Sharp NU245 Landscape!!!

[saint]

I was using these to price a job today. I noticed the installation manual states they should not be installed on their side ie landscape.
Is this common with most manufactures? Most of them dont say in their installation manuals if you can or cant install landscape?
i have seen plenty of modules installed landscape so are the manufactures instructions being ignored?

 

[SolarCity]

Most landscape installs use the 'cruciform' method (due to the way that British domestic roofs are generally built). This means that you install your brackets as normal but then install a sub frame over the top of it (at 90 degrees to the main frame, thus installing the panels along the long edges) in which to install your landscape panels. It's more expensive to do it this way and we avoid it if possible.

Having said that, maximising the roof space of your customer can possibly win you the job so it's always worth considering!

 

[saint]

from the installation manual...
"Do not install the PV module horizontally. It may cause dirt or white efflorescence (glass disease) due to water"
What? why? how?

 

[edexlab]

Agree with Biggssolar crossrail is usually the best way although we did a 10kw with sharp 235's recently and did it with out using crossrails as the rafters were spaced, perfectly suiting the clamping positions of the modules ,however this way there was the issue of earthing the array as it was on a TL so had to bond between every vertical rail ,which although did'nt take long was obviously extra work, so in future I think we will just crossrail as standard .
I have heard some suppliers say that you have to crossrail but we did our research and of course its just a reccommended method for landscape/ uneven roofs.

 

[SolarCity]

I think that refers to mounting it at a horizontal pitch rather than a landscape orientation.

 

[saint]

Thanks Biggs i didn't read it like that! Dont think there is any danger of us installing them like that.

 

[claypole]

from the installation manual...
"Do not install the PV module horizontally. It may cause dirt or white efflorescence (glass disease) due to water"
What? why? how?

From the data sheet :

"Use of tempered white glass, EVA plastic, and weather protection

film, as well as a silver anodised aluminium frame with drainage​

holes for long-term use."

I'm guessing if not mounted portrait with holes at the bottom there is a risk of moisture entering and being trapped within th epanel?

 

[edexlab]

I spoke to one of sharps technical team and all he said was as long as there is enough tilt to help with keeping them clean and that they are clamped correctly it is unlikely to cause a problem .
He said they a had numerous returns and the main cause was clamping along the short sides of the modules
although I have seen something which suggested landscape could require more cleaning as there is a larger build up of dirt along the long sides of the frame

 

[dansk]

Why do you crossrail? is not installing the rails verticle the same thing?

 

[Markc]

We have fitted the Sharp NU180 and NU185 in landscape. The rails were vertical rather than horizontal and so panels were clamped to the long side of the panel. On the first installation and with the Sharp fact sheet in hand I had the same sinking feeling!

So ringing the supplier and finally Sharp I was told it was fine to do this. The biggest issue was distances of bracket on rafters and still meeting the panel requirements.

I agree with Biggsolar, cruciform is better but more costly.

 

[Worcester]

Yes it is, however, sometimes the rafters just won't give you the correct spacing to attach within the specified zones on the panels. unless you use something like the Schletter bracket that gives you lots of fitting points to move left / right (and then it's just the wrong place on that profiled tile!)

Also when you've done it you'll find out just how much easier it is to install the rails (which of course can still be placed at the same spacing as if portrait) and then fix vertical rails over the top to suit. It gives you a very 'clean' base to work from.

We're looking for three things, - cost of materials, cost of install (time) and durability, it's a balance. There is no right or wrong answer, personally we choose to cross rail - it's simpler for the installers, which means less mistakes..

And then again the SEN SOL-50 system for example STARTS with a vertical rail, and then adds horizontal ones ....

 

[patthecat]

Hi guys...

it's my first post on this forum so might as well start with a stupid question:

Does mounting in cruciform (rail on rail) mean the modules will be twice as high from the roof. How does the installation look if so?

I can definitely see the benefits though. Have possible installation with column of 6 in landscape...trying to work an alternative but tricky with this particular roof and its oversized skylight.

 

[Ramjam]

The panels will sit one rail thickness higher so 50-60mm generally, must height is produced by the brackets so it is higher but not twice as high.

Rails can be mounted vertically as an alternative depending upon the system, certainly K2 rails can be mounted vertically enabling horizontal mounting without cross-railing.