Run PV wiring on Power Poles

Question for the group here. I'm looking at doing a large new solar field on top of the hill behind my cabin (much better solar exposure). It's ~150' from the top of the hill down to my cabin. The only problem is that it is very steep (too steep for trenching equipment), and the hill is full of granite, so trenching is not an option. I'm wondering if running the 2-3 PV strings through the air would work - via (2) power poles. The hill is full of Juniper trees, but none over 30-40', so running the wire over 50' from the tops of the two poles should be free from any obstructions. Any drawbacks to this? Does Code allow for something like this?
Comments
Otherwise, need voltage/current of array (panel configuration), charge controller, and battery bank voltage (to figure out wire gauge).
Figure out copper vs aluminum vs MPPT low voltage (100 Vmp max) or high voltage (~400 volts max Vmp) combinations and trade-offs.
-Bill
- Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
Think of schemes that will minimize lighting wanting to follow your DC wires down the hill and into your power room.
|| Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
|| VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A
solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,
- Assorted other systems, pieces and to many panels in the closet to not do more projects.
Second system 1890W 3 × 300W No name brand poly, 3×330 Sunsolar Poly panels, Morningstar TS 60 PWM controller, no name 2000W inverter 400Ah LFP 24V nominal battery with Daly BMS, used for water pumping and day time air conditioning.
5Kw Yanmar clone single cylinder air cooled diesel generator for rare emergency charging and welding.
Would it make any sense to fuse at the array in case a squirrel chews wire or a tree falls on it and shorts?
Main daytime system ~4kw panels into 2xMNClassic150 370ah 48v bank 2xOutback 3548 inverter 120v + 240v autotransformer
Night system ~1kw panels into 1xMNClassic150 700ah 12v bank morningstar 300w inverter
A breaker at the controller PV input is handy for testing, and protects the PV wire from a faulty controller
|| Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
|| VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A
solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Lister ,
-Bill
Trees are allowed to support temporary and/or holiday lighting.
Most of the rules that apply to an Overhead Service Entrance would apply to here.
Summary:
http://ecmweb.com/code-basics/article-225-outside-branch-circuits
Overhead cable management systems ...
https://www.cabproducts.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/CAB_Cable_Management_White_Paper_9-18-2014_2.pdf