Buildings Fasteners Play an Important Role in Alternative Energy Projects

There are various stages to an alternative energy project and building fasteners play an important role in every stage. From assembly to transportation, construction and maintenance, structures such as wind turbines and solar panels rely on quality fasteners to operate well.

Assembly Stage

Alternative energy projects are assembled to a certain extent before being offered to the public. Heavy duty bolts, nuts and washers that adhere to ASME, ASTM and SAE standards are used to pre-assemble wind turbines, while aluminum clips and brackets are seen on solar panel sections.

Transportation Stage

After being assembled these projects need to be transported to the retailers and installation contractors. Packaging often includes soft surfaces, wraps and plastic, but building fasteners are also used to keep the components safely together. Clips keep panels held down and brackets are often screwed in place to protect fragile parts.

Construction Stage

Using building fasteners is obviously necessary at this stage. The fasteners used during the assembly stage may need to be inspected and possibly tightened, while those used during the transportation stage may be disposed of.

The fasteners used for installation and construction will depend on what type of alternative energy project is being erected. Wind turbines and wave power structures are often installed in extreme conditions and require heavy duty building fasteners that will stand up well. Stainless steel is often used, as is the lightweight and corrosion resistant aluminum.

Solar panels use many different specialty fasteners on the panel itself, but the frame and mounting components also require dependable fasteners that are more common, such as bolts and screws.

Maintenance Stage

After the structures have been assembled, transported and installed the energy will begin to flow. But maintenance is inevitable and replacement fasteners will be required. When age and movement wear out the bolts, nuts, washers and screws that are part of the structure, the maintenance crew will need to have strong and reliable products to replace them.

At every stage of the game alternative energy projects such as solar panels and wind turbines rely on building fasteners for operation. These tiny components play a major role in this ever expanding industry.