AU2021106521A4 - Building roof support arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

An I-beam frame assembly for supporting a solar panel is disclosed. A solar panel having a four-sided frame is supported by the I-beam frame member along at least one side of the solar 5 panel. The I-beam has an elongate I-beam body having upper and lower portions which are spaced apart by an elongate laterally orientated column. The upper portion of the I-beam body has at least two walls protruding away from the upper surface of the upper portion of the I beam body and the height of the two walls is a portion of the width of a side of the frame of the solar panel. There is at least one solar panel frame support protrusion shaped to form a o channel below the solar panel frame support protrusion. The at least one solar panel frame support protrusion is located on the upper surface of each frame support protrusion located laterally of each of the two walls and running longitudinally along the upper surface of the upper portion of the elongate I-beam. There is an elongate top cap having at least one longate depending protrusion adapted to pass between the two walls located on the upper portion of 5 the I-beam body and a lower surface of an upper portion of the top cap extends laterally from the depending protrusion, wherein when a portion of a side of the frame of the solar panel abuts the upper surface of a frame support protrusion on the upper portion of the I-beam body, the elongate top cap is located such that the elongate depending protrusion passes between the two walls located on the upper portion of the I-beam body to support a respective portion of a 0 side of the frame of the solar panel. 1/6 140 142 102 154 -- 150 110 144 156 A 15213 1310 100 132 134 138 120{ FigreB Figure 1

Description

1/6

140 142 102

154 --

150 110 144

156 A 15213

1310 100

132 134

138

120{

FigreB Figure 1

BUILDING ROOF SUPPPORT ARRANGMENT PRIORITY REFERENCE

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application 2019901668, filed on 16 May 2019, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, and PCT/AU2020/000041 filed 15 May 2020 and published as W02020227756.

FIELD

[0002] The field is building roof support arrangements for use with solar energy collection panels to form a roof or part of a roof structure.

BACKGROUND

[0003] Solar energy can be transformed into electrical energy using suitable materials in the form of a solar collection panel. The panel, for example, may comprise layers of amorphous silicon typically applied to a glass superstrate (sometimes a substrate) and additional layers of metals (for example, titanium, silver, aluminium, silver, etc.). The amorphous silicon layer may consist of various conductive oxides being variously doped. Certain of the layers are the positive and others the negative of an electrical circuit that generates current when impinged upon by light from the sun (solar energy).

[0004] The electric current generated can be used immediately or can be stored for later use, or the current and voltage output of the solar energy collection panel can be concurrently converted to provide electrical power, typically alternating current power.

[0005] There can be various protective layers of, for example, ethylene vinyl acetate or polyvinyl fluoride, which are typically laminated onto and over the previously described layers. It is also typical to provide a frame (for example of aluminium) to encase the sides of the panel to provide a physical form of protection for the layers and add rigidity to the panel for storage, transportation and finally to become the element to be fixed to the relevant structure when the panel or panels are installed for use. The framed panel allows for the positioning of the panel to be optimised to maximise the solar energy that the panel captures depending on the latitude and longitude location of that installation.

[0006] The preceding description is but one arrangement of the composition of a framed solar collection panel, since the sophistication of the manufacture of solar collection panels (as sometimes referred to as photovoltaic (PV) panels) is purely for illustrative purposes.

[0007] There is however a common feature in most PV panels and that is, they are generally encased in a frame, and it is the frame which is known to have some issues. The frame must be carefully shaped, constructed and interfaced with the panel, as it is a characteristic of some frames to retain water that falls on the frame or that collects as condensation on the upper and but generally the lower surfaces of the panel (lower referring to the closer to the ground surface of an installed solar panel). This accumulation of water can adversely affect the adhesive failure of the protective layers of the solar panel. It is also possible for water and dirt to collect on the upper surface of the installed panel and in particular to accumulate at the junction of the frame and the upper surface of the panel, to thus potentially adversely affect solar collection over the total area of the solar collection panel as that is the area where junctions between cells that make up the panel are located. Consequently, there can be a problem with the safe, secure and convenient construction of a frame to house and secure the framed solar panels when the panels are attached to an existing roof, and more so when that roof is formed using the framed solar panels rather than them being attached to the roof surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF ASPECTS

[0008] This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that is further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter. Other features, details, utilities, and advantages of the claimed subject matter will be apparent from the following written Detailed Description including those aspects illustrated in the accompanying drawings and defined in the appended claims.

