AU2009245849A1

AU2009245849A1 - Solar module mounting system and various components thereof

Info

Publication number: AU2009245849A1
Application number: AU2009245849A
Authority: AU
Original assignee: Stratco Australia Pty Ltd
Current assignee: Stratco Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2008-12-08
Filing date: 2009-12-08
Publication date: 2010-06-24

Description

P/00/011 Regulation 3.2 AUSTRALIA Patents Act 1990 ORIGINAL COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: SOLAR MODULE MOUNTING SYSTEM AND VARIOUS COMPONENTS THEREOF Applicant: Stratco (Australia) Pty Limited The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: 1 2 Solar module mounting system and various components thereof Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates to an improved solar module mounting system and to various components thereof. The invention also relates to an improved method of mounting and securing the various components of the system. Background of the Invention 10 Solar modules or solar panels are typically mounted to a mounting surface such as a roof by securing them to a simple metal frame. The frame is rigidly secured to the roof at the desired position and/or orientation using mounting feet. The solar modules are then clamped to the frame using individual clamps 15 and connectors. The frame typically includes a pair of rails. Each rail is attached to the roof using the mounting feet at a spacing suitable to enable opposed ends of the solar module to be clamped respectively thereto. In most instances a number 20 of solar modules are connected along the length of the rails so adjacent modules are normally also clamped together. Traditionally, the rails are formed from an extruded section having a top channel and a side channel formed therein. Each channel is open ended and is 25 arranged to receive connector members therein. The connector members in the side channel are used by the installer to connect the rail to the mounting feet and the connector members in the top channel are used with end and middle clamps to connect the solar modules to the rail. 30 Each rail is cut to the desired length on site by the installer. The mounting rails are then secured to the mounting surface via the mounting feet. Once the mounting rails are properly secured, connectors for connecting the solar modules thereto are then pushed into the channel of each rail from one of the 3 open ends. The connectors are then slid along the length thereof to the desired location at which they are to be used. Installation of the frame and the subsequent connection of the solar modules 5 thereto using clamps and connectors is made difficult because the mounting surface is normally a roof that is pitched. Hence it is not easy for the installer to move about on the roof to either attach the frame or the solar modules. Having to slide each connector along the length of the channel to the required position on the rail is particularly cumbersome for the installer. 10 It is desirable to simplify the components of the frame and the connectors used to connect the frame to the feet on the mounting surface (i.e. the roof) and the frame to the solar modules. The connectors need to be easy to use whilst at the same time ensuring proper connection between all of the parts. Solar 15 modules of this type can be exposed to quite high wind loadings and thus it is important that they are properly secured to the mounting surface in a manner that meets all regulatory requirements. The discussion of the background to the invention herein is included to explain 20 the context of the invention. This is not to be taken as an admission that any of the material referred to was published, known or part of the common general knowledge as at the priority date of this application. Summary of the Invention 25 According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a solar module mounting system including at least two spaced mounting rails and at least two feet for securing each mounting rail to a mounting surface, wherein the solar module is arranged to be secured to each mounting rail by at least one 30 clamping nut and each of the two feet are arranged to be secured to their respective mounting rail by at least one clamping nut, each said clamping nut including a body with two legs extending therefrom, an aperture extending through said body and arranged so that a pin extending there through is positioned between said legs causing said legs to be moved away from one 4 another and into engagement with at least one respective engagement surface on said mounting rail to secure the respective solar module or foot thereto. The engagement surfaces of the rail are typically formed by an open ended 5 channel extending along the length of each rail. The channel preferably has a top opening sized to enable the legs of the clamping nut to pass therethrough when in their original configuration before movement by the pin. Accordingly, the clamping nut can be located at the required position along the length of the channel by pushing the legs through the top opening rather than by locating the 10 legs of the clamping nut into the open end of the channel and then sliding the clamping nut along the length of the channel to the required position. This makes installation of the clamping nut to the mounting rail much easier for the installer. 15 The invention also provides in a second aspect a clamping nut for securing a part to a mounting rail or the like. The clamping nut includes a body with two legs extending therefrom, an aperture extending through said body and arranged so that a pin extending through said aperture is positioned between said legs in such a manner to cause said legs to be moved away from one 20 another and into engagement with a respective engagement surface on said mounting rail or the like to secure the clamping nut and hence the part thereto. Each leg preferably includes an upper portion connecting the leg to the body and a lower portion. The lower portion includes an outer engagement lip for 25 engagement with the engagement surface of said mounting rail and an inner contact zone against which said pin contacts when said pin is located between said legs. The upper portion of each leg is of a narrowed cross-sectional width as compared to the cross-sectional width of the lower portion so as to enable movement of the leg in a direction outwardly of a centre-line of the aperture 30 when the inner contact zone of the leg is contacted by the pin. The clamping nut is preferably of constant cross-section across its length other than the aperture formed in the body thereof. The clamping nut is also 5 preferably shaped symmetrically about the centre-line of the aperture so that the legs are mirror images of one another. The contact zone of each leg includes an angled portion extending downwardly 5 and inwardly of the upper portion. The angled portion joins with a curved portion. The curved portion has an inner most part that together with the inner most part of the other leg defines a minimum spacing between said legs. The pin must have a width dimension greater then the minimum spacing between the legs in order to cause outward movement of the legs when the pin is located 10 in the aperture and then between the legs of the clamping nut. