NL2017811B1 - Assembly, support, stack and methods - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an assembly, comprising a solar panel and a support arranged for supporting said solar panel. A bottom side and a top side of the said support are formed such that the bottom side of the support can engage with a top side of a corresponding further support of a further assembly corresponding to the said assembly when the said support is placed on top of the further support, thereby counteracting that the said support can unintentionally slide off from the further support.

Description

Patent center

The Netherlands

(21) Application number: 2017811 © Application submitted: 11/17/2016 © 2017811

Bl. PATENT (51) Int. Cl .:

H02S 30/10 (2017.01) H02S 20/30 (2017.01)

Application registered: (73) Patent holder (s): 25/05/2018 Julius Smith in The Hague. (43) Application published: - (72) Inventor (s): Julius Smith in The Hague. (ff) Patent granted: 25/05/2018 (74) Agent: (45) Patent issued: ir. C.M. Jansen et al. In The Hague. 13/06/2018

© Assembly, support, stack and methods © The invention relates to an assembly, including a solar panel and a support arranged for supporting said solar panel. A bottom side and a top side of the said support are formed such that the bottom side of the support can engage with a top side of a corresponding further support or a further assembly corresponding to the said assembly when the said support is placed on top of the further support, counter counteracting that said support can unintentionally slide off from the further support.

NL Bl 2017811

This patent has been granted regardless of the attached result of the research into the state of the art and written opinion. The patent corresponds to the documents originally submitted.

P113758NL00

Title: Assembly, support, stack and methods

The invention relates to an assembly, including a solar panel and a support arranged for supporting said solar panel.

Such assemblies are known and are often mounted on top of a roof or a building, or on the ground, e.g. on a field or other terrain, preferably without too much shadow castings. Usually, the support is arranged to mount the solar panel at an angle with respect to the flat roof or ground surface, for instance at an angle between 0 ° and 45 °, eg between 10 ° and 40 °, such as for instance at an angle of about 35 °. In order to counteract the assembly may be blown from the roof, or tilted from the ground, in case of strong wind, the support is often ballasted by several relatively heavy tiles or other solid materials or the support itself is a relatively heavy design avoid counteracting that the assembly can easily be lifted by the wind. Additionally or alternatively, the support can be fixedly attached to the roof, or anchored to the ground, for instance by means of screws or the like.

It will be appreciated that transporting, handling, and / or mounting an assembly having a relatively heavy support can be disadvantageous, as it for instance can be relatively time-consuming and / or as often a significant part of the assembly weight consists of ballast. On the other hand, fixedly attaching the support to the roof may be disadvantageous as well, for instance because this may be relatively time-consuming and / or relatively cumbersome, and / or because it may damage the roof. Further, it is noted that removing and relocating assemblies, both ballasted type assemblies, fixedly attached type assemblies, and hybrids between both type, may also be relatively difficult, relatively cumbersome and / or relatively timeconsuming. Whether it is highly advisable or equally necessary to partly or fully disassemble the assembly in order to optimize transport efficiency. Moreover, it can be highly advisable to package the assembly or its individual disassembled parts, e.g. its solar panel, in order to counteract or minimize damage during storage and / or transport of the assembly.

It is an object of the invention to provide an alternative assembly, including a solar panel and a support arranged for supporting said solar panel. In particular, it can be an object of the invention to provide an assembly, at least one of the disadvantages or one or more prior art assemblies is counteracted. More in particular, the invention may aim to provide an assembly, at least one of the disadvantages mentioned above is counteracted. In various ways, the invention may aim at providing an assembly which can be relocated, put into operation, and / or stored in a relatively easy, relatively quick and / or relatively efficient manner.

Thereto, the invention provides for an assembly, including a solar panel and a support arranged for supporting said solar panel, a bottom side and a top side of the said support are formed such that the bottom side of the support can engage with a top side of a corresponding further support or a further assembly corresponding to the said assembly when the said support is placed on top of the further support, counter countering that the said support can unintentionally slide off from the further support.

By arranging the bottom side and the top side of the solar panel support such that they can engagingly cooperate with each other, it can be facilitated that the assemblies can be stacked and it can be counteracted that two support or two assemblies stacked on top of each other can slide off from each other. As a result, stacking, failure, handling and / or transporting multiple assemblies can be made relatively easy, relatively efficient, relatively fast, relatively safe and / or relatively error insensitive.

