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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>
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<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>
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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 src="cid:part1.6AE1B84F.0FAA18CB@solarray.com" alt=""><br>
<img src="cid:part2.0FFEF015.517EF437@solarray.com" alt=""><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>
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<div>Hi Ray,<br>
<br>
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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>
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Steven Lawrence<br>
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