<div dir="ltr"><img src="cid:ii_ltlbecip1" alt="image.png" width="562" height="402"><div>^ Here is what I designed and we manufacture for positive module securement. Two heavy extruded aluminum t-shaped clamps that fully grab the long sides of the modules. Serrations to grip the modules. Machined slots for captive hardware that clamps the modules together. We use these our military and industrial power systems. Some of them get deployed to pretty wickedly windy location. I am not sure how big of attachments are allowed on this list, but you can e-mail if you want to see installed photos.</div><div><br></div><div>In conjunction with above, we also use the REC TwinPeaks series modules that have the extra cross bars across the back of the glass. Do any other module manufacturers have those stiffeners across the back?</div><div><br><div><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_signature" data-smartmail="gmail_signature"><div dir="ltr"><div>-James Jefferson Jarvis<br>APRS World, LLC<br>+1-507-454-2727<br></div><a href="http://www.aprsworld.com/" target="_blank">http://www.aprsworld.com/</a><br></div></div></div><br></div></div><br><div class="gmail_quote"><div dir="ltr" class="gmail_attr">On Sun, Mar 10, 2024 at 10:15 AM Ray Walters via RE-wrenches <<a href="mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>> wrote:<br></div><blockquote class="gmail_quote" style="margin:0px 0px 0px 0.8ex;border-left:1px solid rgb(204,204,204);padding-left:1ex"><u></u>
<div>
<p>That's just distortion in the image, from when I zoomed and
cropped it. Its module frame direct to the 2" angle aluminum
support rail. Nothing in between. High winds ripped two other
modules completely off the rack leaving all the hardware still
attached with a bit of module frame still under the washers . </p>
<p>This is on a mountain top in Wyoming. Believe me, when I tell
you that bottom mounting is no longer a safe method with today's
big modules, at least not in high wind situations (> 90 mph).
I measured the thickness of the module frame, and its about 1/2
the thickness of an old Siemens SP75 that I compared it to. These
were Solar World modules, but I've noticed most modules today have
significantly less robust frames than the old days. </p>
<p>More surface area to catch the wind + thinner metal = failure at
high enough wind speed. <br>
</p>
<p>BTW, the rack is a DPW high wind model, both the rack and the 4"
pole didn't budge at all, just the modules themselves. I've had a
second system, same configuration have similar damage in a wind
storm just last year. Its just on the top modules, not all of
them. I have quite a few MT Solar racks with the top down
mounting, and no losses. I've been suspicious of top down
module racking; and I was quite satisfied with actual bolts and
hardware to hold modules in place. But its just not true
anymore. I added 3/4" angle stainless steel to reinforce the
attachments on the top modules.<br>
<br>
<img src="cid:ii_18e27b39fb3ba05cdaf1"><br>
</p>
<p>Ray Walters<br>
</p>
<div>On 3/9/2024 12:44 PM, Kent via
RE-wrenches wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<p>Ray,</p>
<p>It appears that there is something between the module frame and
rail that may have introduced the frame crack. Perhaps as it was
tightened, and not due to the wind. What is the light material
that looks like it is sandwiched between the module and rail?<br>
</p>
<p>Kent Osterberg<br>
</p>
<div>On 3/8/2024 4:23 PM, Ray Walters via
RE-wrenches wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<p>Here's another mount at the edge of failure, from the same
system. Hardware is tight. Like many, I had lots of love for
good ol' fashion bottom mounting vs top mount, until this
happened about 5 years ago. <br>
</p>
<p>This is how we learn.<br>
</p>
<p><br>
</p>
<div>On 3/8/2024 5:15 PM, Ray Walters
via RE-wrenches wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite">
<p>I've had several modules pull off of bottom mount racking
in high winds, but never top mount racking. Newer modules
have much thinner frames, but are much more surface area
than the old days. </p>
<p><br>
</p>
<p>Ray Walters<br>
Remote Solar<br>
</p>
<br>
<div>On 3/8/2024 3:50 PM, Kent via
RE-wrenches wrote:<br>
</div>
<blockquote type="cite"> and for
the life of me I don't understand the logic of of a top
mount clamp on a TPM.<br>
<br>
Kent Osterberg<br>
Blue Mountain Solar<br>
</blockquote>
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