The revolution in the field of PV substructure

PEG is an EW ground mount design that is high-density, lightweight, highly robust substructure with rapid installation and greatly reduced CAPEX. The design of PEG is fundamentally different from other substructures. It was re-designed from the ground up. Instead of heavy steel posts, many lean rods are used. The PEG design saves approximately 75%+ of steel compared to conventional substructures.

The aerodynamic characteristics of the flat structure close to the ground result in a significantly lower lift at high wind speeds. The lightweight substructure allows for shallow foundations that can be installed rapidly and safely with a convenient, waist high working height. No heavy machinery is required.

Design of Mounting System for Solar Power Plants

It‘s not EPC, it is EPI

Engineering-Planning-Installation

The PEG power plant will be installed rather than constructed. It is based on an innovative system design, which follows the ground surface – the PEG mesh. The ground-nailed substructure clamps the PV panels at about one meter elevation over-ground.

The specially engineered construction design with its flat ‘wave‘ pattern is very durable against environmental impacts. Furthermore at high wind loads the patented construction produces a down-lift, which increases the static characteristics. The patented construction consists of only three main components:
1. Rod
2. Ground plate
3. Top and down plate

The PEG System is a revolution in the field of mounting solutions for solar power plants with framed PV modules. It is unique and specially designed for east/west exposition. Due to the lightweight construction, no foundation is needed. Less material and a simple design lead to reduced labor costs and the phase between planning and commissioning is reduced significantly.

The PEG substructure is the lightest, most efficient and innovative system on the market. Substructures of our competitors are much heavier and more expensive. Most of them need concrete foundations and heavy machines. With PEG, the steel rods of the PEG substructure can also be installed with only a hammer drill.

Standard Ground Plate Version

These are the standard main components for most soil and load conditions. The components are made of galvanized steel.

PEG solar mounting design
PEG Solar Mounting - Design

Anchor Rod Version

We recommend this version for low ramming depths (e.g. former landfills) or or very soft soil.

PEG anchor rod design
PEG Solar Mounting with Anchor Rods
1) Subject to the site conditions and system design
2) For exceptional permafrost conditions, the ramming depth could be up to 2m, done by the use of two rods crimped together onsite through a sleeve, subject to project-specific approval.

PEG® with additional support for high wind and snow loads

The HL (High Load) version of the PEG included additional support under the middle of the long edges of the modules, to withstand high loads at sites with extreme wind and show. This design includes two version, HL Snow and HL Wind. Download data sheet for more info.

PEG High Load

PEG® EW Ballast Design

Plastic mortar tubs or high density plastic plant pots, one per rod, are filled with recycling material as a cost effective ballast solution for the PEG System. The plastic tubs are available in different shapes and sizes , eg round and rectangular, which should be evaluated based on the required amount of filled material and the required gaps between the tubes for access under the PEG for O&M activities. Download data sheet for more info.

PEG-balasted

System’s Height & Foundations

 

No foundations required. The rods are rammed into the ground

Ramming depth concluded based on pull-out tests & soil type

Minimum ramming depth required for short & long rods: 500 & 650 mm

Typical ramming depth is ~650-750mm, rarely exceeded 800mm

Above ground height of short rods: 850mm (higher TBD per project if required)

Special anchor rod available for shallow ramming (500mm) or very soft soil

PEG® Engineering

Clustering PEG® power blocks

The whole engineering process has been simplified by a clear standardization with PEG® system blocks. Related to PV panel type PEG® engineering process works with pre-defined power blocks.

The folowing movie is an example of a PEG® solar power plant, built with 90 blocks (each 570 PV modules) on 11.99 ha (29.63 acre). The result is 1.7 MWp/ha (0.7 MWp/acre):

More consistent performance

In contrast to conventional PV module lines, the PEG system utilizes a greater power-generating photovoltaic area.

The flat and east-west oriented PV generator creates a smoother daily averaged electricity yield.

yield of solar power

It is very simple to make something complicated,
but really complicated to make something simple.