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, the aperture in the body of the clamping nut is a threaded aperture arranged to receive a threaded pin such as a screw or bolt. Accordingly, as the 15 bolt is screwed inwardly into the threaded aperture, the shank of the bolt is moved into position between the legs of the clamping nut causing the legs to move outwardly away from the bolt thereby increasing the spacing between said legs. The engagement lip of each leg is thereby moved into engagement with the engagement surface of the mounting rail or the like so that movement 20 of the clamping nut out of the channel in the mounting rail in a direction substantially parallel to the centre-line of the aperture is prevented. It is envisaged that when the bolt is removed from the aperture of the clamping nut and then the clamping nut is pulled outwardly away from the mounting rail, 25 the legs of the clamping nut will move towards one another so that the engagement lips of the legs disengage from the respective engagement surfaces of the rail to enable the clamping nut to be disconnected from the rail. In an alternative arrangement, the aperture in the body of the clamping nut is 30 not threaded and is arranged to receive a pin. The pin may be pressed into the aperture so as to cause outward movement of the legs. When a pin of this type is used to move the legs outwardly so that the engagement lip of each leg engages with the engagement surface of the mounting rail, subsequent removal 6 of the pin cannot be readily achieved. This is because there is no simple means for removing the pin from the aperture in the clamping nut and thus it would need to be drilled out in order to effect disengagement of the engagement lips of the legs. 5 The invention further provides in a third aspect a mounting rail including a first and a second channel. Each channel extends along the length of the mounting rail so that it has a longitudinal axis and an infinite number of vertical axes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In accordance with a preferred 10 embodiment of the invention, the mounting rail is an extruded section and the vertical axes of the first channel are perpendicular to the vertical axes of the second opening. Each channel forms an opening extending along the length of the mounting rail. 15 A clamping nut in accordance with the second aspect of this invention is arranged to be located within the opening of each channel via inward movement parallel to the vertical axis of the respective channel (i.e. along one of the vertical axes by pushing the clamping nut into the channel). Accordingly, a clamping nut can be positioned in a respective channel at any point along the 20 length of the mounting rail without the need to translate the clamping nut longitudinally along the length of the channel. The opening of each channel is defined by first and second elongate side walls. Each side wall includes an upper seat portion, a mid portion and an 25 engagement surface. The upper seat portion is arranged so that a part of a body of a clamping nut can be seated thereon. The engagement surface is arranged for engagement with an outer engagement lip of a leg of the clamping nut so as to prevent withdrawal of the clamping nut out of the channel. 30 In accordance with a fourth aspect, the invention still further provides a foot for securing a mounting rail to a mounting surface. The foot includes a base having an underside profile arranged to correspond to a profile of the mounting 7 surface and an upright including at least one first aperture arranged to enable connection of said upright to a part, such as a solar module, using a connector. In one form of the foot, the upright is L-shaped and is arranged for attachment 5 to the base by means of at least one threaded connector that passes through at least one second aperture so that the upright can be attached to the base in either a first orientation or a second orientation at 90' to the first orientation. The at least one first aperture in the upright is preferably elongated so as to 10 enable the connector to be connected to the part at varying heights relative to the base. Preferably, at least two apertures are provided in the upright to enable connection to the part. In accordance with one embodiment, of the fourth aspect of the invention, a 15 race is formed along the length of the base. The race has open ends but is otherwise arranged to contain a nut whilst still enabling a threaded connector to be screwed into the nut. The threaded connector and nut can thereby be used to attach the upright to the base in the first orientation at any position along the length of the race. 20 In accordance with a preferred embodiment of this fourth aspect of the invention, a pair of spaced parallel races is formed on the base. The upright includes two second apertures so that the upright can be connected to the base in the first orientation wherein the threaded connectors are connected to 25 respective nuts in one of the races, or in a second orientation wherein one threaded connector connects to a nut located in one of the races and another threaded connector connects to a nut located in the other race. In the second orientation, the length of the upright extends perpendicularly to the length of the races in the base. 30 When the foot is arranged to be mounted to a mounting surface such as a sheet of corrugated metal, the underside profile of the base is shaped to be complementary to the profile of the sheet.

