GameChange Solar, a solar tracker and racking solutions provider, had its rectangular head racking bolt recognized per UL 2703 from the national testing lab, Intertek.
A rendering of GameChange Solar’s new rectangular-head bolt.
This patent-pending bolting solution is designed to streamline the installation process and reinforce the connection between trackers and solar modules. The new rectangular head bolt is meant to address issues of pry-out failures caused by extreme winds by having a larger bearing area mounting to the module frame. This bolt design is meant to transfer more force from the module to the rack.
UL 2703 certifies that components related to solar mounting systems are properly electrically grounded and meet certain fire classifications. GameChange has performed third-party testing per the IEC 61215 international standard for module load testing with full-scale samples of rectangular head bolts and solar modules. These tests have shown increases in module capacity beyond 20% when compared to standard bolts, according to the company.
In addition, the bolt’s elongated head is designed to catch on the inside of the module frame during installation. Installers can torque the nut into place with one hand.
“It’s always great when an innovation addresses multiple customer needs,” said Scott Van Pelt, chief engineer at GameChange Solar. “In this case, the rectangular head bolts not only increase the mechanical capacity of each bolted connection between the PV module and the rack but also improve installation rates for modules due to the bolt’s self-holding features.”
News item from GameChange Solar
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