Patent Publication Number: US-2022216824-A1

Title: Longitudinal profile and module clamp for a mounting system for solar modules, and a mounting system of such a type

Description:
The present invention relates to a longitudinal profile and a module clamp for a solar module mounting system. The present invention further relates to a solar module mounting system. Such a mounting system may in particular be designed for use in open land. Such mounting systems are often referred to as open land mounting systems. 
     It is an object of the present invention to provide a longitudinal profile for a solar module mounting system that is inexpensive to manufacture and yet has high strength values. It is another object of the present invention to provide a module clamp for fastening solar modules to a longitudinal profile via their module frame. In addition, it is an object of the present invention to provide a solar module mounting system that is inexpensive to manufacture and capable of withstanding high loads. 
     These objects are achieved with a longitudinal profile with the features of claim  1 , a module clamp with the features of claim  10  and a mounting system with the features of claim  17 . 
     Further advantageous embodiments are specified in the dependent claims. 
     The longitudinal profile for a solar module mounting system according to the invention comprises at least one stop area which is designed to fasten the longitudinal profile to a transverse profile, and at least one head area which is connected to the at least one stop area via at least one connecting portion. The at least one stop area has at least one support surface for support on the transverse profile. The at least one head area has at least one bearing surface for at least one portion of a module frame of the solar module. The at least one head area has at least one engagement projection which is configured as a point of engagement for a fastening device. 
     The at least one head area may be formed by at least one undercut. The at least one head area may have at least two engagement projections pointing in opposite directions, which are configured as points of engagement for a fastening device for fastening a module frame to the longitudinal profile. Such a fastening device may be a module clamp, for example. The at least one head area may have at least one bearing portion which connects the at least two engagement projections. The at least one bearing portion may have the at least one bearing surface. The at least one bearing surface and the at least one support surface may extend at least mainly parallel to one another. The longitudinal profile may be designed to accommodate further components. The longitudinal profile may be configured as a hollow profile. 
     The at least one stop area may have at least one fastening opening. At least one fastening element can be inserted into the longitudinal profile via the at least one fastening opening. The at least one fastening opening may be slit-shaped. The at least one fastening opening may preferably extend over the entire length of the longitudinal profile. The at least one fastening element may be inserted into the longitudinal profile via the at least one fastening opening. The at least one fastening opening may be formed between at least two projections pointing into the interior of the longitudinal profile. The two projections can engage with at least one fastening element. Such a fastening element may be designed so that it can engage behind the two projections to allow for the longitudinal profile to be attached to a transverse profile. 
     The at least one stop area may have at least one support portion. At least one support surface may be formed on the at least one support portion. Support portions, each having a support surface, may be provided on both sides of the fastening openings. The at least one head area may have at least one portion which mainly runs at right angles to one of the support portions. This portion may connect the respective support portion to the at least one connecting portion. 
     The at least one connecting portion may extend at an angle to the at least one support surface and/or the at least one bearing surface. The at least one longitudinal profile may have two connecting portions. The distance between the two connecting portions may change. Preferably, the distance between the connecting portions may decrease starting from the stop area in the direction of the head area. The distance may be the smallest at the transition to the engagement projections. In the area of the engagement projections, the cross section of the longitudinal profile increases again. The engagement projections may each have a nose or be designed in the form of a nose. 
     Furthermore, a connecting profile may be provided which is designed to connect at least two longitudinal profiles of the type described above. The connecting profile may be designed in such a way that the connecting element can be inserted into the longitudinal profiles to be connected in a form-fitting manner in order to establish a connection to these longitudinal profiles. This enables to produce a fastener-free connection between the connecting profile and the longitudinal profiles to be connected via the connecting profile. Accordingly, due to the connecting profile, no screws or similar elements are necessary to establish a connection between the connecting profile and the longitudinal profiles to be connected via the connecting profile. A suitable fit enables the connecting profile to be accommodated in the longitudinal profile. 
