H Type Aluminium Profile 40x40 mm - length 3600 mm

It is the same aluminium bar on which the panels are fixed, only longer. Being longer, you cover a row of panels with fewer pieces, so you have fewer places where two rails must be joined to each other. Fewer joints mean faster installation and fewer points that could loosen over time.

The length of 3600 mm is sized for long rows of modules, typical on industrial halls and commercial buildings, but also useful for large residential systems. The lower channel lets the bolts be positioned freely along the whole length, which helps a lot when the hooks must be fixed into the rafters and the position of the rafters does not coincide with the position of the panels. At lengths over 3 m the thermal expansion of aluminium becomes relevant: on a roof, the temperature difference between winter and summer can exceed 60 K, and profiles rigidly joined end to end over tens of metres develop stresses in the anchoring points, so expansion joints are provided at the intervals indicated by the system supplier. Like the short version, it does not rust and requires no maintenance.

Load-bearing profile of extruded aluminium, H type section 40x40 mm, length 3600 mm, constructively identical with the 2400 mm version. Upper channel for the mid and end clamps, lower channel for the bolts fixing on hooks and adapters, with free positioning along the length. Alloys commonly used for this type of profile: EN AW-6005A or EN AW-6063, resistant to atmospheric corrosion and electrochemically compatible with the module frames. Joining through a rail connector; on long runs expansion joints are provided according to the supplier's instructions, and the maximum span between two support points is determined by structural calculation, depending on the snow and wind load and the roof zone.

Who it suits

Suitable for long and continuous rows of panels - industrial halls, commercial buildings, large residential systems - where the smallest possible number of splices is wanted.

Terms explained

• Splice: Joining two rails end to end to obtain a longer one; each splice requires a connector and installation time.
• Thermal expansion: The metal lengthens when it heats up and shortens when it cools down; over tens of metres of rail, the difference becomes significant.
• Expansion joint: A break intentionally left along the rail run, so that the movement from expansion does not strain the fixing points.

Technical specifications

Recommended applications

• Long rows of modules on the roofs of industrial halls and commercial buildings
• Large residential systems, with a reduced number of splices
• Structures on flat roofs and on metal frames
• Installations where the hook positions do not coincide with the module positions

Technical details

Generic product — standard specifications

Load-bearing profile of extruded aluminium with an H type section of 40x40 mm and a length of 3600 mm, constructively identical with the 2400 mm version, but sized for long rows of modules. The greater length reduces the number of joints per row, which lowers the installation time and eliminates potential points of structural weakening.

The H section provides an upper channel for the mid and end clamps and a lower channel for the bolts fixing on hooks and adapters, with free positioning along the length - a real advantage when the hook positions are imposed by the rafters and do not coincide with the module positions. The material is extrusion aluminium of the family commonly used for photovoltaic structures (usually EN AW-6005A or EN AW-6063), resistant to atmospheric corrosion and electrochemically compatible with the module frames.

At lengths over 3 m the thermal expansion of aluminium becomes relevant: on a roof, the temperature difference between winter and summer can exceed 60 K, and profiles rigidly joined end to end over tens of metres develop stresses in the anchoring points. Therefore, on long runs expansion joints are provided at intervals according to the system supplier's instructions. The maximum span between two support points is determined by structural calculation, depending on the snow and wind load and the roof zone.