Tamarack Solar Ground Mount Kit User manual

2021 TAMARACK SOLAR - REVISION 5 FM SYSTEM MANUAL
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Tamarack Solar
Ground Mount Kit
Installation Manual
Solar Products
Tamarack

2021 TAMARACK SOLAR - REVISION 5 FM SYSTEM MANUAL
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Table of Contents
Features and Ratings. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
Installer Responsibilities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
System Components . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Tools Required and Torque Specications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Installation Preparation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Vertical Post Spacing. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
Foundation Design and Construction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9 - 15
Attaching Rails . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
System Grounding . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .17
Module Level Power Electronics (MLPE) Installation and Wire Management . . . . 18
Module Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 - 19
Module Compatability . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 - 21
Limited Warranty . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22
Customer Support
Tamarack Solar makes every e󰀨ort to ensure your mounting kit is easy to install. If you
need assistance at any point in your installation or have suggestions on how we can
improve your experience, call customer support at 1-800-819-7236 ext 556 or email us at
[e-mail]
Technical Support: 707-234-8107 or [e-mail]

2021 TAMARACK SOLAR - REVISION 5 FM SYSTEM MANUAL
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Tamarack Ground Mount System Features
• Designed for mounting photovoltaic (PV) arrays on the ground.
• Top clamps and rail attachments require the use of a single standard 1/2-inch socket
• 5050 Clamp for both mid-clamp and end-clamp use simplies ordering and stocking parts.
• Module clamps are spring loaded to ease module placement.
• Built-in wire management for module and microinverter cables
Tamarack Product Summary
The Tamarack Solar Ground Mount system is a visually appealing photovoltaic (PV) module installation system
that signicantly lowers PV module installation cost by allowing the installation professional to stock fewer
parts and to complete the installation in less time.
Certied to meet local and International Building Codes and ASCE/SEI-7
when installed in accordance with this manual.
ETL Listed to UL 2307 for bonding and grounding when in¬stalled in
accordance with this manual.
Rails, clamps, splices, and mounting devices are UL2703 Listed for
mounting at-plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels
• Conforms to STD UL 2703 (2015) Standard for Safety First Edition: Mounting Systems, Mounting Devices,
Clamping/Retention Devices, and Ground Lugs for Use with Flat-Plate Photovoltaic Modules and Panels.
• Certied to CSA STD LTR AE-001-2012 Photovoltaic Module Racking Systems.
• Max Overcurrent Protective Device (OCPD) Rating: 20A
• Max Module Size: 25.6 ft²
• System Level Allowable Design Load Rating: meets minimum requirements of the standard (10 PSF down-
ward, 5 PSF upward, 5 PSF lateral). Actual system structural capacity is dened by PE stamped certication
letters.
Tamarack Solar Ground Mounts use Hollaender® structural aluminum pipe ttings that combined with pipe
make stable, secure, corrosion-free mounting rack systems for both ground and roof mounted solar arrays. Hol-
laender’s Speed-Rail® ttings are ideal for this application because the aluminum-magnesium 535 alloy used
to manufacture them is the most corrosion resistant aluminum alloy available. It can be used with steel without
any concern for galvanic corrosion. Hollaender Speed-Rail® ttings are now approved as UL 2703 Recognized
Components under ETL Mark 5006568. The system uses set-screws that penetrate the surface of the pipe to
ensure that ttings are electrically bonded to pipe and bracing, thereby eliminating the need for added bonding
components such as jumpers to provide a grounding path.
This manual describes proper installation procedures and provides necessary standards required for product
reliability. Warranty details are available on our website. www.tamaracksolar.com
All installers must thoroughly read this manual and have a clear understanding of the installation procedures
prior to installation. Failure to follow these guidelines may result in property damage, bodily injury or even
death.
5014275

