Commercial/industrial photovoltaic module and array requirement study. Final report

Technical Report · Tue Dec 01 04:00:00 EST 1981

DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/5353882· OSTI ID:5353882

Hood, T.; Thompson, J.; Zaremski, D. Jr.

A study has been conducted to identify design requirements for photovoltaic modules and arrays used in commercial and industrial applications. Building codes and referenced standards were reviewed for their applicability to commercial and industrial photovoltaic array installation. Four general installation types were identified: integral (replaces roofing), direct (mounted on top of roofing), stand-off (mounted away from roofing), and rack (for flat or low slope roofs, or ground mounted). Each of the generic mounting types can be used in vertical wall mounting systems. This implies eight mounting types exist in the commercial/industrial sector. Installation costs were developed for these mounting types as a function of panel/module size. Cost drivers were identified. Studies were performed to identify optimum module shapes and sizes and operating voltage cost drivers. The general conclusion is that there are no perceived major obstacles to the use of photovoltaic modules in commercial/industrial arrays. However, there is no applicable building code category for photovoltaic modules and arrays and early additional work is needed with standards writing organizations to develop commercial module and array requirements. As some obstacles could make PV extremely costly, recommendations are made to the PV industry which will facilitate a more successful product entrance into the building industry.

• Research Organization: Jet Propulsion Lab., Pasadena, CA (USA); Burt, Hill, Kosar, Rittlemann, and Associates, Butler, PA (USA)
• DOE Contract Number: NAS-7-100-955698
• OSTI ID: 5353882
• Report Number(s): DOE/JPL/955698-81/1; ON: DE82011517
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

14 SOLAR ENERGY
140600* -- Solar Energy-- Photovoltaic Power Systems
BUILDING CODES
COMMERCIAL SECTOR
CONSTRAINTS
COST
DIRECT ENERGY CONVERTERS
ECONOMICS
ELECTRIC DISCHARGES
ELECTRIC GROUNDS
EQUIPMENT
INDUSTRY
INSTALLATION
LIGHTNING
MAINTENANCE
OPERATION
OPTIMIZATION
PHOTOELECTRIC CELLS
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS
RECOMMENDATIONS
SOLAR CELL ARRAYS
SOLAR CELLS
SOLAR EQUIPMENT
STANDARDS