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Today's ground mount progress!

pvdude

Solar Enthusiast
Joined
Feb 8, 2021
Messages
618
Location
Florida
Started on the SnapNrack ground mount today!
I am pleased to report it was 94 degrees, I am 71, working alone, and no injuries!
Took 6 bags for the SW front pillar. It is shallow hole (30”), so not too difficult.
One more SE front pillar, and then the rears, which will be difficult.
The rear pillars require a 5’ deep hole.
Not sure how that will be possible, but the giant son is driving over this weekend to help with those two.
1250lbs_concretemix.jpg
sw_pillar_done4292021.jpg
 
I'm about to undertake a ground mount project for 28 panels. What racking are you using? How'd you end up digging the 5' holes? I'm thinking about renting a skid loader with auger.
 
I used this mounting system:
PXL_20210505_114949100 copy.jpg
Renting an auger is the way to go.
I could not rent one here, all the augers are on long term rental or broken, parts on B.O. forever.
So plan “B” was to use the STIHL auger that we normally use for fence posts, worked great!
STIHL_BT131_AUGER.jpg
 
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I'm about to undertake a ground mount project for 28 panels. What racking are you using? How'd you end up digging the 5' holes? I'm thinking about renting a skid loader with auger.
There is a method where you dig the holes, assemble the piping with braces so that the vertical pipes dangle in the holes, then you pour the concrete around the vertical pipes. This method removes some of the alignment issues. It is described in an Iron Ridge video.
 
Started on the SnapNrack ground mount today!
I am pleased to report it was 94 degrees, I am 71, working alone, and no injuries!
Took 6 bags for the SW front pillar. It is shallow hole (30”), so not too difficult.
One more SE front pillar, and then the rears, which will be difficult.
The rear pillars require a 5’ deep hole.
Not sure how that will be possible, but the giant son is driving over this weekend to help with those two.
View attachment 47194
View attachment 47195
Nice work PVdude! Glad you have a giant Son to help you!
I saw a video on snap n rack, and noticed the parta they use for the mounting looked familiar. Grainger supply has the same connectors. I bought enough for a 16 panel mount for $400. ( excluding the schedule 40 pipe, but home depot has those)
 
Thanks for the tip about where to buy more connectors!
I bought enough schedule-40 pipe to get a good start on the next ground mount, but hope I don't need it.
 
Son visited for two days - amazing what progress can be made with a young, strong person helping!
We only could work mornings and evenings, too hot (96 today) otherwise.

View attachment 47577
What diameter pipe (O.D.) is that? That mount looks great. I may be able to get the required pipe at the junkyard for .15 a pound. And what rails will you use to attach the panels? Your design has the gears turning in my head. Thank you for sharing your work.
 
Where are people finding schedule 40 galvanized pipe? I can't even find it.
Anywhere I find it online it's $15 a foot or something.
 
Where are people finding schedule 40 galvanized pipe? I can't even find it.
Anywhere I find it online it's $15 a foot or something.
My local junkyard is a goldmine. I've bought stainless sinks, aluminum toolboxes, griswold and wagner cast iron pots, stainless industrial prep tables etc. for scrap prices. Every time I take stuff to sell, I end up leaving with something. :cool: He sells pipe for .15 a pound. Stock varies but he gets it all the time. Try your local scrapyard. The required fittings sourced from Grainger are more than I want to spend. Maybe SnapNRack sells them cheaper. I do have a welder though. I think I just figured out what I'm gonna do. Fishmouth the vertical and weld the top piece in place. Cross brace with angle iron. Then I can U-Bolt the unistrut to the cross pieces. That is why I love this forum. I get great ideas seeing what you guys are doing.
 
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The schedule-40 galvanized is 1-1/2”. The two long top pieces are 22’.
The local steel supply place only had 21’, so I had to weld on a piece.
A little over a year ago, when I ordered the steel, 10 pieces cost $800. for 210ft.
The steel supply place would provide quotes good for that day only, as prices were going up so fast.
Screen Shot 2022-03-20 at 08.43.38.png
I bought the rails from a solar supply dealer, they are made by Snapnrack.com.
Shipping was not good, bent some of the rails, but I was able to repair them enough to use.
Screen Shot 2022-03-20 at 08.42.32.png
Recently found out that https://www.rexelusa.com/ and
https://www.gexpro.com/ sell Snapnrack, local store are in many cities, free delivery, no damage.

I used Gexpro to source the snapnrack for the recent roof mount pv panel expansion - added more panels, facing West, pick up energy @ sunset, works great!
Screen Shot 2022-03-20 at 09.10.00.png
 
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None of the yards near me will sell… only buy. There is a supply yard not too far that sells at reduced pricing. I will check there.
 
