[RE-wrenches] question about pole mount interconnection

[Chris Worcester]

Hi Ron,
We do a lot of pole mounts, last one was 12' to the bottom of modules, deep
snow country. Typically in a system where there are or has the potential to
expand into more than the original pole mounted array we run a couple of
main PVC conduits underground to a concrete vault, like a C-9, C-24, or
maybe even a C-30 vault. From this vault we distribute the conduits to each
pole mount, or in a larger field like the 8 poles you're mentioning we might
go into a second vault closer to the other end of the field, then branch out
to each pole from it too. We use PVC underground, Rigid metal through the
concrete and up the pole. Hope this helps.

Chris Worcester
Solar Wind Works
NABCEP Certified PV Installer
Office 530-582-4503
Cell 530-448-9692
Fax 530-582-4603
www.solarwindworks.com
chris at solarwindworks.com

-----Original Message-----
From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of
penobscotsolar at midmaine.com
Sent: Tuesday, October 08, 2013 5:24 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] question about pole mount interconnection

Ron,
   We also install a lot of top of pole mounts and use conduit similar to
what Kirpal describes. We typically will trench and install the conduit
before we pour the concrete foundations (at least to the elbow at the
pole) as it allows for conduit to sweep up the pole instead of having to
come out of the ground and over the top of the concrete before you sweep up.
That is all I would add. We always go pole to pole with conduit.

Daryl DeJoy
NABCEP Certified PV installer
Penobscot Solar Design



> Always value the input of the group William, that's why I ask for it 
> but I admit I am leaning towards the conduit between poles idea. What 
> has your practice been? Kirpal, your points are valid aside from cost 
> which is the big nut to crack these days it seems. Ray, would love to 
> have gone multi-pole, wasn't aware of those - alas, the single pole 
> mounts are already enroute.
>
> Ron
>
> On 2013-10-07, at 8:32 PM, William Miller <william at millersolar.com> wrote:
>
>> Ron:
>>
>> Sounds like you have already reached a conclusion.  Good luck!
>>
>> William
>>
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
>> [mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Ron @ 
>> earthRight Solar
>> Sent: Monday, October 07, 2013 8:08 PM
>> To: RE-wrenches
>> Subject: [RE-wrenches] question about pole mount interconnection
>>
>> Hi Wrenches, I am installing six 8 panel pole mounts in a grid tied 
>> system.
>> My question is about preference for cable run between the poles. I am 
>> interested in industry best practices. I have been told that running 
>> conduit between the poles, i.e. along the axis, will hold the cabling 
>> but the poles of course must be precisely aligned. The alternative is 
>> to run cabling down the poles, underground and up the next pole. This 
>> is wasteful of materials, expensive to the client and in my view 
>> presents as many safety concerns as the other option. Hope to hear 
>> some ideas.
>>
>> Ron
>> _
>>
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