How do photovoltaic bolts balance the relationship between preload and component load-bearing capacity?

During the installation of photovoltaic systems, photovoltaic bolts play a vital role. They are not only responsible for firmly fixing photovoltaic modules to the support structure, but also directly affect the stability, safety and service life of the entire system. Among them, how to balance the relationship between preload and module load-bearing capacity is a very challenging technical problem.

First of all, preload refers to the axial tension generated by the bolt after tightening. Its function is to ensure close contact between the connectors to prevent loosening or even falling off due to wind load, vibration or temperature change. However, in photovoltaic systems, the modules themselves are made of materials such as glass, cells and backplanes, which have certain brittleness and mechanical strength limitations. Excessive preload may cause the edge of the module to be compressed and deformed, and even cause micro cracks in the glass, which will affect the power generation efficiency and module life.

Therefore, in the actual installation process, multiple factors must be considered to achieve a balance between the two:

On the one hand, the tightening force of the bolts needs to be set according to the maximum allowable torque value provided by the module manufacturer. The torque requirements for mounting bolts of photovoltaic modules of different brands and models vary, and are usually clearly marked in the product manual. Construction workers should strictly follow the recommended values ​​to avoid blindly increasing torque in pursuit of the illusion of "stronger".

On the other hand, the material selection, heat treatment process and surface coating of the bolt itself will also affect its mechanical properties. High-quality photovoltaic bolts are made of high-strength stainless steel or carbon steel with special anti-corrosion treatment, which can provide higher preload stability at lower torque. At the same time, the washers used in conjunction should also have good elasticity and compressive resistance, which helps to disperse pressure and reduce local stress concentration.

In addition, the selection and calibration of installation tools are equally critical. Using an electric wrench with torque control function and calibrating the tool regularly can effectively ensure the consistency and accuracy of each tightening, and avoid over-tightening or under-tightening caused by human errors.

Finally, dynamic adjustments need to be made in combination with on-site environmental conditions. For example, in high-wind areas or earthquake zones, the system may require higher connection reliability. At this time, the preload can be appropriately increased, but it must be combined with higher-strength component frame materials or optimized bracket structure design to share the additional stress load.

The balance between the preload and the load-bearing capacity of photovoltaic bolts depends on scientific torque control, high-quality bolt selection, standardized installation process, and comprehensive consideration of component characteristics and environmental factors. Only by achieving refined management in all links can we truly achieve an ideal installation effect that is both safe and reliable without damaging the components.