S. K. Ghosh Associates Inc.

Wind Loads on PV Arrays

Jason Ericksen, S.E.
S. K. Ghosh Associates Inc.
www.skghoshassociates.com

Ronald LaPlante, S.E.

Division of the State Architect – State of
California

Solar Photovoltaic Systems

Committee
-1-

Why are we here?

Photovoltaic arrays are becoming more popular

Codes and Standards do not address these directly

-2-

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Freestanding

Carports

Arrays

-3-

Residential

Flush-mounted on
sloped roofs

Not covered in this discussion

Sloped relative
to pitched roof
-4-

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Commercial

Flat Roofs – not flush

mounted

-5-

ROADMAP

Building Codes and Standards

Freestanding Systems
Flush-Mounted Systems on Sloped Roofs
Low-Profile Systems on Flat Roofs

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems

Committee report SEAOC PV2-2012

“Wind Design for Low-Profile Solar

Photovoltaic Arrays on Flat Roofs”
Ron LaPlante

-6-

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ROADMAP

Building Codes and Standards

• IBC
• ASCE 7
Freestanding Systems
Flush-Mounted Systems on Sloped Roofs
Low-Profile Systems on Flat Roofs

-7-

Building Codes and Standards

2009 IBC
• No provisions for ground or roof mounted
PV arrays

2012 IBC
• No Provisions for ground mounted PV
arrays
• New section for roof mounted PV arrays

-8-

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2012 IBC Chapter 15 – Roof

Assemblies and Rooftop Structures
1509.7 Photovoltaic systems. Rooftop mounted
photovoltaic systems shall be designed in
accordance with this section.
1509.7.1. Wind Resistance. Rooftop mounted
photovoltaic systems shall be designed for wind
loads for components and cladding in accordance
with Chapter 16 using an effective wind area based
on the dimensions of a single unit frame.

-9-

Building Codes and Standards

ASCE 7-05 and ASCE 7-10

• No provisions specifically for ground or
roof mounted PV arrays
• Provisions may be adapted to apply

- 10 -

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ASCE 7-05 and ASCE 7-10

Freestanding Systems
Open building? MWFRS

C&C

- 11 -

ASCE 7-05 and ASCE 7-10

Freestanding Systems
Solid freestanding sign?

- 12 -

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ASCE 7-05 and ASCE 7-10

Flush-Mounted Systems
Standard building roof pressures?
MWFRS

C&C

- 13 -

ASCE 7-05 and ASCE 7-10

Flush-Mounted Systems
Solid attached sign?

≤ 3 ft

This is a
SOLID SIGN

Elevation Cross-Section

- 14 -

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ASCE 7-05 and ASCE 7-10

Sloped Systems on Flat Roofs
Rooftop equipment?

- 15 -

ROADMAP

Building Codes and Standards

Freestanding Systems
Flush-Mounted Systems on Sloped Roofs
Low-Profile Systems on Flat Roofs

- 16 -

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Freestanding Systems

- 17 -

Freestanding Systems
ICC AC428
ICC Evaluation Service:
Acceptance Criteria for
modular framing systems
used to support
photovoltaic (PV) modules
(ICC AC428)
Just released -
November 2012

www.icc-es.org/criteria/pdf_files/AC428.pdf

- 18 -

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Freestanding Systems
ICC AC428 – Wind Loads
3.1.3.1.2 Freestanding System
• MWFRS elements provide support and stability for
the overall structure
lateral bracing, columns and primary beams

• C&C elements are those that do not qualify as

MWFRS elements
beams supporting PV modules and connections between the PV
modules and the beams

- 19 -

Freestanding Systems
ICC AC428 – Wind Loads
3.1.3.1.2 Freestanding System
• MWFRS elements: Open buildings with monoslope
roofs
Section 6.5.13 using Figures 6-18A and 6-18D of ASCE 7-05 for
2009 and 2006 IBC
Section 27.4.3 using Figures 27.4-4 and 27.4-7 of ASCE 7-10 for
2012 IBC

- 20 -

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Freestanding Systems
ICC AC428 – Wind Loads
3.1.3.1.2 Freestanding System
• C&C elements: Open buildings with monoslope roofs
Section 6.5.13 using Figure 6-19A of ASCE 7-05 for 2009 and
2006 IBC
Section 27.4.3 using Figure 30.8-1 of ASCE 7-10 for 2012 IBC

