AU2011201927B2

AU2011201927B2 - Supporting plate for mounting solar modules on a flat substrate and supporting plate panel

Info

Publication number: AU2011201927B2
Application number: AU2011201927A
Authority: AU
Inventors: Sascha Oliver Schwarze
Original assignee: Solon SE
Current assignee: Solon SE
Priority date: 2010-06-09
Filing date: 2011-04-29
Publication date: 2013-01-31
Anticipated expiration: 2031-04-29
Also published as: DE102010023562A1; CA2738960A1; EP2395299A1; US20110303212A1; AU2011201927A1

Abstract

SOL 2010/06/01 AU SUPPORTING PLATE FOR MOUNTING SOLAR MODULES ON A FLAT SUBSTRATE AND SUPPORTING PLATE PANEL Known rectangular supporting plates with a multiplicity of trapezoidal profiles are used for the incline-free mounting of a plurality of solar modules and support transversely running securing elements. Furthermore, the supporting plates are laid on transversely running stands on a flat substrate. The supporting plate (01) according to the invention has approximately the size of an individual solar module (41) to be mounted. The upper sides (10) of the trapezoidal profiles (04, 05, 06) are constructed as direct bearing surface (11) and the intermediate spaces (12) between the trapezoidal profiles (04, 05, 06) are constructed as direct stand area (13). In this case, the stand area (13) is twice to three-times as large as the bearing surface (11) and is used at the same time as accommodating region (39) for a fixed weighting product (33). Furthermore, the height (h) of the trapezoidal profiles (04, 05, 06) increases continuously from the front edge (07) to the rear edge (08), so that the bearing surface (11) is inclined. The supporting plate (01) can be deep drawn from plastic and can be handled easily. It can be stacked during storage. An impenetrable supporting plate panel (32) made up of supporting plates (01) for supporting frameless solar panels (37) connected securely, yet releasably, with one another, which supporting plate panel is simply secured against acting wind loads by means of a fixed weighting product (33). SIGNIFICANT FIGURE FOR THE FIGURE 1

Description

AUSTRALIA Regulation 3.2 Patents Act 1990 Complete Specification Standard Patent APPLICANT: SOLON SE Invention Title: SUPPORTING PLATE FOR MOUNTING SOLAR MODULES ON A FLAT SUBSTRATE AND SUPPORTING PLATE PANEL The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to me: P:\CommonWord97\33501-34000\33556SOL\201 10429 APO - File Patent Application.doc SOL 2010/06/01 AU APPLICANT SOLON SE, Berlin TITLE SUPPORTING PLATE FOR MOUNTING SOLAR MODULES ON A FLAT SUBSTRATE AND SUPPORTING PLATE PANEL DESCRIPTION The invention relates to a supporting plate, which is used for mounting solar modules on a flat substrate, with at least three parallel trapezoidal profiles which are spaced evenly to one another and in each case run continuously along the two side edges and centrally on the plate from the front edge of the supporting plate to the rear edge, all four edges enclosing a rectangular area, and to a supporting plate panel with at least two adjacently arranged supporting plates. Due to the increasing prevalence of electricity generating photovoltaic systems, flat substrates, for example in the form of flat roofs with an incline in a range of up to 50, are also increasingly covered. In this case, particularly the weight of the photovoltaic system applied plays a decisive role, as flat roofs cannot be loaded to any desired extent. An essential constituent of a photovoltaic system is the mounting which comprises a large part of the total weight. In order to save weight here, compact lightweight supporting constructions are increasingly used for mounting solar modules. PRIOR ART -2 A moulded block is known from DE 33 46077 C2, which has two triangular side walls with rectangular cross section on a base plate, so that a solar module can be mounted in an inclined position. The moulded brick is open to the front and rear. A plurality of moulded blocks can be positioned in a row, without being connected to one another in the process. For impenetrable installation on a flat roof, the moulded block consists of a heavy material (concrete). A supporting tray made from plastic, the rear wall of which is higher that the front wall, is for example known from DE 698 15 168 T2. A peripheral edge running in an inclined manner and onto which a solar module can be mounted results. The supporting tray can be combined with further supporting trays to form a row. For impenetrable installation on a flat roof, the supporting tray can be weighted down with concrete elements. A similar supporting tray, which is closed and can be filled with a fluid weighting product, is known from DE 10 2005 033 545 Al. It is known from US 2009/0320907 Al to support the frame of a solar module on one side with rectangular supporting arms, in order to achieve an inclining of the solar module. These supporting arms have connecting means, in order to be connected to the frames of further solar modules in rows and in columns, so that a solar module panel results. The individual solar modules with frames and supporting arms can be stacked for storage one above the other. Furthermore, wind deflectors can be provided between the supporting arms. In the corresponding US 2009/0320904 Al, a weighting tank between the supporting arms is additionally described.