     The connecting profile may have at least one positioning element. Abutment of the longitudinal elements to be connected can be created via the at least one positioning element. This ensures that the longitudinal profiles assume their predetermined position on the connecting profile. The at least one positioning element may thus mark the center of the connecting profile. 
     The present invention further relates to a module clamp for fastening a module frame of a solar module to a longitudinal profile. The module clamp comprises a bracket-shaped body which has at least two arms which can engage with a head area of a longitudinal profile, at least one abutment element which is designed to bear against the module frame, and at least one connecting screw which connects the bracket-shaped body to the abutment element. 
     Each arm of the bracket-shaped body may have at least one projection pointing in the direction of the respective other arm. The projections may be designed to each engage behind one of the engagement projections of the longitudinal profile. For this purpose, each of the engagement projections of the longitudinal profile can have or form a nose which can be engaged from behind by one of the projections of the arms of the bracket-shaped body. With the at least one screw, a tensile force can be exerted on the bracket-shaped body when the bracket-shaped body engages with the engagement portion of the longitudinal profile and the abutment element abuts the module frame. With this tensile force, the bracket-shaped body can be stretched or lengthened so that the solar module can be fastened to the longitudinal profile. 
     The abutment element may have at least one abutment portion for abutment on the module frame and at least one support portion for supporting the bracket-shaped body. If the at least one abutment element abuts a module frame and the bracket-shaped body and the abutment element are braced against one another via the screw, the at least one abutment element can rest against the bracket-shaped body with its support portion. This prevents the abutment element from tilting. Tilting of the abutment element could result in the connection to the module frame becoming loose. 
     A transverse profile for connection to a longitudinal profile according to the invention may be provided. The transverse profile has at least one opening. The at least one opening has an insertion portion and a holding portion, the insertion portion and the holding portion having different cross sections. The at least one opening can be designed in the shape of a key. The insertion portion may have a larger cross section than the holding portion. With the opening, a fastener-free connection option with further elements may be provided. The transverse profile may have a mainly C-shaped cross section. The transverse profile may have two legs which run mainly parallel to one another and are connected to one another via a connecting leg. The at least one opening can be formed in the connecting leg. The insertion portion and the holding portion of the opening can adjoin one another in the longitudinal direction of the transverse element. 
     Furthermore, according to the invention, a connector for connecting a longitudinal profile and a transverse profile may be provided. The connector has at least one locking element which is configured for insertion into the insertion portion of the opening and for engaging behind the edges of the opening in the holding portion. This enables a connection that is easy to produce, does not require additional connecting means and can be secured by the weight of the solar modules and the longitudinal profiles. 
     A fastening system for fastening solar modules to a longitudinal profile is provided. The fastening system comprises at least one fastening profile which is designed to accommodate module frames of a solar module in sections, at least one clamping device that holds the at least one fastening profile on the longitudinal profile, and at least one fastening element that can engage with the fastening profile to hold the module frames of the solar modules on the fastening profile. 
     The fastening profile may have at least two receiving portions with which the at least one fastening element for fastening the module frame can engage. The at least one fastening element may have two legs whose ends point towards one another. With these ends, the legs can each engage in one of the receiving portions of the fastening profile. The solar modules can rest against one of the side surfaces of the fastening element&#39;s legs with their module frames. The fastening element may in particular be provided at one end of the fastening profile. The fastening profile can be fastened to the longitudinal profile via the at least one clamping device. The solar modules can be held on the fastening profile via the fastening elements. 
     The present invention further relates to a mounting system with one or more longitudinal profiles, one or more transverse profiles which are connected to the longitudinal profiles, and one or more posts which are connected to one or more transverse profiles. The transverse profile may be a transverse profile of the type described above. 
     The mounting system may in particular be designed for use as an outdoor mounting system. This means that the mounting system can be set up in open space. 
