DIY Field Solar Array - Part 1

This is the first in a series of videos documenting the construction of a ground-mounted 17.4 kW electric solar array.
- Solarworld 275w mono-crystalline black frame/backing panels
- Ironridge frame (with 2 inch galvanized pipe)
- 11.4 kW Solaredge Inverter (with 42 400 watt power optimizers)
- 6 kW Solaredge Inverter (with 18 400 watt power optimizers)

[@mikeprince3206]

Love the video series, like that you have chosen to give measurements in meters...etc. If you could do it all over, would you have ran direct burial solar cable, maybe 8 guage from your panel location to your where you eventually mounted your inverters. The voltage loss based on 10amp of current and 10 gauge wire (copper) would have been less than 3%. To run aluminum you would need 8 gauge to stay under th 3%. The panels max dc amp is like 9.85 and that would remain constant. To get more power you

[@Hullspeed]

Thanks! Mostly, I would have run additional wires for a ground connection and future expansion (probably not needed). I was happy with the direct burial service wire. It's rated to 600v and probably is better suited to underground... maybe more so than PV wire. Aluminum is much cheaper too.

[@gary15929]

180 meters from the nearest structure? Is this in Canada?