8 Description of the Drawings Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, 5 with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a solar module mounting system in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; 10 Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing one of the solar modules being connected to the mounting rails using an end clamp and a mid clamp; Figure 3 is a perspective view of a corner section of the solar module mounting system shown in Figure 1; 15 Figure 3A is an enlarged view of part of Figure 3; Figure 4A is a perspective view of a clamping nut of the type used in the mounting system shown in Figures 1 and 2; 20 Figure 4B is an end view of the clamping nut shown in Figure 4A; Figure 4C is an enlarged view of a part of one of the legs of the clamping nut shown in Figure 4A; 25 Figure 5 is an end view of the mounting rail shown in Figures 1 and 2; Figure 6A is an end view of a clamping nut being located in the top channel of a mounting rail of the type shown in Figure 5; 30 Figure 6B is a view similar to Figure 6A but the clamping nut has been engaged in the top channel by application of the threaded connector within the aperture of the clamping nut; 9 Figure 7 is a perspective view of a foot for securing a mounting rail of the type shown in Figures 1 and 2 to a mounting surface. The upright of the foot is shown in a first orientation; 5 Figure 7A is a cross-sectional view showing the connection between the upright and base of the foot as shown in Figure 7; Figure 8 is a perspective view of the foot shown in Figure 7 but with the upright 10 shown in a second orientation; Figure 8A is cross-sectional view showing the connection between the upright and base of the foot as shown in Figure 8; 15 Figure 9 is a perspective view of the base of the foot shown in Figures 7 and 8; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a mid clamp; and Figure 11 is a perspective view of an end clamp. 20 Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments Figure 1 illustrates a system for mounting solar modules 10. Although Figure 1 shows four solar modules 10, the present invention is not limited to such an 25 arrangement. The solar module mounting system shown in Figure 1 includes two spaced mounting rails 20 and four mounting feet 30. Each mounting rail 20 is secured to a mounting surface such as a roof using two mounting feet 30, one such foot 30 30 being located adjacent each end of the respective mounting rail 20. Each foot 30 is arranged to be secured to the roof using, for example, at least one threaded fastener. This will be explained in more detail subsequently.

10 Each mounting foot 30 is secured to its respective mounting rail 20 by two clamping nut 40/clamping bolt 70 combinations. In Figures 1 to 3A, only the head of each clamping bolt 70 is visible. 5 Each solar module 10 is then secured at either end to the mounting rails 20 using at least one end clamp 50 and an associated bolt 50a (see Figures 3A and 11). Adjacently located solar modules 10 are also secured together using at least one middle clamp 60 and an associated bolt 60a (see Figures 2 and 10). 10 As best illustrated in Figure 5, each mounting rail 20 is formed as an extruded metal section and includes a first or upper channel 22 and a second or side channel 24. Each channel 22, 24 extends along the length of the mounting rail 20 so that it has a longitudinal axis and an infinite number of vertical axes 15 perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The vertical axes of the upper channel 22 are perpendicular to the vertical axes of the side channel 24. A clamping nut 40 (sees Figure 4A and 6A) can be located within the opening of each channel 22, 24 via inward movement parallel to the vertical axis of the 20 respective channel 22, 24 (i.e. along one of the vertical axes by pushing the clamping nut 40 into the opening of the channel 22, 24). Accordingly, a clamping nut 40 can be positioned in a respective channel 22, 24 at any point along the length of the mounting rail 20 without the need to translate the clamping nut 40 longitudinally along the length of the respective channel 22, 24. 25 Each channel 22, 24 is defined by first and second elongate opposed side walls 26. Each side wall 26 includes an upper seat portion 26a, a mid portion 26b and an engagement surface 26c. The mid portion 26b extends at an angle a of about 5' to the vertical axis of the channel 22, 24. The engagement surface 26c 30 extends at an angle 0 of about 5" from a line draw perpendicular to the respective vertical axis of the channel 22, 24.