     The mounting system may have one or more connectors for connecting a longitudinal profile to a transverse profile. The mounting system may have at least one module clamp for fastening module frames to a longitudinal profile. The mounting system may have at least one fastening system for fastening module frames to a longitudinal profile. 
     The mounting system may have at least one inclination device for adjusting the inclination of the solar modules. The inclination device enables to incline the solar modules in the transverse direction in particular. The inclination device may be provided on at least one of the posts. The inclination device may have a stationary post portion and a pivotable inclination portion which is pivotable around a pivot point relative to the post portion. The stationary post portion may be connected to a post or be formed by a post. A grid of holes which interacts with at least one screw for adjusting the angle of inclination may be provided at the inclination portion. In addition or as an alternative, a slot which interacts with a screw for setting the angle of inclination may be provided. The slot may be formed by a series of bores, as is the case, for example, with water pump pliers. The slot may be curved. The inclination portion can be pivoted around a pivot point to adjust the angle of inclination. The adjusted angle of inclination can be fixed using the screw and the curved slot. The curved slot can specify the angular range in which the angle of inclination can be adjusted. 
    
    
     
       Exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to the attached figures. They represent: 
         FIGS. 1 to 3  perspective views of a mounting system for solar modules according to a first embodiment; 
         FIGS. 4 to 6  different views of a longitudinal profile of the mounting system according to  FIGS. 1 to 3 ; 
         FIGS. 7 to 11  different views of a connecting element for connecting the longitudinal profile according to  FIGS. 4 to 6 ; 
         FIGS. 12 to 16  different views of a module clamp according to a first embodiment for attaching solar modules to the longitudinal profiles according to  FIGS. 4 to 6 ; 
         FIGS. 17 to 21  different views of a module clamp according to a second embodiment for attaching solar modules to the longitudinal profiles according to  FIGS. 4 to 6 ; 
         FIG. 22  a side view of the mounting system according to  FIGS. 1 to 3 ; 
         FIG. 23  a perspective view of the connection of a longitudinal profile according to  FIGS. 4 to 6  with a module frame via a module clamp according to  FIGS. 12 to 16 ; 
         FIG. 24  a view of the connection of a post with a transverse profile; 
         FIGS. 25 to 32  different views of the connection of a longitudinal profile according to  FIGS. 4 to 6  with a transverse profile; 
         FIGS. 33 to 36  perspective views of a mounting system for solar modules according to a second embodiment; 
         FIG. 37  a side view of the mounting system according to  FIGS. 33 to 36 ; 
         FIGS. 38 to 44  different views of a mounting system for fastening solar modules to a longitudinal profile according to  FIGS. 4 to 6 ; 
         FIGS. 45 and 46  views of mounting systems according to a third embodiment, whose angle of inclination is adjustable; and 
         FIGS. 47 to 52  different views of an inclination device. 
     
    
    
       FIGS. 1 to 3  show different perspective views of a mounting system  1000  for solar modules  10 . In this embodiment of the mounting system  1000 , the solar modules  10  are arranged vertically, i.e. in portrait format (see  FIG. 1 ). The solar modules  10  have module frames  12 . 
     The mounting system  1000  has longitudinal profiles  100 , transverse profiles  200  and posts  300 ,  302 . Each transverse profile  200  is connected to the two posts  300  and  302 . The transverse profiles  200  carry the longitudinal profiles  100  to which the solar modules  10  are attached via their module frames  12 . The posts  300  and  302  differ in length, with the posts  300  being longer than the posts  302 . Due to the different lengths of the posts  300  and  302 , the solar modules  10  are inclined. 
