[RE-wrenches] Separated frames on BP modules

[Andrew Truitt]

Greetings wrenches!  We recently did a small commercial system (17 kW) using
BP-SX 3175 modules and the Unirac RapidRac ballasted mounting system.  The
flat roof is ballasted with 2" of gravel that we smoothed as much as
possible but undulations are visible in the array, though the changes are
never more than 5 degrees from module to module.  After about 3 months the
cusotmer noticed a problem developing with 1/3 of the modules: the interior
of the module (backsheet, cells and glazing) were separating from the
aluminum frame!  Remnants of the black, rubbery adhesive are clearly visible
on the inside of the frame and on the edge of the backsheet/cell/glazing
sandwich.  It seems clear to us and that the adhesive simply failed and
should be covered under the 5 year workmanship warranty, but BP does not
agree.  BP is saying that the modules are supposed to be mounted with a
solid member spaning the width of the module and since the RapidRac supports
the module on what amounts to 4 individual stanchions, the workmanship
warraty is null and void.  The mounting instructions, however, say nothing
about requiring a solid member spaning the module.

Has anyone else had this issue with BP or any other types of modules?  Does
anyone buy that it could be the fault of the RapidRac?  We unbolted a few of
the bad modules to see if the frame was exerting any torque but the neither
the module not the frame moved - we set the module back on the frame and the
mounting holes lined up perfectly as before.


Thoughts or suggestions?


Gotta' love these long sunny days!


Andrew Truitt
Standard Solar Inc.


-- 
"Don't get me wrong: I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer fusion
to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous fusion reactor
safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers more than we could
ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!"

~William McDonough
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