Description
Engineered for Commercial-Scale Solar Installations
The SFS-MC3N2-40AL is a heavy-duty 40mm solar mid-clamp designed for the thicker panel frames specified by commercial-grade solar modules. While residential rooftops in Kenya are increasingly populated by slim-frame 30mm and 35mm panels, the 40mm frame remains the dominant choice for commercial deployments, ground-mounted utility projects, and the high-wattage modules above 600W that anchor most school, church, and agribusiness solar installations. If your project specification calls for 670W panels, frameless-bifacial heavy-duty designs, or any module with a 40mm aluminum frame, this clamp is the matching mounting hardware.
The clamp ships with a longer DIN912 M8×50 bolt to accommodate the additional 5mm of frame thickness compared to the 35mm version, ensuring full thread engagement with the rail nut and proper compression on both adjacent panel frames. The body is extruded from 6005-T5 structural aluminum and fully anodized — the same Tier-1 specification used on commercial PV mounting systems in Europe, Australia, and the Middle East.
Full Technical Datasheet
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Part Number | SFS-MC3N2-40AL |
| Product Type | Heavy-Duty Mid-Clamp (Omega Profile) |
| Compatible Panel Frame Thickness | 40mm (exact match) |
| Clamp Length | 40mm (L=40mm) |
| Body Material | Aluminum alloy 6005-T5, full anodized finish |
| Bolt | DIN912 M8×50 SS304 stainless steel (longer than 30mm/35mm versions) |
| Washer | M8 spring washer, SS304 |
| Nut | Nut-2Module (6005-T5 anodized), pre-fitted sliding rail nut |
| Compatible Rail Profile | SunRack Rail-12, Rail-19, Rail-20, and other 38mm-channel rails |
| Tightening Torque | 18–22 Nm |
| Required per Panel-to-Panel Joint | 2 clamps (one per rail line) |
| Wind Load Resistance | Rated for 60 m/s wind speed |
| Suitable For | Roof-mount, ground-mount, ballast-mount, tilted-rack installations |
| Service Life | 25+ years in Kenyan tropical climate |
| Warranty | 10 years structural |
Which Solar Panels Use 40mm Frames?
40mm frames are typically found on three categories of solar modules:
- Heavy-wattage commercial panels (600W+): LONGi Hi-MO 6 670W and 680W, Trina Vertex N 670W and 700W, JA Solar DeepBlue 4.0 690W, and Canadian Solar HiKu7 660W–670W use 40mm frames to provide the rigidity required by their larger physical dimensions (typically 2382mm × 1134mm).
- Bifacial heavy-duty modules: Several N-type bifacial designs from Tier-1 manufacturers use 40mm frames to support the dual-glass laminate without flexing.
- Older commercial-generation panels: Many polycrystalline and earlier monocrystalline modules manufactured before 2020 used 40mm frames as the industry default for commercial-grade modules.
If you’re specifying a fresh commercial installation using 670W+ panels, expect to need 40mm mid-clamps. For 580W or 585W bifacial panels, check the datasheet — many of these use 30mm frames despite being similarly powerful. Send the model number with your quote request if you’re unsure.
Commercial and Ground-Mount Applications
The MC3N2-40AL excels in installation scenarios that residential clamps weren’t designed for:
- Commercial rooftop arrays. Schools, churches, retail buildings, and office blocks running 50–500 panel systems typically use 670W modules with 40mm frames to maximise generation per unit roof area.
- Ground-mounted solar farms. Tilted ground frames using adjustable support legs hold larger panels at optimal angles. The 40mm clamp pairs with our SFS-AL3NT support leg range for complete ground-mount systems.
- Agribusiness and water-pumping projects. Solar-powered irrigation systems often use 670W panels for the higher current output needed to drive submersible pumps. The thicker frames withstand the dust, vibration, and impact stress of rural deployments.
- Industrial backup power. Manufacturing facilities and warehouses adopting hybrid solar systems typically specify commercial-grade panels with 40mm frames for warranty and longevity reasons.
- Carport-style installations. Solar carports at petrol stations, school car parks, and shopping centres use heavy panels mounted on substantial steel-and-aluminum structures — 40mm clamps are the right grade for these.
Project-Scale Mid-Clamp Quantities
Commercial projects need more careful clamp counting than residential. The rule remains “two mid-clamps per panel-to-panel joint” but the totals add up quickly:
| Project Scale | Typical Panel Count | Mid-Clamps Needed (single row layout) |
|---|---|---|
| Small commercial / large home | 16 panels | 30 mid-clamps |
| Shop, church, agribusiness | 24–40 panels | 46–78 mid-clamps |
| School or office building | 50–80 panels | 98–158 mid-clamps |
| Industrial rooftop | 100–200 panels | 198–398 mid-clamps |
| Utility ground-mount | 500+ panels | 998+ mid-clamps |
For multi-row commercial arrays, multiply the single-row count by the number of rows. Bulk pricing applies from 50 clamps per order — for projects above 200 clamps, contact us directly for tender-grade pricing.
Building the Commercial Mounting System
- Matching 40mm end-clamps: The SFS-ECN2-40AL provides the row-extremity clamping with consistent 40mm sizing.
- Heavy-duty aluminum rails: For commercial projects, the SunRack Rail-19 or Rail-20 profiles deliver greater span capability than the residential Rail-12.
- Adjustable support legs (ground-mount): The SFS-AL3NT-225, AL3NT-380, and AL3NT-455 support legs build tilted ground frames at 15°, 25°, and 35° pitch angles respectively.
- Earthing kit: The SFS-ELN2-20AL earth lug bonds the rail system to the array ground for commercial-grade electrical safety compliance.
- High-wattage solar panels: Browse our 670W Canadian Solar and Jinko commercial range.
- Commercial inverters: Our Vestwood three-phase inverter range (10kW and 15kW models) handles commercial-scale generation.
- Battery storage: Pair with stacked lithium batteries for resilient commercial backup.
- Project quote: Request a commercial quote with your panel model and project size for a full bill of materials.
