SUNPOWER CORPORATION
Safety and Installation Instructions - Document 001-14158 Rev **
©May 2007 SunPower Corporation. All rights reserved. Specifications included in this manual are subject to change without notice.
5.0 Module Mounting
The SunPower Limited Warranty for PV Modules is contingent upon modules
being mounted in accordance with the requirements described in this section.
5.1 Site Considerations
SunPower modules should be mounted in locations that meet the following
requirements:
Operating Temperature: All SunPower modules must be mounted in
environments that ensure SunPower modules will operate within the following
maximum and minimum operating temperatures:
Maximum Operating Temperature
+90 Celsius, +194 Fahrenheit
Minimum Operating Temperature
-40 Celsius, -40 Fahrenheit
Care should be taken to provide adequate ventilation behind the modules,
especially in hot environments.
Design Strength: SunPower modules are designed to meet a maximum
positive (or upward, e.g. wind) and negative (or downward, e.g. static load)
design pressure of 50 lb/ft² when mounted in one of the mounting
configurations specified in Section 5.2. A design strength of 50 lb/ft²
corresponds approximately to a wind speed of 125 mph.
When mounting modules in snow-prone or high-wind environments, special
care should be taken to mount the modules in a manner that provides
sufficient design strength while meeting local code requirements.
Excluded Operating Environments: Certain operating environments are not
recommended for SunPower modules and are excluded from the SunPower
Limited Warranty for these modules.
No SunPower module should be mounted at a site where it may be subject to
direct contact with salt water.
5.2 Mounting Configurations
Modules may be mounted at any angle, from horizontal to vertical. Select the
appropriate orientation to maximize sunlight exposure. Specific information on
module dimensions and the location of mounting and grounding holes is
provided below (Figures 3 and 4).
In order to prevent water from entering the junction box, which could present a
safety hazard, modules should not be mounted such that the front/top glass
faces downward (e.g., on a tracking structure that positions the modules with
the junction box facing skyward during sleep mode).
Clearance between the module frames and structure or ground is required to
prevent wiring damage and allows air to circulate behind the module.
The module is only UL Listed for use when its factory frame is fully intact. Do
not remove or alter the module frame. Creating additional mounting holes may
damage the module and reduce the strength of the frame.
Modules may be mounted using the following methods only:
1) Frame Holes: Secure the module to the structure using the factory
mounting holes. Four ¼” stainless steel bolts, with nuts, washers, and
lock washers are recommended per module. Refer to Figure 3 for the
module dimensions and hole locations. This method has been certified
by a third-party organization according to UL 1703.
2) Pressure Clamps or Clips: Mount the module with the clips on the side
frame of the module. The side frames are attached to the longer sides of
the module. The centerline of the clips should be 6 -15 from the end of
the side frame. Installers should ensure the clamps are of sufficient
strength to allow for the maximum design pressure of the module. Clips
and clamps are not provided by SunPower.
3)
End Mount: End mounting is the capture mounting of the length of the
module’s end frame to a supporting rail. The end frames are on the
shorter dimensions of the module. The end-mounting rail and clips or
clamps must be of sufficient strength to allow for the maximum design
pressure of the module. Verify this capacity with the mounting system
vendor before installation.
6.0 Maintenance
Inspect all modules annually for safe electrical connections, sound mechanical
connection, and freedom from corrosion. Periodically clean the module surface
with water and a soft cloth or sponge. Fingerprints may be removed with
standard glass cleaner. Do not use harsh cleaning materials such as scouring
powder, steel wool, scrapers, blades, or other sharp instruments to clean the
glass surface of the module. Use of such materials will invalidate the product
warranty.
B
ØAA
(GROUND)
ØAA
(GROUND)
A
G
H
ØBB
E
C
F
D
ØAA
(GROUND)
Figure 3
Figure 4
MODEL FORMAT
DIMENSION
72-Cell Models
(mm, in)
A
798 (31.42)
B
1559 (61.39)
C
915 (36.02)
D
332 (12.69)
E
754 (29.69)
F
1200 (47.24)
G
180 (7.04)
H
46 (1.81)
ØAA (Ground)
4X 4.2 (0.17)
ØBB
4X 6.6 (0.26)