[0009] In an aspect there is an I-beam frame assembly for supporting a solar panel, the solar panel having a four-sided fame; the I-beam frame member comprising: A) an elongate I-beam body having upper and lower portions which are spaced apart by an elongate laterally orientated colunm; the upper portion of the I-beam body having at least two walls protruding away from the upper surface of the upper portion of the I-beam body and the height of the two walls is a portion of the width of a side of the frame of the solar panel, and at least one solar panel frame support protrusion shaped to form a channel below the solar panel frame support protrusion, and wherein at least one solar panel frame support protrusion is located on the upper surface of each frame support protrusion located laterally of each of the two walls and running longitudinally along the upper surface of the upper portion of the elongate I-beam; and B) an elongate top cap having at least one elongate depending protrusion adapted to pass between the two walls located on the upper portion of the I-beam body and a lower surface of an upper portion of the top cap extends laterally from the depending protrusion, wherein when a portion of a side of the frame of the solar panel abuts the upper surface of a frame support protrusion on the upper portion of the I-beam body, the elongate top cap is located such that the elongate depending protrusion passes between the two walls located on the upper portion of the I beam body to support a respective portion of a side of the frame of the solar panel.

[0010] In an aspect there is a support member for mounting a solar panel, the solar panel has a four sided frame and each side of the frame having an upper and lower surface defining a width of the frame, so that the supported solar panel can form the surface of a roof or the like of a structure when supported by the support member, and there is at least two elongate planar cover panels each cover panel having two edges, each cover panel adapted to be supported by the support member, the support member comprising: an elongate frame element having an I-beam shape, the I-beam shape including a) a generally flat elongate base having a substantially planar surface and edges, each edge adapted to receive one of the two edges of a respective one of the two cover panels; and b) a profiled elongate upper surface having two edges, each edge adapted to receive one of the two edges of a respective one of the two cover panels; and the profiled upper surface having two sides each side having at least one panel frame support protrusion shaped to support the underside of the frame of a solar panel on an upper surface of the panel frame support protrusion, and under the panel frame support protrusion a channel formed to accumulate water and run that accumulated water along the elongate frame element to a free end thereof, and at least two spaced protrusions which extend outward of the upper surface and extend a length which is at least the width of the solar panel frame; and an elongate cap section having: a. a top portion, in use, having at least two lower surfaces, each lower surface having at least one protrusion adapted to abut, in use, the solar panel frame, and b. two protrusions spaced to fit within the separation between the space between the two spaced protrusions of the elongate frame element; wherein at least a portion of one side of the solar panel rests on a profiled upper surface of an elongate frame element and is abutted by at least one protrusion of the top portion of the elongate cap section, once the cap section is fixed to the elongate frame element.

[0011] In an aspect, in use, the elongate frame element may not extend the full length of the framed solar panel.

[0012] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0013] The prior brief description of aspects is provided only to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that is further described below in the Detailed Description of Embodiments. That brief description is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.

[0014] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described and illustrated in the figures are not restricted in their use in the particular applications described. Neither are the presented embodiments restricted in their embodiments about the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that various modifications can be made without departing from the aspects disclosed. Therefore, the embodiments should be understood to include all such modifications within their scope.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0015] Figure 1 depicts an end-view of a cross-section of an embodiment of a support member;

[0016] Figure 2 depicts a cross-sectional and perspective view of an embodiment of an elongate support member as depicted in Figure 1;

[0017] Figure 3 depicts an end view of a cross-section of an embodiment of a support member assembly and added cover panels and a phantom illustration of a framed solar panel;

[0018] Figure 4 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a protrusion or profiled upper surface of an elongate frame element as depicted in circle A in Figure 1;

[0019] Figure 5 depicts a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a lip formed on an edge portion of the body of a support member to support cover panels as also depicted in circle B in Figure 1;

[0020] Figure 6 depicts a side view of a shade structure having a flat roof of solar panels supported by an embodiment of multiple elongate frame elements;

[0021] Figure 7 depicts a plan view of a shade structure of Figure 6 having a flat roof of solar panels supported by an embodiment of multiple elongate frame elements;

[0022] Figure 8 depicts an underside perspective view of a shade structure having a flat roof of solar panels supported by an embodiment of multiple elongate frame elements;

