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<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Kirpal, </FONT><FONT face=Arial size=2>Thank you
for your detailed answer.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
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style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px">
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV>
<DIV
style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B>
<A title=solarworks@gmail.com href="mailto:solarworks@gmail.com">Kirpal
Khalsa</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A
title=re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org
href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">RE-wrenches</A> </DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Monday, September 15, 2008 10:50
AM</DIV>
<DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: [RE-wrenches] S5
Clamps</DIV>
<DIV><BR></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr>Hi Mike and Joel.......some disadvantages are that the dimensions
of the panels are rarely proportional to the dimensions of the standing
seam....this can lead to dissimilar spacing between columns, possibly
affecting the aesthetics of the array....some solar modules are rated to have
clamps hold them down at any point along their edges and in this scenario this
dimensional mismatch doesn't seem to be much of an issue, however if the
modules you are using have requirements as to where the clamps must be located
this can be an issue....We have found that standing seam roofs where the seams
are 12" apart instead of 16 inches or greater also make this less of a
problem....another remedy to this is orienting the panels in landscape mode
rather than portrait. Also to minimize the number of S5 clamps required
it is good to have your columns be as long as possible from north to south
again in landscape mode. <BR>We have found that there will never be any
issue with the S5 clamp's strength of attachment to the proper standing seams
but you do need to make sure that the roofing material is attached more
securely than normal to the subsurface of the roof, as you don't want the roof
flying off with your array. we have found that normally the standing
seam roofs with no panels are attached at intervals of 16 inches along the
seams.....we always try to have this doubled to be attached every 8
inches......most roofing companies we have worked with have not charged more
for this but they could.<BR>Another disadvantage of not using rails is less
airflow under the panels....means reduced performance due to heat
issues. also if you are attaching your modules in series it is hard to
get your hands under the panels to make all the connections and clip up the
cables so they are not hanging down onto the roof surface.....<BR>these are
some of the things we have dealt with in standing seam roofs with S5
clamps.....we have considered not using rails many times and always we have
decided to go for using the rails.....<BR>S5 does have some fairly good
engineering data for structural permits on their web site.....<BR><BR>Cheers
and good luck...<BR>-- <BR>Sunny Regards,<BR>Kirpal Khalsa<BR>NABCEP Certified
Solar PV Installer<BR>Renewable Energy
Systems<BR><BR></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></BODY></HTML>