Modular carrying structure for supporting solar panels

Abstract

Modular carrying structure for supporting solar panels according to an east / west configuration, comprising at least one bridge structure adapted for supporting at least two solar panels, wherein each bridge structure of the at least one bridge structure comprises a first substantially upright V-shaped truss structure made of plastic with a top, comprises a second substantially upright V-shaped truss structure made of plastic with a top, and comprises at least one crossbeam, which is adapted to connect the first and second truss structure to each other. In this case, the first and second truss structure are each provided with a first supporting foot and a second supporting foot, intended to rest on a terrain, which first and second supporting foot are provided on both sides of the top of the truss structure in such a way that a portion of the truss structure between the first and second supporting foot is situated at a distance above the terrain.

Description

[0001] MODULAR CARRYING STRUCTURE FOR SUPPORTING SOLAR PANELS TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The technical field of the invention relates to modular carrying structures for supporting solar panels. In addition, the technical field of the invention relates to assemblies for generating solar energy, comprising a carrying structure and at least one solar panel or at least two solar panels supported by a carrying structure.

[0003] BACKGROUND

[0004] Installations for generating solar energy typically consist of one or more carrying structures, to each of which one or more solar panels, i.e. photovoltaic panels (PV panels), are attached. There is an increasing need to create such PV installations in locations which were previously deemed to be fairly unusual for these purposes, such as waste land, industrial zones, landfill sites and brownfields, which are typically characterized by unpaved and / or irregular, uneven or inclined terrain.

[0005] Existing carrying structures for solar panels are usually not adapted to or suitable for supporting solar panels on such terrains, for example because these carrying structures require a permanent anchoring to the terrain, for example by means of screws, nuts or bolts. However, such anchoring necessitates drilling in the terrain, whereas certain soil types do not allow drilling to take place because they are too hard or dense, or slightly too loose and granular. In addition, soil drilling is often not allowed in, for example, landfill sites. This is due to the fact that such terrains are typically first covered by a film and subsequently covered with a thick soil layer, on top of which the carrying structures for solar panels can then be placed. If drilling were subsequently to take place in this soil layer, water infiltration through this film could cause a risk of soil pollution.

[0006] Alternative existing carrying structures in turn use concrete foundations for support on a terrain. However, these are not only heavy and cumbersome, which renders mounting and unmounting more difficult, but also expensive to manufacture and additionally cause undesirable compression of the soil situated underneath. Yet other existing carrying structures are made using large, heavy supporting feet, and / or using a support surface along virtually the entire length and / or width of a solar panel. These carrying structures thus have a large contact surface with the terrain, which makes them unsuitable for use on terrains with bumps and inclines at short distances, unless extensive ground-levelling works are carried out. In addition, these carrying structures are either made of sturdy and heavy materials, for example metals such as aluminium, and are consequently expensive to produce and not very mobile, as a result of which they are not suitable for temporary arrangements which have to be erected and removed again quickly, or are made of lighter materials and strengthened by adding ballast, which is then at risk of sliding due to the inclines in the terrain. Finally, large contact surfaces with the terrain have the adverse effect that the individual PV panels in a large-scale installation are difficult to reach for maintenance or repairs.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] The object of embodiments of the present invention is to provide a carrying structure for supporting solar panels which is modular in the sense that it comprises components which can be assembled in different configurations and which is particularly suitable for both temporary and permanent installation on unpaved and / or irregular, uneven or inclined terrain without needing to be anchored in the terrain.

[0009] According to a first aspect, a modular carrying structure is provided for supporting at least two solar panels, comprising a first support structure adapted for supporting at least one first solar panel, a second support structure adapted for supporting at least one second solar panel, and at least one pivot arm which is adapted to connect the first and second support structure to each other. In this case, a first end of a pivot arm of the at least one pivot arm is pivotably connected to the first support structure and a second end of said pivot arm is pivotablyconnected to the second support structure, all this in such a way that a difference in height in the terrain on which the first and second support structure rest can be compensated for. This carrying structure is modular, i.e. it preferably consists of a small number of components which can easily be assembled to form a support structure, wherein various support structures can be connected to each other and can be arranged in different configurations in order to be able to respond to the specific requirements and circumstances of the terrain in a flexible manner, for example to the desired size and number of solar panels of the PV installation. This kind of modularity also makes it possible to move the individual support structures in a quick and simple manner, to mount and unmount and, if desired, to expand or shrink the entire PV park.

[0010] The pivotable connection between the support structures by means of the at least one pivot arm makes it possible to compensate for any differences in height of the terrain on which the support structures rest. Consequently, these carrying structures are much more suitable, compared to existing structures, for use on unpaved and / or irregular, uneven or inclined terrains, such as waste land, industrial zones, landfill sites and brownfields, without requiring extensive ground-levelling works to be performed. In addition, such land-bound PV installations do not require anchoring to the ground or terrain by means of, for example screws, nuts or bolts, and do not require heavy and cumbersome foundations. As a result thereof, these installations are suitable to be placed on soil types which are not suitable for drilling, because they are too hard and dense, or slightly too loose and granular, or because soil drilling is not permitted due to the risk of soil pollution. In addition, the administrative procedure for installing such non-anchored carrying structures is typically simpler and quicker than for anchored carrying structures, which usually require a permit.

[0011] Existing carrying structures typically consist either of separate support structures without mutual connections and which consequently cannot be moved as one entire structure, and which require an accurate manual setup and measurement in order to achieve a coherent configuration, or of support structures which are connected by means of stiff and rigid connections which do not pivot. The latter in turn have the drawback of being unsuitable for use on irregular, uneven or inclined terrain, since differences in height of a terrain on which the various support structures rest can then not be compensated for. These drawbacks and problems of existing carrying structures are alleviated by carrying structures according to this first aspect.

[0012] In a preferred embodiment, the first end of said pivot arm is connected to the first support structure so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis, and the second end of said pivot arm is connected to the second support structure so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis. In a possible embodiment, these ends of said pivot arm are connected to the first and second support structure by means of, for example, ball hinges. However, it suffices to use pivot joints which pivot about a horizontal axis in order to compensate for a difference in height of the terrain on which the first and second support structure rest.

[0013] The first support structure preferably comprises a pivot arm opening and is preferably adapted for fitting the first end of said pivot arm in the pivot arm opening of the first support structure, and the second support structure preferably comprises a pivot arm opening and is preferably adapted for fitting the second end of said pivot arm in the pivot arm opening of the second support structure.

[0014] Each support structure furthermore preferably comprises a first passage and a second passage which end in the pivot arm opening and are in line with one another on both sides of the pivot arm opening. In this case, the first end of said pivot arm is then provided with a first pivot arm passage, and the second end of said pivot arm is provided with a second pivot arm passage, and the first support structure is adapted for fitting a first pivoting pin in the first and second passage for pivotably connecting this support structure to the first pivot arm passage of said pivot arm, while the second support structure is adapted for fitting a second pivoting pin in the first and second passage for pivotably connecting this support structure to the secondpivot arm passage of said pivot arm. Fitting these pins via said passages then produces an efficient pivotable connection.

[0015] Preferably, each first passage is a horizontal passage, and the first and second pivoting pin each form a horizontal axis about which the pivot arm is adapted to be able to move pivotably. In a preferred embodiment, each support structure furthermore comprises a space, the first passage extends between the pivot arm opening and the space, and the first support structure is adapted for fitting the first pivoting pin in the first passage of the first support structure from the space, while the second support structure is adapted for fitting the second pivoting pin in the first passage of the second support structure from the space.

[0016] These spaces thus facilitate assembly of a support structure by offering space for fitting the respective pivoting pins, while providing a space on the other hand makes it possible to save on the quantities of material used, resulting in a less expensive and ecological design and production which uses fewer raw materials.

[0017] Said pivot arm is preferably connected to the first and second support structure in such a way that this pivot arm is adapted to allow a rotation over an angle of at least 20°, preferably at least 30°, more preferably at least 40°. In this case, the rotation is in particular preferably a rotation in one direction of rotation over at least 10°, preferably at least 15°, more preferably at least 20°, with respect to a position of said pivot arm on a completely flat and even terrain, together with a preferably equally large maximum rotation in the other direction of rotation. In an advantageous embodiment, the first support structure and second support structure are arranged next to each other in a length direction, and the carrying structure furthermore comprises a third support structure which is adapted for supporting at least one third solar panel, wherein the third support structure is arranged next to the first support structure in a width direction at right angles to the length direction and is pivotably connected to the first support structure.

[0018] In such an advantageous embodiment, the third support structure is preferably connected to the first support structure so as to be pivotable about a second horizontal axis which is at right angles to the horizontal axis of the pivot arm.

[0019] In such an advantageous embodiment, the first support structure preferably comprises a passage and the third support structure preferably comprises a passage, and a pivoting pin is accommodable in the passage of the first support structure and the passage of the third support structure for pivotably connecting the first and the third support structure.

[0020] These passages have the effect that two support structures can also be connected in a direction which is substantially at right angles to the direction of the pivot arms by means of a simple, single pivot joint. This pivot joint also ensures that differences in height and bumps in the terrain can also be compensated for in this direction as well.

[0021] In a preferred embodiment, each of the first and second support structure comprises at least a first support frame and a second support frame, each having at least one supporting foot to provide support on a terrain, and having at least one crossbeam which connects the first support frame to the second support frame, and which is preferably adapted to be situated at a certain distance above the terrain.

[0022] Such a crossbeam serves to maintain a fixed distance between the first and second support frame, and generally to strengthen the support structure. In this case, a crossbeam will typically run parallel to a side of a solar panel to be supported, as a result of which it has to be constructed as a rigid and strong connection. For the same reason, it would not be efficient to design the crossbeam as a pivot arm and thus connect it to the support frames in a pivotablemanner, rather than a rigid manner, since a rigid solar panel is situated above a crossbeam, and preferably with a side or edge parallel to this crossbeam.

[0023] As has already been indicated above, it is advantageous to position the at least one crossbeam at a certain distance above the terrain and not in a manner that it rests on a terrain, since this would adversely increase the contact surface with the terrain and would thus render the carrying structure less capable of compensating differences in height, bumps and inclines in the terrain.

[0024] In embodiments having a first and a second support frame and having at least one crossbeam, as described above, each first support frame preferably comprises a crossbeam opening, each first support frame is preferably adapted for fitting a first end of a crossbeam of the at least one crossbeam in the crossbeam opening of the first support frame, each second support frame preferably comprises a crossbeam opening, and each second support frame is preferably adapted for fitting a second end of said crossbeam in the crossbeam opening of the second support frame.

[0025] In such embodiments, each support frame furthermore preferably comprises a connecting passage which ends in the crossbeam opening, and the first end of said crossbeam is preferably provided with a first crossbeam passage and the second end of said crossbeam is preferably provided with a second crossbeam passage. In this case, the first support frame is then adapted for fitting a first connecting pin in the connecting passage in order to connect this support frame to the first crossbeam passage of said crossbeam, and the second support frame is then adapted for fitting a second connecting pin in the connecting passage in order to connect this support frame to the second crossbeam passage of said crossbeam. Fitting these pins via said passages then produces an efficient connection of the at least one crossbeam with the respective support frames.

[0026] In embodiments having a connecting passage and having a space, as described above, each connecting passage is preferably a vertical passage which preferably extends between the crossbeam opening and the space, and each support frame is preferably adapted for fitting the connecting pin in the connecting passage from the space. This space then consequently not only facilitates assembly of the entire carrying structure by fitting the pivoting pins for pivotably connecting the support structures to the at least one pivot arm, but also facilitates the assembly of the separate support structures by fitting the connecting pins for fixedly connecting the first and the second support frame within a support structure.

[0027] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one pivot arm comprises a first pivot arm and a second pivot arm, wherein each pivot arm has a first end which is pivotably connected to the first support structure, and has a second end which is pivotably connected to the second support structure. Preferably, the first and second pivot arm then extend substantially parallel to each other, in each case in the absence of any bumps or differences in height of the terrain. All properties described above for the at least one pivot arm are optionally present, mutatis mutandis, for the first and second pivot arm. In particular, each support structure in such an embodiment is preferably provided with at least two pivot arm openings, at least a third passage and a fourth passage analogous to the described first and second passage, and at least two spaces from where the respective pivoting pins and / or connecting pins can be fitted in the respective passages. Each pivot arm is furthermore adapted to be substantially situated at a certain distance above the terrain, even during use on an irregular, uneven or inclined terrain.

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the first support structure is a bridge structure which is adapted for supporting at least two solar panels, and the second support structure is a bridge structure which is adapted for supporting at least two solar panels, wherein each support structure comprises a first substantially upright V-shaped truss structure with a top, comprises a second substantially upright V-shaped truss structure with a top, and comprises at least onecrossbeam adapted for connecting the first and second truss structure to each other. This preferred embodiment preferably has the properties which will be described below with reference to the second aspect, and consequently also the associated technical advantages and effects.

[0029] In an advantageous embodiment, wherein each support structure is a bridge structure as described above, and comprising a first and a second pivot arm, the first and second truss structure are each formed with a first upwardly slanting support frame and a second upwardly slanting support frame, the first pivot arm extends from the first support frame of the first truss structure of the second support structure to the first support frame of the second truss structure of the first support structure, and the second pivot arm extends from the second support frame of the first truss structure of the second support structure to the second support frame of the second truss structure of the first support structure. In this way, truss structures are obtained which are made up of two upwardly slanting support frames, which preferably form virtually identical halves of a truss structure, and the same halves are pivotably connected to each other in pairs by a pivot arm, so that a stable carrying structure is obtained which is also adapted for compensating for differences in height in the terrain.

[0030] Preferably, the carrying structure is substantially made of plastic, for example glass fibre-reinforced plastic, and / or produced by means of injection-moulding.

[0031] Plastic has the advantage of being a rather lightweight material, as a result of which the resulting carrying structures are not excessively heavy and can therefore easily be transported. Consequently, these are suitable for use in temporary PV installations, since these can typically be mounted and unmounted quickly. The low weight also contributes to the flexibility which the modular carrying structure offers users thereof, since the reorganisation, expansion and reduction of a PV park can be accelerated by means of modular carrying structures due to the speed with which the carrying structures can be installed and removed again. Plastic, and in particular glass fibre-reinforced plastic, is nevertheless sufficiently strong to produce a stable carrying structure which is able to withstand various weather conditions, temperatures and wind forces. This applies in particular to carrying structures of plastic which are placed directly on the ground, since these usually catch less wind, compared to carrying structures for solar panels which are fitted at a greater height on a roof, and are thus less prone to be carried away by strong gusts of wind.

[0032] If desired, the various support structures can be strengthened further by adding ballast, for example paving stones or sandbags, at certain positions in the carrying structure. The support structures may be provided, for example, with ballast carriers, which can be mounted on a support structure as modular components. When deciding which locations in the support structure should be strengthened using ballast, it is possible to respond to the specific circumstances in a flexible manner.

