1. A Renewable Energy & Consulting Company
www.solarbt.com
Solar Energy
Mounting Components
&
Systems (Part 1)
Moe Shahram, Physicist/EE
President,
SolarBreeze Technology Inc.
2. A Renewable Energy & Consulting Company
www.solarbt.com
Mounting Components
• Ground Mount
– Fixed ✔
– Tracking
• Single axis
• Multi axis
• Roof Mount ✔
– Flat (many options)
– Tilt (many options)
6. A Renewable Energy & Consulting Company
www.solarbt.com
Mounting Code Compliances
• Design Loads (ASCE7-05)( American
Society of Civil Engineers)
• IBC (international Bldg Code)
• Types of Load:
– Wind sheer calculation
– Dead
– Snow
– Seismic load
7. A Renewable Energy & Consulting Company
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Wind
• Exposure category
• Basic Wind speed (mph)
• Height (ft)
8. A Renewable Energy & Consulting Company
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Wind Exposure Category
• B: urban & suburban areas, wooded areas,
terrain with closely spaced obstructions
having size of single family dwellings
• C: Open terrain with scattered obstruction
having heights less that 30 ft
• D: Flat unobstructed areas outside hurricane
prone regions.
9. A Renewable Energy & Consulting Company
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PV Rail Spans & point loads
• Determine Design wind Loads
• Select Rail Type & Span
• Determine Point Loads
– Load (lb per sq-ft)
– Distributed Load (lb per linear foot)
– Point Load (lb)
10. A Renewable Energy & Consulting Company
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Data Needed
• Basic Wind Speed
• Building Height
• Effective Wind Area (sf) = minimum total continuous
area of modules being installed
• Roof Zone
• Roof Zone Set Back Length
• Roof Pitch
• Exposure Category
• Least of Building Length or Width
• Topographic Factor
11. A Renewable Energy & Consulting Company
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Material Selection
• Many Options are available
• Examples include but not limited to:
– Unirac
– Professional Solar
– Conergy
– Sharp SRS
– Quickmount
– Thompson Technologies
– Etc.
12. A Renewable Energy & Consulting Company
www.solarbt.com
Material Selection
• Use Racking part specifically designed for
Solar (avoid homemade racking)
• Use UL listed material for Grounding lugs
• Use water tight conduit couplings,
Junction and combiner boxes
• Use appropriate wiring- USE-2/RHW
– High temp, wet, inside conduit