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Installer Responsibilities
• Follow all applicable local or national building and re codes, including any that may supersede this manual.
• Electrical installation should be conducted by a licensed and bonded electrician or solar contractor.
• Module maintenance or removal must not break the bonding path of the system.
• Ensure all products used are appropriate for the installation and array under the site’s wind and snow loading
conditions.
• Ensure information is used for the system design is accurate. Any inaccurate information used for the system
design will cause errors and are the installer’s responsibility to correct.
• We recommend consulting with your local building department about local regulations and building require-
ments, including soil conditions, terrain, and wind and snow load requirements. Local conditions and
• Use only Tamarack Solar Products parts or parts approved by Tamarack; substituting parts may void any
applicable warranty.
• Ensure bare copper grounding conductors do not contact aluminum and zinc-plated steel components in order
to prevent the risk of galvanic corrosion.
• The Installation should be inspected periodically, and any loose components or fasteners should be retight-
ened. Any corroded parts found should be examined carefully to assess whether the corrosion compromises the
physical integrity or performance of the system, and if so, the corrosion should be remediated, or the aected
components replaced.
• Provide an appropriate method of direct-to-earth grounding according to the latest edition of the National
Electrical Code, including NEC 250: Grounding and Bonding, NEC 690: Solar Photovoltaic Systems, and CSA
C22.1, Safety Standard for Electrical Installations, Canadian Electrical Code, Part 1
• Disconnect AC power before servicing or removing microinverters and power optimizers.
• Review photovoltaic module manufacturer’s documentation to ensure compatibility and compliance with
warranty terms and conditions.
• Maximum Series Fuse Rating for the photovoltaic array is 20 Amps.
For Technical Support, call 707-234-8107 or 800-819-7236 ext.556, email us at
[e-mail]
Ground Mount Kit Description
• Kits contains all parts required except 2-inch schedule 40 pipe and concrete
• Choose one starter kit for rst column of 3 or 4 modules
• Expand with up to 7 add-on column kits
• Mount up to 64 modules on a single structure.
• Rated for up to 170 MPH wind speed and 50 psf of snow load
• Some situations require cross bracing (see table on page 8)

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Tamarack Ground Mount System Components
3.1 inch Rail
Pipe Mount Clamp
Rail Splice
5050 Clamp
Ground Lug
Wire Management Clip
MLPE Adapter
Module Frame Ground Lug
Rail End Cap
Socket Tee Flexible Tee

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Tools Required
• Post Hole Digger or Power Auger
• Torque Wrench (0-240 in-lbs recommended)
• Socket Driver with a 1/2-inch
• 3/16-inch Allen Head Driver Socket
• String Line and Level, or Transit
• Plumb Bob
• Tape Measure
• Chop Saw with metal-cutting blade (only required if cutting aluminum rails)
• Pipe Cutter for cutting 2” steel pipe (reciprocating saw or portable bandsaw could be used)
Torque Specications
Rail Adapter on Pipe Mount Clamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 in-lbs (12 ft-lbs)
U-Bolt Nuts on Pipe Mount Clamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72 in-lbs (6 ft-lbs)
Socket Tees, Flex Socket Tees . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .204 in-lbs (17 ft-lbs)
Rail Splice Lock bolts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 in-lbs (12 ft-lbs)
MLPE Rail Attachment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 in-lbs (12 ft-lbs)
Ground Lug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .144 in-lbs (12 ft-lbs)
5050 Clamp as Mid-Clamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 in-lbs (12 ft-lbs)
5050 Clamp as End Clamp . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 72-108 in-lbs (6-9 ft-lbs)
Ground Lug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 in-lbs (12 ft-lbs)
Ilsco SGB-4 Module Frame Ground lug . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 144 in-lbs (12 ft-lbs)
System Design
• Make a drawing showing the dimensions of the mount system and the location of the mounting peers.
• Read this manual before beginning installation.
• Purchase 2-inch schedule 40 pipe for vertical posts, horizontal supports and cross bracing if necessary for
your snow load and wind load requirement.
• Tamarack design information assumes the array is to be on ground with no more than 15 degrees of slope.
• Tamarack Ground Mount Kits are for use in sites with Class 3 or Class 4 soil type and terrain exposure
category B.
• If terrain and/or soils conditions are dierent, consult a structural engineer.
Class 3 Soil: Medium dense coarse sands, sandy gravels, very sti silts, and clays.
Class 4 Soil: Loose to medium dense sands, rm to sti clays and silts, alluvial ll.
• Exposure Category B is an urban, suburban or wooded area. Obstructions the size of single family dwellings
must surround the structure at within 2,630 ft or 10 times the mounting structure height in all directions,
whichever is greater.

