The PV Profile 45×40 is an intermediate-height aluminum solar mounting rail designed for photovoltaic installations that require more structural capacity than the standard 40 mm profile but do not need the full 80 mm heavy-duty section. Extruded from EN AW-6060 T6 aluminum alloy, this profile bridges the gap in the ULAMEX PV mounting rail range, delivering enhanced bending resistance at a fraction of the weight and cost of oversized alternatives. Solar installers across Europe choose the 45×40 cross-section for medium-load commercial rooftops, multi-row residential arrays, and ground-mounted systems where the standard 40 mm rail reaches its span limits under regional wind and snow load requirements. As a B2B wholesale supplier with over 38 years of experience in structural aluminum, ULAMEX stocks the PV Profile 45×40 for immediate dispatch in pallet and full-truck quantities across the European market.
Technical Specifications
The PV Profile 45×40 is manufactured from EN AW-6060 T6 (AlMgSi alloy in T6 temper condition), an aluminum grade that combines a minimum tensile strength of 190 MPa, a minimum yield strength of 150 MPa, and a minimum elongation of 8% with excellent natural corrosion resistance and high extrudability. The T6 temper designation indicates that the profile has been solution heat-treated and artificially aged, delivering the highest mechanical properties available for the 6060 alloy series.
The 45 mm profile height — a 12.5% increase over the baseline 40 mm section — translates into a meaningfully higher second moment of area (moment of inertia), which directly governs bending stiffness and maximum span capacity. In practical terms, this means you can either increase the spacing between support points (roof hooks, ballast brackets, or ground-mount posts) or carry higher distributed loads at the same span, giving project engineers additional flexibility when designing the mounting substructure layout.
The profile features a hybrid fastening channel system. The upper T-slot channel accepts M8 hex bolts (DIN 912), square nuts (DIN 557), and hexagon nuts (DIN 934) for secure clamp attachment. The lower base channel accommodates M10 hammer-head bolts and flange nuts (DIN 6923) for rapid, tool-free lateral insertion and connection to roof hooks or substructure brackets. This dual-channel design ensures full compatibility with the complete ULAMEX aluminum clamp and fastener range.
Available Sizes
| Profile | Cross-Section (mm) | Material | Length (mm) | Weight (kg/m)* | Channel Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PV Profile 45×40 | 45 × 40 | EN AW-6060 T6 | 4,300 | ~0.95 | Upper: hex + square nut / Lower: hammer bolt |
| PV Profile 45×40 | 45 × 40 | EN AW-6060 T6 | 6,000 | ~0.95 | Upper: hex + square nut / Lower: hammer bolt |
*Weight per metre is approximate and may vary slightly depending on the extrusion die tolerance. Please confirm exact weights when placing your wholesale order.
Channel and Fastening System
The PV Profile 45×40 employs a versatile dual-channel fastening architecture that distinguishes it from single-slot profiles. The upper channel is engineered to accept both hex socket head cap screws (M8, DIN 912) paired with square nuts and standard hexagon nuts, giving installers the freedom to use whichever fastener type suits their preferred clamp system. The lower channel features a wider slot dimensioned for M10 hammer-head bolts with serrated flange nuts (DIN 6923), enabling rapid lateral slide-in connection without end-loading — a significant time saver on large-scale commercial installations where hundreds of connection points must be made.
This hybrid approach means that mid-clamps and end-clamps attach from above using the upper channel, while roof hooks and substructure brackets connect from below using the hammer-bolt channel. The result is a clean separation of panel-retention hardware and structural attachment hardware, reducing the risk of installation errors and simplifying quality inspection on completed arrays.
Installation Applications
The 45×40 profile occupies a strategic position in the ULAMEX PV mounting rail portfolio, addressing application scenarios that fall between residential-grade and heavy-industrial requirements:
- Commercial pitched roofs — where tile or slate roofs on warehouses, office buildings, or retail properties carry moderate wind exposure (wind zones 2–3 per EN 1991-1-4) and the standard 40 mm profile would require uneconomically close roof hook spacing. The 45×40 allows wider spans, reducing total roof hook count and installation labor.
