[RE-wrenches] S5 Clamps
Joel Davidson
joel.davidson at sbcglobal.net
Mon Sep 15 18:23:09 PDT 2008
Thank you Tom, Bill and everyone for your the practical info. Modules have
to be landscape with lots of frame edge dirt. Each module requires 4 clips
even if it is not hurricane country. Less places to fasten module
interconnects. Less air cooling space. No real deal-killers. But having seen
how few roofing panel clips some builders use, I would be concerned about
the whole roof lifting up in a strong wind.
Joel Davidson - patiently waiting for someone to invent PV in a spray can
:-)
----- Original Message -----
From: "Tom DeBates" <habitek83 at yahoo.com>
To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
Sent: Monday, September 15, 2008 5:47 PM
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] S5 Clamps
good day Joel,
I agree with Bill on the point that the standing seam system is not
engineered to resist the wind loading with fewer points of attachment. It is
only the clips holding the pans to the decking.
Two years ago we installed a 4.8 kW system using S-5's "directly". Since
the modules were Sanyos (landscape) and the pans were 18" o.c. (if I
remember correctly), the layout worked out nicely with the mounting points
for each module at the same point. Obviously, this will not always be the
case.
Disadvantages?
- less points to tie-off cables since there are no rails (especially with
the Sanyos and this has lead to a call-back)
- less air space between modules and roof. In our case I think we ended up
with ~ 2 1/2" from pan to bottom of module frame, but it was a white roof.
Also, wouldn't there be better (more laminar) flow over the metal than
asphalt shingles?
- may be somewhat more difficult to square-up array
Advantages?
- less materials
- low profile looks good and may allow less snow/ice under modules.
Labor?
- probably slightly less without rails
good luck,
Tom
Tom DeBates
Habi-Tek
524 Summit St.
Geneva,IL. 60134
630-262-8193
fax 630-262-1343
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