PEG® vs. Conventional Mounting Systems

Comparison of: Traditional
Solar Power Plant
PEG
Power Plant
Raw materialsHigh amount of steel, wood and concreteNo concrete, no wood; saving up to 78% steel
Area utilizationMedium, cause system-related free space between straight PV module linesPV module mesh with highest area utilization, 225% increase in MWh/acre versus trackers and conventional fixed tilt systems
Project processEPC: Engineering, Procurement, Construction over several monthsEPI: Quick Engineering, Procurement and Installation over a few weeks
EngineeringLimited layout design due to shading concerns Standardized PEG clusters offering flexible layout design without shading concerns.
Procurement and logisticsIndividual planning and components » complex transportation planning, customer duties and logistic effortsCost-effective process, transport planning and logistic process by container-based units
InstallationHeavy machinery, elevation platforms, skilled labour and high number of man-hours required.Much simpler process with hand tools, smaller teams and mostly unskilled labour; without the need for heavy machines, elevation platforms and cables trenching.
Operation & MaintenanceElevation platforms required, trenching for undergrown cabling typically requiredInstallation on ground level without a need for elevation platform
Energy yieldPeak power generation at noon timeBalanced power generation with better energy yield at sunrise and sunset due to
east/west exposition

Example: Comparison of a Tracker System vs. PEG®

Same location, same area in North South Wales, Australia

Solar trackerPEG vs Solar tracker

Plant system rating of solar tracking system is 7.00 MWp:

Solar tracker land use

PEG® has a system rating of 20.52 MWp on the same construction area:

Land use of PEG
225% increased land yield

Design Robustness of the PEG® Mounting System

  • Wind Tunnel tests successfully completed by IFI in Germany
  • Max wind speed (ASCII 7-10): 185+mph (298+ km/h)
  • Max snow load: ~50PSF (Pound per Square Foot) *
  • Compliance in tropical regions (eg wind regions C in Australia)
  • More than 190 PEG solar power plants have been built worldwide since 2012.
    There have been no problems with the stability of any of these systems.
    Download reference list
  • The Atmospheric Category (Corrosion Classes) is defined per site based on the local code, eg the proximity to the ocean
  • PEG suitable for up to Corrosion Classes C3 (ISO 9223), or the equivalent local code. C4 might be approved, evaluated per project
Wind tunnel solar power plant
cyclone solar power plant

Is the PEG system robust?

The PEG design allows free airflow in and out of the space under the PEG, keeping the temperature low

PEG® Technical Data

 Technical Data PEG®
Orientation PV arrayPatented 8° East-West, fixed tilt, aerodynamic proofed (patent-registered design)
BOM (Bill of material)1.105 rods and 2.15 clips per module
DurabilityHot dip galvanized steel rods and pre-galvanized steel plates.
PV modules and clips based on corrosion-free aluminum and glass.
All DC cabling components are weatherproof and UV resistant.
Wind loadsDesigned for 298+ kmh (185+ mph) per ASCE
Structural Code;
compliance by local engineering. Values may vary
depending on the structural code
Approved ambient temperatureUp to 50°C / 120°F (up to 55°C / 131°F with Hot Climate Option)
CertificationsClamping approval from module manufacturers.
Wind load certificate by local engineering firm in accordance with local wind codes.
The PEG substructure is UL certified.

Sales

Henner_Jahnke

Henner Jahnke

Chief Sales Officer

Herbert Heidel

Herbert Heidel

Europe, Middle east

Matthew Lusk

Matthew Lusk

North & South America, Caribbean

Amit Chheda

Amit Chheda

Rooftop & cabling - Asia, India

Yoni Ben Mazia

Yoni Ben Mazia

Israel, Australia

Abhi_Portrait_Website

Abhishek Deshpande

Strategic Business Development Manager

Internal Sales Service & Project Management

Andrea Vidoni

Andrea Vidoni

Project Manager
Worldwide
Peter-Howard_Dashwood_shopped

Peter Dashwood-Howard

Project Manager
Worldwide

PEG Project Development

PEG Installation

*: Max load may vary depending on the combination of the site’s wind speed and snow load, to be concluded per site.
Pictures: Jurchen Technology GmbH, Meralli Projects PTY Ltd, Belectric GmbH, Volta Solar BV, WikiImages, IFI