{"query_echo":{"q":"","filters":{"analysis_type":["failure analysis"]},"warnings":[{"code":"facet_value_not_in_vocabulary","message":"Value 'failure analysis' for facet 'analysis_type' is not in the controlled vocabulary."}]},"total":{"value":3,"relation":"eq"},"page":1,"page_size":20,"self":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/api/v1/search?analysis_type=failure+analysis","stability":"beta","ai_marking":{"digital_source_type":{"uri":"http://cv.iptc.org/newscodes/digitalsourcetype/trainedAlgorithmicMedia","name":"Created using Generative AI"},"notice":"Summary and key insights are generated using artificial intelligence."},"results":[{"id":"rmi-001015","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/rmi-001015","title":"Solar Under Storm III: Updated best practices for resilient ground-mount PV systems with hurricane exposure","publisher":{"name":"RMI","organization":"rmi"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2025-06","source_url":"https://rmi.org/app/uploads/dlm_uploads/2025/06/rmi-june-2025_islands-solar-under-storm-III.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report identifies critical failure modes in ground-mount solar PV systems exposed to extreme winds, such as the failure of top-down clamps and low-cycle fatigue in module frames. It recommends high-load modules (4,000 Pa uplift), through-bolting with specialized washers, and dual-post foundation designs to improve survivability in hurricane-prone regions.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001015#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Field investigations after Hurricane Beryl in the Grenadines revealed a stark contrast in survivability between projects that implemented Solar Under Storm best practices and those that did not.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001015#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Common root causes of solar system failure during extreme wind events include the use of shared top-down or T-clamps, undersized or improperly designed racking, lack of lateral support, and the use of self-tapping screws instead of through-bolting.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001015#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"A critical 'lurking failure mode' identified is low-cycle fatigue of PV module frames, where cyclical dynamic loading causes failures even when wind speeds are below the static load rating. This is exacerbated by modern frames having thinner bottom flanges (as low as 1.1 mm).","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001015#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Systems that survived extreme winds typically featured dual-post piers, through-bolting of modules (avoiding clamps), lateral racking supports, and vibration-resistant connections such as Nyloc nuts.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001015#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The report recommends specifying high-load PV modules with a 4,000 Pa uplift rating based on structural calculations rather than just manufacturer datasheets.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001015#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"To mitigate low-cycle fatigue, the report recommends using specialized backing plates, such as the StormPlate™, which can increase cyclical loading failure cycles by approximately 450 times compared to standard round washers.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001015#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Failure to account for the topographic factor (Kzt) in wind design can lead to significant underestimation of wind pressures, particularly for arrays located on hilltops, ridges, or escarpments.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001015#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The report advises against the use of solar trackers for projects located in wind zones categorized as Category 3 or higher.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001015#insight-8","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["photovoltaics","climate change adaptation"],"geography_discussed":["Grenada","Saint Vincent and the Grenadines","Puerto Rico","United States Virgin Islands","British Virgin Islands","Turks and Caicos Islands","Barbuda","St. Eustatius","Carriacou Island","Union Island","Mayreau","The Bahamas"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["failure analysis","best practices guide","technical specifications"]},{"id":"rmi-001105","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/rmi-001105","title":"SOLAR UNDER STORM","publisher":{"name":"RMI","organization":"rmi"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":"2018-06","source_url":"https://rmi.org/app/uploads/2026/05/Solar_Under_Storm_Part_One.pdf","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","geography_discussed","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"The report analyzes the failure and survival of solar PV systems during Hurricanes Irma and Maria in the Caribbean to establish design and specification standards for high-wind environments. It identifies root causes of failure—such as undersized racking, inadequate bolting, and the use of T-clamps—and recommends high-load modules, through-bolting, and dual-post foundations. The authors advise against using trackers in Category 4 or higher wind zones and emphasize the need for site-specific structural engineering and collaboration between stakeholders and suppliers to develop Category 5-resistant hardware.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001105#summary","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Analysis of the 2017 hurricane season revealed that while some solar PV systems in the British Virgin Islands, Turks and Caicos, Puerto Rico, and St. Eustatius survived winds over 180 miles per hour, others in Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, and Barbuda suffered complete failure.