A supporting plate with four corner posts made from concrete is known from DE 203 18 915 U1, on which supporting plate a solar module can be mounted in the fashion of an inverted table. In this case, all posts are equally long, so that inclined mounting does not result. A supporting plate which can be stacked for storage purposes is known from EP 2 040 014 A2, which has at least two mounting projections on a base plate, the rear projection being higher than the front projection, so that there is an incline for a mounted solar module. Open cavities are located between the mounting projections. For impenetrable mounting on a flat roof, the supporting plate can be weighted down in front of and behind the projections with stones. In this case, a plurality of supporting plates can be arranged next to one another in a row, the side edges of which supporting plates are placed onto a connecting element. Furthermore, a wind deflector can be provided between the projections. It is furthermore known from DE 20 2004 019 681 U1 to rivet solar modules directly onto the trapezoidal profiles of a flat roof in rows and columns. The closest prior art to the invention is described in DE 10 2007 040 735 Al, however. A rectangular supporting plate for mounting a plurality of solar modules on a flat substrate is disclosed, which consists of three trapezoidal profiles spaced evenly to one another, which run continuously along the two side edges and in the centre of the plate, from the front edge of the supporting plate to the rear edge. In this case, all three trapezoidal profiles are of consistently even height and closely adjacent to one another, as is known from a commercially available trapezoidal profile plate which can be obtained commercially as preassembled mass-produced goods. This can be up to 3 m wide and 10 m long, so that each trapezoidal profile plate is used for the mounting of a plurality of solar modules in rows and columns. The upper sides of the trapezoidal profiles take up almost the entire rectangular area of the trapezoidal profile plate and carry securing elements which form the bearing surface for the solar modules. The intermediate spaces between the trapezoidal profiles are very narrow on account of the close adjacency and are used for mounting on transversely running elevation elements of the same height which lie in an impenetrable manner on the flat substrate. An inclined mounting of the solar modules results only by means of inclining of the flat substrate. Together with the elevation elements and the securing elements, the trapezoidal profiles form a lightweight grid structure, a peripheral frame with hold-down devices being provided for its securing. OBJECT Starting from the previously mentioned closest prior art, the object for the present invention is to be seen in the specification of a generic supporting plate which can be handled particularly simply whilst retaining its lightweight properties and does not require any additional elevation or securing elements for the solar modules. Furthermore, the supporting plate according to the invention should also enable an inclined mounting of the solar modules on a horizontal flat substrate. All requirements should also apply for a panel made up of a plurality of supporting plates. The solution according to the invention is to be drawn from the main claim. Advantageous developments of the supporting plate according to the invention are to be drawn from the subclaims. The co-ordinate claims show advantageous combinations of the supporting plate according to the invention in a supporting plate panel.

All claims are explained generally in more detail below in connection with the invention. The supporting plate according to the invention is fundamentally characterised with respect to the closest known supporting plate in that it has a dimensioning of the rectangular area in the region of the rectangular area of an individual rectangular flat solar module to be mounted. Thus, the supporting plate becomes particularly simple to handle. Furthermore, it is characteristic for the supporting plate according to the invention that the upper sides of the trapezoidal profiles are constructed as direct bearing surface for the solar module to be mounted on the supporting plate and the intermediate spaces between the trapezoidal profiles are constructed as direct stand area for the supporting plate on the fiat substrate. Further planes for elevating the supporting plate on the substrate and for mounting the solar modules on the supporting plate with the aid of securing elements, as are required in the known supporting plate, are dispensed with in the supporting plate according to the invention. Furthermore, the supporting plate according to the invention has a stand area which is twice to three times as large as the bearing surface and at the same time is used as accommodating area for a fixed weighting product. Here, the known supporting plate only shows quite narrow webs between the trapezoidal profiles, which cannot be weighted down and also cannot be used as a secure stand area. Finally, the supporting plate according to the invention is characterised in that the height of the trapezoidal profiles increases continuously from the front edge to the rear edge. By this measure, a simple yet effective incline- of the bearing surface for the solar module is achieved, so that this can be directed optimally towards the incident sunlight during operation.

