Ballast rack system for a flat roof

[rarquile]

any recommendations?

 

[Hedges]

In my location (San Jose, CA), ballasted PV installations do require a mechanical permit. Obviously they are concerned with the risk of things blowing off.
Solyndra had claimed a benefit of their tubular cells was that they produced the same power at all angles. But someone I know with more information on the company indicated the primary selling point was that wind would pass through, making ballasted installations on commercial roofs practical.

You're obviously going to need to start with wind information, compute lifting forces, and consider geometry of the design to determine how much ballast is necessary.

 

[rarquile]

I assume the same will hold true for Southern CA. Trying to avoid drilling holes in roof but probably not possible.

 

[Ampster]

I assume the same will hold true for Southern CA. Trying to avoid drilling holes in roof but probably not possible.

As far as I know for any jurisdiction in California and most other places you are going to need some form of engineering support for your permit. It may come in the form of the usual off the shelf printouts from the rack manufacturers. Maybe the ballast rack manufacturers have similar services. The only holes necessary for a ballast mount would be for the conduit unless there is another way to access the roof without penetrations.