A holding element made of a sheet metal for at least one solar element, more particularly a solar module and/or solar collector, with a base that forms a support surface for the holding element, with two supports for the solar element that protrude up from the base at different heights, and with connecting elements, which are provided on ends of the holding element is disclosed, which has at least one, more particularly hole-shaped, opening and at least one tab, which tab is shaped for being inserted into such an opening. In order to be able to easily install a highly rugged holding element, it is proposed for at least one opening and at least one tab to be respectively provided next to each other on each of the ends, wherein the sheet metal is a metallically coated, more particularly hot-dip coated, sheet steel.

A holding element made of a sheet metal for at least one solar element, more particularly a solar module and/or solar collector, with a base that forms a support surface for the holding element, with two supports for the solar element that protrude up from the base at different heights, and with connecting elements, which are provided on ends of the holding element is disclosed, which has at least one, more particularly hole-shaped, opening and at least one tab, which tab is shaped for being inserted into such an opening. In order to be able to easily install a highly rugged holding element, it is proposed for at least one opening and at least one tab to be respectively provided next to each other on each of the ends, wherein the sheet metal is a metallically coated, more particularly hot-dip coated, sheet steel.

Disclosed herein is a solar array column cap that includes a main body extending between a left side and a right side to define a channel, the channel configured to at least partially receive a vertical column of a solar array support structure such that the main body surrounds the vertical column. The main body further includes a left flange extending radially outwardly from the left side of the channel and right flange extending radially outwardly from the right side of the channel. Further, the main body includes an left upper flap extending from a top edge of the left flange, and a right upper flap extending from a top edge of the right flange, the right upper flap and left upper flap being co-planar. In another embodiment, a body has an opening extending along a center axis from a bottom to a top, the opening configured to receive the vertical column such that the body surrounds the vertical column, and an upper support surface configured to receive a horizontal beam, the upper support surface being located in a plane that is non-perpendicular with the center axis.

Pressure equalization between upper and lower surfaces of PV modules of an array of PV modules can be enhanced in several ways. Air gaps opening into the air volume, defined between the PV modules and the support surface, should be provided between adjacent PV modules and along the periphery of the array. The ratio of this air volume to the total area of the air gaps should be minimized. Peripheral wind deflectors should be used to minimize aerodynamic drag forces on the PV modules. The time to equalize pressure between the upper and lower surfaces of the PV modules should be maintained below, for example, 10-20 milliseconds. The displacement created by wind gusts should be limited to, for example, 2-5 millimeters or less. For inclined PV modules, rear air deflectors are advised for each PV module and side air deflectors are advised for the periphery of the array.

A holding element made of a sheet metal for at least one solar element, more particularly a solar module and/or solar collector, with a base that forms a support surface for the holding element, with two supports for the solar element that protrude up from the base at different heights, and with connecting elements, which are provided on ends of the holding element is disclosed, which has at least one, more particularly hole-shaped, opening and at least one tab, which tab is shaped for being inserted into such an opening. In order to be able to easily install a highly rugged holding element, it is proposed for at least one opening and at least one tab to be respectively provided next to each other on each of the ends, wherein the sheet metal is a metallically coated, more particularly hot-dip coated, sheet steel.

A holding element made of a sheet metal for at least one solar element, more particularly a solar module and/or solar collector, with a base that forms a support surface for the holding element, with two supports for the solar element that protrude up from the base at different heights, and with connecting elements, which are provided on ends of the holding element is disclosed, which has at least one, more particularly hole-shaped, opening and at least one tab, which tab is shaped for being inserted into such an opening. In order to be able to easily install a highly rugged holding element, it is proposed for at least one opening and at least one tab to be respectively provided next to each other on each of the ends, wherein the sheet metal is a metallically coated, more particularly hot-dip coated, sheet steel.