Strong Solar Saves

The 2017 hurricane season produced investigators at the Rocky Mountain Institute a comprehensive dataset of storm-related solar power plant outcomes, from which they have presented a list failure and specification for high wind speed survival.

Rocky Mountain Institute

When a hurricane hits, it's much more like a never-ending herd of elephants than the freight train feeling that tornados are said to resemble. South Florida has implemented wind speed requirements for construction of anything from houses to solar installations more than 155 mph, up to 185 mph. That speed is fitting as the multiple storms that hit the state and region in 2017 did have sustained wind speeds over 180 miles per hour.

And it is this 2017 hurricane season that was the examination body for the Rocky Mountain Institute‘s (RMI) Solar under storm: Select stablest practices for flexible ground-mount PV systems with hurricane exposure (PDF download).

The big takeaway is that a solar installation, with just a few polishes in design, procurement and installation, either will or will not survive the same storm.

Notable Solar

RMI noted that there were some connections between failed systems – including module fastener failures, undersized racks, undersized and under-torqued bolts, a lack of bolt locking solutions, and a lack of lateral racking support. The technicians also observed that surviving systems had the modules through-bolted (no clamps), and highlighted bolts with locking solutions and lateral racking supports.

A critical point that should be noted is that none of these requirements for higher wind speed survivorship are expensive. But while they will humbly drive the cost of labor, and some racking needs will add metal costs, these costs are pennies on the dollar in a region that is dependent on costly electricity.

RMI Costs

1 MW ground mount project on suitable soil and flat terrain in the Eastern Caribbean would catch an increase of approximately 5 percent in engineering, procurement, and production (EPC) costs when these best practices are completed versus the standard category IV rated installation.

RMI later determines the cost of this to be about $90,000 for the project, and equal in price to the variation of solar module pricing between 2017 and 2018.

Much of the report breaks down racking failures but also gives some attention to solar panels as well as the balance of system and its ability to handle heavy, sustained water from many directions. RMI also supports minimum hardware specifications – and, just as importantly, refinements of installations procedures to counter extreme weather.

In extension to the hardware specifications and installation techniques, consideration is also given to engineering requirements that would drive these installation techniques and the hardware acquisitions. Very explicitly noted is designing the project by ASCE 7 requirements.

The end reasoning pushed by RMI is that it’s clear that there is a path toward hurricane resiliency with solar power construction. And the features matter, from the start of the project design through the implementation of activities down to torquing your bolts.

Just make sure, and promise us here at HahaSmart you will have a look at what we can offer you on the cost of solar panels and cost of solar installations. We will strive to find you the best prices available. Follow the solar experts. Try our price checker tool. It tells you how much solar power you need and how much you can save on your energy bills each month.