In recent months, Brazil has faced a significant shortage of rain, but when it does occur, it is usually intense, accompanied by strong winds and, in some cases, even hail.
For consumers who have a photovoltaic system in their home, it is essential to pay attention to these phenomena.
Due to its hot climate, Brazil is frequently affected by tropical storms, especially during the summer. Knowing how to choose the best structure for the system is essential to ensure safety.
Main care
In an interview with Canal Solar, the teacher Eliasafe Schweig Schwertner highlights that it is vital that professionals follow the recommendations of ABNT NBR 6123:2023: Forces due to wind in buildings.
This standard establishes the conditions for considering the forces due to the static and dynamic actions of the wind, for the purposes of building design, which includes the installation of photovoltaic systems.
The professor also comments that it is necessary to use the appropriate fastener for each type of roof. This is because, according to the engineer, when it comes to fastenings in general, factors such as wind and the effect on panels installed on roofs without elevation need to be considered.
He further explains that on well-sloped roofs with correctly fixed panels, these problems are rarer, as the structure is well fixed.
According to the professor, it is very difficult for a solar panel to suffer from these climate issues if the system is well dimensioned. “If the roof is well dimensioned, there will be no problem with this.”
When it comes to warehouses and buildings, if the structure is not designed to withstand wind, this can be quite significant. “A common scenario is ground-based plants, which often have elevated mountings to avoid shading and, in some situations, to tilt the modules towards the ideal orientation.”
“When these assemblies are above the roof and a little higher, the influence of the wind becomes more pronounced, which is a greater concern,” he added.
What measures should companies implement to ensure security in their facilities?
According to the professor, one of the main solutions is contravention, which involves not only the use of an extra profile in the structure, but also the use of steel cables.
“These cables run between the plate and the structure, providing additional support. In the event of winds strong enough to rip a structure apart, the plates may begin to pull away from the structure, but they remain attached, preventing damage.”
“In the case of ground-based plants, the same logic applies. It is essential that the structure is well dimensioned and designed to withstand the specific wind conditions of each location,” he added.
In the article entitled “Prior assessment of roofs before installing PV systems”, signed by Marcelo Villalva, it is highlighted that wind and rain must be foreseen in the projects.
Therefore, photovoltaic systems should not be installed without any concern for the safety of the roof or even the building. The article also highlights that installing photovoltaic systems on roofs without structural analysis of the roof and the building is a liability crime.
A roof collapse can cause material damage and loss of life. This is a serious matter and must be treated with all the rigor that engineering allows.
Want to go deeper into the topic? During 4ª edition of Canal Connect — the congress of Canal Solar — Professor Eliasafe Schweig Schwertner will participate in a special panel on: “NBR 6123: The Market Cannot Collapse”. Don't miss this opportunity to check out insights!
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