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<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN
class=640143021-12012017>Wrenches: We have a ~70KW ground mounted
array on the Rocky Mountain front near Choteau, MT. Springs winds are not
unusual with 150 to 175 MPH gusts. The system was installed in 2011
(with Sanyo 215W modules). No problems yet; we certainly over-engineered
the racks, knowing what high winds there are!</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
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<P><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff size=2>Chris Daum<BR>Oasis Montana
Inc.<BR>406-777-4309<BR>406-777-0830 fax<BR><A
href="http://www.oasismontana.com">www.oasismontana.com</A><SPAN
class=640143021-12012017> </SPAN><BR>
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face=Arial></FONT><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT><BR>
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<FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><B>From:</B> RE-wrenches
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Ray
Walters<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, January 12, 2017 2:16 PM<BR><B>To:</B>
RE-wrenches<BR><B>Cc:</B> Sefchick, Steve<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [RE-wrenches]
Solar World Wind Damage<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>Hi Bill;<BR><BR>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.
<BR>As always, the Wrench list experience is invaluable. Are 170 mph winds
possible, outside of a tornado or hurricane?<BR><BR><B>Whether or not Solar
World stands by their product in this extreme situation, I definitely stand by
my installations.</B> 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. <BR><BR>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.<BR><PRE class=moz-signature cols="72">R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
BSME 1988,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760</PRE>
<DIV class=moz-cite-prefix>On 1/11/2017 9:07 PM, frenergy wrote:<BR></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:bb4516a7-2fd7-31ad-a2d6-19f22ea199ec@psln.com
type="cite"><P>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. <BR></P>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.....<BR>Bill<BR><BR><BR>
<DIV class=moz-cite-prefix>On 1/11/2017 12:08 PM, Ray Walters wrote:<BR></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid:469f77c2-ee9a-190a-cbc3-60820d531a72@solarray.com
type="cite">HI Steven;<BR><BR>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?<BR><IMG alt="" src="cid:640143021@12012017-2229"><BR><IMG alt=""
src="cid:640143021@12012017-2230"><BR><BR><PRE class=moz-signature cols="72">R.Ray Walters
CTO, Solarray, Inc
Nabcep Certified PV Installer,
Licensed Master Electrician
Solar Design Engineer
303 505-8760</PRE>
<DIV class=moz-cite-prefix>On 1/11/2017 12:42 PM, Steven Lawrence
wrote:<BR></DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
cite=mid:CAEJy-2QmUKoTgkDke5e9PsFhyBOvSOkiNJLFnRF-cCsvq2CDkA@mail.gmail.com
type="cite">
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<DIV>
<DIV>Hi Ray,<BR><BR></DIV>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.<BR><BR></DIV>Steven
Lawrence<BR></DIV><BR>
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