[0033] Production by means of injection-moulding is preferred, as this is a simple, flexible and inexpensive production method which nevertheless imposes certain restrictions to the dimensions and shapes of the components to be manufactured. In this case, two dies or moulds are pushed together, after which the space created in between is filled with a liquid material, for example liquid plastic. Preferably, only a small number of moulds is used during manufacture, which may then also serve for producing several different components of a carrying structure, for example by using inserts to cover certain parts during injection-moulding. In a preferred embodiment, each support structure comprises wall sections which are provided with a grid pattern near the at least one pivot arm in order to strengthen the support structure. By using rather thin wall sections onto which a grid pattern is superimposed instead of solid wall sections, it is possible to achieve a savings in material during manufacture, while nevertheless not compromising on stability. The wall sections then mainly extend in a plane of limited thickness and therefore limited lateral dimensions, but the grid patterns, which are provided on both sides of the wall sections in a lateral direction, strengthen the wall sections in a lateral direction. These reinforcements are preferably mainly provided in critical locations,in particular in the vicinity of openings and spaces in the wall sections, for example at the location of the pivot arm openings and / or crossbeam openings, and at those locations in the wall sections where pins, for example pivoting pins or connecting pins, are fitted. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the carrying structures are able to absorb forces sufficiently well, without nevertheless requiring the amounts of material which are associated with solid wall sections.

[0034] According to a second aspect, a modular carrying structure is provided for supporting solar panels according to an east / west configuration, comprising at least one bridge structure adapted for supporting at least two solar panels, wherein each bridge structure of the at least one bridge structure comprises a first substantially upright V-shaped truss structure made of plastic with a top, comprises a second substantially upright V-shaped truss structure made of plastic with a top, and comprises at least one crossbeam adapted to connect the first and second truss structure to each other. In this case, the first and second truss structure are each provided with a first supporting foot and a second supporting foot, intended to rest on a terrain, which first and second supporting foot are provided on both sides of the top of the truss structure in such a way that a portion of the truss structure between the first and second supporting foot is situated at a distance above the terrain.

[0035] The technical advantages which have been set out above for carrying structures according to the first aspect also apply to carrying structures according to the second aspect, if applicable. Thus, a carrying structure according to the second aspect is also modular, i.e. it consists of a preferably small number of components which can be assembled in a simple manner to form a bridge structure, wherein different support structures can be connected to each other and can be arranged in different configurations in order to be able to respond to the specific requirements and circumstances of the terrain in a flexible manner, for example to the desired size and number of solar panels of the PV installation. Such a modularity also makes it possible to move, mount and unmount the individual bridge structures in a quick and simple manner, and to expand or shrink the entire PV park as desired.

[0036] The design of the truss structures, which is such that the portion of each truss structure between the first and second supporting foot is situated at a distance above the terrain, makes it possible to compensate for any differences in height of the terrain on which the carrying structure rests. The reason for this is that said portion does not rest directly on the terrain, but is situated at a distance above the terrain, while only the supporting feet rest directly on the terrain. Consequently, compared to existing carrying structures for solar panels, the contact surface with the terrain is smaller, in particular the contact surface is small compared to the dimensions of the solar panels. Since a local substantially even and flat terrain is required only at the location of these contact surfaces and the ground may have bumps and inclines outside these contact surfaces, these carrying structures are much more suitable, compared to existing structures, for use on unpaved and / or irregular, uneven or inclined terrains, such as waste land, industrial zones, landfill sites and brownfields, without extensive ground-levelling works having to be carried out for this purpose. In addition, such land-bound PV installations do not require anchoring to the ground or terrain by means of, for example, screws, nuts or bolts, and they do not rest on heavy and cumbersome foundations. As a result thereof, these installations are suitable to be placed on types of terrain which are not suitable for drilling, because they are too hard and dense, or slightly too loose and granular, or because soil drilling is not permitted due to the risk of soil pollution. In addition, the administrative procedure for installing such non-anchored carrying structures is typically simpler and quicker than for anchored carrying structures, which usually require a permit.

[0037] Finally, this design of the truss structures, which is such that the portion of each truss structure between the first and second supporting foot is situated at a distance above the terrain, and the resulting limited contact surface between the terrain and the carrying structure have the advantage that the different solar panels in a PV installation are easily accessible for maintenance and repair, for example due to the fact that a maintenance engineer can crawlunder said portion of the truss structure in order to reach the desired solar panel. In this way, it is thus ensured that each solar panel is individually accessible, without a separate walkway having to be provided between the carrying structures. After all, such cleared walkways have the drawback that only a limited part of the available terrain is actually used for supporting solar panels, while the unoccupied ground surface is additionally exposed to sunlight to a much greater degree than the surface above which a solar panel is provided, which could result in the growth of weeds and other undesirable vegetation. The abovementioned design of the truss structures thus makes the solar panels individually accessible, without however compromising on surface utilisation and energy density of the terrain.

[0038] Compared to alternatives, such as a southern configuration, supporting solar panels according to an east / west configuration has the advantage that the bridge structures are hardly affected, if at all, by shading caused by other bridge structures in the carrying structure, even when these are placed close together, so that an optimum surface utilisation and high energy density can be achieved. In addition, east / west configurations suffer to a lesser degree than alternatives from the effects of wind gusts which pass under the bridge structures.

[0039] Further preferred properties and advantageous properties of such bridge structures, which further strengthen the abovementioned technical advantages, are described below.

[0040] In a preferred embodiment, a first solar panel is attachable between the top of the first truss structure, the top of the second truss structure, a first end of the first truss structure and a first end of the second truss structure, and a second solar panel is attachable between the top of the first truss structure, the top of the second truss structure, a second end of the first truss structure and a second end of the second truss structure.

[0041] Preferably, the first and second truss structure are each formed with a first upwardly slanting support frame and a second upwardly slanting support frame, wherein the first and second support frame are connected to each other at a certain level above the terrain. This thus results in the portion of the truss structure between the first and second supporting foot being situated at a distance above the terrain.

[0042] Preferably, a first solar panel is attachable to the first support frame of the first truss structure and the first support frame of the second truss structure, and a second solar panel is attachable to the second support frame of the first truss structure and the second support frame of the second truss structure. In this way, a bridge structure is obtained which is adapted for supporting at least two solar panels.

[0043] In each truss structure, the first support frame preferably comprises the first supporting foot and the second support frame preferably comprises the second supporting foot.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, each support frame is formed with an upper leg which is upwardly slanting at a certain height above the terrain and a lower leg which is upwardly slanting from the terrain, wherein the upper leg and the lower leg are preferably connected by at least one connecting girder. Preferably, each supporting foot extends between the terrain and an upper leg of the truss structure.

[0045] By forming these support frames in such a way that they contain different spaces in the portion that is situated between the upper leg and the lower leg, it is possible to achieve savings in material during the production of the support frames. The connecting girders nevertheless serve to strengthen this portion by acting as ribs which connect the upper leg and the lower leg in such a way that this portion does not comprise a single large space, but rather several small spaces. This ensures that the carrying structure is still sufficiently strong and stable for supporting solar panels, despite the presence of these spaces. The portion of the support frames which forms the supporting feet is more solid and contains fewer such spaces, since the solar panels rest on the terrain substantially by means of these supporting feet, so that a greater degree of strength and stability is required at the location of these supporting feet.In a preferred embodiment, the first support frame is connected to the second support frame by means of a dovetail connection in each truss structure. Such dovetails do indeed provide a stronger and stable connection between the support frames.

[0046] In each truss structure, the first support frame is preferably provided with a first support frame passage and the second support frame is preferably provided with a second support frame passage. Each truss structure is then preferably adapted for fitting a support frame pin in the first and second support frame passage in order to connect the first support frame and the second support frame. Preferably, each support frame passage extends in a vertical direction. Fitting this support frame pin in these support frame passages, optionally in combination with the above-described dovetail connection, then ensures a strong and stable connection between the support frames. In such a combination, the support frame passages are provided in the dovetail-shaped protrusions of the dovetail connection.

[0047] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one crossbeam comprises a central crossbeam which extends from the portion of the first truss structure between the first and second supporting foot to the portion of the second truss structure between the first and second supporting foot.

[0048] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one crossbeam comprises a first crossbeam and a second crossbeam, wherein the first crossbeam extends from the first supporting foot of the first truss structure to the first supporting foot of the second truss structure, and the second crossbeam extends from the second supporting foot of the first truss structure to the second supporting foot of the second truss structure. Such crossbeams are therefore non-central crossbeams which are situated on both sides of the portion of the truss structure which is situated between the first and second supporting foot and at a certain distance above the terrain.

[0049] Depending on the desired stability in the specific circumstances, the bridge structure may thus, for example, be provided with one single, central crossbeam, two non-central crossbeams, or three crossbeams with one being central and two being non-central crossbeams. The latter variant will generally offer the greatest degree of stability and thus be preferred.

[0050] In a preferred embodiment, the first truss structure comprises at least one crossbeam opening and the first truss structure is adapted for fitting a first end of a crossbeam of the at least one crossbeam in a crossbeam opening of the at least one crossbeam opening of the first truss structure. In this embodiment, the second truss structure furthermore comprises at least one crossbeam opening and the second truss structure is adapted for fitting a second end of said crossbeam in a crossbeam opening of the at least one crossbeam opening of the second truss structure.

[0051] In such embodiments, each truss structure furthermore preferably comprises at least one connecting passage which ends in said crossbeam opening, the first end of said crossbeam is provided with a first crossbeam passage, and the second end of said crossbeam is provided with a second crossbeam passage. In this case, the first truss structure is then adapted for fitting a first connecting pin in a connecting passage of the at least one connecting passage of the first truss structure in order to connect this truss structure to the first crossbeam passage of said crossbeam, and the second truss structure is adapted for fitting a second connecting pin in a connecting passage of the at least one connecting passage of the second truss structure in order to connect this truss structure to the second crossbeam passage of the crossbeam. Fitting these pins through said passages then brings about an efficient connection of the at least one crossbeam and the respective support frames.

[0052] Preferably, each connecting passage extends in a vertical direction.In the abovementioned embodiment, said crossbeam is preferably the central crossbeam, as described earlier, said connecting passage is formed in each truss structure by the first support frame passage and the second support frame passage, which support frame passages have been described above, and the first connecting pin coincides with the support frame pin of the first truss structure and the second connecting pin coincides with the support frame pin of the second truss structure, which support frame pins have been described above. In embodiments with a central crossbeam, the connection between the central crossbeam and the respective truss structure is, in other words, brought about by means of the support frame passages and the support frame pins which also serve to connect the first and second support frame to each other within a truss structure.

[0053] In an advantageous embodiment, the at least one bridge structure comprises a first bridge structure and a second bridge structure, and the carrying structure furthermore comprises at least one pivot arm which is adapted to connect the first and second bridge structure to each other, wherein the first bridge structure is adapted for supporting at least two solar panels and the second bridge structure is adapted for supporting at least two solar panels. The entire carrying structure then comprises at least two bridge structures as described above, which are connected to each other by at least one pivot arm.

[0054] In the abovementioned advantageous embodiment, the at least one pivot arm preferably comprises a first pivot arm and a second pivot arm, each pivot arm has a first end which is pivotably connected to the first bridge structure, as well as a second end which is pivotably connected to the second bridge structure, and each pivot arm preferably extends from the first truss structure of the second bridge structure to the second truss structure of the first bridge structure.

[0055] In other words, the resulting carrying structure is a carrying structure according to the first aspect, in which each support structure is a bridge structure according to the second aspect, wherein the first bridge structure is also pivotably connected to the second bridge structure by means of at least two pivot arms. The preferred properties and advantageous properties described above with respect to the first aspect, in particular with respect to the support structures and the at least one pivot arm, may thus also, mutatis mutandis, apply to the discussed embodiments according to the second aspect, in particular to the bridge structures and the first and second pivot arm.

[0056] In this case, the first and second pivot arm are preferably situated on both sides of the portion of the truss structure between the first and second supporting foot which is situated at a distance above the terrain, i.e. on both sides of said dovetail connection between said support frames, in such a way that the first pivot arm extends from the first support frame of the first truss structure of the second bridge structure to the first support frame of the second truss structure of the first bridge structure, and that the second pivot arm extends from the second support frame of the first truss structure of the second bridge structure to the second support frame of the second truss structure of the first bridge structure.

[0057] Preferably, the carrying structure is substantially made of plastic, for example glass fibre-reinforced plastic, and / or produced by injection-moulding.

[0058] Plastic has the advantage of being a rather lightweight material, as a result of which the resulting carrying structures are not excessively heavy and can therefore easily be transported. Consequently, these are suitable for use in temporary PV installations, since these can typically be mounted and unmounted quickly. The low weight also contributes to the flexibility which the modular carrying structure offers users thereof, since the reorganisation, expansion and reduction of a PV park can be accelerated by means of modular carrying structures due to the speed with which the carrying structures can be installed and removed again. Plastic, and in particular glass fibre-reinforced plastic, is nevertheless sufficiently strong to produce a stable carrying structure which is able to withstand various weather conditions, temperaturesand wind forces. This applies in particular to carrying structures made of plastic which are placed directly on the ground, since these usually catch less wind, compared to carrying structures for solar panels which are fitted at a greater height on a roof, and are thus less prone to be carried away by strong gusts of wind.

[0059] If desired, the various bridge structures can be strengthened further by adding ballast, for example paving stones or sandbags, at certain positions in the carrying structure. The bridge structures may be provided, for example, with ballast carriers, which can be mounted on a bridge structure as modular components. When deciding which locations in the bridge structure should be strengthened using ballast, it is possible to respond to the specific circumstances in a flexible manner.

[0060] Production by means of injection-moulding is preferred, as this is a simple, flexible and inexpensive production method which nevertheless imposes certain restrictions to the dimensions and shapes of the components to be manufactured. In this case, two dies or moulds are pushed together, after which the space created in between is filled with a liquid material, for example liquid plastic. Preferably, only a small number of moulds is used during manufacture, which may then also serve for producing several different components of a carrying structure, for example by using inserts to cover certain parts during injection-moulding. In a preferred embodiment, each truss structure comprises wall sections which are provided with a grid pattern near the at least one crossbeam in order to strengthen the truss structures. By using rather thin wall sections onto which a grid pattern is superimposed instead of solid wall sections, it is possible to achieve a savings in material during manufacture, while nevertheless not compromising on stability. The wall sections then mainly extend in a plane of limited thickness and therefore limited lateral dimensions, but the grid patterns, which are provided on both sides of the wall sections in a lateral direction, strengthen the wall sections in a lateral direction. These reinforcements are preferably mainly provided in critical locations, in particular in the vicinity of openings and spaces in the wall sections, for example at the location of the pivot arm openings and / or crossbeam openings, and at those locations in the wall sections where pins, for example pivoting pins or connecting pins, are fitted. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the carrying structures are able to absorb forces sufficiently well, without nevertheless requiring the amounts of material which are associated with solid wall sections.

