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Green Building Bible, Fourth Edition
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General: Solar Farm becomes an aeroplane.

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    • CommentAuthorrevor
    • CommentTimeDec 10th 2024
     
    Here is what happened to a solar farm on the most northernmost tip of Anglesey.

    Interesting the pattern of destruction will give the experts some food for thought.

    Perimeter practically untouched guess the wind had free channels to escape and uplift suction has pulled the panels off their mounts. Being so close together they have effectively formed an aircraft wing of some size.

    Probably best it happened the way it did rather than the whole frame being lifted into the air, then it may really have flown.

    The panels do not look broken.

    https://www.msn.com/en-gb/news/uknews/storm-darragh-leaves-uk-s-biggest-solar-farm-in-pieces/ar-AA1vyCVI?ocid=msedgdhp&pc=EDGEESS&cvid=7efad1c6d5cd456b9d1fad28fad4ea77&ei=18#fullscreen
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      CommentAuthordjh
    • CommentTimeDec 10th 2024
     
    Posted By: revorThe panels do not look broken.
    I doubt it's possible to tell what damage they may have from those photos. I suppose they'll all need to be taken away and given a full test before reinstallation. Maybe by the manufacturer?

    Looks to be plenty of work for lawyers acting for the installers and the insurers as well as EDF :devil:
    • CommentAuthorsgt_woulds
    • CommentTimeDec 10th 2024
     
    That's bloody scary!

    I was nearly hit by a PV panel dropped from a scaffold. Edge-on it was invisible until it hit the ground next to me. I knew it was coming - just had to stand still - and hope. Hundreds of panels flying around is an H&S nightmare!

    We only had two occasions where panels came off jobs we installed; one the first one a plumber had been on the roof to fit roof vents under and shifted our panels up the roof. Luckily we could prove liability as we always took before and after photos and you could clearly see that some of the panels had been pushed up to miss the vents. This meant the panels were far too close to the ridge line and the clamps ended up outside the designated zones.

    The second event was on a warehouse standing seam roof where the roofers had only used half the specified clamps to hold the roof sheets on. As our panels were clamped to the standing seams, the whole lot flew away as one. It looked like someone had opened a tin of beans.

    Panels are much larger than they were 20 mumble, mumble, odd years ago when I started fitting them and the glass thickness, backing sheets, and frames have been pared to a minimum. I won't be surprised to see a lot more events like these as I'm fairly convinced that the panels are not as robust as they used to be
    • CommentAuthorrevor
    • CommentTimeDec 10th 2024
     
    I physically came across another example today. I often visit a café at a science park and they ground mounted solar panels. About a year ago they had the original install extended by a local installer. The extension had been badly damaged but the original arrays were untouched. The extension had lost about half of its approx 40 panels. The panels were ripped off their frames. The aluminium frames were fixed to timber weighted down with concrete flags I thought it would have been them lifted so was surprised the frame was intact, so I wonder if the clamps were substantial enough or not been torqued down. When I built my array Renusol specified the structure for me based on my location down to the torque settings for the clamps holding the panels to the frame.

    I wonder if solar arrays have been wind tested and structure design parameters specified.

    Posted By: sgt_wouldsPanels are much larger than they were 20 mumble, mumble, odd years ago when I started fitting them and the glass thickness, backing sheets, and frames have been pared to a minimum. I won't be surprised to see a lot more events like these as I'm fairly convinced that the panels are not as robust as they used to be


    This comment makes me think perhaps the panels are not rigid enough and flex themselves out of the clamps. The other criteria is how far the panel extends over the rails and is hanging in free air. The leverage in 80/90 MPH winds would be substantial.

    Posted By: djhI doubt it's possible to tell what damage they may have from those photos. I suppose they'll all need to be taken away and given a full test before reinstallation. Maybe by the manufacturer?


    They will probably end up in the recycling park of some description tested and put on the used market for enthusiasts.
    • CommentAuthortony
    • CommentTimeDec 23rd 2024
     
    For me something wrong with the design / specification or installation. Not many like this one and we have had storms and gusts in lots of places since solar farms were installed. One panel seemed to have cracked rather than shattered?
    • CommentAuthorminisaurus
    • CommentTimeDec 23rd 2024
     
    I read the article, and thought this photo looks very suspect - the turbine in the backgound must be how big?
      darragh.jpeg

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