US 11,811,355 B2
System and method for mounting a solar panel onto a substantially flat mounting surface
Johannes Sander Goorman, Deventer (NL); Maarten Alexander Smit, Deventer (NL); and Jan-Floris de Graaf, Deventer (NL)
Assigned to Esdec B.V., Deventer (NL)
Filed by Esdec B.V., Deventer (NL)
Filed on Feb. 18, 2020, as Appl. No. 16/793,352.
Claims priority of application No. 20157504 (EP), filed on Feb. 14, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2021/0257960 A1, Aug. 19, 2021
Int. Cl. H02S 20/24 (2014.01); H02S 30/10 (2014.01); H02S 30/20 (2014.01)
CPC H02S 20/24 (2014.12) [H02S 30/10 (2014.12); H02S 30/20 (2014.12)] 16 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A system for mounting at least one solar panel on a substantially flat mounting surface, comprising:
at least one base element configured to be positioned upon the substantially flat mounting surface,
at least one support structure configured for supporting at least part of the at least one solar panel, wherein the at least one support structure is coupled to the at least one base element, wherein the at least one support structure is configured to extend upright from the at least one base element, and further wherein the at least one support structure comprises a first retaining element and a second retaining element positioned opposite one another, wherein the first retaining element is configured for retaining at least part of a first edge of the at least one solar panel such that the at least one solar panel extends from the at least one support structure in a first direction, and the second retaining element is configured for retaining at least part of a first edge of another solar panel such that the other solar panel extends from the at least one support structure in a second direction different than the first direction, and
at least one clamping element configured for clampingly engaging at least part of a second edge of the at least one solar panel, the at least one clamping element comprising an upper surface, a retaining surface, a resilient lip extending from the upper surface and defining a receiving space for receiving the at least one solar panel therein, and two profiled contact areas extending from the upper surface and located on opposing sides of the resilient lip, the two profiled contact areas being configured to engage with the at least one solar panel,
wherein the at least one clamping element is positioned on the at least one base element at a position vertically lower than a position of the first retaining element and the second retaining element on the at least one support structure, and
wherein the at least one clamping element is displaceable along the at least one base element, and wherein the at least one clamping element and the at least one base element comprise complementary fastening members configured for coupling the at least one clamping element to the at least one base element.