Photovoltaic panels are manufactured in a large range of physical sizes and electrical outputs.
Mounting these panels can be challenging.
Racking, the framework that attaches the panels, is available for every possible configuration.
As solar photovoltaic panels power everything from large buildings to charging the batteries on your RVs, there is an infinite number of racking systems.
Water pumping systems likely use pole or top of pole mounts, and roof mounts are available for the top of your fifth wheel or the roof of your house, and come in fixed or adjustable configurations.
If you are handy at welding and carpentry, it is feasible that you can custom design the racking need to fit your array and your situation.
Ground mounts are used when the array is located in the best position for solar gain but there is no building to mount to. Ground array racking systems, of course, do not affect the roof and have the advantage of being adjustable for the seasonal elevation change of the sun.
Larger arrays are usually mounted on the ground because of the space required, however one drawback is cost, as the mounts have to be anchored to something solid and concrete pilings are the usual choice.
Ground mounts are service friendly, as you generally do not need safety belts to access the arrays for any needed cleaning or maintenance.
Top-of-pole mounts are generally used for small arrays that service a remote oilfield SCADA system, water pumping installation for cattle, or small cabins.
The array is up off the ground, adding to security, and the arrays’ exposure to available sun is better if shadows from trees or buildings are a concern.
Top-of-pole mounts are very economical to purchase and install as the size of array is small and does not need large gravity bases or deep pilings.
Pole mounts can even be mounted to roofs to get them into unobstructed sunshine if necessary.
No matter the situation, a pole mount can be adapted to suit.
The tracker is a specialized mounting system designed to keep the array at the optimum angle. It is favoured by the writer for Central Alberta and the larger installations needed by an off-grid home or business.
Trackers are economical mounting systems when you consider the price of the racking is included.
The advantage is that the array is kept at the optimum angle to the sun; this produces another 45 per cent in power production year round as it follows the sun from morning to evening, and with dual axis tracking the array also follows the sun’s elevation as it gains height over the horizon from winter to summer.
As the tracker system is a ground mount, it has additional costs in installation requiring either a pile or gravity base to secure it in high winds.
No matter the application for your photovoltaic array, there is a racking system to meet your needs and keep your array producing at its optimal efficiency.
Lorne Oja is an energy consultant, power engineer and a partner in a company that installs solar panels, wind turbines and energy control products in Central Alberta. He built his first off-grid home in 2003 and is in the planning stage for his second. His column appears every second Friday in the Advocate. Contact him at: lorne@solartechnical.ca