Page 85 - Energize October 2022

TECHNICAL

Even without total coverage of the parking area, horizontal
mounting of panels over individual rows is becoming popular
(Figure 17).

Figure 19: Solar power production east/west mounting system (Jurchen
Engineering)
Figure 17: Parking lot with horizontally mounted panels (Rhino
engineering)

One of the disadvantages of high mount horizontal panels is that
the natural cleaning ability of tilted panels is lost, especially that
achieved with rain or water runoff. This can be compensated
for by introducing a slight opposite tilt in adjacent panel groups
as shown in Figure 20. The slight tilt assists cleaning, but does
not affect the energy generated significantly. The high mount
horizontal panel could also be used in any outdoor open area,
such as open storage areas, goods yards, etc.

Low tilt angle east/west mounting Figure 20: Rooftop east/west mounting (Clearskypv)
A variation of the horizontal mount system which has nearly the
same advantages as complete horizontal mounting is the east/ This system is used in both ground mount and roof mount
west mounting system. This system requires a north orientated applications. The slight tilt angle assists self-cleaning.
axis to be fully effective, but can work with other orientations.
Each panel row has two panels with a slight tilt to the east and References
west. (A tilt angle of <8°) (Figure 18). The system has a lower peak 1. A Eberhard: “A solar radiation data handbook for Southern
output but produces a more evenly spread output over the day. Africa”, ERI UCT 1990.
The low tilt angle allows the minimal amount of spacing between 2. R Kennedy: “Rackless, earth-mounted solar provider earns
rows and the system gives a very high surface coverage ratio. funding”, PV-Magazine March 2022
3. M Tuliainen: “Sunrise, sunset, dawn and dusk times around
the World”, Gaisma.com
4. Capella Energy: “Parking lot power”, https://medium.
com/capella-energy/solar-canopies-parking-lot-power-
46571490c325
5. “The Peg PV Superstructure: Revolutionising PV mounting”
Jurchen technology brochure https://www.jurchen-
technology.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/JUR-PEG-
brochure_EN_ebook.pdf

Figure 18: Ground mount east/west system (Jurchen Engineering) Send your comments to rogerl@nowmedia.co.za

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