths W1 and W3 are preferably some larger than the thickness of the solar panel 10 to allow them to be received in the profiles 130b, 140 with an angle in relation to the vertical plane.

[0068] The mentioned attachment flange I l l is also in this embodiment provided with multiple through holes 112 for insertion of screws or bolts 113 for attachment to a structure 20, or the SPSMB lOOb / attachment flange 111 is made of a material allowing the use of self-drilling screws to penetrate therethrough attaching the SPSMB 100b to the structure 20 in question.

[0069] The SPSMB 100b according to the second embodiment also has multiple use applications. The main application is for arrangement and fixation of adjacent solar panels 10 to a structure 20, where the solar panels 10 are arranged above one another, wherein the SPSMB 100b both arranges an upper solar panel 10 via the lower end 11 thereof in the second profile 140 and a lower solar panel 10 in the first profile 130. In this manner the solar panels 10 are arranged in a slightly overlapping manner. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, the overlapping distance is corresponding to the height of the frame of the solar panel 10.

[0070] As for the first embodiment of the SPSMB 100a, also the second embodiment of the SPSMB 100b can be used for arrangement of arrangement of single solar panels 10 in an inclined angle by utilizing the second profile 140 to arrange the solar panel 10 at the lower end 12 and the first profile 130b at the upper end 11. In addition to the mentioned applications, the SPSMB 100b according to the second embodiment can also be arranged with the axial direction in the vertical plane and used for fixation of a solar panel 10 via a longitudinal side 13 thereof, by that the L-shaped profile 130b or U-shaped profile 140 is facing the longitudinal side 13 of the solar panel 10.

[0071] Accordingly, the SPSMB lOOa-b according to the present invention provides embodiments for arrangement of solar panels 10 to a structure 20, such as a vertically extending wall of a building, in a flat manner or inclined manner.

[0072] Reference is now made to Fig. 2a-b showing how the different embodiments of the SPSMB lOOa-b according to the present invention can be used. In Fig. 2a is shown an example where two solar panels 10 are arranged above each other on a vertically extending structure 20. The lowermost solar panel 10 is at the lower end 12 thereof arranged to the structure 20 by means of the second profile 140 of the SPSMB 100b according to the second embodiment. The lowermost solar panel 10 extends in axial direction along the structure 20 with an inclination and towards the structure 20, and wherein the lowermost solar panel 10 is secured to the structure 20 via the upper end 11 being received in the first profile 130b of the SPSMB 100b according to the second embodiment. As the blown-up view show, the same SPSMB 100b is used to secure the lower end 12 of the uppermost solar panel 10 extends in axial direction along the structure 20 and is secured to the structure 20 at the upper end 11 via the profile 130 of an SPSMB 100a according to the first embodiment. In an alternative embodiment, a SPSMB 100b according to the present invention is also used for securing the upper end 11 of the uppermost solar panel 10 via the first profile 130b thereof.

[0073] The mentioned blown-up view also shows the mentioned overlap between the solar panels 10.

[0074] In this manner an inclined arrangement of solar panels 10 to structure 20 is achieved by using the first 100a and second 100b embodiment of the SPSMB.

[0075] In Fig. 2b is shown an application example where two rows of four solar panels 10 inclined are arranged to a structure 20 by SPSMBs lOOa-b of a (smaller) axial length and wherein the SPSMBs lOOa-b are arranged at the corners of the solar panels 10, in this manner two adjoining solar panels 10 side by side can use the same SPSMBs lOOa-b. In addition, there are arranged SPSMBs lOOa-b at the longitudinal sides of the outermost solar panels 10 to secure them in the transversal direction, i.e. preventing them for moving in the transversal direction in the SPSMBs lOOa-b at upper 11 and lower 12 ends.

[0076] In Fig. 2c is shown a similar embodiment, where two rows of solar panels 10 are arranged flat on a structure. In this embodiment there are used SPSMBs 100a of a longer length than in Fig. 2b, so that the SPSMBs 100a have sufficient torsional strength to carry the loads of the respective solar panel 10 and to retain the solar panels 10 to the structure 20 by using only one respective SPSMB 100a at upper 11 and lower 12 ends, respectively. Also, here there are arranged are arranged SPSMBs 100a at the longitudinal sides of the outermost solar panels 10 to secure them in the transversal direction, i.e. preventing them for moving in the transversal direction in the SPSMBs lOOa-b at upper 11 and lower 12 ends.

