TECHNICAL FIELD

The various aspects relate to a coupling element for mounting a photovoltaic module to a carrier frame.

BACKGROUND

Photovoltaic (PV) panels are used to convert light into electrical energy. PV panels may be mounted on a carrier frame to form a PV system. A heat sink panel such as the one described in WO2018226091 may be provided with the PV panels for reducing an operating temperature of the PV panels. This reduction in operating temperature may increase the efficiency and/or operational lifetime of the PV panels.

Due to external forces, for example caused by wind or snow, acting on a PV panel, the PV panel may deflect. The stiffness of the PV panel, and the stiffness of the connection of the PV panel to the carrier frame are an important factor in decreasing deflection of the PV panel, which deflection may cause damage to the PV panel and therewith reduce operational performance and lifetime.

For providing stiffness to a PV panel, a circumferential frame or second glass layer on the backside is used. For mounting the PV panel to the carrier frame, the circumferential frame or at least one of the glass layers is or are clamped.

SUMMARY

The PV panels disclosed in WO2018226091 are clamped on the circumferential frame. Clamping the circumferential frame of the PV panel may result in a coupling to the carrier frame with insufficient stiffness which may result in undesirably large deflections of the PV panel. These deflection are caused by external forces on the PV panels due to for example by wind or precipitation, as is discussed in A. J. Beinert et al.“Influence of photovoltaic module mounting systems on the thermos-mechanical stresses in solar cells by FEM Modelling”, EUPVSEC, Munich, 5BV.1.14, 2016.

A stiffness of a PV panel may be defined as the amount of force required to deflect the PV panel. Considering that a typical PV panel is shaped as a substantially flat rectangular plane, deflection of a point on the PV panel may be defined as the distance the point has travelled relative to its position when no force is applied to the PV panel.

It is therefore preferred to provide a coupling element for mounting a PV assembly to a carrier frame which provides a higher stiffness to a PV panel comprised by the PV assembly.

A first aspect provides a coupling element for mounting a photovoltaic assembly to a carrier frame, the photovoltaic assembly provided with a heat sink module comprising a profiled sheet with substantially parallel gutters comprising openings distributed along sidewalls of the gutters, the coupling element comprising a body comprising a photovoltaic assembly side and a carrier frame side opposite to the photovoltaic assembly side, a photovoltaic assembly connection module comprising two clamp members protruding away from the photovoltaic assembly side, the clamp members comprising a gripping member at a distal end of the clamp members, a carrier frame connection module for connecting the coupling element to the carrier frame provided at the carrier frame side of the body, wherein the photovoltaic assembly connection module can be manipulated between a first setting and a second setting, wherein in the second setting a distance between the gripping members of the clamp members is larger than that distance in the first setting.

With the coupling element according to the first aspect, the coupling element may be provided behind or at least partially behind the PV panel of the PV assembly. With this positioning, UV radiation from sunlight will have less impact on the coupling element. This may increase lifetime of the coupling element as UV radiation may cause degradation of the material comprised by the coupling element.

The coupling element according to the first aspect may allow mounting of the photovoltaic assembly to a carrier frame without the use of bolts, screws, or any additional tools. This may be possible by using the snap fit characteristics of the connection between the coupling element and the PV assembly and/or connection between the coupling element and the carrier frame.

In embodiments of the coupling element, the clamp members may protrude from a photovoltaic assembly side base surface. Alternatively or additionally, the clamp members may be resiliently deformable for moving gripping members towards the body.

The clamp members may be provided opposite to one another at a distance from and substantially parallel to one another.

The clamp members may protrude from the photovoltaic assembly side at an angle relative to a normal vector of the photovoltaic assembly side. This angle may be chosen corresponding to an angle of a surface of the photovoltaic assembly.

The gripping members may extend substantially perpendicular to the protrusion direction of the clamping members. Such an extensions may allow a firmer connection of the coupling element to the photovoltaic assembly.

In embodiments of the coupling element, some or all of the gripping members may extend towards each other. Alternatively or additionally, some or all of the gripping members may extend away from each other.

