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First, they are banking on the fact that solar doesn't need a lot of repair and maintenance in general, and their design decreases some of the stresses that rac
by pavon 4y ago
First, they are banking on the fact that solar doesn't need a lot of repair and maintenance in general, and their design decreases some of the stresses that racked solar panels encounter. I imagine they are also over-sizing the system, and adding remote disconnects so they can disable a certain number of panels and still meet the contract.
And then when repair is needed, they just walk on it[1]. Seriously. I'm very curious as to what these pads they mention are like - big foam snow shoes, or walkways they rollout along a seam?
[1] https://www.erthos.com/reducing-degradation-rates-with-earth-mount-solar-pv#comp-l4d1ajjo https://www.erthos.com/reducing-degradation-rates-with-earth...
- avip 4y agoLikely something akin to deminers weight-spreading shoe pads. They have to meet panel manufacturer's certified pressure spec.
- baking 4y agoI assume they need to worry about scratches. An XXXXXL clean room bootie wouldn't work because it would pick up sand and grit as you walk across the panels.
- kadoban 4y agoA few scratches aren't going to be a big deal. Not like they not going to get dirty and dinged up from the wind anyway.
- etrautmann 4y agoThe real world just isn’t that clean. There’s no way that a weight spreading shoe will do more than some random frequent dust cleanings
- _ea1k 4y agoOh, that's interesting. And I guess if they do manage to break a few panels, they can be replaced cheaply. Its probably still cheaper than dealing with racking.
- jacquesm 4y agoThey are ridiculously strong. I've had a set of 8 on a tracker be blown over by the wind (in spite of ample foundation according to the people that sold me the gear), land on the edge and not get damaged at all. That was a pretty heavy impact too, the whole thing was 30 cm into the ground.