Boulder, Colo.-based Lumos Solar announced their LSX frameless solar module underwent intensive durability testing and emerged unscathed.
Test modules underwent extreme architectural grade hail testing to confirm that LSX is significantly impact resistant. Lumos Solar’s LSX module uses 6mm frontsheet glass sets it apart from the framed module competition, which increases its impact strength to a Class 4 rating, the highest possible rating..
Since the typical solar testing laboratories only offer up to Class 3 Hail impact testing, Lumos was required to send its LSX modules to Architectural Testing, a company that specializes in testing and certifying homebuilding materials. More commonly, they test and certify roofing tiles, exterior doors and house siding, among other materials.
Architectural Testing suggested subjecting the LSX module to its most rigorous hail impact test featuring two-inch diameter hail. To determine the impact resistance of the LSX modules, Architectural Testing followed the ANSI FM 4473 test procedure: “Specification Test Standard for Impact Resistance Testing of Rigid Roofing Materials by Impacting with Freezer Ice Balls.”
Six man-made, 2-inch diameter, solid ice balls were launched using an air cannon. The cannon launched the ice balls at specified points on the module at speeds ranging from 75 mph to nearly 84 mph. LSX came out of the test with no dents, cracks, or other signs of physical damage, obtaining a Class 4 rating.
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