Ground mounting setup

[dannw1431]

I mounted these on the ground in MA and we get a lot of snow. I use a brush designed for washing RV's with soft brissels and it works great. I extended the pole to reach the top of the panel it works fine. I noticed the day after a snow storm, all the clouds clear out and it's really bright. I believe the snow albedo affect kicks in and my panels crank out the power

[J.P.M.]

My pole mount is in high wind zone and originally didn't have the corner braces. I added them when I replaced an older smaller array with larger panels. if the wind is right I could detect the array trying to oscillate rapidly back and forth. One brace really dampened it out and then I added the second one on the leading edge corner to deal with winter winds. The array is about 8 miles away from top of Mt Washington NH which had the record for the highest wind speed, 231 MPH, ever recorded in the world for quite a few years. My array doesn't see that sort of wind but the does start to rumble on occasion.

Very pretty area. In some ways, a different part of the world. Lots to like, at least in the summer.

Add: Question: Any evidence of wind induced vibration/fatigue damage ? Might be a good test bed area. Just wonderin'.

[SunEagle]

My pole mount is in high wind zone and originally didn't have the corner braces. I added them when I replaced an older smaller array with larger panels. if the wind is right I could detect the array trying to oscillate rapidly back and forth. One brace really dampened it out and then I added the second one on the leading edge corner to deal with winter winds. The array is about 8 miles away from top of Mt Washington NH which had the record for the highest wind speed, 231 MPH, ever recorded in the world for quite a few years. My array doesn't see that sort of wind but the does start to rumble on occasion.

Wow. Do you qualify for a wind turbine in your area or is it too much to get the large clearance around it?

[peakbagger]

My pole mount is in high wind zone and originally didn't have the corner braces. I added them when I replaced an older smaller array with larger panels. if the wind is right I could detect the array trying to oscillate rapidly back and forth. One brace really dampened it out and then I added the second one on the leading edge corner to deal with winter winds. The array is about 8 miles away from top of Mt Washington NH which had the record for the highest wind speed, 231 MPH, ever recorded in the world for quite a few years. My array doesn't see that sort of wind but the does start to rumble on occasion.

[Mike90250]

The poles are sunk 10' deep, 24" hole, filled with concrete. The panels are 200w Evergreens, 3Kw on the rear pole, 2kw on the closer, taller pole. We've had steady 50mph winds and gusts and they've held up so far.
Takes 2-3 days to get the snow off. Summer, I rinse them down once a month with garden hose. i wash before sunrise, while the dew has the crud soft.

[supertrucker]

How much concrete is under one of those poles? That one in the back with 15 panels would probably cover my needs. Its a Powerfab mount? Does it tilt for different angles easily?

I am guessing 15 panels would equal 4000-4500w? I am not sure how one thinks, but I believe the net energy tariff here only compensates you month to month for any energy you use and overproduction is not compensated or compensated very little. Read it a couple times and don't quite understand the OG&E tariffs. here it is:https://oge.com/wps/wcm/connect/1c7e...0-bd97cafd9a7a

[SunEagle]

I think he said he waits for Spring time when the snow melts.

[J.P.M.]

I have 90 acres I could have put ground mounts on, but the weeding tasks to keep the lower panels clear, were daunting. So I went with tall pole mounts. And found they are too high to scrape the seasonal 3" of snow off of, I have to wait for it to melt.



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Q: Mike: Do you clean the panels ?

[bcroe]

I have 90 acres I could have put ground mounts on, but the weeding tasks to keep the lower panels clear, were daunting.
So I went with tall pole mounts. And found they are too high to scrape the seasonal 3" of snow off of, I have to wait for it to melt.

Only 3 inches? Any mount changes in mind? Bruce Roe

[SunEagle]

Hmm. Maybe articulating pole mounts that will lower on demand for cleaning and maintenance.

The weather always seems to be a PIA when it comes to a solar array.

[Mike90250]

I have 90 acres I could have put ground mounts on, but the weeding tasks to keep the lower panels clear, were daunting. So I went with tall pole mounts. And found they are too high to scrape the seasonal 3" of snow off of, I have to wait for it to melt.



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[J.P.M.]

Wouldn't I be better off reading Photovalic Design & Installation for dummies? https://www.amazon.com/Photovoltaic-...tallation+book

Maybe I should consult the Germans? https://www.amazon.com/Planning-Inst...tallation+book

It would be probably be better to go back to school and take this class with the book? https://www.solarenergy.org/shop/pub...vious-edition/


Free is tempting? https://archive.org/details/SolarPow...HomeForDummies

Retro is always a novel idea? https://www.amazon.com//gp/offer-lis...ag=bkfndr96-20

Maybe it would just be easier to ask a question on solar forum? I guess not.

Maybe and, IMO only, probably. Do as you wish. If you first do everything in the way of self information, as you write above, the probability of you asking better questions here, and getting more and better information as a result will most likely be higher. Questions are easy to ask. Informed questions take a bit more effort. Answers here are free, and as you write, free is tempting. You usually get what you pay for. Or less. This place may well be different in that respect, but some selectivity may be needed to separate information supplied in what amounts to pro bono fashion by professionals from a lot of junk that will sometimes have a higher likelihood of wasting people's time or worse. Self information helps separate the wheat from the chaff.

As my prior post ended, take what you want of the above. Scrap the rest.

[littleharbor]

I don't get it. You got answers to your questions and then some other important info to consider. You also were pointed to some very informative reading material. You might search Ground mount installations for examples. You asked a general question and got general answers. along with additional things to consider. Figure out your loads after doing all you can to increase efficiency. That will give you a better idea on how large an array you will need. You cant expect a turnkey design to be handed to you in a couple paragraphs.

[SunEagle]

......

Maybe it would just be easier to ask a question on solar forum? I guess not.

Knowledge is power. Getting answers from people that may or may not have the correct answers could lead you in the wrong direction.

Learning more about the technology yourself may be a better path first which can lead you to asking more detailed questions.

[supertrucker]

Wouldn't I be better off reading Photovalic Design & Installation for dummies? https://www.amazon.com/Photovoltaic-...tallation+book

Maybe I should consult the Germans? https://www.amazon.com/Planning-Inst...tallation+book

It would be probably be better to go back to school and take this class with the book? https://www.solarenergy.org/shop/pub...vious-edition/


Free is tempting? https://archive.org/details/SolarPow...HomeForDummies

Retro is always a novel idea? https://www.amazon.com//gp/offer-lis...ag=bkfndr96-20

Maybe it would just be easier to ask a question on solar forum? I guess not.