A solar panel clamp, mounting system and method

Abstract

There is described a solar panel clamp (2) comprising: a clamping component (4) having at least one flange (14) for clamping a solar panel against a rail; a threaded shaft (26) extending from the clamping component (4); a nut (12) disposed on the threaded shaft (26); and a spring (8) which biases the clamping component (4) away from the nut (12); wherein the nut (12) can be screwed along the threaded shaft (26) so as to draw the clamping component (4) towards the nut (12), thereby compressing the spring (8). There is also described a solar panel mounting system, a solar panel system and a method of installing a solar panel system which use the clamp.

Description

[0001] A SOLAR PANEL CLAMP, MOUNTING SYSTEM AND METHOD

[0002] Field of Invention

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a solar panel clamp, mounting system and method.

[0004] Background

[0005] It is common for an array of solar panels to be supported by a mounting frame. The mounting frame provides structural support to the solar panels so as to prevent them from bending under their own weight and also as a result of external loads such as wind and snow. The mounting frame also positions the solar panels to maximise power generation.

[0006] Solar panels are typically affixed to the mounting frame using suitable clamps. The solar panels must be clamped in specific clamping zones in order to avoid damaging the solar panels. With conventional products, the process of clamping solar panels can be difficult and time consuming.

[0007] It is therefore desirable to provide a clamp and mounting system which is more user friendly.

[0008] Summary

[0009] According to an aspect, there is provided a solar panel clamp comprising: a clamping component having at least one flange for clamping a solar panel against a rail; a threaded shaft extending from the clamping component; a nut disposed on the threaded shaft; and a spring which biases the clamping component away from the nut; wherein the nut can be screwed along the threaded shaft so as to draw the clamping component towards the nut, thereby compressing the spring.

[0010] The threaded shaft may be provided as a bolt which extends through a hole in the clamping component. A head of the bolt may be received in an upper channel formed in the clamping component

[0011] The upper channel may have a retaining lip which prevents withdrawal of the bolt.

[0012] The spring may be provided on the threaded shaft.

[0013] The solar panel clamp may further comprise a washer disposed between the spring and the nut.

[0014] The clamping component may comprise a lower channel which receives the spring.

[0015] The lower channel may define a pair of ribs.

[0016] The spring may be a conical spring.

[0017] The clamp may have a disengaged configuration where the clamping component is spaced from the nut by a first distance and an engaged configuration where the clamping component is spaced from the nut by a second distance which is less than the first distance.

[0018] According to another aspect, there is provided a solar panel mounting system comprising: a plurality of solar panel clamps as described above or otherwise; and a plurality of rails configured to receive the solar panel clamps.

[0019] Each rail may comprise a keyhole slot which receives the nut of the clamp so that the threaded shaft extends through the keyhole slot.

[0020] The keyhole slot has an entrance hole; wherein the entrance hole is larger than the nut but smaller than the washer, such that the nut and washer are disposed on opposite sides of the rail.

[0021] The spring may force the washer towards the nut so that the rail is held between the washer and the nut. The rail may have a top-hat profile which comprises a crown and a pair of flanges which are connected to the crown by a pair of webs.

[0022] Each flange may comprise one or more tabs which project upwards from a plane of the flange to prevent a solar panel from sliding back along the rails.

[0023] The tabs may be defined by a cut made in the flange which forms a fold line about which the tab can be bent such that the tab is inclined with respect to the plane of the flange.

[0024] The solar panel mounting system may further comprise a frame, wherein the rails are supported on the frame.

[0025] The clamp may have a disengaged configuration where the clamping component is spaced from the rail by a first distance and an engaged configuration where the clamping component is spaced from the rail by a second distance which is less than the first distance.

[0026] According to another aspect, there is provided a solar panel system comprising: a solar panel mounting system as described above; and one or more solar panels.

[0027] According to another aspect, there is provided a method of installing a solar panel system described above, the method comprising: sliding each solar panel along an adjacent pair of rails so that it is received between the at least one flange of the clamping component of the clamp and the rail; screwing the nut of each clamp along the threaded shaft so as to draw the clamping component towards the nut and thus the rail, thereby clamping the solar panel between the at least one flange of the clamping component and the rail.