The carrier frame connection module may comprise a set of carrier frame connection protrusions protruding from the body away from a carrier frame connection side base surface opposite to the photovoltaic assembly side base surface and wherein the carrier frame connection protrusions are skewed relative to the clamp members.

As an option, the body may comprise one or more extending portions and the coupling element may further comprise one or more outer fingers protruding from the one or more extending portions in a direction away from the carrier frame side. In particular embodiments, the extending portions may extend beyond the clamp members.

A second aspect provides an assembly of a coupling element according to any of the preceding claims and a photovoltaic assembly, wherein the photovoltaic assembly is provided with a heat sink module comprising a profiled sheet with substantially parallel gutters, the gutters comprise openings in sidewalls of the gutters for enabling an air flow through the gutters, the openings are arranged to receive at least part of a gripping member of a clamp member of the coupling element, the coupling element is connected to the photovoltaic assembly by virtue of a gripping member of a first clamp member being inserted in an opening of a first gutter and by virtue of a gripping member of a second clamp member being inserted in an opening of a second gutter provided adjacent to the first gutter.

In embodiments of the assembly the opening of the first gutter and the opening of the second gutter face each other. Alternatively, the opening of the first gutter and the opening of the second gutter may face away from each other.

When the coupling element is connected to the photovoltaic assembly, the clamp members may be elastically hinged away from the respective opening in which the gripping member is inserted.

As an option applicable in any embodiment of the assembly, the coupling element may be a first coupling element and the assembly may further comprise an additional coupling element, the first coupling element may be connected to the first gutter and the second gutter, the second coupling element may be connected to a third gutter and a fourth gutter, and the second gutter may be adjacent to the third gutter.

As a first option, the second gutter may be directly adjacent to the third gutter.

A coupling element, for example a first coupling element and/or an additional coupling element, may be provided at a distance from a first edge of the photovoltaic assembly, and at a distance from a second edge of the photovoltaic assembly, which first edge and second edge may be substantially perpendicular.

In a particular embodiment, all or substantially all coupling elements comprised by the assembly may be provided at a distance from the first edge of the photovoltaic assembly, and at a distance from the second edge of the photovoltaic assembly.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

The various aspects and embodiments thereof will now be discussed in conjunction with figures. In the figures:

Fig. 1A shows a general lay-out of a PV system;

Fig. IB shows a detailed view of part of an embodiment of the PV system;

Fig. 2 A shows an exploded view of an assembly of a coupling element and a PV assembly;

Fig. 2B shows an embodiment of a coupling element;

Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C subsequently show an embodiment of a coupling element being connected to a heat sink;

Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C subsequently show another embodiment of a coupling element being connected to a heat sink;

Figs. 5A, 5B, and 5C show a further embodiment of a coupling element; Figs. 6A and 6B show an assembly 600 of a heat sink 124 and a coupling element 500, respectively in a side view and a perspective view.

Fig. 7A and 7B show an embodiment of an assembly 700 of a photovoltaic assembly;

Fig. 8A shows a further embodiment of an assembly of a photovoltaic assembly and a plurality of coupling elements; and

Fig. 8B shows a detailed view of a girder and a coupling element.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Fig. 1A shows a general lay-out of a PV system 100, comprising a carrier frame 110 and a PV assembly 120 mounted to the carrier frame 110. Being mounted to the carrier frame 110, the PV assembly 120 is oriented at a certain angle, which angle may be chosen for optimal orientation of the PV assembly 120 relative to the sun. For optimal orientation, said angle may be an angle relative to the surface on which the carrier frame 110 is placed. A plurality of coupling elements 200 connects the PV assembly 120 to the carrier frame 110. The carrier frame 110 comprises girders 112 arranged for connection to the coupling elements 200.

The PV assembly 120 comprises a PV panel 122 arranged to convert solar irradiation into electrical energy, and a heat sink 124 arranged to transfer heat generated by or in the PV panel 122 to the surroundings in order to cool the PV panel 122. The heat sink 124 is arranged to allow an air flow 126 there through, which may increase the effectiveness of the heat sink 124. Preferably, the heat sink 124 comprises a heat conducting material, such as a metal and aluminium in particular. The heat sink 124 may be connected to the PV panel 122 by means of glue or another adhesive.

