Hi gang. It seems to me that an upward sloping gap between the flammable roofing materials and the PV modules would result in a chimney effect for any fire in the roofing materials whether the fire is a result of the PV system or not.
Combine that with the modules blocking access to a roofing fire, and maybe you have their concern. Just guessing here. Ryan LeBlanc wrote at 12:43 PM 9/23/2010: >Good points all, > >Has anyone had an experience where you've seen new shingles and PV installed >at the same time, where the shingles became prematurely brittle beneath the >array, where you could say for sure it was PV's fault? I too have tried to >keep an eye on that, but I never can pin it on PV, most are still retrofits, >not lending any credible data. > >As long as the PV doesn't cause the fire, due to: >- Ground-faulted or otherwise compromised wiring >- Melted cheap-o junction boxes (lowest cost import products) >- Improperly wired roof mounted combiners (reverse polarity) >- Conduit/expansion fitting errors (like the TARGET fire) >- The fact that they simply will be in the way if firefighters have to >vent... > >Are we saying there is evidence that the "PV shade structure" can increase >the flammability of the roof product from combustion, due to proximity? >Trapping a combustible level of heat beneath the array that can dry out and >set fire to comp shingle? Hypothesis = 1 in a billion, necessary to look at, >sure. Maybe 1 in a 1/2 billion for wood shake. > >Solutions I see then: >-They can be stuck to the roof, no air gap no problem. Well, except no >possibility of removal for firefighters. >-Integrated into the roof, then maintenance and wiring is buried. >-0-5" (or whatever), no go due to too close. >-5" (or whatever) and higher, Ok, due to adequate airflow and lack of >proximity. > >So now we're going to need PV compatible roof product ratings? PV has a >great track record ratio of installs to related fires, and this is with a >majority of installers NOT really knowing what their doing, me included. I >hope we don't have to get more expensive as a result, let's make the roofers >tell us which ones are not compatible, and then we can just tell them to >stop installing it. PV is too important. :o) > >I have to believe that having a roof covered by PV, especially in CA, could >also Help Prevent fires from falling embers from forest and field fires, the >occasional PG&E GAS LINE EXPLOSION BLOWING UP WHOLE NEIGHBORHOODS, etc. > >Most material science would indicate that shading of the roof, the >overwhelming majority of the time, will extend roofing product lifespan, >often significantly, and help keep the attic a bit cooler. > >Let's not let officials overdo it, as I get more frustrated and educated >about this overly passive and tolerant society of ours, I'm beginning to >believe a little collateral damage is completely acceptable. It obviously >is for the big boys of energy, money, automobiles, policy, etc. > >*See BURNING THE FUTURE (Coal), GASLAND (Natural Gas), FLOW (For Love of >Water), all the oil movies (oil), The Cove (Dolphins)... etc. > >We could probably have a roof fire per day, and still be doing better than >these "A" for alternative holes, except we'd get blitzed by the bad guys. >Thanks again for keeping watch guys. > >$.0001 > >P.S. WHERE IS OUR FEED-IN TARIFF?... oh what, the PPA's have it covered, oh >yeah, they don't want one, great for us. Is anyone watch-dogging these PV >finance guys? They're the ones that scare me the most, you know, the ones >that get lost at the "T" for "truth-in-lending". > >Thanks for your relentless service to the industry that could save America, >if only they would let us. > >Ryan J. LeBlanc >NABCEPT Certified Solar PV Installer >Cell: 707.591.1950 >Direct: 707.536.9839 >r...@naturalenergyworks.com >http://www.NaturalEnergyWorks.com > > > > >_______________________________________________ >List sponsored by Home Power magazine > >List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org > >Options & settings: >http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > >List-Archive: >http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org > >List rules & etiquette: >www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm > >Check out participant bios: >www.members.re-wrenches.org _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org