- 6 Different constructions of the surfaces in the bearing surface and the intermediate spaces in the stand area result due to the increasing height of the trapezoidal profiles. If the surfaces and intermediate spaces are likewise rectangular, then the side walls of the trapezoidal profiles have a curved course. Side areas which run in a planar fashion are more advantageous, however. Thus, a bearing surface made up of rectangular upper sides and a stand area made up of trapezoidal intermediate spaces can preferably be used in the invention. Alternatively, a configuration of the bearing surface made up of trapezoidal upper sides and the stand area made up of rectangular intermediate spaces is also advantageously possible. Constructions of this type can be produced particularly simply by means of deep drawing or canting methods. It is also particularly advantageous if the supporting plate according to the invention can be stacked. To this end, the side areas of all trapezoidal profiles present preferably have an oblique course. In accordance with the example of the preassembled simple trapezoidal profile plates, the supporting plates according to the invention can then simply be stacked and stored above one another. A construction made from a lightweight and weatherproof plastic is particularly suitable in this case. A further improved handleability of the individual supporting plates results if handhold cutouts are provided in the outer side areas of the two outer trapezoidal profiles along the two side edges of the supporting plate. In the layout of the individual supporting plates, spacings in the region of the bearing surface result due to the oblique side areas of the outer trapezoidal profiles as well, however, which spacings can also be bridged simply however It is more beneficial however, if the outer side areas of the two outer trapezoidal profiles preferably run vertically along the two side edges of the supporting plate. As a result, although the stackability is somewhat less beneficial, the upper sides of the outer trapezoidal profiles of adjacent supporting plates form a mutually adjacent bearing surface. The solar modules, which with their side edges are terminated with the supporting plates, can as a result be laid out in a practical gapless manner in columns next to one another, which enables an optimal utilisation of the substrate area. At the rear edge, the trapezoidal profiles are higher than at the front edge of the supporting plate, due to the continuous rise according to the invention. The large rear head area of the trapezoidal profiles can in this case be constructed orthogonally to the stand area of the supporting plate. If appropriate, undesirable surfaces exposed to the wind result due to this, however. In addition, the solar modules can be mounted so densely in rows one behind the other that they mutually shade one another, if appropriate. Preferably, the supporting plate according to the invention is therefore characterised by an oblique construction, inclined towards the supporting plate, of the head areas of the trapezoidal profiles at the rear edge of the supporting plate. These inclined areas offer the wind smaller areas of action and increase the spacing between the individual solar module rows, so that these cannot mutually shade one another. The head areas lie in the region of the trapezoidal profiles. Advantageously, the intermediate spaces forming the stand area can also form a terminal wall with a height of the trapezoidal profiles along the rear edge of the supporting plate at least in the region of the trapezoidal profiles. A closed space which can be filled with a weighting product results. Analogously to the head areas of the trapezoidal profiles, the terminal wall can preferably also be constructed obliquely. For good airing of the supporting plates for heat dissipation and improved adhesion, ventilation openings can preferably be provided in the terminal wall. So that water present on the flat substrate flows away well in the region of the supporting plates, a drainage grid can advantageously be provided along the rear edge -of the supporting plate, at least in the region of the stand surface between the trapezoidal profiles. Particularly preferred in the supporting plate according to the invention however is a continuous terminal wall with a continuous drainage grid, as a combination of this type can be produced particularly simply. The rear head areas of the trapezoidal profiles are in this case simply integrated into the terminal wall. An opening is however advantageously provided in the terminal wall in the region of the head area of an outer trapezoidal profile. The connection socket of the solar module can for example be arranged under this side trapezoidal profile, which connection socket is easily reachable through the opening - even for the connection cable. The upper sides of the trapezoidal profiles together form the direct bearing surface for the solar module. Fixing can for example take place by means of a single adhesive bonding. It is advantageous in this case if a longitudinal profile is provided in the upper sides of the trapezoidal profiles. Without reducing the actual supporting area, an improved unmounting by dissolving the bond of the solar module is enabled by the reduced bearing surface. An oblique terminal wall can, as detailed previously, preferably be provided at the rear edge of the supporting plates, which terminal wall ensures an increased spacing of the individual rows of the solar modules. An optimal spacing between the individual solar module rows results, however, if additionally a continuous catwalk is also provided along the front side of the supporting plate. As a - 9 result of this configuration, an optimal reachability of the solar modules is also enabled. Installers can pass between the individual rows and do not have to move on the solar modules themselves, as is often known from the prior art. Preferably, the catwalk can be constructed in a grid-like manner, so that, in spite of good surety of footing, it lets draining water through easily and does not comprise much weight, which is particularly advantageous if the catwalk is constructed integrally with the supporting plate. The terminal wall as well can readily be included into the integrality. The supporting plates according to the invention can be laid in a plurality of rows one behind the other, in this case, the supporting plates can simply be pushed against one another, so that they can also be removed or displaced individually at any time. For the overall stability of the solar module panel - also with respect to acting wind loads - it is also advantageous however, if connecting pieces are provided at the rear