[0023] Figure 9 depicts an underside side perspective view of a shade structure having a flat roof of solar panels supported by an embodiment of multiple elongate frame elements;

[0024] Figure 10 depicts an underside perspective view of a shade structure having two flat rooves of solar panels supported by an embodiment of multiple elongate frame elements;

[0025] Figure 11 depicts an underside side perspective view of a shade structure having two flat rooves of solar panels supported by an embodiment of multiple elongate frame elements; and

[0026] Figure 12 depicts a top perspective view of a shade structure having two flat rooves of solar panels supported by an embodiment of multiple elongate frame elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0027] As used in the specification and claims, the singular form "a", "an" and "the" and include plural references unless the context dictates otherwise.

[0028] The present disclosure may use the term "comprise" (open-ended) or "consist essentially of' the components of the present disclosure as well as other methods or elements described herein. As used herein, "comprising" means the elements recited, or their equivalent in structure or function, plus any other element or elements which are not recited. The terms "having" and "including" are also to be construed as open-ended unless the context suggests otherwise. As used herein, "consisting essentially of' means that the claimed arrangement, method and system may include ingredients in addition to those recited in the claim, but only if the additional ingredients do not materially alter the basic and novel characteristics as claimed.

[0029] Where used herein, the term "and/or" when used in a list of two or more items means that any one of the listed characteristics can be present, or any combination of two or more of the listed characteristics can be present. For example, if a physical feature is described as containing characteristics A, B, and/or C, the feature can contain feature A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination.

[0030] Figure 1 depicts an end-view of a cross-section of an embodiment of a support member which is preferably made of aluminium but can be of any other suitable material, recognising that the support member is structural part of a structure, typically but not exclusively a roof structure. Therefore, the support member will be subject to various dead and live loads and need to provide its required support function for many years in a variety of environmental conditions. One or more of the design criteria listed and others not mentioned herein will determine, for the person skilled in such design, what material is best suited to a particular set of design criteria. Consequently, a particular grade of aluminium may be more suited to a set of criteria than another, or another material altogether may be better suited.

[0031] It certainly helps that aluminiumis suitable for a wide range of structural design criteria and is readily manufactured in long lengths. The typical length of the elongate support member to be manufactured and then transportable is 6 meters. However, for specific applications it would be possible to manufacture any desired length of the elongate support member, so the provision of 10 meter lengths or of 3-meter lengths is possible. Any required length can also be cut from the available length of the elongate support member.

[0032] There are many desirable but not necessarily required features of the elongate support member.

[0033] One such desirable feature is that the shape of the support member is generally of an I-shape. Meaning that there is at least one upper support arm/portion (but generally two) separated from at least one or two lower support arm/portion (but generally two), and that the separation is created by a support column between the upper and lower portions at least along a portion of the elongate support member.

[0034] That there can be more than the generally two support arms/portions is an indication of the possibility that there can be more than two supports provided for one or more framed solar panels.

[0035] Figure 1 depicts an I-beam frame assembly that can support at least a portion of one side of a four-sided framed solar panel 102. The solar panel frame is depicted using dotted lines to merely illustrate the outer dimensions of the frame and shown only as a portion of the frame to provide an example of the location of a solar panel in spatial relation to the I-beam frame assembly. The solar panel will generally have a construction of the type described earlier in this specification, the common feature of which is a generally rectangular frame surrounding and supporting the solar panel elements. The I-beam frame assembly of the embodiment depicted in Figure 1 is depicted as having an I-beam body 100 and a top cap 300 as depicted in Figure 3. The depiction in Figure 1 does not illustrate that the I-beam is elongate, but that is illustrated in Figure 2.

[0036] The I-beam body 100 has an upper portion 110 and lower portion 120 that are spaced apart by an elongate laterally orientated column 130, which in this embodiment is formed by two support walls 132 and 134 having two strengthening formations 136 and 138 fixed or made as extensions or projections of the inner portions of the two walls. The form of the column 130 may be a solid structure. Alternatively, the column may have multiple walls and multiple strengthening elements between the walls. In the embodiment depicted in Figure 1, the two formations 136 and 138 are C shaped and can be used to provide a channel for electrical or data communication cables, or any other conduit and possibly other components that are best installed within the confines of the walls of the column.