It is noted that since removing and / or relocating the assemblies may thus be relatively easy, relatively efficient, relatively fast, relatively safe and / or relatively error insensitive, the assembly of the present disclosure can facilitate a party leases from such assemblies.

Additionally or alternatively, it can be facilitated that one can move its assemblies, for instance when moving to another building.

It is noted that the bottom side engaging the respective top side may for instance be interpreted as said sides at least partly interlock or matingly engage. For example, one or both of said sides can include on multiple protrusions that can mesh with or be nested into a respective one or respective ones or one or more opening, cavities or recess provided in or at the other one said two engaging sides. Hence, a mechanically positive connection or form-fit connection may thus be formed. In particular, the engagement may be such that it can counteract the supports or assemblies can slide off from each other, but such that it does not prevent and / or substantially hurts that an upper one or two stacked assemblies or supports is lift off from one on top of which it has been placed.

Moreover, the engaging or interlocking supports can also facilitate aligning the supports when being stacked, which can be highly advantageous, for instance because this can prevent assembly or support protrudes from the stack, and counter counteracting that a protruding support or assembly hinders or impedes placing a stack into a storage device or transport device, and / or counteracting that said protruding support or assembly may be damaged.

By providing the support with a cavity or recess for receiving the solar panel at least partly therein, the solar panel can be stored therein at least partly during transport and storage. Actually, the support may protect the solar panel at least to some extent, as a result of which less packaging material may be needed or packaging material for packing the solar panel may be omitted.

In solar, the solar panel of a first assembly may be stored during transport and / or storage in a recess or cavity at a top side of the support or said assembly and may be covered at least partly by means of a further support of a further assembly stacked on top of the solar panel of the first assembly.

In support, the support may include a bottom recess cavity located on its bottom side, such that, when the support is stacked on another support, said bottom recess or cavity can at least partly accommodate a solar panel or said other support.

By providing the support with a ballast holder for temporarily holding ballast, or have the support operate as a ballast holder for temporarily holding ballast, in particular a ballast reservoir, for instance for holding a pourable ballast, such as a liquid, in particular water, sand or gravel, the assembly may be provided with ballast at its installation location. As a result, ballast can be provided on location and thus for instance does not need to be stored and / or transported together with the assembly, for example as water can be discarded at or near the place where the assembly was located.

By making the ballast reservoir reclosable and / or resealable, the ballast reservoir or an assembly to be removed can be emptied before transporting and / or failure it. As a result, the weight of a stack of assemblies may be relatively low.

By making the ballast reservoir as a substantial water tight ballast reservoir, it can be counteracted that water enters the reservoir unintentionally, continuously unintentionally adding weight to the ballast, and / or that water unintentionally leaves the reservoir, e.g. by evaporation.

By providing the support with one or multiple releasable connection means for connecting the said support to a corresponding further support or a corresponding further assembly located next to the said support, it can be enabled that no additional connection means or fasteners may be needed to interconnect two supports to each other. This may facilitate connecting the supports to each other and / or releasing the supports from each other in a relatively easy way. Additionally or alternatively, it may pre-empt the use of separate or loose connecting means, which may otherwise be loose during transport or storage.

By interconnecting the supports of multiple assemblies, the ballast hero by a support or a first one of the assemblies may contribute to keep another one of the assemblies in place, e.g. by counteracting that it blows away. Ballast may thus be shared by multiple assemblies, which may reduce the total amount of ballast needed, as a result or which for instance relatively many assemblies may be placed on a roof without exceeding the maximum load bearing capacity or said roof.

An alternative or additional advantage of providing the support with releasable connection means for connecting the said support to a corresponding further support or a corresponding further assembly located next to the said support, may lie in that supports and therefore the assemblies can be aligned relatively easily when being installed.

Optionally, a further additional advantage or relatively easy installation could be obtained by integrating at least a part of electronics and wiring within the support.

In cars, an inverter may be installed in a recess or cavity,

e.g. at a top side of the support or said assembly and may be covered at least partly by the solar panel in a second state, in particular a storage state.

In cars, a battery and charging electronics may be installed in a recess in the support, e.g., or cavity at a top side of the support or said assembly, and may be covered at least partly by the solar panel in the second state.

