Cost effective ground mount

[Cider]

Hi

I need to price a ground mount system.
Does anyone have a good cost effective ground mount system they can recommend?
I heard there was a plastic ballast bin system available.

Cheers

Cider

 

[BruceB]

Renusol ConSole.
I have just quoted for a 10kW system and it gave an excellent ROI.
Regards
Bruce

 

[SRE]

Relatively easy to install and if you're customer wants to save a bit of cash let them do the donkey work with the ballast and cable runs - win, win situation. Get them from Waxman, Access Renewables or Krannich all pretyy much the same price I think.

 

[Cider]

I see it is marketed as a flat roof system, I presume its ok on the ground?

 

[SRE]

Yes, fine.

 

[Cider]

Ok thanks

I guess i will need an outdoor cabinet to install the inverter etc in as there is no room under these units.

 

[BruceB]

Or get the voltages high and run dc back to near the service head and avoid potential voltage drop/rise problems.
Regards
Bruce

 

[smiffy_99_uk]

How would you Install these on mud? Weird Question I know! I thought about putting some builders sheet down and ballasting over the top once level.

 

[saint]

what's 'builder's sheet' ?

 

[Worcester]

How would you Install these on mud? Weird Question I know! I thought about putting some builders sheet down and ballasting over the top once level.

Why oh why are people trying to do things for which expert advice is needed?

You wouldn't let a butcher do a liver transpant - Would you?

Go speak to a civil engineer.

First thing you need to know is what is the CBR of the substrate, when you know that you can then design the appropriate construction depending upon the applied loads, taking into account both the static and dynamic loads and the frequency of the cycle.

Without the CBR (California Bearing Ratio) it is impossible to answer, after all your mud isn't the same as mine, the same as the rock in Cornwall isn't the same as the rock in the Cotswolds.

 

[smiffy_99_uk]

A black polyethylene sheet that would prevent any weeds growing through and maybe help to gain a decent level

Advice taken, Thanks Worcester. Maybe just to build a decent base tyoe 1 & paving slabs would easier

 

[Worcester]

@smiffy_99_uk

Didn't mean to lay into you mate, just see the last couple of comments on the Building Control Guidance stickie thread.

Maybe they should remove the structural element from the competent persons scheme as it seems that MCS has been too readily granted to some installers, and that may be the only way of policing it.

It should certainly stop a lot of the questionable practices and force standards into place.

 

[Worcester]

m

A black polyethylene sheet that would prevent any weeds growing through and maybe help to gain a decent level

Advice taken, Thanks Worcester. Maybe just to build a decent base tyoe 1 & paving slabs would easier

If it's just something like the console mount system, I'd level the ground, may be excavate it out (that's why big buildings have basements, the soil you take out is repalced by the weight of thebuilding - lots of air between floors remeber) use a geotechnical membrane, terram or similar (permeable, lets water through but not gravel / crushed rock), then place either Type1 or better still a free draining material such as 20mm crushed rock or gravel then the console mounts.

As they settle, you may need to adjust the console boxes with some additional crsuhed rock / gravel, after 12 months it is unlikely you'll see any more movement unless the ground water conditions have changed.

 

[smiffy_99_uk]

Dear Worcester, Many Thanks for your advice. I completely agree with you RE the strucutral element on the cps. I have been following the sticky with interest and understand the concerns. The PV course that i completed was totally absent of any structural importance as was our MCS Inspection (NICEIC For you!) We employ a structural engineer and supply each customer with a comprensive SE report backed up with PI. For this job i was pleased at the fact we didnt need a SE Report but not being used to this situation i thought i would see if any one could help.