[0061] According to a third aspect, a modular carrying structure is provided for supporting solar panels, comprising at least one support structure adapted for supporting at least one solar panel, wherein each support structure comprises a first support frame with at least one supporting foot intended to rest on a terrain, comprises a second support frame with at least one supporting foot intended to rest on a terrain, and comprises at least one crossbeam which connects the first support frame to the second support frame. The carrying structure furthermore comprises a range of clamps, comprising a first clamp, a second clamp, a third clamp and a fourth clamp. The first support frame is adapted near a first end to be coupled to the first clamp, and is adapted near a second higher end to be coupled to the second clamp. The second support frame is adapted near a first end to be coupled to the third clamp, and is adapted near a second higher end to be coupled to the fourth clamp. The carrying structure is adapted to retain a solar panel between the first, second, third and fourth clamp, with a first edge of the solar panel being accommodated in the first clamp and the third clamp, and a second edge of the solar panel being accommodated in the second clamp and the fourth clamp.

[0062] Since a solar panel in such a carrying structure is retained, after coupling by means of the clamps, between said four clamps, rather than directly by specific parts of the support frames, the support frames are prevented from being subjected to direct excessive loads. In addition, it follows from the fact that a first edge of the solar panel is then accommodated in the firstclamp and the third clamp and a second edge of the solar panel is then accommodated in the second clamp and the fourth clamp, with the first support frame being coupled to the first and second clamp and the second support frame being coupled to the third and fourth clamp, that both support frames extend over a significant extent of the solar panel in a width direction or a length direction, so that a rigid and complete support is indeed provided to the supported solar panel. In addition, such carrying structures, due to their construction from at least two support frames which are connected by at least one crossbeam and which each rest on a supporting foot, have a rather limited contact surface with the terrain, in particular limited compared to the dimensions of the solar panel. Consequently, the technical advantages of a limited contact surface described above also apply to these carrying structures, in particular the advantage of suitability for installation on unpaved and / or irregular, uneven or inclined terrain, for different soil types, without requiring anchoring in the terrain.

[0063] Furthermore, this carrying structure is modular, i.e. it consists of a preferably small number of components which can easily be assembled to form a support structure, wherein different support structures can be connected to each other and can be arranged in different configurations, in order to be able to respond to the specific requirements and circumstances of the terrain in a flexible manner, for example to the desired size and number of solar panels of the PV installation. Such a modularity also makes it possible to move, mount and unmount the individual support structures in a quick and simple manner, and to expand or shrink the entire PV park as desired.

[0064] Finally, it is advantageous, in particular for carrying structures which are substantially produced by injection-moulding, to use clamps which can be produced separately and coupled to the carrying structure subsequently, rather than clamps which form an integral part of a support frame, at least for the following reasons. Firstly, producing clamps by means of injectionmoulding as an integral part of a support frame would require a complicated production process. In addition, separate clamps with different clamp heights can be produced, and when assembling the carrying structure, it is possible to select those clamps whose clamp height corresponds to the thickness of the edges of the solar panels to be supported in the given situation. In this way, it is possible to respond to the characteristics of the respective solar panels in a flexible manner. Finally, clamps which can be coupled to a support frame separately have the advantage that they allow a solar panel to be attached to the carrying structure without having to rely on, for example, spring action when fitting a solar panel. In fact, many existing carrying structures make use of some degree of spring action when attaching a solar panel to the carrying structure, which springs then have to be pushed in during mounting in order to provide space to an edge of a solar panel, and subsequently to return to their original shape in order thus to clamp in the edge of the solar panel. The present embodiments do not rely on spring action, but can offer the necessary space to the solar panel during mounting by, for at least two of the clamps, perform coupling of the clamps to the carrying structure simultaneously to the mounting of the solar panel, i.e. by first coupling two of the clamps to the respective support frames, subsequently accommodating an edge of the solar panel in these two clamps, and finally coupling the remaining two clamps to the support frames in such a way that these immediately also clamp an edge of the solar panel.

[0065] In an alternative embodiment, two of said four clamps are made as an integral part of the respective support frame, and the other two clamps are produced separately and subsequently coupled to the support frame. The abovementioned way of coupling to the support frames and of attaching the solar panel can also be applied to such carrying structures, but in this case manufacturing the support frames will be more difficult, in particular if they are being produced by means of injection-moulding.

[0066] In a preferred embodiment, the first support frame is provided with a first duct near the first end, in which the first clamp is slidable, and is provided with a second duct near the second end, in which the second clamp is slidable, and the second support frame is provided, near thefirst end, with a first duct, in which the third clamp is slidable, and is provided, near the second end, with a second duct, in which the fourth clamp is slidable.

[0067] In such embodiments, the clamps thus actually form separate components, with the technical advantages as described above, and coupling the clamps to the support frames is simply effected by sliding them into the ducts.

[0068] In an alternative embodiment, the support frames do not comprise ducts near said ends, but rather thickenings, protrusions or flanges via which the clamps can engage and / or slide with an identical coupling effect between the clamps and the support frames.

[0069] Preferably, each support frame is formed with an upper leg upwardly slanting at a certain height above the terrain, the first and second duct of the first support frame are provided in the upper leg of the first support frame, and the first and second duct of the second support frame are provided in the upper leg of the second support frame.

[0070] In this way, the solar panel is retained above the respective upper leg, according to the same angle of inclination as this upper leg, and with an edge substantially parallel to this upper leg, so that the forces which are exerted on the carrying structure by the solar panel are adequately absorbed by the support frames via the respective upper legs.

[0071] In a preferred embodiment, each support structure is a bridge structure which is adapted for supporting at least two solar panels, wherein each bridge structure comprises a first substantially upright V-shaped truss structure with a top, wherein the first truss structure comprises the first support frame, and comprises a second substantially upright V-shaped truss structure with a top, wherein the second truss structure comprises the second support frame. The first and second truss structure are then preferably each provided with a first and second supporting foot intended to rest on a terrain, which first and second supporting feet are provided on both sides of the top of the truss structure in such a way that a portion of the truss structure between the first and second supporting feet is situated at a distance above the terrain.

[0072] In other words, this preferred embodiment relates to a carrying structure according to the third aspect, in which each support structure is a bridge structure according to the second aspect. The technical advantages and effects of the carrying structures according to the second aspect consequently apply, mutatis mutandis, to these embodiments.

[0073] Preferably, the first and second truss structure are each formed with a first upwardly slanting support frame and a second upwardly slanting support frame, the first and second support frame are connected to each other at a certain height above the terrain, and each support frame is adapted to be coupled to a first clamp of the range of clamps near a first end, and to be coupled to a second clamp of the range of clamps near a second higher end. In this case, the carrying structure is then adapted to retain a first solar panel between the clamps of the first support frame of the first truss structure and the clamps of the first support frame of the second truss structure, and to retain a second solar panel between the clamps of the second support frame of the first truss structure and the clamps of the second support frame of the second truss structure. In this way, the portion of the truss structures between the first and second supporting foot is situated at a distance above the terrain in the resulting bridge structure, whereas this bridge structure is simultaneously adapted for supporting two solar panels, in particular a first solar panel between four of the eight clamps to the carrying structure, and a second solar panel between the other four of the eight clamps coupled to the carrying structure.

[0074] Preferably, each support frame is provided with a first duct near the first end, in which said first clamp is slidable, and provided with a second duct near the second end, in which said second clamp is slidable. In this way, the coupling of the eight relevant clamps to the carrying structure can easily be brought about by sliding them into the ducts of the respective support frames.In a preferred embodiment, in each truss structure, the first support frame comprises the first supporting foot and, in each truss structure, the second support frame comprises the second supporting foot.

[0075] Preferably, each support frame is formed with an upper leg which is upwardly slanting at a certain height above the terrain, in which the first and second duct are provided, and with a lower leg which is upwardly slanting from the terrain, the upper leg and the lower leg are preferably connected by at least one connecting girder, and preferably each supporting foot extends between the terrain and an upper leg of a support frame.

[0076] By forming these support frames in such a way that they contain different spaces in the portion which is situated between the upper leg and the lower leg, it is possible to achieve a savings in material during production of the support frames. The connecting girders nevertheless serve to strengthen this portion by acting as ribs which connect the upper leg and the lower leg in such a way that this portion does not comprise a single large space, but rather several small spaces. This ensures that the carrying structure is still sufficiently strong and stable for supporting solar panels, despite the presence of these spaces. The portion of the support frames which forms the supporting feet is more solid and contains fewer such spaces, since the solar panels rest on the terrain substantially by means of these supporting feet, so that a greater degree of strength and stability is required at the location of these supporting feet. Furthermore, the first support frame in each truss structure is preferably connected to the second support frame by means of a dovetail connection, and the first truss structure within a bridge structure is preferably connected to the second truss structure via at least one crossbeam, optionally two or three crossbeams, in the same way and using the same technical effects and advantages as described above in relation to the second aspect.

[0077] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one support structure comprises a first support structure which is adapted for supporting at least one solar panel, preferably a first solar panel and a second solar panel, and a second support structure which is adapted for supporting at least one solar panel, preferably a first solar panel and a second solar panel. The carrying structure furthermore comprises preferably at least one pivot arm, preferably a first pivot arm and a second pivot arm, wherein each pivot arm is adapted to connect the first support structure to the second support structure.

[0078] Preferably, each pivot arm has a first end which is connected to the first support structure so as to be pivotable, preferably pivotable about a horizontal axis, and a second end which is connected to the second support structure so as to be pivotable, preferably pivotable about a horizontal axis, all this in such a way that a difference in height of the terrain on which the first and second support structure rest can be compensated for.

[0079] In other words, the resulting carrying structure is a carrying structure according to both the third and the first aspect. The preferred properties and advantageous properties described with respect to the first aspect may thus, mutatis mutandis, also apply to the described embodiments according to the third aspect.

[0080] Preferably, the at least one pivot arm comprises a first pivot arm which extends from the first support frame of the first truss structure of the second support structure to the first support frame of the second truss structure of the first support structure, as well as a second pivot arm which extends from the second support frame of the first truss structure of the second support structure to the second support frame of the second truss structure of the first support structure. In other words, the resulting carrying structure is a carrying structure according to both the third and the first aspect, wherein the first support structure is also pivotably connected to the second support structure by means of at least two pivot arms. The preferred properties and advantageous properties described above in relation to the first aspect, in particular withrespect to the support structures and the at least one pivot arm, may thus also, mutatis mutandis, apply to the discussed embodiments according to the third aspect, in particular to the support structures with clamps and the first and second pivot arm.

[0081] In this case, the first and second pivot arm are preferably situated on both sides of the portion of the truss structure between the first and second supporting foot which is situated at a distance above the terrain, i.e. on both sides of said dovetail connection between said support frames.

[0082] Preferably, each pivot arm is connected to the first support structure and the second support structure in such a way that this pivot arm is adapted to allow a rotation through an angle of at least 20°, preferably at least 30°, more preferably at least 40°.

[0083] In a preferred embodiment, each support structure furthermore comprises at least one cablereceiving means which is adapted to retain a cable under a solar panel attached to the support structure, and each cable-receiving means of the at least one cable-receiving means is provided near a top face of a support frame of the support structure, preferably between a first end and a second end of an upper leg of said support frame, wherein each cable-receiving means preferably forms an integral part of said support frame.

[0084] In other words, these embodiments according to the third aspect have the properties of a carrying structure according to the fourth aspect which will be discussed below. More in particular, these cables serve to connect successive solar panels in a PV installation and pass the electricity generated by the solar panels to a converter. Such cables start at a solar panel attached to a carrying structure, typically on a bottom side of this solar panel, and are subsequently brought together in a trough, in which sufficient space has to be left between the cables to prevent excessive heat accumulation, and are finally passed to a converter. The cable-receiving means serve to prevent the cables from partly resting on the terrain and consequently being exposed to the risk of damage, for example caused by rodents. In addition, it serves to bring order and structure to a jumble of cables starting from a solar panel when these cables are retained by the cable-receiving means under the solar panel, so that bringing the cables together in said trough and guiding these cables to the converter can also be performed in a structured and predictable way, which does not impede the modularity and mobility of the carrying structure, nor its usability for temporary PV installations.

[0085] Preferably, each cable-receiving means of the at least one cable-receiving means is made as a single part with said support frame by means of injection-moulding, and / or is formed as a flange which protrudes from the top face of said support frame.

[0086] Said cable is then able to engage behind this flange, hook behind this flange or pass behind this flange, so that it is efficiently retained by the cable-receiving means. This design as a flange is indeed suitable for producing the cable-receiving means as an integral part of a support frame, for example by injection-moulding.

[0087] Production by means of injection-moulding is preferred since this is a simple, flexible and inexpensive production method, which does however impose certain restrictions on the dimensions and shapes of the components to be produced. Preferably, a small number of moulds is used during the production which can then serve to produce a number of different components of a carrying structure, for example by using inserts to cover certain parts during the injection-moulding process.

[0088] Preferably, the carrying structure is substantially made of plastic, for example glass fibre-reinforced plastic, and / or produced by means of injection-moulding.

[0089] Plastic has the advantage of being a rather lightweight material, as a result of which the resulting carrying structures are not excessively heavy and can therefore easily be transported. Consequently, these are suitable for use in temporary PV installations, since these can typically be mounted and unmounted quickly. The low weight also contributes to the flexibility which the modular carrying structure offers users thereof, since the reorganisation, expansionand reduction of a PV park can be accelerated by means of modular carrying structures due to the speed with which the carrying structures can be installed and removed again. Plastic, and in particular glass fibre-reinforced plastic, is nevertheless sufficiently strong to produce a stable carrying structure which is able to withstand various weather conditions, temperatures and wind forces. This applies in particular to carrying structures of plastic which are placed directly on the ground, since these usually catch less wind, compared to carrying structures for solar panels which are fitted at a greater height on a roof, and are thus less prone to be carried away by strong gusts of wind.

[0090] If desired, the various support structures can be strengthened further by adding ballast, for example paving stones or sandbags, at certain positions in the carrying structure. The support structures may be provided, for example, with ballast carriers, which can be mounted on a support structure as modular components. When deciding which locations in the support structure should be strengthened using ballast, it is possible to respond to the specific circumstances in a flexible manner.

[0091] Production by means of injection-moulding is preferred, as this is a simple, flexible and inexpensive production method which nevertheless imposes certain restrictions to the dimensions and shapes of the components to be manufactured. In this case, two dies or moulds are pushed together, after which the space created in between is filled with a liquid material, for example liquid plastic. Preferably, only a small number of moulds is used during manufacture, which may then also serve for producing several different components of a carrying structure, for example by using inserts to protect certain parts during injectionmoulding.

