If for any reason a different mounting system is to be used, for example for alpine installations, then it is helpful to know the load resistance of the installation.
With our system for testing the mechanical load, PV modules and thermal collectors can be tested together with the intended mounting material.
- Further develop and improve mounting systems
- Developing alpine mounting systems
- Better understand damage that has already occurred
- Verify published values to prevent damage
Depending on your requirements, long-term tests, high loads, cyclic tests, inhomogeneous loads and much more can be tested.
Testing of vertical PV systems
With the new test facility, vertical PV systems, steeply angled installations or facade solutions can be tested for their mechanical strength.
With up to 50 cylinders, positive and negative loads of up to 8,800 Pa can be simulated over an area of three square metres – which, according to the SIA standard, corresponds to the wind and snow loads experienced in exposed valleys and ridges up to 2,000 meters above sea level.
The video shows the facility in action: For our Innosuisse project ‘Sandwich-PV’, we have developed and tested a new mounting system solution for alpine locations in collaboration with Reg.las AG and SiSo Systems – with a maximum load of 8,000 Pa, plus various cyclic endurance tests. In combination with ageing tests and module characterisation in our PV laboratory (pv-lab.ch), we are testing not only the module or the mounting system individually, but also the interaction between the module and the mounting system as a complete system.
