Roll-A-Rack: Roll Forming, A Faster, Lower Cost Solar Racking Solution

Roll-A-Rack is a disruptive technology for installing ballasted solar-panel racking on flat roofs and niche ground applications. Roll-A-Rack uses portable roll-forming, a well-established method for in-situ production of gutters and metal roofing. The single component rack is significantly simpler than current ballasted racking systems. Its production is onsite and automated; it is fast and easy to install. The rack shields the entire underside of the solar module, providing maximum protection from wind uplift forces. The rack extends the entire length of the array row, providing a row-length tray in which ballast may be optimally distributed. The continuous row-length rack electrically grounds the entire array structure, eliminating single sources of failure for electrical grounding. Roll-a-rack was developed by a team of scientists, engineers, and solar installers with the help of a $1,200,000 Small Business Innovation Grant from the U.S. Department of Energy Solar Energy Technologies Office.