[RE-wrenches] ballasted ground mounts residential scale

Mon Jan 3 17:57:39 EST 2022

That's really valuable real world experience Benn - Thank you!

I did intuitively notice in watching the assembly videos that that after 
the initial tensioning of the anchor cable that there was only minimal 
attention (and hardware) devoted to keeping that cable under tension. 
Could be as simple as a ratcheting device to periodically tighten up 
after install perhaps?  Doesn't seem like that would be too hard to 
retrofit.

I do see you are in the plains up there in Canada - so wondering perhaps 
the winds are much higher - still it shouldn't move a cm after install!

Thanks again - very valuable feedback.  Sorry you had hassles!

Best,

Jeff

> Benn Kilburn <mailto:benn at skyfireenergy.com>
> January 3, 2022 at 7:52 AM
> Sorry, I sent that last email too soon by accident….
>
> Yes, I’ve installed a few of these Nuance Osprey racks…. With much 
> less than satisfactory experiences.
>
> The rack tables themselves go together fairly well, however the cable 
> anchor system, while seemingly slick, left much to be desired in my 
> experiences.
> Some anchors would not come close to the required load test pull-out 
> values, requiring extra anchors to be needed, which is fine, until all 
> the anchor holes have been used. The anchors don’t “securely” hold the 
> rack down, meaning it leaves a bit of room for movement, so under high 
> wind, and over time it can wiggle and loosen the anchors leaving more 
> and more room for movement each time. That said, they do recommend 
> rechecking the anchors after some time, but this can be an issue for 
> some sites.
> I have gone back to check a site and a rack (with other racks on 
> either side) had shifted forward about 25cm, seemingly due to high 
> wind. It drove the front anchor base plates into the ground and caused 
> some damage to the rack structure which had a design flaw that I 
> believe was corrected.
>
> They recommend re checking the pull-out load testing of the anchors 
> after a year or so but I have yet to be given a solution for 
> rechecking the front anchors without removing modules, which are in 
> the way of doing the pull out test.
>
> It’s been over a year and a half since the last one I worked on so 
> it’s not so fresh in my mind but I do know there were several other 
> issues with the rack/rail assembly and mounting modules, issues with 
> the mod mud/end clamps.
>
> I’m not completely against giving it another try, but not without 
> reviewing the notes and photos from the last ones and confirming the 
> issues have been addressed.
>
> Regards,
> Benn
>
>
> -- 
> Benn Kilburn
> SkyFire Energy
> 780-906-7807
> Benn Kilburn <mailto:benn at skyfireenergy.com>
> January 3, 2022 at 7:22 AM
> I’ve installed a few of these Nuance Osprey racks..~85kw, ~50kw
>
>
>
> -- 
> Benn Kilburn
> SkyFire Energy
> 780-906-7807
> Jeff Clearwater <mailto:jeffc at villagepowerdesign.com>
> December 30, 2021 at 1:30 PM
> Wow cool product Nick!  Anyone have actual experience?
>
> I've been thinking that the concrete beam systems (above grade 
> pre-engineered rectangular blocks like solarmounts.com) really could 
> be used for any ground mount rack system (Unirac, IronRidge, 
> SnapNRack, SolarMounts, ReadyRack, etc.)  in other words many ground 
> mount systems could be bolted to an above grade concrete beam - would 
> just need a sign off on uplift by an engineer at the worst or just 
> apply existing engineering models.  Many manufacturers already off 
> that option and probably provide the engineering.
>
> This might expand small system options for those manufacturers only 
> offering ballast systems to large system buyers.
>
> Which makes me think that If I tried a Nuance system and the soil 
> didn't work out for the cable pull you could then just bolt them down 
> to a concrete beam system as a plan b.
>
> Thoughts?  Experience anyone?
>
> best,
>
> jc
>
>
>
>
>
>
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> Jeff Clearwater <mailto:jeffc at villagelab.net>
> December 30, 2021 at 1:01 PM
> Wow cool product Nick!  Anyone have actual experience?
>
> I've been thinking that the concrete beam systems (above grade 
> pre-engineered rectangular blocks like solarmounts.com) really could 
> be used for any ground mount rack system (Unirac, IronRidge, 
> SnapNRack, SolarMounts, ReadyRack, etc.)  in other words many ground 
> mount systems could be bolted to an above grade concrete beam - would 
> just need a sign off on uplift by an engineer at the worst or just 
> apply existing engineering models.  Many manufacturers already off 
> that option and probably provide the engineering.
>
> This might expand small system options for those manufacturers only 
> offering ballast systems to large system buyers.
>
> Which makes me think that If I tried a Nuance system and the soil 
> didn't work out for the cable pull you could then just bolt them down 
> to a concrete beam system as a plan b.
>
> Thoughts?  Experience anyone?
>
> best,
>
> jc
>
>
>
>
> Nick A Lucchese <mailto:lucchesesolar at me.com>
> December 30, 2021 at 11:38 AM
> Greetings Mac,
>
> I recently have been investigating the use of Nuance’s Osprey 
> <https://nuanceenergy.com/> product solution. Doesn’t necessarily fall 
> under the ballasted category and since you’re trying to avoid the heat 
> pump lines it may not fit your strategy either but I really like the 
> option of getting away from pouring concrete. The anchors are set 
> 40-65” deep. For smaller projects it seems like the cost may be 
> somewhat prohibitive due to shipping logistics but appears like they 
> price out affordably once you purchase a bit of specialized equipment 
> and get around the freight costs.
>
> That ReadyRack geo-ballast looks quite cool too Jeff, thanks for the 
> link on that.
>
> Best of luck, Nick
>
>
>
>
>
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> Mac Lewis <mailto:maclewis1 at gmail.com>
> December 28, 2021 at 3:31 PM
> Hello Wrenches,
>
> Can anyone recommend a ballasted ground mount solution that is offered 
> on a residential scale? Below 10kW typically.
>
> Thanks in advance!
>
> -- 
>
>
>
> Mac Lewis
>
> *
>
> "Yo solo sé que no sé nada." -Sócrates
>
> *
>
>
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