> I use and sell the SMA product SI & SB line, I use the SI & SB for my own & I > can't say enough good about the functionality of these units. I would suggest > this product too BUT,.... sorry when they shit the bed AND THEY DO the > outback line IS FIELD SERVICABLE! I have hefted a few SI on the boat, off the > boat, up the hill n back down, boards are quite a bit lighter! > I would only go with a DP&W TOP mounted array. SHADE for folks/animals + > reduction of possible theft & damage. They make it right and you DO get what > you pay from DP&W! > My $.02 TUMP > On Nov 6, 2013, at 9:07 PM, SunHarvest wrote: > >> Although it's more expensive, I'd go with AC Coupled SMA. Contact the owner >> of http://standardmicrogrid.com/ for more info on his recent work in >> Zambia...wait, I think he's there now. They have a pretty sleek set-up for a >> Sunny Island-based system, monitoring included. I'd go with ground-mount but >> be aware of theft (goes without saying, right?). You can also check out >> Volunteers for International Aid (VIDA) http://www.thevida.org/ >> >> And hey, get me involved! It's been years since I've been to A-land and I've >> been trying to get back ever since. So much so that I've recently formed a >> non-profit, Good Sun, to go back to places like Africa and do good work for >> good people. >> >> My bags are packed... >> >> Eric Stikes >> Owner >> SunHarvest >> 001.530.798.3738 (Cell) >> ----- Original Message ----- >> From: Andrew Truitt >> To: RE-wrenches >> Sent: Wednesday, November 06, 2013 3:43 PM >> Subject: [RE-wrenches] Off-grid in Tanzania >> >> Wrenches - I am working with Lee Bristol and Ray Walters on 20 off-grid PV >> systems in Tanzania at various types of remote health care facilities. >> There will be 3 system offerings: 2, 4, and 6 kW, all 230V, 50Hz. We are >> currently considering the following issues and would appreciate input: >> AC coupled SMA system vs. DC coupled Outback/Midnite system: We have had >> positive experiences with Sunny Boy / Sunny Island systems in GT w/ battery >> back-up applications and we like the SMA production monitoring (more on that >> later), but we are not sure how appropriate the system is for off-grid. >> Cost is a consideration, as well as energy harvest, simplicity for in-county >> technicians, future system expansion, battery SOC remote monitoring, >> integration of generators, running power to multiple buildings, inverter >> over-sizing to increase equipment lifetime, reliability, battery >> over/under-charging prevention, ease of use for the customer, surge >> capability, and programable load shedding. We have had numerous internal >> discussions about this particular decision and would appreciate additional >> viewpoints. >> Ground mount vs. Pole mount: The roofs at the sites are far from ideal in >> both construction and solar access so we are planning to locate all the >> arrays on the ground. Soil types and slopes vary. Manual labor will be >> readily available but heavy equipment will be hard to come by. We would >> like to have a standard, replicable system which might be more achievable >> with a pole mount (e.g. [8] 250W modules per pole for 2kW; 1, 2, or 3 poles >> per system), and poles might be easier to have pre-installed before we >> arrive (e.g. you can't get the orientation wrong; less spacing measurements >> to consider), but the cost difference is significant (about $0.40/watt for >> S-flex ground mount vs. $1.05/watt for DP&W TPM all in). The pole mount >> would be adjustable (east/west to account for micro-climate variations, >> north/south for seasonal adjustments), but how much of a value does that add >> at 10 degrees south latitude? A ground mount could be ballasted which could >> be a big benefit in some locations. >> Monitoring options: This is a tough one. Obviously there is not robust >> internet access so we are looking at cell modems for data transmission. >> Does anyone have a recommendation for a 3rd party off-grid full system >> remote monitoring provider? Pentametric is an option - anyone have >> experience with the on-line interface or remote monitoring reliability? All >> the OEMs have monitoring options for production and battery SOC, but we want >> to have an additional system to compare data and provide redundancy. >> Clearly there are many more factors that go into these decisions than I have >> conveyed here, but we are just hoping to get some thoughts on the issues >> from the extensive off-grid knowledge base on this list, particularly from >> anyone with experience in Africa. >> >> Thanks in advance! >> >> >> >> For a brighter energy future, >> >> >> Andrew Truitt >> >> Principal >> Truitt Renewable Energy Consulting, LLC >> >> (202) 486-7507 >> >> LinkedIn Profile >> >> Company Website >> >> NABCEP Certified PV Installation Professional ID: 032407-66 >> >> Colorado Journeyman Electrician License No.: 600132 >> >> >> <image001.jpg> >> >> "Don't get me wrong: I love nuclear energy! It's just that I prefer fusion >> to fission. And it just so happens that there's an enormous fusion reactor >> safely banked a few million miles from us. It delivers more than we could >> ever use in just about 8 minutes. And it's wireless!" >> >> ~William McDonough >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Home Power magazine >> >> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >> >> Change email address & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List-Archive: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out participant bios: >> www.members.re-wrenches.org >> >> _______________________________________________ >> List sponsored by Home Power magazine >> >> List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org >> >> Change email address & settings: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List-Archive: >> http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org >> >> List rules & etiquette: >> www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm >> >> Check out participant bios: >> www.members.re-wrenches.org >> >
> t...@swnl.net www.SWNL.net > Solarwinds Northernlights > Serving Mid Coast Maine & Northern California > 207-832-7574 Cl. 610-517-8401 > > Blair "TUMP" May > ******** MAINE'S CHARTER ******** > NABCEP "Certified PV Installer" > > ******** MAINE'S CHARTER ******** > Trace Xantrex "Certified" Dealer / Installer" >
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