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  • FS2020
    Junior Member
    • Apr 2014
    • 23

    #1

    Mounting systems with wind deflectors?

    I'm getting ready to install solar pv panels on my roof. My roof is almost flat. I want to attach the mounts to my roof, because my roof is built on 2 ft engineered trusses and is very strong. I am trying to find a mounting system that has wind deflectors. I designed a mounting system using unistrut (schematic below), but I now want to find a company that makes mounts with similar wind deflectors. Companies that sell mounting systems will usually provide wind load certifications that will help with getting code approval.
    Anyone know of companies that make mounting systems with wind deflectors?
    Thanks!
    Frank
    Side_View_Framing_Design.jpg
  • inetdog
    Super Moderator
    • May 2012
    • 9909

    #2
    Originally posted by FS2020
    I'm getting ready to install solar pv panels on my roof. My roof is almost flat. I want to attach the mounts to my roof, because my roof is built on 2 ft engineered trusses and is very strong. I am trying to find a mounting system that has wind deflectors. I designed a mounting system using unistrut (schematic below), but I now want to find a company that makes mounts with similar wind deflectors. Companies that sell mounting systems will usually provide wind load certifications that will help with getting code approval.
    Anyone know of companies that make mounting systems with wind deflectors?
    Thanks!
    Frank
    [ATTACH=CONFIG]3999[/ATTACH]
    From looking at the diagram you attached, the wind deflector is simply a blank panel mounted the same way the solar panels themselves are mounted.
    Any racking system designed for angled mounting on a flat or near flat roof should allow you to install a wind deflector just by buying additional parts.
    The wind loading calculation should be similar to the loading calculation for the panels themselves, so I do not see any problems in designing that part.
    The wind deflector plate itself could simply be properly weatherproofed plywood.
    SunnyBoy 3000 US, 18 BP Solar 175B panels.

    Comment

    • FS2020
      Junior Member
      • Apr 2014
      • 23

      #3
      Looking for company with intergrated wind deflectors with load calc's

      The reason I'm looking for a company that makes mounts with intergrated wind deflectors is that they should be able to give me a certification of the wind load. That will help with local code approval. I live in a suburb that's infamous for making code approval difficult.

      I'm an engineer and I specialize in fluid/air flow. I know my design won't have any problems with wind. The problem is doing the wind load calculations and getting them certified by a PE.

      Comment

      • Naptown
        Solar Fanatic
        • Feb 2011
        • 6880

        #4
        I believe Unirac makes a system similar to what you want.
        The problem is getting it small enough to use. (these are generally large systems.)
        Is this to be a ballasted system?
        The reverse slope (meaning slopes south to north) will require a lot of spacing between rows.
        How are the modules set Portrait or landsacape?
        NABCEP certified Technical Sales Professional

        [URL="http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showthread.php?5334-Solar-Off-Grid-Battery-Design"]http://www.solarpaneltalk.com/showth...Battery-Design[/URL]

        [URL]http://www.calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html[/URL] (Voltage drop Calculator among others)

        [URL="http://www.gaisma.com"]www.gaisma.com[/URL]

        Comment

        • FS2020
          Junior Member
          • Apr 2014
          • 23

          #5
          Originally posted by Naptown
          I believe Unirac makes a system similar to what you want.
          The problem is getting it small enough to use. (these are generally large systems.)
          Is this to be a ballasted system?
          The reverse slope (meaning slopes south to north) will require a lot of spacing between rows.
          How are the modules set Portrait or landsacape?
          This will be attached to the roof, not ballasted. Panels will be landscape to reduce wind load. I've talked with Unirac. Very nice mounts, but they don't offer wind deflectors with roof attached mounts. Thanks, Frank

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