In the embodiment of the PV system 100 of Fig. 1A, the coupling elements 200 connect to the heat sink 124 at a PV assembly side of the coupling elements 200 and the coupling elements 200 connect to the carrier frame 110 at a carrier base side of the coupling elements 200 opposite to the PV assembly side. As such, the connection between the carrier frame 110 and the PV panel 122 is established via girders 112, coupling elements 200 and heat sink 124.

Any number of girders 112 and coupling elements 200 may be used in the PV system 100, including only one of each. The number of coupling elements 200 and their position relative to the PV panel 122 may be chosen such that the deflection of the PV panel 122 due to external forces is decreased. Preferably, the deflection is as low as possible to prevent straining the PV panel 122 which may limit the lifespan of the PV panel 122. The deflection of the PV panel may be expressed as the distance a point on the PV panel has been displaced between a situation where no load is applied - and the PV panel is shaped as a substantially flat plane- and a situation wherein at least part of the PV panel is bent out of plane.

Thus, due to the use of coupling elements 200 which connect to the heat sink 124 provided over at least a substantial part of the PV panel 122, the connection between the PV assembly 120 and the carrier frame 110 does not need to be established only at the circumference of the PV panel 122, but may now be established anywhere below the PV panel 122 where heat sinks 124 are provided. As such, a connection with a relatively high stiffness may be established which may decrease undesired deflections of the PV panel 122.

In different embodiments of the carrier frame 110, alternatives to girders may be used for allowing connection by coupling elements 200.

Furthermore, different connection methods may be used for connection the carrier frame 110 and the coupling element 200, such as gluing, welding, screwing, any other connection method or any combination thereof. Even further, all or a number of the coupling elements 200 used may be part of the carrier frame 110, or, alternatively or additionally, part of the heat sink 124. In the view of Fig. 1A, a side view of the PV system 100 is shown, showing two coupling elements 200, provided at positions pi and p2. In a practical embodiment, four coupling elements 200 are provided. At the positions pi and p2, the stiffness of the connection of PV panel 122 to the carrier frame 110 is directly determined by the stiffness of the coupling element 200. As such, the stiffness of the PV panel 122 relative to the carrier frame 110 may be highest at these points. The stiffness of the PV panel 122 may be lowest at a point in the middle between positions pi and p2, as at this point the distance to the coupling elements 200 is largest. By moving positions pi and p2 relative to each other, the maximum deflection of any point on the PV panel 122 may be optimised.

Fig. IB shows a detailed view of part of an embodiment of the PV system 100, showing a coupling element 200 connecting a girder 112 of the carrier frame 100 to heat sink 124 of the PV assembly 120. Generally indicated with reference numeral 210 is the carrier frame connection module, which connects the coupling element 200 to the girder 112.

The heat sink 124 is formed out of a profiled, and preferably metal, sheet. The heat sink 124 comprises a first gutter 131 and a second gutter 132, which are provided substantially parallel to one another.

Distributed along sidewalls 135 of the gutters are openings 134, arranged to facilitate an air flow through the gutters.

Any number of openings 134 may be provided, and when the openings 134 are preferably spaced apart equidistantly, a coupling element 200 may be provided at different positions along the gutter. Whereas Figure IB discloses triangular openings, any other shape of the opening may be used. Having the ability to provide coupling elements 200 at different positions along the gutter may allow for a higher stiffness connection of the PV panel 122 to the carrier frame 110, as explained above.

The heat sink’s 124 gutters as shown in Fig. IB are shaped as two-sided triangles, which are connected by straight sheet sections. The substantially triangular shaped gutters comprise two side walls 135 which together with an imaginary base 136 forms a isosceles triangle.

In the embodiment of Fig. IB the coupling element 210 is clamped between openings of two neighbouring gutters. In other embodiments, the coupling element 210 may be clamped between openings of two not directly neighbouring gutters when the heat sink 124 comprises three or more substantially parallel gutters.