edge of the supporting plate and connecting bolts are provided at the front edge of the supporting plate or the catwalk, so that a plurality of supporting plates can be connected behind one another in columns. The connecting pieces can have angled slots, into which the connecting bolts can be clicked. Preferably, two connecting pieces can be provided in each case as extension of the outer side area of the two outer trapezoidal profiles. The associated two connecting bolts are then arranged in each case at the outer side areas of the two outer trapezoidal profiles. They can also be integrated into the side walls of the catwalk. For connecting the supporting plates in the rows, further connecting elements can furthermore preferably be provided in the region of the outer side areas of the two outer trapezoidal profiles. In this case, the further connecting elements can preferably be - 10 constructed in the form of a rail with a dovetail guide. Furthermore, a front further connecting element in the region of the front edge of the supporting plate or the catwalk and a rear further connecting element in the region of the rear edge of the supporting plate can be provided. It has already been detailed many times that an entire supporting plate panel made up of a multiplicity of supporting plates arranged next to one another in rows and columns and for mounting a corresponding number of solar modules can advantageously also be formed with the supporting plate according to the invention for mounting a solar module. In order to achieve a good securing of this supporting plate panel against acting wind loads, the stand areas of the supporting plates can preferably be weighted down with coarse-grained gravel as applied weighting product. Other solid weighting products, also in the form of large regular stones, can naturally likewise readily be introduced. The supporting plates according to the invention have oblique trapezoidal profiles, on which the solar modules can be mounted in an inclined manner. Advantageously, all supporting plates in the supporting plate panel can therefore also have an orientation of the inclined bearing surfaces of the supporting plates towards sunlight incident during operation. It has likewise already been detailed that the individual supporting plates advantageously can be connected to one another in the individual rows and columns in a different manner. If, for the connection of the supporting plates in the rows, one is concerned with rails with a dovetail guide, sliding elements with a bilateral dovetail profile can advantageously be used, which are pushed into the dovetail profiles of the rails with dovetail guide between adjacent supporting plates. It has also already been detailed that the - 11 solar module can preferably easily be adhesively bonded onto the bearing surface of the supporting plate. Particularly preferably, for a supporting plate panel, frameless solar panels can therefore be applied as solar modules onto the bearing surfaces of the supporting plates by means of bonding. A particularly lightweight construction results from the lightweight supporting plates in connection with the lightweight solar panels, which lightweight construction can be arranged on smaller supporting flat substrates. Lifting off due to wind loads can be avoided easily by means of a corresponding weighting with a weighting product, so that an impenetrable laying of the supporting plates onto the flat substrate is possible. Especially in the case of flat substrates, the damage-free state of the roof skin is of particular importance for ensuring the water-tightness. In an individual case - in the event of particularly large acting wind loads - a tensioning of the supporting plate panel, for example by means of diagonal tensioning cables at at least two points can however also take place. The modifications of the supporting plate according to the invention mentioned can be used both alone and in any desired combinations with one another in the invention. Further modifications are likewise readily possible. Further exemplary constructive configurations are to be drawn from the following special part of the description. EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENT Preferred embodiments of the supporting plate for mounting solar modules on a flat substrate according to the invention are described in more detail hereinafter, on the basis of the schematic figures. In the figures, - 12 FIGURE 1 shows a perspective view of the supporting plate, FIGURES 2A, B, C show various embodiments of the trapezoidal profiles, FIGURE 3 shows a front view of the supporting plate according to Fig. 1 from above, FIGURE 4 shows a front view of the supporting plate according to Fig. 1 from behind, FIGURE 5 shows a front view of the supporting plate according to Fig. 1 from the front, FIGURE 6A shows a front view of the supporting plate according to Fig. 1 from the right, FIGURE 6B shows a front view of the supporting plate according to Fig. 1 from the left and FIGURE 7 shows a supporting plate panel made up of a plurality of supporting plates according to Fig. 1. In FIGURE 1, a rectangular supporting plate 01 according to the invention for mounting solar modules on a flat substrate is illustrated in perspective top view. The supporting plate 01 is delimited at its two side edges 02, 03 by two outer trapezoidal profiles 04, 05. A central trapezoidal profile 06 runs in the centre of the supporting plate 01. All trapezoidal profiles 04, 05, 06 run parallel to one another and continuously from the front edge 07 of the supporting plate 01 to the rear edge 08, all four edges 02, 03, 07, 08 enclosing a rectangular area 09. In this case, this rectangular area 09 is approximately as large as an - 13 individual flat solar module to be mounted (cf. FIGURE 7) . In the exemplary embodiment, three trapezoidal profiles 04, 05, 06 are illustrated. These are distributed evenly on the supporting plate 01. Thus, the number of required trapezoidal profiles 04, 05, 06 results as a function of the size of the solar module to be mounted and thus of the size of the rectangular area 09. The outer trapezoidal profiles 04, 05 are always present. Therebetween, depending on the size of the rectangular area 09, only one trapezoidal profile (central trapezoidal profile 06) or also a plurality of trapezoidal profiles may be arranged. For example, a further trapezoidal profile can be provided between the central trapezoidal profile 06 and the two outer trapezoidal profiles 04, 05 in each case, so that there are five trapezoidal profiles in total on the supporting plate 01. Other numbers are likewise realisable, the area ratios needing to be taken into account as a function of the size of