       FIGS. 4 to 6  show different views of a longitudinal profile  100 . The longitudinal profiles  100  are often referred to as purlins. The longitudinal profile  100  has a head area  102  and a stop area  104 . The head area  102  and the stop area  104  are connected to each other via connecting portions  106  and  108 . The longitudinal profile  100  is fastened to the transverse profiles  200  via the stop area  104 . The stop area  104  has a fastening opening  110  through which a fastening element (not shown) can be inserted into the longitudinal profile  100 . The fastening opening  110  is slit-shaped and may extend over the entire length of the longitudinal profiles  100 . The fastening opening  110  is set between two projections  112 ,  114  pointing into the interior of the longitudinal profile  100 . A fastening element (not shown) may engage on the projections  112  and  114  to securely hold the longitudinal profiles  100  on the transverse profiles  200 . The stop area  104  also has two support portions  116  and  118  which are provided on the side next to the fastening opening  110 . The support portion  116  is longer than the support portion  118 . 
     From the stop area  104 , the connecting portions  106  and  108  extend towards the head area  102 . The distance A between the connecting portions  106  and  108  decreases towards the head area  102 . The smallest distance A between the connecting portions  106  and  108  is at or closely in front of the transition to the head area  102 . In the head area  102 , the cross section of the longitudinal profile  100  widens again via two engagement projections  120  and  122 . The engagement projections  120  and  122  extend in the opposite direction. At the engagement projections  120 ,  122 , a module clamp (not shown) may engage to enable the fastening of the solar modules  10  with their module frames  12  (not shown) to the longitudinal profiles  100 . 
     The projections  120  and  122  are connected to each other via a bearing portion  124  which has a bearing surface  126  for the module frames  12  (not shown). The support portions  116  and  118  each have a support surface  128 ,  130 . The support surfaces  128 ,  130  and the bearing surface  126  may extend mainly parallel to one another. 
     In addition, the stop area  104  has two portions  132  and  134  which extend between the support portions  116  and  118  and, in each case, one of the connecting portions  106  and  108 . The portions  132  and  134  extend at an angle to the support portions  116  and  118 . In particular, the portions  132  and  134  may extend at right angles to the support portions  116  and  118 . The connecting portions  106  and  108  may in turn extend at an angle to the portions  132  and  134 . The connecting portions  106  and  108  extend at an angle to the bearing surface and/or the support surfaces  128 ,  130 . The angle of the connecting portion  106  to the bearing surface and/or the support surfaces  128 ,  130  is greater than the angle of the connecting portion  108  to the bearing surface and/or the support surfaces  128 ,  130 . Due to the cross section described above, the longitudinal profile  100  has a high strength and is inexpensive to manufacture, nevertheless. 
       FIGS. 7 to 11  show different views of a connecting profile  400  which is used to connect two longitudinal profiles  100 . The cross section of the connecting profile  400  is matched to the cross section of the longitudinal profiles  100 . The connecting profile  400  can for example be accommodated and held in sections in the respective longitudinal profile by means of a suitable fit. The connecting profile  400  is designed in such a way that the longitudinal profiles to be connected  100  can be connected to each other without additional fasteners. The connecting profile  400  has two support portions  402  and  404  between which an opening  406  is defined. The support portion  404  has a folding. The two support portions  402  and  404  allow the connecting profile  400  to support against the support portions  116  and  118  of the longitudinal profiles  100  (see  FIGS. 4 to 6 ). The connecting profile  400  further comprises two lateral abutment portions  408  and  410  which are connected to each other via an abutment portion  412 . The lateral abutment portions  408  and  410  are connected to each other via portions  414  and  416  that extend parallel to each other. The support portions  402  and  404  and the abutment portions  408 ,  410  and  412  abut the corresponding inner surfaces of the longitudinal profiles  100  with their outer surfaces, at least in sections, in order to thus establish a connection to the longitudinal profiles. 
     The connecting profile  400  has a positioning element  418  that is used to position the connecting profile  400  on the longitudinal profiles  100  to be connected. The positioning element  418  is formed centrally on the portion  416  and protrudes beyond the support portion  404 . The positioning element  418  thus constitutes a projection. Unlike the support portion  404 , the positioning element  418  is not folded.  FIG. 11  shows a detailed view of detail X in  FIG. 8  in which the positioning element  418  is shown. 