[0037] In an embodiment, the upper portion of the I-beam body 100 has at least two abutment walls 140 and 142 protruding away from the upper surface 144 of the upper portion 110 of the I-beam body 100. The height of the two abutment walls 140 and 142 is at least the width of a side of the frame of the solar panel 102. The height requirement is not strictly required. However, it is useful if there is a need to use a top cap 300 (as depicted in Figure 3), to encase at least a portion of a frame of a solar panel which allows for at least a part of the height of the framed solar panel 102 to lie against (abut) the abutment wall, since if there is only partial abutment, then the top cap 300 will still prevent, in use, upward movement of the framed solar panel relative to the upper portion of the I-beam body 100.

[0038] A preferable feature of the I-beam body 100 and in particular the upper portion 110 of the I beam body is that there is at least one support surface 150 provided on a protrusion 152 on at least one side of an abutment wall 140 on the upper portion. The support surface is substantially flat along the length of the elongate I-beam body, shaped so as to provide a surface on which the substantially flat side surface of at least a portion of a framed solar panel 102 is supported. In the embodiment illustrated there are two such supports surfaces 150 and between those support surfaces is a channel 156. The channel is useable to receive a portion of a seal (preferably of neoprene material) which is secured within the channel and extends above the channel to, in use, support the frame of the framed solar panel 102 (shown in phantom on the other side of the upper portion for illustrative purposes). The seal arrangement is optional since a seal of another configuration may be formed on the framed solar panel instead and may merely rest on the support surface/s 150.

[0039] Another surface of at least a portion of a framed solar panel 102 can abut a side wall of the abutment wall (either 140 or 142). The mention of at least a portion of the frame of a framed solar panel being supported arises from the possibility that the elongate I-beam body only supports a portion of the length of the respective side of the framed solar panel, although in preference it will support the whole length of the framed solar panel.

[0040] The protrusion 152 is also shaped to form a channel 154. The channel is located below the solar panel frame support protrusion and is useful for the passage of water from where it enters the channel to an open end of the channel at a free end of the elongate I-beam body. In the embodiment of an I-beam body depicted in Figure 1 there is at least one solar panel frame support protrusion located on an upper surface 144 of each frame support protrusion 152. Each of the frame support protrusions 152 is located laterally of each of the two abutment walls 132 and 134 and runs longitudinally along the upper surface of the upper portion 110 of the elongate I-beam body 100 as depicted in Figure 2 which illustrates an I-beam member of indefinite length.

[0041] In the embodiment of a support frame member assembly as depicted in Figure 3, there is depicted a top cap 300 located on and over the two abutment walls 140 and 142 of the I-beam body forming, in use, a support frame assembly.

[0042] There is also an elongate top cap 300 (depicted in Figure 3) having, in the embodiment depicted in Figure 3, two elongate depending protrusions 332 and 334, wherein the elongate depending protrusions are adapted by way of at least shape, size and spacing, to pass between the two abutment walls 140 and 142 located on the upper portion of the I-beam body. However, in another embodiment of a top cap (not depicted), there could be only one depending protrusion which is solid or internally framed such that the depending portion fits totally within the space between the two abutment walls. When the top cap is in place and secured it not only provides securement of the framed solar panel but it also provides water proofing of the area about the now joined adjacent framed solar panels, along the full length of the elongate support frame member, when part of a created roof structure. In an embodiment not shown the top cap can be added to by the use of an elongate seal member or the use of silicon based sealing gel.

[0043] In the embodiment, as depicted in Figure 3 the top cap 300 has a lower surface 340 of an upper portion 310 of the top cap. The upper portion extends laterally each side of the elongate protrusions 332 and 334 depending (in use) from the lower surface 340 of the top cap. The lower surface 340 has protrusions 350 and 352 that create a channel 354. The channel is useable to receive a portion of a seal (preferably of neoprene material) which is secured within the channel and extends below the channel to, in use, abut the upper surface of the frame of the framed solar panel 102. The seal arrangement is optional since a seal of another configuration may be formed on the framed solar panel instead and may merely abut the protrusions 350 and 352.

[0044] Preferably, a portion of a side of the frame of a solar panel 102 abuts the support surface 150 of a frame support protrusion 152 on the upper portion of the I-beam body 100 as well, in use, a side wall of one of the abutment walls 140 or 142. Thus, the elongate top cap 300 will be located such that, in the embodiment depicted in Figure 3, the elongate depending protrusions 332 and 334 pass between the two abutment walls.

