Device for attaching PV panels to metal roofing

[Tinbum]

I fitted mine on years ago with a system from Schuco. Unfortunately they stopped making it but I bought enough to do the 20 odd kw I still have to put up. It was well designed with clips directly fitted to the sheeting and then a long rail that slid into them. The pv clips were then fitted to the rail by rotating 90 degrees and screwing down. It been up 10 years now and no problems. The great thing about the rails being slid into the clips is it allows for expansion and contraction. Oh and price wasn't too bad.

[Stan]

One thing that stands out to me Tinbum is the simplicity of the S5 bracket in that there are no horizontal support extrusions. Grade 6000 aluminium alloy rails of say 6m length on conventional framework will increase in length by 0.000023 x 6000 x 50 = 6.9mm in going from 0C to 50C.
On S5 brackets it’s only the distance between clamps to the pv that matters during expansion, say 1m, giving increase in length of 1.15m for the same temperature rise. I’m sure that the trapeziums will easily distort laterally to accommodate this.
Lastly, the screws from the S5 into the trapezium are in shear, which is ideal.

[John_S]

One thing that stands out to me Tinbum is the simplicity of the S5 bracket in that there are no horizontal support extrusions. Grade 6000 aluminium alloy rails of say 6m length on conventional framework will increase in length by 0.000023 x 6000 x 50 = 6.9mm in going from 0C to 50C.
On S5 brackets it’s only the distance between clamps to the pv that matters during expansion, say 1m, giving increase in length of 1.15m for the same temperature rise. I’m sure that the trapeziums will easily distort laterally to accommodate this.
Lastly, the screws from the S5 into the trapezium are in shear, which is ideal.

1.15mm surely

[Stan]

You are so right. Thanks John.
Would one of the Moderators please correct that as it won’t let me modify now.