[0092] In a preferred embodiment, each support structure comprises wall sections which are provided with a grid pattern near the at least one pivot arm in order to strengthen the support structure. By using rather thin wall sections onto which a grid pattern is superimposed instead of solid wall sections, it is possible to achieve a savings in material during manufacture, while nevertheless not compromising on stability. The wall sections then mainly extend in a plane of limited thickness and therefore limited lateral dimensions, but the grid patterns, which are provided on both sides of the wall sections in a lateral direction, strengthen the wall sections in a lateral direction. These reinforcements are preferably mainly provided in critical locations, in particular in the vicinity of openings and spaces in the wall sections, for example at the location of the pivot arm openings and / or crossbeam openings, and at those locations in the wall sections where pins, for example pivoting pins or connecting pins, are fitted. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the carrying structures are able to absorb forces sufficiently well, without nevertheless requiring the amounts of material which are associated with solid wall sections.

[0093] According to a fourth aspect, a modular carrying structure is provided for supporting solar panels, comprising at least one support structure adapted for supporting at least one solar panel, wherein each support structure comprises a first support frame with at least one supporting foot intended to rest on a terrain, comprises a second support frame with at least one supporting foot intended to rest on a terrain, wherein a solar panel of the at least one solar panel is attachable to the first and second support frame, comprises at least one crossbeam which connects the first support frame to the second support frame, and comprises at least one cable-receiving means which is adapted to retain a cable under a solar panel attached to the first and second support frame. In this case, a cable-receiving means of the at least one cable-receiving means is provided near a top face of the first support frame.

[0094] These cables serve to electrically connect successive solar panels in a PV installation and pass the electricity generated by the solar panels to a converter. Such cables start at a solar panel attached to a carrying structure, typically on a bottom side of this solar panel, and are subsequently brought together in a trough, in which sufficient space has to be left between thecables to prevent excessive heat accumulation, and are finally passed to a converter. The cable-receiving means serve to prevent the cables from partly resting on the terrain and consequently being exposed to the risk of damage, for example caused by rodents. In addition, it serves to bring order and structure to a jumble of cables starting from a solar panel when these cables are retained by the cable-receiving means under the solar panel, so that bringing the cables together in said trough and guiding these cables to the converter can also be performed in a structured and predictable way, which does not impede the modularity and mobility of the carrying structure, nor its usability for temporary PV installations.

[0095] Finally, such carrying structures, due to their construction consisting of at least two support frames connected by at least one crossbeam and each resting on a supporting foot, have a rather limited contact surface with the terrain, in particular limited compared to the dimensions of the solar panel. Consequently, the abovementioned technical advantages of a limited contact surface also apply to these carrying structures, in particular the advantage regarding the suitability for installation on unpaved and / or irregular, uneven or inclined terrain, for different soil types, without requiring anchoring in the terrain.

[0096] Preferably, said cable-receiving means forms an integral part of the first support frame.

[0097] In a preferred embodiment, the first support frame has an upper leg, said solar panel is attached near a first end of the upper leg and near a second end of the upper leg, and said cable-receiving means is provided between the first and second end of the upper leg. This results in said cable being retained substantially parallel to the upper leg under the solar panel and on a top face of the support frame.

[0098] The first support frame is preferably formed as a single part with said cable-receiving means by means of injection-moulding.

[0099] Production by means of injection-moulding is preferred, as this is a simple, flexible and inexpensive production method which nevertheless imposes certain restrictions to the dimensions and shapes of the components to be manufactured. Preferably, only a small number of moulds is used during manufacture, which may then also serve for producing several different components of a carrying structure, for example by using inserts to cover certain parts during injection-moulding.

[0100] Preferably, said cable-receiving means is formed as a flange which protrudes from a top face of the first support frame.

[0101] Said cable is then able to engage behind this flange, hook behind this flange or pass behind this flange, so that it is efficiently retained by the cable-receiving means. This design as a flange is indeed suitable for producing the cable-receiving means as an integral part of a support frame, for example by injection-moulding.

[0102] Further embodiments of a carrying structure may have one or more of the properties as described above in connection with the first, second and / or third aspect, in which case the described technical advantages or effects may apply mutatis mutandis. This relates in particular to the following preferred properties and advantageous properties.

[0103] In a preferred embodiment, each support structure is a bridge structure which is adapted for supporting at least a first solar panel and a second solar panel, wherein each bridge structure comprises a first substantially upright V-shaped truss structure with a top, wherein the first truss structure comprises the first support frame, and comprises a second substantially upright V-shaped truss structure with a top, wherein the second truss structure comprises the second support frame. In this case, the first and second truss structure are preferably each provided with a first and second supporting foot intended to rest on a terrain, which first and second supporting foot are provided on both sides of the top of the truss structure in such a way thata portion of the truss structure between the first and second supporting foot is situated at a distance above the terrain.

[0104] In other words, this preferred embodiment relates to a carrying structure according to the fourth aspect, in which each support structure is a bridge structure according to the second aspect. The technical advantages and effects of the carrying structures according to the second aspect consequently apply, mutatis mutandis, to these embodiments.

[0105] In such an embodiment, the at least one cable-receiving means comprises a first cablereceiving means which is adapted to retain a cable under the first solar panel, and a second cable-receiving means which is adapted to retain a cable under the second solar panel. In this case, the first and second truss structure are then each provided with a first upwardly slanting support frame and a second upwardly slanting support frame, which first and second support frame are connected to each other at a certain height above the terrain, and the first solar panel is attachable to the first support frame of the first truss structure and the first support frame of the second truss structure, and the second solar panel is attachable to the second support frame of the first truss structure and the second support frame of the second truss structure. Preferably, at least one of the first support frame of the first truss structure and the first support frame of the second truss structure is provided with the first cable-receiving means near a top face, which preferably forms an integral part of said first support frame, and at least one of the second support frame of the first truss structure and the second support frame of the second truss structure is provided with the second cable-receiving means near a top face, which preferably forms an integral part of said second support frame. In each truss structure, the first support frame preferably comprises the first supporting foot and the second support frame preferably comprises the second supporting foot.

[0106] This has the result that it is also possible in a bridge structure according to the second aspect to lead cables starting from a solar panel away in a structured manner by, in particular, providing at least one cable-receiving means under each solar panel attached to a bridge structure.

[0107] In a preferred embodiment, said first support frame and said second support frame are each provided with an upper leg which is upwardly slanting at a certain height above the terrain and has a first end and a second end which coincides with the top of the truss structure of the support frame. The first cable-receiving means is preferably provided between the first end and the second end of said first support frame, and the second cable-receiving means is preferably provided between the first end and the second end of said second support frame. Preferably, the at least one support structure comprises a first support structure which is adapted for supporting at least one solar panel, preferably a first solar panel and a second solar panel, and a second support structure which is adapted for supporting at least one solar panel, preferably a first solar panel and a second solar panel. Preferably, the carrying structure furthermore comprises at least one pivot arm, preferably a first pivot arm and a second pivot arm, wherein each pivot arm is adapted to connect the first support structure to the second support structure.

[0108] Preferably, each pivot arm has a first end which is connected to the first support structure so as to be pivotable, preferably pivotable about a horizontal axis, and a second end which is connected to the second support structure so as to be pivotable, preferably pivotable about a horizontal axis, all this in such a way that a difference in height of the terrain on which the first and second support structure rest can be compensated for.

[0109] In a preferred embodiment, the at least one pivot arm comprises a first pivot arm which extends from the first support frame of the first truss structure of the second support structure to the first support frame of the second truss structure of the first support structure, as well as a second pivot arm which extends from the second support frame of the first truss structure ofthe second support structure to the second support frame of the second truss structure of the first support structure.

[0110] Preferably, each pivot arm is connected to the first support structure and the second support structure in such a way that this pivot arm is adapted to allow a rotation through an angle of at least 20°, preferably at least 30°, more preferably at least 40°.

[0111] In a preferred embodiment, the carrying structure furthermore comprises a range of clamps, comprising a first clamp, a second clamp, a third clamp and a fourth clamp, wherein the first support frame is adapted near a first end to be coupled to the first clamp, and is adapted near a second higher end to be coupled to the second clamp, and wherein the second support frame is adapted near a first end to be coupled to the third clamp, and is adapted near a second higher end to be coupled to the fourth clamp. The carrying structure is preferably adapted to retain a solar panel between the first, second, third and fourth clamp, with a first edge of the solar panel being accommodated in the first clamp and the third clamp, and a second edge of the solar panel being accommodated in the second clamp and the fourth clamp.

[0112] Preferably, the first support frame is provided with a first duct near the first end, in which the first clamp is slidable, and is provided with a second duct near the second end, in which the second clamp is slidable. Preferably, the second support frame is provided with a first duct near the first end, in which the third clamp is slidable, and is provided with a second duct near the second end, in which the fourth clamp is slidable.

[0113] Preferably, the carrying structure is substantially made of plastic, for example glass fibre-reinforced plastic, and / or produced by means of injection-moulding.

[0114] Plastic has the advantage of being a rather lightweight material, as a result of which the resulting carrying structures are not excessively heavy and can therefore easily be transported. Consequently, these are suitable for use in temporary PV installations, since these can typically be mounted and unmounted quickly. The low weight also contributes to the flexibility which the modular carrying structure offers users thereof, since the reorganisation, expansion and reduction of a PV park can be accelerated by means of modular carrying structures due to the speed with which the carrying structures can be installed and removed again. Plastic, and in particular glass fibre-reinforced plastic, is nevertheless sufficiently strong to produce a stable carrying structure which is able to withstand various weather conditions, temperatures and wind forces. This applies in particular to carrying structures made of plastic which are placed directly on the ground, since these usually catch less wind, compared to carrying structures for solar panels which are fitted at a greater height on a roof, and are thus less prone to be carried away by strong gusts of wind.

[0115] If desired, the various support structures can be strengthened further by adding ballast, for example paving stones or sandbags, at certain positions in the carrying structure. The support structures may be provided, for example, with ballast carriers, which can be mounted on a support structure as modular components. When deciding which locations in the support structure should be strengthened using ballast, it is possible to respond to the specific circumstances in a flexible manner.

[0116] Production by means of injection-moulding is preferred, as this is a simple, flexible and inexpensive production method which nevertheless imposes certain restrictions to the dimensions and shapes of the components to be manufactured. In this case, two dies or moulds are pushed together, after which the space created in between is filled with a liquid material, for example liquid plastic. Preferably, only a small number of moulds is used during manufacture, which may then also serve for producing several different components of a carrying structure, for example by using inserts to cover certain parts during injection-moulding. In a preferred embodiment, each support frame comprises wall sections which are provided with a grid pattern near the at least one crossbeam in order to strengthen the support frame.By using rather thin wall sections onto which a grid pattern is superimposed instead of solid wall sections, it is possible to achieve a savings in material during manufacture, while nevertheless not compromising on stability. The wall sections then mainly extend in a plane of limited thickness and therefore limited lateral dimensions, but the grid patterns, which are provided on both sides of the wall sections in a lateral direction, strengthen the wall sections in a lateral direction. These reinforcements are preferably mainly provided in critical locations, in particular in the vicinity of openings and spaces in the wall sections, for example at the location of the pivot arm openings and / or crossbeam openings, and at those locations in the wall sections where pins, for example pivoting pins or connecting pins, are fitted. In this way, it is possible to ensure that the carrying structures are able to absorb forces sufficiently well, without nevertheless requiring the amounts of material which are associated with solid wall sections.

[0117] According to a fifth aspect, an assembly for generating solar energy is provided, comprising at least one carrying structure according to the first or second aspect, and at least two solar panels which are supported by a carrying structure of the at least one carrying structure, or comprising at least one carrying structure according to the third or fourth aspect, and at least one solar panel which is supported by a carrying structure of the at least one carrying structure.

[0118] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0119] The abovementioned and other advantageous properties and objects of the invention will become clearer and the invention will be better understood by means of the following detailed description if the latter is read in combination with the attached drawings, in which:

[0120] Fig. 1 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of an embodiment of a carrying structure according to the first, second, third and fourth aspect, to which four solar panels are fitted, looking towards a top side;

[0121] Fig. 2 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of the carrying structure from Fig. 1, looking towards a bottom side;

[0122] Fig. 3 shows a front view of the carrying structure from Fig. 1;

[0123] Fig. 4 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of a carrying structure, in particular a bridge structure, according to the second, third and fourth aspect;

[0124] Fig. 5 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of some components of the carrying structure from Fig. 4 in a cut-away view;

[0125] Figs. 6-7 show a front view of an embodiment of a support frame according to the second, third and fourth aspect;

[0126] Figs. 8-10 show a detail of a front view of the carrying structure from Fig. 1 in a cut-away view; Fig. 11 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of an embodiment of a pivot arm;

[0127] Fig. 12 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of an embodiment of a crossbeam;

[0128] Figs. 13-14 show a diagrammatic perspective view of an embodiment of a clamp;

[0129] Fig. 15 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of an embodiment of a ballast carrier; and Fig. 16 shows a diagrammatic perspective view of an embodiment of a pin which can serve as a pivoting pin, a connecting pin or a support frame pin, in an embodiment of a carrying structure according to the first, second, third or fourth aspect.

[0130] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0131] Figs. 1, 2 and 3 show an embodiment of a modular carrying structure for supporting solar panels according to the first, second, third and fourth aspect, to which four solar panels A, B, C and D are fitted, looking at a top side, bottom side and front side, respectively. This carrying structure comprises a first support structure 100, a second support structure 101, a first pivot arm 200 and a second pivot arm 201 , which pivot arms are adapted to connect the first support structure 100 and the second support structure 101 to each other. In this case, each pivot arm 200, 201 has a first end 210 and a second end 211, as shown in Fig. 11, with the first end 210 of each pivot arm 200, 201 being pivotably connected to the first support structure 100 and the second end 211 being pivotably connected to the second support structure 101 , all this in sucha way that a difference in height of the terrain on which the first and second support structure 100, 101 rest can be compensated for.

[0132] In these embodiments, the first pivot arm 200 and the second pivot arm 201 are connected to the first support structure 100 and the second support structure 101 in such a way that these pivot arms are adapted to allow a rotation through an angle of at least 20°, preferably at least 30°, more preferably at least 40°. In Fig. 2, the position of the support structures 100, 101 and the pivot arms 200, 201 is shown when the terrain on which the support structures 100, 101 rest is completely flat and even, without any upward or downward incline, so that no differences in height have to be compensated for. With respect to this position, the first pivot arm 200 and the second pivot arm 201 are adapted to allow a clockwise rotation through at least 10°, preferably at least 15°, more preferably at least 20°, for example through at most 21°, and to allow the same rotation counterclockwise through at least 10°, preferably at least 15°, more preferably at least 20°, for example through at most 21°, in such a way that the total angle between these two extreme angular positions is at least 20°, preferably at least 30°, more preferably at least 40°, for example at most 42°, and in such a way that both an upward and a downward inclination of the terrain can be compensated for.

