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Array destroyed by tropical storm

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watchdoc

Solar Enthusiast
Joined
Jun 23, 2022
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So my array was mostly destroyed this morning by the tropical storm. Im in Greenville NC and we took a direct hit and a
70mph gust at just the right angle loosed one of the tie downs enough that it fell off the anchor and that was all she wrote. Ground was saturated from 5” of rain as well. Maybe I can salvage a few panels but the whole array is bent and twisted so im not expecting much. This array has been built for nearly a year and survived multiple severe storms.

My mistake appears to have been using cheap tie downs with open ended hooks rather than tie downs with carabiner style hooks that won’t fall off.
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Sorry to see this. It prob would have been fine for decades in another location. 70 mph on a flat panel take a beefy setup.
 
I'm sorry for your loss, but anyone whom feels wind codes, listed array structures and PE sign-off are optional, will over the life of the system ( many years ) will have the same fate :cry:.

Unless one is an engineer and understands the cubic function that wind applies to structures, you don't know what you don't know as any location will see at some points winds of this type.

Hopefully more panels survived, but please don't think the ties downs are the only issue with this array structure or you will likely have a repeat incidence.
 
Fortunately, there are sites where you can put in the relevant inputs without getting too technical.

E.g.:100 sq feet at 90 degrees to 100 mph wind. Then get an estimate of the force.

Tie downs are similar. You can get an estimate of a properly set arrowhead anchor at a certain depth and the only assumption is the soil type. Even without a soil boring and analysis you can assume spitty soil and you can have a pretty good approximation of done right.

edit: and I’d still rather have an engineer but they do get expensive for little stuff like this.
 
Bluedog225 said:
Fortunately, there are sites where you can put in the relevant inputs without getting too technical.
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Or one can use a site like GreenLancer and have a PE review the plans and run the calculations as would be required for a building permit anyways, I was charged ~$400 for this for when I did my system in 2020 and why I have IronRidge racking.
 
Solar Guppy said:
Hopefully more panels survived, but please don't think the ties downs are the only issue with this array structure or you will likely have a repeat incidence.
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Please explain your comment "only issue with this array". What are the other issues? This is a small semi portable array (3kw) that has worked very well for the last year. I still say that if the cheap tie down hadn't slipped off the anchor, the array would have survived fine. Only one of the anchors and my ground rod were actually pulled out of the ground and they were opposite the side that lifted from the wind. That being said (despite my generally terrible mood right now) I would be happy to hear some constructive tips going forward. Keep in mind, the system can't be ground mounted "in the ground" or I would have to get a full set of permits. I only plan to be at this house for another 12-18 months and I live in one of the least solar friendly counties in my state.

This also wasn't the only damage we endured from the storm.
 
OzSolar said:
Hate to hear that. Look into duckbill anchors for the new set up. They are amazing.
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Thanks for the tip. I used 18" screw in the ground dog tie outs and only one of them actually pulled out of the ground. This method has worked for our basketball goals for a decade so that's why I went this way. I'll check out the duckbills.
 
I wouldn't blame the storm for that. You are lucky the panels didn't hurt someone. Thanks for showing us.
 
Solar Guppy said:
Or one can use a site like GreenLancer and have a PE review the plans and run the calculations as would be required for a building permit anyways, I was charged ~$400 for this for when I did my system in 2020 and why I have IronRidge racking.
Click to expand...

I see that you have edited your comments rather than answer my question but thanks for the input regardless. I sincerely would like to hear any constructive suggestions going forward. Feel free to PM me if you don't want to post them publicly.
 
The wooden privacy fence in the background looks like it handled the wind just fine. Granted, there are gaps between the pickets, but it makes me wonder if your array might have survived if it had been a bit closer and benefited from a windbreak. I guess attaching to the fence would be a permitting issue?

Sorry for your loss, and appreciate you sharing. Here's hoping you'll be pleasantly surprised with a smaller loss than you anticipated! It does look pretty bad in the photo. ?
 