Fig. IB shows a coupling element 200 comprising a body 222 comprising a PV assembly side and a carrier base side opposite to the PV assembly side. The PV assembly side is that side of the body 222 facing the PV assembly 120, and the carrier base side is that side of the body 222 facing the girder 112 of the carrier frame 110. A PV assembly connection module is generally indicated with reference numeral 218, and comprises at least two heat sink clamps 220 as clamp members protruding away from the PV assembly side, of which only one heat sink clamp 220 is visible in the view of Fig. IB.

The heat sink clamp 220 comprises a hook 221 as an

implementation of a gripping member at a distal end of the heat sink clamp 220, which hook will be discussed in more detail in the description below. The hook is arranged to be hooked in an opening 134 of one of the gutters. When hooked in the opening 134, the hook blocks a movement of the heat sink 124 in a direction away from the carrier 110.

For connecting the coupling element 200 to the heat sink 124, the PV assembly connection module 218 can be manipulated between a first setting and a second setting, wherein in the second setting a distance between the hooks as gripping members of the heat sink clamps as clamp members is larger than that distance in the first setting. For manipulating the PV assembly connection module 218, the heat sink clamps 220 as clamp members may be resiliently deformable for moving hooks as gripping members towards or away from the body 222. More on the resilient deformation of the heat sink clamps 220 will be explained in conjunction with Figs. 3A-4C.

The carrier frame connection module 210 comprises a set of carrier frame connection protrusions 225 protruding from the body 222 away from carrier frame connection side base surface 236 which is provided opposite to the PV assembly side base surface. The carrier frame connection protrusions 225 are oriented such that they are aligned with an elongation direction of girder 112. Because the girder 112 is oriented substantially perpendicular to the heat sink 124, the carrier frame connection protrusions 225 are skewed by an angle of substantially 90 degrees relative to the heat sink clamps 220.

Different girders of different PV assemblies may be shaped differently, and according to the shape of the girder, the shape of the carrier frame connection protrusions 225 may be adapted. Furthermore, the carrier frame connection protrusions 225 may clamp around the outside of a girder 112, or alternatively clamp a girder 112 from the inside out.

Fig. 2A shows an exploded view of an assembly 101 of a coupling element 200 and a PV assembly 120, more specifically a heat sink 124 of the PV assembly 120. The coupling element 200 is in Figs. 2A and 2B shown comprising six heat sink clamps 220 as clamp members, divided in two substantially parallel rows of three heat sink clamps 220 as clamp members. Coupling elements 200 comprising any other number of heat sink clamps are envisioned as well.

Provided at a distal end of each clamp member 220 is a hook 221 as an implementation of a gripping member, arranged to grip an opening 134 of one of the gutters. In the embodiment of the assembly 101 as shown in Fig. 2A, the hooks 221 face away from each other, and as such the coupling element 200 is arranged to be coupled to two side walls of the heat sink 124 which face each other. Fig. 2B shows an embodiment of a coupling element 210, comprising six heat sink clamps 220 as clamp members, each comprising at a distal end a hook 221 as a. The heat sink clamps 220 are in this particular embodiment provided opposite to one another at a distance indicated by x. Furthermore, the heat sink clamps 220 are aligned one two lines 227 which are substantially parallel to one another. This provides a symmetry which, combined with an equal spacing between the heat sink clamps 220 along lines 227, allows connection of the coupling element 210 to the heat sink 124 in two ways, which two ways are rotated 180 degrees relative to each other.

The coupling element 210 may be manufactured using injection moulding, milling, any other manufacturing method or any combination thereof. The coupling element 210 may comprise any material such as a plastic, and the material may be chosen such that a desired hinging stiffness of the heat sink clamps 220 is achieved in combination with the shape of the heat sink clamps 220. At least part of the coupling element may be reinforced with glass fibres. The coupling element may be embodied as one single monolithic part.

Figs. 3A, 3B and 3C subsequently show an embodiment of a coupling element 200 being connected to a heat sink 124 of a PV assembly 120. In Fig. 3A, the coupling element 200 is not connected to the heat sink 124, in Fig. 3B, the coupling element 200 is in the process of being connected to the heat sink 124 and Fig. 3C shows the assembly 201 of the coupling element 200 connected to the heat sink 124.

