A solar racking system’s strength is determined in part by the metal racking, but it also depends on the roof’s underlying structure. Rafters and any supporting structures must be strong enough to withstand your region’s maximum wind and snow loads.

Scientists at Germany’s Fraunhofer Insititute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) evaluated the performance of its newly introduced ‘Matrix’ approach to interconnecting shingled solar cells. The institute finds that, thanks to optimized current flows, energy yield of the Matrix approach could almost double that of standard shingled cell interconnection under random shading conditions.

Racking is the unsung hero of a PV installation, securing panels and protecting wiring while keeping the panels faceing the sun to ensure maximum energy yield. And innovations in the field help installers and developers to squeeze every available kilowatt-hour out of a project. Eric Wesoff and Tim Sylvia take a look at some of the latest products in the U.S. rooftop racking market.

The fixed coping has two vertical supports on either side of a locking channel. The vertical supports are biased or resilient to secure the coping to the secured bracket with the upper extensions providing full contact along the length of the vertical supports. The locking channel is configured to slidably receive a locking insert from a solar panel cap or light cap, each configured to connect to an adjacent cap such that they are electrically coupled.

A solar panel cap and light cap secured to a wall or parapet through the use of a fixed coping and a secured bracket. The secured bracket has a securing plate mechanically attached to a top of the wall and upper and lower extensions extending above and below the top of the wall along its sides. 

An adjustable tilt solar panel support system including a support post, a pivot bracket attached to the support post in a generally upright orientation and having a pivot pin hole for accommodating a pivot pin, and further having at least one adjustment opening; a rotational support cradle having a pivot pin hole in alignment with the pivot pin hole of the pivot bracket, such that the support cradle is pivotally attached to the pivot bracket, the support cradle further including at least one adjustment opening which aligns with the adjustment opening of the pivot bracket.An adaptable mounting system for mounting an LED display panel on an existing support structure for a billboard is provided, where the support structure including a plurality of posts having brackets arranged to support the billboard. The adaptable mounting system includes a lower arm and upper arms, each arm having a first end and a second end and one or more notches supported on the brackets of the existing support structure; a yoke coupled to the arms proximate the first end and configured for attachment to the LED display panel; and a brace coupled to one of the upper arms proximate the second end and coupled to the yoke of an arm beneath the one of the upper arms.A mounting system comprising at least one mounting assembly is disclosed. A mounting assembly is used to mount at least one solar panel. The mounting assembly includes a support base, a rotating base, a first motor assembly, a solar panel base and a second motor assembly. The rotating base is mounted on the support base and rotates about its vertical axis by the help of the first motor assembly, which is disposed between the rotating base and the support base. The solar panel base is coupled to the rotating base through a set of links, which transfers the rotation of the rotating base to the solar panel base. The second motor assembly is disposed on the rotating base and it provides a tilting movement to the solar panel base, which enables solar panel base to tilt at a plurality of angle from the horizontal surface of the rotating base.

 An adjustment pin is selectively inserted into and through the adjustment openings of the support cradle and pivot bracket to secure the support cradle at a selected angle, and wherein the removal of the adjustment pin permits the rotational support cradle to pivot on the pivot bracket about the pivot pin. Beam holders for securing support beams are disposed atop the rotational support cradle.

A modular system for providing bicycles at a given location according to configuration, the system comprising at least one bicycle rack for storing a bicycle, each bicycle rack comprising an electronic lock for removably securing a corresponding bicycle thereto, each bicycle rack further comprising a corresponding attaching means having an electrical connector operatively coupled to the electronic lock, an energy providing means for providing energy to each electronic lock, the energy providing means comprising a corresponding attaching means having a connector operatively coupled thereto and a structure to be installed at the given location, the structure comprising an elongated base, a plurality of spaced-apart receiving means located on the base, each of the spaced-apart receiving means being adapted for receiving a selected attaching means from the at least one bicycle rack and the energy providing means according to the desired configuration and an electric network interconnecting each of the spaced-apart receiving means to thereby provide a modular system

An adjustable tilt solar panel support system including a support post, a pivot bracket attached to the support post in a generally upright orientation and having a pivot pin hole for accommodating a pivot pin, and further having at least one adjustment opening; a rotational support cradle having a pivot pin hole in alignment with the pivot pin hole of the pivot bracket, such that the support cradle is pivotally attached to the pivot bracket, the support cradle further including at least one adjustment opening which aligns with the adjustment opening of the pivot bracket. An adjustment pin is selectively inserted into and through the adjustment openings of the support cradle and pivot bracket to secure the support cradle at a selected angle, and wherein the removal of the adjustment pin permits the rotational support cradle to pivot on the pivot bracket about the pivot pin. Beam holders for securing support beams are disposed atop the rotational support cradle.

 The fixed coping has two vertical supports on either side of a locking channel. The vertical supports are biased or resilient to secure the coping to the secured bracket with the upper extensions providing full contact along the length of the vertical supports. The locking channel is configured to slidably receive a locking insert from a solar panel cap or light cap, each configured to connect to an adjacent cap such that they are electrically coupled.

 An adjustment pin is selectively inserted into and through the adjustment openings of the support cradle and pivot bracket to secure the support cradle at a selected angle, and wherein the removal of the adjustment pin permits the rotational support cradle to pivot on the pivot bracket about the pivot pin. Beam holders for securing support beams are disposed atop the rotational support cradle.

