FAQs
1) Design
1.1) What is the PEG EW system?
PEG is an East-West high-density, lightweight, highly robust substructure with rapid installation and significant CAPEX reduction. The PEG design is fundamentally different from other substructures. It includes lean rods rather than heavy steel posts. Around 75% less steel is required for PEG vs conventional substructures.
Read more about the PEG design…
1.2) Is the PEG system robust?
Yes it is. The low ~1m height above ground, the low 8deg tilt angle of the modules and the large number of ground contact per module significantly increases the system’s robustness to high winds as was proven in few PEG projects globally installed in high wind reason.
absolutely.
LinkedIn publication about a PEG site in Cuba experiencing Hurricane…
A video showing how robust the PEG is…
1.3) How the PEG layout looks like?
The PEG EW is built in blocks of difference sizes, from ~9m x 9m (~30ft x 30ft) up to ~40m x 30m (~130ft x 100ft) with minimal gap in between the blocks.
The PEG allows GCR (Ground Cover Ratio) of ~95-98%.
1.4) Which solar modules can be installed on the PEG?
The modules must have frames and be approved for corner clamping.
A list of approved modules is available here. This list includes the mounting method allowed (Landscape and/or Portrait) and the maximum test loads for which the module is allowed on the PEG.
1.5) What is the standard corrosion protection for PEG?
The standard thickness of the zinc protecting coating is ~80µm on the rods and ~20µm on the plates.
A thicker coating is possible up to ~140µm thick in case of corrosive soil.
The thickness of the zinc coating is determined per project based on few factors:
1. The level of soil corrosion which is analysed following chemical soil tests which should be done to our specification document.
2. The validity and duration (number of years) of the PEG product warranty.
The chemical soil tests and the default PEG warranty can be provided upon request.
1.6) What site conditions are suitable for PEG?
For sites without snow: Up to 4.5 degree (~8%). Higher slope up to ~6 deg (~11%) might be allowed – evaluated per project.
For sites with snow: Up to 2 degree (3.5%). Higher slope of up to ~3.5 degree (~6%) might be allowed – evaluated per project
1.7) When does the customer receive the static calculation for the project?
A static calculation is provided following a PEG Purchase Order (PO). Clearly the calculations are validated during the final project design, before the PEG PO is issued.
2) Installation
2.1) Which tools/machinery are required?
The tools required for installing the PEG EW are:
- (Hydraulic) Drill hammer (combined impact drill could be used with rocky ground)
- Pressing tool for pressing the plates, pictures available
- Cordless drill
- The recommended tool list is described in installation manual
Further information about the PEG installations is available here.
2.2) How the modules’ earthing is done ?
The middle clamp includes 8 piercing jaws to ensuring the earthing of each module to the ground, through the clamp, top plate and the rods.
2.3) How the foundations of the PEG are concluded?
The PEG foundation is determined based on the type of soil, wind speed on site, the PEG height and the module size.
The pullout load operated on the rods are calculated based on the parameters above.
Then pullout tests should be done onsite, based on our tests specifications, to determine the depth of ramming or drilling at which the pullout load is achieved. The tests require standard and lightweight equipment and is typically offered by local civil works contractors.
The pullout tests specification can be shared upon request.
2.4) Can the PEG be installed on rocky ground?
Yes it can. However pre-drill might be required in case the ground is too hard. Otherwise ramming trough rocks might be possible, in case the soil is made of rocks fragments or in case the rock is not too hard, for example a soft limestone.
2.5) What is the estimated installation effort of PEG?
~450 working hours per MWp for large project ~ >2MWp. This included the following:
- Site surveying
- Ramming the PEG rods
- Installing the substructure (plates and modules)
- Mounting and cabling the modules
- DC-cabling connection up to the inverter
- Connect DC cabling to the inverter
3) Operation and Maintenance
3.1) How the vegetation of the ground under the PEG is maintained?
There are multiple ways to deal with vegetation under the PEG:
1. Fabric sheet, to prevent vegetation growth.
2. Spraying the site
3. Planting Clover grass.
4. Mowing the ground with Raymo mower.
Further information is available here.
3.2) How the modules on the PEG are cleaned?
Module cleaning can be done with manual or robotic cleaning systems.
Few of those systems are in commercials use on PEG sites globally, like the Gal-In manual system and the GEVA-BOT robotic system.
Further information is available here.
3.3) How can modules be replaced on the PEG?
There are several ways to replace modules under the PEG. Further information is available here.
4) Commercial
4.1) Where the PEG is supplied from?
The PEG is supplied from either Germany or India.
4.2) What is the standard warranty on PEG?
The standard PEG warranty is for 10 years limited warranty and 25 years design warranty and is subject to the soil corrosion and atmospheric conditions (Corrosion Category) of the specific site and the number of years the warranty is required for.
4.3) What does the PEG system cost?
The CAPEX cost of the PEG, including both its supply and installations and other costs related to the high-density value of the PEG, are significantly lower compared to a conventional system.
You are welcome to contact Jurchen Technology and ask for a quote. This can be done using an online form.
4.4) What are the transportation costs?
The transportation of the PEG are ~2-4 times lower compared to other systems with ~2.2MWp of PEG can be packed in a single 40‘ HC Container, assuming a project with 550W modules.