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Preparations for Installation
Plan the PV array layout and conrm that plans comply with local AHJ requirements and applicable building
codes. Leave enough room to work safely around the array during the installation process. Some building and
re codes require minimum clearances around PV module installations.
The length of the rails for each column in the installation will be equal to the total width of all of the modules
in each column, plus 1/2-inch for each 5050 clamp used between modules, plus 2-inches total for end clamping
(1” on each rail end).
Purchase 2-inch (NPS) ASTM A53 Grade B Schedule-40 Steel Pipe (2.375-inch O.D.), galvanized to a min of
ASTM A653 G90 or ASTM A123 G35, or 2.375-inch (O.D.) Allied Mechanical Tubing with Gatorshield or
FlowCoat Zinc Coating (ASTM A1057)
Use the table below to estimate the length of the vertical pipe required. The pipe lengths shown are the above
ground portion. Determine the depth of the foundation holes (see pages 10 - 11) and add at least enough pipe to
reach down of 2/3 of each hole. If the ground is sloped to the south, subtract the ground height dierence of the
rear pier location from the front
Example: With a rear post that is 80-inches above ground, and with a required hole depth of 48-inches, add
32-inches (48 x 0.66) to the 80-inches for a total of 112-inches.
If the system to be installed requires cross bracing, one pipe will be required for each front to back brace. Pipe
length will be approximately 75 inches for systems with 3 modules per column and 95 inches for systems with 4
modules per column.
Slope
(deg)
Front Vertical
Pipe (inches)
Above Ground
Rear Vertical
Pipe (inches)
Above Ground
Front Vertical
Pipe (inches)
Above Ground
Rear Vertical
Pipe (inches)
Above Ground
030 30 30 30
530 36 30 38
10 30 43 30 46
15 30 49 30 54
20 30 56 30 63
25 30 64 30 72
30 30 72 30 82
35 30 80 30 93
40 30 90 30 106
45 30 102 30 120
3 Modules per Column
4 Modules per Column
For Vertical pipe length add foundation depth x .66

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Determine Post Spacing and Need For Cross Bracing
The Tamarack Ground Mount Kits allow for two potential design congurations,
either three or four modules per column in landscape orientation (long side of the
modules perpendicular to the ground).
North to South post spacing is always constant and depends on number of
modules in each column.
Mounts with 3 modules per column have 72-inch North/South spacing.
Mounts with 4 modules per column have 90-inch North/South spacing
Some congurations require cross bracing
between each North and South vertical
post. Bracing requirement is based on
maximum snow load, maximum wind load
and array tilt angle. See the table at right
to determine if cross bracing is required.
Dark gray cells require cross bracing. Light
gray cells do not require cross bracing.
Cells with [60] can only be used with
modules no longer than 67-inches. Black
cells will require more vertical posts.
This conguration is not allowed using a
standard kit.
Contact technical support.
• East to West post spacing will be:
69-inches when using 72 cell modules
with a length of 80-inches or less on
the long side
• 62-inches when using 60 cell modules
with a length of 66-inches or less on
the long side.
The minumum length of the horizontal pipe in inches must be equal to the ((L + 0.5) x N) – (L x 0.4)
Where L = Module Length in inches and N = Number of Columns in the array being installed.
The horizontal pipe will cantilever past the end posts and should extend past the end posts an equal distance on
each end.
Column
Height
Snow
Load (psf)
Tilt
Angle
100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170
20
30
40
20
30
40
20
30
40
20
30
40
20
30 60
40
20 60
30 60 60
40
20 60 60 60
30 60 60
40
20 60 60
30 60
40
Maximum Wind Rating (MPH)
3 Modules
in
Landscape
Orientation
20
30
40
50
4 Modules
in
Landscape
Orientation
20
30
40
50

