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Old 10-01-12, 03:13 PM   #1
Xringer
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Default PV mounted for high wind

"INSTALLING NEW SOLAR PANELS" Adding 6 new 200W panels to my system.. - YouTube

Seems like it would work pretty well.. But around here I'm not sure it would pass code..

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Old 10-04-12, 09:50 AM   #2
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I live and work where design wind speeds can be up to 172 mph. This method would not be accepted by any jurisdiction in Southwest Florida. There are multiple problems:
  • No flashings
  • Grounding/Bonding
  • Heat - too close to roof
  • Cannot service without removing lag screws

I could go on an on. This is a prime example why you should hire a professional - a licensed and insured solar contractor.

More reasons: Do it Yourself (DIY) Solar in Florida | Solar Southwest Florida

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Old 10-04-12, 01:15 PM   #3
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His arrays are very likely going to be well grounded (if they aren't now),
since his array was hit before..


Here's the last hurricane at his house.


This guy is into airplanes, so he knows a little about wind-loads/aerodynamics
and decided that flush mounts were best for his location.

Sorry to hear you are living in Florida. It must be a real PITA to be subjected to more intensive solar regulations than California.
I've heard many of the power companies down there are really anti-solar for private homes.
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Old 10-04-12, 02:09 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Xringer View Post
This guy is into airplanes, so he knows a little about wind-loads/aerodynamics
and decided that flush mounts were best for his location.

Sorry to hear you are living in Florida. It must be a real PITA to be subjected to more intensive solar regulations than California.
I've heard many of the power companies down there are really anti-solar for private homes.
There's not much difference in mounting solar panels 1" or 4" off the roof surface (assuming both are parallel to the roof surface). There is a far greater impact depending on how the panels are mounted and where on the roof they are located.

High winds don't typically take properly engineered and installed solar electric systems off roofs. Usually its the roof that comes off with the panels still attached. In a storm that devastating, there's not much you can do but cross your fingers. After seeing several storms barrel through here in the 2000's, we should know!

Anyway, I just noticed some other devastating mistakes with this system:
  • The wires just pass through the roof with some sealant?! All I can say is buy some good smoke detectors, and inspect for leaks after every rain event.
  • It looks like no attempt was made to hit roof trusses. This is a prerequisite for a solid attachment.
  • The screws are not even close to sufficient. I would never install PV panels with anything less than a 5/16" lag screw into the center of a truss.

While I applaud the gentleman for his efforts, this is not an example of a proper installation regardless of the wind speed in the area it is installed.

Jason Szumlanski
Fafco Solar

Last edited by Daox; 10-04-12 at 02:46 PM..
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Old 10-04-12, 06:03 PM   #5
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I've been in a few hurricanes and I know from having to work out in the 90+ MPH winds,
what kind of forces can be exerted on small surfaces..
In Bermuda, I've saw stone roof tiles flying horizontally, like bullets, punching holes into anything they hit..


I'm pretty sure that mounting that close to the roofing (seen in the video)
will really over-heat the roofing shingles to the point of aging them very fast.
I've measured the temperature on the back-side of my panels, and it's HOT!

I have seen worse mounting jobs, but they were done by people living out
in the middle of nowhere, with no inspectors for hundreds of miles..
Some people just lay the panels on the roof, with very little to keep them from falling off.


When I wanted to install some hot water panels on my roof (early 1980s)
I couldn't get any response at all from the city. They were too busy I guess.
I used the Novan mounting products and installed without permission.
About five years later, the city wanted to know all about my panels.

The inspector came by and looked everything over and told me it was
much better than his hot water barrel in his attic..
He wanted me to file drawings of the system from a certified mechanical engineer.
I made up the drawings, printing them on the big smelly blue-print machine at work,
and had a mechanical engineer sign them.. And that was it..

Today, getting permission to DIY install PV on a roof around here, wouldn't be very easy at all.
That's one of the reasons I agree with my wife, no panels on the house..
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Old 01-24-13, 07:28 AM   #6
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the worst place to install solar is by far Miami beach they are Nazis. everywhere else is a piece of cake we just did a 100 KW system in ft lauderdale inspector said nice work looked in one panel and signed off he was there 20 mins. miami beach the inspector walks around with the code book nit picking the hell out of you lol with his interpretation of the code!! its bad enough there that we decided to not install in miami beach its just not worth it...
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Old 01-24-13, 08:18 AM   #7
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Sounds like they have inspectors with too much time on their hands.
Maybe Miami beach has too many inspectors? Time for lay offs?

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