Reverse tilt mounts?

DanKegel

What solar panel racking vendors provide guidance and support for reverse tilt mounts?
There are a lot of installers who would like to offer those, but lack the engineering expertise to design them from whole cloth; support from the vendor would help those installers do it right.

Unirac specifically advises against it with their products:
http://unirac.com/wp-content/uploads/bsk-pdf-manager/88_SM_REVERSE_TILT_APPLICABILITY.PDF

Spice Solar has one drawing with reverse tilt:
http://www.spicesolar.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/Spice-REVERSE-TILT-ELEV.pdf

The Australian company Clenergy has the most detailed info I've found so far.
http://clenergy.com/Products/Mounting-Systems-PV-ezRack/Solar-Roof
has an adjustable tilt leg installation guide with a table showing base rail support spacing for reverse tilt based on roof slope, wind zone, and building height:
http://clenergy.com/getmedia/1e86aec5-4ede-4f01-a230-89df39d49ec0/Installation-Guide_PV-ezRack_SolarRoof_Adjustable-Tilt-Legs_AU_V3-2.pdf.aspx

I'd love it if anyone could chime in with info about other vendors that support reverse tilt.

I ask because an installer did this: https://goo.gl/photos/DJHBdP7kUMTBhEyQ6
The flush-mounted panels are fine, but the reverse tilt looks wobbly, and I have no evidence they engineered it for wind loads.

DanKegel

Oh, and IronRidge also does not support them.  They say: "The reverse tilt applications are often done improperly, and are no longer support by IronRidge. Any failures of reverse tilt installation are not going to be covered by our warranty. This will also hold true with our new tilt legs."

South Africa

Had similar problem with my installation, Strong winds coming over the pitch of a roof, causes some interesting turbulence at the back.

Architects may also be able to guide one on what to do. 

Dave Angelini

I use these for many of my applications. Might be hard to get the neighbors to send you a Christmas card...
http://arraytechinc.com/commercial/duratrack-hzla-comm/

South Africa

Unless you get the neighbors interest peeked and they share in the installation cost and power. 

DanKegel

We ended up using the Iron Ridge adjustable tilt leg, plus an extra crossbrace the PE insisted on.  Seems fine.  Glad my installer engaged a PE after I raised the issue.

Pictures or it didn't happen: http://kegel.com/energy/solar/retrofit2/bifacial.html

BB.

Will be interesting to see your "bi-facial" panels output vs standard panels results.

-Bill