Installing our Photovoltaic system, part III

Constructing the mounting frame. I had my one “oops” moment in the project already, hopefully there will not be another one. It seems that when I laid out the position of the mounting frame, I was a little too close to the property line. In the end of October, the town that I live in changed its zoning code, making side line set backs 40 feet. The previous code stated it was 10 feet for “unenclosed” uses, e.g. swimming pools, fences, etc. Since the mounting frame is not enclosed, I figured I would be good at 30 feet. No good, the whole thing had to be moved back 10 feet.

Equally unfortunate is the fact that I jumped the gun on the construction and poured the footings before I had the building permit.  So, once again I rented the Kabota backhoe from the Taylor rental place down the road.  I am on a first name basis with the owner, which is nice, sort of.  Anyway, quick work with a chain and I pulled all six of the eight inch footings out of the ground, dug new holes and place the pre-poured footing in a new whole.  I dumped about 6-8 inches of crushed stone in each hole an compacted it.  All in all, I am only out the one day’s rental on the back hoe, which was not too bad.

Timber Frame for 4.1 KW Photovoltaic system

On to the construction of the frame.  I decided to use 4 x 4 posts and beams, except for the main support beam, which is 4 x 6 inch.  The entire structure is braced with 4 x 4s at all ninety degree meetings.

Corner bracing

Of course, the weather has closed in and I am working outside in the snow and wind.  On Saturday, it was 15 degrees out with a 20 MPH wind.  I don’t know what the wind chill was, I can however verify, it was unpleasant working outside.  That being said, progress has been made.

The frame is mostly up, I need to put the final support beam across the top.  Then I need to put in the “rafters” which will be 2 x 8 x 12 treated lumber.  The rafter spacing will be a little odd, since they are space to support the solar panels according to the panel manufactures specifications.

Hand dug conduit trench

Also completed (before the ground froze solid) is the trench between the house and the support frame.  We dug this by hand, 42 feet long by 18 inches deep, as the current NEC specifies for PVC conduit.

Everything is frozen solid right now, which actually has it’s advantages.  Come springtime, this will be a soupy mud mess.  Once the ground drys out a little bit, I’ll rake it out and plant some grass seed.