1. Neglecting the load-bearing capacity of the roof

Myth: Ballasted bracket systems are held in place by weight, so the roof and building must be able to withstand this extra load. If the roof has insufficient load-bearing capacity, structural damage may result.

Caution: Before installing a ballasted photovoltaic system, the structural engineer of the house must verify that the design plan can accommodate the additional weight and wind loads.

2. Ignoring the effect of wind speed on ballast systems

Myth: Wind speed has a small effect on the stability of ballast systems and does not require additional consideration.

Caveat: Wind speed needs to be considered during the design phase. In areas where wind speeds exceed 180 kilometers per hour (110 miles per hour), it is important to ensure that the solar panels are able to withstand strong winds. Also, wind speed requirements need to be specified for the solar racking manufacturer so that they can provide the right type of racking .

3. Ignoring the condition of the roof

Myth: Ballast systems can be installed as long as the roof surface appears to be intact.

Caution: Ensure that the roof is in good condition. Panels should only be installed on roofs that are in the early stages of use and are in good condition to support the panels for decades. It is generally not recommended to install solar panels on roofs with a remaining lifespan shorter than the payback period of the solar panels.

4. Ignoring the flatness of the roof

Myth: Flat roofs are perfectly flat and require no additional consideration.

Caveat: Most flat roofs are not perfectly flat and can be spaced less than 10 degrees apart to help with drainage. If the roof pitch is 3 degrees or less, the ballasted racking system should work well. If the pitch is steeper, additional weight will be required to secure the system .

5. Over-reliance on precompression results

Myth: Pre-compression results can be representative of all supports.

Note: All supports of continuous beams must be pre-compressed, and the pre-compression results of typical beam sections shall not be used to represent the pre-compression of other beam sections. Pre-compression should be carried out in stages and level observation should be made according to the frequency required by the construction program .

6. Neglecting to protect materials from rain

Myth: Pre-compressed materials will not be affected by rainwater.

Caution: During the pre-compression process, attention should be paid to the pre-compression materials against rainwater, otherwise it will produce rainwater loading, and similar accidents have occurred in previous projects.

7. Neglecting the stability of the stent

Myth: The stability of the bracket does not need special consideration.

Note: In the process of scaffolding erection of the stent, the construction program should be strictly followed to ensure the stability of the stent. Bracket in the process of use, it is strictly prohibited to remove or move the safety protection facilities on the plus body .

8. Neglecting maintenance and inspection of the bracket

Misconception: No special maintenance and inspection is needed after the bracket is installed.

Note: The tightening torque of fastener bolts after installation should be checked by torque wrench, and the sampling method should be carried out according to the principle of random distribution. The fastener bolt tightening torque should not be less than 40 kN-m and not more than 60 kN-m .

9. Ignore the bracket's lightning protection and grounding

Myth: Lightning protection and grounding of the support is not important.

Note: Scaffolds with a height of 20 meters or more must be lightning-grounded.