FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates in general to mounting of solar photovoltaic (PV) panels in a solar power installation and in particular to an anti-theft arrangement for securing fibre reinforced polymer structures in solar PV systems.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART
Solar power generation is done by means of solar PV panels which convert solar light into electricity. Accordingly, they must be mounted in the open, facing the sun as much as possible. Hence they are always exposed to the vagaries of nature. In the initials stages, PV panels used to be mounted on iron structure, which are cheap, easy to fabricate and install. But they deteriorate very fast when exposed to sun, rain, mist etc, and lead to structural failures.

Subsequently, the iron structures for solar installation have been replaced by FRP structures. FRP is the abbreviation for Fibre-reinforced plastic (also fibre-reinforced polymer). It is a composite material made of a polymer matrix reinforced with fibers. The fibres are usually glass, carbon, aramid, or basalt. Rarely, other fibres such as paper or wood or asbestos have been used. FRP has found extensive use in solar installations because of its following advantageous properties:

Light-Weight: FRP is light and weighs only a quarter of iron. Installation is easy even in narrow areas and rooftops. Offers reduced transportation costs too.

Corrosion Resistance: FRP has high corrosion resistance as compared to metals, and is ideal in areas where salt damage is a concern.

Strength: FRP is stronger than other general plastics, and can be used safely as structural frames.

Weather Resistance: By coating the surface with fluorine, our FRP products attain high weather resistance, and can be installed in various environments.

According to the present practice, the PV panels are almost invariably fixed to supporting FRP structure in a solar site. However, such panels face a large threat of theft, as there is no measure in the prior art to prevent such theft. Solar panels being the costliest part of a solar photovoltaic installation, they attract theft and pilferage the most. The present invention seeks to overcome this drawback of the prior art.

It discloses an anti-theft arrangement for securing fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) structures in solar PV systems. In this invention, double lock nuts have been used to bolt the structure. The nuts, made of stainless steel, are of different thickness in order to achieve proper locking and tightening. For screwing the solar panels to a C-channel structure, the thick nut is placed first, followed by the thin double locknut on top of it.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide an anti-theft arrangement for securing an FRP structure in a solar panel installation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an anti-theft arrangement which achieves proper locking and tightening of PV panels in the FRP structure.

How the foregoing objects are achieved will be clear from the following description. In this context it is clarified that the description provided is non-limiting and is only by way of explanation.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An anti-theft arrangement for securing fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) structures in solar PV systems comprises of solar panel affixed to C-channel structure by means of a custom made tool. Double lock nuts are used while fixing them.

The double lock nut comprises of a thick nut and a thin double lock nut.

The double lock nut, thick nut and thin double lock nut are made of stainless steel.

A process of joining solar panel with C-channel structure using the arrangement comprises of the steps of:

screwing the solar panel to the C-channel structure;
placing a thick nut first followed by a thin double lock nut on top of it; and
bolting said solar panel to said structure using a custom made tool.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The nature and scope of the present invention will be better understood from the accompanying drawings, which are by way of illustration of a preferred embodiment and not by way of any sort of limitation. In the accompanying drawings: -

Figure 1 is a side view of the anti-theft arrangement according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side view showing how the solar panels are bolted to the C-channel FRP structure using a custom made tool according to the present invention.

Figure 3 is a sectional side view showing how the structure is tightly bolted to a solar panel in the arrangement of the present invention.

Figure 4 is a top perspective view showing how the arrangement of present invention is deployed to secure solar panels in a solar installation.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Having described the main features of the invention above, a more detailed and non-limiting description of a preferred embodiment will be given in the following paragraphs with reference to the accompanying drawings.
In all the figures, like reference numerals represent like features. Further, the shape, size and number of the arrangements shown.are by way of example only and it is within the scope of the present invention to change their shape, size and number without departing from the basic principle of the invention.

Further, when in the following it is referred to "top", "bottom", "upward", "downward", "above" or "below" , "right hand side", "left hand side" and similar terms , this is strictly referring to an orientation with reference to the apparatus , where the base of the apparatus is horizontal and is at the bottom portion of the figures. The number of components shown is exemplary and not restrictive and it is within the scope of the invention to vary the shape and size of the apparatus as well as the number of its components, without departing from the principle of the present invention.

All through the specification including the claims, the technical terms and abbreviations are to be interpreted in the broadest sense of the respective terms, and include all similar items in the field known by other terms, as may be clear to persons skilled in art. Restriction or limitation if any referred to in the specification, is solely by way of example and understanding the present invention.

Figures 1 through 4 illustrate the anti-theft arrangement (A) according to the present invention.

Figure 1 shows a custom made tool (1), the solar panels (2) and the C-channel structure (3).

Figure 2 shows how the custom made tool (1) is used to tighten the solar panel (2) to the C-channel structure (3).

Figure 3 shows a structural view of the solar panel (2) joined to the C-channel structure (3) in
accordance with the present invention. Double locknut (4) is provided to bolt the panel (2) to structure (3). For screwing the solar panels (2) to the C-channel structure (3), a thick nut (5) is placed first, followed by the thin double lock nut (6) on top of it. The solar panels (2) are bolted to the structure using the custom made tool (1).

Figure 4 shows a top perspective view of the arrangement (A), wherein solar panels (2) are affixed to the C-channel structure (3) by means of a custom made tool (1) using double lock nuts (4).

The present invention has been described with reference to some drawings and a preferred embodiment purely for the sake of understanding and not by way of any limitation and the present invention includes all legitimate developments within the scope of what has been described herein before and claimed in the appended claims.

claim:
l.An anti-theft arrangement (A) for securing fibre reinforced polymer (FRP) structures in solar PV systems comprising of solar panel (2) affixed to C-channel structure (3) by means of a custom made tool (1), using double lock nuts (4).

2.The anti-theft arrangement (A) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said double lock nuts (4) comprises of a thick nut (5) and a thin double lock nut (6).

3.The anti-theft arrangement (A) as claimed in claim 2, wherein said double lock nut (4), thick nut (5) and thin double lock nut (6) are made of stainless steel.

4.A process of joining said solar panel (2) with said C-channel structure (3) using the arrangement (A) as claimed in claims 1-3 comprises of the steps of:

screwing the solar panel (2) to the C-channel structure (3);
placing a thick nut (5) first followed by a thin double lock nut (6) on top of it; and
bolting said solar panel (2) to said structure (3) using a custom made tool (1).