Support device for mounting a solar panel and mounting system incorporating same

A support device for supporting a solar panel, comprising:

• a base adapted to rest on a surface, wherein the base comprises a front edge region and a rear edge region;
• and
• a panel mounting frame coupled to the base, the panel mounting frame comprising a bearing member which is configured to support a solar panel thereon such that the solar panel slopes downwardly towards the front edge region of the base;
• wherein the base includes at least one recess for receiving a ballast to stabilise the support device on the surface, and wherein at least one of the front and rear edge regions of the base is configured to engage a flexible fastening member for attachment to the surface;
• wherein the base comprises an opening of a generally elongate form which extends between the front and rear regions of the base;
• wherein the opening is located within an area of a vertical projection of the mounting frame onto the base;
• wherein the dimensions of the opening are at least the dimensions of a vertical projection of the bearing member onto the base;
• wherein the at least one recess for receiving the ballast is located within an area of a vertical projection of the panel mounting frame onto the base;
• wherein the at least one recess for receiving the ballast is formed as a cavity in the base, the cavity being upwardly open for receiving the ballast from above;
• wherein the at least one recess for receiving the ballast is elongated and extends between a front and a rear edge region of the base and at a lateral side of the mounting frame;
• wherein the base includes two ballast-receiving recesses spaced apart from each other laterally on opposite sides of the panel mounting frame;
• wherein the base of the support device has one of a generally flat underside and footings for seating stably on the surface, and wherein the at least one recess for receiving the ballast has a tray-like configuration;
• and
• wherein the panel mounting frame is arranged substantially centrally of the base.

A support device for supporting a solar panel, comprising:

• a base adapted to rest on a surface, wherein the base comprises a front edge region and a rear edge region;
• and
• a panel mounting frame coupled to the base, the panel mounting frame comprising a bearing member which is configured to support a solar panel thereon such that the solar panel slopes downwardly towards the front edge region of the base;
• wherein the base includes at least one recess for receiving a ballast to stabilise the support device on the surface, and wherein at least one of the front and rear edge regions of the base is configured to engage a flexible fastening member for attachment to the surface;
• wherein the base comprises an opening of a generally elongate form which extends between the front and rear regions of the base;
• wherein the opening is located within an area of a vertical projection of the mounting frame onto the base;
• wherein the dimensions of the opening are at least the dimensions of a vertical projection of the bearing member onto the base;
• and
• further comprising an opening in the base configured to receive the panel mounting frame of an identical support device, such that one support device nests with the other in a stacked arrangement.

A support device for supporting a solar panel, comprising:

• a base adapted to rest on a surface, wherein the base comprises a front edge region and a rear edge region;
• and
• a panel mounting frame coupled to the base, the panel mounting frame comprising a bearing member which is configured to support a solar panel thereon such that the solar panel slopes downwardly towards the front edge region of the base;
• wherein the base includes at least one recess for receiving a ballast to stabilise the support device on the surface, and wherein at least one of the front and rear edge regions of the base is configured to engage a flexible fastening member for attachment to the surface;
• wherein the base comprises an opening of a generally elongate form which extends between the front and rear regions of the base;
• wherein the opening is located within an area of a vertical projection of the mounting frame onto the base;
• wherein the dimensions of the opening are at least the dimensions of a vertical projection of the bearing member onto the base;
• and
• further comprising a flexible fastening member, which extends through the base.