Technical disclosure on photovoltaic support foundation installation

How is a ground mounted PV solar panel Foundation designed?

This case study focuses on the design of a ground mounted PV solar panel foundation using the engineering software program spMats. The selected solar panel is known as Top-of-Pole Mount (TPM), where it is deigned to install quickly and provide a secure mounting structure for PV modules on a single pole.

Are solar PV panels a viable investment?

Rising energy costs and the support of the Feed in Tariff (FiT) and the Renewable Obligations Certificates have significantly increased the financial viability and attractiveness of installing solar PV panels. These installations may be roof / wall mounted or standalone / ground mounted.

What is the fee category for a large scale solar PV installation?

There is no national guidance on the fee category for large scale ground mounted solar PV installations. However, normally such applications fall within Category 5 (erection, alteration or replacement of plant or machinery) of the Town and Country Planning (Fees for Applications and Deemed Applications) as amended.

Are solar PV installations secure?

Whilst there is an acknowledged need to ensure solar PV installations are adequately secured it would be unfortunate if such security measures resulted in an unacceptable landscape/visual impact. Applicants should: minimise the use of security lighting. Any lighting should utilise

What is a stand-alone solar PV installation?

For the purposes of planning stand-alone solar PV installations are those that are not physically attached to a building, although they can be wired to provide electricity to a building.

Are solar PV panels reflective?

The potential for solar PV panels, frames and supports to have a combined reflective quality should be assessed. This assessment needs to consider the likely reflective capacity of all of the materials used in the construction of the solar PV farm.