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English. 0920-30094-003 Release Date: 2011-04-30 Visit http://www.solyndra.com for the mostcurrent version of this document.
GENERAL DISCLAIMER
The information contained in Solyndras instructions, guides, application notes, or any other document is advisory in nature only. Solyndra makes no representation or warranties that any referenced techniques or methods are necessarily safe, legal, or compliant with applicable codes and regulations. The customer must work with qualified system designers, installers and other professional personnel as required to ensure that all Solyndra photovoltaic system designs and installations are safe and in compliance with all applicable codes and regulations. Solyndra assumes no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, completeness, or usefulness of any information or processes disclosed herein. Reference herein to any particular commercial products, process, or service by trade name, trademark, manufacturer, or otherwise, does not necessarily constitute or imply its endorsement, recommendation, or favoring by Solyndra.
WARRANTY DISCLAIMER
The warranty terms for Solyndras photovoltaic products are governed solely by the express terms of the Solyndra Limited Warranty provided to the purchaser of Solyndra products as may be transferred there under. Solyndra expressly disclaims any and all other express warranties and any and all implied warranties, including but not limited to those relating to the sale and/or use of Solyndra photovoltaic products, fitness for a particular purpose, merchantability or non-infringement or infringement of any intellectual property right. Solyndra may make changes to specifications, guidelines, and products at any time without notice. Purchasers or potential purchasers, designers and installers should contact their local Solyndra representative or the Solyndra website to ensure that they have and are working with the most up-to-date information and documentation relating to Solyndras photovoltaic products.
Contact Information
Headquarters Solyndra LLC 47488 Kato Road Fremont CA 94538 USA (+1) 510 440-2400 (+1) 510-662-4877 fax Regional Support Contacts US & Canada 877-511-8436 EMEA Belgium France Germany Solyndra International AG Lindenstrasse 16 6340 Baar, Switzerland Greece Italy Spain UAE UK 353 61 79 1124 0800 50735 0800 942896 0800 0004366 English DE, EN, FR, IT English French, English German, English customersupport@solyndra.com customersupporteu@solyndra.com customersupportbe@solyndra.com customersupportfr@solyndra.com customersupportde@solyndra.com customersupporteu@solyndra.com customersupportit@solyndra.com customersupportes@solyndra.com customersupporteu@solyndra.com customersupportuk@solyndra.com
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Maintenance Guide
Contents
Chapter 1
1.1. 1.2. 1.3. 1.4.
Inspection
Inspection Schedule . . . . . . . . . . . Checking Electrical Performance . . . Physical and Mechanical Inspection . Determining the Need to Clean. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
4
4 4 4 6
Chapter 2
2.1. 2.2.
Cleaning
Chapter 3
Snow Removal
14 17 19
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Maintenance Guide
Inspection
Chapter 1 Inspection
For Solyndra 100 Series, 150 Series, and 200 Series, routine inspection includes: Monitoring electrical energy output. Inspecting the panels and mounting structure for damage, corrosion, or wiring problems. Determining the cleanliness of the panels and roof.
1.1.
Inspection Schedule
Daily
Record electrical performance. Note that most inverters can do this automatically. Record temperature, wind speed, and insolation.
Monthly
Review electrical performance relative to weather and insolation.
Semi-Annually
Physical inspection should be done twice yearly. Spring and fall are the preferred times. Inspections in the spring reveal any damage caused by winter weather, and help insure maximum energy generation during the summer months. This is also a good time to clean the panels and the roof, to remove soiling accumulated with winter snow. Late autumn inspections are the last chance to detect problems before winter weather makes inspection more difficult. This is a good time to clear leaves away from drain areas.
1.3.1.
Array Inspection
Physically inspect the array for damage. Look for signs of broken modules. This can be done by sighting along the length of the tubes, at a low angle. Cracked modules are more visible from this angle. Also look for signs of OCA fluid on the roof surface, as this indicates the presence of broken modules. If there are broken panels, or if panels need to be removed to gain access to an area of the roof, refer to Appendix B. Panel Removal and Spill Cleanup on page 19. Lateral clips are used on 100 and 150 Series panels to connect the frames. Look for missing or loose lateral clips. Look underneath the array, along the lines of the mounts, for signs of damaged mounts.
Inspection
NOTE
Look for signs of poor drainage. (See Figure 2 on page 6) Standing water collects dirt and allows mold and algae to grow. Keeping drains clear will reduce the need to clean the roof surface.
WARNING
Damaged wiring is an electrocution hazard. Disconnect power and wear insulating gloves when working on damaged wiring.
