Field mounts

Energetic · Jan 15, 2011

Can anyone recommend a system of mounting for a field which will keep the panels out of reach of the sheep? We'll need a good 3 foot of clearance to the lower edge. Have looked at the schuco system but it's blown our budget...

Cheers...

Markc · Jan 15, 2011

Schuco is one of the cheapest and one of the best in my opinion. If that's blown your budget I think you may struggle with anything else.

Energetic · Jan 15, 2011

I had a feeling you'd say something like that ;-) It's a lovely piece of kit. Our Client will either have to have a smaller system than he wants or knock up a fence and cut the grass himself!

Markc · Jan 15, 2011

I had a similar problem with a forthcoming ground mount system, but mine was Lamar's. Fence won the day!

Energetic · Jan 19, 2011

Markc said:
I had a similar problem with a forthcoming ground mount system, but mine was Lamar's. Fence won the day!

Just wondering what sort of ground clearance the field mount kit has? In your opinion will it be clear of inquisitive sheep?

If our DNO wasn't trying to suck all the profit out of the job we'd be in a much happier place right now... That is where the budget pressure is coming from...

Markc · Jan 19, 2011

Our schuco ground mount had a stipulation from the client that the back top edge must not be over 2mts. We got it in at 1.9mts but that meant having only 300mm on the front edge. If we hadn't of cut the front legs down in size I would say the front edge would of been around 500mm to 700mm off the ground. Even with this I think (and I'm no farmer!) sheep may well get round the back of the array and chew the DC's! I would recommend some form of fence around the entire array if it were my install.

What's your DNO charging for?

Energetic · Jan 19, 2011

The field is about 400m from the farmhouse but there's an 11KV line running right over the field. I priced 400m of 95mm today i was so annoyed at the DNO's price, try that if you'd like to see a smile on your wholesalers face.

Option 1: New Tx on existing pole rated at 5 times the array peak output = hideous expense.

Option 2: Upgrade of existing nearby Tx on neighbouring land subject to landowners permission = 0.75 x hideous expense.

It's got us wondering if the DNO isn't actually very keen on all of this hassle and would quite like us all to leave them alone...

Energetic · Jan 19, 2011

PS farmer assures us sheep don't nibble but they do like to climb...

Markc · Jan 19, 2011

400mts of 95mm!!!!!!!! You'll have the top account that month then!

Think you could well be right with the DNO's. Any excuse to put a block on it and they try it. 5 x array peak? Why?

No possibility of getting the array closer?

And to top it all of you also have climbing sheep!

Energetic · Jan 19, 2011

No reason for them to specify such a big tranny- it's a field. Nothing there at all till our array goes in and nothing after. Purely an export jobbie. The guy i deal with at the DNO is very pleasant and helpful but they will not budge on the prices.

The site is at the top of a south facing hill and is perfect, the last place the sun sets for miles around. There is a possibility we can move it but nowhere better than that.

The existing 11KV Tx can be used for a smaller fee but only to a domestic sized installation. They are really worried about voltage rises on neighbouring properties round here. They scuppered another job with that before Xmas.

Markc · Jan 19, 2011

Not knowing the costs quoted, have you considered a tracker system? Might be worth a thought. I assume you are looking at over the 16amp - G83. Never done a tracker but it might benefit a lesser location over the high DNO costs.

jerriais · Jan 20, 2011

Markc said:
If we hadn't of cut the front legs down in size

Is that the legs of the frame or the sheep? Now there's an idea (joke)

Energetic · Jan 20, 2011

jerriais said:
Is that the legs of the frame or the sheep? Now there's an idea (joke)

That would certainly keep them from climbing. Might distract them from keeping the grass short tho...

Markc · Jan 20, 2011

Energetic said:
That would certainly keep them from climbing. Might distract them from keeping the grass short tho...

Anything worth a try to bring the job in on budget!

SolarCity · Jan 21, 2011

Energetic said:
No reason for them to specify such a big tranny- it's a field. Nothing there at all till our array goes in and nothing after. Purely an export jobbie. The guy i deal with at the DNO is very pleasant and helpful but they will not budge on the prices.

Is the price contestable? Can you get quotes from other DNOs to do the work? Not sure what it and what isn't contestable but it might be worth looking into.