The coupling element 200 as shown in Figs. 3A-3C comprises body 222, a first heat sink clamp 220 as a clamp member with a first hook 221 as a gripping member , and a second heat sink clamp 220’as a clamp member with a second hook 221’as a gripping member, wherein the hooks are provided at a distal end of the respective heat sink clamp they are

comprised by. The heat sink clamps 220 protrude from a PV assembly side base surface 232. In the assembly 101 of Figs. 3A-3C, a first opening 134 comprised by a first gutter 131 faces towards a second opening 134’ comprised by a second gutter 132. The first gutter 131 and the second gutter 132 are directly neighbouring gutters as no gutter is provided between the first gutter 131 and the second gutter 132. In other embodiments of the assembly 101 any number of other gutters may be present between the first gutter 131 and the second gutter 132.

As shown in Figs. 3A-3C, in this particular embodiment of the coupling element 200, the hooks 221 extend away from each other.

Furthermore, the hooks 221 extend substantially perpendicular to the protrusion direction of the clamping members 220.

The heat sink clamps 220 protrude from the PV assembly side at an angle relative to a normal vector 234 of the PV assembly side. This protrusion angle may correspond to an angle of a sidewall 135 of the gutters, such that a side wall 135 of gutter is oriented substantially parallel to the heat sink clamps 220 when the heat sink clamp220 is not deformed, as shown in Fig. 3A, or only slightly deformed, as shown in Fig. 3C.

A distance between the hook 221 as gripping members is indicated in Figs. 3A-3C respectively as d, d’, and d”. When the coupling element 200 is in the process of being connected to the heat sink 214, as shown in Fig. 3B, the heat sink clamps are resiliently deformed. The deformation results in distance d’ of Fig. 3B being smaller than distance d of Fig. 3A. The distance d of Fig. 3A corresponds to a setting wherein to forces are exerted on the heat sink clamps 220 and they are not elastically deformed.

When the coupling element 200 is moved further towards the heat sink 124, as shown in Fig. 3C, the hooks 221 are inserted into the openings 134 by virtue of the elastic energy which deformed the heat sink clamps 220 during the movement of the coupling element 200 towards the heat sink 124 which was shown in Fig. 3B. When inserted into the openings 134, the distance between the hooks 221 d” may be smaller than or equal to distance d. When distance d” is smaller than distance d, the heat sink clamps 220 may be elastically hinged away from the respective opening in which their hook 221 is inserted, and as such a clamping force may be present which presses the hooks 221 into their opening 134.

Figs. 4A, 4B and 4C subsequently show another embodiment of a coupling element 200 being connected to a heat sink 124 of a PV assembly. In Fig. 4A, the coupling element 200 is not connected to the heat sink 124, in Fig. 4B, the coupling element 200 is being connected to the heat sink 124 and Fig. 4C shows the assembly 201 of the coupling element 200 connected to the heat sink 124.

The embodiment of the coupling element 200 as shown in Figs. 4A-C differs from the embodiment of the coupling element 200 as shown in Figs. 3A-3C in that the hooks 221 as gripping members are now extending towards each other. Because of this different orientation of the hooks 221, the hooks 221 are now arranged to be inserted into openings 134 and 134' which are facing away from each other.

In the setting of Fig. 4A, the distance between the hooks 221 is indicated with d. During the connection of the coupling element 200 to the heat sink 124, the distance between the hooks 221 increases to distance d'. Finally, when the hooks 221 are inserted into the openings 134, the distance between the hooks 221 decreases to d”, which may be larger or equal to distance d.

If distance d” is larger than distance d, which is the distance between the hooks 221 when no forces are exerted on the heat sink clamps 220, the heat sink clamps 220 may be elastically deformed. This elastic deformation may provide a clamping force which may aid in the connection between the coupling element 200 and the heat sink 124. In Figs. 3A-4C parts of the coupling element 200 related to connecting with the carrier frame 110 have been omitted for conciseness of the figures.

