Solar Rails
Capral Aluminium is Australia’s largest manufacturer and distributor of aluminium extrusion products. with nationwide facilities and value-add capabilities for the best customer service experience. Capral is best positioned to provide Australia with a sustainable option for mounting solar panels.
When it comes to solar panel rails. environmental and sustainability credentials matter. That’s why Australian-manufactured aluminium rail for solar panels is fast becoming a material of choice for Australia’s expanding solar rail industry.
Locally manufactured aluminium provides a more sustainable and economical solution for the Australian solar rail industry. The entire life cycle analysis (LCA) is impacted positively by reduced energy consumption in the manufacturing process, further improving the environmental footprint by reducing carbon emissions in supply and transport. over, sourcing locally manufactured Mill Finish aluminium extrusions for solar panel mounting rails in Australia further reduce carbon dioxide emissions, minimising the impact of sea and road freight.
Capral takes great pride in our continued commitment to developing industry-leading technology that delivers best-practice environmental outcomes for every Australian home, commercial or public building featuring our aluminium extrusions.
In 2022 Capral introduced LocAL® a lower carbon aluminium option available for all locally extruded Capral aluminium products. LocAL Green boasts a carbon content of 8 kg CO2e/Kg Al – less than 50% of the global average carbon emissions per kilogram of aluminium. LocAL Super green at 4 Kg CO2e/Kg Al is up to 75% lower in carbon emissions tahan global averages and represents some of the lowest carbon aluminium currently available on the Australian Market.
LocAL can be specified on all solar rails and components locally extruded by Capral to support businesses in their commitment to delivering the most sustainable solar rail solutions.
Capral’s national manufacturing footprint also allows our solar aluminium extrusions to be produced close to where they are required, which avoids unnecessary sea and road freight, helping to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
You can learn more about Capral’s commitments on our sustainability page.
Customised Aluminium Mounting Rail Solutions
Capral can design, produce and stock custom aluminium mounting rail sections for our customers. Our aluminium extrusion manufacturing facilities can provide technical information and in-house facilities to help design and create extruded profiles specific to our customers’ needs. Our extrusion manufacturing facilities produce the highest-quality aluminium rail profiles for use in the solar rail industry.
A typical route from conception to section production:
- The customer submits product requirements in the form of a rough drawing;
- Design development utilising CAD/CAM technology;
- Die print/drawing produced and then approved by the customer;
- Die produced and sample section extruded;
- Bulk material is extruded once the off-tool sample is approved.
Added Value For Your Solar Panel Aluminium Extrusion Solutions
Capral has focused on the requirements of our solar aluminium rai l customers and made a significant investment in our processing and fabrication facilities. Extruding aluminium solar rail is only the beginning of how Capral can assist by adding value to the aluminium supply solutions for your customers.
Our value adds and fabrication facilities for solar panel aluminium extrusion solutions include:
- Automatic fine tolerance cut to length saw
- 7 Axis Robotic Machining Centre for product fabrication up to 17m
- 4 AXIS CNC machining product centre up to h=170mm, w=400mm, l=14000mm
- 3 AXIS CNC machining product centre h=180mm, w=200mm, l=7000mm
- CNC extrusion and plate router h=200mm, w=2500mm, l=12,500mm, maximum cut depth = 25mm
- Drawn products: Precision ovality, work-hardened tubing, outer diameter 40mm to 130mm, wall thickness 1.8mm – 10mm
- Knurling: Application of non-slip surface to extrusions
- Product edge de-burring
- Powdercoating: Paint powder applied electrostatically and then cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a surface coating
- Drilling: A cutting process that uses a drill bit to cut or enlarge a hole
- Cut Back: An off-line saw is used to recut the extrusion to less than a standard length
- Slotting Punching: Toolage used to “punch” a hole in typically a window or door extrusion
- Weather Pile Installation: Mechanically install the weather pile to an extrusion.
- Precision Cutting: Cut back to less than standard extrusion tolerances.
- Flashings: Supplied from a sheet and able to be guillotined or bent.
- Mitre Saw Cut: Saw used to make accurate cross cuts.
Anodized Solar Panel Mounting Rail Roof Mounting Aluminum Profile For Solar Panel
Pearl cotton foam for each profile;
Wrap with shrink film exterior;
Packed according to customer request.
Providing colorful products with various mechanical
performances to adapt all kinds of architectural styles
P hotos:
2: The ISO9001 quality management system certification
3: ISO14001 environmental management system certification
4: OHSMS18001 occupational health and safety management system certification,etc.
Characteristics :
The density of aluminum profiles is only 2.7 g/cm3, which is about a third of the density of steel, copper or brass (7.83 g/cm3, 8.93 g/cm3). In most environmental conditions, including air, water (or brine), petroleum chemistry, and many chemical systems, aluminum shows excellent resistance to corrosion.