[0028] The solar panel may be slid along the adjacent pair of rails until it rests on a corresponding tab.

[0029] The clamp may be arranged such that the nut is provided on an underside of the rail. Brief Description of the Drawings

[0030] Embodiments will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the Figures, in which:

[0031] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a clamp according to an embodiment;

[0032] Figure 2 is a front view of the clamp;

[0033] Figure 3 is an exploded view of the clamp;

[0034] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a rail used with the clamp;

[0035] Figure 5 is a top view of the rail;

[0036] Figure 6 is a side view of the rail;

[0037] Figure 7 is a rear view of the rail;

[0038] Figures 8 to 10 show the clamp being affixed to the rail;

[0039] Figure 11 is a front view showing the clamp affixed to the rail and in a disengaged configuration;

[0040] Figure 12 is a front view showing the clamp affixed to the rail and in an engaged configuration;

[0041] Figures 13 and 14 show perspective and front views of an end clamp according to another embodiment;

[0042] Figure 15 is a perspective view of a mounting frame which utilises the rail and clamp;

[0043] Figures 16 to 18, 20, 22 and 23 show a plurality of solar panels being installed on the mounting frame; and Figures 19, 21 and 24 are enlarged portions showing the engagement of the solar panels with the rails in the different stages of installation.

[0044] Detailed Description

[0045] Figure 1 shows a solar panel clamp 2 according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0046] As shown in Figure 3, the clamp 2 generally comprises a clamping component 4, a bolt 6, a spring 8, a washer 10 and a nut 12.

[0047] The clamping component 4 comprises a pair of flanges 14 which project laterally from either side of the clamping component 4. An upper channel 16 extends along an upper surface of the clamping component 4 between the flanges 14. A lower channel 18 extends along a lower surface of the clamping component 4. The lower channel 18 defines a pair of ribs 20 running along either side of the lower channel 18.

[0048] The clamping component 4 further comprises a hole 22 which extends from the upper channel 16 to the lower channel 18. The hole 22 receives the bolt 6 such that a head 24 of the bolt 6 is held within the upper channel 16 and a threaded shaft 26 of the bolt 6 extends into and projects from the lower channel 18.

[0049] The upper channel 16 comprises a pair of lateral retaining lips 28. The retaining lips 28 are formed as barbs and so allow the head 24 of the bolt 6 to be received within the upper channel 16 but prevent removal of the head 24 of the bolt 6.

[0050] The head 24 of the bolt 6 is sized to correspond to a width of the upper channel 16 such that it cannot rotate within the upper channel 16.

[0051] The spring 8 is received over the threaded shaft 26 of the bolt 6, followed by the washer 10 and the nut 12. The spring 8 is thus held between the washer 10 and the clamping component 4, as best shown in Figure 2. The spring 8 therefore biases the clamping component 4 away from the washer 10 and nut 12, as will be described further below. As shown in Figures 2 and 3, in this example, the spring 8 is a conical spring and thus tapers from a larger diameter end to a smaller diameter end. The spring 8 is arranged such that the smaller diameter end faces the washer 10 and the larger diameter end faces the clamping component 4. In other examples, the spring 8 may be a straight (cylindrical) spring.

[0052] In this example, the nut 12 is a flanged nut. The nut 12 may be a locking nut, such as a nylon-insert lock (Nyloc) nut, to prevent loosening.

[0053] Figure 4 shows a rail 30 which may be used with the clamp 2. The rail 30 is an elongate member which extends from a first end 31 to a second end 33. The rail 30 may be formed from metal, such as steel or aluminium. In particular, the rail 30 may be formed from cold rolled steel or an aluminium extrusion. The rail 30 is formed as a top- hat section (profile) such that it comprises a crown 32 and a pair of flanges 34 which are connected to the crown 32 by a pair of webs 36. As best shown in Figure 7, the crown 32 and flanges 34 are parallel to one another but offset from one another. The webs 36 are parallel to one another and perpendicular to the crown 32 and flanges 34.

[0054] As shown, the crown 32 is provided with a keyhole slot 38. The keyhole slot 38 comprises an enlarged entrance hole and a narrower slot portion which extends away from the entrance hole along the length of the crown 32 and towards the second end 33. In this example, the narrower slot portion is parallel sided; however, in other examples, the narrower slot portion may taper towards the second end 33. In other examples, the keyhole slot 38 may be oriented in the opposite direction such that the narrower slot portion extends towards the first end 31 of the rail 30.

