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

Kelly Larson solarwrench at asis.com
Wed Feb 5 22:43:20 PST 2014


Thanks, Howie.  It is metal, fabric or what?

Blessings,
Kelly

On Feb 5, 2014, at 7:34 AM, Howie Michaelson wrote:

> 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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