[RE-wrenches] Golf balls and PV (was Need NT185U1 Sharp module)

[Rob Harlan]

Joel,
The angle of incidence certainly has a bearing on the ability to handle
impact.  We installed a 9kW pole mounted system in the vicinity of a golf
course.  We thought the distance from the course and the trees to the north
of the array would protect us.  Occasional balls actually did come over the
tree tops from behind the array and we wound up with seven broken modules.
After considering a lot of unrealistic solutions such as netting, Plexiglas,
restricting the alcohol consumption of the golfers, etc we decided to
permanently adjust the array angle to the winter setting and accept the loss
in efficiency.  I don¹t believe that there have been problems since.  The
insurance company was only willing to cover the replacement cost of one
module, arguing that we should have caught it after one incidence....

Rob Harlan
Alberta Solar Energy Society
office at solaralberta.ca
(780) 4395608



On 2/25/10 8:51 AM, "Joel  Davidson" <joel.davidson at sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> Wrenches,
> 
> UL1703 requires solar modules withstand a 5 ft-lb (6.78 J) impact from a
> 2-in (51-mm) steel ball weighing 1.18 lb (535 g) falling through a distance
> of 51 in (1.295 m). Many years ago someone (perhaps at Arco Solar in the
> early 1980s?) said that this force was equal to a golf ball or a 1-in steel
> ball traveling at terminal velocity or 54 miles per hour. Since then, I have
> seen modules broken by thrown stones, stones dropped by crows (go figure?),
> falling ice, hail, bullets, branches, school locker combination locks,
> reported meteorites, etc. I have also seen modules withstand hurricanes,
> stones, hail, ice, branches, etc.
> 
> Max's broken module has me questioning just how strong are tempered glass
> modules. Granted, a driven golf ball has a greater impact than a lobbed
> ball, but is it unusual for a golf ball to break a solar module or is it a
> pretty sure thing? The reason I ask is because more resorts and people with
> homes near golf courses are interested in PV.
> 
> Thanks in advance for sharing your knowledge and experience.
> 
> Joel Davidson
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Max Balchowsky" <max at seesolar.com>
> To: "RE-wrenches" <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, February 24, 2010 5:38 PM
> Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Need NT185U1 Sharp module
> 
> 
>> Need to replace a module damaged by a golf ball strike, NT185U1. Anyone
>> know where I can find one, I know sharp has a NT175 U1 mono in the same
>> frame size, but I'd like to find a 185 somewhere..........
>> 
>> Thanks,
>> 
>> Max Balchowsky
>> SEE Systems
>> 1436 Irvine Ave
>> Newport Beach, Ca.92660
>> 760-403-6810
>> 
>> 
>> 
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