When the coupling element 200 is connected to the heat sink 124, as shown in Fig. 3C and in Fig. 4C, the PV assembly side base surface 232 from which the heat sink clamps 220 protrude abuts the heat sink 124 when the hooks 221, 221’ are inserted into the openings 134, 134’. This abutment substantially prevents further movement of the coupling element 200 towards the PV panel 220. Combined with the hooks 221 substantially restricting movement of the coupling element 200 away from the PV panel

220, movement of the coupling element 200 relative to the PV panel 220 may be substantially prevented. In other words, when the coupling element 200 is connected to the carrier frame 110 and the heat sink 124, the PV assembly 120 is mounted to the carrier frame 110.

Many different shapes are envisioned for the gripping members

221, and the invention is thus not limited to the hook shaped gripping members as shown in the figures. Any gripping member shape which allows at least partial insertion of the gripping member into an opening 134 of the heat sink 124 may be used. Furthermore, any number of gripping members may be used for connecting the coupling element 200 to the heat sink 124 of the PV assembly 120.

Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C depict another embodiment of a coupling element 500, respectively in a side view, in an isometric top view, and in an isometric bottom view.

Optional features discussed in conjunction with the embodiment of Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C may also be applied to other embodiments disclosed herein. Furthermore, features disclosed in conjunction with other

embodiments disclosed herein may be readily applied to the embodiment of the coupling element 500 of Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C. Figs. 5A, 5B and 5C show the coupling element 500 comprising six heat sink clamps 520 as clamp members, divided in two substantially parallel rows of three heat sink clamps 520. It will be understood that this number of heat sink clamps 520 is merely an example, and embodiments of the coupling element 500 with any number of heat sink clamps 520 are envisioned. For example, two rows of one clamp, two clamps, four clamps, or even five or more clamps are envisioned.

One or more of the heat sink clamps 520 may comprise a hook 521 as an example of a gripping member, arranged to grip an opening of a gutter of a heat sink. For conciseness and clarity of the figures, only one of the heat sink clamps 520 and hooks 521 is provided with a reference sign.

It will be understood that also for the embodiment of the coupling element 500 as shown in Figs. 5A, 5B, and 5C, the different orientations of the heat sink clamps 520 of Figs. 3A and 4A may be used— i.e. respectively with hooks 521 facing to away from each other or towards each other.

Next to the heat sink claims 520, the coupling element 500 further comprises a plurality of outer fingers 575. In the particular of Figs.

5, the coupling element 500 comprises four outer fingers 575, divided in two sets of which the fingers in each set extend from a opposite side of the coupling element 500. It will be understood that other embodiment of the coupling element 500 may comprise another number of outer fingers 575, for example only one, two, six, or even eight or more.

The outer fingers 575 may protrude from extended portions 577 of the base 522, which extended portions 577 extend in a direction parallel to the carrier frame connection side base surface 536. The extended portions 577 may extend beyond the heat sink clamps 520, and may also extend beyond the hooks 521. The outer fingers 575 may protrude from a distal end of the extended portions 577. In this embodiment, the outer fingers 575 are staggered relative to the sink clamps 520. In other embodiment, the outer fingers 575 are provided directly adjacent to the sink clamps 520 or the outer fingers 575 and the sink clamps 520 overlap at least partially.

The coupling element 500 further comprises a carrier frame connection module 510 comprising a set of carrier frame connection protrusions 525 protruding from a coupling element body 522 away from a carrier frame connection side base surface 536.

As visible in Fig. 5A, a carrier frame connection protrusion 525 may as an option comprise a weakened section 572, preferably at a side of the connection protrusion 525 at or near the base surface 536. The

weakened section 572 may allow hinging of the connection protrusion 525 around this weakened section 572 and/or allow hinging of the connection protrusion 525 with less force. The weakened section 572 may for example be embodied as a thin section of the connection protrusion, as shown in Fig. 5A.

The carrier frame connection protrusions 525 are provided with a girder hook 574 facing towards the opposite connection protrusion 525. One or both of the carrier frame connection protrusions 525 may comprise such a girder hook 574. When the coupling element 500 is connected to a girder, as for example shown in Fig. 8B, a girder hook 574 may latch onto the girder to block or restrict movement of the girder relative to the coupling element 500.

