Rail positioning
REC Peak Energy 72 Installation Manual - UL 1703
Rev C.3 - 02.16
Ref: NE-06-06-C
6
MouNtINg tHe PANeLs
ReC Peak energy 72 panels are designed for capturing solar radiation and are not suitable for installation as overhead or vertical glazing.
the panels are considered to be in compliance with uL 1703, only when the panel is mounted specified by the mounting instructions below.
the junction box on the back of the panel is protected to IP67 and hence panels can be mounted in any orientation.
Remove any labels or stickers that may be on the front of the panels (where applicable) and ensure no residue is left on the glass.
panEl InstallatIon
ReC Peak energy 72 panels are typically installed on a rail-based mounting system. there are two different methods of installing an ReC Peak
energy 72 panel, as decribed below (fig 1a & 1b), depending on the design of the array. the rails can run under the frame or parallel to the frame,
directly under the indicated clamping zones. ensure the mounting structure is able to withstand anticipated wind and snow loads. Mounting
hardware is not supplied by ReC. follow the mounting hardware manufacturer’s instructions and recommendations at all times.
walls for mechanical
connectors
walls exposed to
buckling load
fig. 2: Rail specification
H channel rail
i) Rail specifications
Clamps should be fastened to C or H channel rails suitable for the system design and expected design loads (fig. 2).
•
thickness of walls for mechanical connections: min. 5/32 in (4.0 mm)
•
thickness of walls exposed to buckling load: min. 7/8 in (2.0 mm)
•
Moment of Inertia for profile area about x-x: min array mounting diagram 13/34 in
4
(192 mm
4
)
fig. 1: Panel mounting options
The overlap between support rail and the outer edge of the panel frame must be a minimum of 7/32 in (6 mm).
(a) Long side mounting
Ensuring sufficient airflow and adequate cooling of the panels can help improve performance. There must be a minimum distance
of 4 in (100 mm) between the uppermost part of the roof and the lowest part of the panel to dissipate heat produced.
(b) Mounting holes
The panels must be installed so that the cells are not shaded as this will drastically reduce electrical output. If partial shading is
inevitable at certain times of the day or year, it must be kept to an absolute minimum.
grip length
min 1
3/4
in
grip length
min 1
3/4
in
grip depth min 1/8 in
grip depth min 1/8 in
fig. 3: Clamp specifications
walls exposed to
load min 5/32 in
ii) Clamp specifications
ReC Peak energy 72 panels have been evaluated by uL for mounting using rails in combination with end and mid clamps, AstM f593C
stainless steel screw and rail nuts with the below ratings and dimensions. Alternatively clamps meeting the specifications shown in the table
below can be used to secure the panel to the mounting structure (fig. 3):
Criteria
Specification
Material specification
Min. yield strength
2089 ton/ft² (200 Mpa)
Min. tensile strength
2610 ton/ft² (250 Mpa)
e.g. 6005 t5 alloy
Min. grip length
1
3/4
in (44.45 mm)
Min. grip depth
1/8 in (5 mm)
Min. thickness of load
carrying walls
5/32 in (4 mm)
screw connection
5/16 in (8 mm) bolt & nut
5/16 in (8mm) washer
AstM f593C (stainless steel)
Each panel must be securely fixed to the mounting structure at a minimum of four points (fig. 5).
