Case Study: A Ground Mount Challenge

Panels:

34 x REC Alpha 405W All Black panels

Battery:

Tesla Powerwall 2 13.5kWh

Inverter:

2 x Fronius Gen24 6kW inverters

Every install has its challenges, but this one really tested the full skill-set of our installers.

Most installations are roof-mounted systems, but occasionally, ground-mounted systems are required, such as this one for Robert and Wendy.

Constructing a ground mount on a sloping hill meant our installers (electricians, not builders) had to pull out their best carpenter hats for a few days. Set amongst 1.5 metre-tall tussocks, our team then had to put on their gardening gloves and remove 61 square metres of tussocks.

Then came the trenching – our team had to dig A LOT of trenches while trying to dodge irrigation pipes and perimeter wires for the robot lawnmower. At certain points we couldn’t dig the required 600 mm, so after laying the cables and back-filling, the team put their concreting skills to the test, topping the trench with concrete for safety. Since it is DC cable, it had to be in conduit – a 100 metre run.

There was a lot of sweat and blisters before we even got to installing the panels!

The next challenge came when delivering the panels: the closest we could get was in front of the ground mount on the other side of a deer fence, so every panel had to be passed up and over it.

Needless to say, this install proved rather tricky, but the team persevered and the finished result is well worth the hard work.

When Robert and Wendy first approached us about solar for their property they were looking to do their bit for the environment, eliminate high power bills and add value to the house. So how have they found it so far?

Expected power production: 17 901 kWh

Expected power-bill savings: $5 226 per year

Projected carbon-footprint reduction: 1 969 kg CO₂ per year