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Climate-Specific Design – Risk vs. Value Engineering
As your Owner’s Engineer, Pure Power ensures that the solar systems you build and own are prepared for the diverse challenges Mother Nature can throw at them. While the sun provides an endless source of clean energy, extreme weather conditions can pose significant risks to your assets. Our role is to balance the need for durability with cost-effectiveness, ensuring your systems are designed to last through their 25+ year lifespan without unnecessary expenses.
Designing a system isn't just about average conditions—it's about preparing for the worst-case scenarios. Vendors or installers often face pressure to cut costs, which can lead to overly aggressive designs that shift hidden risks onto the owners. As your OE, we take a holistic approach, reviewing every aspect of the project—equipment, design, installation, climate, and location—to guarantee that value engineering doesn’t compromise safety or performance.
Ensuring the longevity and efficiency of your photovoltaic (PV) systems means paying close attention to environmental factors that could stress the components. For instance, snow and frost present unique challenges in colder climates.
**Snow and Frost Considerations:**
Ground-mounted systems in snowy areas must be elevated to allow for snow shedding. Typically, these structures need at least three feet of clearance compared to the standard 18 to 20 inches. Fixed-tilt systems are particularly vulnerable to heavy snow loads, whereas single-axis trackers, which adjust position throughout the day, are less prone to these issues. Conducting a geotechnical study is essential to understand the soil conditions and account for additional forces caused by snow. Frost effects, such as foundation heaving, also need careful consideration.
When it comes to performance, ignoring snow coverage impacts isn’t an option, even for tracker-mounted systems. While proprietary models exist, we prefer the Marion snow loss model, which is backed by extensive research and validation from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL).
**Coastal High Wind Considerations:**
Areas exposed to hurricanes and flooding demand special attention. High winds often dictate structural design choices, especially in tracker applications. The ability to stow panels safely during storms is vital, as some trackers rely on electricity to achieve this. We prioritize systems that can withstand hurricanes without needing redundant backup systems. Additionally, elevating mounting structures and electrical equipment helps mitigate flood risks.
**Seismic Considerations:**
In seismic zones, the structural integrity of PV systems becomes paramount, particularly in low-slope roof and ballasted installations. Anchoring systems and reinforcing materials are key considerations here. Roof-mounted projects often require additional ballast or structural reinforcements to counteract seismic forces, while ground-mounted systems with driven piles are typically better equipped to handle such conditions.
**High Heat and UV Considerations:**
Unlike structural concerns, high temperatures and UV exposure affect system longevity and performance over time. UV degradation can accelerate wear on wires, labels, and plastic enclosures, making strategic product selection critical. Thermal derating is another factor, with inverters needing proper placement to avoid overheating. Central inverters generally perform better in hot climates compared to string inverters, which benefit from shaded installation options.
**Tornado Design Considerations:**
In tornado-prone regions, structural resilience is non-negotiable. Reinforced anchoring solutions and durable materials are necessary to withstand flying debris and extreme winds. Aerodynamic designs that reduce wind resistance further protect systems, ensuring they remain intact and operational post-storm.
By addressing these climate-specific challenges proactively, we help safeguard your investments while optimizing performance. Our goal is to strike the perfect balance between cost-efficiency and reliability, ensuring your systems thrive through all conditions.