- 21 -

Freestanding Systems
ICC AC428 – Wind Loads

Components and
Cladding

Main Wind-Force
Resisting System

- 22 -

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Freestanding Systems
ICC AC428 – Wind Loads

Components and
Cladding

Main Wind-Force
Resisting System

- 23 -

Freestanding Systems
ICC AC428 – Considerations
ASCE 7 provisions for Monoslope Free Roofs
• Figures limited to θ ≤ 45°
Roof Wind Direction, γ = 0° Wind Direction, γ = 180°
Angle Load Case Open Wind Flow Obstructed Wind Flow Open Wind Flow Obstructed Wind Flow
θ
CNW CNL CNW CNL CNW CNL CNW CNL
A 1.2 0.3 -0.5 -1.2 1.2 0.3 -0.5 -1.2
0°
B -1.1 -0.1 -1.1 -0.6 -1.1 -1.0 -1.1 -0.6
A -0.6 -1 -1 -1.5 0.9 1.5 -0.2 -1.2
7.5°
B -1.4 0 -1.7 -0.8 1.6 0.3 0.8 -0.3
A -0.9 -1.2 -1.1 -1.5 1.3 1.6 0.4 -1.1
15°
B -1.9 0 -2.1 -0.6 1.8 0.6 1.2 -0.3
A -1.5 -1.6 -1.5 -1.7 1.7 1.8 0.5 -1
22.5°
B -2.4 -0.3 -2.3 -0.9 2.2 0.7 1.3 0
A -1.8 -1.8 -1.5 -1.8 2.1 2.1 0.6 -1
30°
B -2.5 -0.5 -2.3 -1.1 2.6 1 1.6 0.1
A -1.8 -1.8 -1.5 -1.8 2.1 2.2 0.7 -0.9
37.5°
B -2.4 -0.6 -2.2 -1.1 2.7 1.1 1.9 0.3
A -1.6 -1.8 -1.3 -1.8 2.2 2.5 0.8 -0.9
45°
B -2.3 -0.7 -1.9 -1.2 2.6 1.4 2.1 0.4

Shielding has not been considered

Size effects have not been considered
- 24 -

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ROADMAP

Building Codes and Standards

Freestanding Systems
Flush-Mounted Systems on Sloped Roofs
• Modular Framing system
• Roof members
Low-Profile Systems on Flat Roofs

- 25 -

Flush-Mounted Systems

- 26 -

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2012 IBC Chapter 15 – Roof

Assemblies and Rooftop Structures
1509.7.1. Wind Resistance
(rooftop mounted photovoltaic
systems)
• All elements as components
and cladding
• Effective wind area of single
unit

- 27 -

Flush-Mounted Systems
ICC AC428
ICC Evaluation Service:
Acceptance Criteria for
modular framing systems
used to support
photovoltaic (PV) modules
(ICC AC428)
Just released -
November 2012

www.icc-es.org/criteria/pdf_files/AC428.pdf

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Flush-Mounted Systems
ICC AC428 – Wind Loads
3.1.3.1.1 Flush-Mounted System
• All elements designed for C&C loads
Chapter 6 of ASCE 7-05 using Method 2 (Analytical Procedure for
Low-Rise Buildings) for the 2006 and 2009 IBC
Chapter 26 and 30 of ASCE 7-10 using the Envelope Method
prescribed in Chapter 30, Part I for the 2012 IBC

- 29 -

Flush-Mounted Systems
ICC AC428 - Wind Loads
3.1.3.1.1 Flush-Mounted System
• Internal pressure coefficient = 0

p = qh[(GCp) – (GCpi)]
p = qh(GCp)

• p ≥ 10 psf for the 2006 and 2009 IBC

• p ≥ 16 psf for the 2012 IBC

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Flush-Mounted Systems
ICC AC428 - Conditions
3.1.3.1.1 Flush-Mounted System
• The distance between the roof or wall surface and the
PV module must be between 2 and 10 inches

2 in. ≤ dpv ≤ 10 in.

• PV modules shall not be installed within 10 inches of

roof edge or ridge
- 31 -

Flush-Mounted Systems
ICC AC428 - Conditions
3.1.3.1.1 Flush-Mounted System
• A minimum gap of 0.75 0.25 inch must exist between
PV modules and adjacent rows of modules

≥ 0.25 in.

