This document provides an introduction to Unirac's PV racking systems. It discusses racking fundamentals and basic terminology. It also reviews various racking options from Unirac, including SolarMount, SunFrame, ULA, RapidRac, S-5!, and ClickSys. Pole mounting options and considerations for racking design prerequisites are also covered.

1. 1
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

2. Racking Basics
This is an introduction to
Unirac’s PV Racking Systems
Other presentations we offer include:
• Unirac Attachment Options
• Unirac SolarMount, RapidRac, CLICKSYS, ISYS, ULA
• Array Tilt & Ground Cover Ratio (mutual shading) Optimization
• Working Safely with PV Systems
• Off-Grid, Grid-Tie, & Grid-Interactive Systems IOM
• Other training programs
2
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

3. Outline
• Safety First
y
• Racking Fundamentals
• Basic Terminology
• Pole Mount O Options
• Racking Options
• Racking Design Pre Requisites
Pre-Requisites
3
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

4. Safety First
• Safety is the responsibility of every employee
• Safety is a full-time job
• Never work alone on a PV system
• Professional tools are a must
• Professional equipment training is a must
• Know your system before working on it
• All circuits must be considered live at all times
• Weather / Mechanical / Electrical Hazards
pose very serious risks
• Adhere to local & international safety codes
• Severe injury or even death may result from
improper handling
4
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

5. Racking Fundamentals
Where will the PV system be installed?
y
• Ground Mount
• Roof Mount
• Pole Mount
5
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

6. Racking Components
Module Hardware - how the module is attached
to the racking
Racking Type - what the module is attached to
Attachment Options - how the racking is
attached to the substructure
Tilt - are the modules tilted away from the
y
substructure toward the sun?
6
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

7. Module-to-Rail Connections
Top mounting clamps
Bottom clips
7
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

8. Rail Types
• SolarMount Standard • SunFrame
• SolarMount Light
• SolarMount Heavy Duty
• SunFrame
8
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

9. Connection Between Rail & Roof
• L-foot
• Standoff
• FastFoot
• Threaded Feet
• Tile hooks
9
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

10. Basic Terminology
• Solar Module Orientation
• Solar Array Orientation Basic Tools
• Solar Array Orientation
• Solar Array Size
• Rail Orientation
• Tilt Mount
• Flush Mount
10
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

11. Solar Module Orientation
Landscape Portrait
11
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

12. Solar Array Orientation
Basic Tools
B i T l
Compass Inclinometer
12
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

13. Solar Array Orientation
• Facing True South for Northern Hemisphere Locations
• Facing True North for Southern Hemisphere Locations
13
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

14. Solar Array Orientation
WHY Facing True South for Northern Hemisphere Locations ?
Sun Path
Polar Plot
for
Dubai UAE
14
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

15. Solar Array Orientation
WHY Facing South for Northern Hemisphere Locations ?
Sun Path
Rect. Plot
for
Dubai UAE
15
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

16. Solar Array Size
Modules arranged in rows and columns
No. of E-W Rows x No. of N-S Columns
Array orientation is independent of module orientation
16
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

17. Rail Orientation
When looking at a south-facing solar array:
• Rails running East-West
are l
low profile
fil
• Rails running North-South
are high profile
17
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

18. Sawtooth (Shed) Tilt
18
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

19. Continuous (Single Plane) Tilt
19
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

20. Low-Profile, Portrait Tilt
20
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

21. High-Profile, Landscape Tilt
21
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

22. Flush-to-Roof
• No additional tilt away from substructure
y
• Mounted close to roof – modules are
within ten inches of roof
22
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

23. Flush-to-Roof
No additional tilt away from substructure
23
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

24. Flush-to-Roof (SolarMount)
24
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

25. Flush-to-Roof (SunFrame)
25
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

26. Pole Mount Options
1. Pole Top
2. Pole Side
2 P l Sid
26
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

27. Pole Mount – Pole Top
27
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

28. 28
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

29. 6” PoleTops
29
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

30. Pole Mount – Pole Side
Fixed tilt or adjustable
30
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

31. 31
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

32. Racking Options
1. SolarMount
2. SunFrame
3.
3 ULA
4. RapidRac
5. S-5!
S 5!
6. ClickSys
32
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

33. 33
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

34. SolarMount Components
34
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

35. SolarMount Tilt
Tilt Leg
Adjustable
j
High-Profile
High Profile or
Fixed
Low-Profile
35
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

36. SolarMount can accommodate very
long runs
36
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

37. Google Headquarters
Mountain View, CA
37
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

38. Open Structure (SolarMount)
38
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

39. Awning for Residential Application
39

40. 40
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

41. 41
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

42. • Quick and simple installation
• Fewer people on roof
42
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

43. Screw Slot
Larger Diameter
End Cap Screws
Serrated Surface
for L-Foot
attachment
43
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

