Field of invention; -
The invention relates to a ground mounted solar Photovoltaic (PV) plant.
More particularly, the present invention discloses a vibration free
mounting of solar PV modules on pre-cast concrete sleepers using taper
groove & clamping hole.
Background of the invention:-
The prior art on ground mounted solar plants is generally done through
one of the two following methods:
a) Module mounting structure fixed by anchoring in the ground using
pile foundation is shown in Fig. 1
Drawback of this design are:
1. Drilling pile holes during monsoon becomes very difficult since
water gets filled in the holes.
2. Not suitable in areas where there is loose soil and in those
places soil collapses during drilling.
3. Not suitable in areas where there is loose boulder in the sub
surface levels which causes breakage of drilling tools during
augering.
a) Solar PV modules held on to concrete slabs with projecting grouted
"J" bolts is shown in Fig. 2.
Drawback of this design are:
1. The threaded portion of the "J" bolts/ foundation bolts cast in
the sleepers projects out and makes it unsuitable for stacking
and transportation.

2. The fixing arrangement with projecting J bolts is not very rigid
and the structure sometimes vibrate during strong winds.
3. The 8 numbers of "J" bolts (4 for each leg/Column) casted in
concrete requires precise geometrical as well as dimensional
tolerances.
Objective of the invention:-
An object of the present invention is to provide a non-penetrating type
i.e. surface mounted structure for solar photo-voltaic (PV) modules.
Another object of the invention is to provide pre cast type of concrete
sleepers which can be cast parallel along with preparation of the land for
the solar plant, in order to reduce project execution time.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide non-projecting type,
vibration free holding arrangement for the modules and also facilitate
easy closely spaced stacking for storage and transportation.
Brief description of the accompanying drawings:-
FIG 1: Module mounting structure fixed by anchoring in the ground
using pile foundation in the prior art.
Fig. 2. Solar PV modules held on to concrete slabs with projecting
grouted (J) bolts as per the prior art.
FIG 3: Simplified civil works no major leveling grading required for the
invented design.

FIG 4: Simplified civil works, no major RCC (Reinforced Cement
Concrete) and only PCC (Plain Cement Concrete) at site.
FIG 5: Lifting of Precast Sleepers.
FIG 6: Assembly of vertical Columns.
FIG 7: Assembly of vertical column with taper groove precast sleeper .
FIG 8: Precast Sleeper design minimizes levelling requirement
FIG 9: Final assembly of vibration free mounting of solar PV Modules
with Fig. 7 indicated.
FIG 10: Lifting and Stacking of precast sleepers showing convenient
gaps formed for fork lift.
Detailed description of the invention:-
Design of Taper groove clamping holes for vibration free mounting of
solar PV Modules on pre cast concrete sleepers is as follows
Taper groove with clamping holes are made on the pre cast sleeper as
shown in fig 7.
The vertical columns of the module mounting structure are also tapered
in order to fix in with the taper groove of the pre cast concrete sleeper.
Both column and taper groove pre cast sleeper are fixed together through
clamping holes.

The clamping arrangement firmly locks/Jams the vertical legs of the
module mounting structure with the sleeper. This will absorb all the
variation of the concrete sleeper as well as vertical columns.
Thus providing a vibration free mounting of solar PV modules on pre cast
concrete sleepers.
Figures 3, 4, 5 and 6 shows the benefit in the form of erection case of pre
cast concrete sleepers with tapper groove clamping.
Figure 3. shows that with the above design the civil works are simplified
as there is very little leveling grading required where as in the case of
prior design major leveling of land was required.
Figure 4. shows that no Reinforced Cement Concrete is required as base
and precast sleepers can be installed with only Plain Cerment Concrete
saving lot of civil cost.
Figure 5. shows the lifting of precast sleepers for movement from one
place to another, and placement in correct position and alignment.
Figure 6. shows the assembly of vertical legs over the pre cast concrete
sleepers.
Advantages of the invention:-
1. With this development, parallel activities like pre casting can be taken
up and sleeper can be stacked as shown in fig-10, while land survey
and jungle cutting is going on thereby saving a lot of time.

2. Dependency on weather, ground water level and friction factor of the
soil are eliminated.
3. The new system does not require major leveling as was required in
conventional type. Only micro-leveling required where precast sleepers
are placed thereby land leveling cost is minimized.
4. Irregular land piece can be used effectively as even a small 2m x 2m
piece of land can be used whereas prior art required minimum 4m x 6m.
5. The structures can be easily relocated in case of any change in plan at
a later stage. For example, in airports if there is a plan for expansion the
structures along with modules can be relocated.
6. The vertical legs of the Module Mounting Structure get firmly locked in
the taper groove of the sleeper absorbing all the variations and thus
provide vibration free mounting of solar PV Modules.
7. Since the design is very simple and user friendly due to which erection
and assembly is very fast, hence the plant is commissioned early
increasing revenue for the end user.
8. Sleepers in the design have no projections hence it can easily be
stacked and transported there by saving money on transportation.

We claim:-
1. Taper groove clamping arrangement for vibration free mounting of
solar PV modules on precast concrete sleepers comprising:-
a plurality of column (1) having hole (6) at the central region, formed in a tapered manner and erected vertically on two opposite sides (11) in the
groove (2) of precast concrete sleeper (5),
the said concrete sleeper (5) provided with a through holes (3) such that
the plurality of columns (1) can be erected vertically on opposite sides
(11) of concrete sleeper (5) on the groove region by means of bolts (7) and
nut (8) wherein the tapered surface (9) of groove (2) of sleeper (5) abut
with the tapered surface (10) of vertical column (1) offering rigidity in
clamping by way of getting locked/wedged in the taper, to ensure
vibration free mounting on the vertical column(l).