In a monitor, monitoring and communication device may be installed in a recess or cavity at a top side of the support or said assembly and may be covered at least partly by the solar panel in the second state.

In versions, an optionally retractable, wire and power plug may be used to plug the assembly to the grid, another assembly nearby, or a local grid in the first state.

In vary, the, optionally retractable, wire and power plug may be stored in a recess or cavity at a top side of the support or said assembly and may be covered at least partly by the solar panel in the second state.

In supply, a power socket may be placed at or in the support to provide for interlinking multiple assemblies or to directly provide an electricity user of electricity.

In wires, wires may interconnect the various electronics such as for example the solar panel, the inverter, the battery, the monitoring and communication device, the power plug and the power socket, and may be stored in recessions or cavities of the support of said assembly and may be covered at least partly by the solar panel in the second state.

As will be appreciated, at least present of the present invention, may allow to relocate a relatively large number of assemblies relatively quickly, eg such that they can be relocated overnight, for instance such that it can be safely done by two persons with relatively little , or even without any, expertise in electricity. For example, a relatively large number of installed assemblies could be unplugged, uncoupled, emptied or ballast fluids, stacked, and be transported, eg with a relative small truck, and could optionally also be placed at the new location, coupled in a connected array , eg without using separate fasteners, filled with ballast fluids, plugged in, and be operational in a relatively short time, eg just before dawn, for instance thus minimizing the production losses. For example, the inventive design of the assemblies may facilitate that two persons, e.g. unskilled workers, could relocate an array or for instance 100600 assemblies, within 10 hours.

By providing these advantages, subject of the invention may allow for new applications or business models, market segments and financing methods. Where current business models or applications or solar assemblies usually focus on maximizing the installed period of assemblies, or the invention can enable for applications or business models that may focus on much more flexible use of assemblies and short term commitments, such as short term lease models, eg having the assemblies installed for periods or days or weeks. These business models or applications may enable the supply of solar energy to, for example, a temporary festival, events, renting households, renting businesses, or to those that cannot commit to long term solar assembly commitments, eg by enabling users to bring back their assembly when they like. For instance, financing these new business models or applications might not be based on the current mostly used project to project basis, but could for example be based on the lessors total pool of assemblies it owns, possibly allowing for more competitive financing of assemblies.

The invention also relates to a support for an assembly, a bottom side and a top side of the said support are formed such that the bottom side of the support can engage with a top side of a corresponding further support or a further assembly when the said support is placed on top of the further support, counter counteracting that said support can unintentionally slide off from the further support.

Further, the invention relates to a stack of assemblies.

Moreover, the invention relates to method of failure and / or transporting solar panels and corresponding solar panel supports.

The invention also relates to a method of installing solar assemblies each including a solar panel and a corresponding solar panel support.

Advantageous according to the invention are described in the appended claims.

By way of non-limiting examples only, exponent of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying figures in which:

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of an assembly according to an aspect of the invention in a first state of said assembly;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of two assemblies 5 according to the embodiment of figure, said said assemblies are in a second state;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic perspective view or a stack of assemblies according to the following shown in Figs. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of an array or 10 interconnected assemblies according to said exped or Figs. 1-3; and

FIG. 5 shows a schematic perspective view of a second embodiment of an assembly according to an aspect of the invention in a first state of said assembly.

It is noted that the figures show merely preferred according to the invention. In the figures, the same or similar reference signs or numbers refer to equal or corresponding parts.

Figure 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a first embodiment of an assembly 1 according to an aspect of the invention in a first state of said assembly. The assembly 1 may be a solar assembly for generating electric energy, which for instance may be a store in a battery at least partly and / or may be fed to the power grid at least partly.

The assembly 1, comprises a solar panel 2. The solar panel 2 may be arranged to absorb light, in particular sun rays, as a source of energy for generating electricity or heating.

Advantageously, the solar panel may be a photovoltaic panel or so-called PV panel, which may preferably comprise photovoltaic cells for the conversion of light into electricity. However, alternative solar panel designs are possible, for instance solar panels including photo-electrochemical cells.