11 Figures 4A to 4C illustrates a clamping nut 40 in more detail. The clamping nut 40 includes a body 42 having two legs 44 extending therefrom. An aperture 46 extends through the body 42 and is arranged so that a pin, in this embodiment a bolt 70, can extend there through so as to be positioned between the legs 44. 5 The bolt 70 causes the legs 44 to be moved away from one another and into engagement with a respective engagement surface 26c of the respective channel 22, 24 on the mounting rail 20 to secure the clamping nut 40 thereto. Each leg 44 includes an upper portion 44a connecting the leg 44 to the body 42 10 and a lower portion 44b. The lower portion 44b includes an outer engagement lip 44c for engagement with the engagement surface 26c of the mounting rail 20 and an inner contact zone 44d against which the bolt 70 contacts when the bolt 70 is being located between the legs 44. The upper portion 44a of each leg 44 is of a narrowed cross-sectional width as compared to the cross-sectional width 15 of the lower portion 44b so as to enable movement of the leg 42 in a direction outwardly of a centre-line of the aperture 46 when the inner contact zone 44d of the leg 44 is contacted by the bolt 70. The clamping nut 40 is preferably of constant cross-section across its length 20 other than the aperture 46 formed in the body 42. The clamping nut 40 is also shaped symmetrically about the centre-line of the aperture 46 so that the legs 44 are mirror images of one another. The inner contact zone 44d of each leg 44 includes an angled portion 44e 25 extending inwardly and downwardly of the upper portion 44a. The angled portion 44e joins with a curved portion 44f. The curved portion 44f has an inner most part 44g that together with the innermost part 44g of the other leg 44 of the clamping nut 40 defines a minimum spacing S between the legs 44. 30 As illustrated, the aperture 46 in the body 42 of the clamping nut 44 is a threaded aperture arranged to receive the threaded bolt 70. The bolt 70 depicted is an Allen bolt and thus it is arranged to be driven in and out of the aperture 46 using a hex key (sometimes referred to as an Allen key or wrench).

12 The shank of the bolt 70 must have a diameter greater than the minimum spacing S between the legs 44 of the clamping nut 40. When the bolt 70 is screwed inwardly into the threaded aperture 46, the shank 5 of the bolt 70 is moved into position between the legs 44 of the clamping nut 40. The lowermost face 70a of the bolt 70 initially contacts against the angled portion 44e of each leg 44. However, as the bolt 70 is screwed inwardly further and the face 70a is driven along the angled portion 44e, the legs 44 are caused to move outwardly away from the bolt 70 thereby increasing the spacing 10 between the legs 44. The legs 44 tend to bend outwardly about the narrowed upper portion 44a. When the bolt 70 is screwed into the aperture 46 so that the shank of the bolt 70 is between the innermost parts 44g of the legs 44, the legs 44 are bent so that the engagement lip 44c of each leg 44 is moved fully into engagement behind the respective engagement surface 26c of the channel 22, 15 24 of the mounting rail 20. When the engagement lips 44c are in this position, outward movement of the clamping nut 40 in a direction substantially parallel to the centre-line of the aperture 46 is prevented. Figure 6A illustrates a clamping nut 40 being pushed inwardly into the opening 20 of the top channel 22 of a mounting rail 20 before insertion of the threaded bolt 70 into the aperture 46 of the clamping nut 40. It will be noted that the outer lower portion 44b of each leg 42 is in contact with the start of the mid portion 26b of the adjacent side wall 26. 25 Figure 6B illustrates the positioning of the clamping nut 40 when it is secured in the upper channel 22 by the bolt 70. The body 42 of the clamping nut 40 has side edges 42a that are seated on the upper seat portions 26a of the side walls 26 of the upper channel 22. The outer engagement lip 44c of each leg 44 is in engagement with the respective engagement surface 26c of the upper channel 30 22 so as to prevent withdrawal of the clamping nut 40 from the upper channel 22.

