HBR Zurich Renewable Energy 2015
1
Sponsored Section Companies are ramping up use of photovoltaic systems— solar panels that convert the energy of the sun into electric currents. The cost of installation is dropping as fuel prices rise, and tax incentives are encouraging organizations to make the switch to reduce their carbon footprint and cut operating expenses. But companies must also understand the challenges of the new technology and take steps to reduce risks. Harvard Business Review recently talked with James Breitkreitz, Executive Director, Risk Engineering, Zurich North America, about the factors companies should consider in making the move. What are the challenges with the installation of large-scale solar panel systems in commercial use? Solar is a huge opportunity for companies and their customers, as they can cut costs while running on energy from the cleanest sources you can find. However, standards and best practices are still emerging. We’re still learning about what happens when you install a system on top of a building, which, in many instances, was not designed with this in mind. We are working with our customers to evaluate and mitigate risk factors like fire, wind loading, and the possibility of structural damage caused by weight issues associated with solar panels. What are the potential challenges around fire? Solar panels put a potential ignition source on the roof top— where there’s never been one before. A commercial installation is a high voltage system with lines running right on the roof deck, so ignition is a concern. Panels also change the way a roof burns. On a typical industrial roof, a fire won’t spread quickly across the flat surface, because there aren’t many combustible materials available. But with solar panels, the metal on the bottom of the panel reflects heat extremely well. If there is an ignition source, like sparks from a panel or wire, the heat feedback mechanism allows fire to quickly propagate under the panels. After a fire starts, there also are increased challenges for fire fighters. Because it can be difficult to get between the panels and get on the roof, firefighters will spray thousands of gallons of water, which some roofs are just not designed to handle. So you need to think not only about the design of the panel installation but also about potential retrofitting of the building. What other structural and design problems can a commercial installation face? Many systems are put on existing buildings that weren’t designed for these new weight loads and functions, which can cause structural problems. In the North, snow loading also is an issue. You can’t easily push the snow off panels, so it can melt, drip down, and then freeze—causing damaging ice accumulation. The panels also can be vulnerable to moving or blowing off roofs in high winds. As winds increase in velocity, the uplift, which can blow shingles off houses, can also move and damage panels on the roofs of industrial buildings. Moving panels put stress on electric connections, which can lead to a fire. We’re working with the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety to better understand just what kind of anchorage is needed. Zurich Risk Engineering professionals are committed to expanding and deepening their knowledge of new technologies and the risks they represent in order to deliver fresh insights to customers and brokers. TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MY ZURICH AND THE FULL LINE OF ZURICH’S SOLUTIONS AND SERVICES, VISIT: www.zurichna.com The information in this publication was compiled from sources believed to be reliable for informational purposes only. Zurich is not providing legal advice and assumes no liability concerning the information set forth above. This is intended as a general description of certain types of insurance and services available to qualified customers through the companies of Zurich in North America, provided solely for informational purposes. Your policy is the contract that specifically and fully describes your coverage. The description of the policy provisions gives a broad overview of coverages and does not revise or amend the policy. Risk Engineering services are provided by The Zurich Services Corporation. ZURICH RISK ENGINEERING Renewable Energy: What Are the Risks?
-
Upload
responsiveads -
Category
Documents
-
view
213 -
download
1
description
Â
Transcript of HBR Zurich Renewable Energy 2015
Sponsored Section
Companies are ramping up use of photovoltaic systems—solar panels that convert the energy of the sun into electric currents. The cost of installation is dropping as fuel prices rise, and tax incentives are encouraging organizations to make the switch to reduce their carbon footprint and cut operating expenses. But companies must also understand the challenges of the new technology and take steps to reduce risks. Harvard Business Review recently talked with James Breitkreitz, Executive Director, Risk Engineering, Zurich North America, about the factors companies should consider in making the move.
What are the challenges with the installation of large-scale solar panel systems in commercial use? Solar is a huge opportunity for companies and their customers, as they can cut costs while running on energy from the cleanest sources you can find. However, standards and best practices are still emerging. We’re still learning about what happens when you install a system on top of a building, which, in many instances, was not designed with this in mind. We are working with our customers to evaluate and mitigate risk factors like fire, wind loading, and the possibility of structural damage caused by weight issues associated with solar panels.
What are the potential challenges around fire? Solar panels put a potential ignition source on the roof top—where there’s never been one before. A commercial installation is a high voltage system with lines running right on the roof deck, so ignition is a concern.
Panels also change the way a roof burns. On a typical industrial roof, a fire won’t spread quickly across the flat surface, because there aren’t many combustible materials available. But with solar panels, the metal on the bottom of the panel reflects heat
extremely well. If there is an ignition source, like sparks from a panel or wire, the heat feedback mechanism allows fire to quickly propagate under the panels. After a fire starts, there also are increased challenges for fire fighters. Because it can be difficult to get between the panels and get on the roof, firefighters will spray thousands of gallons of water, which some roofs are just not designed to handle. So you need to think not only about the design of the panel installation but also about potential retrofitting of the building.
What other structural and design problems can a commercial installation face? Many systems are put on existing buildings that weren’t designed for these new weight loads and functions, which can cause structural problems. In the North, snow loading also is an issue. You can’t easily push the snow off panels, so it can melt, drip down, and then freeze—causing damaging ice accumulation.
The panels also can be vulnerable to moving or blowing off roofs in high winds. As winds increase in velocity, the uplift, which can blow shingles off houses, can also move and damage panels on the roofs of industrial buildings. Moving panels put stress on electric connections, which can lead to a fire. We’re working with the Insurance Institute for Business and Home Safety to better understand just what kind of anchorage is needed.
Zurich Risk Engineering professionals are committed to expanding and deepening their knowledge of new technologies and the risks they represent in order to deliver fresh insights to customers and brokers.
TO LEARN MORE ABOUT MY ZURICH AND THE FULL LINE OF ZURICH’S SOLUTIONS AND SERVICES, VISIT:
www.zurichna.com
The information in this publication was compiled from sources believed to be reliable for informational purposes only. Zurich is not providing legal advice and assumes no liability concerning the information set forth above.
This is intended as a general description of certain types of insurance and services available to qualified customers through the companies of Zurich in North America, provided solely for informational purposes. Your policy is the contract that specifically and fully describes your coverage. The description of the policy provisions gives a broad overview of coverages and does not revise or amend the policy. Risk Engineering services are provided by The Zurich Services Corporation.
ZURICH RISK ENGINEERING
Renewable Energy: What Are the Risks?
