TABLE 4: POSSIBLE TECHNICAL SOLUTION FOR SUPPLIER TO RESPOND
FEATURE TECHNICAL OPTIONS Panel Tilt The optimal tilt angle in common climates for best year-round performance is the latitude where the panels are installed.
There are two exceptional environments where this angle is not optimal:
•
Areas with monsoon climate or long cloudy season, the optimal angle can be changed so that the panels are
perpendicular to the sun’s rays during monsoon or cloudy season.
•
Areas near the equator (the central band located between 10 ° North and 10 ° South: Sierra Leone, Liberia, CAR,
DRC, South Sudan, Kenya, Somalia ....). In this area we would theoretically install panels horizontally, but the
minimum installation angle is 10 ° to allow cleaning, avoid accumulation of dust, ...
In the equatorial band, the solar array can be divided into 2: one half inclined 10 ° to the north, the other half inclined
10 ° to the south.
Finally, it is always possible to request panel stands that can have two or three inclinations:
•
Tilt A = Optimal angle = latitude of the place of installation (out of equatorial band)
•
Tilt B = Tilt A - 12 °
•
Tilt C = Tilt A + 12 °
Support foundation (fixing on the ground) In addition to the weight of the panels, the support of the panels must also be able to withstand the uplift pressure on
the panels due to wind blowing under the panels.
A solid anchorage requires:
•
a solid/strong fixation on the frame without damaging the waterproofness for the roofs,
•
anchoring is done with concrete foundations 30x30 cm length and width, and at least 50 cm deep.
Protection against corrosion The panel stand must be resistant to corrosion. For this, 3 methods are generally used:
•
the stand can be made of aluminium (expensive)
•
the stand can be made of galvanized steel. In this case, make sure that the welds are painted after finishing.
•
the stand can be made of steel. In this case ensure the support is covered with two layers of paint, one made with
a rust-proof paint, the other made with a thick paint finish.