• Building height limited to 60 ft

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Modular Framing Systems

ICC AC428
Additional load requirements
• Snow
• Seismic
• Dead
• Roof Live
Serviceability
• loads and limits

- 33 -

Flush-Mounted Systems
Solar ABCS Report
Solar America Board for Codes and Standards
report: “Wind Load Calculations for PV Arrays”

Stephen Barkaszi, P.E.

Florida Solar Energy
Center

Colleen O’Brien, P.E.

BEW Engineering

June 2010

www.solarabcs.org/about/publications/reports/wind-load/index.html
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Flush-Mounted Systems
Solar ABCS Report
Components and Cladding
• PV modules and
attachment to the
mounting structure

Main Wind-Force Resisting System

• PV mounting structure and
attachment to the roof

- 35 -

Flush-Mounted Systems
Solar ABCS Report

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Flush-Mounted Systems
Solar ABCS Report

Main Wind-Force
Resisting System

Components and
Cladding

- 37 -

Flush-Mounted Systems
Resource Comparison
2012 IBC 1509.7 ICC AC428 Solar ABCS
Internal Pressure
NA GCpi = 0 ±0.10 ≤ GCpi ≤ ±0.30
coefficient
Stand off
NA 2 in. ≤ dpv ≤ 10 in. dpv ≤ 6 in.
distance
Distance to roof
NA dedge ≥ 10 in. NA
edge or ridge
Gap between
NA gap ≥ 0.75 in. NA
modules
Building Height NA ≤ 60 ft ≤ 60 ft
PV modules and
All members and All members and
C&C attachment to the
attachments attachments
mounting structure
PV mounting structure
MWFRS None None and attachment to the
roof
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Flush-Mounted Systems
Supporting Roof Members

- 39 -

Flush-Mounted Systems
Supporting Roof Members

- 40 -

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Flush-Mounted Systems
Supporting Roof Members

- 41 -

Flush-Mounted Systems
Supporting Roof Members

- 42 -

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Flush-Mounted Systems
Supporting Roof Members

- 43 -

Flush-Mounted Systems
Supporting Roof Members

- 44 -

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Flush-Mounted Systems
Supporting Roof Members
With
PV Modules

Without
PV Modules

- 45 -

Additional Resource

“Wind Load Analysis for commercial roof-mounted

arrays”

Colleen O’Brien, P.E.

BEW Engineering

David Banks, Ph.D.

CPP Wind Engineering

June/July 2012

http://solarprofessional.com/article/?file=SP5_4_pg6_TOC
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Additional Resource
SolarPro Article
Low-profile PV arrays on flat roofs
• DNV Wind Load Calculator
Freestanding systems
• ASCE 7-05: Open buildings with monosloped roofs
• Results will be conservative for interior rows, but
conducting wind tunnel tests in compliance with
ASCE 7-05 guidelines can reduce this conservatism

- 47 -

BREAK!

If you have any questions, please type them in

If you are encountering technical difficulties, please call (847) 991-2700

- 48 -

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 S. K. Ghosh Associates Inc.

Question and Answer Session

If you have any questions,

please type them in

If you are encountering technical difficulties, please call (847) 991-2700

- 49 -

Solar Photovoltaic Systems

Committee

New SEAOC Document for Wind Design

of Rooftop Solar Arrays

December 6, 2012
Ronald LaPlante, S.E.
Division of State Architect – State of California

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Outline

PV Committee and Scope

Overview of SEAOC Solar PV Wind Design
Report
Prescriptive Solar PV Wind Design Values
Effective Wind Area
Wind Tunnel Procedure
Example Solar PV Problem
Solar PV Code Development

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 51

New SEAOC PV Committee Reports

Available at: http://www.seaoc.org/bookstore

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 52

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PV COMMITTEE AND SCOPE

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 53

Formation of Committee

Formed in September 2011 as subcommittee

of SEAOC Wind Committee
Composed of:
Structural Engineers
Code Enforcement Agencies
Wind Tunnel Experts
Solar PV Industry Members
NCSEA & ASCE 7 Wind Committee Members
SEAOC Seismology Members

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 54

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Solar Photovoltaic Arrays Types

Parking Garages
Flat Roofs
Sloped Roofs

Carports Ground Mount

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 55

Which Wind Loading Provisions Apply?

