| Criterion
6.1.1.11 Airborne Pollutants
Criterion
text:
Solar
components and materials that are exposed to airborne pollutants
such as ozone, salt spray, SO2 or NOx shall not be adversely affected
by these factors to the extent that their function will be significantly
impaired during their design life.
Comments:
This criterion is evaluated during SRCC system review
process.
Installers must install the system in accordance with the manufacturer's
SRCC approved installation manual. External components used must
be those listed in the manual
Since solar systems and their components are installed in a variety
of climatic environments (coastal as well as inland, arid and
tropical, etc.), these varying environmental areas often require
the use of area specific materials. Manufacturers have taken this
into consideration and have available components suitable for
various environments. Because of this, installer and manufacturer
coordination is very important when determining the type of components
required in a specific area.
The
components that affect this criterion are primarily those used
outdoors. These include valves, piping insulation, etc. SRCC has
reviewed the characteristics of these components to ensure that
they will indeed meet the requirements of this criterion.
There
are tasks that have to be carried out by the installer that can
not be verified during the initial system review process. For
example, even though he manufacturer specified the use of rubber
pipe insulation for exterior piping, the installer has to make
sure that he or she uses the specified materials and that
the insulation is protected from airborne pollutants and ultraviolet
ray degradation by the use of the manufacturer's recommended coating.
(See Figure 1)
Figure 1
Figure
2 indicates what happens to insulation that is not protected from
airborne pollutants and ultraviolet ray degradation. Note the
cracks. In addition, this installer should have mitered and sealed
the corners where the insulation changes from a horizontal to
vertical orientation.
Figure
2
Figures
3 shows the plastic used in the body of a valve that is commonly
used on solar systems. The chemical composition of this valve
includes compounds that help reduce degradation from ultraviolet
rays as well as airborne pollutants.
Figure 3
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