the rectangular area 09, however, (see below). All upper sides 10 of the trapezoidal profiles 04, 05, 06 form a direct bearing surface 11 for the solar module to be mounted on the supporting plate 01. All intermediate spaces 12 between the trapezoidal profiles 04, 05, 06 form a direct stand area 13 for the supporting plate 01 on the flat substrate, for example a flat roof inclined up to 5'. In this case, however, the stand area 13 is twice to three-times as large as the bearing surface 11. At the same time, the stand area 13 is also used as accommodating region 39 for a solid weighting product. All trapezoidal profiles 04, 05, 06 show a continuous increase in their height h in their course from the front edge 07 to the rear edge 08 of the supporting plate (h, - h2), so that an incline 14 of the bearing surface at an angle of incline c results The FIGURES 2A and 2B show possible forms of the upper sides 10 of the trapezoidal profiles 04, 05, 06 and the intermediate spaces 12 in detail. In the FIGURE 2A, the upper sides 10 have a trapezoidal shape and the intermediate spaces 12 have a rectangular shape. In the FIGURE 2B, things are reversed: the upper sides 10 have a rectangular shape and the intermediate spaces 12 have a trapezoidal shape. In both cases, a trapezoidal yet even planar shape results for the side areas 14 of the trapezoidal profiles 06. These configurations are particularly good for a stackability of the supporting plate 01 during product storage. In this case, the supporting plate 01 can preferably be produced from a plastic. For the case, which is not shown, of a rectangular shape of upper sides 10 and intermediate spaces 12, the side areas 14 have a curved trapezoidal course. In FIGURE 2C, another outer trapezoidal profile 05 is illustrated, in which the outer side area 15 is constructed vertically, so that the outer trapezoidal profiles 04 of adjacent supporting plates 01 can adjoin gaplessly. The construction of vertical side areas 15, 16 is also implemented in the case of the supporting plate 01 according to FIGURE 1 along the side edges 02 and 03. An oblique construction inclined towards the supporting plate 01 of head areas 17 of the trapezoidal profiles 04, 05, 06 at the rear edge 08 of the supporting plate 01 is furthermore illustrated in FIGURE 1. A terminal wall 42 with the height h 2 of the trapezoidal profiles 04, 05, 06 is arranged in the region of the intermediate spaces 12, which terminal wall has the same incline as the head areas 17 of the trapezoidal profiles 04, 05, 06. In the outer side area 16 of the - 15 outer trapezoidal profile 05, a handhold cutout 18 is furthermore illustrated, which facilitates the laying of the supporting plate 01 onto the flat substrate. The outer side area 15 of the outer trapezoidal profile 04 likewise has a handhold cutout 18 of this type. Furthermore, longitudinal profiles 19, which facilitate an adhesive bonding of the solar modules, are illustrated in the upper sides 10 of the trapezoidal profiles 04, 05, 06. A drainage grid 40 along the rear edge 08 of the supporting plate 01 in the region of the stand area 13 between the trapezoidal profiles 04, 05, 06 is likewise to be seen. The drainage grid 40 is used for the throughflow of water on the flat substrate. Furthermore, the terminal wall 42 has airing openings 20 which are used for dissipation of heat below the supporting plates 01 by means of air circulation and the reduction of surfaces exposed to the wind. The drainage grid 40 can likewise be used for the airing and ventilation as an airing opening 20. Finally, at the front edge 07 of the supporting plate 01, a grid like catwalk 21 is shown, on which installers can walk between the individual solar module rows. Furthermore, FIGURE 1 shows connecting pieces 22 at the rear edge 08 of the supporting plate 01 which are arranged as an extension of the outer side areas 14, 15 of the two outer trapezoidal profiles 04, 05. In addition, connecting bolts 23 are located at the front edge 24 of the catwalk 21, which are integrated in side walls 25, 26 of extensions 27, 28 of the two outer trapezoidal profiles 04, 05. Due to the engagement of the connecting bolts 23 into the connecting pieces 22, the supporting plates 01 can be connected column-by column securely, yet releasably, one behind the other. Openings 29 in the outer side areas 14, 15 of the outer trapezoidal profiles 04, 05 are likewise to be seen. These are used for the accommodation of further - 16 connecting elements (not shown) for connection of the supporting plates 01 row-by-row next to one another. For example, this may concern one- or multiple-piece rails with dovetail guides, which are connected to one another by a common slide element (cf. also FIGURE 7 and DE 10 2006 044 418 B3 or DE 10 2010 014 414.2, not yet published at the time of the application). The FIGURES 3, 4, 5, and 6A, B show the supporting plate 01 according to FIGURE 1 in the corresponding front views (FIGURE 3 from above, FIGURE 4 from the rear, FIGURE 5 from the front, FIGURE 6A from the right, FIGURE 6B from the left) . The explanations of the reference numbers shown are to be drawn in accordance with FIGURE 1. In addition, the FIGURE 4 shows a further opening 30 in the head area 17 of the outer trapezoidal profile 05 of the supporting plate 01. A connection socket (not illustrated in any more detail) can be operated through this opening 30, which connection socket can be connected to the solar module via a further opening 31. In the FIGURE 4, the terminal wall 42 is not illustrated continuously. The airing openings 20 are to be seen here. These are conceived in such a manner that the air flowing out is conducted away upwardly (cf. FIGURES 6A, B). The FIGURE 7 finally shows a supporting plate panel 32 made up of a multiplicity of individual supporting plates 01. A fixed weighting product 33 in the form of coarse-grained gravel applied onto the stand areas 12 of the supporting plates 01 is to be seen. An orientation of the inclined bearing surfaces 11 of the supporting plates 01 towards the incident direction 34 of sunlight incident during operation is furthermore shown. Sliding elements 35 with a bilateral dovetail profile, which are pushed into the dovetail profiles of rails 36 with dovetail guide as further connecting -17 elements 43 between adjacenL supporting plates 01, are likewise indicated (specifically in a detailed section). Applied by means of bonding onto the bearing surfaces 11 were frameless solar panels 37 as solar modules 41. The entire supporting plate panel 32 is laid on a flat substrate 38 in an impenetrable manner and fixed by the weighting product 33 and therefore easily secured against being lifted off by means of acting wind loads.