Consumerbot3418 said:
The wooden privacy fence in the background looks like it handled the wind just fine. Granted, there are gaps between the pickets, but it makes me wonder if your array might have survived if it had been a bit closer and benefited from a windbreak. I guess attaching to the fence would be a permitting issue?

Sorry for your loss, and appreciate you sharing. Here's hoping you'll be pleasantly surprised with a smaller loss than you anticipated! It does look pretty bad in the photo. ?
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The fence of course protects the array from behind acting as a wind break although it's in rough shape and leaning in several places. As the eye of the storm went over Greenville, the wind swirled and shifted and caught the array from the side hard enough to slide it on the blocks enough that one of the open hook tie straps fell off and that was all she wrote. Hopefully a few panels survived so I can get it back up and running until I come up with a 2.0 version and some more panels. So far I'm planning to use closed end tie downs and additonal corner blocks so if the whole array were to slide a couple inches, it wouldn't fall off the blocks. I'm pretty sure the Eco Worthy mounts are mostly fine but if they aren't, I'll just buy some unistrut. I'll post more destsruction pictures tomorrow so everyone can enjoy the carnage.
 
I would put the backside against the fence, and get a lot of bags of sand for ballast.

Or, sink a post and put one corner on it. On the opposite end, put it on a wheel. That may allow the array to swivel so it is parallel to the wind. Disconnect the wire on windy days so it doesn't wrap around the pole
 
If it is going to remain "temporary" the base should be closer in size to the actual panel foot print, maybe even a little bigger, to make it harder to tip over. Putting the entire thing against the fence would suport the fence and keep the wind from getting under the panels.

If you have to leave it in open space, drive a few sticks of rebar through the lumber and into the ground so it can't slide around. Could you maybe build it in 2 sections so the 2 parts can be placed back to back and lashed to each other during a storm? Then the wind can go over the panels instead of under them.

Look into the screw anchors used to hold down mobile homes and sheds.

I suppose you could just remove the panels before a storm.
 
Turn them into ballasted mounts.. put tons of cinder blocks tied down onto them, or build up the sides and fill em with something like gravel.

Or set tied down water barrels / water bladders on top of the platforms if you want to be able to easily move them after draining them.
 
Q-Dog said:
If it is going to remain "temporary" the base should be closer in size to the actual panel foot print, maybe even a little bigger, to make it harder to tip over. Putting the entire thing against the fence would suport the fence and keep the wind from getting under the panels.

If you have to leave it in open space, drive a few sticks of rebar through the lumber and into the ground so it can't slide around. Could you maybe build it in 2 sections so the 2 parts can be placed back to back and lashed to each other during a storm? Then the wind can go over the panels instead of under them.

Look into the screw anchors used to hold down mobile homes and sheds.

I suppose you could just remove the panels before a storm.
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Can't use the fence.... it's not mine

Reber isn't a bad idea but again, I already have screw anchors and they didn't come out of the ground. The tie down slipped off the achor because it has an open end.

thanks for the ideas... more food for thought once I see what's salvageable.
cs1234 said:
Turn them into ballasted mounts.. put tons of cinder blocks tied down onto them, or build up the sides and fill em with something like gravel.

Or set tied down water barrels / water bladders on top of the platforms if you want to be able to easily move them after draining them.
Click to expand...

I've actually looked into several of the commercially available ballasted gravel filled mounts but they are pretty expensive. I will probably just try to do an improved 2.0 version of what I have since I'm moving in the next 12-18 months once we build our new house. At that point, I'll have a large system professionally installed.
 
cs1234 said:
Turn them into ballasted mounts.. put tons of cinder blocks tied down onto them, or build up the sides and fill em with something like gravel.

Or set tied down water barrels / water bladders on top of the platforms if you want to be able to easily move them after draining them.
Click to expand...

YEP .... you can also dig a small trench - does not have to be very deep ... and drop about 10 of those 80 pound self mixing concrete bags on it .... at work my guys will take those bags and drop the entire bag in a 55 gallon drum of water ... pull it out -- let it dry ... and we instantly have a 80 pound ballast for about $6 from Home Depot
 
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