Australian Fast Deploy PV

https://www.teslarati.com/tesla-powerwall-solar-australia-fires/
https://cleantechnica.com/2020/02/21/teslas-helping-australian-bushfire-victims/

The ground mounted panels are very similar to my "Steeply Sloped Two Face Rails".

They are semi-obviously configured to spread the peak of production in order to capture as much energy as possible in PowerWalls.   I use the peak spreading to maximize my use of transformers and AC wiring.  But, in a micro grid with Power Wall storage, it is important to try to keep maximum power below that which can be accepted by PowerWalls; that is, 5 kw per PowerWall battery.

The Australian scheme is instructive in that the upper panel ends are self supported; no rail.  It appears wind stability is acheived by weighted lower panel attachments.  Pondering this very efficient PV mounting scheme makes one realize how terribly inefficient (read: "costly") roof mounts are.

If anyone susses out more detailed "direct from Australian" information, please post.

I found this absolutely HORRIBLE multi-media web site:
https://5b.com.au/
But, it leads to:
https://www.resilientenergy.com.au/

Here are a few quesitons.  The panels used by 5B seem to be bigger than 72 cell.  Can anyone count?  The standard module seems to be made of pairs of 5 panel rows.  Each module seems to be made of four pairs of rows of panels sitting on five ground blocks.  I wonder what power those modules might produce?   One photo seems to have a string inverter but I could not identify.

In some photos there are indications that the mount blocks that rest on the ground are tied to the ground.  Are they concrete blocks?

I imagine that 5B has given it far more thought and study than I.  But, I'm surprised at the shallow tilt angle of the panels.

Ray offers this link to 5B brochure:
https://5b.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Maverick-Brochure_180919.pdf


3/1/2020
I've been pondering.   What is needed to construct the hinges needed at the tops and bottoms of the panels?  A long piece of metal that has a "P" crossection.  The P can be cut into relatively short lengths of 1" to 6" and attached to the backs of the panel frames with the commonly available self drilling and self tapping screws.  Hinge geometery could be used so that all panels are identical.  The tops of the East facing panels must have the hinge segments offset from the positions used by the West facing.  That is, the "tops" of the panels are used for the tops of East facing while the "bottoms" are used for West facing tops.  Likely only four hinge segments are needed for each panel, two top and two bottom.  The hinge stock material could be constructed of steel; round tubing plus a flat.  Or, it could be extruded aluminum.  The hinge axle diameter, perhaps 1/4" to 1/2".  Likely steel rod for the axle.  Or tubing if the diameter was 1/2" or greater.  The same hinge stock could be used to attach the lower hinges to the ground plates though it might be easier/cheaper to use another form.

I'm eager to see details of what 5B has done.  I continue to think that a steeper angle might be better.  Certainly better for pushing production away from mid-day and thereby maximizing potential energy production with the available "to grid" capacity.   A limited "to grid" capacity is the same as the limit imposed by limited battery charging capacity if something like PowerWalls are used in a micro grid.  I'm viewing this 5B system possiblity as a cheaper and sturdier ground mount rather than a fast deploy system.

If popularized, the hinge system could be made into the panel frames at the time the panels are made.  Stacking for shipment might be a problem.  On the other hand, the hinges might be used to stablize a stack of panels on a pallet.  The hinges might make a better and cheaper roof top mounting system.