[RE-wrenches] Solar World Wind Damage

[frenergy]

William,

             Looking closely at your picture of the rack failure with 
the tower in the background, it looks like there is some 
discoloration/staining/rust? at the main spar center bolt.  I went back 
to some of my older installs to discover this happening and on a couple 
of them was able to rock the rack E-W more than I should have been able 
to.  I think this was discussed on the list a ways back, you may be 
aware of it that that center bolt needs to be reefed on to prevent any 
movement.  If the hole in that main spar was compromised and the rack 
was able to shift back and forth...not sure if that would contribute to 
failure of the kind you experienced.

Bill

Feather River Solar Electric
Bill Battagin, Owner
4291 Nelson St.
Taylorsville, CA 95983
530.284.7849
CA Lic 874049
www.frenergy.net

On 1/10/2017 5:26 PM, William Miller wrote:
> Ray:
>
> I can't say I have a solution to your problem, but I can share some photos
> of two similar failures in case you can glean any information from them.
> See:
> http://www.millersolar.com/MillerSolar/case_studies/Wind_damage/_wind_dama
> ge.html
>
> The first failure is a Zomeworks.  On the same exact spot we tried a DPW
> TOP.  Neither could withstand a funnel effect provided by the topography.
>
> At the same location we installed a roof mount as well that has never
> failed (to my knowledge, we don't service that customer anymore).
>
> I think if you have terrain that is tilted in the correct direction a
> mount that hugs the ground is best.  That is a lay opinion, however.
>
> William
>
>
>
> Lic 773985
> millersolar.com
> 805-438-5600
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: RE-wrenches [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On
> Behalf Of Ray Walters
> Sent: Tuesday, January 10, 2017 2:31 PM
> To: RE-wrenches <re-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org>
> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Solar World Wind Damage
>
> Greetings All;
>
> I just had the dreaded call from one of my higher profile commercial
> clients: a remote radio repeater station had modules ripped off the frame
> by high winds.
> Two  SW285s were damaged.  The wind was strong enough to rip right through
> the aluminum side rails.  We had used the proper stainless 1/4"
> bolt hardware with washers on the inside, etc.  All the hardware was still
> tight, it just tore the aluminum past the washers.  This is not a top down
> clamp system, but uses bolts through the mounting holes on the back of the
> module.  This was all on a DP&W rack with high wind option.
> In 20 years in business, I've never seen that happen.  Is there a contact
> at Solar World?  I'm not getting through on the tech support line I have.
> First, I need to know what the wind rating is on the modules blowing from
> the back side, and Second, a suggested fix for the remaining modules.
> One module was completely ripped from the frame and thrown 30 yds (total
> destruction), a 2nd one has cracks in the Aluminum, but has not let go
> yet.  I was thinking of adding some angle aluminum on the inside to beef
> it up.  IMHO, the frames are pretty thin aluminum compared to older
> modules.  I'll share some pics when available.
>
> As always thanks in advance for your comments,
>
> --
> R.Ray Walters
> CTO, Solarray, Inc
> Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
> Licensed Master Electrician
> Solar Design Engineer
> 303 505-8760
>

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