In embodiment, such as the shown embodiment, the solar panel 2 may be a substantially rectangular solar panel, for example having a width 2W being between 50 cm and 150 cm, preferably between 80 cm and 120 cm, such as for instance about 100 cm , and / or having a length of 2L between 50 cm and 250 cm, preferably between 150 cm and 170 cm, such as for instance about 165 cm. Preferably the solar panel can be relatively thin, e.g. having a thickness of 2T or between 0.5 cm and 5 cm, preferably between 3.5 cm and 4.5 cm.

The assembly 1 further comprises a support 3 arranged for 10 supporting said solar panel 2 during use, for instance at an angle with respect to the support 3. In extended, the support 3 and / or the solar panel 2 may be arranged to install the solar panel at different angles. For instance thereto, the solar panel 2 may be hingedly or pivotably connected to the support 3. However, in other variants, the solar panel 2 may be releasably fixable to the support 3.

It is noted that the assembly 1 preferably can be formed as a collapsible assembly, and / or that said assembly 1 may be arranged to be brought from a use state 11, in particular an extended state 11 or an unfolded state 11, in which the solar panel is extending substantially at a respective angle with support 3 into a storage state 12 in which the solar panel 2 is accommodated at least partly within said support 3, for instance in a cavity 31 or recess 31 located at a top side 3T or the solar panel support 3.

Advantageously, the cavity can have a depth 31D being at least equal to, and preferably larger than the thickness 2T of the solar panel 2. As a result, the solar panel may be stored in within said cavity 31 with protruding therefrom.

Although the cavity 31 can preferably be arranged at a top side 3T of the support, the cavity may alternatively be arranged differently. For example, a flank of the support 3 may be provided with a slot for inserting the solar panel 2 therein.

It is noted that the cavity 31 can preferably be dimensioned such that the solar panel 2 can be received therein substantially completely. As a result, it can be counteracted that said solar panel 2 will protrude outside the support during storage and / or transport, while counteracting that the solar panel may be damaged during storage and / or transport. For instance, as seen in the bottom part of Figure 2 which shows a schematic perspective view of two assemblies 1 in a second state 12, in particular a storage state 12, more in particular a collapsed state 12 of the assembly 1, it may for instance be prevented that the solar panel 2 protrudes above a top end of the support 2 in such collapsed state 12.

Nevertheless, alternatively or additionally, the solar panel support 3 may include a bottom recess (not shown) located at the bottom side 3B of the said support 3, said said bottom recess then can be arranged for at least partly accommodating the solar panel stored in a top recess 31 of the support 3F located directly below said support when the supports 3, 3F are stacked on top of each other.

As further can be seen in Figure 2, a bottom side 3B and a top side 3T or the said support 3 are formed such that the bottom side 3B or the support 3 can engage with a top side 3T or a corresponding further support 3F or a further assembly IF corresponding to the said assembly 1 when the said support 3 is placed on top of the further support 3F, continued counteracting that the said support 3 may unintentionally slide off from the further support 3F. The assemblies 1 are thus formed as stackable assemblies 1.

It is noted that said bottom side 3B and top side 3T may thus be arranged to interlock or so-called interlockingly engage each other. For example, at one of said side 3B, 3T the support 3 may be provided with one or multiple concavities 32, which for instance can be formed as one or more slits or slots 32, while the other or said two sides 3B, 3T or the support may be provided with one or multiple corresponding protrusions 33, which for instance may be formed by one or more ridges 33 or ledges. In order to facilitate stacking, respective protrusion and cooperating, concavity may be arranged such as to be substantially self-locating.

Alternatively, a “mirrored” solution to the interlock described above between bottom side 3B and top side 3T could also be used. In a mirrored solution the support 3 may be provided with one or more concavities in the bottom side 3B, for example placed instead of the currently drawn ridges 33, and the top side 3T may be provided with one or more protrusions, in particular ridges, placed, instead of the currently drawn concavities 32, forming an interlockingly engagement between two stacked assemblies 1.

However, differently shaped engageable elements may be provided in alternative variants. It will be appreciated that such engageable elements may be arranged to cooperate such as to mesh with each other, preferably forming a mechanically positive connection or a so-called form-fit connection. Hence, the supports 3 and thus the collapsed assemblies 1 can be stacked relatively well, in particular in a well aligned manner, such as for instance seen in Figure 3, which shows a schematic perspective view of a stack 10 or multiple assemblies 1.