13 Although not illustrated in Figures 6A and 6B, the bolt 70 would normally pass through an aperture in an end or middle clamp 50, 60 before being located within the aperture 46 in the clamping nut 40. In this way, the end or middle clamp 50, 60 would be connected to the mounting rail 20. This is why the 5 underside of the head of the bolt 70 is shown spaced from the top of the body 42 of the clamping nut 40 in Figures 6A and 6B. It will be understood by those skilled in the art, that clamping nuts 40 can be secured in the side channel 24 in exactly the same manner as they are secured 10 in the top channel 22. It will also be understand that clamping nuts 40 can be secured in the top and side channels 22, 24 at any position along the length of the respective channels 22, 24. The clamping nut 40 as illustrated is made of a metal, such as aluminium. The 15 clamping nut 40 is typically cut from a length of aluminium extruded section and the aperture 46 is drilled and tapped therein (either before or after the nut is cut from the length of extrusion). Figures 7, 7A, 8 and 8A illustrate a mounting foot 30 in more detail. The foot 30 20 includes a base 32 having an underside profile arranged to be complementary to the profile of the mounting surface (e.g. a corrugated roof in this example) and an upright 34. As shown, the base 32 has four apertures 33 formed therein for receiving screws or the like for attaching the base 32 to a roof or other surface. 25 The upright 34 is L-shaped and is arranged for attachment to the base 32 by means of at least one threaded connector 80. The upright 34 can be attached to the base 32 in either a first orientation (see Figures 7 and 7A) or a second orientation (see Figures 8 and 8A) at 90' to the first orientation. This enables 30 the installer to orientate the upright 34 as required to match the desired orientation of the mounting rail 20.

14 The upright 34 includes a pair of elongated apertures 34a. A connector, such as a clamping nut 40 and bolt 70 can be used to connect the upright 34 to a part such as a mounting rail 20. The elongated apertures 34a enable the mounting rail 20 to be located at varying heights relative to the base 32. 5 Figure 9 illustrates the base 32 in more detail. A first and a second race 32a, 32b are formed along the length of the base 32. The races 32a, 32b are each shaped to contain a nut 82 whilst still enabling the threaded connector 80 to be screwed into the nut 82 (see Figure 7A). In this manner, by engaging the 10 threaded connector 80 with a nut 82, it is possible to secure the upright 34 to the base 32 in either the first orientation (along one of the races 32a, 32b) or in the second orientation (perpendicular to the races 32a, 32b). When the mounting foot 30 is arranged to be mounted to a mounting surface 15 such as a sheet of corrugated metal, the underside profile of the base 32 is shaped to be complementary to the profile of the sheet. Hence, the underside profile of the base 32 will vary depending on the surface profile of the mounting surface. 20 As described above, clamping nuts 40 are used to connect each foot 30 to a mounting rail 20 or the mounting rail 20 to a clamp 50, 60. However, it should be understood that the clamping nuts 40 can be used in a wide variety of other applications, including the construction of frame elements from lengths of extruded sections and/or to connect other elements to the mounting rails or 25 frame elements. It should be understood that the clamping nuts described herein are not restricted for use with mounting systems for solar modules. Clamping nuts 40 are advantageous when used in conjunction with the mounting rails 20 because they can easily be pushed into the top or side 30 channels 22, 24 of the mounting rails 20. Accordingly, location of a clamping nut 40 anywhere along the length of the mounting rail 20 is made easy because there is no requirement to feed the clamping nuts 40 into the open end of the channels 22, 24 and to then translate them along the channel to the required 15 location. This makes the overall installation process of the clamping nuts 40 much quicker. Although the clamping nuts 40 are described as being made of metal, this may not necessarily be the case. It is envisaged that the clamping nuts could be 5 made of a plastics material. As illustrated, the feet 30 are connected to the mounting rails 20 using two clamping nuts 40 and associated bolts 70. It should be appreciated that only a single clamping nut 40 may be required or that in other applications multiple 10 clamping nuts 40 would be necessary. It should be understood that clamping nuts according to the second aspect of this invention, mounting rails according to the third aspect of the invention and feet according to the fourth aspect of the invention may be used in many 15 different applications other than for a solar module mounting system. Hence, these inventions are not intended to be limited for use with solar modules. For example, it is envisaged that they could be used in: 1. Cable tray mounting systems; 20 2. Lighting mounting systems; 3. Roof racking systems for vehicles; 4. Framing systems for insulation. The embodiments have been described by way of example only and 25 modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention are envisaged.

Claims

1. A solar module mounting system including at least two spaced mounting rails and at least two feet for securing each mounting rail to a mounting surface, 5 wherein the solar module is arranged to be secured to each mounting rail by at least one clamping nut and each of the two feet are arranged to be secured to their respective mounting rail by at least one clamping nut, each said clamping nut including a body with two legs extending therefrom, an aperture extending through said body and arranged so that a pin extending there through is 10 positioned between said legs causing said legs to be moved away from one another and into engagement with at least one respective engagement surface on said mounting rail to secure the respective solar module or foot thereto.

2. A solar module mounting system according to claim 1 wherein the at 15 least one engagement surface of the rail is formed in an open ended channel extending along the length of each rail.

