New 6.4 KW -->Aug 2011 + photos

Gitchee Gumee Kid

Xantrex XW6048-120/240=60 Hybrid Inverter
Xantrex XW-MPPT60-150 Charge Controller
Kyocera KD215GX-LPU (30 panels ---> 15/array )

http://s994.photobucket.com/albums/af61/GitcheGumeeKid/Solar%20Renewable%20Energy%20Project%20%20%20%20%20July%2020110/

GGK

'

rollandelliott

Re: New 6.4 KW -->Aug 2011 + photos

the rebar welding and cement work was pretty impressive did you do that yourself? What do you need to weld rebar like that? will one of those lincoln $500 welders at home depot work?
I didn't see it in the photos but I'm guessing the bottom of the dirt hole is filled with concrete about a foot deept to incase the rebar?

Thanks for sharing.!

Frxddy

Re: New 6.4 KW -->Aug 2011 + photos

Congrats on the good looking system! I hope wind load isn't an issue in your area. That's a lot of panel at that height. My gut says it's plenty strong, but I wonder how much wobble it'll incur at high wind loads. I'll bet in an 80 MPH wind it will deflect the top of the pole 6 or 8 inches. I've always wondered what a space between each panel would do. Going by math alone, the wind load is the same, but wouldn't allowing some wind to go between panels make less of a load?

Seven

Re: New 6.4 KW -->Aug 2011 + photos

Awesome install!

Are you going over the max for your CC by running 5 of those panels in series? Iirc the Voc is over 30v for those panels and 5 would put you at 150v.

Gitchee Gumee Kid

Re: New 6.4 KW -->Aug 2011 + photos

rollandelliott wrote: »

the rebar welding and cement work was pretty impressive did you do that yourself? What do you need to weld rebar like that? will one of those lincoln $500 welders at home depot work?
I didn't see it in the photos but I'm guessing the bottom of the dirt hole is filled with concrete about a foot deept to incase the rebar?

Thanks for sharing.!

<================0=======================>
rollanddelliott,
The entire project is done by a local firm specializing in RE systems.
The excavating rebar fabrication + welding and cement work were all sub-contracted by them.
It was impressive welding! I agree. Wish I could do as well.
I'll pass on giving you an opinion on a Lincoln welder.
Yes on the last question about the concrete base (at least a foot thick )

GGK l

Gitchee Gumee Kid

Re: New 6.4 KW -->Aug 2011 + photos

Seven wrote: »

Awesome install!

Are you going over the max for your CC by running 5 of those panels in series? Iirc the Voc is over 30v for those panels and 5 would put you at 150v.

<=================0=======================>

7,
Just looked at the display panel. 5.3 KW's being generated (sunny,clear sky )and the CC says 51.4v on #1 CC and 51.3v on # 2 CC.

GGK

Gitchee Gumee Kid

Re: New 6.4 KW -->Aug 2011 + photos

Frxddy wrote: »

Congrats on the good looking system! I hope wind load isn't an issue in your area. That's a lot of panel at that height. My gut says it's plenty strong, but I wonder how much wobble it'll incur at high wind loads. I'll bet in an 80 MPH wind it will deflect the top of the pole 6 or 8 inches. I've always wondered what a space between each panel would do. Going by math alone, the wind load is the same, but wouldn't allowing some wind to go between panels make less of a load?

<==================0======================>
Frxddy,

Thank you for the congrats.
I too fret sometimes about wind loads.
The footings were "supposedly designed by a structural engineer. They said that they guarantee it. "They will stand behind it" But will they stand under it? lol

GGK


ROUGH SKETCH

It was a so called monolithic pour.

mike95490

Re: New 6.4 KW -->Aug 2011 + photos

Man, I am not sure I trust your structural engineer. I have 1/3 of my pole encased in 24" concrete and rebar. And I still don't trust the pole. 3Kw array on the pole too. Wind leverage on those 4 bolts/all-thread will be fantastic. I hope it holds. The wide base underground should help anchor the beast in, but I used sch 80 8" pipe, and it feels iffy.