As an option visible in Fig. 5C, the coupling element 500 comprise a set of reinforcement ribs 579, protruding from the body 522 in a direction away from the carrier frame connection side base surface 536. The set of reinforcement ribs 579 may provide stiffness to the body 522.

Figs. 6A and 6B show an assembly 600 of a heat sink 124 and a coupling element 500, respectively in a side view and a perspective view.

The coupling element 500 is connected to a first gutter 131 and a second gutter 132 of the heat sink 124. In Figs. 6A and 6B, the first gutter 131 and the second gutter 132 are directly adjacent. However, in other embodiments, one or more gutters may be present between the first gutter 131 and the second gutter 132.

When a coupling element 500 comprises one or more outer fingers 575, as shown in Figs. 6A and 6B, these outer fingers 575 may clamp around one of the gutters to which the coupling element 500 is connected. In this position, the outer fingers 575 may further define the position of the coupling element 500 relative to the heat sink 124.

Fig. 7A and 7B show an embodiment of an assembly 700 of a photovoltaic assembly comprising a PV panel 122 and a heat sink 124, and a plurality of coupling elements 500, which may be coupling elements 500 according to the embodiment shown in Fig. 5A. The assembly 700 is in Figs. 7A and 7B respectively shown in a bottom view and a perspective bottom view.

The assembly 700 comprises the PV panel 122 and the heat sink 124 mounted to the rear of the PV panel 122. The heat sink 124 comprises a plurality of gutters, of which for example a first gutter 131 and a second gutter 132 are indicated. Distributed along sidewalls of the gutters are openings 134, arranged to facilitate an air flow through the gutters.

The assembly 700 as shown in Figs. 7A and 7B comprises eight coupling elements 500. Examples of assemblies are envisioned comprising any number of coupling elements 500, for example three, four, five, six, seven, eight, ten or more coupling elements 500. The coupling elements 500 may be substantially the same, or different embodiments of coupling elements 500 may be used in a single assembly 700.

The outer left two coupling elements 500 and the outer right coupling elements 500 in the assembly 700 of Figs. 7A and 7B are

substantially aligned in a direction parallel to the gutters of the heat sink 124. This may be allowable since the gutters to which these specific coupling elements are connected are discontinuous. The discontinuity of these gutters allow other components to be mounted to the back of the PV panel 122 next to the heat sink 124, such as electronic components 790.

When the gutters are continuous, as an option, only one coupling element 500 may be connected to a pair of gutters. This may prevent overly loading a pair of gutters when two or more coupling elements 500 would have been connected to a single pair of gutters.

In a particular embodiment, the gutters are provided by multiple panels, of which the gutters are provided in extension of one another. In such embodiment, the panels may be connected only indirectly, via the PV panel 122. This means that strain on a first panel relative to the PV panel 122 has no influence on strain on a second panel adjacent to the first panel relative to the PV panel 122. In such embodiment, coupling elements 500 may be provided on gutters in extension of one another, without heavily compromising reliability of the bond between gutter panels and the PV panel 122.

Hence, in some embodiments, coupling elements of a first line of coupling elements 500 of two or more lines of coupling elements 500 - to be connected to a first girder - may be provided all aligned with coupling elements 500 of a second line of coupling elements 500, partially staggered relative to coupling elements of the second line of coupling elements 500 (Figure 7 A) or all staggered relative to coupling elements 500 of the second line of coupling elements 500 (Figure 7 B). The staggering or shift in position of the coupling elements 500 of two or more lines may be one gutter, two gutters, three or more gutters or 5%, 10%, 15% or even 20% of the distance between adjacent coupling elements 500 in one line.

As such, as an option, a first coupling element 500’ may be connected to a first pair of gutters 133, and a second coupling element 500” may be connected to a second pair of gutters 135. The first pair of gutters 133 may be directly adjacent to the second pair of gutters 135, which may imply that no further gutter is present between the first pair of gutters 133 and the second pair of gutters 135.

As a further option, a limited number of gutters may be present between the first pair of gutters 133 and the second pair of gutters 135, such as one, two, or three or more. In such a case, the first pair of gutters 133 may still be considered to be adjacent to the second pair of gutters 135.

