[RE-wrenches] Best Ground Racking?

Thu Feb 6 09:56:28 PST 2014

Panduit also has an enormous variety of cable ties available.

http://www.panduit.com/wcs/Satellite?pagename=PG_Wrapper
<http://www.panduit.com/wcs/Satellite?pagename=PG_Wrapper&friendlyurl=/en/pr
oducts-and-services/products/cable-ties-and-accessories>
&friendlyurl=/en/products-and-services/products/cable-ties-and-accessories

just be sure to look for the ones suitable for outdoor use.

-Glenn

From: re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org
[mailto:re-wrenches-bounces at lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of Chris Mason
Sent: Thursday, February 06, 2014 6:48 AM
To: RE-wrenches
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] Best Ground Racking?

In reference to William's comments on cable ties, which are very valid,
HellermannTyton makes a huge range of ties for every industry. They have a
catalogue of solar components which includes stainless ties and plastic
covered stainless ties. As an industry, we need to be purchasing the correct
products and not going to the local Home Depot and buying home owner junk.

http://www.hellermanntyton.us/products_solar.aspx

On Thu, Feb 6, 2014 at 2:42 AM, Kelly Larson <solarwrench at asis.com> wrote:

Thanks, Andrew.  I have a stack of SolarPro waiting for the rain to hit.
Looks like we are getting some soon.  (Thank goodness)

Blessings,

Kelly

On Feb 4, 2014, at 11:02 PM, Andrew Truitt wrote:

Kelly - Here are a couple of SolarPro articles that you might find helpful:

http://solarprofessional.com/articles/design-installation/ground-mounted-pv

http://solarprofessional.com/articles/products-equipment/racking/ground-moun
t-pv-racking-systems/page/0/1  

For a brighter energy future,

Andrew Truitt 

Principal
Truitt Renewable Energy Consulting, LLC

(202) 486-7507 <tel:%28202%29%20486-7507> 

LinkedIn Profile <http://www.linkedin.com/pub/andrew-truitt/8/622/713> 

Company Website <http://truittreconsulting.weebly.com/> 

NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional ID: 032407-66

Colorado Journeyman Electrician License No.: 600132

<image001.jpg>

"Don't get me wrong: I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer fusion
to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous fusion reactor
safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers more than we could
ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!"

~William McDonough

On Tue, Feb 4, 2014 at 9:58 PM, Kelly Larson <solarwrench at asis.com> wrote:

Wow, William.  Thank you for all the details.  One size clearly doesn't fit
all!  I like the page with all the different wire management options you've
used.  Somebody tell me why we still don't have this taken care of WITH the
racking...  Shesh.

Blessings,

Kelly

On Feb 4, 2014, at 8:47 PM, <william at millersolar.com>
<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_W
iring2.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

Wm

On Feb 4, 2014, at 4:45 PM, Kelly Larson <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> 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/> 

_______________________________________________

List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org

Change email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org <http://www.members.re-wrenches.org/> 

_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org

Change email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org <http://www.members.re-wrenches.org/> 

_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org

Change email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

_______________________________________________
List sponsored by Home Power magazine

List Address: RE-wrenches at lists.re-wrenches.org

Change email address & settings:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List-Archive:
http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org

List rules & etiquette:
www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm

Check out participant bios:
www.members.re-wrenches.org

-- 
Chris Mason

President, Comet Systems Ltd

www.cometenergysystems.com

Cell: 264.235.5670

Skype: netconcepts

-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org/attachments/20140206/10d84f83/attachment-0003.html>