[0045] The elongate depending protrusions 332 and 334 may not be as deep as the two the abutment walls 140 or 142. The combination of an upper portion 310 of the top cap and an upper portion 110 of the I-beam 100 body and a respective portion of sidewalls of the framed solar panel 102 provide an encasement of at least a portion of the frame that can be fixed once the top cap is fixed with respect to the I-beam body. In an embodiment there is a fixing arrangement used to fix the top cap 300 to the I beam body 100, which is (not shown) a self-tapping screw that can be drilled through the upper surface of the top cap 300 and into the upper surface 144 of the I-beam, wherein the upper surface used is located between the abutment walls 140 or 142. The fixing of the top cap to the I-beam can apply a force to at least a portion of a frame 102 of the solar panel at least along one side.

[0046] Figure 3 also depicts the optional use of two elongated cover panels 360 that when fitted to the I-beam body 100, will provide a clean and aesthetic appearance to the structural support frame member assembly. The support frame assembly then looks like it matches the support of the framed solar panels as part of a structure, preferably a roof structure. Each cover panel has an engagement lip 362 located along the longitudinal edges of the panel. The engagement lip is sized and shaped to fit over an edge formation 364 located on the upper portion 110 and lower portion 120 of the I-beam body 100, which depicted in greater detail in Figure 4 and Figure 5 which depict an expanded view the circled regions A and B of Figure 1. The size of the engagement lip on the cover panel and its location on the cover panel is such that once the engagement lips are located over respective edge formations, the cover panel completely covers the side of the I-beam that lies below the then fitted framed solar panel/s. The cover panels may be fitted for aesthetic reasons, but an advantage of the use of cover panels, fitted in the manner described, is that they are difficult to remove without knowledge about how they were attached and the need for an appropriate tool. It is also possible for the cover panels to be fixed, by way of a screw (preferably a security type screw, since the head of the screw may still be exposed), alternatively by an adhesive or any another suitable fixing means. It is also possible to install one or more electrical modules within the volume created by the cover panels, modules such as an electric current converter/transformer, batteries cables and other modules such as the electrical modules to support a local WiFi connection capability or a modem or router, wireless or wired, to receive and transmit digital data (recognising that there will likely be an exposed antenna to provide the WiFi component of an installation.

[0047] The material from which the cover panels 360 can be made is a matter of choice to suit the structure, in an embodiment the material is aluminium, since it is light, readily manufactured in lengths to suit the various structural support member assemblies and can be cut to suit any particular length of the finished and installed support member assembly. Aluminium can also be coated by various techniques to suit various environmental conditions, and can also be coloured to suit a particular aesthetic for the structure. Various coatings and colours can be used or other materials chosen for the cover panels. Different coloured cover panels can be used on adjacent support member assemblies that are part of the same structure.

[0048] Thus, the use of at least two support frame assemblies, one on each side of a framed solar panel 102 can fix the position of the framed solar panel into a structure, such as a roof. Figures 6 to 12 illustrate examples of various structures constructed using various embodiments of a support frame assembly.

[0049] Figure 6 depicts a side view of a shade structure 600 having a flat roof of solar panels 102 (not shown) supported by an embodiment of multiple support frame member assemblies (100 and 300). The support frame member is supported by a post 630 and end view of which is provided in Figure 6; there are other posts (not shown) supporting the solar panel roof structure along the length of the shade structure.

[0050] Figure 7 depicts a plan view of the shade structure of Figure 6 having a flat roof of solar panels supported by an embodiment of multiple elongate frame elements. This transparent view of the structure reveals a structural member 620, of which there are three, and each structural member 620 is supported on a post 630. The structural members 620 in turn support structural rafter members 640 that are positioned to support multiple support frame member assemblies (100 and 300). The structural rafter members run the length of the shade structure while the solar panels supported and fixed in place by the support frame assemblies run from the sides to the centre of the shade structure or the full width of the shade structure. The length of the support frame assemblies dictates whether it spans the full or only the half width of the shade structure. The solar panels have a fixed length and width, so it is possible for more than one solar panel to be fitted along the elongate length of the support frame assembly. Figure 7 does not depict how many solar panels are fitted across the width of the shade structure, but by way of example, it could be 4 solar panels arrayed from side-to-side of the shade structure. Guttering is displayed, but that may or may not be required. Not shown in detail are the gaps left at the ends of each of the I-beam bodies, to allow for any water that is collected and communicated through the channels154 located on each side of the upper portion 110 of the I-beam body 100, to be released from the channel, possibly into the gutter.

