Calculating Wind Loads On Solar Panels

October 14 2016 2016 solar energy industries association 2.

Calculating wind loads on solar panels.

The weight per 100sq ft kg range is 85 110. The approach is applicable to pv modules mounted on rooftops that are no more than 60 feet high when the pv array is oriented parallel to the roof surface and when the mounting structure is sufficiently rigid. Solar panels hold up well in high winds. Wind loading on solar panels depends on three basic factors.

Use add appliance to add an empty row and the x button on the right to each row to delete that row. For example the weight per square footing for asphalt shingle weight per 100sq ft lbs range is 190 250. These calculations offer a reasonable place to start though they don t necessarily produce conservative results. Online wind load calculator for solar pv system.

Fill out each field for each appliance if you are unsure about the wattage of your appliance click on add appliance from load chart button to add that appliance from the list that we prepared for you with estimated wattage. Today s photovoltaic pv industry must rely on licensed structural engineers various interpretations of building codes and standards to design pv mounting. Acceptance criteria for modular framing systems used to support photovoltaic pv panels ac 428 is required to obtain an icc es. Determine design wind speed and calculate design wind pressures using asce 7 10 icc evaluation services acceptance criteria ac 428.

The limiting factor for solar panel wind resistance is almost never the panels themselves. Structural engineers responsible for calculating design wind loads for large scale solar installations have long turned to the monoslope free roof calculations in asce 7 10 and its predecessors for coefficients that estimate the uplift forces and overturning moments on racks of solar modules. Despite the lower wind load zone the wind load can be in individual cases by topographic conditions or other location effects very significant. On the web you can find wind load calculator to determine the wind load.

This paper will show how to calculate for wind and snow loads using both design principles. Wind speed the height of the panel above the roof and the relative location of the panel on the roof. By step procedure for calculating wind loads on pv arrays. Generally solar panels are highly resistant to damage from windy conditions.

With the introduction of the asce 7 10 there are two potential design principles used for calculating wind and snow loads for pv systems in the u s. In fact most in the energysage panel database are rated to withstand significant pressure specifically from wind and hail. Until all state building codes have transitioned to asce 7 10. 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.