PV Slider Clip Mounting Structure for Faster Module Installation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional methods for installing photovoltaic (PV) modules are labor-intensive and time-consuming, especially for large-scale systems, due to the need for screwing module edge clips onto rails and tightening them on-site, which slows down the process and increases costs.
Innovation Solution
A collapsible PV module support structure with preassembled slider clips that allow easy slide-in insertion of PV modules, reducing on-site labor by allowing prefabrication of the support structure and clip tightening before installation, and using a system with rails pivotally connected to beams for efficient assembly and disassembly.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional module edge clips with rubber inserts are screwed into the rail in the field, then the PV modules can be securely mounted to the support frame, but the installation process becomes slow and labor intensive
Solution Approach 1:
The clips are pre-assembled onto the rails in a controlled manufacturing environment before shipping to the installation site. This preliminary assembly eliminates the time-consuming field assembly process, allowing installers to simply attach pre-positioned clips to modules during installation, thereby maintaining secure mounting while dramatically improving installation speed
2Reliability
If clips are screwed halfway down, PV modules are set in place, and then clips are final tightened, then secure mounting is achieved, but the process becomes multi-step and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The clips are pre-assembled onto the rails with proper positioning and initial tightening in the manufacturing facility. This preliminary action eliminates the need for field installers to perform multiple adjustment steps, reducing the installation process to a single attachment operation while maintaining secure mounting through pre-configured clip positioning
Solution Approach 2:
The mounting system is divided into separate functional components: pre-assembled clips on rails, and modules to be attached. This segmentation allows the complex assembly operation to be performed in advance during manufacturing, while the field installation only requires the simple connection step, thereby reducing installation time without compromising mounting security
3Reliability
If four module edge clips per module are used, then secure mounting is achieved, but the number of clips to be handled and installed increases labor intensity
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple clips are pre-assembled together on the rail as a single integrated unit during manufacturing. This merging of multiple clip handling operations into one pre-assembled component reduces the number of discrete items field installers must handle, while maintaining the same secure mounting function through the combined clip assembly
Data Source
AI summary
Described herein is a mounting system and slider clips that support simplified installation of photovoltaic structures. The mounting system comprises a support structure which can be mounted to support columns via an optional tilt table. The support structure comprises a plurality of parallel spaced beams and a plurality of parallel spaced rails that are mounted approximately perpendicular to the beams. Disclosed embodiments describe a collapsible support structure in which the rails are pivotally mounted to the beams. Rails are preassembled with prefabricated slider clips for holding edge portions of the photovoltaic structures. Rails can also be integrally formed with slider clips. Described herein are also methods of installing one or more photovoltaic structures using the mounting system and methods for manufacturing slider clips and a photovoltaic structure mounting system.