Solar PV

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

I already have a 4.48 kw system. 16 280w panels on garage roof. On a sunny day lately it will do 29kwh a day. My peak is like 11 to 2 by 5 it's all done but sun is out. I can check output every 5 minutes, love the micro inverters.
When I first ordered my kit the solar company screwed up,sent me 16 250w panels which they sold me at a great price so they would not have to pay for shipping back to CA.
The largest DIY unit I see does 6 panels dual axis, I would rather have one large array instead of 2 on my small parcel of land. I'm going to install 4 more on garage roof so that will leave me with 12.
I can do all the work like setting pole and installing panels just need the rotating assembly and mounting structure.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

Wow! I'm impressed with your ambition. I'd be challenged to set up a small fixed mounted. My analytical mind would naturally wonder whether a dual axis tracker system would be worth the effort. There are commercial packages available from All Earth Renewable of Williston, VT in the 5 to 6 KW size. They claim 45% more efficiency than a fix array. Therefore, it would seem challenging to develop and build a system that doesn't eat up that efficiency and then you're still left with a complex system of motors and electronics to maintain. Also, the trackers require external power to make their maneuvers.

https://youtu.be/BKaqkcYMCvA
Linear actuators are readily available the angle of the dangle on how you install them is the key.

[TapTapTap]

https://youtu.be/BKaqkcYMCvA
Linear actuators are readily available the angle of the dangle on how you install them is the key.

That part sounds easy. How about the software needed to track the sun? And the logic controllers applying the manuevers? This is way beyond my sugar making skills.

[David in MI]

We have a 40x80 pole barn with a southern-facing roof. Where may I read more information about solar installs? Point me in the right direction, please.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

I will get you info on company unused when on get home. They designed it based on what I told them and pictures of rafters and roofing material. They majority of leg work for power company and any other papers I needed. But that was just power company, here in VT there is a saying, " live in VT do what you want" I had no zoning papers to do.or anything like that.

[maple flats]

Wouldn't that be nice. When I installed my last system (the 1.71KW off grid) at my home, my wife went to ask about getting a permit. The codes guy asked a few questions and told he we didn't need a permit. Then after the panels were installed we got a nasty letter from the same codes guy, saying we would be fined if we didn't get a permit within 5 days. I went down to find out what had changed. I seems he misinterpreted what we were installing. He asked my wife where the panels were being installed and she said "on the south side of the house". He didn't realize they were being attached to the house. In the time between when my wife asked and the system was installed, the codes changed. Had he issued a permit the first time, we would have been under the old code, but in the end, we had to abide by the new code. The main difference was the requirement to have a "rapid Shutdown" feature. At the main electric entrance we had to install a rapid shut down even though the solar is not tied to the grid. Then on the side wall outside where the inverter and the other solar equipment are inside, we had to have another rapid shut down, and inside, where the solar power came into the celler we had to also have a rapid shut down feature. In the end, we had bought about $800 worth of equipment that now could not be used, and we had to get a "Birdhouse" rapid shut down box and mount it near our main entrance meter, and 2 remote devices to activate it from the other 2 locations. These cost us another $1000 before we were done. The codes guy didn't care, we had to do it or he was ready to have an installer come in and remove our system. I say that's abuse of authority, being it was his error in the first place.
In the end, however it does make the system much safer in case of a fire or other emergency, first responders can shut the entire thing down and it is much safer for them, however it is not instant because capacitors need to discharge before all wires are dead and the panels still have power if light is hitting them, either sun or bright artificial light.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

When my micro inverters don't have or see 240volts from the grid they stop allowing power from the inverters to go onto the grid. Now the panels if they are still seeing a light source will produce D.C. Voltage but it can't go any where.. I do have a disconnect to have the ability to turn off the power next to the net meter on outside of garage.

No inspection by any one.

[1arch]

Wouldn't that be nice. When I installed my last system (the 1.71KW off grid) at my home, my wife went to ask about getting a permit. The codes guy asked a few questions and told he we didn't need a permit. Then after the panels were installed we got a nasty letter from the same codes guy, saying we would be fined if we didn't get a permit within 5 days. I went down to find out what had changed. I seems he misinterpreted what we were installing. He asked my wife where the panels were being installed and she said "on the south side of the house". He didn't realize they were being attached to the house. In the time between when my wife asked and the system was installed, the codes changed. Had he issued a permit the first time, we would have been under the old code, but in the end, we had to abide by the new code. The main difference was the requirement to have a "rapid Shutdown" feature. At the main electric entrance we had to install a rapid shut down even though the solar is not tied to the grid. Then on the side wall outside where the inverter and the other solar equipment are inside, we had to have another rapid shut down, and inside, where the solar power came into the celler we had to also have a rapid shut down feature. In the end, we had bought about $800 worth of equipment that now could not be used, and we had to get a "Birdhouse" rapid shut down box and mount it near our main entrance meter, and 2 remote devices to activate it from the other 2 locations. These cost us another $1000 before we were done. The codes guy didn't care, we had to do it or he was ready to have an installer come in and remove our system. I say that's abuse of authority, being it was his error in the first place.
In the end, however it does make the system much safer in case of a fire or other emergency, first responders can shut the entire thing down and it is much safer for them, however it is not instant because capacitors need to discharge before all wires are dead and the panels still have power if light is hitting them, either sun or bright artificial light.

We maintain a spreadsheet of solar permitting requirements for municipalities in our service area. Ranging from no permit required to >$2k. Building permits in addition to electrical permits in some cases. Building permit submittals required in the city of Milwaukee have at times become a black hole of hours one will never get back. It is clear municipalities are working through this new industry and until it streamlines the soft costs of permitting and other logistical requirements add some cost. I have leveraged AHJ's into more relaxed permitting requirements by sharing experience in other jurisdictions but this is rare.
Dave I also like the rapid shut simply because I've seen what DC can do under fault conditions, In addition to the safety and protection of life and safety personnel. I like to explain DC like the old Frankenstein movies where the big electrical arcs are snapping all over the place. Once a DC arc starts... it burns until it clears itself and is done.

[Flat Lander Sugaring]

That part sounds easy. How about the software needed to track the sun? And the logic controllers applying the manuevers? This is way beyond my sugar making skills.

There are a couple ways to get panels to track. One is with "eyes" which see the sun and keep panels lined up the other is a program that along with a relay board will make the panels track the sun by time of day.