| Criterion
6.2.2 Solar Degradation
Criterion
text:
Components
or materials shall not be affected by exposure to sunlight to
an extent that will significantly deteriorate their function during
their design life.
Comments:
This requirement is evaluated during SRCC system review.
Installers must follow the manufacturer's SRCC approved installation
instructions and use approved materials.
The
component materials used in solar systems components must be able
to withstand long term outdoor exposure, heat, and other degradation
inducing factors. In this case, these materials are related to
the transport subsystem. Included in this would be insulation,
insulation coating, valves, and all other components that are
transport subsystem related.
Installers
must use the materials and components provided by the manufacturer
for the SRCC certified solar system. All components and materials
have been reviewed and approved by SRCC for use in the approved
system.
Components
that have been previously evaluated and approved by SRCC include
valves such as the freeze prevention valve (Figure 1) and the
combination air vent-vacuum breaker valve (Figure 2). The chemical
properties of the materials used in these valves have been evaluated
by SRCC to ensure that they can indeed withstand long term ultraviolet
ray degradation.
Figure 1
Figure 2
The
installer should simply install the manufacturer provided components
and follow the instructions provided in the SRCC approved installation
manual.
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 thought he manufacturer specified the use of rubber
pipe insulation for exterior piping, the installer has to make
sure that he or she uses this 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
The
insulation in Figure 1 was not protected from ultraviolet ray
degradation. Note the cracks. (This installer should have mitered
and sealed the corners where the insulation changes from a horizontal
to vertical orientation.)
Figure
2
Figures
3 shows a valve that is commonly used on solar systems. The chemical
composition of these valves includes compounds that protect them
from ultraviolet rays.
Figure 3
Proceed
to the Next Transport Subsystem Guideline
Return
to the Transport Subsystem Main Page
|
