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PV Module Siting
Siting is most important: in order to get the most power,
photovoltaic modules need maximum exposure to direct sunlight for
the longest time - any shading will reduce module output
considerably. Potential shading at different times of
the day and year must be considered.
Some other factors to consider are: ease of installation &
maintenance; potential power losses are due to long cable runs;
location of other system components - batteries, inverter and load.
PV's work best at lower temperatures, consequently they should be
installed at a distance from hot roof's etc. to allow ventilation
behind the PV array must be provided for in the roof design. In hot
climates use of the higher voltage modules is preferable to offset
the voltage reduction due to temperature.
Module Mounting Methods
Modules may be mounted on a pole, a ground support, a wall of a
building, a building or vehicle roof, or on a boat deck. The
main considerations are day long access to unobstructed sunlight and
wire lengths to batteries. Appearance and ease of access for
any cleaning etc. should also be considered.
Ideally panels should be placed so that they are perpendicular to
the noon day sun, ie. due South and at an angle of inclination
approximately equal to the angle of latitude, although they will
function when mounted flat (in fact on overcast days this can be
better since the light is diffuse and reflected). A steeper angle
of inclination will enhance output during winter months when the sun
is lower in the sky, at the expense of some reduced output in
summer, (a fixed mount would have an angle of latitude plus 15 º).
A simple system where the angle can be changed manually twice a year
(in Spring & Autumn) is best and does not involve much cost or
effort.
Mounting frames can easily be fabricated oneself - to avoid
electrolytic corrosion aluminium angle and plated or stainless steel
nuts & bolts should be used, also mounts should be strong and
capable of withstanding wind. Alternatively a range of high
quality standard kits are available. These are pre-drilled
to accept modules and include stainless steel fasteners. We
can also fabricate suitable custom built support structures to suit
individual requirements.
Sometimes when choosing an array mount it's useful to leave room for
a system to grow. Usually the extra cost for a frame to take
extra modules will be small and then any future expansion will
be straightforward.
CAUTION! Never leave a module unsupported or unsecured. If a
module should fall, the glass can break. A module with broken
glass cannot be repaired.
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Advantages of Different Mounting Methods
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Rooftop Mounting
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Helps to avoid shadows from trees, but
access for seasonal adjustment & installation can be difficult. |
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South Wall Mounting
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Works if there is enough wall space. |
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Ground Mounts
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Easy
access & installation but take up wall space. |
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Pole Mounts
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Can
be easy to set up & adjust. |
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Tracking Mounts
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Can
add several extra morning & afternoon hours of full power
production. |
Small PV Panel Brackets and
Mounts
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Single Module Mount
Bracket
for pole, floor or wall mounting.
Module
tilt angles of 10 or 80°.
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BPTS-1
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Fits BP
Solar SX-5M & SX-10U modules |
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BPTS-2
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Fits
Spectra SPEC-10 |
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BPTS-3 |
Fits
BP Solar SX-20U & SX-30U
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Single
Module Stand-off Brackets
Product code: SPFK-1
Set of 4
brackets which fasten to the back of the module an allow it to be
fastened securely to any flat surface. Fits any module.
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Caravan Fixings
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 Spoiler
style fixings to mount PV modules.
These are fastened to the roof with Sikaflex adhesive and so do not
puncture the roof.
Fixing kits include everything to prepare the roof and fasten the
profiles to the roof using adhesive and to the module with screws.
For single modules use one Spoilerset (two pieces) positioned on
each end of the module. For BP3125S & other large modules or two
modules use a Cornerset and a Joinerset.
Fits modules with frames up to 66mm deep and lifts the
module 32mm off the roof.
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MT-SP53
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Spoilerset length 530mm |
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MT-SP60 |
Spoilerset length 600mm |
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MT-EP |
Cornerset (4 pieces) |
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MT-VP |
Joinerset (2 pieces) |
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MT-KLB/1 |
Fixing kit for 1 module |
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MT-KLB/2 |
Fixing kit for 2 modules |
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Single Module Roof & Wall Mount
Product code: BPHV-1
Consists
of two pairs of aluminium sections: one pair fastens to the PV
module, and the other to any flat surface.
Allows
the module to be tilted to different angles from 10 to 75°.
Fits BP
Solar modules SX-20U; SX-30U; BP350U & BP380J/S.
PV Module Pole and Flat Roof
Mounts
Side Of Pole Mounts
Product code: PV-P2
 These
galvanised steel mounts clamp onto 3" diameter tube and suit
standard BP Solar modules of 50-80 Wp. Mounts for larger modules or
2" tube available to special order.
