SPIS Toolbox - Mounting Structure
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3. Mounting Structure
In addition to the irradiance and cell temperature, the output of a solar panel is also dependent on the orientation and tilt angle of the panel surface. To maximize the output, a site-specific optimal orientation has to be found.
Mounting options:
There are basically two alternatives to mount solar panels on a metal structure:
- installation with a fixed tilt angle;
- installation on a solar tracker with varying orientation.
The fixed installation of solar panels on a rigid structure is the cheapest, most reliable and most common method. Metal supports that are pile-driven into the ground are generally recommended for larger systems. They make the utilization of concrete foundations redundant and save labor and material cost. However, in developing countries, simple concrete foundations are often used for smaller installations and represent an appropriate solution, provided that static requirements are met. The installation is typically oriented north or south to have a relatively good distribution of the output over the course of the day.
When the orientation of the mounting structure is variable over one or two axes,this is referred to as a solar tracker (see figure below).
Solar tracking has two advantages:
- gain in additional solar radiation – the amount of solar radiation received by the solar panels increases between 25 and 35 % (annual mean value), depending on solar tracker type and installation site.
- even distribution of solar irradiance throughout the day – the generated electricity and thus the pump’s water flow is almost constant over the day. This is important in an SPIS configuration where the water is pumped directly to the field without passing through a reservoir.
Disadvantages of solar tracking:
- solar tracking is costly and substantially increases the overall system cost;
- the mechanical parts and the electrical motor of the tracking system require regular maintenance and spare parts.
This has to be kept in mind in particular for installations that are planned for remote areas or areas with limited technical services.
An interesting alternative to solar tracking can be installations oriented in east and west directions, which are relatively new. However, it requires more panels to get a stable output over the day. But with falling panel prices, this might be an interesting alternative for remote areas and smaller systems, as they are cheaper and require much less maintenance (as solar tracking solutions).
For both mounting options it is important to avoid galvanic corrosion when connecting metal structures. This can be done by selecting materials with similar corrosion potentials or by breaking the electrical connection by insulating the two metals from each other.
Mounting structure and theft
The type and the quality of the mounting structure are also a determining factor with regard to the risk of theft of the PV panels. With the increased application of photovoltaic installations for electricity generation the risk of theft is increasing. Common theft-prevention measures include:
- use of lock tie nuts;
- spraying the owner’s ID with non-removable spray paint onto the back of the panels;
- integrating the solar panels into the mounting structure (non-detachable);
- placing the mounting structure out of easy reach by using elevated structures, fences or floating PV systems.
Solar systems (Source: Reinhold Schmidt, 2015):
- fixed installation
- one axis tracker, azimuth
- two axis tracker azimuth and inclination
- one axis tracker, south + north axis incline
- horizontal one axis tracker, south/north axis.
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