[RE-wrenches] Solar World Wind Damage

[Ray Walters]

Hi Bill;

Solar World customer support did come through yesterday with flying 
colors.  They got hit by a big storm in the North West.  Right now 
though, they are saying that we exceeded the 64 PSF rated  loading to 
the back of the module. I've pointed out that that would correspond to 
over 170 mph winds, so I'm not quite ready to concede the warranty.   
Their engineering team is reviewing my information.
As always, the Wrench list experience is invaluable.  Are 170 mph winds 
possible, outside of a tornado or hurricane?

*Whether or not Solar World stands by their product in this extreme 
situation, I definitely stand by my installations.* I'm taking a snow 
cat up to replace and reinforce the modules next week, then hopefully 
get a little help from my supply chain after.  My repair costs will be 
many times the cost of one replacement module anyway.

Yes, the 33 mm vs 31 mm refers to the module thickness.  I don't have a 
version 2.5 frame to check the flange metal thickness, and it is 
conspicuously absent from the specs.  I have a good micrometer, and I 
will compare metal thicknesses of several module brands, because with 
all the cost cutting, many module manus seems to be using thinner metal 
lately.  As Jay pointed out, we're bolting much bigger modules down with 
much weaker flanges, and the same hardware we used on a 75 w module, so 
its not entirely surprising to start seeing high wind failures.

R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
BSME 1988,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760

On 1/11/2017 9:07 PM, frenergy wrote:
>
> Let's see, we're all on the same page here, right?  The 33 vs 31 mm 
> refers to the frame height not the thickness of the frame material 
> where fastener pulled through.
>
> Also, hang in there with getting help from Solarworld.  They have 
> given me exceptional help in the past...not sure if they can/will in 
> this case, but.....
> Bill
>
>
> On 1/11/2017 12:08 PM, Ray Walters wrote:
>> HI Steven;
>>
>> Do you mean the bolts were over torqued and then later broke? Here's 
>> some pics that just came in of the damage.  Hardware looks good, just 
>> ripped the module's framing.  The old Solarworld 2.5 frame not only 
>> was thinner (31mm) and so could possibly flex more, but it had less 
>> metal to bolt to.  Their newer 4.0 frame is 33 mm thick, but also 
>> appears to have a wider flange to bolt to.  I still have not had any 
>> contact from Solar World.  Not good.  I've been installing their 
>> stuff since the ARCO days, so I need some support for the first time 
>> in decades.  Solar World Reps are you out there?
>>
>>
>>
>> R.Ray Walters
>> CTO, Solarray, Inc
>> Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
>> Licensed Master Electrician
>> Solar Design Engineer
>> 303 505-8760
>> On 1/11/2017 12:42 PM, Steven Lawrence wrote:
>>> Hi Ray,
>>>
>>> Have you checked the torquing on all the other bolts?  My company's 
>>> had a few projects where some modules blew off - it's always been 
>>> due to over-torquing of the bolts.
>>>
>>> Steven Lawrence
>>>
>>>

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