[RE-wrenches] S5 Clamps

[Kirpal Khalsa]

Hi Mike and Joel.......some disadvantages are that the dimensions of the
panels are rarely proportional to the dimensions of the standing
seam....this can lead to dissimilar spacing between columns, possibly
affecting the aesthetics of the array....some solar modules are rated to
have clamps hold them down at any point along their edges and in this
scenario this dimensional mismatch doesn't seem to be much of an issue,
however if the modules you are using have requirements as to where the
clamps must be located this can be an issue....We have found that standing
seam roofs where the seams are 12" apart instead of 16 inches or greater
also make this less of a problem....another remedy to this is orienting the
panels in landscape mode rather than portrait.  Also to minimize the number
of S5 clamps required it is good to have your columns be as long as possible
from north to south again in landscape mode.
We have found that there will never be any issue with the S5 clamp's
strength of attachment to the proper standing seams but you do need to make
sure that the roofing material is attached more securely than normal to the
subsurface of the roof, as you don't want the roof flying off with your
array.  we have found that normally the standing seam roofs with no panels
are attached at intervals of 16 inches along the seams.....we always try to
have this doubled  to be attached every 8 inches......most roofing companies
we have worked with have not charged more for this but they could.
Another disadvantage of not using rails is less airflow under the
panels....means reduced performance due to heat issues.  also if you are
attaching your modules in series it is hard to get your hands under the
panels to make all the connections and clip up the cables so they are not
hanging down onto the roof surface.....
these are some of the things we have dealt with in standing seam roofs with
S5 clamps.....we have considered not using rails many times and always we
have decided to go for using the rails.....
S5 does have some fairly good engineering data for structural permits on
their web site.....

Cheers and good luck...
-- 
Sunny Regards,
Kirpal Khalsa
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
Renewable Energy Systems


On Mon, Sep 15, 2008 at 8:45 AM, Michael Kelly <mike at solarflair.com> wrote:

> Joel,
>
> I have an upcoming project where we are contemplating this very
> install: S5 clamps without rails.  I would also like to hear the
> disadvantages, and any experience others have had installing this type
> of clamp onto a standing seam.
>
> Thanks,
> Mike
>
> Michael Kelly
> Project Engineer
> Project Manager
>
> SolarFlair Energy, Inc.
> 1 Knoll Rd.
> Hopkinton, MA 01748
> Direct Mobile: 617-899-9840
> Direct Fax: 781-272-0748
> Main Phone: 508-293-4293
> Main Fax: 508-293-4003
> mike at solarflair.com
>
>
> On Mon, Sep 15, 2008 at 12:29 PM, Joel Davidson
> <joel.davidson at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
> >
> > Wrenches,
> > I used S5 clamps with UniRac rails and L-feet. I see that S5 clamps can
> also be used directly for fastening solar modules to standing-seam roofs.
> The obvious advantage is lower cost, but are there any disadvantages? If you
> used S5 clamps without rails, did you have to get a licensed engineer's
> wind-loading structural analysis? Thank you very much for your advice.
> > Joel Davidson
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