[0133] In the embodiment from Figs. 1 , 2 and 3, the first support structure 100 and the second support structure 101 are each a bridge structure adapted for supporting two solar panels A and B respectively C and D according to an east / west configuration, as is shown in Fig. 4. In an alternative embodiment, the first support structure 100 and the second support structure 101 are each adapted for supporting only one solar panel A respectively C, optionally according to a different configuration, for example a north / south configuration, and these support structures are connected by means of one single pivot arm 200. In this case, the first support structure 100 and the second support structure 101 are for example designed as a half bridge structure, as achieved with the carrying structure from Figs. 1, 2 and 3 after removal of the second pivot arm 201 and of the components supporting the solar panels B and D, in which case it may then optionally be required or desirable to add an additional support to stabilize such a half bridge structure. However, the embodiment from Figs. 1, 2 and 3, in which the support structures are bridge structures, is preferred. These bridge structures are described in more detail below with reference to Figs. 4-10.

[0134] The purpose of pivot arms 200, 201 is to connect different bridge structures, which are each adapted for supporting two solar panels according to an east / west configuration, in a length direction (north / south direction). These bridge structures are modular, in the sense that they can be arranged in different configurations and can be connected to each other. One or more bridge structures may for example be added along said length direction, which can then also be connected to each other and to the illustrated bridge structures by means of pivot arms 200, 201. In addition, it is possible to add one or more bridge structures along a width direction (east / west direction) which can then for example be connected to the illustrated bridge structures by fitting one or more pins through a passage in the length direction in both bridge structures to be connected. In the embodiment from Fig. 3, each support structure is provided with a wall passage 120, 121, and two support structures can be pivotably connected to each other in a width direction (the horizontal direction in Fig. 3) by arranging these support structures in such a way that their respective wall passages 120, 121 are in line with one another, and fitting a wall pivoting pin through these wall passages 120, 121. In this way, it is possible to achieve a composite carrying structure, consisting of different support structures 100, 101 which are connected to each other in a length direction by means of pivot arms 200, 201, and / or in a width direction by means of wall pivoting pins.

[0135] Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of a carrying structure for supporting solar panels according to an east / west configuration, consisting of one single support structure 100, in particular a bridge structure, which is adapted for supporting two solar panels. This embodiment corresponds to the first support structure 100 from the carrying structure of Figs. 1-3. The bridge structure 100 comprises a first truss structure 500 and a second truss structure 501 which are eachsubstantially upright V-shaped, in the sense that they, viewed in front view as is also shown in Fig. 3, substantially have the shape of an inverted letter V. The first truss structure 500 has a top 510 and the second truss structure 501 has a top 511, which tops form the highest points of the respective truss structures. The first truss structure 500 is provided with a first supporting foot 310 and a second supporting foot 311, and the second truss structure 501 is provided with a first supporting foot 312 and a second supporting foot 313, which supporting feet are intended to rest on a terrain. The first supporting foot 310 and the second supporting foot 311 of the first truss structure 500 are provided on both sides of the top 510 in such a way that a portion of the first truss structure 500 between the first supporting foot 310 and the second supporting foot 311 is situated at a distance above the terrain, and the first supporting foot 312 and the second supporting foot 313 of the second truss structure 501 are provided on both sides of the top 511 in such a way that a portion of the second truss structure 501 between the first supporting foot 312 and the second supporting foot 313 is situated at a distance above the terrain. The bridge structure 100 which is shown in Fig. 4 furthermore comprises three crossbeams 400, 401 and 402 adapted to connect the first truss structure 500 and the second truss structure 501 to each other, in particular a central crossbeam 400 and two non-central crossbeams 401 and 402 situated on both sides of the central crossbeam 400. Alternative embodiments of a bridge structure 100 comprise only one single crossbeam, for example the central crossbeam 400, or comprise only two crossbeams, for example the non-central crossbeams 401 and 402. In order to ensure optimum stability, in particular with carrying structures made of plastic, for example by means of injection-moulding, it is however preferred to provide three crossbeams 400, 401, 402 per bridge structure 100.

[0136] The first truss structure 500 is formed with a first upwardly slanting support frame 300 and a second upwardly slanting support frame 301, wherein the first support frame 300 and the second support frame 301 are connected to each other, in particular are attached to each other or are click-fitted onto each other, at a certain height above the terrain. The second truss structure 501 is likewise formed with a first upwardly slanting support frame 302 and a second upwardly slanting support frame 303, wherein the first support frame 302 and the second support frame 303 are connected to each other, in particular are attached to each other or are click-fitted onto each other, at a certain height above the terrain. The first support frame 300 of the first truss structure 500 is identical to the first support frame 302 of the second truss structure 501, and the second support frame 301 of the first truss structure 500 is identical to the second support frame 303 of the second truss structure 501. Furthermore, the first support frame 300 and the second support frame 301 of the first truss structure 500 are substantially each other’s mirror image, except for the parts with which the first support frame 300 is attached to the second support frame 301 , in particular the support frame passages 390, 391 , which will be discussed in more detail with reference to Figs. 6-7.

[0137] As has already been mentioned, the crossbeams 400, 401, 402 of the bridge structure 100 from Fig. 4 comprise a central crossbeam 400 and two non-central crossbeams 401 , 402 which are situated on both sides of the central crossbeam 400. In this case, the central crossbeam 400 extends from the portion of the first truss structure 500 which is situated between the first supporting foot 310 and the second supporting foot 311 at a certain height above the terrain to the corresponding portion of the second truss structure 501, in particular the portion which is situated between the first supporting foot 312 and the second supporting foot 313 at a certain height above the terrain. The first non-central crossbeam 401 extends from the first supporting foot 310 of the first truss structure 500 to the first supporting foot 312 of the second truss structure 501, and the second non-central crossbeam 402 extends from the second supporting foot 312 of the first truss structure 500 to the second supporting foot 313 of the second truss structure 501. In contrast with the pivot arms 200, 201, the crossbeams 400, 401, 402 are preferably not connected pivotably, but rather fixedly, to the truss structures and support frames, and they are provided at a certain height above the terrain.

[0138] All illustrated carrying structures are preferably substantially made of plastic, in particular preferably by means of injection-moulding, and are composed of one or more supportstructures 100, 101, preferably bridge structures, which comprise wall sections, in particular the support frames 300, 301 , 302, 303 which together form the truss structures 500, 501 , which wall sections are substantially flat, but are provided with a grid pattern in order to strengthen the support structure, preferably across the entire support frame and in particular near the pivot arms and / or the crossbeams.

[0139] In the carrying structure from Fig. 2, the first support structure 100 and the second support structure 101 are identical bridge structures, identical to the bridge structure from Fig. 4. As shown in Fig. 2, the first pivot arm 200 extends from the first support frame 300 of the first truss structure 500 of the second support structure 101 to the first support frame 302 of the second truss structure 501 of the first support structure 100, and the second pivot arm 201 extends from the second support frame 301 of the first truss structure 500 of the second support structure 101 to the second support frame 303 of the second truss structure 501 of the first support structure 100.

[0140] Two solar panels A and B are attachable to the bridge structure 100 from Fig. 4 in the manner shown in Figs. 1 -3. More particularly, a first solar panel A is attachable to the first support frame 300 of the first truss structure 500 and the first support frame 302 of the second truss structure 501 , in particular attachable between the top 510 of the first truss structure 500, the top 511 of the second truss structure 501, a first end 520 of the first truss structure 500 which forms an end of the first support frame 300 and a first end 522 of the second truss structure 501 which forms an end of the first support frame 302. Analogously, a second solar panel B is attachable to the second support frame 301 of the first truss structure 500 and the second support frame 303 of the second truss structure 501, in particular attachable between the top 510 of the first truss structure 500, the top 511 of the second truss structure 501 , a second end 521 of the first truss structure 500 which forms an end of the second support frame 301 and a second end 523 of the second truss structure 501 which forms an end of the second support frame 303. The support frames of the bridge structure 100 from Fig. 4 are shown in greater detail in Figs.

[0141] 6-7, with Fig. 6 showing a front view of the first support frame 300 and Fig. 7 showing a front view of the second support frame 301.

[0142] The first support frame 300 comprises the first supporting foot 310 of the first truss structure 500, and the second support frame 301 comprises the second supporting foot 311 of the first truss structure 500, with both supporting feet being intended to rest on a terrain.

[0143] The first support frame 300 is formed with an upper leg 360 which is upwardly slanting at a certain height above the terrain and a lower leg 370 which is upwardly slanting from the terrain, and analogously the second support frame 301 is formed with an upper leg 361 which is upwardly slanting at a certain height above the terrain and a lower leg 370 which is upwardly slanting from the terrain. When the first support frame 300 and the second support frame 301 are connected to each other in order to form a truss structure 500, the upper leg 360 of the first support frame 300 and the upper leg 361 of the second support frame 301 touch each other near the top 510 of the truss structure 500, and the lower leg 370 of the first support frame 300 and the lower leg 370 of the second support frame 301 touch each other at a certain height above the terrain in order thus to produce the characteristic upright V shape of a truss structure. The entire portion of the first support frame 300 which extends between the terrain and the upper leg 360 then forms the first supporting foot 310, and analogously the entire portion of the second support frame 301 which extends between the terrain and the upper leg 361 then forms the second supporting foot 311.

[0144] In the embodiment from Figs. 6-7, the upper leg 360, 361 and the lower leg 370 are connected by three connecting girders 380 in such a way that the upper leg 360, 361, the lower leg 370 and the connecting girders 380 delimit various triangular-shaped spaces in the support frame 300, 301. Alternative embodiments of a support frame are formed with a smaller number of connecting girders 380, for example two connecting girders 380 per support frame, as a result of which the delimited spaces may assume different shapes, or the portion of a support framebetween the lower leg 370 and the upper leg 360, 361 is formed as one single wall without spaces and connecting girders, in particular as a flat wall or a wall which is strengthened in certain locations by means of a grid pattern. Such embodiments without spaces and connecting girders are usually on the one hand stronger and, compared to the embodiment from Figs. 6-7, provide increased stability, but on the other hand are more difficult to produce, in particular when the support frames are substantially made of plastic, for example by means of injection-moulding.

[0145] The support frames 300, 301, 302, 303 furthermore each comprise a pivot arm opening 130, 131 , as shown in Figs. 2 and 6-7, in such a way that the first support structure 100 is adapted for fitting the first end 210 of the first pivot arm 200 in the pivot arm opening 130 of the first support frame 302 of the second truss structure 501 of the first support structure 100, and for fitting the first end 210 of the second pivot arm 201 in the pivot arm opening 130 of the second support frame 303 of the second truss structure 501 of the first support structure 100, and in such a way that the second support structure 101 is adapted for fitting the second end 211 of the first pivot arm 200 in the pivot arm opening 131 of the first support frame 300 of the first truss structure 500 of the second support structure 101 , and for fitting the second end 211 of the second pivot arm 201 in the pivot arm opening 131 of the second support frame 301 of the first truss structure 500 of the second support structure 101. The pivot arm openings 130, 131 preferably have a substantially rectangular cross section, in accordance with the rectangular cross section of the pivot arms 200, 201.

[0146] The support frames 300, 301, 302, 303 furthermore each comprise a first passage 330 and a second passage 331 which end in the pivot arm opening 130, 131 and are in line with one another along both sides of the pivot arm opening 130, 131. The first passage 330 and second passage 331 are both horizontal passages, in the sense that they extend substantially along a horizontal direction in the plane of the support frame.

[0147] Fig. 11 shows an embodiment of a pivot arm 200, 201 which has a first end 210 by means of which the pivot arm 200, 201 can be connected to a first support structure 100, and a second end 211 by means of which the pivot arm 200, 201 can be connected to a second support structure 101. The first end 210 of a pivot arm 200, 201 is provided with a first pivot arm passage 230 and the second end 211 of a pivot arm 200, 201 is provided with a second pivot arm passage 231, which pivot arm passages 230, 231 are substantially cylindrical and are adapted to enclose a substantially cylindrical pin, preferably a pivoting pin 340. An embodiment of such a pin is shown in Fig. 16.

[0148] The first support frame 302 of the second truss structure 501 of the first support structure 100 is adapted for fitting a first pivoting pin 340 in the first passage 330 and the second passage 331 in order to pivotably connect this first support structure 100 to the first pivot arm passage 230 of the first pivot arm 200, and the first support frame 300 of the first truss structure 500 of the second support structure 101 is adapted for fitting a second pivoting pin 340 in the first passage 330 and the second passage 331 in order to pivotably connect this second support structure 101 to the second pivot arm passage 231 of said first pivot arm 200. The same applies, mutatis mutandis, to the second pivot arm 201.

[0149] Fig. 3 shows a front view of a bridge structure 100, which also shows a front view of the first and second pivot arm 200, 201 which are fitted in the respective pivot arm openings 130, and in which the horizontal pivoting pins 340 are visible. The first pivoting pins 340 and the second pivoting pins 340 each form a horizontal axis 220 and the pivot arm 200, 201 is adapted to pivotably move about the latter.

[0150] A pivot arm 200, 201 may, in addition to the first and second pivot arm passages 230, 231, also comprise additional pivot arm passages near one of the ends 210, 211 or at other locations, in order to be able to adjust the distance between two interconnected support structures 100, 101 in a length direction. Thus, the pivot arm 200 in the embodiment from Fig.11 has an additional pivot arm passage 232 near the second pivot arm passage 231, which can assume the role of the second pivot arm passage 231 in case a shorter distance between two successive support structures 100, 101 is desired in the carrying structure.

[0151] The support frames 300, 301, 302, 303 furthermore each comprise a space 350, in which the first passage 330 extends between the pivot arm opening 130, 131 and the space 350. Each support frame 300, 301 , 302, 303 is adapted for fitting the first pivoting pin 340 respectively second pivoting pin 340 in the first passage 330 from the space 350, in the manner illustrated in Figs. 8-9. Preferably, a fully fitted pivoting pin 340 thus extends from the first passage 330 of a support frame, through the pivot arm passage 230, 231 of a pivot arm 200, 201 inside the pivot arm opening 130, 131 of a support frame, to the second passage 331 of this support frame.

[0152] As has been indicated above, the support frames, in the embodiment from Figs. 6-7, also each comprise four substantially triangular spaces between the upper leg 360, 361 and the lower leg 370 of the support frame, with one of these spaces, which is referred to here as the second space 351 , being closest to the space 350. This second space is such that the second passage 331 extends from the second space 351 to the pivot arm opening 130, 131. Contrary to or in addition to what has been described above, the support frames may also be adapted for fitting the first pivoting pin 340 respectively second pivoting pin 340 in the second passage 331 from the second space 351, without this affecting the functionality of the pivot arms 200, 201. In general, it is preferred if the pivoting pin 340 is fitted along a horizontal direction, or a downwardly inclined direction, if the carrying structure is tilted as a result of which the first and second passage 330, 331 are not in an absolutely horizontal position. In such a situation, the gradient of the terrain determines which of the first passage 330 and the second passage 331 is at the greatest height, and thus which of the two possible fitting directions is a downward direction. It is advantageous to have the option of being able to fit the pivoting pins both from the first space 350 and from the second space 351 , since this offers the flexibility to always fit the pivoting pin 340 in a downward direction, irrespective of the gradient and direction of inclination of the terrain.

