[RE-wrenches] Module Racking Attachment to SIP Roof

[Gary Willett]

Fellow Wrenches:

Working on a residential PV design using Structural Insulated Panels, or 
SIP panels. Preliminary design is three AC strings of 17 microinverters, 
in three portrait rows ~18" apart.

The good news is that the builder wants to include the PV as part of the 
original construction.

The wood structural roof beams on which the SIPs will rest are on 20 
foot centers, and run the same direction as the portrait PV modules. The 
SIPs are 10-1/4" thick, with 5/8" plywood on top and bottom. Roof pitch 
is 1.5:12 (low pitch).

Are there any PV rack mounts specifically designed for a SIP structure? 
I've done a lot of web searches, and can find no specific products.

I've looked at the Eco-Fasten^(TM) Universal Roof Attachment Bracket. It 
has 8 mounting holes per attachment point using #14 screws. Pull-out 
resistance will be low per attachment point with 5/8" plywood.

One solution could be a product that had a bolt-plate on the bottom of 
the SIP, that penetrates the SIP with long 5/16" threaded bolt(s), and 
then attaching to the PV mount at the top of the SIP. The UniRac 
SolarMount steel flat-top mount has four 5/16" bolt-holes and might be a 
good choice. This method should have no problem achieving the required 
pull-out resistance.

Any suggestions, installation experience, on how to put PV on a SIP roof?

-- 

Regards,


Gary Willett, PE
Icarus Engineering / Solar Services LLC
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer # 031310-246
Gary at IcarusSolarServices.com <mailto:Gary at IcarusSolarServices.com>

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