The best solar mounting systems for a farm
The best solar mounting system(s) for a farm
Due to the rise in electricity costs in recent years, farmers have opted to use solar energy to run their farms. Using solar energy has helped reduce electricity and fuel bills throughout the year thus, reducing their costs and increasing profitability. Every farm has different water and energy consumption levels hence, the solar panels and mounting systems differ from farm to farm.
The ground mounting PV system is one of the best solar mounting systems for a farm due to its rotative ability and room for the flow of air to keep the panels cool throughout the day. Some farmers also opt for a rooftop PV system combined with a ground PV system to efficiently use space that would otherwise be unutilized.
To run a solar farm, it Is important to consider the number of panels needed. And this is mostly determined by the cost of installation and the size of the farmland. The best solar panel systems one can use are solar ground systems for agriculture as they are more efficient than roof systems.
Ground-mounted solar PV systems for farms
One of the most important things to know before installing panels is the size of the land. 40 acres of land can get at least 5MW capacity of the farms. It depends on how much power is required to run the farm and how much space the farmer can compromise for the panels.
There are two types of solar ground mount systems namely a fixed solar ground mount and a tracking solar ground mount. A fixed solar ground mount is fixed or stationary, it faces in the same direction and angle throughout the day. Thus, when using a fixed solar ground system, the location of the farm is very crucial. Beneficially, the solar panels should be located on the ground facing south for optimum sun exposure.
When facing south the solar panels also limit any shading from trees or buildings in the surrounding area. When they are at the right angle, the solar panels can get up to 8 hours of maximum sun exposure throughout the day every day. Fixed-mount systems can be placed on the ground or the roof of barns on the farm.
Usually, roofs are not preferred because they just face one direction and they require having a structure underneath to hold the panels securely. They are also harder to maintain since they cannot be easily accessed on the roof. Due to the inability to move on the roof, farmers prefer ground-mounted solar panels.
A fixed ground-mounted solar panel is cheaper, and more durable because it does not move, but the production of power is limited. On the other hand, a tracking system is more expensive and efficient than a fixed ground mount system. A tracking system tracks the position of and moves the direction of the sun throughout the day.
Since farms require a lot of power throughout the entire day, it is recommended to have a tracking ground solar system. They are more energy-efficient and consume and produce enough power to run the farm. They can consume and store the power even for rainy, cloudy, or snowy days. As the solar panels produce more energy, the less dependence the farmers will be on other forms of energy sources that are more costly.
Ground-mounted panels have a good cooling system. Especially, on the farms having solar panels on the ground gives space to allow a flow of wind during hot temperatures, like during the summer. The natural flow of air is important for farms in lower regions.
Since the solar panels are on the ground, they are easily accessible to the owner for cleaning in case it gets dirty. When solar panels accumulate dirt over time start to lose their efficiency. Having a longer life saves cost on maintenance of the panels. Other than cleaning it is also easier to check for any damages or cracks or loose wiring that can be fixed easily instead of leaving it to further damage and harm others.
For someone who is constantly in the winter, it is best to go for the ground mount solar panels to have easy access to removing the snow buildup to keep the farms running.
Roof Mounted Solar Photovoltaic Systems for Farms
Some farms also use roof-mounted solar panels for maximum efficiency. Mostly they are used in agricultural buildings like barns for water heating or to increase the temperature for farm animals during the cold season. Usually, these agricultural buildings have a roof pitch of 10-15° enabling the panels to generate more power despite the position of the roof because of the easy access to sunlight.
Placing panels on the roof is safer especially to keep farm animals from running into the solar panels and harming themselves. It also keeps the panels away from intruders who would want to steal them. Having roof panels is also efficient for small farms with less land space.
Installing solar panels on the roof of agricultural buildings on farms is cost-efficient and requires low maintenance as well as low service costs since they are less likely to get damaged on the roof than on the ground. They also don't require permission or go through a lengthy process to get the panels installed. Having the panels installed on the roof saves the cost of getting certain licenses and permits that would be needed for ground and floating solar panels.
For solar panels on the roof to last longer, they must have the weight to be carried by the roof and good quality to avoid regular maintenance and changes that can increase the cost of the roof panels.
Using solar panels on farms not only saves a lot on electricity and energy consumption costs but also reduces the carbon footprint because solar energy is a renewable energy source. It does not emit dangerous and harmful gases into the atmosphere. Hence, it is safe for the people and the planet.
References
1,https://www.starwinsolar.com/case-list/solar-ground-mounting-projects
2,https://www.starwinsolar.com/case-list/solar-roof-mounting-projects
