Balcony photovoltaic panel mounting system

This is the metal frame that holds a single photovoltaic panel hanging from the balcony railing. It is fixed to the existing railing through a non-invasive installation, that is without holes in the balcony structure or in the façade. It is the solution for anyone living in a block of flats or renting, who is not allowed to alter the building.

The panel is placed flat, in landscape format, at 85 degrees from the horizontal, therefore practically vertical, in the plane of the railing. This position gives a more even output over the course of the day, with a relatively better yield in winter and at low sun angles, in exchange for a lower summer peak than a panel tilted on a roof. One set holds one module and accepts practically the whole range of current residential panels in the 400-500 W class: length between 1640 and 2299 mm, width between 900 and 1199 mm and a frame thickness of 30-42 mm. The structure is made of steel with an anti-corrosion coating, dimensioned for permanent outdoor exposure, so it requires no maintenance. In practice, the panel is connected to a microinverter or to a low-power inverter, and the energy produced is consumed directly in the flat, reducing the base consumption.

CORAB PI-BIPV-01 system (code K_PI-BIPV-01), structural steel with a special anti-corrosion coating, non-invasive mounting on the railing, one module per set, landscape orientation, tilt angle 85 degrees. Module compatibility range: length 1640-2299 mm, width 900-1199 mm, frame thickness 30-42 mm. The usual configuration combines the structure with a microinverter or with a low-power inverter, for direct self-consumption at flat level.

Who it suits

Suitable for a flat or a rented home, where no changes can be made to the façade, but there is a balcony with a railing and a base consumption to be covered during the day.

Terms explained

• Non-invasive mounting: Fixing achieved only by clamping onto the existing railing, without holes in the wall or in the balcony structure.
• Landscape format: The panel placed flat, with the long side horizontal.
• Microinverter: A small device that converts the current produced by a single panel into socket current, usable directly in the home.

Technical specifications

Recommended applications

• Balcony photovoltaic installations in flats
• Direct self-consumption in rented homes, without structural changes
• Mounting on balcony and terrace railings
• Small systems with a microinverter for reducing the base consumption

Technical details

Specifications confirmed from the manufacturer's datasheet

PI-BIPV-01 is the CORAB structure developed for balcony-type installations (balcony PV). It is fixed to the existing railing through a non-invasive installation, without drilling into the balcony structure or the façade. It is the right solution for flats, rented homes and buildings where interventions on the envelope are not permitted.

The panel is mounted in landscape format, at a tilt angle of 85 degrees from the horizontal, therefore practically vertical, in the plane of the railing. This position is specific to façade mounting: it produces a flatter daily curve, with a relatively better yield in winter and at low sun angles, in exchange for a lower summer peak compared with a tilted roof installation.

The construction is of structural steel covered with a special anti-corrosion coating, dimensioned for permanent outdoor exposure. The system accepts modules with a length between 1640 and 2299 mm, a width between 900 and 1199 mm and a frame thickness between 30 and 42 mm, which covers practically the whole range of current residential modules in the 400-500 W class. One set holds one module.

In practice it is combined with a microinverter or with a low-power inverter, for direct self-consumption configurations at flat level.