Photovoltaic Systems

SUNSET® FRMF - Flat Roof Mounting Frame

Flat Roof Mounting Frame - FRMF

The FRMF is a sturdy, weather resistant, and durable mounting frame for the installation of solar modules on flat roofs, and with slight modifications on facades.

Example of roof installation (up to 70 cm module width)

Please note: Modules will be partially shaded when the sun is lower than 17°.

Please note the following points before installing the mounting frames:

• Calculate turbulences, vibrations, gusts, as peak loads.
• Check if shearing forces may have to be taken on by cross wires.
• Verify that the maximum load the roof is allowed to carry is not exceeded.
• Remove gravel, and protect the roof with bitumen- or rubber mats. Avoid point loads.
• Check the lightning protection by a specialist.

The wind load has to be calculated by the erection company, according to international norms! The modules are to be weighed down with sufficient counterweights (concrete paving). Span cross wires if needs be. We recommend the use of at least two concrete paving stones (50 x 50 x 8 cm; 50 kg per slab) per module. The size of counter weights is to be verified according to site conditions.

We cannot accept liability for damages caused by the use or the mounting of flat roof mounting frames, as conditions at the mounting site are unknown to us, and because we have no influence over these! Please check the conditions at the mounting site thoroughly, and consult a civil engineer if necessary.

Please note: Wider Modules (SQ 150, KA 58 etc.) require a greater distance between the rows.

SUNSET® SDMA - Sloping Roof Mounting System

Parallel roof installation with SDMA

Our sloping roof mounting system made of aluminium, called SDMA, for parallel network installations can be used for all types of slope roofs which have a standard tile roof.

The main components are stainless steel rafter-anchors to secure the substructure on the roof. Aluminium shaped rails hold the solar panels. Each module has its own assembly kit which fits to the substructure. The modules are mounted vertically side by side and can be arranged in several rows.

At first, the tile must be moved to the side so that the rafter anchor can be hung at the rafter. To fix it the anchor is directly screwed on the rafter. Then the upper tile can be put back and the shaped aluminium rails can be fixed on the protruding ends of the hooks.

Securing the rafter anchors:

Fixing the shaped aluminium rails:

Before installing the solar modules on the roof two small hooks for each module should be fastened at the pre­drilled module frame. Later on, the solar modules are hung on these hooks into the rails. With this, a horizontal alignment of the solar modules is possible since the modules can slide within the rail. The first and the last module of a row are fixed with two z-angle profiles each, whereas the other modules are fastened to the aluminium rail by module clamps.

Our substructure offers the opportunity to take out single modules in case of maintenance work without disassembling all modules to the relevant solar generator.

To avoid long installation hours all component parts are ready to use. The length of the rails are customised according to your number of modules.

Built-in SUNpower Roof®

Construction

The SUNpower Roof® integration system allows solar generators to be incorporated harmonically into a roof with the modules protruding 1 centimetre from the surface of the roof. This is the favoured system for new buildings and for the restoration of old roofs. Individual fabrication allows the system to be adapted to nearly every type of roof. Aluminium cladding is fixed to roof lathes or roof boards instead of conventional tiling to make a watertight completely closed substructure. This structure is equipped with joints to which modules are connected. The joints can be adapted to the respective module types. A watertight conduit is included in the substructure.

Advantages

• even though built into the roof, the module are ventilated from behind
• sliding snow is slowdown by frames
• easy and rapid installation appropriate for any type of roof
• each module may be removed without having to open up the roof
• a later installation is possible due to the watertight substructure

We offer a 20 years warranty on watertight roof (*when installed exactly to supplied instructions)

To process orders correctly we require:

• manufacture and type of solar generator
• sketch of layout of modules
• type of roof

Please use one of our design sheets, which we are happy to send to you on request.

All components are pre-fabricated and ready to install. The system comes with an extensive installation manual.

Some pictures of recently installed SUNpower Roof®

Installation of a 130 kW grid-connected system using SUNpower Roof® integration with AS 170 modules.

Installation of a 62 kW grid-connected system usingSUNpower Roof® integration, amorphous KA60, north/south orientation.

Installation of a 54 kW grid-connected system using SUNpower Roof® integration, amorphous modules.

Data logging system SUNlog® & Display Boards:

Our data logging system, SUNlog®, may be used for all inverters on offer, to evaluate and visualize the inverter data. With this system it is possible to represent the data on a PC or over the Internet via Webserver in form of monthly and/or yearly curves. To visualize the data to the public, a large display board or text display may be connected.

SUNlog® light was developed as a data logger for PV plants with an output of more than 1 kW. The high energy demand of data logging with personal computers has been reduced by 98 %!