The aluminum profile is often chosen because of its excellent conductivity. On the basis of weight, aluminium is nearly twice as conductive as copper.
Thermal conductivity of rate
The thermal conductivity of aluminum alloy volume rate is about 50-60% of copper, the manufacturing heat exchangers, evaporators, heating appliances, cooking utensils, as well as the automobile cylinder head and radiator are favorable.
The aluminum profile is non-ferromagnetic, which is an important feature for the electric and electronic industries. Aluminum profiles are not self-igniting, which is important for applications that involve loading and unloading or touching inflammable and explosive materials.
Can machine processability
The machinability of aluminium profile is excellent. In deformation and aluminum casting aluminum alloy, as well as in the alloy after output with the various states, the change of the machining features is quite big, this will require a special machine tool or technology.
Specific tensile strength, yield strength, malleability, and corresponding processing hardening rate dictate the change in the amount of deformation allowed.
Aluminum is extremely recyclable, and the properties of recycled aluminium are almost indistinguishable from native aluminum.
Rail vs. Rail-less: Which Is the Best Solar Mounting Platform for Your Roof?
If you’re thinking of putting solar PV on your metal roof to generate renewable energy and save money over time, you’ve made a great choice. Metal roofs are an ideal platform for mounting solar modules thanks to their long service life and durability. Solar arrays have a service life of 35 years, and metal roofing has a demonstrated service life of 60 years. Aside from metal, there are no other roof types that measure up to that without requiring replacement. Both standing seam and exposed-fastened metal roofs support solar arrays very effectively.
There are two main approaches to attach solar modules: one uses rails; the other is rail-less. For railed installations, metal rails are secured to the roof and solar modules are attached to the rails to hold them in place. Rail-less systems attach components directly to the roof to support the solar modules. Each has its own unique aspects.
Let’s look at some pros and cons regarding roof considerations, aspects of layout and cost.
Roof Considerations
A: Rail: Rails mount to standing seam metal roofs via non-penetrating clamps. EF has two options: brackets can attach to the roof panel’s rib only, or brackets may attach in the roof panel’s valley and into the structure when preferred.
A: Rail-less: Rail-less solutions use the roof’s structural seams or ribs as the rails. The seams on standing seam roofs become the rails. EF trapezoidal ribs or corrugations are also structural elements of the roof design and can be used as rails. This offers greater flexibility in module placement because they completely cover the roof from end to end on 6- to 12-inch spacings.
Example of modules mounted on a standing seam metal roof using rail-less solar mounting
A: Rail: The weight of the system can make a difference. Clamps and rails are ~ 19 lbs./kilowatt peak (kWp). Most new metal roofs can support the weight.
Rail-less based solar mounted system
A: Rail: Rails will likely need to be field-cut to work around obstructions and architectural elements.
A: Rail-less: Rail-less solutions easily adjust to avoid obstacles and can be used in smaller areas where cutting rails to fit properly is time-consuming and unsightly.
A: Rail: Rails are laid out across the ribs or seams (East-West), resulting in a portrait module orientation – 90 degrees to the rails.
Rail-based solar mounted system
A: Rail-less: Because standing seams or exposed-fastened ribs are the rails and run in a North-South direction, modules are installed in landscape orientation – still 90 degrees to the roof’s inherent “rails.”
The standing seams or exposed-fastened ribs of a metal roof offer built-in rails for the attachment of solar modules.
Ideas to Hold Onto
Rail and rail-less solar PV array mounting solutions each have their pros and cons. Today, we covered just a few ideas on roof considerations, aspects of layout and cost to give you an idea of the differences.
No matter which attachment method you choose, we have proven solutions to meet your needs.
Still weighing rail vs. rail-less? Get the checklist to walk you through the multiple factors and help make an informed decision.
If you have specific questions, we’re always here to help. Simply comment below or contact us at support@s-5.com.
Solar Rails
Capral Aluminium is Australia’s largest manufacturer and distributor of aluminium extrusion products. with nationwide facilities and value-add capabilities for the best customer service experience. Capral is best positioned to provide Australia with a sustainable option for mounting solar panels.
When it comes to solar panel rails. environmental and sustainability credentials matter. That’s why Australian-manufactured aluminium rail for solar panels is fast becoming a material of choice for Australia’s expanding solar rail industry.
Locally manufactured aluminium provides a more sustainable and economical solution for the Australian solar rail industry. The entire life cycle analysis (LCA) is impacted positively by reduced energy consumption in the manufacturing process, further improving the environmental footprint by reducing carbon emissions in supply and transport. over, sourcing locally manufactured Mill Finish aluminium extrusions for solar panel mounting rails in Australia further reduce carbon dioxide emissions, minimising the impact of sea and road freight.
Capral takes great pride in our continued commitment to developing industry-leading technology that delivers best-practice environmental outcomes for every Australian home, commercial or public building featuring our aluminium extrusions.
