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Wind Load on Solar Panels Analysis Spreadsheet to BRE Digest 489
  
Description:
If you consider installing Solar Panels on your, or your client's, roof then this is the tool for you. It will help you check whether this is feasible by calculating required ballast weight / fixings forces / roof loads from wind acting on Solar Panels (also called: solar modules, photovoltaic modules, photovoltaic panels or PV modules). The design is in accordance with BRE Digest 489.

This spreadsheet is extremely easy to follow, and no engineering knowledge is required to use it. This is achieved by maximising automatic calculations; and thanks to a pop-up UK & Ireland map where with a single click you can determin wind pressures on proposed Solar Panels. Therefore even a regular house owner will be able to use this spreadsheet to calculate the required ballast weight.

The spreadsheets covers the following types of Solar Panels:

Photovoltaic modules with ballast:
This type of modules does not require any fixings into existing roof structure and hence there is no need to penetrate existing roof membrane. Making this a very convenient and easy way of post-installing Photovoltaic arrays. The spreadsheet calculates ballast weight required to prevent uplift, sliding and overturning.

Photovoltaic modules fixed to flat or pitched roof:
Pitched roofs are very common in UK and Ireland. To use these for supporting PV modules it is necessary to fix directly to loadbearing elements within the roof structure. In such a case it is essential to calculate fixing forces holding a PV module and hence loads on a supporting roof. These calculations are covered by this spreadsheet. If you have a flat roof but it is not man enough to support ballast weight then you should explore this type of PV modules.
Features:
- Extremely easy to use;
- Does not require any engineering knowledge hence can be used be a regular house owner;
- A clear and easy to read output (all on a single page);
- Covers three PV classes:
    1) PV modules mounted on or above pitched roofs;
    2) PV stands mounted on flat roofs - free standing (with ballast);
    3) PV stands mounted on flat roofs - mechanically fixed;
- Pop-up window for easy selection of wind loads within UK and Ireland;
- Automatically calculates dynamic wind pressure based on site location, building size etc;
- User may overwrite dynamic wind pressure 'qs' and change size effect factor 'Ca' if this was calculated in another software;
- Automatically calculates pressure coefficients for various cases;
- Covers open and enclosed support structures;
- For ballasted PV modules, spreadsheet checks sliding, overturning and uplift;
- For fixed PV modules, spreadsheet gives forces for which fixings should be designed;
- Live diagrams;
- Quick summary of results;
- Design is based on BRE Digest 489: 2004

(Note: macros must be enabled for proper working of the spreadsheet. Follow instructions in this video)
What People Say:

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We recently discovered Damian’s spreadsheets and have now purchased 5 different solutions (company licenses). We have been very impressed at the ease and speed with which the spreadsheets can be used and will definitely be purchasing more in the future.

Dr Paul Rose BEng(Hons) PhD CEng MIStructE MICE
RoseConsultingEngineers
www.roseconsult.co.uk

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Very impressed with your wind load spreadsheet.

Jason Barne

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I see your solar wind spreadsheet is awesome (...)

Dan R.

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Provide testimonial or feedback
System Requirements:
To run the Single-User Licensed version you require:
- Microsoft Windows Excel version 2007 and above;
(Note: the Single-User spreadsheet will not run on Mac due to unsupported activation procedure)

To run the Company Licensed version you require either:
- Microsoft Windows Excel version 2007 and above;
- Microsoft Mac Excel version 2004, 2011 and above. If unsure then see whether the FREE version works.
Download Section:
FREE Lite version: Wind Load on Solar Panels Design Spreadsheet to BRE Digest 489 (1.2).

The restriction in this free lite version is that you can not change the company name nor the logo (shown in top left corner) - currently set to a made up company. Also you cannot change angle, area and weight of PV module.

 


FULL version: Wind Load on Solar Panels Design Spreadsheet to BRE Digest 489  (1.2).

Single-User or Company License, which one is the best for me?

Fully working version where you change the company information and logo in the top left corner. You can also change angle, area and weight of PV module.

By purchasing this spreadsheet you agree to the disclaimer and terms & conditions. Two types of licenses are available for this spreadsheet. The single-user license is offered for a nominal price of £20 - a great product that you can have for a great value.

After purchase fill in this Activation Key Request Form.


 
 


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