Many PV Europe readers took part in this year’s PV Guided Tours around the exhibition grounds in Munich. Their professional eyes were keen to take in the innovations in mounting systems. This topic is still nowhere near exhausted. Quite the opposite: In light of the falling system cost, the expense of mounting solar generators is becoming more significant.
Baywa r.e. presented Novotegra
At the exhibition stand of the specialist wholesaler Baywa r.e., participants were made familiar with their mounting system Novotegra, which is available in a variety of versions for the most important roof types.
For trapezoidal sheet metal roofs, the mounting structure can be applied directly to the metal. Short profiles make it possible to mount panels either vertically or horizontally, depending on the roof layout. The system is complemented by special trapezoidal clamps that fit the insertion rail.
For flat roofs there is a version that is optimised for panels in east-west orientation. continuous rails take up the load and distribute it evenly throughout the panel array. All system components are preassembled when they are delivered to the building site. The fixing rails with separation layers are available in various versions. Novotegra also allows the installation of 72-cell project panels.
B&K presented new Iroc series
The company B&K Solare Zukunft was founded in 2012 by Patrick Behnke and Martin Kisiel in Gutersloh. This manufacturer provides mounting systems for all types of roof, but they specialise in aerodynamic systems for flat roofs. Furthermore, B&K Solare Zukunft is very experienced in the construction of installations. This service is highly appreciated by installing companies and complements the product range.
The mounting systems in the Iroc series are an ideal solution for flat, pitched and trapezoidal roofs. The Iroc S3 is the version especially for south-facing flat roof systems. The panels are inclined at 15 degrees.
Iroc OW3 is the mounting system for east-west orientation, also at an inclination of 15 degrees. The roof cleft between the panels allows an optimal equalisation of pressures from wind loads, which reduces the required amount of ballast.
For trapezoidal roofs, B&K Solare Zukunft offers the Iroc TR3 profile. With self-drilling seal screws, it is screwed directly onto the metal roof, either horizontally or vertically. The panel clamp is fully preassembled and can be used anywhere.
The Iroc SR, in combination with appropriate roof hooks or hanger bolts, is suitable for mounting to any type of pitched roof.
IBC Solar requires no clamps
A number of clever solutions for a variety of roof types was also presented at the stand of IBC Solar. The IBC Topfix 200 is a black inlay system for tiled roofs. All system components are anodised in black, and when combined with IBC’s black panels (Black Module), they create a homogenous look, which makes the solar array stand out very little.
The panels are applied directly to the profile rails – clamps are no longer necessary. Only a rail profile and an adapter profile to match the height of the panel’s frame is needed. IBC’s PV Manager makes it very easy to plan the array and the mounting system, including the panel layout. The Topfix 200 is a modular system, which keeps warehousing for installing companies and transport costs to a minimum.
One version is specifically suited to mounting panels on trapezoidal roofs. The support profile is applied in a floating manner, which avoids damage to the roof surface or the solar array resulting from the thermal expansion of the profiles. At the trapezoidal foot, offsetting bumps in the roof becomes quite easy.
An inexpensive east-west version allows getting the most out of the available roof surfaces and thus increasing efficiency. All components have undergone safety tests and have been certified.
The Aerofix Dachparallel by IBC makes it possible to put solar panels on slightly inclined membrane or bitumen roofs (up to 10 degrees of inclination). They are mounted without penetrating the roof, which rules out leakage in the roof itself. The contact surface of the system was designed to be particularly large to protect the roof membrane and the insulation underneath it. The system of crossbars allows the optimal application of the panels in the predetermined clamping areas.
PMT presents new Evo 2.0
Premium Mounting Technologies from Franconia brought along their brand-new flat roof system Evolution 2.0. It was especially developed for mounting large-scale solar generators onto flat roofs. For the time being, it will be offered for the south-facing system and the east-west version for inclinations of 10 degrees.
The system is suitable for panels of many different widths, up to panels with 72 cells. The roof cleft is slightly wider than that of the previous model, which improves ventilation of the space below the panels. But it also makes mounting easier. And most of all, the wider roof cleft improves the aerodynamic properties, which makes ballasting less expensive.
The same clamp can now be universally used for frames from 30 to 50 millimetres in height. Clearance between the roof membrane and the bottom of the panel has been increased from 57 to 65 millimetres. To improve the aerodynamics even further, it is now possible to add a side cover. All benefits such as the non-screw click connectors, the wide and continuous base rails, the method of assembly that eliminates mix-ups, the integrated cable ducts and many more were retained and further improved.
The rigidity of the Evo 2.0 system at key points has been increased. This results in a larger surface of load distribution. Compared to the previous model, the expense for ballasting in reduced by an estimated 10 to 20 percent.
The base rails have had special openings laser-cut into them that allow a quick and easy clamping in place of the ballast elements.
In addition to the Evo 2.0, PMT also presented a carport and their mounting system Flatdirect – for any roof type and without penetrating the roof.
T.Werk relies on steel
The Ellzee-based T.Werk GmbH is a medium-sized company that was founded in 2012 by Markus Ziegler. It develops and manufactures a wide range of mounting systems for solar panels – both for solar parks or roof-mounted installations. These are versatile in their applications. Furthermore, customers will receive support in the planning of their PV installations.
The Triton mounting system is available in two versions: Triton O/W is intended for east-west orientation, Triton Süd for south-facing solar panels. This mounting system is preassembled and applies the panels to flat roofs without penetrating them. No tools are required for mounting, because it is a system that clicks together. The profiles are made of steel, rather than aluminium.
The Chronos Click by T.Werk is a quickly assembled mounting system for all types of pitched roofs. It is also suitable for specialised solutions and very wide spans.
Chronos Trapez is the name of the versatile and very inexpensive short-rail system for trapezoidal sheet metal roofs. T-Werk has developed a mounting system specifically for green-field installations: Silenos. It can be assembled quickly and easily, even on uneven ground. (Heiko Schwarzburger)
Watch our pv Guided Tours video on mounting systems
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