The passage of a strong cold front through the South and Southeast regions of the country, marked by an atmospheric microburst in Ribeirão Preto (SP), a widespread blackout in Rio de Janeiro (RJ), and the formation of tornadoes in cities in Rio Grande do Sul, has drawn the attention of Brazilian authorities in recent days.
In addition to the impact on the population, the events reignited a recurring question among consumers and professionals in the photovoltaic sector: can solar panels installed on rooftops be torn off by strong winds?
According to Sérgio Koloszuk, commercial managing partner of SolarGroupThe answer depends directly on the quality of the design and installation.
In an interview with Canal SolarHe explains that the durability of solar panels is not only related to the materials used, but also to the correct sizing of the mounting structures, the specification of the components, and compliance with technical standards.
The professional points out that, when the project is executed correctly, virtually all occurrences of this type can be avoided, even in the face of high-intensity winds.
Among the main references for structural design is NBR 6123. ABNT standard (Brazilian Association of Technical Standards) which establishes the wind forces that must be considered in the design of buildings and their structures, according to the characteristics of each region of the country.
According to Koloszuk, the winds recently recorded in Ribeirão Preto (SP) last week, despite the visual impact, remained within the parameters established by the regulations.
“NBR 6123 classifies Ribeirão Preto (SP), for example, as 'Region 3', where winds of up to 140 km/h can occur. The winds that occurred in the city were 120 km/h. In other words, just because the winds were impressive doesn't mean they were outside the range predicted by the technical standard,” he points out.
The director of Solar Group also disputed the perception that winds of this magnitude would be capable of tearing off most roofs. "In fact, the vast majority of roofs held up. The trail of destruction shown in videos (seen on the internet or television news) consists of poorly maintained trees that fell and buildings constructed outside of proper specifications," he stated.
Lack of training
According to the professional, most cases of roof damage associated with solar panels result from flaws in the sizing of the structures or failure to comply with technical recommendations.
“In Brazil, we have a serious problem with misinformation. I guarantee you that the vast majority of professionals in the sector don't even know what a torque wrench is, nor do they know that there are standards for calculating wind forces, and they don't even bother to read the manufacturers' instructions,” he stated.
According to Koloszuk, it is still common to find systems designed based on empirical experiences, without considering the criteria established by technical standards and manufacturers.
Importance of quality
When specifically addressing photovoltaic installations, the expert emphasizes that safety depends not only on the metal structure, but on the entire system comprised of the modules, mounting structure, and roof.
“The fastening structures are part of an assembly that includes the panels and the substrate. Obviously, if a roof has rotten timber, in an event like this everything can collapse.”
For him, the safety of an installation depends on the evaluation and quality of all the system's components. "For Solar Group, it has always been a challenge to produce excellence at an affordable price, when the basis for price comparison is a mason's ruler replacing profiles and wire replacing clamps."
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Comments (2)
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Congratulations on the excellent interview with Sergio! Technical standards truly exist to preserve life and facilities. As Coordinator of the ABNT Study Committee responsible for publishing the ABNT NBR 17193 standard (which deals with fire safety in photovoltaic systems applied to buildings (BAPV and BIPV)), I have emphasized in all the training sessions I conduct that it is not enough to execute a perfect electrical project that meets technical standards and to have the PV system installed by qualified and trained professionals; it is necessary to consider environmental conditions (winds, incidence of lightning strikes, etc.), the increase in the weight capacity of the roof where the PV system will be installed, and, very importantly, the quality of the materials that will make up the metal structures. Congratulations!
I fully agree with what the interviewee argued: the lack of knowledge to perform a service in Brazil causes a lot of harm to us, the consumers. When I realized, about three years ago, that the winds were getting stronger and more violent, I changed my home insurance and started considering the possibility of having all the panels ripped off along with the roof tiles, since the winds often rotate in circles, making it easier to lift the tiles. But I suggest a warning: you, who write for thousands of people, should be aware of obtaining insurance for your solar system at the same time as you pay for its installation and the entire system. Cresol is a cooperative that already finances the system, the installation, and the insurance, which is mandatory for them. Thus, there is a greater chance that this investment will not be ruined by the wind and generate endless losses, in addition to not saving money on solar energy production. This is a good tip that I didn't know when I installed my solar system in 2020. Thank you for the great information!