       FIGS. 12 to 16  show different views of a module clamp  500  according to a first embodiment. The module clamp  500  has a bracket-shaped body  502 , an abutment element  504 , and a screw  506 . The bracket-shaped body  502  has two arms  508  and  510  which are connected to each other via a connecting portion  512 . An opening  514  is formed in the connecting portion  512  for receiving the screw  506 . The opening  514  has an internal thread into which the screw  506  can be screwed. The two arms  508  and  510  each have two projections  516 ,  518 ,  520  and  522 . The projections  516 ,  518 ,  520  and  522  are provided on the inside of the arms  508  and  510 . The projections  516 ,  518 ,  520  and  522  thus each point in the direction of the respective other arm  508 ,  510 . 
     The abutment element  504  has an angled basic shape. A receptacle  524  for accommodating the head of the screw  506  is formed on the abutment element  504 . The abutment element  504  further has an abutment portion  526  and a support portion  528 . The abutment portion  526  and the support portion  528  extend at an angle to each other. The abutment portion  526  has an abutment surface  530  for abutment against a module frame that is not shown. A support surface  532  is formed on the support portion  528  for supporting the abutment element against the bracket-shaped body  502 , as shown in  FIG. 15 . The abutment element  504  is designed to be attached to one end of a solar module assembly, i.e. the abutment element  504  abuts only at one module frame. The abutment element  504  may be used to attach a module frame of a solar module to a longitudinal profile  100 . 
       FIGS. 17 to 21  show different views of a module clamp  500  according to a second embodiment. The module clamp  500  has the bracket-shaped body  502  and an abutment element  534  which is connected to the bracket-shaped body  502  via the screw  506 . The bracket-shaped body  502  is identical to the bracket-shaped body  502  described with reference to  FIGS. 12 to 16 . According to this embodiment, the abutment element  534  is configured to abut two adjacent module frames. For this purpose, the abutment element  534  has two abutment portions  536  and  538 , each having an abutment surface  540  and  542 . Furthermore, the support portions  544  and  546  are formed on the abutment element  534 , between which the screw  506  extends. The abutment element  534  can be supported on the bracket-shaped body  502  via the support portions  544  and  546  which extend at an angle to the abutment portions  536  and  538 . Each of the two abutment portions  536  and  538  can be used to clamp a module frame (not shown) against a longitudinal profile  100  via the bracket-shaped body  502  and the screw  506 . 
       FIG. 22  shows a side view of a mounting system  1000  for solar modules  10 . The mounting system  1000  is fixed in or on the ground by the posts  300  and  302 . The posts  300  and  302  are connected to a transverse profile  200 . Two or more longitudinal profiles  100  may be provided. The number of longitudinal profiles  100  depends on the applied loads and the number of module rows. In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 22 , the transverse profile  200  supports four longitudinal profiles  100 . The module clamps  500  fasten the solar modules  10  to the longitudinal profiles. 
       FIG. 23  shows a view in which a module frame  12 , a module clamp  500  and a longitudinal profile  100  are shown. The bottom of the module frame  12  rests on the bearing surface  126  of the head area  104  of the longitudinal profile  100 . With its arms  508 ,  510  (only arm  508  is shown), the bracket-shaped body  502  of the module clamp  500  engages with the engagement projections  120  and  122  of the longitudinal profile  100 . The abutment portion  526  of the abutment element  504  rests on the top of the module frame  12 . The screw  506  allows the bracket-shaped body  502  and the abutment element  504  to be braced against each other to clamp the module frame  12  against the longitudinal profile  100 . The screw  506  applies a tensile force to the bracket-shaped body  502 , stretching the bracket-shaped body  502  to keep it engaged with the engagement projections  120 ,  122  of the head area  102  of the longitudinal profile  100 . The support portion  528  of the abutment element  526  bears against the bracket-shaped body  502 . The module clamp  500  according to  FIG. 23  is a module clamp for attachment to an end of a solar module assembly, i.e. it is an end clamp. 
