pv magazine Webinar | Defeating the rust – How steel substructures defy danger

Initiative partner: Schletter

Hot-dip galvanized steel promises improved robustness and durability. Nevertheless, there are shocking findings from photovoltaic mounting systems. Steel posts rammed into the damp earth only a few years ago have shown signs of heavy corrosion underground, compromising the stability of the entire installation. Both wrong material selection and incorrect grounding are the culprits of this expensive mistake.

In this webinar we will look into real cases, clarify which mistakes have been made in the past and look at how they can be avoided in the future. Ernst-Günther Ache from Ache Engineering examined several plants affected by severe corrosion and explains the mechanisms that attack the steel underground. Cedrik Zapfe, CTO with Schletter, our partner for this webinar, in a function as an independent technical advisor has seen corrosion on many plants, especially in the hot and humid climates of the Carribbean and Southeast Asia. Drawing on his experience we will discuss how Schletter’s third generation mounting system overcomes these problems. Zapfe claims that the manufacturer maintains a tier-one bill of materials and has addressed the problem of faulty grounding. Additionally, easy installation and robustness even in difficult terrain are on the list of promises the manufacturer makes.

Join this webinar and learn how rust can be defeated!

Webinar Content:
• Why rust can attack even well galvanized systems
• Practical example: causes and effects of rust on steel posts
• The fundamentals for material selection and earthing of substructures
• The new assembly system FS Duo Gen3: installation and resistance to rust

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Questions can be submitted beforehand or during the webinar through a chat window. We look forward to your participation!

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This webinar was recorded on 21 January 2020.