- 18 LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS 01 Supporting plate 02 Left side edge of 01 03 Right side edge of 01 04 Left outer trapezoidal profile 05 Right outer trapezoidal profile 06 Central trapezoidal profile 07 Front edge of 01 08 Rear edge of 01 09 Rectangular area 10 Upper side of 04, 05, 06 11 Inclined direct bearing surface made up of 10 12 Intermediate space between 04, 05, 06 13 Direct stand area made up of 12 14 Side area (oblique) of 04, 05, 06 15 Outer side area (vertical) of 04 16 Outer side area (vertical) of 05 17 Head area of 04, 05, 06 18 Handhold cutout in 15, 16 19 Longitudinal profile in 10 20 Airing opening 21 Catwalk 22 Connecting piece 23 Connecting bolts 24 Front edge of 21 25 Outer side wall of 27 26 Outer side wall of 28 27 Extension of 04 28 Extension of 05 29 Opening 30 Opening 31 Opening 32 Supporting plate panel 33 Fixed weighting product 34 Incident direction 35 Sliding element - 19 36 Rail 37 Frameless solar panel 38 Flat substrate 39 Accommodating region 40 Drainage grid 41 Solar module 42 Terminal wall 43 Further connecting element h Height of 04, 05, 06 hi Height of 04, 05, 06 at 07 h 2 Height of 04, 05, 06 at 08 a Angle of incline (hi - h2) Throughout this specification and the claims which follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise", and variations such as "comprises" and "comprising", will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or step or group of integers or steps but not the exclusion of any other integer or step or group of integers or steps. The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia. Further, the reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that such art would be understood, ascertained or regarded as relevant by the skilled person in Australia.

