Page 84 - Energize October 2022

TECHNICAL

Low mount horizontal array An option which is receiving attention is covering the complete
Mounting systems have been developed that place the panel parking area, including the access space, with horizontally
a short distance above the ground. This ensures air circulation mounted panels, as shown in Figure 15.
and access to panels for cleaning. An example is shown in
Figure 13. The system uses a simplified mounting system that
requires no foundations. Support rods are rammed into the
ground, reducing the structure cost considerably. This gives
a PV module array the highest area utilisation, and a claimed
225% increase in MWh/acre versus trackers and conventional
fixed tilt systems.

Figure 15: Flat mount parking shade area

Figure16 shows an example where the complete coverage
principle has been adopted, although individual panels have a
slight tilt, and there are small gaps between panels. The structure
could have been used for horizontal mounting.

Figure 14: Heidt Germany 1,7 MWp E/W low mount system illustrates
use in an agricultural area where land is at a premium (Jurchen
Engineering)

High mount horizontal array
Many C&I buildings, including shopping centres, medical centres,
business and industrial parks, as well as individual business
buildings and factories, have parking lots for employees and
customers. An increasing number are taking advantage of this
space which is not used for any other purpose to erect car ports Figure 16: Completely covered parking lot.(Capella Energy)
using solar PV systems, providing a source of energy as well as
shaded parking. Most common systems consist of a row of tilted This method has several advantages in addition to increased
panels over the parking spaces. energy generation:
• The profile of the array is lower and less visible
The spacing between rows, which is necessary to allow cars • Wind force and vibration is reduced
access to the parking, inherently provides the spacing necessary • The mounting structure can be made much simpler. In the
to prevent or reduce shading. Using tilted panels has problems example shown in fig 8 the panels are mounted on cables
though: strung between the outer supports and there is no support
• The orientation of the parking lot is not always optimum, structure inside the parking area. Even with a normal support
giving lower production structure, the construction is much simplified.
• The height of the tilted panels makes the parking lot visible, • The shaded area for horizontal panels is greater, (for a 30°
which could be disturbing tilt, shaded area is 15% greater).

(a) (b)

Figure 13: (a) Low mount mounting structure (Jurchen technology); (b) Chillamura Australia 4,6 MW low tilt low mount installation (Meralli projects)

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