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Inspection
The panels and roof should be cleaned when the value of the energy recovered as a result of cleaning exceeds the cost of cleaning. There are several ways to estimate the amount of energy that will be recovered by cleaning. Use the Solyndra albedometer (Figure 2) to make roof reflectance measurements and thereby determine the degree of roof soiling. Roof soiling can often be calculated from a precise analysis of the system energy yield output. Soiling on the panels can reduce energy yield by as much as two percent. Soiling on the roof affects energy by reducing reflected light. For 100 and 150 Series panels, a 4-point reduction in roof reflectance reduces energy by about one percent. For the 200 Series, a 3-point reduction reduces energy by about one percent. Soiling can also contribute to panel mismatch loss; panels over a dirty section of roof do not match well to panels over a clean section. Therefore, while it may not be cost-effective or practical to clean the entire roof, cleaning heavily soiled areas of the roof may significantly increase the energy yield of the entire array. The examples shown in Figure 2 are extreme cases. For the majority of roofs, rain or manual rinsing has a very attractive cost-benefit ratio. It removes most of the soil at low cost. Figure 2. The Solyndra Albedometer; Some Heavily-Soiled Roofs
Maintenance Guide
Chapter 2 Cleaning
In most locations, natural rainfall is sufficient to keep Solyndra panels clean and also keep the roof clean. Rain tends to act as a cleaning agent for the panels and the roof. However, the rate at which dirt accumulates and the degree to which the rain removes it is site-dependent. Some locations may require additional cleaning, either by simulating rainfall or other means. The decision on whether and when to clean depends on energy production. Refer to 1.4. Determining the Need to Clean on page 6 for more information.
Cleaning
2.1.1.
Water Quality
Hard water can leave water spots on panels. In most cases, municipal water supplies contain enough minerals to cause this problem. If this is the case, a water-deionization (DI) machine or a reverse-osmosis (RO) machine is required to remove the minerals. These machines are widely available through commercial window-cleaning equipment suppliers. There are two ways to determine if the local water supply is sufficiently soft. One method is to spray water on a panel and allow it to dry. If there is a significant amount of water-spotting, a DI water machine will be required. The other method is to measure water hardness with a testing device or service. Low-cost test meters are available to measure Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). Refer to Table 2 on page 12 for sources. Water should be less than 50 mg/L.
Background Hardness can be quantified by instrumental analysis. The total water hardness is reported in parts per million (ppm) or mass/volume (mg/L) of minerals in the water. The dissolved minerals consist primarily of calcium, magnesium, and sodium, with some traces of iron, aluminium, and manganese. Simple water-hardness and TDS meters do not distinguish among these, but since all of them can leave water spots, this does not matter. Descriptions of hardness correspond roughly with ranges of mineral concentrations, as shown at right. mg/L 0-50 51-120 121-180 Hardness Soft Medium Hard Hard
Cleaning
Figure 3.
Notice
Do not use high-pressure water, such as supplied by a pressure washer, to clean panels. High pressure can corrode electrical connections. Never exceed 0.41 Mpa (60 PSI). Some pressure washers can be equipped with multiple-output, low-pressure spray heads. This is permissible if the pressure does not exceed 0.41 Mpa.
WARNING
Panels are always live; there is an electrocution hazard. Wear rubber boots when working on the roof. Wear Class 0 or higher electrically-insulating gloves when using conductive tools near panels.
To clean the panels: Move the cleaning head along the length of the tubes. After pushing the head along the array and pulling it back, move the head over its own width and make another pass. This is illustrated in Figure 5. When cleaning a large array, it is generally better to clean one panel, then move to the left or right to clean the next panel in the row, rather than attempting to clean the entire column. This avoids having to extend and retract the pole, or having a long length of pole behind the operator, where it is out of the operators field of view. and might hit something. Lift the brush head only as far as necessary to move it to the next cleaning area. Roof obstructions may make it necessary to move the cleaning tool at an angle to the tubes. This is acceptable, but the angle must be kept to less that 45 degrees. When working at an angle, try to minimize any side force on the tubes. Begin cleaning from the highest point on the roof and move toward the drains.
8 Maintenance Guide Solyndra LLC 47488 Kato Road Fremont CA 94538 www.solyndra.com
Figure 5.
Cleaning Direction
Column 1 Column 2 Move cleaning tool parallel to tubes Clean entire row; then pull back to next row.
Cleaning
Row 1 Row 2 Row 3
WARNING
Carbon fiber and aluminum poles are electrically conductive, so there is a risk of electrocution when cleaning panels or removing snow. Use plastic or fiberglass poles, or wear electrically-insulating gloves. Figure 6. Maximum Recommended Angle Relative to Tubes
Long poles can be awkward to handle. To avoid panel damage, set up as shown in Figure 7: Figure 7. Setting Up a Long Cleaning Pole
Walk to the other end, pick up the handle, and begin cleaning.
