First, they are banking on the fact that solar doesn't need a lot of repair and maintenance in general, and their design decreases some of the stresses that racked solar panels encounter. I imagine they are also over-sizing the system, and adding remote disconnects so they can disable a certain number of panels and still meet the contract.
And then when repair is needed, they just walk on it[1]. Seriously. I'm very curious as to what these pads they mention are like - big foam snow shoes, or walkways they rollout along a seam?
Oh, that's interesting. And I guess if they do manage to break a few panels, they can be replaced cheaply. Its probably still cheaper than dealing with racking.
They are ridiculously strong. I've had a set of 8 on a tracker be blown over by the wind (in spite of ample foundation according to the people that sold me the gear), land on the edge and not get damaged at all. That was a pretty heavy impact too, the whole thing was 30 cm into the ground.
I assume they need to worry about scratches. An XXXXXL clean room bootie wouldn't work because it would pick up sand and grit as you walk across the panels.
And then when repair is needed, they just walk on it[1]. Seriously. I'm very curious as to what these pads they mention are like - big foam snow shoes, or walkways they rollout along a seam?
[1] https://www.erthos.com/reducing-degradation-rates-with-earth...