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

Wed Feb 5 23:38:26 PST 2014

Kelly,

It is a plastic fabric, definitely heavier than landscape, somewhat
stretchy so it is easier to pull tight around irregular objects, but
somewhat easy to cut with a sharp knife, so not super secure.

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 Thu, February 6, 2014 1:43 am, Kelly Larson wrote:
> 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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