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Foundation Hole and Post Layout
Using batter boards and string lines, lay out your footing
locations for both the front and back east-west rows of piers.
This will consist of two string lines, one for the front east-west
row of piers and one for the back row of piers. Be sure that
the two strings are parallel to each other, and with the proper
spacing between the two east-west rows (this spacing depends
on whether you use columns of 3 or 4 modules - see page 8).
Once you have the two east-west string lines properly in place,
place the rst north-south string across one end, at the location
where you want the rst piers to be located. The rst two piers
(front and back) will be located directly below
where the north-south string and two east-west
strings cross.
Continue to add batter boards and north south
strings, spaced apart according to the proper east-
west pier spacing. If you only need four piers (two
front and two rear), you will only need two north-
south strings. If you need six piers total, you will
need three north-south strings. Eight piers would
required four strings, etc.
Make sure that the strings are in the proper
locations and adjust as needed. Make sure that the
whole layout is square and aligned evenly.
Directly below where each north-south string crosses one of the east-west strings will be the location of the
center of a foundation hole and pier. Use a plumb bob to locate those points on the ground and drive a stake at
each location. These are the centers of where the holes will be excavated. Once the stakes are driven, the strings
may be temporarily removed.
Excavating Holes for Concrete Piers
Using a 12-inch power auger, excavate
footings at marked locations to the depth
required. See Charts on page 10 and 11.
Re-install the layout strings to make sure
that the holes are excavated at the proper
locations and adjust the hole centers if
necessary. Clean out as much loose soil as
you can from the augured holes.

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Determine Concrete Piers Depth - 3 Modules per Column
Hole depth for 12-inch diameter foundation piers for structures with 3 modules per column can be found in the
table below.
Larger diameter foundations with less depth may also be used. Please contact technical support for depths of
holes that are 16, 20 or 24 inches in diameter. They will require more concrete, but may be helpful if there is a
problem reaching the depths listed in the table below.
Minimum Foundation Depth (inches) - 3 Modules per Column
Soil
Type
Braced/
Unbraced
Slope
(deg) 90 95 100 105 110 120 130 140 150 160 170
036 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36
536 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36
10 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36
15 36 36 36 42 42 42 42 42 48 48 48
20 42 42 42 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48
25 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48
30 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48
35 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48
40 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48
45 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48
036 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36
536 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36
10 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36
15 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 42 42 42 42
20 36 36 36 42 42 42 42 48 48 48 48
25 42 42 42 42 48 48 48 54 54 54 60
30 48 48 48 48 54 54 54 60 60 60 60
35 48 54 54 54 54 60 60 60 66 66 66
40 54 54 54 60 60 60 66 66 66 72 72
45 60 60 60 60 66 66 66 72 72 78 78
036 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36
536 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36
10 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 42 42 42 42
15 42 42 42 42 42 48 48 48 54 54 54
20 42 42 42 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48
25 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48
30 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 54
35 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 48 54 54
40 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54
45 54 54 54 54 54 54 54 54
036 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36
536 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36
10 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 36 42 42 48
15 36 36 36 36 42 42 42 42 48 48 54
20 42 42 42 42 48 48 48 48 54 54 60
25 48 48 48 54 54 54 60 60 60 66 66
30 54 54 54 60 60 60 66 66 66 72 72
35 54 60 60 60 60 66 66 72 72 78 78
40 60 60 66 66 66 72 72 78 78 78 84
45 66 66 72 72 78 78 78 84 84 90 90
Soil Class 4
Braced
Wind Speed Rating
Minimum Foundation Depth (inches) - 3 Modules per Column
Tamarack Ground Mount
Kit Foundation Info
Soil Class 3
Unbraced
Soil Class 3
Braced
Soil Class 4
Unbraced