[0055] Although only one keyhole slot 38 is shown, the rail 30 may comprise a plurality of keyhole slots 38 which corresponds to (or is greater than) the number of clamps 2 to be used and which are spaced at intervals along the length of the rail 30.

[0056] Each of the flanges 34 comprises a tab 40. The tab 40 is formed by making a substantially (straight sided) C-shaped cut in the flange 34 so as to define a fold (bend) line 42 where the tab 40 joins to the remainder of the flange 34. The C-shaped cut and the fold line 42 together form a rectangle, such that the tab 40 is rectangular. The tab 40 is bent about the fold line 42 such that it is inclined (raised) with respect to the plane of the remainder of the flange 34. The C-shaped cut is arranged such that the fold line 42 faces the first end 31 of the rail 30 and the C-shaped cut faces the second end 33 of the rail 30. Accordingly, the tab 40 rises upwards (towards the plane of the crown 32) from the fold line 42 towards the second end 33 of the rail 30. Although only one set of tabs 40 is shown, the rail 30 may comprise a plurality of sets of tabs. For example, the number of sets of tabs may corresponds to the number of solar panels to be supported by the rail 30, as will be described further below.

[0057] As shown in Figure 8, in order to attach the clamp 2 to the rail 30, the clamp 2 is moved such that the nut 12 is inserted into the entrance hole of the keyhole slot 38. The washer 10 is larger (i.e. , has a larger diameter) than the entrance hole and so cannot pass through the keyhole slot 38. As shown in Figure 9, the clamp 2 can then be slid along the rail 30 towards the second end 33 such that the threaded shaft 26 moves along the narrower slot portion of the keyhole slot 38 until it reaches the end of the keyhole slot 38, as shown in Figure 10.

[0058] As shown in Figure 11, in this position, the washer 10 and nut 12 are located on opposite sides of the crown 32, with the washer 10 positioned on an upper side of the crown 32 and the nut 12 positioned on a lower side of the crown 32. The spring 8 may be (slightly) compressed in this position such that the crown 32 is held between the washer 10 and the nut 12. This therefore prevents the clamp 2 from sliding back along the keyhole slot 38 towards the first end 31 of the rail 30.

[0059] As described previously, the narrower slot portion of the keyhole slot 38 may taper towards the second end 33 such that the end of the slot is narrower than the diameter of the threaded shaft 26. Accordingly, as the clamp 2 is slid along the rail 30 towards the second end 33, the threaded shaft 26 engages the sides of the tapering slot which acts to retain the clamp 2 in position.

[0060] Figure 11 shows the clamp 2 in a disengaged configuration where the nut 12 is located at or towards a distal end of the threaded shaft 26. As previously discussed, the clamp 2 is spring loaded with the spring 8 biasing the clamping component 4 away from the washer 10 and nut 12. Therefore, when installed on the rail 30, the spring 8 also biases the clamping component 4 away from the rail 30. In the disengaged configuration, the spring 8 is in an expanded state such that the flanges 14 of the clamping component 4 are spaced apart from the flanges 34 of the rail 30 by a first distance di. The flanges 14 of the clamping component 4 and the flanges 34 of the rail 30 run parallel to one another. Figure 12 shows the clamp 2 in an engaged configuration. The clamp 2 is transitioned from the disengaged configuration to the engaged configuration by screwing the nut 12 along the threaded shaft 26 towards the head 24 of the bolt 6. This draws the clamping component 4 towards the rail 30 (and towards the washer 10 and nut 12), thereby compressing the spring 8 into a compressed state. In this position, the flanges 14 of the clamping component 4 are spaced apart from the flanges 34 of the rail 30 by a second distance d2 which is less than the first distance di. In the engaged configuration, the ribs 20 may abut against the washer 10 to prevent further movement of the clamping component 4 towards the rail 30.

[0061] The clamp 2 may be returned to the disengaged configuration by unscrewing the nut

[0062] 12 such that the spring 8 extends and moves the clamping component 4 away from the rail 30.