[0153] As has already been described above, in alternative embodiments in which the portion of a support frame between the lower leg 370 and the upper leg 360, 361 is formed as one single wall without spaces and connecting girders, there is no second space 351 and the pivoting pin 340 can only be fitted from the space 350.

[0154] As shown in Figs. 4 and 6-7, the support frames 300, 301 , 302, 303 furthermore each comprise a crossbeam opening 320, 321, and these support frames are adapted for fitting an end 410, 411 of a crossbeam 400, 401, 402 in the crossbeam opening 320, 321. More specifically, in the embodiment from Figs. 4 and 6-7, the first support frame 300 and the second support frame 301 of the first truss structure 500 each comprise a crossbeam opening 320, and the first support frame 302 and the second support frame 303 of the second truss structure 501 each comprise a crossbeam opening 321, wherein the first support frame 300 of the first truss structure 500 is adapted for fitting a first end 410 of a first non-central crossbeam 401 in the crossbeam opening 320 of the support frame 300, the first support frame 302 of the second truss structure is adapted for fitting a second end 411 of said first non-central crossbeam 401 in the crossbeam opening 321 of the support frame 302, and mutatis mutandis for the second non-central crossbeam 402 and the support frames 301 and 303. In addition, the support frames 300, 301, 302, 303, at the location of the support frame passages 390, 391 by means of which two support frames are connected to each other, are formed in such a way that the truss structure 500, 501 obtained by connecting two support frames to each other also comprises a third crossbeam opening 320, 321, namely a central crossbeam opening 320, 321 , in addition to the two non-central crossbeam openings 320, 321 as described above. This is shown in, for example, Figs. 3-4 and 10. The first truss structure 500 is consequently adapted for fitting a first end 410 of the central crossbeam 400 in the central crossbeam opening 320, and the second truss structure is adapted for fitting a second end 411 of the central crossbeam400 in the central crossbeam opening 321. As has already been mentioned, alternative embodiments of a bridge structure 100 do not comprise three crossbeams 400, 401, 402 like the embodiments from Figs. 4 and 6-7, but only one single crossbeam, namely the central crossbeam 400, or only two crossbeams, namely the two non-central crossbeams 401 and 402. In these alternative embodiments, the truss structures 500, 501 and the support frames 300, 301, 302, 303 then also only comprise the central crossbeam opening 320, 321, but not the non-central crossbeam openings, respectively only the non-central crossbeam openings 320, 321 , but not the central crossbeam opening. Yet other embodiments comprise, instead of and at the location of the central crossbeam opening 320 in Fig. 10, a pivot arm opening 130, 131 and one or more horizontal passages 330, 331 starting from this pivot arm opening 130, wherein the corresponding support structures 100, 101 are then adapted to be pivotably connected to each other by means of an additional central pivot arm, the ends of which then have to be fitted in the respective central pivot arm openings 130, 131, and which has to be connected to the respective truss structures 500, 501 by means of pivoting pins 340. In the resulting alternative embodiments of a carrying structure, a first support structure 100 and a second support structure 101 are then connected to each other by means of three pivot arms, in particular two non-central pivot arms 200, 201 and an additional, central pivot arm, or the support structures 100, 101 are only connected to each other by means of the central pivot arm and the non-central pivot arms 200, 201, as well as the associated pivot arm openings 130, 131 and passages 330, 331, are omitted. However, the embodiment as shown in Figs. 1-3, having two non-central pivot arms 200, 201 for each pair of support structures 100, 101, and having three crossbeams 400, 410, 402 per support structure 100, 101, is preferred and has the best stability without compromising on functionality with regard to compensating for differences in height of a terrain.

[0155] Near each crossbeam opening 320, 321, each support frame 300, 301, 302, 303 furthermore comprises a connecting passage 332 which ends in this crossbeam opening 320, 321, in particular a vertical connecting passage 332 which extends between the space 350 and this crossbeam opening 320, 321. Optionally, a second connecting passage 333 is situated in line with this connecting passage 332, in a portion of the support frame which is situated under said crossbeam opening 320, 321. The support frames from Figs. 6-7 comprise such a second connecting passage 333 which extends from the crossbeam opening 320 to a portion of the supporting foot 310, 311.

[0156] Fig. 12 shows an embodiment of a crossbeam 400, 401, 402 which has a first end 410 by means of which the crossbeam 400, 401 , 402 can be connected to the first truss structure 500 of a bridge structure 100, and a second end 411 by means of which the crossbeam 400, 401 , 402 can be connected to the second truss structure 501 of a bridge structure 100. The first end 410 of a crossbeam 400, 401, 402 is provided with a first crossbeam passage 420, and the second end 411 of a crossbeam 400, 401, 402 is provided with a second crossbeam passage 421, which crossbeam passages 420, 421 are substantially cylindrical and are adapted for enclosing a substantially cylindrical pin, preferably a connecting pin 341. An embodiment of such a pin is shown in Fig. 16.

[0157] The first truss structure 500 is adapted for fitting, in each connecting passage 332, a first connecting pin 341 in order to connect this truss structure 500 to the first crossbeam passage 420 of a crossbeam 400, 401 , 402, and the second truss structure 501 is adapted for fitting, in the corresponding connecting passage 332 of the second truss structure 501, a second connecting pin 341 in order to connect this truss structure 501 to the second crossbeam passage 421 of said crossbeam 400, 401, 402.

[0158] For the two non-central crossbeams 401, 402, the fitting of the first and second connecting pin 341 is preferably effected from the space 350, as is illustrated in Figs. 8-9. Preferably, a fully fitted connecting pin 341 thus extends at least from the first passage 330 of a support structure, through the crossbeam passage 420, 421 of a crossbeam 401, 402 inside the crossbeamopening 320, 321 of a support structure, optionally to the second passage 331 of this support frame.

[0159] For the central crossbeam 400, the fitting of a connecting pin is effected in a vertically downward direction from a point above the top 510, 511 of the truss structure 500, 501 , as will be explained in more detail below.

[0160] Fig. 3 shows a front view of a bridge structure 100, as well as a front view of the central crossbeam 400, the first non-central crossbeam 401 and the second non-central crossbeam 402, which are fitted in the respective crossbeam openings 320, and in which the vertical connecting pins 341 are visible.

[0161] A crossbeam 400, 401, 402 may, in addition to the first and second crossbeam passages 420, 421 , also comprise additional crossbeam passages, near one of the ends 410, 411 or at other locations, in order to be able to adjust the distance between two interconnected truss structures 500, 501 in a length direction. Thus, the crossbeam 400 in the embodiment from Fig. 12 has an additional crossbeam passage 422 near the first crossbeam passage 420, which can assume the role of the first crossbeam passage 420 in case a shorter distance between the first and second truss structure 500, 501 is desired in the bridge structure 100.

[0162] In embodiments having two non-central crossbeams which are attached at the same height above the terrain, such additional crossbeam passages may also serve to attach an additional beam on top of or under these two non-central crossbeams, in particular in a direction transversely to the two non-central crossbeams, in order to further strengthen the carrying structure. This additional beam then has to be connected to the non-central crossbeams by means of additional passages and additional pins. This may be desirable, for example, if the carrying structure has to be installed in regions with frequent snowfall, where the carrying structures have to be able to carry not only the solar panels, but also the additional load of, for example, snow.

[0163] In each truss structure 500, 501 of a bridge structure 100, the first support frame 300, 302 is connected to the second support frame 301, 303 by means of a dovetail connection, as is shown in Fig. 3 and in more detail in Figs. 5 and 10. On one side, the support frames 300, 301 , 302, 303 are provided with three dovetail-shaped protrusions each, which are complementary and fit into the protrusions of the support frame to be connected thereto in order thus to form a dovetail connection.

[0164] More specifically, the first support frame 300, 302 of each truss structure 500, 501 is provided, as is shown in Fig. 6, with a first support frame passage 390 which extends over the three said dovetail-shaped protrusions, and the second support frame 301, 303 of each truss structure 500, 501 is provided, as is shown in Fig. 7, with a second support frame passage 391 which extends over the three said protrusions. These support frame passages 390, 391 are vertical passages which are substantially cylindrical and are adapted for enclosing a substantially cylindrical pin, preferably a support frame pin 345. An embodiment of such a pin is shown in Fig. 16.

[0165] Every truss structure 500, 501 is adapted for fitting a support frame pin 345 via the first support frame passage 390 and the second support frame passage 391, in order to connect the first support frame 300, 302 to the second support frame 301, 303 of the truss structure 500, 501. Fitting preferably takes place in a vertically downward direction from a point which is situated above the top 510, 511 of the truss structure 500, 501. This fitting procedure is illustrated in Figs. 5 and 10, and Fig. 3 inter alia shows a truss structure 500, 501 in which the support frame pin 345 is fitted.

[0166] In embodiments having a central crossbeam 400, as shown in Fig. 4, in each truss structure 500, 501 , the connecting passage associated with this central crossbeam 400 is formed by the first support frame passage 390 and the second support frame passage 391, and the firstconnecting pin 341 coincides with the support frame pin 345 of the first truss structure 500, and the second connecting pin 341 coincides with the support frame pin 345 of the second truss structure 501. In such embodiments, the function of the support frame pin 345 is therefore twofold: on the one hand, it serves to connect the first support frame 300, 302 of this truss structure 500, 501 to the second support frame 301, 303 of this truss structure 500, 501, while the support frame pin 345 on the other hand also serves to connect the central crossbeam 400 to this truss structure 500, 501, and thus has the role which the connecting pins 341 have in the case of the non-central crossbeams 401, 403. The combination of the first and second support frame passages 390, 391 consequently has the role for the central crossbeam 400 which the vertical connecting passage 332 and the optional second vertical connecting passage 333 have for the non-central crossbeams 401, 402. Due to its specific design, as shown in Figs. 8-10, this combination of support frame passages 390, 391 also has the role of providing a dovetail connection between the first support frame 300, 302 and the second support frame 301, 303 of the respective truss structures 500, 501. In these embodiments, a fully fitted support frame pin 345 then also extends from the top 510, 511 of a truss structure 500, through the different portions of the first support frame passage 390 and the various portions of the second support frame passage 391 which are situated above the central crossbeam opening 320, through the crossbeam passage 420, 421 of a central crossbeam 400 within the central crossbeam opening 320, to the portions of the first and second support frame passage 390, 391 which are situated under the central crossbeam opening 320.

[0167] The bridge structure 100 from Fig. 4 furthermore comprises two ranges of clamps, each comprising a first clamp 600, a second clamp 601, a third clamp 602 and a fourth clamp 603. The first support frame 300 and the second support frame 301 of the first truss structure 500 are each adapted, near a first end 520 respectively 521, to be coupled to the first clamp 600, and adapted, near a second higher end 510 which corresponds to the top of the truss structure 500, to be coupled to the second clamp 601. Furthermore, the first support frame 302 and the second support frame 303 of the second truss structure 501 are each adapted, near a first end 522 respectively 523, to be coupled to the third clamp 602, and adapted, near a second higher end 511 which corresponds to the top of the second truss structure 511, to be coupled to the fourth clamp 603. In this way, the entire bridge structure 100 is adapted to retain a first solar panel A between the first clamp 600 and the second clamp 601 of the first support frame 300 of the first truss structure 500 and the third clamp 602 and the fourth clamp 603 of the first support frame 302 of the second truss structure, and for retaining a second solar panel B between the first clamp 600 and the second clamp 601 of the second support frame 301 of the first truss structure 500 and the third clamp 602 and the fourth clamp 603 of the second support frame 303 of the second truss structure 501 , in such a way that a first edge of each solar panel A, B is accommodated in the respective first clamp 600 and third clamp 602, and a second edge is accommodated in the respective second clamp 601 and fourth clamp 603. Figs. 1-3 illustrate how the solar panels A, B, C, D are attached to the first and second support structure 100, 101, and Fig. 5 illustrates the coupling of the different support frames to the different clamps.

[0168] More specifically, as shown in Figs. 4 and 6-7, each support frame 300, 301, 302, 303 is provided, in the upper leg 360, 361 , near said first end 520, 521 , 522, 523, with a first duct 610 in which the first clamp 600 respectively the third clamp 602 is slidable, and is likewise provided, in the upper leg 360, 361, near said second end 510, 511 which corresponds to the top of the truss structure 500, 501, with a second duct 611 in which the second clamp 601 respectively the fourth clamp 603 is slidable. Preferably, the clamps 600, 601 , 602, 603 are formed in such a way that they can be fitted perfectly into the ducts 610, 611 by sliding, without further anchoring in the support frames 300, 301, 302, 303 being required. These ducts 610, 611 are preferably formed as cut-outs in and just under the upper leg 360 of a support frame, which are partly spanned by flanges at a top side.

[0169] The clamps 600, 601, 602, 603 are shown in Figs. 13-14 and comprise a bottom portion which is slidable in the ducts, a substantially vertical upright portion which is configured to rest againstan edge of a solar panel when this edge is accommodated in the clamp, and a top portion which is configured to span a portion of an edge of a solar panel at a top side. The height of the clamps to be handled is determined by the thickness of the respective solar panel, with heights of, for example, 25 mm, 30 mm or 35 mm being common. If the clamps are produced by injection-moulding, it is typically possible to use one single mould which then corresponds, for example, to a clamp having a height of 35 mm, and which may also be used to produce shorter clamps by introducing an insert in the mould during injection-moulding.

[0170] As is illustrated in Figs. 6-7 and also visible in Fig. 4, each support frame 300, 301, 302, 303 also comprises, near a top face, in particular on top of the upper leg 360, 361 and between said first end 520, 521, 522 and 532 and the top 510, 511 of the truss structure 500, 501, some cable-receiving means 700, 701, adapted to retain a cable under a solar panel attached to the support frame. In the embodiment from Fig. 4, each support frame 300, 301, 302, 303 is provided with such cable-receiving means 700, 701 , but in principle it is sufficient that, for each solar panel, only one of the two support frames which support the solar panel is provided with one or more such cable-receiving means, for example that the first support frame 300 of the first truss structure 500 is provided with a first cable-receiving means 700 which is adapted to retain a cable under the first solar panel A, and that the second support frame 301 of the first truss structure 500 is provided with a second cable-receiving means 701 which is adapted to retain a cable under the second solar panel B.

[0171] As shown in Figs. 4 and 6-7, the cable-receiving means 700, 701 form an integral part of the respective support frames 300, 301 , 302, 303, the support frames 300, 301 , 302, 303 are made as a single part with the cable-receiving means 700, 701, preferably made of plastic, for example by means of injection-moulding, and the cable-receiving means 700, 701 are formed as a flange which protrudes from said top face of the respective support frame 300, 301, 302, 303. A cable which passes under the solar panel A, B, C, D, can then be retained under this flange or these flanges and thus run downwards along the upper leg 360, 361.

