New Solar PV Array in Maynard, MA!

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

But because it is required to be maintained as open land (to keep the cap intact), it makes a perfect site for this kind of solar array.

You lost me on that one. If you've build something, say just for instance a solar array, on a piece of land, that means it's not open land any more, no? Or perhaps they have a different definition of "open land"in Massachusetts?

[NeilBlanchard]

Any capped landfill has to be kept free of any trees, etc. that would breach the waterproof cap. That is critical to keeping any of the myriad of unknown *stuff* that got deposited there over the years from leaking out into the groundwater.

The system that is pre-engineered for this solar array "floats" on the surface and does not penetrate the cap with foundation footings. So it maintains the required function of open land for the purposes of protecting the landfill.

Does that make it clearer?

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Does that make it clearer?

Yeah, it's a different definition. Hereabouts, "open land" means that it doesn't have buildings or other structures on it.

[NeilBlanchard]

Yes, it means that most of the time; so it is not a different definition. The point is that for landfills and roadways that have to be free from trees anyway, makes them perfect for solar PV installations.

[NeilBlanchard]

The panels are all installed now, and the cabling has been started; though it appears they have yet to install the inverters - though maybe, they will use a couple of centralized units?

[gone-ot]

With HIGH DC-currents, you'd want as SHORT as possible wire runs between the sensors and the inverter(s) as possible...to reduce as MUCH as possible the inevitable DC-voltage drop(s).

[aktacoma]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Germany is about as sunny as Alaska. It is plenty sunny here to make very good use of solar PV. I know several people would have system on their roof, and they get very good output even on cloudy and overcast days.

I live in alaska and the reason we dont use solar that much is because in the summer it would do great however 6 months out of the year it would be pretty worthless and someone would have to be constantly clearing the snow off of the panels also i dont know how they would deal with -60* F??

[NeilBlanchard]

Right, the latitude of Germany is similar to the middle of Canada, so they get more sun in the winter than in Alaska, but overall they average about the same as Alaska or the very least sunny part of far northwest Washington state.

It may be that they are using individual micro inverters on this system, just like on most home systems are now. That means the only DC is the pigtail from the panel to the inverter mounted right underneath them.

[gone-ot]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

It may be that they are using individual micro inverters on this system, just like on most home systems are now. That means the only DC is the pigtail from the panel to the inverter mounted right underneath them.

Thats the 'semi-smart' way of doing it, but it also incurrs a LOT of co$t because of the sheer number of all those individual inverters!

[NeilBlanchard]

If the DC cabling was long, it would have to be huge and that costs a lot more than micro inverters. The panels could be grouped - three to an inverter. The small capacity inverters are low cost. The larger ones are probably higher cost per watt.