ASCE 7

What about
other
installations?

Enclosed Buildings – C&C

(ASCE 7-05 Figure 6-11)
(ASCE 7-10 Figure 30.4-2)

Open Buildings (ASCE 7-05 Figure 6-18,19) ICC AC 428

(ASCE 7-10 Figure 27.4-4, 30.8)
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 56

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Which Wind Loading Provisions Apply?

Apply Kzt as if on cliff?

Parking Garages
Flat Roofs – not flush mounted

Pitched Roofs – not flush mounted Ground Mount - Sheltering

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 57

Wind Tunnel Procedure

ASCE 7
Wind Tunnel Procedure (WTP)

What’s an
appropriate wind
tunnel study?

Should the WTP be

ASCE 7 WTP is peer reviewed?
written for specific
building modeling, Roof zoning? Does building need
not generalized to be modeled?
buildings with solar Etc… Is there a minimum
panels. wind load?
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 58

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Failures do Occur

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 59

OVERVIEW OF SEAOC SOLAR PV

WIND DESIGN REPORT

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 60

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Goals for Solar PV Wind Report

Develop report to address wind
design provisions for low-profile
solar PV arrays on flat roofs
Establish wind design
coefficients similar to those in
ASCE 7 figures
Report provides proposed
changes to ASCE 7-10,
references added for ASCE 7-
05 – equally applicable
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 61

Goals for Solar PV Wind Report

Define Effective Wind Area for

unique aspects of solar PV
arrays
Define minimum Wind Tunnel
Procedure modeling
requirements and minimum
design loads
Example Problem

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 62

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PRESCRIPTIVE SOLAR PV WIND

DESIGN VALUES

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 63

ASCE 7 Wind Design

ASCE 7

pressure=qhGCn

qh=0.00256KzKztKdV2I GCn accounts for

and accounts for site parameters: aerodynamic effects.
• Kz – building exposure & height Need to create GCn
• Kzt – site topography factors for solar PV so
• Kd – wind directionality it is generalized for
• V – site wind speed any site and building.
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 64

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Wind Tunnel Data

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 65

Wind Tunnel Data

Understanding wind flow environment on roof

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 66

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Wind Tunnel Data

Vortices form at roof corners

Shear layer forms at roof edge

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 67

Wind Tunnel Data

Take the guesswork out

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 68

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Wind Tunnel Data

Following test on 10 degree tilt, lift values (6Hx6H)

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 69

Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients 0°
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 70

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Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients 10°

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 71

Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients 20°

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 72

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Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients 30°

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 73

Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients 40°

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 74

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Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients 50°

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 75

Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients 60°

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 76

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Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients 70°

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 77

Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients 80°

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 78

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Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients 90°

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 79

Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients 100°

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 80

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Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients 110°

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 81

Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients 120°

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 82

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Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients 130°

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 83

Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients 140°

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 84

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Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients 150°

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 85

Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients 160°

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 86

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Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients 170°

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 87

Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients 180°

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 88

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Wind Tunnel Data

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 89

Wind Tunnel Data

North

Lift Coefficients All directions

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 90

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Prescriptive Solar PV Wind Loads

Convert data into a

Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel Laboratory
prescriptive procedure

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 91

Prescriptive Solar PV Wind Loads

Procedure needs to consider:

Geometric Limitations of PV panels
Roof Zoning
Effective Wind Area
Effect of Building Size (height & width)
Panel Tilt Angle
Array edge effects
Panel Length
Parapets

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 92

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Geometric Limitations of PV panels

Based on most common

application and supported by
data
Steeper, taller, longer
increases loads

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 93

Roof Zoning

Roof zoning for open elements on roof

different than enclosed C&C elements

Components & Cladding Solar PV Arrays

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 94

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Roof Zoning

Snapshot image of vortex

peak pressure on solar peak pressure

panels in NE corner on roof
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 95

Roof Zoning

Defined roof zones similar to ASCE 7

Clarified steps, angled corners, reentrant corners

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 96

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Effective Wind Area

GCn values are a function of effective wind area, similar to

ASCE 7 Wind Figures

Wind tunnel test data for solar PV ASCE 7-05 Figure 6-11B C&C
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 97

Effect of Building Size

Strength of vortex and resulting wind load increases with
size of building
Kz does not account for this, it addresses gradient velocity
above ground
SEAOC Method can apply > 60 ft

