Wind Load On Solar Panels Structural

Rooftop mounted photovoltaic systems shall be designed for wind loads for component and cladding in accordance with chapter 16 using an effective wind area based on the dimensions of a single unit frame.

Wind load on solar panels structural.

Typically 10 to 15 sq. When wind blows across a roof with solar panels it passes through the small space that typically exists between the panels and the roof or between your panels and the ground in the case of ground mounted systems causing a large amount of uplift to the panels. Seaoc pv2 2017 wind design for solar arrays. In most instances where wind causes damage to a solar array failures occur due to weaknesses in the racking system or in the roof that your panels are mounted to.

Today s photovoltaic pv industry must rely on licensed structural engineers various interpretations of building codes and standards to design pv mounting systems that will withstand wind induced loads. Determining wind and snow loads for solar panels 3 ibc 2012 asce 7 10 code references 1509 7 1 wind resistance. The solar america board for codes and standards put together a report to assist solar professionals with calculating wind loading and to design pv arrays to withstand these loads. Wind load calculations for solar pv arrays.

Prior to asce 7 16 structural engineers were left to decide whether to utilize coefficients developed at the roof surface figures from 30 4 or from a free standing open structure figures from 30 8 neither of which accurately reflected the condition of solar panels at a certain height and slope above the roof surface and. 1603 1 4 wind design data. Solar panel point load 3 psf x 5 ft 2 x 4 feet 30 lbs although this point load force may appear very small consider that 30 pounds is a 12 5 percent increase of total dead load 240 lbs on a 16 foot long rafter without solar panels. The result is a multitude of code interpretations from a range of individuals.

To best illustrate some common structural issues related to roof mounted pv panels the following examples are provided. In our experience the most common structural issues related to roof mounted pv panels are related to not having a design professional involved confusion over design responsibility and attachment design for wind loading. Under extreme conditions 50 lbs. In fact the coefficients and requirements for wind loading outlined in asce 7 16 come directly from seaoc s document.

This is a problem because although permitting agencies require assessments of the structural attachment of solar equipment to rooftops the safety and sufficiency of these attachments are not adequately addressed in any codes or standards.