TECHNOLOGY FOCUS - MECHANICAL ENGINEERING - Preferred System: In the mounting system, an area (21) on the mounting member (20) for receiving and fixing the edge region (E) of the solar panel (S) extends longitudinally of the mounting member (20) along and substantially parallel to the edge region (E). The retaining element (40) comprises a body portion (41 ) that presents an abutment surface (46) adapted to engage with and support a peripheral edge (P) of the solar panel (S), and where the abutment surface (46) of the retaining element (40) projects substantially perpendicularly to the axial or longitudinal extent of the respective mounting member (20). The abutment surface (46) of the retaining element (40) projects substantially upwardly and/or laterally of the area (21) on the mounting member for receiving the solar panel (S). Each mounting member (20) is adapted for receiving and fixing an edge region (E) of a solar panel (S) at laterally opposite sides, where an abutment surface (46) of the retaining element (40) projects upwardly and/or laterally of areas (21) on the mounting member (20) for receiving and fixing the edge region (E) of the solar panel (S). The retaining element (40) is attached at a longitudinal end region of the respective mounting member (20). Each retaining element (40) comprises attachment means for rigidly attaching the retaining element (40) to the respective mounting member (20), the attachment means preferably including an aperture (43) for receiving a fastener (44). The retaining element (40) comprises locating means for locating or positioning the retaining element (40) in a predetermined orientation on the respective mounting member (20). The locating means comprises one or more protrusion (47) for insertion into or receipt within a corresponding recess (27) formed in the mounting member (20). The set of elongate mounting members (20) are fabricated from a substantially rigid and robust material, preferably a metal such as steel or aluminum, and where the retaining elements (40) is fabricated from a synthetic material, such as a polymer plastic. Each of the set of elongate mounting members (20) is substantially straight and includes a longitudinally extending first channel or slot (22) for attaching a clamping member (60, 60') adapted to clamp and securely hold the solar panel (S) fixed to the mounting member (20), the first channel (22) preferably being located centrally of the mounting member and opening to an upper side. The first channel or slot (22) includes securing means, preferably in the form of a surface profile, such as an at least partial screw thread and/or serrations, designed to interact with a complementary fastener. The mounting system further comprises: at least one spacer element (50) adapted to be provided on each of the elongate mounting members (20) along a longitudinal extent, where each spacer element (50) at least partly defines a limit or boundary of the panel receiving area (21) on the respective mounting member (20). Alternatively, the mounting system (100) for mounting one or more solar panels, comprises: a mounting frame (10) having a set of elongate mounting members (20) adapted to be arranged and secured spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another; where each of the mounting members (20) is adapted for receiving and fixing an edge region (E) of a solar panel (S) such that each solar panel (S) extends between a pair of the mounting members (20); characterized by at least one spacer element (50) to be provided on the elongate mounting members (20) along their longitudinal extent, where each spacer element (50) at least partially delimits an area (21) on the mounting member (21) for receiving the solar panel (S). Each mounting member (20) is adapted to receive an edge region (E) of a solar panel (S) at laterally opposite sides, where the spacer element (50) is adapted to separate two panel receiving areas (21) of the mounting member (20), where the spacer element (50) comprises a body portion (51) adapted to be located between the two panel receiving areas (21) on an upper side of the mounting member (20), where the body portion (51) presents surfaces (54) that respectively define a limit or boundary of each of the panel receiving areas (21) on the mounting member (20), and where each limiting surface (54) is adapted to be located or positioned adjacent a peripheral edge (P) of a solar panel (S) fixed on the mounting member (20). The spacer element (50) comprises locating means for locating or positioning that spacer element (50) in a predetermined orientation on the respective mounting member (20). The locating means comprises one or more projection (52) from the body portion (51) of the spacer element (50), such as one or more tongue, for insertion into or receipt within a corresponding recess, such as the first channel (22), formed in the respective elongate mounting member (20). In a second alternative case, the mounting system (100) for mounting one or more solar panels, comprises: