Creating A Base

Solar panel installation relies on the panels having a sturdy frame to which they can be attached to and which will withstand field elements for the entire length of the project deployment. The most basic set up for this is the installation of a wooden post. In some field scenarios this may not be possible due to ground conditions or materials available. Pre-existing posts in the field maybe used to install a panel to, so long as prior permission is sought from whoever owns the land. In snowy and bad weather conditions, other frame set ups are more suitable and thus it is important to read the page on Field Site Modification; to ensure the correct site arrangement is deployed for your site specific locality.

1

Dig a small trench into the ground ~20cm deep. Make sure this area is not going to be overcast by any shadows, e.g. woodland/forests.

2

Place wooden pole into the trench and ensure one of the flat faces of the post is orientated due South (in the northern hemisphere). See Orient a stake in the ground for help.

3

Using a sledge hammer, knock the pole into the ground, ensuring that one the flat faces on the pole remains due south (in the northern hemisphere). The pole should be at a depth at least 1m into the ground.

4

The pole can be aided in its stability through the addition of rocks hammered into the ground, or through the addition of extra struts (see the page on field site modification).

5

Fill in the trench and ensure the pole is sturdy. Additional rocks can be placed around the post on the surface. Further modifications to this basic set up for different fieldwork terrain can be found on the field site modification page. A wooden structure can be built to house multiple panel deployments, however field and weather conditions must be considered to ensure the optimum set up.