3. A solar module mounting system according to claim 2 including two engagement surfaces formed in the open ended channel. 20

4. A solar module mounting system according to claim 2 or claim 3 wherein the channel is sized to enable the legs of the clamping nut to pass therethrough when in their original configuration before movement by the pin and to retain said clamping nut when the pin is positioned between the legs of the clamping 25 nut.

5. A clamping nut for securing a part to a mounting rail or the like, the clamping nut including a body with two legs extending therefrom, an aperture extending through said body and arranged so that a pin extending there through 30 is positioned between said legs causing said legs to be moved away from one another and into engagement with a respective engagement surface on said mounting rail or the like to secure the part thereto. 17

6. A clamping nut according to claim 5 wherein each leg includes an upper portion connecting the leg to the body and a lower portion including an outer engagement lip for engagement with the engagement surface of said mounting rail and an inner contact zone against which said pin contacts when said pin is 5 located between said legs.

7. A clamping nut according to claim 6 wherein the upper portion of each leg is of a narrowed cross-sectional width as compared to the cross-sectional width of the lower portion so as to enable flexure of the leg in a direction 10 outwardly of a centre-line of the aperture when the inner contact zone of the leg is contacted by the pin.

8. A clamping nut according to any one of claims 5 to 7 wherein the legs are mirror images of one another. 15

9. A clamping nut according to any one of claims 5 to 8 wherein the contact zone of each leg includes an angled portion extending downwardly and inwardly of the upper portion. 20

10. A clamping nut according to claim 9 wherein the angled portion joins with a curved portion and the curved portion has an innermost part that together with the innermost part of the other leg defines a minimum spacing between said legs. 25

11. A clamping nut according to any one of claims 5 to 10 wherein the aperture in the body of the clamping nut is a threaded aperture arranged to receive a threaded connector.

12. A mounting rail including a first and a second channel, each channel 30 extending along the length of the mounting rail so that it has a longitudinal axis and an infinite number of vertical axes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the vertical axes of the first channel extending perpendicularly to the vertical axes of the second channel, and wherein each channel is defined by first and second 18 elongate side walls, each side wall including an upper seat portion, a mid portion and an engagement surface, the engagement surface being arranged for engagement with an outer engagement lip of a leg of a clamping nut so as to prevent withdrawal of the clamping nut out of the channel. 5

13. A mounting rail according to claim 12 wherein the upper seat portion is arranged so that a part of a body of the clamping nut can be seated thereon.

14. A mounting rail according to claim 12 or claim 13 formed as an extruded 10 section.

15. A foot for securing a mounting rail to a mounting surface, the foot including a base having an underside profile arranged to correspond to a profile of the mounting surface and an upright including at least one first aperture 15 arranged to enable connection of said upright to another part.

16. A foot according to claim 15 wherein the upright is L-shaped and is arranged for attachment to the base by means of at least one threaded connector that passes through at least one second aperture formed in the 20 upright and wherein the base is arranged so that the upright can be attached thereto in either a first orientation or a second orientation at 90' to the first orientation.

17. A foot according to claim 16 wherein the at least one first aperture in the 25 upright is elongated so as to enable the connector to be connected to the part at varying heights relative to the base.

18. A foot according to any one of claims 15 to 17 wherein at least two first apertures are provided in the upright to enable connection to the part. 30

19. A foot according to any one of claims 15 to 18 wherein a race is formed along the length of the base, the race is open ended and is arranged to contain a nut whilst still enabling said threaded connector to be screwed into the nut 19 through an opening in the race whereby the threaded connector and nut can be used to attach the upright to the base.

20. A foot according to any one of claims 19 wherein a second race 5 extending parallel to the first race is formed in the base and wherein the upright includes two second apertures so that the upright can be connector to the base in the first orientation wherein the threaded connectors are connected to respective nuts in one of the races or in the second orientation wherein one threaded connector connects to a nut located in one of the races and another 10 threaded connector connects to a nut located in the other race.

21. A foot according to any one of claims 15 to 20 wherein the underside of the base is curved. 15

22. A solar module mounting system substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

23. A clamping nut substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings. 20

24. A mounting rail substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

25. A foot substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the 25 accompanying drawings.

26. A method of installing a solar module to a mounting rail, said method including using a mounting rail according to any one of claims 12 to 14 and securing the solar module to the mounting rail using a clamp and a clamping nut 30 according to any one of claims 5 to 11.

27. A method of installing a solar module to a mounting rail substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.