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Cleaning
Light Soiling
Light soiling will usually be rinsed away by the water used to spray-clean the panels (Cleaning the Panels with a Hose and Spray on page 7).
WARNING
Panels are always live; there is an electrocution hazard. Wear rubber boots when working on the roof. Wear Class 0 or higher electrically-insulating gloves when using conductive tools near panels.
Moderate Soiling
Moderate soiling can be taken care of with a soft squeegee combined with a water-fed pole. Pulling the squeegee from higher elevations to lower ones may be more effective. Figure 8. Squeegee with Water Feed; In Use Cleaning Roof
Heavy Soiling
Use a waterfed pole equipped with a soft brush or Squeegee to clean under the array. Use a brush first to loosen heavily-soiled areas and then a squeegee to move the water. Dirty water must be moved toward drains, either mechanically or by flooding. Note that in some jurisdictions dirty water must be collected for proper wastewater treatment. Note that soft or de-ionized water is not required for this phase of cleaning.
Notice
Use a soft-bristle brush. Stiff-bristle brushes may damage the membrane. Figure 9. Examples of Custom All-In-One Cleaning Heads
Removing Debris
Larger debris, such as leaves, may accumulate on or under the panels. These can be removed with a leafblower, or a long pole with a push-broom head.
10 Maintenance Guide Solyndra LLC 47488 Kato Road Fremont CA 94538 www.solyndra.com
Cleaning
2.2.1. Poles
In recent years, lightweight carbon-fiber water-fed poles have revolutionized the window-cleaning industry, by extending the reach of cleaning tools. The use of a long pole allows the cleaning crew to effectively clean even a large array from the edge. Poles are available in three materials and two types. The materials are aluminum, fiberglass, and carbon fiber. The types include telescoping and sectional. Carbon-fiber poles are the stiffest, and are best for very long applications. Telescoping poles and fiberglass poles are less stiff, and fiberglass poles are generally heavier. Thus they are suitable for shorter distances. Aluminum poles are not recommended. Light-gauge poles are very affordable and are suitable for distances up to about eight meters. At greater distances, or with heavier cleaning tools, a high-stiffness carbon fiber sectional pole should be used. These poles resist bowing and whipping, and thus are easier to handle. Figure 10. ABC Modular Carbon-Fiber Sectional Pole, Gardiner Fiberglass Telescoping Pole
Table 1.
Pole Type
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Cleaning
Water Hardness Meter - HM Digital AP-1 http://www.tdsmeter.com/products/ap1.html http://www.cleaningspot.co.uk Available from numerous online dealers. http://www.window-cleaning-supply.com http://www.ungerglobal.com http://www.cleaningspot.co.uk
Water-fed Telescoping Pole* Medium, http://www.window-cleaning-supply.com Severe http://www.ungerglobal.com http://www.cwsupplyusa.com Water-fed Adjustable Angle Adapter* or double arm pole Adaptor Medium, http://www.window-cleaning-supply.com Severe http://www.briarwoodproducts.com/index.html
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Maintenance Guide
Cleaning
WaterFed Soft Brush* Severe Optimum brush width may vary depending on panel series and the use of snow mounts or LDFs. http://www.window-cleaning-supply.com http://www.ungerglobal.com http://www.cleaningspot.co.uk
Squeegees* Medium, Optimum squeegee width may vary depending on panel Severe series and the use of snow mounts or LDFs. http://www.ungerglobal.com http://www.grainger.com http://www.cleaningspot.co.uk 9 mm (5/16) Water Tubing + Adapter Medium, http://www.window-cleaning-supply.com Severe http://www.ungerglobal.com
* When buying poles, adapters, and cleaning heads, be sure to select units with matching threads. There are two different thread standards in use. Consult vendor catalogs for details.
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Snow Removal
Light snow can accumulate enough to bury the panels, as shown in Figure 12. The picture on the left was taken when there was less than one centimeter of snow; the picture on the right was taken when there was more than thirty centimeters. Figure 12. Snow Burying Panels
Heavier, wetter snow may bridge across the tubes, and this snow can be removed to restore panel energy output. It should also be removed before it gets deep enough to exceed the panels rated snow load. Figure 13. Snow Beginning to Bridge; Fully Bridged Panels
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Maintenance Guide
Snow Removal
Conventional plastic snow shovels will be needed to remove snow from walkways. Do not use metal snow shovels; they can damage roof surfaces.
WARNING
There is a danger of electrocution. Do not use metal snow shovels or tools when working on or near the array. Figure 15. Typical Snow Removal
9:33 - heavy snowfall. 15-20 cm 9:47 - 60 cm (24 in) aisle is (6-8 in) of snow covers panels; cleared around panels for ac30-45 cm of snow covers roof. cess.
10:22 - Only 6 panels remain to 10:24 All 30 panels are be cleared. cleared.