Claims

1. Supporting plate, which is used for mounting solar modules on a flat substrate, with at least three parallel trapezoidal profiles which are spaced evenly to one another and in each case run continuously along the two side edges and centrally on the plate from the front edge of the supporting plate to the rear edge, wherein all four edges enclose a rectangular area, and wherein - a dimensioning of the rectangular area in the region of the rectangular area of an individual rectangular flat solar module to be mounted, * a construction of the upper sides of the trapezoidal profiles as direct bearing surface for the solar module to be mounted on the supporting plate and a construction of the intermediate spaces between the trapezoidal profiles as a direct stand area for the supporting plate on the flat substrate, wherein the stand area is twice to three-times as large as the bearing surface and at the same time is used as accommodating area for a fixed weighting product, and * a continuous increase of the height (h) of the trapezoidal profiles from the front edge to the rear edge for forming an incline of the bearing surface, CHARACTERISED BY a formation of the bearing surface form upper sides with rectangular shape and the stand area form intermediate spaces with trapezoidal shape or a formation of the bearing surface form upper sides with trapezoidal shape - 20 - and the stand area form intermediate spaces with rectangular shape.

2. Supporting plate according to Claim 1, CHARACTERISED BY a stackable construction made from a plastic.

3. Supporting plate according to at least one of Claims 1 to 2, CHARACTERISED BY a vertical construction of outer side areas of the two outer trapezoidal profiles along the two side edges of the supporting plate.

4. Supporting plate according to at least one of Claims 1 to 3, CHARACTERISED BY an oblique construction inclined towards the supporting plate of head areas of the trapezoidal profiles at the rear edge of the supporting plate.

