Do you know the clamping zone of solar panel?
Have you read carefully the installation manual from solar panel manufacturer? As solar mounting structure supplier, we read it.
Solar panels can be secured using clamps on both the long and short sides of the panel.
Properly clamping panels so they meet the manufacturer’s instructions involves using the right number of clamps in the right places. The areas on a panel where clamps can be clenched are known as zones and panels can have more than one type. If you are interested in learning about clamping zones, what you should check to see if your panels are properly clamped, and what you can do if they’re not, then please read on.
This is mid clamp end clamps on a 60cell panel – Solaracks
Solar panels can be directly bolted into place and panels will generally come with either four or eight mounting holes for bolts to be placed through. This method is often used in solar farms to attach panels to ground mounted racks or to solar trackers that follow the sun through the day. It is possible to use bolts because on a ground mount or a tracker there is plenty of room to get behind the panels and attach them. But on a roof where panels are laid flat this is not at all easy.
Clamping zones
Clamping zones can vary from panel to panel. Many panels only have one type of clamping zone, which will be located around its mounting holes. Other panels can have multiple zones which will give an installer options on where to install clamps, depending on what wind conditions are like at a location.
You can find information on your panels’ clamping zones by searching for the brand’s installation manual or installation guide.
Take REC manual for example.
Each panel must be clamped at a minimum of four points, in four separate and non-adjacent color zones.
- Clamps must be positioned so that the minimum grip length and the center point of each clamp are located in the required clamping zone,
- Follow the clamp manufacturer’s recommended instructions, e.g., applied torque, to fasten the clamps,
- The distance between the end clamp and the end of the rail must be minimum 25 mm.
Mounting utilizing clamps has been found to be in compliance with IEC 61215 & IEC 61730 requirements for test loads of up to 5400 Pa (design load of 3600 Pa*) downward pressure and 2400 Pa (design load of 1600 Pa*) upwards pressure according to
the clamping position (*stated design loads apply a safety factor of 1.5 to the test load, e.g., 5400 Pa / 1.5 = 3600 Pa). Site-specific loads such as wind or snow which may exert forces in a different way need to be taken into consideration to ensure these limits are not exceeded.
REC clamping zone
Clamps in the green zone (208-416 mm) are certified for downward loads of 5400 Pa (DL: 3600 Pa) & upward loads of 2400 Pa (DL :1600 Pa).
Clamps in the yellow zone (0-208 mm long side, 0 -250 mm short side) are certified for downward and upward loads of 2400 Pa (DL :1600 Pa).
Clamping in the red zone is not permitted (> 416 mm on long side, > 250 mm on short side), where only four clamping points are used.
More examples below, as racking system by Solaracks is only about clamp mounting, I screen shot the zone in clamping method only.
Yingli clamping zone
Zone 1 = The best
Zone 2 = The not so best
Zone 3 = The least best
RISEN clamping zone
JA Solar clamping zone
Solaracks range of useful accessories diversify the portfolio of our mounting systems, and constantly being complemented in line with market needs. Customization welcome.
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