       FIG. 24  shows an enlarged portion of the connection point between one of the posts  300 ,  302  and the transverse profile  200 . The posts have a mainly C-shaped profile. A slot  304  is formed on the posts  300 ,  302  into which a screw  306  can be inserted to connect the post  300 ,  302  to the transverse profile  200 . Next to the slot  304 , several smaller openings  308  are identifiable which can engage with an intermediate element  310 . For this purpose, the intermediate element  310  has projections which are formed to correspond to the openings  308  and can engage therein. Via the slot  304  and the openings  308 , the intermediate element  310  can be used to set or finely adjust the height of the transverse profile  200  relative to the ground. 
       FIG. 25  shows an enlarged portion of  FIG. 22  showing the connection between the module frame  12 , the longitudinal profile  100  and the transverse profile  200  via the module clamp  500 . The connecting profile  400  can be seen within the longitudinal profile  100 . The connecting profile  400  abuts the longitudinal profiles  100  with the outer surfaces of its abutment portions  402 ,  406 ,  408  and  410 . The connecting profile  400  may be accommodated in the longitudinal profile  100  via an interference fit. In particular with its portions  402  and  404 , the connecting profile  400  is based on the support portions  116  and  118  of the longitudinal profile  100 . The portion  410  of the connecting profile  400  abuts the inner surface of the bearing portion  124  of the longitudinal profile  100 . 
     The module frame  12  rests on the bearing surface  126  of the longitudinal profile  100 . The module frame  12  is fastened to the longitudinal profile  100  with the module clamp  500 , of which only the arms  508  and  510  of the bracket-shaped body  502  and parts of the screw  506  are shown in  FIG. 23 . For this purpose, in particular with their projections  518  and  520 , the arms  508  and  510  engage at the engagement projections  120  and  122  of the head area  102  of the longitudinal profile  100 . The projections  518  and  520  on the arms  508  and  510  are configured to engage behind the engagement projections  120  and  122 . The engagement projections  120 ,  122  have a nose or are formed in sections in the shape of a nose behind which the projections  518  and  520  at the end of the arms  508  and  510  can engage. A tensile force is exerted on the arms  508  and  510  of the bracket-shaped body  502  by the screw  506 , visible in sections, of the module clamp  500 , through which the module frame  512  can be braced against the longitudinal profile  100 . 
     At its stop area  104 , the longitudinal profile  100  is fastened to the transverse profile  200 . With its support portions  116  and  118 , the longitudinal profile  100  rests against the transverse profile  200 . A connector  600  is provided on the transverse profile  200 , which connects the transverse profile  200  and the longitudinal profile  100  via a fastening element  602  and a screw  604 . The fastening element  602  can be inserted into the longitudinal profile  100  through the opening  110 . The fastening element  602  engages with the projections  112  and  114  of the longitudinal profile  100 . In other words, the fastening element  602  can accommodate the projections  112  and  114  in sections. The fastening element  602  includes engagement portions  606  and  608  that engage around or behind the projections  112  and  114  of the fastening element. The support portion  404  of the connecting profile  400 , which includes a fold, abuts the engagement portion  608  with its folded portion. Thus, the support portion  404  abuts the longitudinal profile  100  and the engagement portion  608  of the fastening element  602 . 
       FIGS. 26 to 32  show several views of the connection of the longitudinal profile  100  to the transverse profile  200  via the connectors  600 . The transverse profile  200  has a mainly C-shaped cross section. Accordingly, the cross section of the transverse profile  200  has two mainly parallel legs  202 ,  204  that are connected to each other via a connecting leg  206 . The longitudinal profile  100  rests on the leg  202 . The connector  600  contacts both the longitudinal profile  100  and the transverse profile  200 . For this purpose, the connector  600  has an abutment portion  610  and a bearing portion  612 . The connector  600  abuts the leg  206  of the transverse profile  200  with the abutment portion  610  and is connected to this transverse profile  200  via the abutment portion  610 . The longitudinal profile  100  rests on the bearing portion  612 . The connector  600  is connected to the longitudinal profile  100  via the screw  604 . The connector  600  also has two stiffening portions  614  which extend between the abutment portion  610  and the bearing portion  612 . 
