[RE-wrenches] Self-drilling posts for ground mounting

[Wind-sun.com]

Before you go too far, check state and local regs. Some places have passed regulations exempting many solar installs from HOA Thought Police rules.

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  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Jeff Yago 
  To: RE-wrenches 
  Sent: Friday, April 24, 2009 6:30 PM
  Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Self-drilling posts for ground mounting


  We have an upcoming install for a residence subject to Homeowners Association controls and they have demanded that the array be mounted on the ground, not the roof.  The client has a huge yard, but the south facing yard area for the array slopes down fairly steeply.  Of course this is ideal for tilt angle so we can keep the array just high enough above the ground to crawl under to wire and put down sheeting material to reduce grass growing.  

  However, this will be a real bear to get a tractor or Bobcat on this steep slope to auger holes for the concrete piers, and then get the concrete down to the pour.   So I started checking and found a company selling a self-drilling 2-1/2" galvanized pier that you auger into the ground with a 3/4" drive wrench.  After auger drills itself all the way down, you add an extension tube that is adjustable in height.  It would be perfect for my application, but I am afraid its too good to be true.

  Here is a video link for the product.

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Syl-MKD-1BE

  My concern is will my racking start to move downhill if these posts start to tilt over from the side loading, and will the pull out of the ground from a major wind uplift.

  Thanks,

  Jeff Yago
        

   

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