Hi Blake,
I'm curious why the assumption that the snow will destroy the array -
how about 3 rails instead of 2 under the modules?
Blake Gleason via RE-wrenches <mailto:re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org>
March 26, 2022 at 8:39 AM
Hi all,
I think there's a lot of experience on this list with PV in snowy regions.
I'm wondering if anyone has ideas and/or specific hardware/racking
systems to allow for easy "stowing" (in vertical or near-vertical
position) or "seasonal removal" of the ground mount PV modules for the
winter (snow) season? Or ideas for a completely different approach to
solving the challenge I'm facing?
I'm planning a new off-grid system in the Sierra (around 6000') for a
small commercial community center facility. The facility is
accessible and in use only during the summer months. So, I want to
optimize production for the summer, and also avoid having the array
destroyed by the heavy Sierra snow during the winter.
To further paint the picture, here are some more details and constraints:
- System size: 23kW (likely 48 Silfab 490 mods)
- Must be ground mount (beautiful very tall trees completely
surrounding all roof options)
- Must be relatively low profile, visually. Pole mount not an option
- Ideally one clean rectangular array 4x12 mods (13' x 90') or two 4x6
arrays (13' x 45')
- Array tilt: 10-15 deg (summer use only, must be low-profile)
There is a caretaker who has a seasonal crew, and could be trained to
"stow" the array each season as long as that process is relatively
straightforward.
At one end of the spectrum, it could be as simple as disconnecting and
un-installing all of the modules to store them in a stack underneath
the nearby deck for the winter. I'd like to think there might be a
more "elegant" solution (and less labor intensive, and less wear and
tear on the modules over the years). I wondered if there's a clever
way to "drop" the modules to a near-vertical orientation so they could
remain in place during the winter (some kind of hinge at the top and
release at the bottom). I guess this might require individual rows of
modules instead of one large array.
(As a bonus, I'd like to keep about four mods (out of the 48)
operational through the winter for battery maintenance and a few
incidental loads. These could be vertically mounted on the south side
of one of the buildings, above the typical snow drift level, for example.)
Thanks in advance for any suggestions, ideas, things you've tried that
haven't worked, etc!!
Best,
Blake
--
Blake Gleason, PE | Employee Owner
Director of Innovation and Technical Excellence
O: 510-845-2997 x128
C: 510-867-5878
1035 Folger Ave.
Berkeley, CA 94710
www.sunlightandpower.com <http://www.sunlightandpower.com>
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