a mounting frame (10) having a set of elongate support members (70) adapted to be secured on a base structure, and a set of elongate mounting members (20) adapted to be rigidly secured on the support members (70) arranged spaced apart and substantially parallel to one another, where each of the mounting members (20) is adapted to receive and hold an edge region (E) of a solar panel (S) such that each solar panel (S) extends between at least two of the mounting members (20); where the elongate mounting members (20) are configured to include an arresting element (36) that prevents the mounting members (20) from slipping or sliding relative to the support members (70) before the mounting members (20) are rigidly secured on the support members (70). The arresting element (36) is adapted to project from a lower side of the mounting members (20) for engagement with the support members (70) on which the mounting members (20) are to be rigidly secured. The lower side of the mounting members (20) comprises a recess (29) for positioning and/or attaching the arresting element (36), where the arresting element can be adjustably positioned and/or attached within or along the recess (29). The recess is formed as a longitudinally extending third channel, such that the arresting element can be adjustably positioned within the third channel in a slidable manner. The mounting system (100) further comprises fixing means for securely fixing the one or more solar panels (S) to the elongate mounting members (20), where the fixing means preferably comprises at least one clamping member (60, 60') adapted to clamp and securely hold the one or more solar panels (S) fixed in position on each of the mounting members (20). The clamping member (60, 60') is elongate and is adapted to extend along the edge region (E) of the solar panel (S) received on an upper side of the respective mounting member (20), and where the fixing means further comprises one or more fastener (61 ) for attaching the clamping member (60, 60') to the respective mounting member (20) in clamping engagement with the edge region (E) of the solar panel (S). The mounting system as well comprises one or more solar panels (S) adapted to be mounted on the mounting frame (10). Moreover, an area (21) on the mounting member (20) for receiving and fixing the edge region (E) of the solar panel (S) extends longitudinally of the mounting member (20) along and substantially parallel to the edge region (E). Preferred Element: In the positioning element, the locating means is adapted interact with complementary means or structures on the mounting member (20), where the locating means comprises at least one protrusion (47, 52) for receipt in a complementary recess (27, 22) formed in the mounting member (20). The locating means is adapted to permit axial or longitudinal displacement and/or adjustment of the positioning element (40, 50) along the length of the mounting member (20) while maintaining the abutment surface (46, 54) in the predetermined orientation on the mounting member. The positioning element further comprises attachment means (43, 55) for releasably attaching the positioning element (40, 50) to the mounting member (20). The positioning element is configured as a retaining element (40) adapted to prevent the solar panel (S) from sliding in a longitudinal or axial direction relative to the mounting member (20) before the solar panel (S) is affixed to it. The positioning element is formed as a spacer element (50) to be provided along the longitudinal extent of the elongate mounting member (20), the spacer element (50) being adapted to longitudinally separate two panel receiving areas (21) of the mounting member (20). Preferred Rail: In the mounting rail, the first channel (22) is located approximately centrally of the mounting member (20) and is substantially not covered by the solar panel (S) when the edge region (E) of the solar panel (S) is received and supported in the panel seating area (21), where the first channel (22) includes securing means adapted to engage a complementary fastener, the securing means preferably comprising a surface profile, such as a partial screw thread, formed in a surface within the first channel (22). The mounting rail comprises two panel seating areas (21) formed at the upper side of the mounting rail (20), the two panel seating areas (21) extending generally parallel to the first channel (22) on laterally opposite sides. Each panel seating area (21) on the mounting rail (20) includes a seating element (30), such as a pad or strip, which is adapted to cushion the edge region (E) of the solar panel (S) received in the panel seating area (21), the seating element (30) preferably formed of a relatively soft and resilient material, such as a synthetic rubber. The mounting rail as well comprises an elongate clamping member (60, 60'), preferably formed as a clamping rail, adapted to clamp and securely hold the solar panel (S) fixed in position in the seating area (21) of the mounting rail (20).