     The transverse profile  200  has one or more openings  208  (see  FIGS. 26, 27 and 29 ). The openings  208  are key-shaped. The connector  600  can be attached to the transverse profiles  200  via the openings  208 . The openings  208  have an insertion portion  210  with a larger cross section and a holding portion  212  with a smaller cross section. A locking element  616  of the connector  600  can be inserted into the insertion portion  210  (see  FIGS. 28 and 30 ). The connector  600  is then displaced toward the holding portion  212  of the opening  208  so that the locking element  616  of the connector  600  can engage behind the edges of the holding portion  212  of the opening  208 . In other words, the locking element  616  has a head that can engage behind the edges of the opening  208 . For this purpose, the connecting element  616  may have, for example, a T-shaped cross section. By appropriately arranging the transverse profiles  200  at an angle of inclination, the connector  600 , together with the longitudinal profiles  100  attached thereto, can be held in the holding portion  212  of the opening  208  of the transverse profile  200  mostly by gravity. This is shown, for example, in  FIG. 30 . No other fasteners are required to fasten the connector  600  to the transverse profile  200 . 
     In  FIG. 32 , the module frame  12  is attached to the longitudinal profile  100  via the module clamp  500 . For this purpose, the bracket-shaped body  502  engages with the drive portion  102  of the longitudinal profile  100 . The stop area  104  of the longitudinal profile  100  rests against the transverse profile  200 . The longitudinal profile  100  is connected to the transverse profile  200  via a connector  600 . To provide a connection between the longitudinal profile  100  and the transverse profile  200 , the connector  600  has a fastening element  602  and a screw  604 . The fastening element  602  can be inserted into the longitudinal profile  100  and be engaged with the stop area  104  of the longitudinal profile  100 . The main difference between  FIGS. 25 and 32  is that no connecting profile  400  is provided according to  FIG. 32 , i.e.  FIG. 32  shows a portion of the longitudinal profile  100  in which no connection to another longitudinal profile  100  needs to be made. 
       FIGS. 33 to 36  show different perspective views of a mounting system  1000  for solar modules  10  according to a second embodiment. In this embodiment of the mounting system  1000 , the solar modules  10  are arranged horizontally, i.e. in landscape format (see  FIG. 33 ). The solar modules  10  have module frames  12 . 
     The mounting system  1000  shown in  FIGS. 33 to 36  has longitudinal profiles  100 , transverse profiles  200  and posts  300 ,  302 , too. Each transverse profile  200  is connected to the two posts  300  and  302 . Two or more longitudinal profiles  100  may be provided. Unlike the embodiment described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 4 , only three longitudinal profiles  100  are provided in the mounting system according to  FIGS. 33 to 36 . With this arrangement of the solar modules, the number of longitudinal profiles  100  may depend on the loads applied. 
       FIG. 37  shows a side view of the mounting system  1000 .  FIG. 37  already clearly shows that, unlike in the first embodiment, no module clamps engage on the outer module frame  10 . According to this embodiment, a clamping device  700  and fastening profiles  702  are provided for fastening the solar modules  10  to the transverse profiles  100 . The clamping devices  700 , shown in  FIG. 37  in rudimentary form only, engage on the fastening profile  702  and the longitudinal profiles  100 . 
       FIG. 38  shows an enlarged portion of the connection of the solar modules  10  to the longitudinal profiles  100 . The clamping device  700  has a clamping element  704 , a base element  706  and a screw  708 . The clamping element  704  has a clamping portion  710  that is arched or curved. The clamping portion  710  can engage with the drive portion  122  of the longitudinal profile  100 . The base element  706  has a holding portion  712  that at least partially accommodates the engagement projection  120 . The clamping element  704  can be braced against the base element  706  with the screw  708 , thereby clamping the fastening profile  702  to the longitudinal profile  100 . A nut is provided on the screw  708  for clamping the longitudinal profile  100 . A shear bolt may replace the screw  708  along with the nut. 