Height 15 ft 30 ft 60 ft
ASCE 7 C&C Conservative Target Unconservative
Prediction
SEAOC Solar PV Target entire range
Goal

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 98

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Effect of Building Size

Wind tunnel data to illustrate

999 999 999 999 999 999 999 999 999 999 999 999
### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ###

999 ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### 999 ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ###

### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ###

999 ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### 999 ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ###

### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ###

999 999 ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ###
### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ###

999 ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### 999 ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ###

### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ###

999 ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### 999 ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ###

### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ###

999 ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### 999

999 999
### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ###
999 ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### 999

999 ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### 999

999 ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### 999

999 999
### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ### ###
999 999 999 999 999 999 999 999 999 999 999 999

2H x 2H Building 6H x 6H Building
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 99

Effect of Building Size

How to address effect of building size?

An = Normalized Wind Area
An= A = Effective Wind Area
,

Height 15 ft 30 ft 60 ft
A (area to component) 10 sf 10 sf 10 sf
An 44 11 2.8
Result on wind load decrease No change increase

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 100

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Effect of Building Size

Illustrate on Solar PV GCrn curve
No plateau

GCrn = 1.4 ASCE 7 C&C

GCrn = 1.1

GCrn = 0.9
2.8
11

44
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 101

Panel Tilt Angle

Similar to open structures, wind pressure

increases as tilt angle increases

GCrn 0º-5º Interpolate GCrn 15º-35º

GCrn

0º 5º 15º 35º
Tilt Angle
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 102

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Panel Tilt Angle

Tilt angle address through two GCrn Figures
Uses normalized wind area, no flat plateau
Values are for sheltered panels

Interpolate

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 103

Array Edge Effects

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 104

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Array Edge Effects

North

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 105

Array Edge Effects

Apply factor to increase wind load on edges
of arrays and panels exposed from any side
North edge factor (En) <=2

Last 5 ft of row
received East and
West edge factor
North

South, East, West

5 panel x 4 row array edge factor (Es,e,w)
<=1.5
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 106

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Array Edge Effects

Edge Factor:
If spacing between rows gets large, then
all panels in the array will get an edge factor >1
Gaps in the middle of an array for mechanical units,
skylights, etc will require all edges around gap to get an
edge factor >1
Method developed requires each panel to have an edge
factor calculated in 4 principle axis directions (N,S,E,W)
and highest one used to design panel supports
Edge factor becomes smaller close to building edge
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 107

Array Edge Effects

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 108

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Array Edge Effects

Evaluate toward adjacent panel

or building edge, whichever is
closer:
Adjacent panel:
dx= distance to adjacent panel
hc= min (h1, 1ft)+lpsin(ω)
(hc≈height of panel above roof)
Building edge:
dx= distance to building edge
hc=0.1*apv
(apv≈height of building roof)

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 109

Array Edge Effects

Shear Layer - dN= 10 ft
Reattachment
hc=2 ft
roof
Determine EN
wind
ground
north south

Example: Observations:
dN/hc=5, -If dN<4 ft, EN=1
then EN=1.5 -If dN>16 ft, EN=2
-Keep space between
rows less than 2*hc

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 110

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Array Edge Effects

Shear Layer - Reattachment

roof
h= 30 ft dN= 10 ft Determine EN
wind (h≈apv)
ground
north south

Example: Observations:
hc=0.1*apv=3 ft -If dN<6 ft, EN=1
dN/hc=3.3, -If dN>24 ft, EN=2
then EN=1.2 -Keep space between
edge of building less
than 2*hc≈0.2*h
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 111

Other Effects

Panel chord length factor (γc):

The longer the panel, the higher the
wind pressure
Panels <= 4’-4”, γc=0.8
Panels 6’-8”, γc=1.0, interpolate betw.
Parapet height factor (γp):
The taller the parapet, the higher the wind
pressure in some areas
Parapets <= 4’-0”, γp=1.0
Parapets > 4’-0”, γp=0.25 hpt, need not exceed 1.3
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 112

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Final SEAOC Solar PV Figure

Roof Zoning Geometric

Limitations

-Panel Tilt Angle

-Effective Wind
Area & Building
Size Effects

Array Edge
Effects

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 113

Final SEAOC Solar PV Figure

Building Size
Effects

Array Edge
Effects

Parapet Panel Length

Effects Effects

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 114

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BREAK!

