[RE-wrenches] Separated frames on BP modules

Mon Jun 15 14:43:41 PDT 2009

Most solar module designers have no field experience. Some design solar module long-rail angle or channel frames that bow unless you fasten them to the mounting structure with 4 bolts (2 per long-rail) in factory-drilled mounting holes. Some long rails are so weak that they bow under the module's own weight if you just lift the module by the long rail. Solec modules had a tube-frame that was the strongest in the industry, but I don't recommend Solec type frames. They were over-built and required threaded inserts and a special insert tool if you wanted make your own mounting holes (which you were allowed to do without voiding the warranty). There is no reason for poorly designed and weak angle or channel frame extrusions. A strong frame gives installers the freedom to drill their own mounting holes in both the long and short rails.

Joel Davidson
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Peter Parrish 
  To: 'RE-wrenches' 
  Cc: Will Logan 
  Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009 1:57 PM
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Separated frames on BP modules

  Well Nick, the cat's out the bag on this one. And I would encourage you and Andrew to give this issue wide distribution. As long as you both stick to the facts and keep your phasors on stun.

  As integrators we need to know the technical details of warranties. It would be exceedingly painful if our company had to eat the cost of a 17 kW install!

  Here is one more factoid that I would like to throw into the mix. Vance Lindsay of BP Solar, a very solid individual with lots of experience on the installation side, has brought to our attention the fact that BP Solar module cannot be attached via their SHORT DIMENSION. This was news to us, and Vance said that such an attachment scheme would void the BP Solar Warranty.

  Let's keep the information flowing.

  Best regards,

  - Peter

  Peter T. Parrish, Ph.D., President
  California Solar Engineering, Inc.
  820 Cynthia Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90065
  CA Lic. 854779, NABCEP Cert. 031806-26
  peter.parrish at calsolareng.com  
  Ph 323-258-8883, Mobile 323-839-6108, Fax 323-258-8885                                                                                                   

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  From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Nick Lucchese
  Sent: Monday, June 15, 2009 10:11 AM
  To: RE-wrenches
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Separated frames on BP modules

  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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