Re: [RE-wrenches] sealing a carport array

[Corey Shalanski via RE-wrenches]

Hi Kirk,

Way back in 2016, Bob Maynard made a recommendation

for a racking product called Solar RainFrame. It looks like the weblink in
that post is now broken, but I see an updated website at solarrainframe.com.

For larger arrays, you might consider a product from Nucor called
PowerShingle
. One
of my buddies recently installed that product on top of a parking garage,
and he seems satisfied enough with the results—i.e., he has not observed
any leaks after the first few months in service.

--
Corey Shalanski
Jah Light Solar
Portland, Jamaica


On Wed, Sep 13, 2023 at 10:08 AM Kirk Herander via RE-wrenches <
re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org> wrote:
>
> All,
>
> Looking for recommendations to seal the gaps between modules in a carport
> array for weather-tightness. I've used the Sunmodo gaskets before, but
> curious about other reliable options. Thanks.
> --
>
> *Kirk Herander / **kirkh@vermont.solar *
>
> *Owner|Principal, VT Solar, LLC*
>
> *Celebrating our 32st Anniversary 1991-2023!!*
>
> dba Vermont Solar Engineering
>
> 802.863.1202
>
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[RE-wrenches] Attaching PV with VELCRO

[Corey Shalanski via RE-wrenches]

Wrenches,

As far out as the subject line might seem, a company in Italy has
apparently developed a system for attaching PV arrays to flat roofs using
strips of VELCRO

.

The potential advantages of this system seem hard to ignore:
   - lightweight
   - no ballast required (also, no mechanical attachments)
   - quick installation and easy assembly

Has anyone ever encountered anything similar here in the states? Any
opinions about the feasibility of this approach?

Corey Shalanski
Portland, Jamaica
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Onboard PV Charging Kit for Electric Vehicle

[Corey Shalanski via RE-wrenches]

For Jay and anyone else interested in how the module deployment mechanism
operates, please see this video (starting around the 2:50 mark):

1955 Ford F100 EV Conversion/test drive
https://youtu.be/-MrNITun0uM?t=170


Thanks for your interest,
Corey


On Wed, Oct 5, 2022 at 6:52 AM  wrote:

>
> Hi Cory
>
> What a beautiful truck. Would like to see the video of the solar extending
>
> My question, is it possible to go direct to the EV battery?
> he/she just wants to charge the ev right directly off the panels?
>
> And what voltage is the main battery.
>
> Jay
>
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Onboard PV Charging Kit for Electric Vehicle

[Corey Shalanski via RE-wrenches]

For those wondering about the battery pack, it was pulled from a Nissan
Leaf—nominal voltage is 360 Vdc. So I don't believe it will be possible to
charge the EV battery directly from the PV (or from the 'off-grid' battery
bank). It is understood that there will be some not-insignificant
efficiency losses involved in pumping the electrons between the PV and the
EV battery.

Just to clarify, the PV was added mainly to *demonstrate the concept* that
onboard charging (to a limited degree) is possible. The off-grid battery is
not meant to be the primary charging source. Once parked, the idea would be
to get as much juice out of that battery as possible and then just plug in
to the nearest utility-fired receptacle for the remainder of the charge.

It has been awhile since I have specced any off-grid components - as in
before lithium-based batteries took center stage. So I am mainly seeking
recommendations on which equipment Wrenches would install "on their own
house" (or on their own PV-powered pickup truck!).

--
Corey


On Wed, Oct 5, 2022 at 2:00 AM  wrote:

>
> Wrenches,
>
> One of my friends converted his 1955 Ford F100 pickup truck into an
> electric vehicle. He also had a nifty (mechanized) racking assembly
> installed in the bed that can deploy a fold-out 3-module PV array at the
> push of a button. If you aren't yet salivating, please see the attached
> image.
>
> He would like to add an 'onboard off-grid' battery + inverter kit that
> would essentially allow the truck to *plug into itself* (or, more
> correctly, into the sun). My first question is if anyone has ever attempted
> anything like this? or knows of a similar project?
>
> I'm taking suggestions for your favorite off-grid kit components
> (make/model)—system specs as follows:
>
>- Inverter: preferably around 3–4 kW output rating, can be either 120
>or 120/240 Vac output since the EV charger is rated for both
>- Batteries: we're thinking LFP for the chemistry, around 3–4 kWh @
>80% DOD, bank voltage would depend on inverter model (or the other way
>around, if you prefer)
>- Charge Controller: wiring the modules in series would give 900 W /
>118 Voc / 10 A Isc
>- Battery SOC Meter: ideally can be mounted on dashboard
>
> Thanks in advance for any electrifying ideas the group can offer!
>
> --
> Corey Shalanski
> Jah Light Solar
> Portland, Jamaica
>
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Re: [RE-wrenches] Lead placment and length on new PV Panels

[Corey Shalanski via RE-wrenches]

William,

My team and I are constantly strategizing about the issue you have
described, pretty much on a project-by-project basis nowadays since our
module supplier's stock changes frequently. Each new module's lead cable
positioning and lengths must be examined for compatibility with the
specified MLPE device. Our process typically involves creating a CAD sketch
of the wire management details, aiming to follow the 2020 NEC securement
rules (within 12" of each junction box, spans not to exceed 24" elsewhere)
as closely as possible. We have come to the determination that certain
module lead cable configurations are simply not 'MLPE-friendly'; in
particular, modules with split junction boxes and short lead cable lengths
(≤ 250 mm) appear to be tailor made for non-roof-mounted arrays where rapid
shutdown devices are unnecessary. I wish I could say that we avoid using
those modules for rooftop arrays, but the truth is that we sometimes don't
have the option to pick-and-choose a certain project's spec module. There
are definitely times when the cables on the module and the cables on the
MLPE aren't quite long enough to connect to each other—for those times, as
Jay suggested, we will specify jumper cables to make up the difference.

We have found the design of the APsmart RSD-S-PLC

to be one of the more flexible (and less visually obtrusive) options. With
the input/output cables extending to either side of the device (*along* the
module frame as opposed to *away from* it), they seem to be better suited
to the 'long-edge leaded modules' you describe on your web page.

--
Corey Shalanski
Jah Light Solar
Portland, Jamaica


On Fri, Mar 25, 2022 at 3:22 PM William Miller  wrote:

>
> Friends:
>
>
>
> I have been designing a large-ish off-grid system over the last few
> weeks.  This will be our first off-grid system to require MLRSS.  We chose
> the Tigo TS4-A-F system.
>
>
>
> In order to make certain the Tigo will work with modules that we can get
> our hands on, we brought in a few samples to try and connect with the
> Tigos.  What we found is that with many of the new PV panels, the leads
> connect to the two long sides of the panels and are often too short to
> practically route to the frame-mounted Tigos.
>
>
>
> This got me to thinking:  Many panels are now configured with leads
> connected to the two long sides.  Many new panels are coming out with
> shorter leads.  Virtually all new roof-mounted installation will need some
> form of MLPE.  These new panels will be ill-suited to connect to those MLPE
> devices.
>
>
>
> This has to do with the fact that instead of in the old days, when each
> panel connected to a neighbor on either side, each panel now connects to a
> single device, the MLPE.  The leads must able to reach that MLPE without
> being pulled, banjo-string-tight across a void.  If PV leads cannot be
> supported, they will end of laying on the roof.  Can we agree that is a bad
> thing?
>
>
>
> Have any of you consider this situation?  It is kind of complicated and
> hard to explain.  I attempted to do so by writing a web page dedicated to
> the subject.  I finished the site today but I am not sure it communicates
> the dilemma adequately.  You can find it here
> 
> .
>
>
>
> I would be most grateful if some of you more experienced installers could
> look this over and let me know if this problem has come across your radar
> and what you are doing about this issue.
>
>
>
> Thanks in advance.
>
>
>
> William Miller
>
>
>
> Miller Solar
>
> 17395 Oak Road, Atascadero, CA 93422
>
> 805-438-5600
>
> www.millersolar.com
>
> CA Lic. 773985
>
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