If you have any questions, please type them in

If you are encountering technical difficulties, please call (847) 991-2700

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 115

Question and Answer Session

If you have any questions,

please type them in

If you are encountering technical difficulties, please call (847) 991-2700

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 116

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Strategies to Avoid High Wind Loads

Place panels > 2 * building height (h) from

building edges
Avoid isolated panels, need sheltering
If within 2h of building edge, place close to
building edge below shear layer, best if less
than 0.2*building height from edge
Keep gap between rows small and aisles
between arrays as small as possible, best if
less 2*height of panel above roof (to highest
point of panel)
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 117

Strategies to Avoid High Wind Loads

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 118

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EFFECTIVE WIND AREA

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 119

Effective Wind Area

Wind flowing over roof is turbulent and gusty

Wind pressure is not uniform and varies with
time at any one location
Members and connections with small tributary
areas are subject to the instantaneous high
peak pressures
Members and connections with large tributary
areas are subject to lower pressures because
the pressures over the entire area do not peak
at the same time.
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 120

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Effective Wind Area

Lower pressures to design

roof purlin (averaging effect)
Peak pressures to design
roof sheathing attachment

SEAW/ATC-60 Figure 9-7

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 121

Effective Wind Area

EFFECTIVE WIND AREA, A for solar
arrays: The area used to determine GCrn
per Figure 29.9-1 is equal to the tributary
area for the structural element being
considered, except that the width of the
effective wind area need not be less than
one-third its length. For a fastener
attaching solar modules, the effective wind
area shall not be greater than the area
tributary to the individual fastener.

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 122

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Effective Wind Area

Effective Wind Area

Example
Panel to rack attachment
Rack beam
Roof attachment

Plan View of PV panels

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 123

Effective Wind Area

Panel to rack attachment:

Effective wind area = ¼ panel area
(i.e. tributary area)

Plan View of PV panels

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 124

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Effective Wind Area

Rack beam effective wind area:

Width of effective wind area is larger of:
• Tributary width
• 1/3 span length between supports ( )

Span length

Plan View of PV panels

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 125

Effective Wind Area

Roof attachment effective wind area:

Width of effective wind area is larger of:
• Tributary width
• 1/3 span length tributary to supports ( )
Span length tributary
to support

Plan View of PV panels

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 126

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Effective Wind Area

If solar array support system has adequate

strength and interconnectedness to span
across a support or ballast point that is subject
to yielding or uplift, the tributary area (and
effective wind area) can be correspondingly
increased, provided that strengths are not
governed by brittle failure and that the
deformation of the array is evaluated and does
not result in adverse performance.

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 127

Effective Wind Area

For example, say roof attachment spacing reduced, but

rack beam had adequate strength and interconnectedness
to span across multiple supports
If justified, larger effective area could be
used, see example in Appendix

Plan View of PV panels

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 128

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Effective Wind Area

For sliding, if the racking system had adequate strength and

interconnectedness to engage larger areas, then that larger
effective wind area may be used
If rack robust enough, effective area for
sliding could use the entire array area.

Plan View of PV panels

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 129

WIND TUNNEL PROCEDURE

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 130

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Wind Tunnel Procedure

ASCE 7
Wind Tunnel Procedure (WTP)

What’s an
appropriate wind
tunnel study?

Should the WTP be

ASCE 7 WTP is peer reviewed?
written for specific
building modeling, Roof zoning? Does building need
not generalized to be modeled?
buildings with solar Etc… Is there a minimum
panels. wind load?
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 131

Wind Tunnel Procedure

What are acceptable testing methods?

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 132

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Wind Tunnel Procedure

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 133

Wind Tunnel Procedure

Wind tunnel model requirements

Promote consistency
Requirements for developing generalized wind loads
Must comply with ASCE 49-12 “Wind Tunnel Testing
for Buildings and Other Structures”
Boundary layer wind tunnel

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 134

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Wind Tunnel Procedure

Wind tunnel model requirements

Model array on generic building
Roof zones
Effective wind area
Panel geometry (size)
Panel tilt angle
Row spacing
Height above roof
Roof shape (flat, barrel, pitched)
Some interpolation allowed between multiple tests
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 135

