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Will your solar plant survive the next storm? How to correctly identify wind load risk for solar installations

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Wind load is a critical challenge for both PV modules and trackers – with real consequences for project bankability. In this webinar we will examine how a system-level approach to load testing can protect panels from failure, discuss wind load testing methods that go beyond static standards, and hear how tracker design handles extreme wind events.

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Wind load is a big issue for solar installations: panels can and do bend and fly away. Does the industry have the right tools to measure how resilient a PV plant really is to ensure the installation is built to withstand the elements?

In this pv magazine Webinar, experts from solar tracker and racking solutions manufacturer Arctech and independent testing provider CPP Wind will discuss current methodologies for PV plant wind load testing, why these might fall short, and offer solutions for PV project developers and EPCs, utility-scale solar investors, and asset owners.  

Join to learn hear how wind load affects structural design, component selection and system reliability; what the challenges of wind load mean for project bankability and a plant’s lifecycle value; and how advanced tracker design can handle extreme wind events while maintaining yield.  

pv magazine Webinar content: 

  • Module failures on site 
  • Stow strategy, panel structure and purlin design 
  • Quality reduction 
  • Calculating wind load correctly 
  • Stow tilt 
  • Testing standard suitabiltiy 
  • Arctech tracker overview 
  • Q&A 

What you will learn:  

  • How to turn previously undevelopable terrain into high yield solar assets 
  • Understand the full impact of tracker design on lifecycle costs (CapEx+ OpEx) 
  • How to take a system approach to tracker, frame and panel testing 
  • Standards for calculating panel and tracker load 
  • How Arctech approaches the problem 

Questions can be submitted beforehand in the comments window when registering or in the chat during the live webinar. 

The webinar will be moderated by Matthew Lynas, editor at pv magazine. 

Registration for this webinar is free of charge. 

 

Speakers

John Wang | Head of R&D Engineering, Arctech

John is the Vice General Manager of the R&D Center, where he leads the tracker structure innovation and provides global technical support. He conducts competitor analysis, product development, wind tunnel testing, product-to-project studies, and all related technical support during project design. With over 14 years of experience in solar horizontal single-axis tracker product development and involvement in around 70GW tracker project designs, John has a proven track record of success. He was responsible for the first China tracker project in multiple regions, including the USA, Japan, Middle-east, Europe, and Australia. In 2017, John joined Arctech, where he established the overseas technical team. He holds a Bachelor's degree in Aeronautical and Astronautical/Space Engineering from Harbin Engineering University.

Parsa Enshaei | Associate Principal, CPP

Parsa is an Associate Principal at CPP’s Sydney office, where he leads the firm’s solar capabilities across Australia and the wider region. With extensive experience delivering wind tunnel testing for major projects across Australia, Asia, and Europe, he has developed deep expertise in wind loads and aeroelastic effects on solar structures. Over his career at CPP, Parsa has worked with dozens of solar mounting structure manufacturers in China, India, and Europe, driving technical innovation and commercial growth in the sector. He regularly presents at national and international conferences and is an active member of the Australian Wind Engineering Society.

Moderators

Matthew Lynas | Editor, pv magazine

Matthew Lynas joined pv magazine as features editor in 2023. An experienced business-to-business journalist, Matthew is responsible for features in our monthly global print title. Previously, he served as editor of a leading UK retail magazine, covering a broad range of issues including sustainability projects in the grocery and FMCG sectors.