[RE-wrenches] Wire Shielding (was Best Ground Racking?)

[Howie Michaelson]

We've used SolarScrim - it works fine, reasonable cost.  Used it on a
100kW system and went up fast, looks neat.  We used it under the array,
changing from our original plan to use it as a perimeter.  It is unclear
whether many AHJs will find it acceptable shielding in either
configuration, particularly if it is in any sort of public location.

Howie
-- 
Howie Michaelson
NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installer™

Catamount Solar, LLC
Renewable Energy Systems Sales and Service
VT Solar Electric & Hot Water Incentive Partner
http://www.CatamountSolar.com
802-272-0004


On Wed, February 5, 2014 8:57 am, Dave Click wrote:
> A colleague found this online the other day as one potential option for
> shielding the wires for a ground-/pole-mount system:
> http://www.solarscrim.com/index.php
>
> No personal experience, though. Looks like they may ship with black zip
> ties but Sunbundler ties (or others) would be an easy swap.
>
> Didn't notice that REC residential/AEE had been sold. It looks like
> SolarCity, Vivint, and Sunrun are just taking turns buying every smaller
> solar company to make sure that the others don't get them.
>
> On 2014/2/4, 23:47, william at millersolar.com wrote:
>>
>> Kelly:
>>
>> Ground mount racking choice is determined on a case-by-case basis. If
>> the ground is flat and area plentiful, we use ballasted on gravel
>> (Dyno-Raxx).  If you need to seasonally adjust, we like the DPW MPM.
>> If the ground is sloped other than gradually south, top of pole mounts
>> may be your choice.  For flat ground, low tilt (grid-tied)  "fence
>> post" arrays like the DPW LGM work well.  For high wind areas,
>> consider the DPW TTRGM on piers spanned by strut.
>>
>> Lest anyone think I am the cheering section for DPW, I suggest you
>> avoid the DPW P6 or P8 "Tilt Kit" assemblies.  The brackets are
>> flimsy.  Also, avoid DPW's L-feet.  They are bent aluminum and come
>> pre-stress cracked at no extra cost. For L-feet, use Unirac "Serrated
>> L-feet."
>>
>> It is refreshing to hear someone ask about wire management upfront.
>> All too often this is an afterthought.  In the industry vacuum we have
>> been developing wire management systems on an ongoing basis.  Below is
>> a link that depicts some of our ideas.
>>
>> http://www.millersolar.com/public_html/MillerSolar/practices/PV_wiring/_PV_Wiring2.html
>>
>> The Code now requires wire shielding on "readily accessible" PV which
>> means ground mount. Just managing the wire is not enough, you must
>> shield it from touch.   One option is to enclose the PV in chain link,
>> which ramps up the ugly factor (I don't think three rail pasture fence
>> or even barbed wire complies). Once you fence the array you can
>> dispense with shielding, but you still don't want the leads dangling
>> in a year or two, so avoid any flavor of plastic wire ties. There have
>> been studies proving they don't last (US Navy is one source).
>>
>> We have looked at racking members with larger interior cross section
>> (i.e. Pro-Solar) with the intent of running AC and DC leads inside and
>> we have even mocked up a few, but fitting leads and the proprietary
>> nuts into the same channel has proven impractical.
>>
>> Good luck.
>>
>> William Miller
>>
>> PS: Speaking of racking systems, did anyone get the news that
>> SnapNRack and indeed the entire REC Residential juggernaut has been
>> sold? Read the rest of this story
>> <http://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001DOU7toids4P6EbtZ8amZnWIPqfwSVSQprZxgWcCDNMwVujGRFeNr6kDDQxv8reDLHOjQsU5ZAbim7nwyi2LH1WCwpxjpydyrqtwAXR7rGEE1Vv9y6CHdApOn8xu7viO-boKxfR0vxuRWZuQZUsi31k7EuNfvsnYtZxiDLh9hiU2snspkUXkwVWlu0bEQXhPr6iN048ijV9vyy42Nc0lSkRY8eR4Vuhj1x9WG_J42Nw3BUMy2LRo8bPk83rGlFxOIi3a3_xZ86ubEYbyk1MwQDdKVfXOrZiplaNIIzrDh6n_xz1PO28GP4feFeQCk2gd8l_yy_pAgMdOHcKD_IDW7y6eRVPj8LA5FS7-3nIgC4egIz2vMLcdeRCtjg_WNZoRohptTtbcFtULUCOupqpn91wIENm--baFFvHj0TycL7wMKVBZI340LaA==&c=-PYi8jywk0XKsL2vpOkRGCzs2UwO52AqIXjyxYLdwi6HgzYpVBBpKQ==&ch=UHlwvhDu_eij1qcoWtW5qiGLvNITtkXGLCqG4RSjo4k9OQWUYTpu8w==>
>>
>> Wm
>>
>>
>> On Feb 4, 2014, at 4:45 PM, Kelly Larson <solarwrench at asis.com
>> <mailto:solarwrench at asis.com>> wrote:
>>
>>     Thanks, Aaron.  How are you handling wire  management and
>>     connection to the ground?
>>
>>
>>     Blessings,
>>
>>     Kelly
>>
>>     On Feb 4, 2014, at 2:41 PM, Aaron Mandelkorn wrote:
>>
>>     I like SnapNrack 200 Series as well as DPW Solar Multi Pole Mount.
>>
>>     On Feb 4, 2014, at 3:28 PM, Kelly Larson <solarwrench at asis.com
>>     <mailto:solarwrench at asis.com>> wrote:
>>
>>     Hi,
>>
>>     We are looking to install some 4KW ground mounted arrays.  What
>>     racking are you using?  Best ground connection?  Wire management?
>>      The shows have so many choices, and I keep doing the same ol
>> thing...
>>
>>
>>     Blessings,
>>
>>     Kelly
>>
>>     Kelly Larson
>>
>>     Electrical Engineer
>>
>>     NABCEP Certified Solar PV Installation Professional
>>
>>     IREC Certified Master Trainer
>>     CA Electrical Contractor# 868189
>>
>>     SolarKelly.com <http://solarkelly.com/>
>>
>>
>>
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