In early 2023, Rotokauri Primary School in Hamilton, New Zealand, wanted to install a solar system to reduce the school’s energy costs and environmental footprint, while providing the students with the opportunity to learn about alternative energy sources.
Among the multi-building 10,000 square metre (108,000 sqft) campus, Rotokauri’s multipurpose facility features a corrugated iron roof ─ which was identified as ideal for the new solar system.
Administrators worked with Solar Partners NZ, a leading solar wholesaler in New Zealand and S-5! channel partner, to help them design the solution. They also partnered with Ace Electrical who installed and commissioned the 16.5kW system.
The school selected the S-5! PVKIT solar mounting solution to secure 30 Canadian Solar modules to the roof. The system, which includes a FIMER inverter, is estimated to generate over 15MWh annually, equivalent to 13 tonnes of CO2.
Solar Partners NZ recommended the PVKIT together with the CorruBracket 500T PV to mount the solar array to the corrugated roof. S-5! turns the roof into a canvas, allowing panels to be installed anywhere on the roof, not just on roof purlins, providing a streamlined, aesthetic low-profile installation with no unsightly rails, making roof maintenance a breeze. The array was capped off with the PVKONCEAL module skirt to retain a sleek appearance from public viewing angles. Surface-mounted conduits were secured to the roof by S-5! CanDuit clamps.
The web-based S-5! Solar Calculator was used in the design process to determine load calculations and the bill of materials. Additionally, the calculator provided the number of fixings and locations to ensure the array could manage the site’s wind loads.
Additionally, the PVKIT system enabled the school to achieve a design engineered to withstand the area’s high winds. By directly fixing the PV to the ribs of the roof, it provided installation efficiency and flexibility and distributed the load more prudently and uniformly into the roof and structure.
• Cut material costs in half, including freight costs
• Cut installation costs in half by eliminating the assembly and installation required by traditional racking
• Minimised the amount of time workers must spend in harnesses on the roof
• Improved aesthetics
• Eliminated the risk of a voided roof manufacturer warranty
The PVKIT system enabled the school to achieve a design engineered to withstand the area’s high winds. By directly fixing the PV to the ribs of the roof, it provided installation efficiency and flexibility and distributed the load more prudently and uniformly into the roof and structure.
With the CorruBracket 500T PV, the “500” bracket designation refers to metric dimensioning. See the “100” for imperial compatibility.
The 500T PV is designed to be paired with the S-5-PVKIT for direct-attach™ solar mounting. The 500T PV features a slotted hole for 25 mm of adjustability, as well as an open channel for wire management.
Choose the 500T PV for mounting to 16-22 mm (H) x 76 mm rib-pitch corrugated roofing profiles.
Attachment Versatility
The 500T PV fastens into the sheeting-only (self-piercing screws provided), allowing you to position the metal roof bracket anywhere along the roof ribs. You can also use the 500T PV for attachment of solar inverters and/or optimizers. The bracket’s “V” configuration helps prevent crushing of the ribs when PV modules experience down-force such as snow loads.
Be sure to check out the many other features on the bracket overview page.