In cover, a cover (not shown) may be provided, which cover may have a bottom side arranged to engagingly cooperate with a top side 3T or a support 3 or a respective one 1 of the assemblies 1, count countering that the said cover can unintentionally slide off from the respective support. Said cover may protect the solar panel 2U which is located in the cavity 31U or the support 3U or the upper most assembly 1U.

As can be seen relatively well in FIG. 1, the support 3 can be provided with a ballast holder 35 for temporarily holding ballast. Here, the ballast holder 35 is formed as a reclosable ballast reservoir, resealable by means of a cap 41.

For example, the ballast holder 35 may be formed by a hollow space extending at least along one of the flanks of the support and preferably extending substantially around the cavity 31 for failure of the solar panel 2 in a storage state 12 of the assembly 1.

However, in alternative possibilities, the ballast holder may be formed differently. For example, the support may be substantially hollow and / or substantially the complete support may be suitable to be used as ballast holder.

In various cases, the ballast holder may be formed as a hollow or cavity, e.g. being open at its top side, which can hold ballast such as sand, gravel, stones and / or paving stones.

Advantageously, the support 3 can be provided with releasable 15 connection means 36, 37 for connecting the said support 3 to a corresponding further support 3 of a corresponding further assembly 1 located next to the said support, such as for instance can be seen in Figure 4, which shows a schematic perspective view of an array 100 or interconnected assemblies 1.

For example, the connection means 36, 37 can be arranged for engagingly connect with corresponding connection means 37, 36 or the corresponding further support, for example by means of interlocking, meshing or nesting. The connection means 36, 37 and said corresponding connection means 37, 36 may thus form a mechanically positive connection or form-fit connection.

The assembly can be fitted with carrying handles for easily carrying the assembly, for example by the four connection means 36, or which two on the left side 3L or the support and two on the right side 3R of the support, which next to being part or the connection means can also be used as handles for easily carrying the assembly, in particular for easily carrying the assembly by two persons.

It is appreciated that assemblies 1 as disclosed may for instance be stored and / or transported in a relatively efficient, relatively safe and / or relatively practical manner. Additionally or alternatively, the assemblies 1 may be installed on a relatively flat roof 6 or ground surface and / or removed therefrom relatively easily and / or relatively swiftly.

For example, when removing an assembly from a roof 6, the solar panels 2 may be stored in cavities 31 in the respective supports 2 and the supports may be stacked on top of each other, covering covering at least a number of said solar panels 2 , eg all solar panels except the one 2U located in the cavity 31U or the support 3U or the uppermost assembly 1U. In preferred, the ballast may be substantially removed from the assembly 1 before stacking said assemblies on top of each other, e.g.

preventing that the stack 10 will become relatively heavy and / or relatively difficult to handle.

In order to install the assemblies 1, two adjacent supports 1A, IB may be interconnected by engagingly connecting connection means 36, 37 or a first one 1A or said supports 1 with corresponding connection means 37, 36 or a second one IB or said supports 1 Preferably, interconnecting adjacent supports 1 may be done without using additional connecting means such as screws or the like. Additionally, such installation of the assemblies, may preferably be free of a step or fixing one or more of the supports to a roof or a ground surface. However, even if one or more of the supports may be fixed to a roof or ground surface, it may still be advantageous to interconnect adjacent supports 1, for instance because this may counteract each of the assemblies 1 has to be fixed to the roof or the ground surface.

It is noted that for the purpose of clarity and a concise description features are described as part of the same or separate expensively, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include expelling having combinations of all or some of the features described.

Further, it is noted that the invention is not restricted to the described described. It will be understood that many variants are possible.

In alternative, the support could be shaped differently than in the shown. For example, the support could have a non-curved, squared, rectangular, oval or other shape.

In cars, an inverter can be installed in a cavity or the support top side 3T, such as in cavity 40.

In variant, the support top-side 3T and bottom-side 3B may extend substantially parallel to each other.

In wind, such for instance in the wind shield can be placed to counteract the forces of wind on the assembly.

FIG. 5 shows an alternative embodiment of an assembly 1000 in a first state of said assembly, said said assembly is provided with a wind shield 39, here for instance embodied as a rear end wind shield 39. Alternatively or additionally, one or more other windshields may be possible, such as for instance a left side windshield (not shown) connected to the left side 3L of the support, and / or a right side (not shown) windshield connected to the right side 3R of the support.