As such, the first coupling element 500’ may be substantially aligned with the second coupling element 500” in a direction parallel to the gutters, with only a small misalignment in a direction perpendicular to the gutters.

As an even further option, shown in Fig. 7 A, some or preferably all coupling elements 500 may be provided at a first distance 791 from a first outer edge 792 of the PV panel 122. The first distance 791 may for example correspond to approximately 2%, 5%, 10%, or even 15% or more of a length of a second outer edge 794 of the PV panel 122.

As an even further option, shown in Fig. 7 A, some or preferably all coupling elements 500 may be provided at a second distance 793 from a second outer edge 794 of the PV panel 122. The second distance 793 may for example correspond to approximately 2%, 5%, 10%, or even 15% or more of a length of the first outer edge 792 of the PV panel 122.

When some or preferably all coupling elements 500 are provided at the first distance 791 and/or the second distance, the PV panel 122 may be mounted to a support frame such that when the PV panel 122 is subjected to a load, less deflection may occur compared to a situation where the PV panel 122 would be clamped at the edges. Such a load may for example be caused by environment and weather factors, such as winds and precipitation.

Fig. 8A shows a further embodiment of an assembly 700 of a photovoltaic assembly and a plurality of coupling elements 500, further comprising two girders 112. The two girders 112 are each associated with a set of coupling elements 500. The girders 112 are here substantially elongated and parallel to each other. The coupling elements 500 which connect a girder 112 to the heat sink 124 may thus be substantially aligned in a direction parallel to the elongation direction of the girder 112, which may be a direction substantially perpendicular to the gutters of the sink 124..

Fig. 8B shows a detailed view of a girder 112 connected to the heat sink 124 by virtue of a coupling element 500. The optional girder hooks 574 protrude through openings in the girder 112, and may substantially prevent movement of the girder 112 for example in a direction away from the heat sink— i.e. substantially perpendicular to the elongation direction of the girder 112.

An optional screw 840 is provided to further fixate the girder 112 to the coupling element 500. In addition to or as an alternative to using one or more screws, one or more bolts and/or pins may used which protrude through the girder 112 and the coupling element 500. Glue or other fixating measures may be employed as well.

In summary, too large deflections may cause damage to a PV panel. Deflections may be reduced by mounting the PV panel to a carrier frame at specific locations. A coupling element is provided for mounting a photovoltaic assembly to a carrier frame, which coupling element may be provided at different locations behind the PV panel. Embodiments of the coupling element comprise a body, and clamp members protruding at one side of the body for a clamping connection with a heat sink of the PV panel, and a carrier frame connection module at a second side for connection to the carrier frame. The clamp members are provided with gripping members arranged to be inserted into openings of the heat sinks, which openings were originally provided for enabling an air flow through the heat sinks.

In the description above, it will be understood that when an element such as layer, region or substrate is referred to as being“on” or “onto” another element, the element is either directly on the other element, or intervening elements may also be present. Also, it will be understood that the values given in the description above, are given by way of example and that other values may be possible and/or may be strived for.

Furthermore, the invention may also be embodied with less components than provided in the embodiments described here, wherein one component carries out multiple functions. Just as well may the invention be embodied using more elements than depicted in the Figures, wherein functions carried out by one component in the embodiment provided are distributed over multiple components.

It is to be noted that the figures are only schematic

representations of embodiments of the invention that are given by way of non-limiting examples. For the purpose of clarity and a concise description, features are described herein as part of the same or separate embodiments, however, it will be appreciated that the scope of the invention may include embodiments having combinations of all or some of the features described. The word‘comprising’ does not exclude the presence of other features or steps than those listed in a claim. Furthermore, the words 'a' and 'an' shall not be construed as limited to 'only one', but instead are used to mean 'at least one', and do not exclude a plurality.

A person skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various parameters and values thereof disclosed in the description may be modified and that various embodiments disclosed and/or claimed may be combined without departing from the scope of the invention.

It is stipulated that the reference signs in the claims do not limit the scope of the claims, but are merely inserted to enhance the legibility of the claims.