Solar Panel Rattle When Strong Wind

[gazcallyt]

Noticed this the other week when the wind was getting upto 40mph, it's like something is rattling when the wind is really strong then this is vibrating through the roof, my immediate thought was that one of the brackets clamping the panel could be loose, but after contacting the installer they came out and reassured me the brackets holding the panels are fine, it is more than likely the actual glass panel is rattling within its own frame, does that sound right or am I been fobbed off ?

Cheers

Gary

 

[SolarCity]

I definitely wouldn't say it sounds right. It's certainly not something that I've heard of before. It is possible that the glass could be moving within the frame but I doubt that the wind could cause this. Do you know what mounting system and what panels have been installed?

 

[gr7]

What sort of panels do you have?

 

[SolarCity]

I've never known glass move in a Sanyo panel. If it did, I'd send it back to the distributor. I very much doubt that this is the issue.

 

[gazcallyt]

The panels are 240w Sanyo HIT's, I think they are mounted on a schuco frame, 10 panels two rows of five mounted portrait.

Gaz

 

[Worcester]

With some roofs especially with no felt you get tile chatter, it may be that the installation of the panels is affecting the wind flow and causing more of it.

Tile chatter is caused by the tiles being sucked up and dropped (Tiles get sucked off, not blown off roofs).

On on installation by another installer that I was asked to inspect, I found that the brackets hadn't been secured properly (tightly) to the rafters, so the panels could easily have lifted up and down +5 mm.

Sounds more likely to be tiles, I would suggest though that it needs proper inspection - NOT from a ladder.

 

[gazcallyt]

Cheers for that, I did notice some of the tiles stick slightly up when it was installed where the brackets are fitted onto the rafters, as you say tiles get sucked up, will have to get up there and check the brackets are secured to the rafters prooperly.

Cheers

Gary

 

[gazcallyt]

Guys,

I have the installers coming out in a weeks time to investigate, I have narrowed it down to the first two panels on the left handside of the attached pic, either the panels are rattle against the frame or the frame is moving against the roof joists (think thats what they are called), if you look at the pics the first two panels in line are not supported that great, the first support bracket is more than half way across from where the panel starts, obviously this creates a little flex especially in strong winds, also the panels don't sit perfectly in line like the others, one seems to be sitting slightly proud.
Another thought was the cabling, nothing to do with noise, but I would of thought these would of been cable tied up off the panels, i can see 25 years of rubbing up and down wearing these though over time.
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/gazcallyt/panels/solar.jpg
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/gazcallyt/panels/solar3.jpg

Expert thoughts/opinions please.

Cheers

Gaz.

 

[and]

Would love an opinon on the cables too, as I have similar ... I thought they should have been completely tied to the rails with nothing of the cable toching the tiles?

 

[JulianC]

Yes, the cables should be tied securely to the rails and not resting on the tiles.

 

[moggy1968]

I had a similar problem on an installation we had done. I had assumed it was a cable that had slipped it's tie or not been tied up (oops) we were using very thin brackets for pantiles and it turned out it was a bracket which had been bent by the roofers. It was sitting about 2-3mm off the roof so in a strong wind it would rattle on the roof. I cured the problem by packing underneith it with lead flashing. Lucky for me I could reach it from the velux!
As well as the cables being tied up if you have pantile type roofing the nibs should be removed from the back on the side that rests on the tile so the tile sits down properly.

 

[moggy1968]

This was first posted a while ago now, do we have an update on what the problem was?

 

[gazcallyt]

Cheers for the replies guys, am I right in thinking that the start of the rail should really be supported by brackets at the start of the panels and not over half way ??
Moggy1968 the original post was a while ago but I only updated it yesterday, the installers are coming out to look at it in the second week of Jan, will update when they have been, just trying to get opinions from the guys that do this everyday for a living so I have got some ammo to fire at them when they come.

Gaz

 

[moggy1968]

thats definately too much overhang. I aim for no more than 300mm, although it is a bit dependent on the joist spacing.

keep us posted

cheers

 

[gazcallyt]

Right the installers have been back and put in three extra brackets to support the first two unsupported panels, and tied up some of the cables I did the rest when they went, I thought that would of been it, but yesterday when the winds started same rattle, sounds like the panels rattling against the aluminium frame, each panel has four locking clamps attached to the frame so I cannot understand it, it is starting to get on me nerves now, I will have to get them back again.

Gaz