[0077] It should further be mentioned that the SPSMB 100b according to the second embodiment may also be used for arranging solar panels 10 flat on the structure 20 by using only the first profiles 130b or the second profiles 140.

[0078] In accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention, the respective profile 130a-b, 140 may be provided with a resilient material or layer, such as rubber, increasing the friction and preventing the solar panels 10 from moving within the respective profile 130a-b, 140.

[0079] The SPSMB lOOa-b may further be provided with locking means, such as pretensioned members or set screws securing the solar panel 10 to the respective profile 130a-b, 140.

[0080] In a further alternative embodiment of the present invention, the SPSMB lOOa-b is made by 3D-printing.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Solar panel (10) structure mounting bracket (100a), wherein the solar panel structure mounting bracket (100a) is formed by an elongated L-shaped body forming a structure attachment leg (110) and a single-profiled fixation leg (120a), wherein structure attachment leg (110) forms an attachment flange (111), wherein the single-profiled (120a) fixation leg protrudes in a perpendicularly plane from a lower end of the structure attachment leg (110) and comprises a profile (130a) configured for receiving and accommodating an upper (11) or lower (12) end of the solar panel (10) enabling arrangement of the solar panel (10) in a flat position to a structure (20).

2. Solar panel (10) structure mounting bracket (100b), wherein the solar panel structure mounting bracket (100b) is formed by an elongated L-shaped body forming a structure attachment leg (110) and a double-profiled fixation leg (120b), wherein the structure attachment leg (110) forms an attachment flange (111), wherein the double-profiled fixation leg (120b) protrudes in a perpendicular plane from a lower end of the structure attachment leg (110) and comprises first (130b) and a second (140) profiles configured for receiving and accommodating upper (11) and lower (12) ends, respectively, of the solar panel (10), wherein the first profile (130b) is positioned proximal the structure attachment leg (110) and the second profile (140) is positioned distal the structure attachment leg (HO), wherein openings (131b, 141) of the first (130b) and second (140) profiles are arranged in opposite directions, enabling arrangement of the solar panel (10) in an inclined position to a structure (20).

3. Solar panel (10) structure mounting bracket (lOOa-b) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the solar panel (10) structure mounting bracket (lOOa-b) being formed from a metal plate by bending or buckling.

4. Solar panel (10) structure mounting bracket (lOOa-b) according to claim 3, wherein the profile (130) or first profile (130a) is L-shaped and is formed by a first side (121) extending in a perpendicular plane to the attachment flange (111) with a desired width (Wl) and a second side (122) extending in a mainly perpendicular plane of the plane of the first side (121) with a desired width (W2a-b).

5. Solar panel (10) structure mounting bracket (lOOa-b) according to claim 4, wherein the plane of the second side (122) deviates from the vertical plane by an angle (ai) positing the second side (122) at an inclination angle in relation to the vertical plane.

6. Solar panel (10) structure mounting bracket (100b) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the second profile (140) is U-shaped and is formed by a third side (123)extending in a mainly perpendicular plane of the plane of the second side (122) with a desired width (W3), in a plane parallel to the first side (121), and a forth side (124) extending in a mainly vertical parallel plane to the second side (122) with a desired width (W4).

7. Solar panel (10) structure mounting bracket (100b) according to claim 6, wherein the plane of the fourth side (124) deviates from the vertical plane by an angle (a?) positing the fourth side (124) at an inclination angle in relation to the vertical plane.

8. Solar panel (10) structure mounting bracket (lOOa-b) according to claim 4 or 6, wherein the width (Wl) and / or (W3) are configured according to the thickness of the solar panels (10).

9. Solar panel (10) structure mounting bracket (lOOa-b) according to claim 5 or 7, wherein the angle(s) (ai, a?) is / are configured according to the length of the solar panels (10), and / or possible curvature of the structure (20).

10. Solar panel (10) structure mounting bracket (lOOa-b) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the attachment flange (111) is provided with multiple through holes (112) for insertion of screws or bolts (113) for attachment to the structure (20), or the solar panel structure mounting bracket (lOOa-b) or attachment flange (111) is made of a material allowing the use of self-drilling screws to penetrate therethrough attaching the solar panel structure mounting bracket (lOOa-b) to the structure (20).

11. Solar panel (10) structure mounting bracket (lOOa-b) according to claim 2, wherein the double-profiled fixation leg (120b) is configured for arranging solar panels (10) with an overlap.

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