CPP Wind Engineering, a global wind engineering consultancy for solar, is launching a wind certification program for utility-scale solar projects, which the organization believes is the first of its kind in the industry. The new program aims to improve the performance and durability of utility-scale solar over a range of wind conditions.

The program offers two services. Site Certification confirms that each project has properly assessed climate and site conditions, implemented an effective stow strategy, suitably positioned anemometers and used a qualified tracker or fixed-tilt system. System Qualification is a one-time review of a tracker or fixed-tilt product line’s wind engineering design data and methodology.

CPP’s new program is built from the organization’s 45 years of experience in wind engineering, including wind tunnel testing of solar projects, wind stow and siting studies and forensic investigation of wind damage to solar projects. Tornado risk falls outside the certification program and is assessed separately using a probabilistic risk approach.

“Wind governs how a solar power plant is built, yet there has been no consistent way to show that the wind loads behind a design were derived and applied correctly,” said David Banks, president of CPP Wind Engineering. “Most of the wind damage we investigate occurs at wind speeds sites see every year, and most of it can be engineered out. This program gives owners, manufacturers and their advisors an independent basis for confirming the reliability of wind engineering. Tornadoes, on the other hand, can’t be engineered out.

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