Name that mounting Clamp

[Iain123]

Hello Group

Trying to find out which manufactuers clamps were used on my install in 2014, as one Mid Clamp is broken (found with cam-out on the star torx stainless screw and the aluminuim sheared) so i can replace. The installer is nolonger trading.

The installer told me they used Renousol Varisole however the genuine Rensousol Clamp i obtained is about 4mm too wide, the gap between the panels would need to be 23.8mm to fit. I estimate the broken Clamp has gap of 19.7mm between panels. I have attached some photos of the Clamp.

Out of interest another issue is the so called Dawwi/QANW, RECC recommend "Workmanship" warranty insurance covering this sort of issue.

Thank you
Iain

 

[westward10]

What is it clamping.

 

[westward10]

Solar panel?

 

[whinmoor]

It would be easier to identify the brand of mounting kit from the rail. Can you provide a photo of the profile of the rail (i.e. the end of the rail)?

It might be an earlier generation Renusol clamp. I may have a spare or two lying around somewhere. Renusol changed their clamp design about 3 years ago.

 

[Iain123]

What is it clamping.

Hi Westward10
Clamping Solar PV panels, they being Pansaonic HIT 240 panels in the landscape orientation.

 

[Iain123]

It would be easier to identify the brand of mounting kit from the rail. Can you provide a photo of the profile of the rail (i.e. the end of the rail)?

It might be an earlier generation Renusol clamp. I may have a spare or two lying around somewhere. Renusol changed their clamp design about 3 years ago.

Hi whinmoor

I have attached the best photo i can get of the end rail today. Should be able to get better photo next week if necessary.

Also forgot to say the roof is pitched concrete tiles.

 

[whinmoor]

Yeah - that looks like Renusol to me. PM me your address and I'll send you a clamp ... it might be black rather than silver.

 

[whinmoor]

By the way, did you know that Panasonic didn't allow their panels to be clamped on the short side in landscape orientation? It invalidates their warranty.

 

[Iain123]

Hi Whinmoor
Thank you for the information that my panasonic/sanyo panels should not be mounted in the landsacape orientation and it will invalidate the warranty.

I will make inquiries including

As the installer is no longer trading i will contact QANW (the RECC recomended workmanship warranty insurer) and see what they have to say as i have a ten year Dawwi policy.

 

[Iain123]

Should have said .......clamped on the Short side in the landscape orientation, because this will invalidate the warranty.

 

[whinmoor]

Hi Iain,

Here is the Panasonic installation manual for the panel you've probably got:

ftp://ftp.panasonic.com/solar/om/240w-om.pdf

The final page shows the permitted clamping zones - i.e. the sides, not the ends.

I wouldn't lose too much sleep over it. There are probably hundreds of similar installations across the country.

Your clamps are on the way...

 

[Iain123]

Hi Whinmoor
Thank you for your help and sending me a replacement clamp. If i can help with anything please let me known.

With regards to the panels being mounted inccorectly i am not loosing any sleep.
All these issues have only came to light as i had a small intermitant leak through my roof due to the solar panel install. The QANW policy is named a workmanship warranty insurance, but the insurance did not cover this roof leak issue. Even though the insurers report said the leak was due to bad workmanship of the solar installer. Looking at the insurance small print, this "Workmanship" insurance only covers workmanship in regards to the insured works, aka the solar panel system and nothing else, not damage to the rest of the property. So it will be interesting to see how they react to the panels not being installed correctly.

 

[jouleflow]

Does anyone know a definitive clamp spacing for the mounting clamps? The landscape mounting information I find everywhere is 1/2 the width of the panel apart. So should a 1650 panel should have clamps 825 apart. My 1650 panels have the clamps right near the ends at 1333 apart. It looks like the brittle glass will not have sufficient support between the clamps.

 

[whinmoor]

Each manufacturer will have their own installation guide which stipulates the permitted clamping zones. For a typical 1650 panel, we aim for 300 - 400 from each end leaving around 900 - 1000 in the middle.

It usually depends on the courses of tiles. On a typical domestic installation we normally leave three courses between roof hooks. Slate and Rosemary tiles may offer more flexibility for clamping than concrete tiles.

The installer may have left four courses in your case which would be around 1333.

 

[jouleflow]

Each manufacturer will have their own installation guide which stipulates the permitted clamping zones. For a typical 1650 panel, we aim for 300 - 400 from each end leaving around 900 - 1000 in the middle.

It usually depends on the courses of tiles. On a typical domestic installation we normally leave three courses between roof hooks. Slate and Rosemary tiles may offer more flexibility for clamping than concrete tiles.

The installer may have left four courses in your case which would be around 1333.

Do you think that this large gap is safe? It does leave the centre unsupported & vulnerable to greatly increased flexing in the wind & with snow loading. I'm not sure how I stand with insurance liability if they crack and fall off.
The installation examples I have from 7 different companies all stipulate the 1/2 width of panel for the clamps. The universal beam support formulae all equate to around 56% so 1/2 seems the ideal distance. I have attached details of all the 3 main formulae used to support ( clamp ) on two points for minimum deflection.