- Multi-row residential arrays — large residential systems with 20+ panels where the additional bending stiffness reduces mid-span deflection, ensuring consistent clamp engagement and panel alignment across long rail runs.
- Flat roof ballast systems — mounted on ballast brackets or PV triangles, the enhanced section modulus of the 45×40 profile provides greater resistance to wind uplift loads that are particularly critical on flat-roof installations where panels are tilted and exposed.
- Ground-mounted solar arrays — the 6,000 mm length option is ideal for ground-mount substructures on steel foundations, minimizing splice joints and maintaining structural continuity over longer post-to-post spans.
- Carport PV installations — integrated into aluminum carport structures where the profile serves as both the panel mounting rail and a structural element of the carport roof frame.
Why Choose This Profile
The PV Profile 45×40 exists because not every installation fits neatly into the standard 40 mm or heavy-duty 80 mm category. If you are designing a system where the 40×40 profile requires support points every 1,000–1,100 mm to stay within deflection limits, but the 80×40 is an unnecessary cost and weight premium, the 45×40 delivers the right balance. It provides approximately 25–30% more bending stiffness than the 40 mm section at only a marginal increase in weight per metre (~0.95 kg/m vs ~0.80 kg/m), making it the most cost-effective upgrade path for medium-load applications.
Both available lengths — 4,300 mm and 6,000 mm — are stocked at ULAMEX for immediate dispatch. The 4.3 m length suits typical pitched-roof projects where handling space is constrained, while the 6 m length reduces splice points on commercial flat-roof and ground-mount arrays.
Standards and Quality Assurance
All ULAMEX PV profiles are extruded from EN AW-6060 T6 aluminum in accordance with EN 755-2 (extruded rod, bar, tube, and profiles — mechanical properties) and EN 573-3 (chemical composition). The T6 temper delivers consistent mechanical performance across every batch: minimum tensile strength 190 MPa, minimum proof stress 150 MPa, Brinell hardness approximately 75 HB. The natural aluminium oxide layer provides inherent corrosion protection suitable for outdoor exposure in corrosivity categories C1 to C3 per EN ISO 9223 without additional surface treatment. ULAMEX holds EN 1090 certification for structural aluminum components, confirming that our supply chain meets European structural fabrication standards.
Why Choose ULAMEX as Your Supplier
ULAMEX has been supplying structural steel and aluminum products to professional customers across Europe for over 35 years. As a dedicated B2B wholesale supplier, we offer competitive volume pricing, full material certification, and reliable delivery from our stock in Poland. Our complete photovoltaic mounting system range — including profiles, clamps, roof hooks, fasteners, and ballasts — means you can source every component from a single supplier. Contact us for wholesale pricing on the PV Profile 45×40.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I choose the 45×40 profile instead of the standard 40×40?
Choose the 45×40 when your structural calculation shows that the 40×40 profile requires roof hook or support point spacing below 1,000–1,100 mm to meet deflection limits under your site-specific wind and snow loads. The 45×40 allows wider spacing — typically 1,200–1,500 mm depending on the load case — reducing the number of roof hooks, brackets, or ground-mount posts required and lowering overall installation cost.
Is the 45×40 profile compatible with standard PV clamps?
Yes. The upper channel of the PV Profile 45×40 uses the same T-slot geometry as the standard 40×40 and 80×40 profiles in the ULAMEX range. All ULAMEX mid-clamps and end-clamps, as well as most third-party clamp systems designed for industry-standard T-slot rails, are fully compatible.
What is the maximum recommended span for the 45×40 profile?
For typical Central European wind and snow load conditions, the recommended maximum span between support points is approximately 1,200 to 1,500 mm. The exact permissible span depends on the specific load combination (wind zone, snow zone, building height, roof slope, panel configuration) and must be verified by a qualified structural engineer for each project.
Can the 45×40 profile be cut to custom lengths?
ULAMEX stocks the PV Profile 45×40 in 4,300 mm and 6,000 mm standard lengths. Custom cutting to project-specific dimensions is available on request for bulk orders. Contact our sales team for details on minimum order quantities and lead times for custom-length profiles.