The schedule-40 galvanized is 1-1/2”. The two long top pieces are 22’.
The local steel supply place only had 21’, so I had to weld on a piece.
A little over a year ago, when I ordered the steel, 10 pieces cost $800. for 210ft.
The steel supply place would provide quotes good for that day only, as prices were going up so fast.
View attachment 88006
I bought the rails from a solar supply dealer, they are made by Snapnrack.com.
Shipping was not good, bent some of the rails, but I was able to repair them enough to use.
View attachment 88008
Recently found out that https://www.rexelusa.com/ and
https://www.gexpro.com/ sell Snapnrack, local store are in many cities, free delivery, no damage.

I used Gexpro to source the snapnrack for the recent roof mount pv panel expansion - added more panels, facing West, pick up energy @ sunset, works great!
View attachment 88013
Thanks for posting. I have just started my research for mounting solar panels in Florida. Your post has helped me narrow down the rail system.
 
Thanks for posting. I have just started my research for mounting solar panels in Florida. Your post has helped me narrow down the rail system.
Not everything needs to be purchased NEW. Look in odd places for used materials which can be re-purposed. Good luck.

And I agree, great thread. Thanks @pvdude (y)
 
Not everything needs to be purchased NEW. Look in odd places for used materials which can be re-purposed. Good luck.

And I agree, great thread. Thanks @pvdude (y)
I need a system that will withstand 160 mph winds. Apparently, my panels will only withstand 140mph winds, so already in the doghouse with that. I need a ground mounting rail system that will withstand hurricane-force winds (Florida) so, the post/poster helped me with a starting point being PVDude is from Florida and knows the deal.
 
There is a method where you dig the holes, assemble the piping with braces so that the vertical pipes dangle in the holes, then you pour the concrete around the vertical pipes. This method removes some of the alignment issues. It is described in an Iron Ridge video.
I saw that video. Sure makes it easier so if your math is off, by the time you get down to the end, it could be so far off that it won't work. I remember thinking, "That is a genius idea."
 
The schedule-40 galvanized is 1-1/2”. The two long top pieces are 22’.
The local steel supply place only had 21’, so I had to weld on a piece.
A little over a year ago, when I ordered the steel, 10 pieces cost $800. for 210ft.
The steel supply place would provide quotes good for that day only, as prices were going up so fast.
View attachment 88006
I bought the rails from a solar supply dealer, they are made by Snapnrack.com.
Shipping was not good, bent some of the rails, but I was able to repair them enough to use.
View attachment 88008
Recently found out that https://www.rexelusa.com/ and
https://www.gexpro.com/ sell Snapnrack, local store are in many cities, free delivery, no damage.

I used Gexpro to source the snapnrack for the recent roof mount pv panel expansion - added more panels, facing West, pick up energy @ sunset, works great!
View attachment 88013
Since you did the ground mount yourself, did you have to get permitted/inspected or did you just do it and will ask forgiveness later? I am From Va and moving to Florida, so not sure where to find all the proper info and we want to DIY it.
 
I need a system that will withstand 160 mph winds. Apparently, my panels will only withstand 140mph winds, so already in the doghouse with that. I need a ground mounting rail system that will withstand hurricane-force winds (Florida) so, the post/poster helped me with a starting point being PVDude is from Florida and knows the deal.
I will be impressed when something hits the market that will withstand 160 mph winds and the accompanying debris.
Until then my advice is a concrete/soil fence around a very low ground mount setup. Build a cement wall, maybe 2 feet high, place soil against the outer perimeter of the wall, plant some short dense shrubs in that soil. Place your panels within the confines of your little fort and recess them BELOW the height of the wall.
The only other thought is a "Quick Release" design so you can place your panels in an underground bunker and shut the door behind you. ;)
 
There is a method where you dig the holes, assemble the piping with braces so that the vertical pipes dangle in the holes, then you pour the concrete around the vertical pipes. This method removes some of the alignment issues. It is described in an Iron Ridge video.
For my ground mount, I dug holes, installed vertical pipe , concrete, let dry/cure for couple days. Then laser level I marked pipes at proper height and cut each pipe off at the mark so they were all level with one another. To get spacing right from front row to back row of pipes, I made a spacer using 2x4's , and that kept the distance exact. The wood spacer I made one for each set of poles and laid the wood on the ground flat, and it kept the front to back spacing exact dimension. I did this before pouring concrete of course. Not sure this was best way but it's what I did and it worked well for me.
 
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