Green Building Forum - Solar Farm becomes an aeroplane. Tue, 19 May 2026 16:47:55 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 Solar Farm becomes an aeroplane. https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18249&Focus=307487#Comment_307487 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18249&Focus=307487#Comment_307487 Tue, 10 Dec 2024 10:06:43 +0000 revor
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]]> Solar Farm becomes an aeroplane. https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18249&Focus=307488#Comment_307488 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18249&Focus=307488#Comment_307488 Tue, 10 Dec 2024 11:01:45 +0000 djh 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:]]> Solar Farm becomes an aeroplane. https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18249&Focus=307489#Comment_307489 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18249&Focus=307489#Comment_307489 Tue, 10 Dec 2024 13:14:13 +0000 sgt_woulds
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]]> Solar Farm becomes an aeroplane. https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18249&Focus=307490#Comment_307490 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18249&Focus=307490#Comment_307490 Tue, 10 Dec 2024 17:31:17 +0000 revor
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.]]> Solar Farm becomes an aeroplane. https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18249&Focus=307551#Comment_307551 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18249&Focus=307551#Comment_307551 Mon, 23 Dec 2024 07:27:41 +0000 tony Solar Farm becomes an aeroplane. https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18249&Focus=307554#Comment_307554 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=18249&Focus=307554#Comment_307554 Mon, 23 Dec 2024 16:49:49 +0000 minisaurus