       FIGS. 39 to 41  show different views of the fastening profile  702  and the clamping device  700  when attached to a longitudinal profile  100 . The clamping device  700  has the clamping element  704 , the base element  706 , and the screw  708  that secures the clamping element  704  to the base element  706 . The clamping element  704  can clamp the longitudinal profile  100  against the base element  706 . A projection  714  is formed on the base element  706 , which protrudes from the base element  706  in a direction opposite to the holding portion  712 . The projection  714  may have a T-shaped cross section. The projection  714  may engage with a fastening rail  716  of the fastening profile  702 . The fastening rail  716  rests on the base element  706  of the clamping device  700  at least in sections. The head of the screw  708  (not shown) is also located in the fastening rail  716  in order to achieve a clamping effect between the fastening profile  702  and the longitudinal profile  100  by tightening the nut on the screw  708 . In addition, the fastening profile  702  has two receiving portions  718  and  720 , each of which is configured to accommodate a solar module frame. 
       FIGS. 42, 43 and 44  show a fastening element  724  when attached to the fastening profile  702 . Using the fastening element  724 , module frames (not shown) can be fastened to the fastening profile  702 . The fastening profile  702  is in turn attached to the longitudinal profiles  100  via the clamping device  700  (see  FIGS. 39 to 41 ). The fastening element  724  has a fastening portion  726  and two legs  728  and  730 . The legs  728  and  730  are bent inward, i.e. toward each other, at their ends  732  and  734 . In addition, the fastener  724  has a screw  736  that extends through the fastener portion  726 . The screw  736  has a head  738  that is accommodated in or inserted into the fastening rail  716 . In addition, a nut is provided on the screw  736 , which is provided for clamping the fastening element  724  to the fastening profile  702 . The two inwardly curved ends  732  and  734  of the legs  728  and  730  engage with the receiving areas  718  and  720  of the fastening profile  702 . This allows the module frames to abut on one of the side surfaces of the legs  728  and  730  and thus to be secured to the fastening profile. The fastening element  724  can be attached to the fastening profile  702  and moved along the fastening profile  702 . Once the fastening element  724  has reached the desired position, the nut is tightened and the fastening element  724  is secured to the fastening profile  702 . Preferably, the fastening element  724  can be attached to one end of the fastening profile  702  to be able to hold or support the modules. 
       FIGS. 45 and 46  show further embodiments of mounting systems  1000  that can be inclined in the transverse direction depending on the terrain. For this purpose, the posts may be provided with inclination devices  800  or may be configured as inclination devices  800 . The mounting systems  1000  each have posts  300  that have an inclination device  800 . 
     The inclination device  800  shown in  FIGS. 47 to 52  has a stationary post portion  802  that may be formed by one of the posts  300 ,  302 . A pivotable inclination portion  804  is disposed on the stationary post portion  802 . Openings  806  to which a transverse profile  200  can be attached are formed on the inclination portion  804 . The screw  808  connecting the stationary post portion  802  and the inclination portion  804  forms the pivot point around which the inclination portion  804  can be pivoted. In addition, a curved slot  810  is formed on the inclination portion  804  to interact with a screw  812  for adjusting the inclination angle. The adjusted inclination angle can be fixed by the screw  812 . The extension of the curved slot  810  provides an inclination angle range for the inclination angle which can be adjusted through the inclination device  800 . The curved slot may be formed by a series of bores. 
       FIG. 52  shows the inclination device  800  with a transverse profile  200  attached thereto. The transverse profile  200  is attached to the inclination portion  804  via the screw  814 . The screw  808  forms the pivot point around which the inclination portion  804  can be pivoted. The screw  812  serves to fix the inclination angle, which is set once.