PV Mounts and Racks
POWER-FAB: Quality Hardware for the PV Industry

 
TPM: Top-of-Pole Mounts

Standard Top-of-pole mounts have heavy steel mounting sleeves, elevation pivots and strong backs that are painted with a durable outdoor paint. The module rails are 6061-T6 mill finish structural aluminum angle. For harsh environments these racks are available with hot-dip-galvanized steel and anodized aluminum. Stainless steel module mounting hardware is provided. Standard top-of-pole mounts are adjustable from 15° to 65° in 10° increments.


 

SPM: Side-of-Pole Mounts

Side-of-pole mounts are available in both painted steel (PS) and mill-finish aluminum (MA) versions. For harsh environments anodized aluminum or a combination of hot-dip-galvanized steel, stainless steel and anodized aluminum are available. Stainless steel module mounted hardware is provided with all racks.


 

RGM: Roof/Ground Mounts

Standard Roof/Ground mounts are made of 6061-T6 Structural aluminum angle. Standard racks are mill finish; clear anodizing is available for an additional 30%. Stainless steel mounting hardware is provided. Two leg styles are offered: Racks with telescoping back legs are adjustable from 20° to 65 degrees. Racks with one-piece legs have adjustment points of 30°, 45° and 60 degrees and can be set at 0°(parallel to roof) by removing the back leg.
 

Datasheets and Pricing Information

Direct Power & Water's Power Rail "top-down" Mounting System

Custom fabrication is also available.

Direct Power & Water can accomodate custom fabrication when allowed a reasonable lead time. Please consult with us for sizes, configurations and materials not listed.

 

Innovative Ideas in Renewable Energy Systems Design and Integration!
 
PV Combiner and Safety Disconnect

OutBack Power Systems now offers a PV array combiner which can be used with a wide variety of PV system designs and module configurations. The PSPV can be configured with DC breakers for low voltage systems (under 125 VDC) or touch safe type fuse holders for high voltage systems (up to 600 VDC). The PSPV is designed to provide NEC code compliant over-current protection and interconnection of multiple PV panels or sub-arrays into one or more PV arrays for connection to charge controllers or inverter systems. The PSPV is easily field configured to match your system design and capacity requirements - It is shipped without the breakers or fuse holders installed – order the quantity, type and amperage needed.

Standard Features and Components

  • Outdoor, rainproof powder coated aluminum enclosure – can be installed on vertical or sloped surfaces or pole mounted.
  • Snap in DIN rail mounting spaces for up to twelve 125 VDC rated OutBack PV breakers. The circuit breakers are hydraulic-magnetic type and are not affected by high ambient temperatures. 10 year warranty on the PV breakers. For 12, 24, 48 and 60 VDC systems with PV array open circuit voltages up to 125 VDC. Load break rated.
  • Also available with touch safe type midget fuse holders for high voltage systems up to 600 VDC.
  • Dual positive breaker combiner busbars – can be installed to provide one or two PV output circuits.
  • PV negative terminal bus bar (TBB) with mounting holes for an additional TBB
  • #1/0 AWG set-screw compression type box lug terminals for output wiring – accepts bare cable
  • Four ¾" and 1" conduit knockouts – one on the bottom, back and each side – enough space provided on bottom and back to allow up to a 2" conduit punch for larger cabling.
  • Eight ½" knockouts on bottom for PV module or sub-array input conduits or strain reliefs.
  • #1/0 AWG ground lug - can be mounted either on the inside or outside surface. 
  • For negative or positive ground PV systems
  • Space allowed for the addition of current sensors and lightning protection components

    A PV combiner box is also available for high voltage "string" arrays. The PSSB is particularly well suited for converting 48 volt arrays to series string (high voltage) configurations without rewiring the PV array. The PSSB's unique "segmenting" breaker connects the 48 volt sub-arrays in series when switched to the on position sending high voltage to the string inverter.

With a Wattsun Solar Tracker, it's High-noon
every hour of the day!
 

Many owners don't equip their solar arrays with trackers even though tracking the sun will greatly increase the power output. If you want the most power from your PV (photovoltaic) array, then you want the sun to remain at high noon all day. This simple, reliable tracker keeps the PV array precisely fixed on the sun at all times, just as though it were high noon. The result: 40% more power than from a comparable fixed array, an investment that quickly pays for itself.

Experience has proven that passive trackers (which typically use the expansion of potentially harmful freon gas to cause the collector to move), have serious limitations: they do not reset quickly enough to fix the panels on the early morning sun, they are often overpowered by the wind and they do not work well at low temperatures. Hence, their pointing accuracy is not precise and (because they are single axis) they require seasonal adjustments to maximize power output. Wattsun trackers use an electronic control mechanism and contain no freon or other harmful chemicals and with the "Dual-azimuth" feature, Wattsun trackers do not require seasonal adjustment to maintain peak output from the array.

The Wattsun Solar Tracker is effective in all weather conditions. Its revolutionary solid-state sensor finds the maximum sun available even under overcast skies, from sunup to sundown. Using dependable motor-driven actuators it keeps the PV array pointed accurately at the sun at all times. For a Wattsun tracked array, it's high noon every hour, all day!

It makes sense to equip every array with a Wattsun tracker. It will pay for itself in a short period of time, and its simplicity and durability will provide long-term, low-maintenance performance with thousands of extra watts during the lifetime of the array. Wattsun Trackers maximize power production without the shortcoming characteristics of freon trackers.

 

STANDARD FRAME SIZES

The easy-to-install Wattsun solar tracker features rugged anodized aircraft-quality aluminum frames that come in standard array sizes ranging from 2 panels to 24 panels. Larger sizes are available on special order.

The Wattsun tracker comes complete with all of the hardware needed to mount it and the collector array on your pole.

 

MC Photovoltaic Connectors for PV array wiring

The components of the MC plug connector systems for PV are designed to permit time-saving, dependable series cabling of PV modules which are integrated into buildings or are stand alone arrays. MC plug connector system allows for the PV arrays to be pre-assembled and pre-wires in the shop or on site. Then the completed arrays can be installed quickly by skilled construction workers.

Making Connections: Connections from modules to cord extensions are made by simply plugging the lead from the panel into the corresponding male/female extension plug. Easily snapping together for proper connection and weather tightness. Plastic "locking" devices (under development) will snap over the connector to ensure a strong mechanical union.

Wire Losses: All of the cord extensions manufactured by Energy Outfitters are #10 AWG. 

Recommended Installation Methods: Measure the length of wire needed to run from the PV module or PV array's terminating connection to the disconnect/combiner box. Using an MC cable that is long enough to handle both the positive and negative runs, cut the cable to the required length. This will leave you with two cords, one with a male MC connector and the other with a female MC connector. Properly route the extension cables to the combiner and make the connection using the cut ends. After all the connections have been made in the PV combiner box, complete the circuit by snapping the male and female cord extensions to the appropriate PV module or array.

Safety Issues: As with all electrical connections, safety should be your highest priority. Make certain all MC connections are completely engaged and tight. Do not use connectors that do not fit correctly or are loose. When entering the combiner/disconnect box, always use the correct strain relief to ensure weather tightness. Always torque the connections in the combiner/disconnect box to the manufacturer's specifications. Also, be sure to observe proper polarity as many of the system components are not protected against reverse polarity and severe damage can result, voiding the manufacture's warranty and possibly causing physical injury.