Solar - Moving the Panels Part 4

Woo Hoo – Done !!

We have completed the task(s) and are now flush with power.

Our extra 4 panels high on the stand




Besides moving our original 12 panels (which I have documented already) we decided to add 4 more panels, on their own stand, set slightly differently to allow a longer day of energy gathering.  



It can also be vertical - for winter

This additional bank also has the feature that they can be set exactly vertical for the winter so as not to develop any snow build up.  Our other panels are set at an appropriate angle to pick up maximum solar energy during the time we are here, but there is a very small amount of power required during the winter when we are not present.  This smaller amount helps the battery stay warm and run the computer which sends information on battery status to the internet which we can pick up from where ever we are.


The new set of panels is mounted on a high square pole, and is set into a large concrete foundation to ensure that it stays upright.  It is separated from the other panels to be in the best location to pick up solar energy later in the day. 





Concrete is a different sort of activity here.  In town we could telephone a contractor and they would drive up with a truck full of concrete and do the pour.  We have a somewhat challenging road and the trucks can’t (or maybe won’t) come in.  However, there is a great local option.  The hardware store in the next town will sell you concrete in a trailer mounted small mixer.  We add the water here, and a trailer mounted motor turns the drum.  We can sort of pour from this unit (not elegantly though).  It certainly beats the option of hand mixing bags in a wheelbarrow.




Concrete is a real treat here



Rebar in the wood form
A form of wood, with internal rebar was created and the pole set upright.  Then the concrete was poured.  And it went well.  The pole stayed straight up and down – a major plus!  Once everything was solid an aluminum frame was mounted on said pole.  This frame can rotate within a set range and can be at an angle or vertical (or horizontal).


Installing the actual panels




On the frame was then mounted the 4 panels, which was a bit tricky given the height of the whole thing, but doable with some scaffolding.  





Then wiring was completed, final ESA (electrical safety) approval given and we are well and fully powered!
Ta Da - the coveted sticker of approval



So ….. 
What next ?



Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

A New Battery

Image
  As most of you know we are on solar power at the lake There is a back up propane generator but most of the time we exist totally on what shines from the skies.   Our lifestyle there is not compromised, although perhaps not exactly what we have in the city.   For instance we do not have A/C, dishwasher or laundry.   On the other hand I use a hair dryer and a vacuum cleaner, and all measure of other stuff including and electric fridge with no worries. old battery So far we have been managing with a biggish (technical term) lead acid battery.   Think similar to one that might be used on an electric fork truck.   That is our old battery above.   This has worked well for us over the years but is a bit of a science project.   Some of the shortcomings with the lead acid were issues around the amount of water it liked to drink and issues around the state of charge vs freezing temperatures in the winter (plus all sorts of checking of this and that...
Read more

Vietnam 14 - Phong Nha, Ninh Binh and Cat Ba Island

Image
In my opinion Hoi An is the most beautiful town in Vietnam.    But – apart from the beaches and rice paddies – the local landscape is a bit – meh. So what to do? Head north of course. Between Hoi An and Hanoi are a few truly spectacular areas.   First we visited Phong Nha, which is home to some giant caves some of which have only become known in the past few years.   Phong Nha considers itself the adventure capitol of Vietnam and is full of cave touring companies some gear shops and low priced accommodation to meet the needs of young adventurers. Our travelling companions (daughter and friend) are in the demographic of high interest to Phong Nha.   We on the other hand are, well, not really.   So, while the girls did a 2 day cave adventure complete with headlamps and ropes, Bob and I did the basic tourist version of a couple caves namely Paradise cave and Phong Nha cave. Why a hat inside a cave?  Great early...
Read more

Vietnam 3 - Hoi An - The House

Image
View from the upstairs As indicated the plan for our time in Vietnam is to have a place to call home, not a hotel, and to explore the country using that as a base. There are various ways of doing that of course – including Airbnb.   I got fairly lucky and found a Facebook group that focused on Expats and property in Hoi An.   So – I have been monitoring this group for a while to get a sense of what might be available, the costs involved and how to find a place. As a result, it seemed like the best plan was to arrive here and then look.   General consensus was that everything looks great on the internet but you really need to see the place before committing.   The time of year helped too.   There would be plenty of availability when we were set to arrive.   This was a different approach than we took in Spain where I had the place nailed down early, and I think that had worked out very well there. Now – heading to the other side of the w...
Read more