[0172] In the embodiment from Fig. 4, each support frame 300, 301, 302, 303 is likewise provided with a ballast carrier 800, 801, 802, 803 which is adapted for carrying ballast in the form of, for example, sandbags or paving stones, to further stabilize the carrying structure. Such a ballast carrier 800, 801 , 802, 803 is shown in Fig. 15 and is substantially formed, viewed in front view, as a triangle with a widened indentation via which the ballast carrier 800, 801, 802, 803 can be attached to a support frame 300, 301, 302, 303, preferably by sliding, without requiring further anchoring means. For the purpose of this attachment of the ballast carriers 800, 801, 802, 803 by sliding, the support frames 300, 301, 302, 303 also each comprise a duct 810 inside the space 350, in which a ballast carrier can be attached by sliding. At a top side, the ballast carriers 800, 801, 802, 803 are flat with upright flanges on both sides, in such a way that ballast can be placed on this top face in a stable manner, with the upright flanges serving to prevent this ballast from falling off the ballast carriers or pulling a support structure 100, 101 out of balance.

[0173] Optionally, a computer program may determine at which locations of a composite carrying structure it is advantageous to place ballast, and which amount of ballast should be provided at the various locations in order to respond in an optimum manner to the specific circumstances, for example weather conditions, size of the entire PV installation, or expected occupation of the carrying structures by solar panels. Thus, it is possible for each support frame in the carrying structure to be provided with a ballast carrier 800, 801 , 802, 803, but that, in use, only some of these ballast carriers are actually provided with ballast.

[0174] This ballast and these ballast carriers are optional, in the sense that the illustrated carrying structures are deemed to be sufficiently stable for supporting solar panels even without further stabilisation by means of ballast, but this further stabilisation by means of ballast may be advantageous and desirable in certain situations in order to provide additional strength against, for example, certain types of terrain and certain weather conditions.Fig. 16 shows an embodiment of a pin which, in the illustrated embodiments of a carrying structure, may function as a pivoting pin 340, as a connecting pin 341, as a support frame pin 345, or as a wall pivoting pin. The illustrated pin may be produced by means of injection-moulding, since it has thin walls and various cavities and spaces, with each wall being reachable from two opposite directions. This design ensures that the pin, when fitted in a substantially cylindrical passage, has a large contact surface with the passage, except for the portion at the location of a thickening in an outer wall. This thickening serves to allow the pin to exert additional lateral pressure on the passage in order to fix it securely in the respective passage, while the pin does not have any inner walls at the location of this thickening in order to allow the pin to be sprung inwards at this location. The process of injection-moulding is not, or hardly, suitable for producing solid pins of the relevant dimensions, since this would require excessive amounts of material, since the cooling process following the production of such solid pins would take too much time, and since the residual heat produced after injection-moulding could lead to a warping of the solid pin.

[0175] The person skilled in the art will understand that the invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, and that many modifications and variants are possible within the scope of the invention, which is solely determined by the following claims.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Modular carrying structure for supporting solar panels according to an east / west configuration, comprising at least one bridge structure (100) adapted for supporting at least two solar panels (A, B), wherein each bridge structure of the at least one bridge structure comprises:a first substantially upright V-shaped truss structure (500) made of plastic with a top (510),- a second substantially upright V-shaped truss structure (501) made of plastic with a top (511),- at least one crossbeam (400, 401, 402) adapted to connect the first and second truss structure to each other,wherein the first and second truss structure are each provided with a first supporting foot (310, 312) and a second supporting foot (311, 313) intended to rest on a terrain, which first and second supporting foot are provided on both sides of the top (510, 511) of the truss structure in such a way that a portion of the truss structure between the first and second supporting foot is situated at a distance above the terrain.

2. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein a first solar panel (A) is attachable between the top (510) of the first truss structure (500), the top (511) of the second truss structure (501), a first end (520) of the first truss structure and a first end (522) of the second truss structure, and wherein a second solar panel (B) is attachable between the top (510) of the first truss structure, the top (511) of the second truss structure, a second end (521) of the first truss structure and a second end (523) of the second truss structure.

3. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second truss structure (500, 501) are each formed with a first upwardly slanting support frame (300, 302) and a second upwardly slanting support frame (301, 303), wherein the first and second support frame are connected to each other at a certain height above the terrain.

4. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein a first solar panel (A) is attachable to the first support frame (300) of the first truss structure (500) and the first support frame (302) of the second truss structure (501), and a second solar panel (B) is attachable to the second support frame (301) of the first truss structure (500) and the second support frame (303) of the second truss structure (501).

5. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 3-4, wherein, in each truss structure (500, 501), the first support frame (300, 302) comprises the first supporting foot (310, 312) and the second support frame (301, 303) comprises the second supporting foot (311, 313).

6. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 3-5, wherein each support frame (300, 301, 302, 303) is formed with an upper leg (360, 361) which is upwardly slanting at a certain height above the terrain and a lower leg (370) which is upwardly slanting from the terrain, wherein the upper leg and the lower leg are preferably connected by at least one connecting girder (380); andwherein preferably each supporting foot (310, 311, 312, 313) extends between the terrain and an upper leg (360, 361) of the truss structure (500, 501).

7. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 3-6, wherein, in each truss structure (500, 501), the first support frame (300, 302) is connected to the second support frame (301 , 303) by means of a dovetail connection.

8. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 3-7, wherein, in each truss structure (500, 501), the first support frame (300, 302) is provided with a first support frame passage (390) and the second support frame (301, 303) is provided with a second support frame passage (391), wherein each truss structure (500, 501) is adapted for fitting a support frame pin (345) in the first and second support frame passage in order to connect the first support frame (300, 302) and the second support frame (301, 303); wherein preferably each support frame passage (390, 391) extends in a vertical direction.

9. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one crossbeam comprises a central crossbeam (400) which extends from the portion of the first truss structure (500) between the first and second supporting foot (310, 311) to the portion of the second truss structure (501) between the first and second supporting foot (312, 313).

10. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one crossbeam comprises a first crossbeam (401) and a second crossbeam (402), wherein the first crossbeam (401) extends from the first supporting foot (310) of the first truss structure (500) to the first supporting foot (312) of the second truss structure (501), and the second crossbeam (402) extends from the second supporting foot (311) of the first truss structure (500) to the second supporting foot (313) of the second truss structure (501).

11. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first truss structure (500) comprises at least one crossbeam opening (320) and is adapted for fitting a first end (410) of a crossbeam (400, 401, 402) of the at least one crossbeam in a crossbeam opening (320) of the at least one crossbeam opening of the first truss structure, and wherein the second truss structure (501) comprises at least one crossbeam opening (321) and is adapted for fitting a second end (411) of said crossbeam in a crossbeam opening (321) of the at least one crossbeam opening of the second truss structure.

12. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein each truss structure (500, 501) furthermore comprises at least one connecting passage (332) which ends in said crossbeam opening (320, 321), and wherein the first end (410) of said crossbeam (400) is provided with a first crossbeam passage (420), and the second end (411) of said crossbeam is provided with a second crossbeam passage (421), wherein the first truss structure (500) is adapted for fitting a first connecting pin (341) in a connecting passage (332) of the at least one connecting passage of the first truss structure in order to connect this truss structure to the first crossbeam passage (420) of said crossbeam (400), and the second truss structure (501) is adapted for fitting a second connecting pin (341) in a connecting passage (332) of the at least one connecting passage of the second truss structure in order to connect this truss structure to the second crossbeam passage (421) of the crossbeam (400);wherein each connecting passage (332) preferably extends in a vertical direction.

13. Modular carrying structure according to claims 8, 9 and 12, wherein said crossbeam is the central crossbeam (400), wherein said connecting passage (332) is formed in each truss structure (500, 501) by the first support frame passage (390) and the second support frame passage (391), and wherein the first connecting pin (341) coincides with the support frame pin (345) of the first truss structure (500) and the second connecting pin (341) coincides with the support frame pin (345) of the second truss structure (501).

14. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one bridge structure comprises a first bridge structure (100) and a second bridge structure (101), and furthermore comprises at least one pivot arm (200, 201) which is adapted to connect the first and second bridge structure to each other, wherein the firstbridge structure is adapted for supporting at least two solar panels (A, B) and the second bridge structure is adapted for supporting at least two solar panels (C, D).

15. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one pivot arm comprises a first pivot arm (200) and a second pivot arm (201), wherein each pivot arm (200, 201) has a first end (210) which is pivotably connected to the first bridge structure (100), and has a second end (211) which is pivotably connected to the second bridge structure (101), and wherein each pivot arm (200, 201) preferably extends from the first truss structure (500) of the second bridge structure (101) to the second truss structure (501) of the first bridge structure (100).

16. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims, substantially made of plastic, preferably by means of injection-moulding.

17. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein the first and second truss structure (500, 501) comprise wall sections which are provided with a grid pattern near the at least one crossbeam (400) in order to strengthen the truss structures.

18. Assembly for generating solar energy, comprising at least one carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims and at least two solar panels (A, B) which are supported by a carrying structure of the at least one carrying structure.

19. Modular carrying structure for supporting at least two solar panels (A, C), comprising a first support structure (100) adapted for supporting at least one first solar panel (A), a second support structure (101) adapted for supporting at least one second solar panel (C), and at least one pivot arm (200) which is adapted to connect the first and second support structure to each other;wherein a first end (210) of a pivot arm of the at least one pivot arm is pivotably connected to the first support structure, and a second end (211) of said pivot arm is pivotably connected to the second support structure, all this in such a way that a difference in height of the terrain on which the first and second support structures rest can be compensated for.

20. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein the first end (210) of said pivot arm (200) is connected to the first support structure (100) so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis (220), and the second end (211) of said pivot arm (200) is connected to the second support structure (101) so as to be pivotable about a horizontal axis (220).

21. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 19-20, wherein the first support structure (100) comprises a pivot arm opening (130) and is adapted for fitting the first end (210) of said pivot arm (200) in the pivot arm opening (130) of the first support structure, and wherein the second support structure (101) comprises a pivot arm opening (131) and is adapted for fitting the second end (211) of said pivot arm (200) in the pivot arm opening (131) of the second support structure.

22. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein each support structure (100, 101) furthermore comprises a first passage (330) and a second passage (331) which end in the pivot arm opening (130, 131) and are in line with one another along both sides of the pivot arm opening, and wherein the first end (210) of said pivot arm (200) is provided with a first pivot arm passage (230) and the second end (211) of said pivot arm (200) is provided with a second pivot arm passage (231), wherein the first support structure (100) is adapted for fitting a first pivoting pin (340) in the first and second passage (330, 331) in order to pivotably connect this support structure to the first pivot arm passage (230) of said pivot arm (200), and wherein the second support structure (101) is adapted for fitting a second pivoting pin (340) in the first and secondpassage (330, 331) in order to pivotably connect this support structure to the second pivot arm passage (231) of said pivot arm (200).

23. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein each first passage (330) is a horizontal passage, and the first and second pivoting pin (340) each form a horizontal axis (220) about which the pivot arm (200) is adapted to be able to move pivotably.

24. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 22-23, wherein each support structure (100, 101) furthermore comprises a space (350), wherein the first passage (330) extends between the pivot arm opening (130, 131) and the space (350), and wherein the first support structure (100) is adapted for fitting the first pivoting pin (340) in the first passage (330) of the first support structure (100) from the space (350), and the second support structure (101) is adapted for fitting the second pivoting pin (340) in the first passage (330) of the second support structure (101) from the space (350).

25. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 19-24, wherein said pivot arm (200) is connected to the first and second support structure (100, 101) in such a way that this pivot arm (200) is adapted to allow a rotation through an angle of at least 20°, preferably at least 30°, more preferably at least 40°.

26. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 19-25, wherein the first support structure (100) and second support structure (101) are arranged next to each other in a length direction, and wherein the carrying structure furthermore comprises a third support structure which is adapted for supporting at least one third solar panel, wherein the third support structure is arranged next to the first support structure (100) in a width direction at right angles to the length direction and is pivotably connected to the first support structure.

27. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein the third support structure is connected to the first support structure (100) so as to be pivotable about a second horizontal axis which is at right angles to the horizontal axis (220) of the pivot arm (200).

28. Modular carrying structure according to claim 26 or 27, wherein the first support structure (100) comprises a passage (120) and the third support structure comprises a passage (121), and wherein a pivoting pin is accommodable in the passage (120) of the first support structure (100) and the passage (121) of the third support structure for pivotably connecting the first and the third support structure.

29. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 19-28, wherein each of the first and second support structure (100, 101) comprises at least a first support frame (300) and a second support frame (302), each having at least one supporting foot (310, 312) to provide support on a terrain and having at least one crossbeam (400) which connects the first support frame (300) to the second support frame (302), and which is preferably adapted to be situated at a certain distance above the terrain.

30. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein each first support frame (300) comprises a crossbeam opening (320) and is adapted for fitting a first end (410) of a crossbeam (400) of the at least one crossbeam in the crossbeam opening (320) of the first support frame, and wherein each second support frame (302) comprises a crossbeam opening (321) and is adapted for fitting a second end (411) of said crossbeam (400) in the crossbeam opening (321) of the second support frame.

31. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein each support frame (300, 302) furthermore comprises a connecting passage (332) which ends in thecrossbeam opening (320, 321), and wherein the first end (410) of said crossbeam (400) is provided with a first crossbeam passage (420) and the second end (411) of said crossbeam (400) is provided with a second crossbeam passage (421), wherein the first support frame (300) is adapted for fitting a first connecting pin (341) in the connecting passage (332) in order to connect this support frame to the first crossbeam passage (420) of said crossbeam (400), and the second support frame (302) is adapted for fitting a second connecting pin (341) in the connecting passage (332) in order to connect this support frame to the second crossbeam passage (421) of said crossbeam (400).

32. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim and claim 24, wherein each connecting passage (332) is a vertical passage which preferably extends between the crossbeam opening (320, 321) and the space (350), and wherein each support frame (300, 301) is preferably adapted for fitting the connecting pin (341) in the connecting passage (332) from the space (350).

33. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 19-32, wherein the at least one pivot arm comprises a first pivot arm (200) and a second pivot arm (201), wherein each pivot arm (200, 201) has a first end (210) which is pivotably connected to the first support structure (100), and has a second end (211) which is pivotably connected to the second support structure (101).

34. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 19-33, wherein the first support structure (100) is a bridge structure which is adapted for supporting at least two solar panels (A, B), and the second support structure (101) is a bridge structure which is adapted for supporting at least two solar panels (C, D), wherein each support structure comprises:- a first substantially upright V-shaped truss structure (500) with a top (510), - a second substantially upright V-shaped truss structure (501) with a top (511), at least one crossbeam (400) adapted to connect the first and second truss structure to each other.