Wind Tunnel Procedure

Boundary Layer Wind Tunnel Laboratory

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 136

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Minimum Design Wind Loads

For solar PV systems that meet the limitations

and geometry requirements of the SEAOC
Solar PV Figure, then:
Minimum is 50% of values in SEAOC Solar PV Figure
Minimum of 10 psf in ASCE 7-05 not applicable (16 psf in
ASCE 7-10)
Lower values allowed if qualified peer review
For other systems:
Minimums in ASCE 7 should apply
Lower values allowed if qualified peer review

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 137

Peer Review Requirements

Independent peer review
Knowledgeable reviewer experienced in
performing wind tunnel studies on buildings in
atmospheric boundary layers.
Review report, data, modeling, wind loads,
GCrn values, etc
Prepare a report
A peer reviewed wind tunnel study can be
used on multiple projects, unless scope of
applicability changes
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 138

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Wind Tunnel Procedure

Computation Fluid Dynamics is not recognized
by ASCE 7

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 139

EXAMPLE SOLAR PV PROBLEM

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 140

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Example Solar PV Problem

Example Problem in Appendix

Aid in interpretation and application of method

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 141

Example Solar PV Problem

9 locations selected to provide sample

calculations for (8 attached, 1 ballasted)

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 142

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Example Solar PV Problem

Procedure outlined in Section 3.2.1 of Report

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 143

Example Solar PV Problem

Step 5 – Determine Roof Zones

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 144

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Example Solar PV Problem

Step 10 – Determine Edge Factors

E=1

E=2

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 145

Example Solar PV Problem

Step 13 – Determine Pressure

Pressures
shown for panel
connections,
would be lower
for roof
connections

p=30 psf (SD)

=17 psf (ASD)

p=96 psf (SD)

=56 psf (ASD)
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 146

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Example Solar PV Problem

Formulas for GCrn curves provided

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 147

Example Solar PV Problem

Ballasted system example for Location 9

Illustrates need for wind tunnel tested aerodynamic
systems to make feasible

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 148

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SOLAR PV CODE
DEVELOPMENT
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 149

SEAOC Solar PV Reports into Code

What’s next? 2013 CBC

Amendments,
Current 2012 IBC, DSA
Efforts IR 16-8
• SEAOC Solar
PV Systems
Committee
• Solar ABC ASCE 7 IBC
• Technical
Papers (2016) (2018)
• Wind Tunnel
Studies
• ASCE 49

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 150

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DSA IR 16-8

Updated in October 2012 to incorporate SEAOC PV

reports
Available at: www.dgs.ca.gov/dsa

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 151

DSA IR 16-8
DSA IR 16-8 addresses:
Dead load – Check roof, keep mass increase below 10%
Live load – No need to include where covered by panels < 24” or
signs
Wind – SEAOC PV paper, Wind tunnel requirements, peer review
Seismic – ASCE 7 loading, unrestrained systems per SEAOC PV
paper
Load combinations – Apply load combo’s when checking uplift
Rack design – ICC AC 428
PV Installations on Standing Seam Metal Roofs
BIPV systems – ICC AC 365
Fire Life Safety requirements
SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 152

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2013 CBC

2013 CBC Amendment to 2012 IBC

Section 1509.7
Effective wind area should NOT be based
on effective wind area of a single unit frame
DSA and HCD co-adopt Exception

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 153

2013 CBC

2013 CBC Section 1613.5 – amendment

to modify ASCE 7-10 Section 13.4 to
allow unrestrained solar arrays.

Next Slide

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 154

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2013 CBC

2013 CBC Section 1613.5 (continued).

SEAOC Seismic PV Paper

indicates how to do this

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 155

Future Updates to SEAOC PV Reports

SEAOC Solar PV Reports will be updated

annually +- as we receive feedback
Spreadsheet developed to automate process

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 156

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Acknowledgements

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 157

Solar Photovoltaic Systems

Committee

THANK YOU
[email protected]

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Question and Answer Session

If you have any questions,

please type them in

If you are encountering technical difficulties, please call (847) 991-2700

SEAOC Solar Photovoltaic Systems Committee 159

Thank You!!
For more information…
www.skghoshassociates.com

Chicago Main Office Southern California Office

334 East Colfax Street, Unit E 43 Vantis Drive
Palatine, IL 60067 Aliso Viejo, CA 92656
Phone: (847) 991-2700 Phone: (949) 215-6560
Fax: (847) 991-2702 Fax: (847) 991-2702
Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected]

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