Advantageously the optional wind shield (s) described above, such as the rear end wind shield 39, could be connected to the support, eg in such a way that it can allow for pivoting towards a collapsed state, in particular a flat, but still connected, state. For example, the collapsed wind shield (s) can be stored in a recess or cavity within the support, e.g. at the top side 3T or the support, where it may be covered at least partly by the solar panel 2 in the second state.

Furthermore, it is noted that although the engagement or interlocking may advantageously be or such nature that said engagement or interlocking can counteract that the supports or assemblies can slide off from each other, but such that said engagement or interlocking does not prevent and / or does not substantially annoying that an upper one or two stacked assemblies or supports is lift off from one on top on which it has been placed, other means may nevertheless be provided to temporarily prevent stacked assemblies and / or supports to be lift off from each other . For example, the stack may be bound together temporarily.

Such and other variants will be apparent to the person skilled in the art and are considered within the scope of the invention as formulated in the following claims.

Claims (15)

Conclusions An assembly comprising a solar panel and a support adapted to support said solar panel, characterized in that a bottom side and a top side of said support are shaped such that the bottom side of the support can engage an upper side of a corresponding further support of a further assembly corresponding to said assembly when said support is placed on top of the further support, while the said support may inadvertently slide off the further support. 2. Assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the assembly is arranged such that it can be brought from a position of use in which the solar panel extends substantially at an angle with the support to a storage condition in which the solar panel is at least partially accommodated in said support. 3. Assembly as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the support comprises a cavity for at least partially receiving the solar panel therein, preferably wherein the cavity is formed such that the solar panel can be received substantially completely therein. Assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the cavity is situated on the top side of the support. 5. An assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the support comprises a bottom indentation located at the bottom of the support, said bottom indenting being adapted to at least partially accommodate a further solar panel of said corresponding further assembly when said support is stacked on the further support of said corresponding further assembly. Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the support comprises a cavity for housing equipment, in particular electronic equipment, such as an inverter and / or a battery, and / or the like, wherein said cavity is preferably such formed that the solar panel substantially covers said inverter and / or other equipment in the storage condition. Assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein the support is provided with a ballast holder for temporarily holding ballast, preferably wherein the ballast holder is or comprises a ballast reservoir, preferably a resealable and / or closable ballast reservoir. Assembly according to one of the preceding claims, preferably according to claim 6 or 7, wherein the support is provided with one or more releasable connecting means for connecting said support to a corresponding further support of a corresponding further assembly which, in addition to said support is located. An assembly according to claim 8, wherein the one or more connecting means are adapted to engage engagement with respective or a respective one or more corresponding connecting means of the corresponding further support. Support for an assembly as claimed in any of the foregoing claims, wherein a bottom side and a top side of said support are shaped such that the bottom side of the support can engage on a top side of a corresponding further support of a further assembly when said support is on top the further support is placed, while the said support may inadvertently slide off the further support. A stack of assemblies, wherein the assemblies are assemblies according to any of claims 1-9, wherein an underside of the first support of a first copy of the assemblies engages interactively with an upper side of a second support of a second copy of said assemblies, on the other hand that the said support may inadvertently slide off the further support. 12. Stack according to claim 11, further comprising a lid with a bottom which is adapted to engage in engagement with an upper side of a support of a respective copy of the assembly, while the said cover may slide off the respective support inadvertently. A stack according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the cover at least partially covers a solar panel accommodated in a cavity or recess located on an upper side of the support below said cover. A method for storing and / or transporting solar panels and corresponding solar panel supports, said method comprising the steps of: providing a number of solar panels; providing a number of corresponding solar panel supports; storing a first copy of said solar panels at least partially in a cavity or recess of a first copy of said supports; and substantially covering said first copy of said solar panels by stacking a second copy of said supports on top of said first support, wherein a bottom side of the second support engages with an upper side of the first support while preventing the second support from unintentionally slip compared to the first aid. A method for installing solar assemblies, each comprising a solar panel and a corresponding solar panel support, the method comprising the steps of: mutually connecting two adjacent supports by engaging one or more connecting means of a first of said supports to one or more connecting means of a second of said supports. 1/5