Install Manual
3
Document Number: MAN-SFO-15 | SAFETY AND INSTALLATION MANUAL FOR PHOTOVOLTAIC MODULES
region. To prevent solar module hot spots and/or reduction
in power, nd a location that has the lowest shading.
Avoid low tilt angles to prevent the accumulation of
dirt/debris along the module edge.
Modules must be spaced a minimum 10 mm (3/8”) a
part on all sides to provide space for thermal expansion
and to provide ventilation.
Do not drill any additional holes into the module frames
and do not cover the drainage holes.
Do not mount Silfab modules in a position where the
junction boxes are “upside down” (leads facing upwards).
8.2 Module Mounting Method using mounting holes
Each module must be securely fastened at a minimum
of 4 points.
Only use the 4 pre-drilled mounting holes (slots, see
Figures 3 and 5) on the PV module frame to bolt the
module with M6 (1/4”) stainless steel screws and nuts
to the mounting framework.
The distance of the mounting holes has been designed
in order to result in a uniform wind and snow load with-
out damaging the module.
Do not drill additional holes in the module frame;
doing so will void the Warranty.
8.3 Mounting using clamping method
Silfab recommends the use of clamps with a design as
shown in Fig. 4a (or equivalent). The use of improper
clamps will void the Warranty.
• These modules can be installed in either Portrait (ver-
tical) or Landscape (horizontal) conguration. Refer to
Fig. 4 b, c, and d for an example of attaching the mod-
ules to a support structure using mounting clamps. Use
stainless steel hardware.
• These modules can be mounted on continuous base
structures (inclined or horizontal) such as rails or similar.
• Both base structures must be mounted at the same
distance from the symmetrical axis (portrait or land-
scape) of the module (Fig. 5).
• Placing the supporting elements as per Fig. 5 is necessary
in order to maintain a correct load distribution and achieve
the design and test load rating based on the UL1703.
• When clamping the modules on a support structure,
the following rules have to be applied in order to maintain
the resistance against static loads as certied:
If the bars or rails run parallel to the module’s short frame
edge, they must be placed nearby the mounting holes in
order to achieve a design load of 75 lb/ft
2
(3600Pa) down-
ward applied force or a test load of 113 lb/ft
2
(5400Pa)
downward applied force per UL 1703 for all Silfab prod-
ucts. For upward applied loads, as long as the same
mounting zones are utilized, a maximum certied design
load of 56 lb/ft
2
(2667Pa) and maximum test load of 84 lb/
ft
2
(4000Pa) is allowable. This load rating only applies to
the following Silfab product lines: (SIL-XXX ML/NL/BL/XL/
HL/XA/BK/NX).
With regards to Silfab’s larger product family (e.g. SIL-XXX
NT/MT/NU/HU), the maximum allowable upward applied
design load is 33 lb/ft
2
(1600Pa) which corresponds to a
test load of 50 lb/ft
2
(2400Pa) per UL 1703 requirements.
Please refer to Fig. 5a-e for the mounting zone tolerances
highlighted in blue.
If the bars or rails run parallel to the module’s long frame
edge, they have to be placed within the spacing of 500-
750 mm (19 11/16 – 29 1/2”) in order to achieve the
UL1703 design load rating (upward or downward) of 33
Ib/ft
2
(1600 Pa) or a test load rating of 50 Ib/ft
2
(2400 Pa)
for the product lines based on 60-cell format: SIL-XXXML/
NL/BL/XA/XL/HL. Please see the orange mounting zone
sections in Fig. 5a.
Silfab recommends the use of CAMO clamp with a design
as shown in Fig. 4 e. The following conditions have to be ap-
plied in order to receive coverage under Silfab’s Warranty:
• CAMO clamp is allowable only The following Silfab
product lines: (SIL-XXX ML/NL/BL/XA/XL/HL/BK/NX).
• Bars or rails must run parallel to the module’s short
frame edge, and they must be placed outside of the
mounting holes (±15 mm of the mounting hole’s edge).
Supporting bars or rails have to be placed within the
spacing of 900mm (±25) for SIL-XXX ML/NL/BL/XL/HL
modules, 1000mm(±25) for SIL-XXX BK modules, and
1035 (±25) for SIL-XXX NX modules.
• As long as the above mount ing rules are utilized, a
maximum downward design load of 75 lb/ft2 (3600Pa)
or a test load of 113 lb/ft2 (5400Pa) is certied. For up-
ward applied loads, a maximum certied design load
of 33 lb/ft2 (1600Pa) or maximum test load of 50 lb/ft2
(2400Pa) is allowable, per UL 1703 requirements.