5. Supporting plate according to at least one of Claims 1 to 4, CHARACTERISED BY a longitudinal profile in the upper sides of the trapezoidal profiles .

6. Supporting plate according to at least one of Claims 1 to 5, - 21 - CHARACTERISED BY handhold cutouts in the outer side areas of the two outer trapezoidal profiles along the two side edges of the supporting plate

7. Supporting plate according to at least one of Claims 1 to 8, CHARACTERISED BY a terminal wall with a height (h2) of the trapezoidal profiles along the rear edge of the supporting plate, at least in the region of the trapezoidal profiles.

8. Supporting plate according to Claims 5 and 7, CHARACTERISED BY an oblique construction of the terminal wall.

9. Supporting plate according to Claim 8, CHARACTERISED BY airing openings in the terminal wall.

10. Supporting plate according to at least one of Claims 1 to 9, CHARACTERISED BY a drainage grid along the rear edge of the supporting plate, at least in the region of the stand area between the trapezoidal profiles.

11. Supporting plate according to Claims 7 and 10, CHARACTERISED BY - 22 - a continuous terminal wall with a continuous drainage grid.

12. Supporting plate according to Claim 7, CHARACTERISED BY a further opening in the terminal wall in the region of the head area of the outer trapezoidal profile.

13. Supporting plate according to at least one of Claims 1 to 12, CHARACTERISED BY a continuous catwalk along the front side of the supporting plate.

14. Supporting plate according to Claim 13, CHARACTERISED BY a grid-like construction of the catwalk.

15. Supporting plate according to at least one of Claims 1 to 14, CHARACTERISED BY connecting pieces at the rear edge of the supporting plate and connecting bolts at the front edge of the supporting plate or of the catwalk for the column-by column connectability of a plurality of supporting plates one behind the other.

16. Supporting plate according to Claim 15, - 23 - CHARACTERISED BY an arrangement of two connecting pieces in each case as an extension of the outer side area of the two outer trapezoidal profiles and of two connecting bolts in each case at the outer side areas of the two outer trapezoidal profiles or of the catwalk.

17. Supporting plate according to at least one of Claims 1 to 16, CHARACTERISED BY further connecting elements in the region of the outer side areas of the two outer trapezoidal profiles for row by-row connectability of a plurality of supporting plates next to one another.

18. Supporting plate according to Claim 17, CHARACTERISED BY a construction of the further connecting element in the form of a rail with a dovetail guide.

19. Supporting plate according to Claim 17, CHARACTERISED BY an arrangement of a front further connecting element in the region of the front edge of the supporting plate or of the catwalk and a rear further connecting element in the region of the rear edge of the supporting plate.

20. Supporting plate panel with at least two adjacently arranged supporting plates according to at least one of Claims 1 to 19, - 24 - CHARACTERISED BY a fixed weighting product in the form of coarse-grained gravel applied onto the stand areas of the supporting plates.

21. Supporting plate panel with at least two adjacently arranged supporting plates according to at least one of Claims 1 to 19 or according to Claim 20, CHARACTERISED BY an orientation of the inclined bearing surfaces of the supporting plates towards the incident direction of sunlight incident during operation.

22. Supporting plate panel with at least two adjacently arranged supporting plates according to Claim 18 or 19 or according to Claim 20 or 21, CHARACTERISED BY a fixed, yet releasable, row-by-row connection of the supporting plates by means of sliding elements with a bilateral dovetail profile, which are pushed into the dovetail profiles of the rails with dovetail guide between adjacent supporting plates.

23. Supporting plate panel with at least two adjacently arranged supporting plates according to at least one of Claims 1 to 19 or according to at least one of Claims 20 to 22, CHARACTERISED BY an application of frameless solar panels as solar modules onto the bearing surfaces of the supporting plates by means of bonding. - 25 -

24. Supporting plate panel with at least two adjacently arranged supporting plates according to at least one of Claims 1 to 19 or according to at least one of Claims 20 to 23, CHARACTERISED BY an impenetrable laying according to the invention of the supporting plates onto the flat substrate.

25. A supporting plate substantially as hereinbefore described.

26. A supporting plate panel substantially as hereinbefore described. - 26 -