[0063] Although the disengaged and engaged configurations have been described above with respect to the first and second distances di , d2 between the flanges 14 of the clamping component 4 and the flanges 34 of the rail 30, it will be appreciated that these configurations may also be expressed in terms of the distance between the clamping component 4 and the nut 12 (or washer 10). Again, in the disengaged configuration, the clamping component 4 is spaced from the nut 12 by a first distance and, in the engaged configuration, the clamping component 4 is spaced from the nut 12 by a second distance which is less than the first distance.

[0064] As will be described further below, the clamp 2 may be used on rails located in the middle of two columns of solar panels and so may be referred as a mid clamp. Figures

[0065] 13 and 14 show an end clamp 102 which may be used on the end rails where a column of solar panels is only provided on one side. As shown, the clamping component 104 of the end clamp 102 has a flange 114 located only on one side of the clamping component 104. Otherwise, the end clamp 102 has the same construction and operation as the mid clamp 2 and so will not be described in further detail. In a similar manner, the end rails 30 may also include only a single flange 34, if desired. In other examples, the clamp 2 may also be used on the end rails but only one of the flanges 14 is used. Similarly, the end rails may include both flanges, but only one of them is used.

[0066] Figure 15 shows a mounting structure 50 which may be formed using a plurality of rails 30. As shown, in this example, the mounting structure 50 comprises seven rails 30 which extend parallel to one another and are spaced apart from one another (at regular intervals). The rails 30 thus define six columns between adjacent pairs of rails 30 for receiving solar panels.

[0067] The rails 30 are supported on a frame. The frame comprises three rafters 52 which are each supported by a front leg 54 and a rear leg 56. The front legs 54 are shorter than the rear legs 56 such that the rafters 52 are inclined with respect to horizontal (for example, at 20, 25 or 30 degrees). The front and rear legs 54, 56 are affixed to the ground using a suitable anchor. Additional braces 57 are provided between the front and rear legs 54, 56 and the rafters 52.

[0068] The rafters 52 support a plurality of purlins 58 which span the rafters 52 in a lateral direction (i.e. , perpendicular to the rafters 52). In this example, the frame comprises five purlins 58. The rails 30 are affixed to the purlins 58. The rails 30 are oriented such that the first ends 31 are provided at the front and the second ends 33 are provided at the rear of the frame. Each rail 30 is therefore inclined upwards from the first end 31 to the second end 33.

[0069] As described, the rails 30 define six columns (bays) for receiving solar panels. In this example, the rails 30 are sized and spaced to receive three solar panels in a portrait orientation in each column. The rails 30 therefore comprise six keyhole slots 38 for receiving six clamps 2, 102 such that each panel is clamped in two positions.

[0070] The clamps 2, 102 are attached to the rails 30 before installing the solar panels. In some examples, the lowermost clamps 2, 102 located adjacent the first end 31 of the rails 30 may be installed after introducing the solar panels. The nut 12 of each clamp 2, 102 is received in the corresponding keyhole slot 38 and the clamp 2, 102 is left in the disengaged configuration. As described previously, the clamping component is biased away from the rail 30 by the spring 8 such that, in the disengaged configuration, the flanges 14 of the clamping component 4 are spaced apart from the flanges 34 of the rail 30 by the first distance di. The first distance di is greater than a thickness of the solar panels. The clamps 2, 102 may be used with solar panels having different thicknesses and so the first distance di may be greater than the largest thickness of solar panel intended to be used with the clamps 2, 102. The rails 30 also include three sets of tabs 40 (referred to as top tabs 40a, middle tabs 40b and bottom tabs 40c) for retaining each of the solar panels, as will be described further below.

[0071] To install solar panels 60 on the mounting structure 50, the solar panels 60 are slid along the rails 30 from the first end 31 to the second end 33. Specifically, as shown in Figure 16, the first solar panel 60a is slid onto the rails 30 from the first end 31 so that the end of the first solar panel 60 goes beyond the first purlin 58.

[0072] The second solar panel 60b is then slid onto the rails 30, as shown in Figure 17. The first and second solar panels 60a, 60b are slid along the rails 30 until the bottom of the second solar panel 60b goes beyond the bottom tabs 40 on the rails 30. The second solar panel 60b rides over the bottom tabs 40 until the second solar panel 60b clears the bottom tabs 40c. As shown in Figure 19, the second solar panel 60b rests on the bottom tabs 40c which prevent the second solar panel 60b (and, as a result, also the first solar panel 60a) from sliding back off the rails 30.