44. Ground Mount
3 KILOWATTS TO 1+ MEGAWATT
44
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

45. Ground Mount
45
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

46. Roof-Mounted U-LA
(reversing a slight north incline)
46
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

47. Ground Mount
47
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

48. PV s
PV’s Universal Flat Roof Solution
48
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

49. Ballast (RapidRac)
49
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

50. • Commercial flat roof
racking system
•Delivers solution t customers’ #1 concerns
D li l ti to t ’
lighter weight
minimal penetration
shorter installation times
50
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

51. • Meets wind requirements up to 120 mph
• Over 120 mph possible with some
penetrations
• Wind tunnel tested
• May require zero penetrations
51
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

52. 52
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

53. For tilt arrays
arrays,
attach SolarMount rail with S-5!
53
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

54. and now for something
completely different…
54
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

55. The lowest cost fastest flush roof
cost, fastest,
mounting system
55
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

56. CLICKSYS beam
56
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

57. The slider holds top mounting clamps
on CLICKSYS
57
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

58. CLICKSYS connectors
single flange
double flange
optional butyl pad
58
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

59. Click connections
Click!
59
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

60. CLICKSYS options
PV QuickMount flashing
Q g
Creotecc tile hook
Unirac standoff
60
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

61. Racking Design Pre-Requisites
(
(Grid Tie Systems)
y )
1. Site Survey & Analysis
2. Advanced Software & Hardware Tools
3. Tilt Angle Analysis & Optimization
4. Shading Analysis & Optimization
61
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

62. Site Survey & Analysis 1/2
(
(Grid Tie Systems)
y )
PV Grid Tie Systems Site Survey & Analysis Form
Site Name & Address Date Job No.
Owner Name & Contact No. Eng. ID
Utility Name & A
Utilit N Account N
t No. Tech.
T h ID
Pre-Visit Instructions & Notes
GPS & Google Maps
Sun Path Print
Note
N t 1
Note 2
Location & Distances of BOS Equipment
Electric Room Distance to Array
Switchboard
S it hb d Type/Model/Rating
T /M d l/R ti
MDB Type/Model/Rating
Meter Type/Model/Rating
Substation / Transformer Type/Model/Rating
MDB S
Spare C
Connections
ti Space for Inverters
S f I t
Space for Disconnects Space for Monit. Eqpt.
Site 24-Hour Access Y/N Data/Internet Point Y/N
Cables Routing Note 1 Cables Routing Note 2
Take Ph t
T k Photos Y/N Others
Oth
62
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

63. Site Survey & Analysis 2/2
(
(Grid Tie Systems)
y )
PV Grid Tie Systems Site Survey & Analysis Form
Site Name & Address Date Job No.
Owner Name & Contact No. Eng. ID
Utility Name & A
Utilit N Account N
t No. Tech.
T h ID
Location of Solar Array
Roof / Ground Area
Height AGL Orientation/Azimuth
Slope
Sl E-W
EW N-S
NS Fence / Parapet Y/N
F P t
Surface Type Surface Finish
Wind Exposure Cat Seismic Cat.
Nearby Shading Y/N If Yes, Sketch on Sun Path Print Nearby Shading Sketch
Solmetric Reading
S l t i R di Y/N New N b C
N Nearby Const. Y/N
t
Space for PV Combiners Space for DC Disconn.
Site 24-Hour Access Y/N Cables Routing Note 1
Take Photos Y/N Cables Routing Note 2
Others
Oth
Others
Obtain Site Drawings (As Built)
Electrical Drawings Y/N Others
Structural D
St t l Drawings Y/N
i Others
Oth
63
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

64. Advanced Software & Hardware Tools
1. Software: PVsyst
y
2. Hardware: S
Solmetric S
SunEye™
64
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

65. Tilt Angle Analysis & Optimization
(Grid Tie Systems)
65
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

66. Shading Analysis & Optimization
(Grid Tie Systems)
Nearby Shading Effects
66
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

67. Shading Analysis & Optimization
(Grid Tie Systems)
Mutual Shading Effects
67
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

68. Shading Analysis & Optimization
(Grid Tie Systems)
Mutual-&-Nearby Shading Effects
68
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

69. Summary
(Grid Tie Systems)
Geographic
Location
Survey & Analysis
Tilt A l O ti i ti
Angle Optimization
Layout & Shading Optimization
Unirac Solution Selection & Optimization
69
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2

70. Thank you for attending
UniRac Racking Basics
For questions, please contact us at:
fm28201@eim.ae
+971-50-624-6126
For products brochures, sizing charts, & installation manuals, please visit:
UniRac.com
70
PROPRIETARY & CONFIDENTIAL
CONTROLLED DOCUMENT
REF: SIS-UNIRAC-RACKING-BASICS-REV-2