[RE-wrenches] Separated frames on BP modules

[Nick Lucchese]

Oops, this was supposed just go to Andrew.

Nick


On Jun 15, 2009, at 9:56 AM, Nick Lucchese wrote:

> Sorry to hear about the BP problems Andrew. For what it's worth you  
> can tell BP that your story just solidified another wrench's reason  
> to never sell any of their modules ever again.
>
> Hope you get the customer service you deserve,
>
>
>
> Nick A Lucchese
> NABCEP Certified PV Installer
> Planet Home
> General Contractor # 808851
> Sierra Solar Systems
> 563C Idaho Maryland Road
> Grass Valley, CA 95945
> tech info and foreign orders:  (530) 273-6754
> order line: (800) 51-SOLAR (US only)   FAX:  (530) 273-1760
> nickl at sierrasolar.com
> http://www.sierrasolar.com
>
>
>
>
> On Jun 15, 2009, at 9:22 AM, Andrew Truitt wrote:
>
>>
>> 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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