SOLAR PV

MOUNTING STRUCTURES
Technical Application Papers - Vol. 6
ABSTRACT
There are a lot of key factors that should be taken into
consideration before designing the Solar PV Mounting
Structure. This version of Nizam Energys Technical
Application Papers explain the design criteria of our
Mounting Structures.
Asad Idrees
Assistant Project Coordinator
Nizam Energy





Table of Contents

Mounting Types
Influence Factors of Mounting System Design
Design Features of Nizam Energys Mounting Structure
Mounting Structure for BTS Sites




Classification of PV Mounting Structures
Fixed Installation Site Foundation Materials
Fixed Mounting
Solution
Ground Mounting Concrete Steel
Adjustable Solution Roof-top Mounting Spiral Piles Aluminum Alloy
Tracking Solution BIPV C Type Steel Fiberglass Reinforced Plastic
Carport Ballast Plastic
Composite Material


Influence Factors on PV Mounting Design
A. Environment (Wind, Snow, Soil/Rock Conditions, Frozen Soil
All environmental factors have to be considered in the design process for mounting
structures (above ground) and foundations. All environmental factors have a significant
impact on construction time and costs!

Structures (above ground)
Foundations (below
ground)
Strategies
Wind
Higher wind speeds
bigger profiles (20% more
wind speed leads to 50%
more load!!)
Higher loads on foundations
more or bigger
foundations
Strengthen the material and adopt
the front wall structure to reduce the
total cost.
Snow
Higher snow loads bigger
profiles
Higher loads on foundations
more or bigger
foundations
Strengthen the material , decrease
the post height and reduce the
component stress
Flood
Increase the height of
mounting structure
Flood Risk Increase the
height between module &
ground
Considering the impact loads of
flood and increase the height of
mounting structure
Frozen
soil
Need to be more stable Deeper foundation Foundation treatment






B. Influence of System Design (Module Layout, Type, Tilt Angle)
The layout, type and tilt angle of
module are the key factors to
affect the design of mounting
structure and foundation.





Description
Structures (above
ground)
Foundations (below
ground)
Strategies
Layout
No more than 4
modules in
vertical , the
span is less than
7m
Bigger Span bigger
profile cross section
Bigger Span bigger
foundations
select and optimize the
profile properly according to
the different layout of
modules
Type
Frameless
Module
Special Clamps
Different Module
different foundation
settlement
change the cross section of
profile, increase the
parameters of cross section
and reduce the deflection on
modules
Module with
Frame
Common Clamps
Special Module
Depending on the
situation
Tilt
Angle
0-60
bigger angle bigger
windward side and
cross section
Bigger angle bigger
foundations
considering the frond wind
effect and design separately


















C. Atmosphere Corrosion Conditions
According to the environment classification, the loss rate of hot-galvanization layer in
different atmosphere conditions is as follows; (In accordance with the ISO14713
environment classification, the corrosion risk and loss rate of hot-galvanization layer)

Code Corrosivity category
Corrosion
risk
Corrosion rateAverage
thickness loss for zinc,
mm/year
C1 Interior: dry Very low 0.1
C2
Interior: occasional condensation
Low 0.1-0.7
Exterior: exposed rural inland
C3
Interior: high humidity, some air pollution
Medium 0.7-2
Exterior: urban inland or mild coastal
C4
Interior: swimming pools, chemical plants etc
High 2-4
Exterior: industrial inland or urban coastal
C5
Exterior: industrial with high humidity or high
salinity coastal
Very high 4-8
Im2 Sea water in temperate regions Very high 10-20







Design Features of our Mounting Structures
A. The Load Partition Design
Through aerodynamic software analysis, determine the load partition and the overall influence on solar farm
caused by wind flow, which can help save the cost of solar farm.

B. Easy Installation

Through structure check installation test, we reduce the number of fittings required on site by delivering a pre-
assembled mounting structure in the form of different packages.
These Packages are classified to facilitate the material distribution on site.











C. Adjustability of the Mounting

The sliding columns and support of the mounting
Structure enable angle adjustments for the PV Modules
which are vital in maximizing the yields throughout the
year.















Mounting Structure Design for BTS Sites