[RE-wrenches] Modules Supported only at Short End

[Darryl Thayer]

The modules are rated to withstand a load. this load is presented with modules supported at the either 1/4 points or the 1/5 points from the  end.  supporting modules at other locations compromises the load rating.  It would be a simple task to recalculate the load strength at other support locations, but you would not have the module manufactures blessing, and it also assumes the frames are designed to be loaded on the ends, some modules clearly are not so designed
Darryl 

--- On Thu, 9/24/09, Glenn Burt <glenn.burt at glbcc.com> wrote:

> From: Glenn Burt <glenn.burt at glbcc.com>
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Modules Supported only at Short End
> To: "'RE-wrenches'" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Cc: gburt at alterisinc.com
> Date: Thursday, September 24, 2009, 8:12 PM
> Due to thermal expansion being
> greater in this dimension, you should be
> careful with this design.
> We do it with Sunpower modules and Unirac SunFrame with
> modules in portrait
> orientation which places the short dimension as the
> captured edge, but the
> cap strip is pretty wide and captures more module edge than
> the Unirac Solar
> Mount option which uses mid & end clips.
> 
> Good luck!
> 
> Glenn 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org]
> On Behalf Of swingjunkie
> Sent: Thursday, September 24, 2009 11:24 AM
> To: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Modules Supported only at Short End
> 
> Hello Wrenches,
> 
> Typical PV modules installation instructions show modules
> being supported
> with two supports each spaced 25% of module length in from
> the short edge of
> the module.  I'm looking for information on PV modules
> which can be
> supported on a mounting structure using only the short edge
> of the module
> for the support, so the full length of the module is
> spanning the distance
> between the support structure.  I've heard some module
> manufacurers warrant
> this installation, and some do not.  If you have
> specifics as to which
> modules DO or DO NOT support this mounting method that
> would be a help.
> 
> With Regards
> Carl Adams
> NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer
> NABCEP Certified Solar Thermal Installer SunRock Solar
> Cincinnati, Ohio
> 513.766.6025
> www.sunrocksolar.com
> _______________________________________________
>