IF 1589 • 08/09 Copyright © 2009, Cooper Industries, Inc. Page 4
Pole Installation
Always check with your local utility companies before digging for pole
installation. Failure to do so may result in injury, death, or harm to
essential equipment buried underground.
The pole used as the structural support for the photovoltaic module with
mounting hardware and battery box with components must be designed to
withstand all possible environmental conditions for the area without failure.
This includes wind speeds, rainfall, snowfall, soil erosion, and any other
environmental conditions which may exist in the area but are not listed.
The pole should be installed in accordance with current local code and
ASTM standards for in-ground mounting of structure poles if being directly
buried. The pole must be level so that the battery box and photovoltaic
module will not exert an excessive amount of torque on the pole, and so
that the components are angled properly.
Components have been designed to withstand 90 mph winds, if installed
properly. Be sure to follow all instructions for installation, and a type
SCH40 pole, as a minimum.
Photovoltaic Panel Mounting
Only the included panel mounting kit for side-of-pole installation should be
used for installing this panel. A galvanized SCH40 pole between 2” and 4”
(nominal) should be used and must be supplied by others. Four (4) U-bolts
are required (not provided) and should be sized to the diameter of the pole.
Care must be taken to not over-torque any of the bolts used for mounting
the panels and frame members. Check for missing parts before installing.
FRAMES FOR LARGE SOLAR ARRAYS (Page 5)
1. Begin by installing the top and bottom horizontal cross bars to
the pole using all four (4) U-bolts. Care must be taken to ensure
these are level and parallel to another. Install these
approximately 20” apart. These will be adjusted later.
2. Install the four (4) aluminum angle mounting feet to the top and
bottom horizontal cross bars equidistant from center using eight
(8) 5/16” stainless steel bolts, nuts, and washers supplied.
Orient these according to Figure 3.
3. Install the upper right and left side panel arms to the mounting
feet. Position these as shown in Figure 4 using two (2) 5/16”
stainless steel bolts, nuts, and washers supplied.
4. Install the lower side panel arms to the mounting feet and finally
to the upper panel arms as shown to create an offset “V” shape
using four (4) 5/16” stainless steel bolts, nuts, and washers
supplied.
5. Carefully attach the photovoltaic module to the upper left and
right side panel arms using the four (4) 1/4” 316 stainless steel
bolts, nuts, and washers provided. Proceed to Step 6.
FRAMES FOR SMALL SOLAR ARRAYS (Pages 6-7)
1. Attach two lateral braces to solar array with provided hardware.
2. Mount angle brackets to desired location on main horizontal
channel with provided bolts (using lateral braces as a guide for
spacing).
3. Use U-bolts to fasten horizontal brace to pole.
4. Angle solar panel facing south at the appropriate angle.
5. Proceed to Step 6.
6. THIS STEP REQUIRES AT LEAST TWO PEOPLE.
Carefully loosen the two (2) U-bolts holding the bottom
horizontal cross bar as well as the two (2) bolts holding the
upper left and right side panel arms. Loosen the bolts
connecting the upper and lower side panel arms to the lower
side panel arms. Loosen the lower side panel arm bolts. DO
NOT LOOSEN ANY OTHER BOLTS ON THIS ASSEMBLY AT
THIS POINT, AS IT WILL BECOME DANGEROUSLY
UNSTABLE. Care must be taken to support all members of the
assembly and to not twist the photovoltaic module.
7. Adjust the arms to change the angle of the panel to the desired
angle with regard to the position of the sun. The panel must be
aimed south (toward the equator, with tilt angles shown in Figure
5).
8. Tighten all bolts loosened in the previous steps, taking care to
not over-torque or strip any of them.
9. Wire the cable assembly into the solar terminals within the
enclosure as shown in Figure 8. Tighten cable gland to secure
to enclosure.
10. Wire the other end of the cable assembly to the solar panel.
Ensure to latch the junction box after installing the cable, and
that the junction box sealing gasket has been inserted into its
groove. The top of the PV panel is where the junction box is
located and the panel should always be mounted with the
junction box at the top. The junction box is on the underside of
the panel and that the panel must be oriented as such when
attached to the mount.
CAUTION
To prevent injury, death, or harm to essential equipment, the pole must
be grounded per NEC/CEC. A separate ground may be required if the
pole does not offer a suitable means of grounding to Earth.