[b]Live load for PV solar panels[/b]

[RacingAZ]

Wondering what should be the appropriate live load to use to design a ground mounted support for the PV panels (about 6' above grade). I'm leaning toward just using whatever I can generate from ASCE 7-05 wind pressure projecting into the panels. The only question is what table or figure I should be using from 7-05.

How about for PV panels mounted on covered parking structure (without the roof steel deck), where the panels are the one that actually provide the shade? Should it be subject to the same roof live load as the regular parking structure(no PV)? Thanks.

 

[PST09]

For the ground panels this depends on the orientation of them. Assuming they are at say 30 degrees, you will have to design them for other loading such as snow loading etc. (alrhough snow would probably not settle on them due to the low friction coefficient).

As for the Parking structure, if the cells are acting as the 'roof' if you like then you correctly assumed they will have to be designed with the same live loading as the regular parking sructure.

 

[ishvaaag]

Here (Spain) we have mandatory solar (water heating) panels for dwellings. Everything in the roof is kept in load value as elsewhere, even under the mat that constitutes the "foundation" and stabilizing mass of the solar panels on the roof. Almost everywhere RC construction. Then the actual weight of such base plus water-filled panels is added. Loads even over half tonne on a square meter just for these dead weights are not uncommon. As sometimes removable, may be considered if wanted as live load. The proper effects on wind, snow etc are also cared for. For framed industrial building, almost universally steel substructures are employed to sustain the loads.