Usually
used when the pole is required for some other purpose, eg. wind
turbine pole, lighting or communications antenna.
10 to
70 ° tilt.
Simple
Tilt Mount Product code:
BP3-MK
Consists
of two sets of triangular aluminium section assemblies which allow a
BP Solar BP3125S 12V module to be securely mounted to a flat surface
such as roof or wall.
60 °
tilt.
‘ConSole’
Flat Roof Mounts
These are
high quality, low cost, support structures for the installation of
modules on flat roofs. Made from 100% recycled, chlorine free
polyethylene the ConSole has a long life and requires no
maintenance.
Easy to
install with integrated cable ducts and cooling slots. Electrically
insulating.They use gravel or concrete tiles as ballast to weigh
them down so avoiding any fixing holes in the roof cladding. 25 °
tilt.
Product code: ConSole 2.3 (for one
module, BP380i/S)
Product code:
ConSole 4.1 (for one module, BP3165S,
BP7175S)
SOL-50
Flat Roof Mounts
Product code: SP-5/20
 These
highly stable kits use the
SOL-50
mounting system and are perfect for flat roof PV
installations. Fits 5 modules such as BP3165S or BP7180S. They are
weighed down using flagstones with no fixings required to the roof
structure. Anti-slip mats protect the roof cladding. Includes
protected cable runs in the horizontal & vertical framing. Suitable
for building heights up to 20m. 30 ° tilt.
Data sheet
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'T' Type Ground Mounts
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These sturdy low level PV mounting structures, made from galvanised
2" tubular steel are designed to be fixed to a concrete
foundation base, but can be modified for use on almost any surface
and can be coupled together to
make up an array of any size.
Tilt can be varied from 10 to 60º.
Raises bottom of PV modules 500 - 700 mm above ground level.
Designed
to withstand adverse environmental conditions (windspeeds up to 200
km/hr).
Includes
fasteners but excludes module interconnect cabling and array
junction box.
Structures can be supplied without tubes allowing them to be
obtained locally to save shipping costs.
For BP380 size modules.
'A' versions for BP3165 size.
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BP-T2
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2 module (BP380) structure kit |
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BP-T3 |
3 module
(BP380) structure kit |
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BP-T4 |
4 module
(BP380) structure kit |
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BP-T5 |
5 module
(BP380) structure kit |
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BP-T6 |
6 module
(BP380) structure kit |
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BP-T7 |
7 module
(BP380) structure kit |
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BP-T8 |
8 module
(BP380) structure kit |
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BP-T2(A) |
2 module (BP3165) structure kit |
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BP-T3(A) |
3 module (BP3165) structure kit |
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BP-T4(A) |
4 module (BP3165) structure kit |
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‘N’ Type
Ground Mounts
These
structures provide a higher level mounting for medium sized systems
with easy installation.
Made from galvanised steel and designed to
be fixed to a concrete foundation base.
Tilt can be varied from 10 to 60
º. Raises bottom of PV modules 420 - 1250 mm above ground level.
Includes
fasteners but excludes module interconnect cabling and array
junction box.
For BP380 size modules.
'A' versions for BP3165 size.
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BP-SKN04
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4 module (BP380) ground mount structure |
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BP-SKN08 |
8 module (BP380)
ground mount structure |
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BP-SKN12 |
12
module (BP380) ground
mount structure |
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BP-SKN04(A) |
4 module
(BP3165) ground mount structure |
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BP-SKN08(A) |
8 module
(BP3165) ground mount structure |
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BP-SKN12(A) |
12 module
(BP3165) ground mount structure |
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PV-MAX2 Ground Mounts
Product code:
PV-MAX/30
This is a
modular system for mounting large PV arrays in open areas.
Made with
high quality components, it allows easy to erect economical systems
with long lifetimes.
  Usually
concrete strip foundations are used that can consist either of
pre-cast concrete blocks or can be made on site.
Other foundations
are possible such as piles or screw in foundations depending upon
ground conditions.
 Sturdy
aluminium supports are fastened to these which carry aluminium
crossbeams to which the PV modules are fastened. All materials are
made from durable aluminium or stainless steel.
Strong
cross beams permit large span lengths.
Kit listed suits 30 800 x 1600 mm PV
modules (eg BP3165S) and uses three support frames. 12m long,
2.55 m high
Custom Mounts
Mounting systems either made from
aluminium or steel or for incorporation as additional buildings or
structures can be made to suit many different applications and
locations.
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