Low ballast mounting system

Abstract

An assembly typically comprising solar panel modules is disclosed, which is mounted on a surface exposed to wind, and has a panel mounted at an angle to said surface, and means defining a concave surface extending from the top edge of said panel to the surface on which it is mounted, whereby impingement of wind on said concave surface reduces the wind-induced uplift applied to the assembly. This arrangement reduces the amount of ballast required to prevent the assembly from blowing away.

1 . Assembly mounted on a surface exposed to wind, having a panel mounted at an angle to said surface, and means defining a concave surface extending from the top edge of said panel to the surface on which it is mounted.  
     
     
         2 . Assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein said concave surface has an aerofoil-type profile.  
     
     
         3 . Assembly according to  claim 2 , wherein said concave surface has a NACA profile.  
     
     
         4 . Assembly according to  claim 3 , wherein the location of the point of maximum curvature of the concave surface is closer to the leading edge of the surface than to the edge adjacent the panel.  
     
     
         5 . Assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the point of maximum curvature of the concave surface is located between 20% and 40% along the chord from the leading edge to the edge adjacent the panel.  
     
     
         6 . Assembly according to  claim 4 , wherein the maximum curvature (or camber) of the concave surface is between 5% and 15.  
     
     
         7 . Assembly according to  claim 6 , wherein the maximum curvature of the concave surface is between 8% and 12%.  
     
     
         8 . Assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the junction of the edge of the panel and the concave surface is shaped so as to give a smooth cross-sectional profile across the junction.  
     
     
         9 . Assembly according to  claim 1 , wherein the panel is a solar panel.  
     
     
         10 . Assembly according to  claim 9 , which comprises an array of individual modules, each comprising a mounted solar panel, which modules are linked together so as to form an elongate row of solar panels joined to a corresponding elongate concave surface.  
     
     
         11 . Assembly according to  claim 10 , which comprises a series of parallel rows of linked modules, wherein the elongate panel from one row meets and/or overlaps with the elongate concave surface of the row immediately in front.  
     
     
         12 . Assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the concave surface is in the form of a rigid sheet, containing one or more holes or perforations so as to allow airflow into the area underneath the panel and concave sheet.  
     
     
         13 . Assembly according to  claim 10 , wherein the linked modules are arranged such that the individual concave surfaces of each module are spaced apart, so as to provide a gap for air to pass through.  
     
     
         14 . Assembly according  claim 1 , wherein a pair of slots is provided on either side of the panel and/or concave surface, one underneath said panel or surface defining a substantially horizontal opening, and one above it defining a substantially vertical opening, in association with an internal substantially vertical wall.  
     
     
         15 . Assembly according to  claim 14 , wherein the pair of slots is provided on either side of the panel.  
     
     
         16 . Assembly according to  claim 1 , which additionally comprises a base panel such that the panel, concave surface and base panel together form a triangular assembly.