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001105#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Common root causes for the failure of solar PV systems during Hurricanes Irma and Maria included the use of top-down or T-clamps, undersized or poorly designed racking (particularly regarding lateral support), undersized or under-torqued bolts, and the use of self-tapping screws instead of through-bolting.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001105#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"Surviving ground-mount systems typically shared specific attributes, including the use of dual post piers, through-bolting of modules (avoiding T-clamps), lateral racking supports, vibration-resistant connections like Nylocs, and the presence of an owner's engineer of record with a QA/QC program.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001105#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The report recommends specific technical specifications for resilient plants, including the use of high-load PV modules (up to 5,400 Pa uplift), structural engineering according to ASCE 7, and the avoidance of trackers in Category 4 or higher wind zones.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001105#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"To prevent foundation failure and overturning moments, the authors recommend specifying dual post fixed tilt ground mounts and low tilt angles to reduce peak module pressures.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001105#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The report identifies critical weaknesses in electrical balance of systems, noting that lateral loads from hardware like combiner boxes attached to end posts can lead to failure, and recommends NEMA 4X to 6P (or IP56 to IP67) enclosures to prevent rain intrusion during sideways hurricane winds.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001105#insight-6","date_modified":"2026-10-23"},{"text":"The authors call for industry-wide collaboration to develop and test hardware capable of withstanding Category 5 hurricane winds, including static and dynamic load tests for modules and full-scale connection tests for racking.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"rmi-001105#insight-7","date_modified":"2026-10-23"}],"climate_tags":["photovoltaics","climate change adaptation"],"geography_discussed":["Puerto Rico","United States Virgin Islands","Barbuda","British Virgin Islands","Turks and Caicos Islands","Sint Eustatius"],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["failure analysis","failure mode and effects analysis (FMEA)","root cause analysis"]},{"id":"cer-000272","url":"https://climateinsightsdirectory.org/document/cer-000272","title":"8.2-run-until-2025-4-f938aecee7974c4e.pdf","publisher":{"name":"Centre for Environmental Rights","organization":"centre-for-environmental-rights"},"document_type":"report","language":"en","date_published":null,"source_url":"https://cer.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/8.2-Run-Until-2025-4.pdf?x21779","generator":"Climate Insights Directory","generated_fields":["summary","key_insights","climate_tags","analysis_type"],"summary":{"text":"This report provides a technical assessment of the boiler plant and associated systems at Hendrina Power Station, focusing on life extension (Life-ex) studies for Units 1-10. It details boiler tube leak (BTL) patterns, component replacement histories, and the degradation of pressure parts, specifically highlighting issues with fly-ash erosion, sootblower erosion, and creep exhaustion in main steam piping.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000272#summary","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},"key_insights":[{"text":"Boiler tube leaks (BTLs) across Units 1-5 are primarily concentrated in the economizer, with element 42 recording the highest frequency of leaks (9 total from 2008 onwards). Fly-ash erosion was responsible for 48 BTLs across these units.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000272#insight-1","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Unit 1 experienced significant sootblower erosion, accounting for 16 of its 20 recorded tube leaks. This is attributed to factors such as incorrect blowing temperatures, misaligned sootblowers, or moisture traps.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000272#insight-2","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"The main steam system is subject to creep exhaustion, which leads to crack formation from prolonged operation under high temperature and stress. For Unit 3, 56% of the system remains uninspected, creating a 'surprise factor' where the number of high-risk (Class 1 and 2) components may increase.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000272#insight-3","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"Severe damage was identified in the manifold drain lines of Unit 3, including a 25mm linear macro crack. This was determined to be caused by extreme external loading due to inadequate support maintenance rather than creep exhaustion.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000272#insight-4","date_modified":"2026-08-17"},{"text":"A 2007 Siemens capacity study identified several limiting factors preventing the boilers from operating at 110% Maximum Continuous Rating (MCR), including inadequate attemperator design, steam space rate limits in the drum, and increased fly ash erosion due to higher flue gas velocity.","ai_generated":true,"unit":"cer-000272#insight-5","date_modified":"2026-08-17"}],"climate_tags":["energy transition","power plant maintenance","coal-fired power"],"geography_discussed":[],"frame_perspective":[],"analysis_type":["technical assessment","life extension study","failure analysis"]}]}