Page 25 - North American Clean Energy September/October 2019 Issue

Ready-made shade structure
PLP carports are engineered and optimized to site-specific applications and PV solar installations. The modular structures feature a simplified design and integrated PV module mounting system designed to provide fast assembly rates and labor savings on every project. These solar support structures feature tilt angles that offer 0°, 5°, and 10° positions and an optional gasket sealing solution. PLP’s unique module clamping system offers 50% fewer components than traditional systems and has built-in 3⁄4" spacing. This system offers 4-high or 7-high in portrait module mounting for single row or double row car parking with built-in wire management channels.
Preformed Line Products /// www.preformed.com
panels to track the sun on one axis, the peak angle would last all day, greatly boosting the energy collected.
Sun tracking carports can solve the wind load issues, with more resilience to less than ideal azimuth. For example, a 30 KWp sun tracking modular carport can tilt 30 degrees east and 30 degrees west, with a 60-degree range, making the best of both the morning and the evening light. This can increase its energy production
by up to 44 percent. Its ideal orientation
is azimuth 0 degree, meaning its axis of rotation is horizontal with a north/south orientation. When the azimuth is not 0, the performance changes slightly: up to azimuth 40 degrees, the performance decrease is below 3 percent, with a maximum loss of 10 percent at 90 degrees.
How can such a large array be efficiently tilted and controlled regarding safety and code compliance?
Ingeniously designed frame and drive systems sustain the code compliant
wind load in any position. A built-in intelligence can also automatically adjust tilt angles in various conditions to reduce stress on the panels and carports. Systems may also be controlled remotely, which facilitates maintenance, cleaning, and snow removing operations.
Current fixed panel carports add
value to any parking lot and have been implemented nationwide with good results. The next logical evolution of
this technology is a leap forward that drastically increases power output on fixed surfaces. Sun-tracking carports give solar designers the flexibility they need to create a living building that takes full advantage of the sun, while also charging the bottom line.
Alain Poivet is CEO at SCARLET Solar, which has developed and manufactures a sun-tracking tilting modular solar carport.
SCARLET Solar
/// www.scarlet.red
Get Out
of the Stone Age!
Most rooftop solar racks are designed around ballast blocks or cement pavers. But ballasted rack systems can move around on the roof, grind broken pieces of ballast into the roofing membrane, and leave the building vulnerable to leaks and other roof problems. More important, many buildings cannot accommodate the dead load weight that ballasted systems require.
Move beyond the Stone Age with PowerGrip!
The OMG PowerGrip family of products was designed to reduce ballast from commercial solar racking systems by providing a secure connection directly to the roof deck or structural members. Once secured in place, properly installed PowerGrips minimize rack movement and remain watertight.
Let us show you how a PowerGrip from OMG Roofing Products can help bring your next solar project out of the Stone Age.
Come see the new and highly versatile PowerGrip VRM! Solar Power International, Booth #4653
Superior productivity. Superior performance.
800.633.3800
www.OMGRoofing.com OMG PowerGripTM is a trademark of OMG, Inc. Copyright © 2019 OMG, Inc. All rights reserved. 25 North American Clean Energy