System components:

• The data logger SUNlog® light is placed near the inverter and reads data from the inverter via a serial interface. Power is supplied via an AC adapter. The data logger consists of a micro-controller with program, buffer memory, as well as interfaces, and analogue terminals. LED's to indicate status and power supply terminals for sensors are also included.
• The Insolation Sensor (IS) is installed on the solar generator. The IS contains a silicon sensor in a weatherproof aluminium casing to measure insolation. The measured analogue data is transmitted via a shielded cable to the dater logger, which also supplies the sensors with power.
• Standard software SUNlog®, which is installed on a personal computer, evaluates, visualizes and transmits performance data. It is a compatible with our SUNvision® light software package.

The data is digitalised and stored. Insolation, produced, and grid-feed energy, as well as operating hours are recorded and daily, monthly, and yearly averages calculated and stored. In addition insolation and power values are calculated as 4-minuite averages and stored as a two-week curve in the data logger. The stored data can be transferred to a personal computer at any time. As long as a PC is connected to the data logger, current values can be shown online.

Optionally the data logger can be connected to a moving message display or to a large display board to present texts and performance data. Sensors for ambient and module temperature, and data cables are also available.

SUNSET® large display board:

Show what your SUNSET® grid-connected system is up to and display the performance data with a SUNSET® large display board:

SUNSET® large display boards can be connected directly to an impulse meter, with out bothering with otherwise necessary measuring technologies. Installation of costly measuring technology is therefore not necessary and the display can be operated strait away. Our displays are extremely cost effective.

All SUNSET® displays have the following features:

• 7 red segment bars (LED), very bright
• 45 or 60 mm digit height
• 5 or 6 digits
• IP 54, wall installation
• Filter screen: red Perspex
• Casing sheet steel, powder coated
• Dimensions: approx. 446 mm x 224 mm up to 1.200 mm x 450 mm
• Printed with titles, categories and units
  1. 1. Row: Title "kWp Photovoltaic Sytem"
  2. 2. Row: Current Power [W]
  3. 3. Row: Net yield [kWh]
• Voltage supply: 230 Vac
• triggered by impulse meter

Our displays can also be printed to order e.g. with your company logo. Large display boards can be made in any size to your specifications. All SUNSET® large display boards can easily be integrated into existing data visualization systems.

Stand-Alone Photovoltaic (PV) System:

We plan and implement all kinds of photovoltaic systems for you. Many factors should be taken into account for consumers which are only used for the stand-alone-systems. For the ideal design there are essential two elementary factors to consider:

1. How much electrical energy is required daily? Calculate the daily energy requirement of all consumers. Plus the energy, that every consumer needs, the solar system also has an energy demand. So loading a battery needs more energy than a battery memory can set free. Also an inverter consumes energy when it is commutation. The system wiring enters an additional energy loss. All of these factors must be taken into account, if the solar system shall work reliably.
2. How much energy are the solar generators delivering? The energy output of the solar generators is dependent on location of the system, down tilt of the solar generators and local actuality, e.g. clouding, adjustment and so on. It is a decisive meaning for the planning, if the stand-alone-system only shall deliver energy within the summer months or whether the consumers must be provided also reliably in the winter half year.

Important in every stand-alone system is an efficient use of the produced energy. So should be absolutely respected, that only energy reducting DC - consumers are used.

An example: You save more than 60.000 watt-hours energy in a year, if you use 3 hours daily an energy economy bulb with 20 watts instead of an electric light bulb with 75 watts (at same brightness)! Through this the stand-alone system can be interpreted smaller and fundamentally cheaper.

Also, the capacity of the battery of a stand-alone system is of decisive meaning. The choice of various battery types and capacities is largely. The right choice depends on many factors. So is e.g. at a system which is only in the use within the summer months, to interpret the battery capacity less. Important is, that special solar batteries are used, which are designed for common charging cycles. We would like to advise you and put the right battery capacity at your stand-alone system.

Determine the daily energy requirements of all consumers, which shall be provided by the stand-alone system, in accordance with your chart, at direct enquiries, please. Otherwise we can not offer you a reliably operating stand-alone system.

An example:      

In our example PV Stand-Alone System, the solar generators must be able to produce approximately 627 Wh energy daily. The so determined daily energy requirement is decisive for the system cost. The exact calculation of your energy requirements are  therefore essential. If the value transmitted to us is too low, the system cannot work efficiently. If it is calculated too highly, the system costs increase unnecessarily. Please use our design assessment sheet which we will forward to you on request.

SunPower's Product range

The systems described in this website are just a small selection of possible configurations that we can deliver. Our engineers and technicians can design systems at short notice, tailor-made to suit each client's wishes. Please do not hesitate to contact us by mail or phone, if you have any questions concerning your individual application. Technical enquires are continually evaluated, and the knowledge gained is used to improve our systems to your advantage.

Information Request Form

Select the items that apply, and then let us know how to contact you.

Send product literature
Send company literature
Have a salesperson contact me