[0073] As shown in Figure 20, the first solar panel 60a is now slid along the rails 30 such that it rides over the top tabs 40a. As shown in Figure 21 , the first solar panel 60a rests on the top tabs 40a which prevent the first solar panel 60a from sliding back along the rails 30 towards the first end 31.

[0074] The second solar panel 60b can then be slid along the rails 30 so as to allow the third solar panel 60c to be added. The third solar panel 60c is used to slide the second and third solar panels 60b, 60c up so that the third solar panel 60c clears the bottom tabs 40c. The third solar panel 60c rests on the bottom tabs 40a which prevent the third solar panel 60c (and, as a result, also the second solar panel 60b) from sliding back off the rails 30. Finally, the second solar panel 60b can be slid slightly away from the third solar panel 60c so that it rides over the middle tabs 40b. As shown in Figure 24, the second solar panel 60b rests on the middle tabs 40b which prevent the second solar panel 60b from sliding back along the rails 30 towards the first end 31.

[0075] The first solar panel 60a is thus now supported by the top tabs 40a, the second solar panel 60b is now supported by the middle tabs 40b and the third solar panel 60c is now supported by the bottom tabs 40c. If the solar panels 60 have been introduced without the lowermost clamps 2, 102 attached to the rails 30, then they may now be introduced into the lowermost keyhole slots 38.

[0076] The solar panels 60 can now be connected to the rails by moving the clamps 2, 102 from the disengaged configuration to the engaged configuration. This is achieved by tightening the nuts 12 so that the clamping components 4 are drawn towards the rails 30. The rib(s) 20 of the clamp 2, 102 may contact the side of the solar panel(s) 60 as the nut 12 is tightened in order to stop the clamp component 4 and bolt 6 from rotating with the nut 12. In the engaged configuration, the solar panels 60 are held between the flanges 14 of the clamping component 4 and the flanges 34 of the rails 30. The second distance d2 between the flanges 14 of the clamping component 4 and the flanges 34 of the rail 30 may correspond to or be slightly smaller than the thickness of the solar panels 60 such that the solar panels 60 are clamped tightly by the clamps 2, 102. The nut 12 may be tightened to a predetermined torque setting to indicate that sufficient clamping force has been generated. As described previously, the clamps 2, 102 may be used with solar panels having different thicknesses and so the torque setting allows a consistent clamping force to be achieved across different solar panels. As described previously, the ribs 20 may abut against the washer 10 which limits the movement of the clamp component 4 relative to the rail 30. Accordingly, this may also act to limit the clamping force (for solar panels with the lowest thickness).

[0077] The clamp 2, 102 (along with the rail 30) described above provide a quick and simple means for affixing solar panels to a mounting structure. In particular, the clamps 2, 102 can be attached to the rails 30 before introducing the solar panels 60 and do not obstruct the insertion of the solar panels 60 along the rails 30. Further, the clamps 2, 102 can be engaged from the underside of the rails 30 (by tightening the nuts 12) such that the clamps 2, 102 can be quickly and easily engaged. Moreover, this arrangement reduces the risk of damaging the solar panels as the installation does not require access above the solar panels nor for operations (e.g., the use of tools) to be performed above the solar panels.

[0078] It will be appreciated that the tab 40 may have different forms and be formed in different manners to those described above whilst still performing the necessary retention of the solar panels. Further, it will be appreciated that, while the rails 30 provided with tabs 40 are particularly beneficial when used with the clamps 2, 102 described herein, they may also be usefully used with other forms of solar panel clamp.

[0079] In other examples, the lower channel 18 may be formed as a lower opening (e.g., a circular opening) which receives the spring 8 (or omitted entirely). Similarly, the upper channel 16 may be formed as an upper opening which receives the bolt 6. The upper opening may be non-circular (e.g., hexagonal) so as to prevent rotation of the bolt 6 within the upper opening. In other examples, the bolt 6 may be retained in other ways. For example, the bolt 6 may be welded to the clamping component to prevent rotation and also to prevent withdrawal (also avoiding the need for the retaining lip 28).

