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Joined: Jul 2004
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The basic design criteria in Florida is if the roof flies away, it is taking the foundation with it.


Greg Fretwell
Joined: Apr 2002
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Tesla:
All solar installs, from resi roof (dingle family) to the largest comm REQUIRE engineering submittals. For roof loading, and wind uplift.

The majority of the large comm jobs use 'self-ballasted' racking for the panels. (Concrete blocks)

Our Building Inspectors verify the 'spec' on the blocks, including the weights of the block. You may be surprised on reading some of the red tags.


John
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Quote
The majority of the large comm jobs use 'self-ballasted' racking for the panels. (Concrete blocks)


Doesn't that just make it a bigger missile when it goes? wink
Everything here is strapped down


Greg Fretwell
Joined: Apr 2002
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Maybe if we get a real 'cane like you guys in Fla., we will see if the self-ballasted systems work.

I'll have to hunt up a pic.


John
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It wasn't that long ago that you saw 70-80. There is a lot of uplift, even in a cat 1.


Greg Fretwell
Joined: Jun 2004
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It's the gusts that do you in.

Just a few seconds beyond the critical value begin a cascade of failure.

PV really doesn't have a disconnect switch -- from the point of view of firemen.

I expect that they'll have to sport some darkening foam that can be shot up to be-cloud the cells.

At this time, most departments are behind the curve.


Tesla
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I expect that if we have a few more big fires involving PV, there will be a panel level shunt trip in the listing standard that shuts down all output from each one internally.
It would be a pain to go up and reset it but if you really had a fire, you would want to inspect them for damage anyway.

I suppose it could just be a relay controlled from the ground tho.


Greg Fretwell
Joined: Jun 2004
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I'm thinking...

Last edited by Tesla; 11/18/13 03:51 AM.

Tesla
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I'm still thinking...


Tesla
Joined: Apr 2002
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Greg:
From Sandy ('13) and Irene ('12) and the Nor'easters we have had, I am aware of no issues.

Common problems at a few sites are bird related droppings, and a few panels that had been vandalized by rock throwers.



John
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