My Cool PV Array Structure

Started trying to Blog this about 10 years ago; now with Substack it's EASY!

My solar array structure was designed and built by Bird Snider, a craftsman of distinction in Brown County. Now, I did help, as I am a Log-Sitter of distinction. The Log-Sitter of course has the most important job — the Log Sitter (smart end) wraps his legs around the log and precisely moves moves that huge log back-and-forth and side-to-side while the guy with the chainsaw (dumb end) just tries to hold that chain saw steady. (And I have lots of other stories to tell you if you believe that one).

Below you can see the finished product …

Array Structure --

My 5 kW photovoltaic (PV) sunshade array structure was built with poplar tulip logs from my land (sons or daughter of trees I planted on my land in the '80s). The trees were felled, sectioned, pulled from my forest, debarked and saddle-notched using a chain saw. The bottom of the posts were drilled through and borate rods inserted, and subsequently sealed with wax. The logs were sealed and treated with Cabot preservative.

All the wiring is underground. In my basement I have over 30 kW-hr (2000 pounds) of industrial (Rolls Surrette) lead acid batteries. They should last about 15 years or so. I use a 100% reliable-to-date Outback Charge Controller and a 5 kW two phase 240 Vac (Magna-Sine) inverter to power my house. I re-wired my water heater from 240 Vac to 120 Vac so it only draws 1 kW, instead of 4 kW. In the summer this system can easily power 3 of my 400% efficient Chinese Ductless Inverter Heat Pumps.