35. Modular carrying structure according to claims 33 and 34, wherein the first and second truss structure (500, 501) are each formed with a first upwardly slanting support frame (300, 302) and a second upwardly slanting support frame (301, 303), and wherein the first pivot arm (200) extends from the first support frame (300) of the first truss structure (500) of the second support structure (101) to the first support frame (302) of the second truss structure (501) of the first support structure (100), and the second pivot arm (201) extends from the second support frame (301) of the first truss structure (500) of the second support structure (101) to the second support frame (303) of the second truss structure (501) of the first support structure (100).

36. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 19-35, substantially made of plastic, preferably by means of injection-moulding.

37. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein each support structure (100, 101) comprises wall sections which are provided with a grid pattern near the at least one pivot arm in order to strengthen the support structure.

38. Assembly for generating solar energy, comprising at least one carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 19-37 and at least two solar panels (A, C) which are supported by a carrying structure of the at least one carrying structure.

39. Modular carrying structure for supporting solar panels, comprising at least one support structure (100, 101) adapted for supporting at least one solar panel (A, C), wherein each support structure comprises:- a first support frame (300) with at least one supporting foot (310) intended to rest on a terrain,- a second support frame (302) with at least one supporting foot (312) intended to rest on a terrain, and- at least one crossbeam (400, 401 , 402) which connects the first support frame to the second support frame,wherein the carrying structure furthermore comprises a range of clamps (600, 601, 602, 603), comprising a first clamp (600), a second clamp (601), a third clamp (602) and a fourth clamp (603), and wherein the first support frame (300) is adapted near a first end (520) to be coupled to the first clamp (600), and is adapted near a second higher end (510) to be coupled to the second clamp (601), and wherein the second support frame (302) is adapted near a first end (522) to be coupled to the third clamp (602), and is adapted near a second higher end (511) to be coupled to the fourth clamp (603), wherein the carrying structure is adapted to retain a solar panel between the first, second, third and fourth clamp, with a first edge of the solar panel being accommodated in the first clamp (600) and the third clamp (602), and a second edge of the solar panel being accommodated in the second clamp (601) and the fourth clamp (603).

40. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein the first support frame (300) is provided with a first duct (610) near the first end (520), in which the first clamp (600) is slidable, and is provided with a second duct (611) near the second end (510), in which the second clamp (601) is slidable, and wherein the second support frame (301) is provided with a first duct (610) near the first end (522), in which the third clamp (602) is slidable is, and is provided with a second duct (611) near the second end (511), in which the fourth clamp (603) slidable.

41. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein each support frame (300, 301) is formed with an upper leg (360, 361) which is upwardly slanting at a certain height above the terrain, the first and second duct (610, 611) of the first support frame (300) are provided in the upper leg (360) of the first support frame, and the first and second duct (610, 611) of the second support frame (301) are provided in the upper leg (361) of the second support frame.

42. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 39-41, wherein each support structure (100, 101) is a bridge structure which is adapted for supporting at least two solar panels (A, B, C, D), wherein each bridge structure comprises:- a first substantially upright V-shaped truss structure (500) with a top (510), wherein the first truss structure (500) comprises the first support frame (300), and - a second substantially upright V-shaped truss structure (501) with a top (511), wherein the second truss structure (501) comprises the second support frame (302),wherein the first and second truss structure are each provided with a first and second supporting foot (310, 311, 312, 313) intended to rest on a terrain, which first and second supporting foot are provided on both sides of the top (510, 511) of the truss structure in such a way that a portion of the truss structure between the first and second supporting foot is situated at a distance above the terrain.

43. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein the first and second truss structure (500, 501) are each formed with a first upwardly slanting support frame (300, 302) and a second upwardly slanting support frame (301, 303), wherein the first and second support frame are connected to each other at a certain height above the terrain, and wherein each support frame (300, 301, 302, 303) is adapted to be coupled to a first clamp (600, 602) of the range of clamps near a first end (520, 522), and is adapted to be coupled to a second clamp (601 , 603) of the range of clamps near a second higher end (510, 511), wherein the carrying structure is adapted to retain a first solar panel (A) between the clamps (600, 601) of the first support frame (300) of the first truss structure(500) and the clamps (602, 603) of the first support frame (302) of the second truss structure (501), and to retain a second solar panel (B) between the clamps (600, 601) of the second support frame (301) of the first truss structure (500) and the clamps (602, 603) of the second support frame (303) of the second truss structure (501).

44. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein each support frame (300, 301, 302, 303) is provided with a first duct (610) near the first end (520, 522), in which said first clamp (600, 602) is slidable, and is provided with a second duct (611) near the second end (510, 511), in which said second clamp (601, 603) is slidable.

45. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 43-44, wherein, in each truss structure (500, 501), the first support frame (300, 302) comprises the first supporting foot (310, 312) and the second support frame (301, 303) comprises the second supporting foot (311, 313).

46. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 43-45, wherein each support frame (300, 301, 302, 303) is formed with an upper leg (360, 361) which is upwardly slanting at a certain height above the terrain, in which the first and second duct (610, 611) are provided, and with a lower leg (370) which is upwardly slanting from the terrain, wherein the upper leg and the lower leg are preferably connected by at least one connecting girder (380); andwherein preferably each supporting foot (310, 311, 312, 313) extends between the terrain and an upper leg (360, 361) of a support frame (300, 301, 302, 303).

47. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 39-46, wherein the at least one support structure comprises a first support structure (100) which is adapted for supporting at least one solar panel, preferably a first solar panel (A) and a second solar panel (B), and comprises a second support structure (101) which is adapted for supporting at least one solar panel (C), preferably a first solar panel (C) and a second solar panel (D), and wherein the carrying structure furthermore comprises at least one pivot arm (200), preferably a first pivot arm (200) and a second pivot arm (201), wherein each pivot arm (200, 201) is adapted to connect the first support structure (100) to the second support structure (101).

48. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein each pivot arm (200, 201) has a first end (210) which is connected to the first support structure (100) so as to be pivotable, preferably pivotable about a horizontal axis (220), and has a second end (211) which is connected to the second support structure (101) so as to be pivotable, preferably pivotable about a horizontal axis (220), all this in such a way that a difference in height of the terrain on which the first and second support structure rest can be compensated for.

49. Modular carrying structure according to claim 43 and one of the preceding claims 47-48, wherein the at least one pivot arm comprises a first pivot arm (200) which extends from the first support frame (300) of the first truss structure (500) of the second support structure (101) to the first support frame (302) of the second truss structure (501) of the first support structure (100), and comprises a second pivot arm (201) which extends from the second support frame (301) of the first truss structure (500) of the second support structure (101) to the second support frame (303) of the second truss structure (501) of the first support structure (100).

50. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 47-48, wherein each pivot arm (200, 201) is connected to the first support structure (100) and the second support structure (101) in such a way that this pivot arm (200, 201) is adapted to allow a rotation through an angle of at least 20°, preferably at least 30°, more preferably at least 40°.

51. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 39-50, wherein each support structure (100, 101) furthermore comprises at least one cable-receiving means (700, 701) which is adapted to retain a cable under a solar panel (A, B, C, D) attached to the support structure (100, 101), wherein each cable-receiving means of the at least one cable-receiving means is provided near a top face of a support frame (300, 301, 302, 303) of the support structure (100, 101), preferably between a first end (520, 521, 522, 523) and a second end (510, 511) of an upper leg (360, 361) of said support frame, and preferably forms an integral part of said support frame.

52. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein each cablereceiving means (700, 701) of the at least one cable-receiving means is made as a single part with said support frame by means of injection-moulding, and / or is formed as a flange which protrudes from the top face of said support frame.

53. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 39-52, substantially made of plastic, preferably by means of injection-moulding.

54. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein each support frame (300, 301, 302, 303) comprises wall sections which are provided with a grid pattern near the at least one crossbeam in order to strengthen the support frame.

55. Assembly for generating solar energy, comprising at least one carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 39-54 and at least one solar panel, wherein each solar panel is supported by a carrying structure of the at least one carrying structure.

56. Modular carrying structure for supporting solar panels, comprising at least one support structure (100, 101) adapted for supporting at least one solar panel (A, C), wherein each support structure comprises:- a first support frame (300) with at least one supporting foot (310) intended to rest on a terrain,- a second support frame (302) with at least one supporting foot (312) intended to rest on a terrain, wherein a solar panel of the at least one solar panel is attachable to the first and second support frame,- at least one crossbeam (400, 401 , 402) which connects the first support frame to the second support frame, andat least one cable-receiving means (700, 701) adapted to retain a cable under a solar panel attached to the first and second support frame,wherein a cable-receiving means (700, 701) of the at least one cable-receiving means is provided near a top face of the first support frame (300).

57. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein said cable-receiving means (700, 701) forms an integral part of the first support frame (300).

58. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 56-57, wherein the first support frame (300) has an upper leg (360), and said solar panel (A) is attached near a first end (520) of the upper leg and near a second end (510) of the upper leg, and wherein said cable-receiving means (700, 701) is provided between the first and second end of the upper leg.

59. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 56-58, wherein the first support frame (300) is made as a single part with said cable-receiving means (700, 701) by means of injection-moulding.

60. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 56-59, wherein said cable-receiving means (700, 701) is formed as a flange which protrudes from a top face of the first support frame (300).

61. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 56-60, wherein each support structure (100, 101) is a bridge structure which is adapted for supporting at least a first solar panel (A, C) and a second solar panel (B, D), wherein each bridge structure comprises:- a first substantially upright V-shaped truss structure (500) with a top (510), wherein the first truss structure (500) comprises the first support frame (300), and - a second substantially upright V-shaped truss structure (501) with a top (511), wherein the second truss structure (501) comprises the second support frame (302),wherein the first and second truss structure are each provided with a first and second supporting foot (310, 311, 312, 313) intended to rest on a terrain, which first and second supporting foot are provided on both sides of the top (510, 511) of the truss structure in such a way that a portion of the truss structure between the first and second supporting foot is situated at a distance above the terrain.

62. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least one cable-receiving means (700, 701) comprises a first cable-receiving means (700) which is adapted to retain a cable under the first solar panel (A,C), and comprises a second cablereceiving means (701) which is adapted to retain a cable under the second solar panel (B,D), and wherein the first and second truss structure (500, 501) are each formed with a first upwardly slanting support frame (300, 302) and a second upwardly slanting support frame (301 , 303), wherein the first and second support frame are connected to each other at a certain height above the terrain, wherein the first solar panel (A, C) is attachable to the first support frame (300) of the first truss structure (500) and the first support frame (302) of the second truss structure (501), and the second solar panel (B, D) is attachable to the second support frame (301) of the first truss structure (500) and the second support frame (303) of the second truss structure (501), and wherein at least one of the first support frame (300) of the first truss structure (500) and the first support frame (302) of the second truss structure (501) is provided with the first cable-receiving means (700) near a top face, which preferably forms an integral part of said first support frame (300, 302), and at least one of the second support frame (301) of the first truss structure (500) and the second support frame (303) of the second truss structure (501) is provided with the second cable-receiving means (701) near a top face, which preferably forms an integral part of said second support frame (301 , 303).

63. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein said first support frame (300, 302) and said second support frame (301 , 303) are each formed with an upper leg (360, 361) which is upwardly slanting at a certain height above the terrain, with a first end (520, 521 , 522, 523) and with a second end which coincides with the top (510, 511) of the truss structure (500, 501) of the support frame, wherein the first cablereceiving means (700) is provided between the first end (520, 522) and the second end (510) of said first support frame (300, 302), and the second cable-receiving means (701) is provided between the first end (521, 523) and the second end (511) of said second support frame (301, 303).

64. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 56-63, wherein the at least one support structure comprises a first support structure (100) which is adapted for supporting at least one solar panel, preferably a first solar panel (A) and a second solar panel (B), and comprises a second support structure (101) which is adapted for supporting at least one solar panel (C), preferably a first solar panel (C) and a second solar panel (D), and wherein the carrying structure furthermore comprises at least one pivot arm (200), preferably a first pivot arm (200) and a second pivot arm (201), whereineach pivot arm (200, 201) is adapted to connect the first support structure (100) to the second support structure (101).

65. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein each pivot arm (200, 201) has a first end (210) which is connected to the first support structure (100) so as to be pivotable, preferably pivotable about a horizontal axis (220), and has a second end (211) which is connected to the second support structure (101) so as to be pivotable, preferably pivotable about a horizontal axis (220), all this in such a way that a difference in height of the terrain on which the first and second support structure rest can be compensated for.

66. Modular carrying structure according to claim 62 and one of the preceding claims 64-65, wherein the at least one pivot arm comprises a first pivot arm (200) which extends from the first support frame (300) of the first truss structure (500) of the second support structure (101) to the first support frame (302) of the second truss structure (501) of the first support structure (100), and comprises a second pivot arm (201) which extends from the second support frame (301) of the first truss structure (500) of the second support structure (101) to the second support frame (303) of the second truss structure (501) of the first support structure (100).

67. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 64-66, wherein each pivot arm (200, 201) is connected to the first support structure (100) and the second support structure (101) in such a way that this pivot arm (200, 201) is adapted to allow a rotation through an angle of at least 20°, preferably at least 30°, more preferably at least 40°.

68. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 56-67, furthermore comprising a range of clamps (600, 601, 602, 603), comprising a first clamp (600), a second clamp (601), a third clamp (602) and a fourth clamp (603), wherein the first support frame (300) is adapted near a first end (520) to be coupled to the first clamp (600), and is adapted near a second higher end (510) to be coupled to the second clamp (601), and wherein the second support frame (302) is adapted near a first end (522) to be coupled to the third clamp (602), and is adapted near a second higher end (511) to be coupled to the fourth clamp (603), wherein the carrying structure is adapted to retain a solar panel between the first, second, third and fourth clamp, wherein a first edge of the solar panel is accommodated in the first clamp (600) and the third clamp (602) and a second edge of the solar panel is accommodated in the second clamp (601) and the fourth clamp (603).

69. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein the first support frame (300) is provided with a first duct (610) near the first end (520), in which the first clamp (600) is slidable, and is provided with a second duct (611) near the second end (510), in which the second clamp (601) is slidable, and wherein the second support frame (302) is provided near the first end (522) with a first duct (610), in which the third clamp (602) is slidable, and is provided near the second end (511) with a second duct (611), in which the fourth clamp (603) slidable is.

70. Modular carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 56-69, substantially made of plastic, preferably by means of injection-moulding.

71. Modular carrying structure according to the preceding claim, wherein each support frame (300, 301, 302, 303) comprises wall sections which are provided with a grid pattern near the at least one crossbeam (400) in order to strengthen the support frame.

72. Assembly for generating solar energy, comprising at least one carrying structure according to one of the preceding claims 56-71 and at least one solar panel, whereineach solar panel is supported by a carrying structure of the at least one carrying structure.

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