I found a photo of the array I saw. Nicest looking setup I've seen. This is at a school with a poured concrete slab and a higher elevation than we would need, but a fun idea!

If we ever build one in our field, the low end could be about 7 feet off the ground and no concrete. A few shooting benches and we're all set...

Patrice, the building cost me around $4,500. It could be done much cheaper but I spent a ton on insulation. I blew the underside with 6” of spray foam then insulated it and put insulation board on top of that. Keeping batteries at a stable temp is best for long life. Keeping them from getting cold is a must.

The batteries are not the same as EV batteries. They are LiFePO4 very safe plus they have internal fire extinguishers if something does go wrong. 99% of people that have them put them on or in their house/garage.
I’ve just had and seen to many batteries blowup over the years and didn’t feel comfortable putting them downstairs.

Putting them higher up in the air is no problem. My buddy has done several carports and outside dining areas using panels. We might do an expansion at one of the feedlots in the next few years and use panels for shade in the cattle pens and help out on energy cost for the mill.

I didn’t know about an American company named Qcells when I got my panels last spring. If I had to do it again I’d by them instead.

Great to know, Pawnee. Thanks!

Looks good here in Iowa we have two problems one is snow load the other is wind if it doesn’t move the panel it blows snow around them and burry them so you have to clean around them so the snow doesn’t collapse them when melting.

I dont think Qcells are an American company....just have a manufacturing fascility in US. Been looking into the whole idea myself. Just still in 'paralysis by over analysis' stage....

Midlander they are headquartered South Korea if I remember right but have a new plant in Georgia. About as close as a guy can get. I think there is a company in Ohio that makes panels too. Don’t overthink it. The 18kpv inverter from EG4 is about as good as you can get right now IMO. If you have questions call the guys at Signature solar in Texas. They know there stuff

Good luck with it, looks awesome

Hey Pawnee, how’s this working though winter? The more I’ve thought about things and there’s been some other developments, I’m looking at going the same route you have.

I hate the idiots thinking they can force us. But I love the solar technology. Except last winter when I never saw the sun. This winter is better.

Funny they push solar all over Oregon, western Oregon seems to me to be the worst place for it almost. Go to Florida and nobody seems to have it. I would be interested in it if I lived someplace sunny without big trees shading it. Looks like you did a great job on it.

wws

Nice work Pawnee. Very interesting

Nice job.

nicely done!

locally, they're ruining good farmland to put in solar "farms".

but, I'm pretty big on private property rights, so...

Around here they are talking about putting them in the clover leafs along the freewayexits.

I hate seeing them go on farmland, but the lease payments are higher than any crops grown with no expenses, so I can see the attraction, especially to older farmers near retirement..

Here the county center put a roof over their parking lot and put collectors on top, locations like that make a lot more sense.

Looks good and a dual usage is a good picnic area for a large party.

and I can understand that. But if I had to guess, I'd bet money that those eyesores will be left to rot long after they have served their useful lifespan. IMO, the township should have required a clean-up bond before issuing the permit.

I was approached about 10 years ago about putting in 10 acres worth on my hunting property... the lease arrangement was very attractive, it fell through because a needed substation wasn't close enough...but in the lease the solar co. had a clause for the removal of the structures at the end of the lease, which was 25 years.

Now who knows if it was ever going to be honored, those start up companies usually sell the lease to another operator, so who knows what would happen. But it was on non farmland, I wasn't living on the property, and the payments were great, and the property tax for the portion of the lease was paid.