Remove snow from above the panels by moving the snow rake along the line of the tubes. For heavy accumulations, scrape off a few inches at a time, until the level of the panel is reached. Roof obstructions may make it necessary to move the cleaning tool at an angle to the tubes. This is acceptable, but the angle must be kept to less that 45 degrees. Figure 16. Snow Removal Technique
Remove Snow Along This Axis
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Snow Removal
Table 3.
Sno-Brum Sno-Rake Suncast
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Maintenance Guide
Table 5.
5% Snow Density (as SWE) 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% Ice 93%
735 1,103 1,470 1,838 2,206 2,574 2,941 980 1,470 1,961 2,451 2,941 3,432 3,922
686 1,029 1,372 1,716 2,574 3,432 4,290 5,148 6,006 6,864 784 1,176 1,568 1,961 2,941 3,922 4,903 5,883 6,864 7,844
882 1,323 1,765 2,206 3,309 4,412 5,515 6,619 7,722 8,825 11,031 13,238 980 1,470 1,961 2,451 3,677 4,903 6,128 7,354 8,580 9,806 12,257 14,709
911 1,823 2,735 3,647 4,559 6,839 9,119 11,399 13,679 15,959 18,239 22,798 27,358
The area shaded in yellow represents snow loads that exceed the 1850-Pascal rating of the 200 Series panel when used with snow mounts.
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Table 6.
5% Snow Density (as SWE) 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% Ice 93%
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 93
Table 7.
5% Snow Density (as SWE) 10% 15% 20% 25% 30% 35% 40% 45% 50% Ice 93%
1.0 2.1 3.1 4.1 5.1 6.2 7.2 8.2 9.2 10.3 19.1
The area shaded in yellow represents snow loads that exceed the 1850-Pascal rating of the 200 Series panel when used with snow mounts.
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Maintenance Guide
CAUTION
For personal and equipment safety: before working with the panels, read, understand, and follow all precautions in the Safety Advisory section of the Solyndra Installation Guide. Figure 17. Solyndra Clean-Up Kit
Item 0240-30833 Plastic container Plastic bag Plastic tie wraps (for bags) Plastic dustpan Brush for dustpan Absorbent mats Simple Green cleaner, spray bottle Safety glasses Nitrile (plastic) safety gloves Cut-resistant gloves Qty Unit 1 2 4 1 1 40 1 10 1 each each each each each each pair pair pair
.946 liter
WARNING
A broken tube still produces voltage, and the glass pieces can cut. DO NOT insert fingers or any metal object inside a broken tube. BE CAREFUL when picking up pieces. Wear cut-resistant rubber gloves.
CAUTION
Spilled Optical Coupling Agent is a slip hazard. Immediately isolate spill and clean it up. Use absorbent mats and the recommended cleaning fluid to remove residue on all surfaces that came into contact with spilled OCA.
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B.1
Spill Cleanup
CAUTION
For safety reasons, a panel must be carried by a minimum of two people, so removal crews should have a minimum of two people. Panels should be touched and carried by the side rails.
NOTICE
Because the fluid is non-toxic, it is permissible for Simple Green-fluid mixtures to flow into sanitary drains in most jurisdictions. Check local laws to be sure.
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Maintenance Guide
B.2.1
General Instructions
Panels must be removed by columns, starting from the bottom of the column - the last panel installed in that column - and working up to the top of the column. Thus, before starting to remove panels, the top and bottom of the array must be determined.
100/150 Series
The top of the array is the row of panels that have a ground lug and a bare ground wire routed through the lugs. The panel at the top of a column doesnt make contact with any mount tab since mounts are screwed in place on both sides of the panel, whereas the panel at the bottom of a column makes contact with a mount tab on only the inside frame member. The outside mounts are screwed in.
200 Series
Panels at the top of a column are captured on both sides by mount latches whereas panels at the bottom of a column are captured by latches only on the outside frame member. This is because the last panel shares a mount with the second-to-last panel in a column.
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Maintenance Guide
Revision History
Version 0.90 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.30 1.31 1.4 Part Num 0920-30094-001 0920-30094-002 0920-30094-003 Date 12 May 2009 7 July 2009 27 July 2009 2 Aug 2009 2011-12-10 2011-04-01 2011-04-30 Notes Draft Release Initial Release Updated cover, edited for brevity. Further edits for clarity. Revised for snow removal, panel removal and cleanup LLC change Added additional cleaning tools, more snow removal.
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Solyndra Quality Policy Solyndra provides state-of-the-art solar photovoltaic systems and expert support that meet customers expectations for quality, delivery, technology, and responsiveness. We are committed to continually improving the quality of our products and processes.
Maintenance Guide Solyndra LLC 47488 Kato Road Fremont CA 94538