CPP Launches Wind Certification for Solar PV
CPP Wind Engineering and Renew Risk have each launched tools aimed at improving wind and storm risk assessment for utility-scale solar projects.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Forecasts
CPP Wind Engineering has launched a wind certification programme for utility-scale solar PV, including Site Certification and System Qualification. Renew Risk has separately launched a platform that forecasts and assesses thunderstorm impacts on utility-scale solar projects.
Why it matters
There has been no consistent way to show that wind loads behind a solar plant design were derived and applied correctly. Trackers can fail at wind speeds within their published specifications and can be damaged by extraordinary weather conditions.
The 2018 Oakey 2 solar farm collapse in Queensland, Australia, happened at wind speeds within the manufacturer's published tolerances, and CPP runs wind tunnel research labs in the US, Australia and Malaysia. It is not stated how many projects have adopted either new tool.
The players
CPP Wind Engineering
A wind engineering firm based in Windsor, Colorado, with wind tunnel research labs in the US, Australia and Malaysia, whose engineers serve on ASCE and IEC committees.
Renew Risk
A firm offering a platform that forecasts and assesses thunderstorm impacts on utility-scale solar projects through its US SCS Model.
The details
CPP's programme includes Site Certification, which confirms a project has assessed climate and site conditions and uses suitable anemometers and trackers or fixed-tilt systems, and System Qualification, a one-time review of tracker or fixed-tilt product lines. Renew Risk's US SCS Model uses machine-learning predictions of storm effects on a solar business and its insurance values.
Timeline
2018: Tracker rows at the Oakey 2 solar farm in Queensland twisted and collapsed during construction.
May 2026: Renew Risk launched its thunderstorm forecasting platform.
November 2, 2026: CPP Wind Engineering launched its wind certification programme.
Seasonal Patterns
Both launches respond to the 2018 Oakey 2 tracker collapse in Queensland, where rows failed within the manufacturer's published wind tolerances during construction. They add verification layers to tracker-based solar design as storm exposure becomes a bigger planning concern for utility-scale projects.
Solar project owners and developers can look to these certification and forecasting programmes when assessing wind and storm exposure for tracker-based systems. The source does not give specific steps for readers outside the industry.
The takeaway
Tracker-based solar faces storm exposure that can exceed design expectations even when wind speeds stay within published limits. Independent certification and storm-specific forecasting are emerging as ways to check those assumptions before and after construction.
Further reading
Explore more on Forecasts for context on how storm risk is projected ahead of major events.
Source note: This article includes information reported by PV Tech.