[0051] Figure 8 depicts an underside perspective view of the shade structure of Figures 6 and 7 having a flat roof of solar panels supported by an embodiment of multiple elongate frame elements (100,300).

[0052] Figure 9 depicts an underside side perspective view of the same shade structure depicted in Figure 8 having a flat roof of solar panels supported by an embodiment of multiple elongate frame elements (100, 300).

[0053] Figure 10 depicts an underside perspective view of a shade structure having two flat rooves of solar panels supported by an embodiment of multiple elongate frame elements (100, 300) where the two rooves are sloped towards a central gutter 1000. The use of a slightly different support frame work to that disclosed in Figures 6 to 9 is shown, but the main difference is the angles of the frame elements that support the lateral rafter structural members 640.

[0054] Figure 11 depicts an underside side perspective view of a shade structure as depicted in Figure having two flat rooves of solar panels supported by an embodiment of multiple elongate frame elements (100, 300).

[0055] Figure 12 depicts a top perspective view of a shade structure as depicted in Figures 10 and 11 having two flat rooves of solar panels supported by an embodiment of multiple elongate frame elements (100, 300).

Claims (3)

1. An I-beam frame assembly for supporting a solar panel, the solar panel has a four-sided fame; the I-beam frame member comprising: an elongate I-beam body having upper and lower portions which are spaced apart by an elongate laterally orientated column, the upper portion of the I-beam body having at least two walls protruding away from the upper surface of the upper portion of the I-beam body and the height of the two walls is a portion of the width of a side of the frame of the solar panel, and at least one solar panel frame support protrusion shaped to form a channel below the solar panel frame support protrusion, and wherein at least one solar panel frame support protrusion is located on the upper surface of each frame support protrusion located laterally of each of the two walls and running longitudinally along the upper surface of the upper portion of the elongate I-beam; and an elongate top cap having at least one elongate depending protrusion adapted to pass between the two walls located on the upper portion of the I-beam body and a lower surface of an upper portion of the top cap extends laterally from the depending protrusion; wherein when a portion of a side of the frame of the solar panel abuts the upper surface of a frame support protrusion on the upper portion of the I-beam body, the elongate top cap is located such that the elongate depending protrusion passes between the two walls located on the upper portion of the I-beam body to support a respective portion of a side of the frame of the solar panel.

2. An I-beam frame assembly according to claim 1 further comprising: at least one elongate planar side cover panels adapted to engage with both the upper and lower portions of the elongate I-beam on one side of the elongate I-beam.

3. A structural support member for mounting a solar panel, the solar panel having a four-sided frame and each side of the solar panel frame having an upper and lower surface defining a width of the solar panel frame, so that the supported solar panel frame and solar panel can form the surface of a roof of a structure when supported by the support member, and there being at least two elongate planar cover panels each cover panel having two edges, each cover panel adapted to be supported by the support member, the support member comprising: an elongate frame element having an I-beam shape, the I-beam shape including a) a generally flat elongate base having a substantially planar surface and edges, each edge adapted to receive one of the two edges of a respective one of the two cover panels; and b) a profiled elongate upper surface having two edges, each edge adapted to receive one of the two edges of a respective one of the two cover panels; and the profiled upper surface having two sides each side having at least one panel frame support protrusion shaped to support the frame of a solar panel on an upper surface of the panel frame support protrusion, and under the panel frame support protrusion a channel formed to accumulate water and run that accumulated water along the elongate frame element to a free end thereof, and at least two spaced protrusions which extend outward of the upper surface and extend a length which is at least the width of the solar panel frame; and an elongate cap section having: a top portion, in use, having at least two lower surfaces, each lower surface having at least one protrusion adapted to abut, in use, the solar panel frame, and two protrusions spaced to fit within the space between the two spaced protrusions of the elongate frame element; wherein at least a portion of one side of the frame of the solar panel is located on a profiled upper surface of an elongate frame element and is abutted against at least one of the two spaced protrusions which extend from the lower surface of the top portion of the elongate cap section, once the cap section is fixed to the elongate frame element.