Beam holders for securing support beams are disposed atop the rotational support cradle.

A method and apparatus for installing a solor array on the roof of a residence or the like which uses a pan in the installation of the solar modules that make up the array. The pan may also be used as part of the packaging of the solar modules. The pan is comprised of a length of material having a trough-like cross-section. For packaging, shipping inserts are fitted into the trough of each pan. Opposite edges of a solar module are fitted into respective slots in the inserts of two facing pans and a protector is fitted over each end thereof to form a package for shipping. Once on site, the packages are disassembled, the pans are mounted on the roof, and the modules are connected to the pans to form the array.Always supply additional solar cell module mounts with spare parts.  Using weaker parts, such as screws that are too short, is dangerous and can cause the solar module to go up and down.  

steel cee purlins has great flexibility for the design and planning of commercial or residential roof solar system.  It is used to install common framed solar panels parallel to a pitched roof.  Unique aluminum alloy extrusion rails, diagonal clips, various clips and various roof hooks can be highly preinstalled to make installation easy and quick, saving your labor costs and installation time.  The custom length eliminates the need for field welding and cutting, thus ensuring high corrosion resistance, structural strength and aesthetics from the factory to the installation site.  

Technical characteristics  

Installation location: pitched roof  

Tilt Angle: parallel roof (10~60 deg)  

 Building height :20 m  

Maximum wind speed :<60m/s  

 Maximum snow load :< 1.4kN /m2  

 Reference standard :AS/NZS 1170 and other international standard  

 Material: high strength aluminum alloy AL6005-T5 & 304 stainless steel  

 Color: natural or custom  

 Anti-corrosion treatment: anodized & stainless steel  

 Quality guarantee :10 years warranty and 20 years service life  

Install the advantage  

One, easy installation. The inclined clamping parts can be loaded from any position of the aluminum alloy extrusion guide rail, and pre-installed with the clamping block and hook height to minimize the installation time and cost.  

 Two, high durability: to 20 years of service life and 10 years of quality assurance as the design concept, all the structural parts are high strength stainless steel and anodized aluminum alloy, to ensure the high durability of the material.  

 Three, withstand extreme weather.  Solar Sloped roof support systems are designed by experienced engineers to withstand extreme weather conditions according to AS/NZS 1170 and other international standards.  The main stressed parts of the system undergo various tests to ensure their structural bearing capacity.  

 Four, wide applicability. Swiss Solar inclined roof bracket system is suitable for the existing market for all kinds of general frame solar panels installed on various types of roof, from small solar systems to large and even a few megawatt system can be its service range.  

Installation Precautions  

Stop working in stormy weather.  Solar cell modules can be caught in the wind and make you tumble.  

 Never step or sit on a glass surface of a solar cell module.  Glass can break, causing shock or bodily injury.  The module can also stop generating power.  

 

 Always use the prescribed tools.  Solar cell assemblies or installations may fall if the installation is not strong enough, for example when the parts are not tightened enough.  

 Parts will not be modified or cut.  It is dangerous to do so.  There is no guarantee of safety.  

 Products should be installed and maintained by personnel.  Prevent unauthorized personnel from staying away from solar modules  

 Spot checks  

 Determine the wind load for field installation.  Please check with your local building and safety department for special requirements.  Ensure that the roof structure can support both live and dead loads caused by the installation of pv arrays.  

Parts will not be modified or cut.  It is dangerous to do so.  There is no guarantee of safety.  

 Products should be installed and maintained by personnel.  Prevent unauthorized personnel from staying away from solar modules  

 Install solar cell modules facing south, if possible.  Installation is also possible, although the amount of electricity generated will be lower.  

 Installation steps  

 Locate the roof hooks according to your design.  Roof hooks shall not be pressed against roof shingles.  Put it flat.  If necessary, gasket roof hooks with wood.  

 

If necessary, use an Angle grinder and hammer cut concave tiles to cover the point where the roof hook is passed.  Alert!  Fixed roof hook ladders cannot be used, this maximum point load may damage tile below.  

 

Install track roof hooks.  Your tracks include different lengths and always start with the shortest piece.  Install rails hooked loose on the roof, using t-screws.  

 

Install fixture  

 

Mounting joints connect multiple rails together.  Preassembled fitting rail on rear side of sliding joint. Make the first bolt firm.  And then slide down the rails and splice it together.  When it comes together, tighten the bolts.  Connection completed.  Widen the gap in the rail joint proposal.  Leave a gap, a finger's width.  

 

The row at the bottom of the first module.  Sliding ends clamp the module and tie.  End of installation Clip Middle clip.  

 Slide down the installation module of a module.  Speed up the middle clip.  Install other components and clip in this way.  Even keeping modules.  

 

Mounting joints connect multiple rails together.  Preassembled fitting rail on rear side of sliding joint. Make the first bolt firm.  And then slide down the rails and splice it together.  When it comes together, tighten the bolts.  Connection completed.  Widen the gap in the rail joint proposal.  Leave a gap, a finger's width.  

 Determine the wind load for field installation.  Please check with your local building and safety department for special requirements.  Ensure that the roof structure can support both live and dead loads caused by the installation of pv arrays.  

 Install solar cell modules facing south, if possible.  Installation is also possible, although the amount of electricity generated will be lower.  

 Installation steps