[0080] In other examples, the clamp 2 may not include the bolt 6, but may instead use a threaded rod (shaft) which extends from an underside of the clamping component 4. The threaded rod may be screwed into a threaded bore / hole formed in the clamping component 4 or may be otherwise connected to the clamping component 4 (e.g., by welding). With this arrangement, it may not be necessary to provide the upper channel 16 (although this could still be useful to provide some compliance to the clamping component 4).

[0081] Further, it will be appreciated that in other examples the spring 8 may not be provided around the threaded shaft 26 but instead offset from it.

[0082] It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concepts described herein. Except where mutually exclusive, any of the features may be employed separately or in combination with any other features and the disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A solar panel clamp comprising: a clamping component having at least one flange for clamping a solar panel against a rail; a threaded shaft extending from the clamping component; a nut disposed on the threaded shaft; and a spring which biases the clamping component away from the nut; wherein the nut can be screwed along the threaded shaft so as to draw the clamping component towards the nut, thereby compressing the spring.

2. A solar panel clamp as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the threaded shaft is provided as a bolt which extends through a hole in the clamping component.

3. A solar panel clamp as claimed in claim 2, wherein a head of the bolt is received in an upper channel formed in the clamping component4. A solar panel clamp as claimed in claim 3, wherein the upper channel has a retaining lip which prevents withdrawal of the bolt.

5. A solar panel clamp as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring is provided on the threaded shaft.

6. A solar panel clamp as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, further comprising a washer disposed between the spring and the nut.

7. A solar panel clamp as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping component comprises a lower channel which receives the spring.

8. A solar panel clamp as claimed in claim 7, wherein the lower channel defines a pair of ribs.

9. A solar panel clamp as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the spring is a conical spring.

10. A solar panel clamp as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamp has a disengaged configuration where the clamping component is spaced from the nut by a first distance and an engaged configuration where the clamping component is spaced from the nut by a second distance which is less than the first distance.

11. A solar panel mounting system comprising: a plurality of solar panel clamps as claimed in any one of the preceding claims; and a plurality of rails configured to receive the solar panel clamps.

12. A solar panel mounting system as claimed in claim 11, wherein each rail comprises a keyhole slot which receives the nut of the clamp so that the threaded shaft extends through the keyhole slot.

13. A solar panel mounting system as claimed in claim 12 when appended to claim 6, wherein the keyhole slot has an entrance hole; wherein the entrance hole is larger than the nut but smaller than the washer, such that the nut and washer are disposed on opposite sides of the rail.

14. A solar panel mounting system as claimed in claim 13, wherein the spring forces the washer towards the nut so that the rail is held between the washer and the nut.

15. A solar panel mounting system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 14, wherein the rail has a top-hat profile which comprises a crown and a pair of flanges which are connected to the crown by a pair of webs.

16. A solar panel mounting system as claimed in claim 15, wherein each flange comprises one or more tabs which project upwards from a plane of the flange to prevent a solar panel from sliding back along the rails.

17. A solar panel mounting system as claimed in claim 16, wherein the tabs are defined by a cut made in the flange which forms a fold line about which the tab can be bent such that the tab is inclined with respect to the plane of the flange.1518. A solar panel mounting system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 17, further comprising a frame, wherein the rails are supported on the frame.

19. A solar panel mounting system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 18, wherein the clamp has a disengaged configuration where the clamping component is spaced from the rail by a first distance and an engaged configuration where the clamping component is spaced from the rail by a second distance which is less than the first distance.

20. A solar panel system comprising: a solar panel mounting system as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 19; and one or more solar panels.

21. A method of installing a solar panel system as claimed in claim 20, the method comprising: sliding each solar panel along an adjacent pair of rails so that it is received between the at least one flange of the clamping component of the clamp and the rail; screwing the nut of each clamp along the threaded shaft so as to draw the clamping component towards the nut and thus the rail, thereby clamping the solar panel between the at least one flange of the clamping component and the rail.

22. A method as claimed in claim 21 when appended to claim 16, wherein the solar panel is slid along the adjacent pair of rails until it rests on a corresponding tab.

23. A method as claimed in claim 21 or 22, wherein the clamp is arranged such that the nut is provided on an underside of the rail.

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