In 2022 Capral introduced LocAL® a lower carbon aluminium option available for all locally extruded Capral aluminium products. LocAL Green boasts a carbon content of 8 kg CO2e/Kg Al – less than 50% of the global average carbon emissions per kilogram of aluminium. LocAL Super green at 4 Kg CO2e/Kg Al is up to 75% lower in carbon emissions tahan global averages and represents some of the lowest carbon aluminium currently available on the Australian Market.
LocAL can be specified on all solar rails and components locally extruded by Capral to support businesses in their commitment to delivering the most sustainable solar rail solutions.
Capral’s national manufacturing footprint also allows our solar aluminium extrusions to be produced close to where they are required, which avoids unnecessary sea and road freight, helping to reduce carbon dioxide emissions.
You can learn more about Capral’s commitments on our sustainability page.
Customised Aluminium Mounting Rail Solutions
Capral can design, produce and stock custom aluminium mounting rail sections for our customers. Our aluminium extrusion manufacturing facilities can provide technical information and in-house facilities to help design and create extruded profiles specific to our customers’ needs. Our extrusion manufacturing facilities produce the highest-quality aluminium rail profiles for use in the solar rail industry.
A typical route from conception to section production:
- The customer submits product requirements in the form of a rough drawing;
- Design development utilising CAD/CAM technology;
- Die print/drawing produced and then approved by the customer;
- Die produced and sample section extruded;
- Bulk material is extruded once the off-tool sample is approved.
Added Value For Your Solar Panel Aluminium Extrusion Solutions
Capral has focused on the requirements of our solar aluminium rai l customers and made a significant investment in our processing and fabrication facilities. Extruding aluminium solar rail is only the beginning of how Capral can assist by adding value to the aluminium supply solutions for your customers.
Our value adds and fabrication facilities for solar panel aluminium extrusion solutions include:
- Automatic fine tolerance cut to length saw
- 7 Axis Robotic Machining Centre for product fabrication up to 17m
- 4 AXIS CNC machining product centre up to h=170mm, w=400mm, l=14000mm
- 3 AXIS CNC machining product centre h=180mm, w=200mm, l=7000mm
- CNC extrusion and plate router h=200mm, w=2500mm, l=12,500mm, maximum cut depth = 25mm
- Drawn products: Precision ovality, work-hardened tubing, outer diameter 40mm to 130mm, wall thickness 1.8mm – 10mm
- Knurling: Application of non-slip surface to extrusions
- Product edge de-burring
- Powdercoating: Paint powder applied electrostatically and then cured under heat to allow it to flow and form a surface coating
- Drilling: A cutting process that uses a drill bit to cut or enlarge a hole
- Cut Back: An off-line saw is used to recut the extrusion to less than a standard length
- Slotting Punching: Toolage used to “punch” a hole in typically a window or door extrusion
- Weather Pile Installation: Mechanically install the weather pile to an extrusion.
- Precision Cutting: Cut back to less than standard extrusion tolerances.
- Flashings: Supplied from a sheet and able to be guillotined or bent.
- Mitre Saw Cut: Saw used to make accurate cross cuts.
Solar Mounting Rails Extrusion Accreditation and Certification
All solar mounting rail extrusions manufactured by Capral Aluminium are produced to the chemical composition. mechanical property and dimensional tolerances in AS/NZS 1866:1997.
Capral Aluminium is also accredited to:
- AS/NZS ISO 9001:2015 (issued by Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance Limited) – Quality Management Systems applicable to manufacture, warehousing and stockholding of aluminium alloy extrusions, including powder coating. Provision of national functions associated with customer service, organisational development and procurement of aluminium extrusion and value-adding products.
- TS14001.
- TS16949.
- AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004 – Environmental Management Systems.
- ISO/IEC 17025 – NATA Accredited Mechanical Testing Laboratory.
- All major international marine classification societies, including DNV (Det Norske Veritas) and Lloyds Register.
- AS/NZ 4801:2001 OHS Management Systems Accreditation.
Capral Aluminium can supply extrusions to the following certification:
- DNV | Det Norske Veritas
- ABS | American Bureau of Shipping
- BV | Bureau Veritas
- Lloyds | Lloyds Register of Shipping
- Class NK | Nippon Kaioi Kyokai
- GL | Germanischer Lloyd
Less common testing organisations are available by request, as is independent third-party testing.
For more information on aluminium solar rail extrusions. please submit an enquiry with our team.
Types of mounts that work with Starlink
Once you’ve found a suitable location for your Starlink dish that is free of obstructions according to the Starlink app, you can proceed to picking a mount for a permanent installation. In this section we will cover the various Starlink mounting options.
The structure you will be mounting to will determine what type of mount you need. For example, if you want to install on an exterior wall, an adjustable J-Mount or Starlink Wall Mount would be appropriate. For a roof installation, a Flashing Mount might be the best option.