> Yes, my client has tested them for 2 years now. =A0We mount ours on a > gimbal (?), so that it always > stays level when the tracking PV array moves. > It turns out that here in Arizona you are required to measure the wind > speed and present a minimal load for the tracker, otherwise the footer > (concrete foundation) requirements are enormous. The =A0county engineer > measures our wind device and watches the shutdown before licensing the > site. I assume that the minimal load is when the wind is over a certain speed. F ~=3D 0.5 x D x A x Cd x V^2 F force, Newton A area, m^2 (flat plate equivalent projected with Cd=3D1) D air density kg/m^3 V velocity m/s Cd drag coefficient - assume unity. Or ~~ V^2.A/16 kg/m^2 eg 30 m/s ~~ 60mph ~=3D 50 kg/m^2 Add a moment arm of a metre or few and that can get severe Russell --=20 http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist .