PEG, your racking solution for land constrained sites

With the recent release of the PEG bankability report by DNV GL, it has become evident that the PEG racking is extremely valuable solution for land constrained sites and sites with incentives for high land yield. In addition, with the release of a high snow load solution the PEG has the potential to save many projects located in the North East USA as land suitable for solar becomes increasingly scarce. This is particularly true given the recent changes in the SMART Program for Massachusetts where land available for solar development was recently severely limited.

DNV GL Bankability Report

Above you can see an ocean of solar panels made possible with the PEG’s low profile 8 degree tilt design, which produces between 217% and 241% more land yield (MWh/acre) compared to all trackers and fixed tilt solutions in the USA. The PEG ground coverage ratio is 3 times higher than single axis trackers and 2 times higher than fixed tilt. The PEG can produce 0.74 MW DC with 420 watt modules. These claims are independently verified by DNV GL in the PEG’s recently released bankability report released in June. 

Here is a layout example of PEG versus a single axis tracker system. 

Below you can see a table from the DNV GL bankability report highlighting 6 systems in 6 locations worldwide. The land yield of the PEG is ~220-240% higher compared to FT and SAT in all locations outside the tropics. The land yield is lower in the tropics though still higher vs both FT and SAT. 

Also noted in the report is the PEG’s yield variance to trackers and fixed tilt systems. Given the 8 degree tilt of the system it is expected that there will be a decrease in yield. However, based on experience and as noted in the bankability report, there are significant CAPEX savings due to the simplistic design of the PEG. Many EPCs have experienced CAPEX savings that make up for the deceased yield to allow an attractive project returns and LCOE, however this is often difficult to determine without firsthand experience. LCOE analysis should be done on a project to project basis. 

PEG System CAPEX Savings Highlights:

The PEG’s design simplicity and lightweight substructure are the system’s key characteristics. The steel bars and plates are made of hot-tip galvanized steel bars with ground and top plates, on which the PV modules are installed.

Budget Overrun Risks – The PEG system has no foundations, uses no concrete, no DC trenching, no heavy machinery, and labor hours is minimized.

Labor Efficiency – The installation process is streamlined minimizing the amount of labor needed to install the DC system to approximately 800 man hours per MWp with 380 watt modules. This positions the PEG as a candidate for unionized or high cost labor markets. Given the simplicity of the mechanical install low skill labor can be used.

Material Costs – No concrete nor foundations are required. Due to the high land utilization less DC cabling is required.

Health and Safety of Employees – The highest point of the PEG is about 1 meter or 2.5 feet. This avoids the risk of overhead injuries. The heaviest piece of material is 3 kg or 6.6. pounds. No heavy machinery is needed on site.

Mobilization – Logistics is about 50% lower due to being able to fit 1.7 MW into a 40 foot container, assuming 380 watt panels. Additional savings is possible since no heavy machinery is required. 

SMART Program Impact

There was a recent article by PV Magazine on June 8, 2020 regarding “SMART Program could make 90% of the Massachusetts off-limits to large scale solar, force more job loss” With the recent land limitations highlighted it makes sense to assess the PEG for applicable sites where ~10.5 acre plot of land could provide 7.5 MW DC for a 5 MW AC plant. 

High Snow Load Solution

The design for higher snow load, includes an additional 2 rods/plates underneath the modules, allowing 6 rods supporting each module. The additional two rods are located underneath the middle of the module’s long edges without the use of clamps, meaning the module just sits on the plates to mitigate the higher snow load. This solution is currently approved for snow loads up to 45 PSF and is shown below.

The standard PEG design is capable of handling snow loads up to 25 PSF. For snow loads of 30 PSF the top plates should be made of a stronger material.

The PEG Installation Process

Rods are rammed into the ground to a depth of 2 feet to 2.6 ft (0.6 to 0.8 meters) underground without concrete. DC cables are all above ground, and those system characteristics together with the system’s light weight eliminate the need for heavy machinery during the DC installation.

The ramming process, done with electrohydraulic hammer

The PEG system’s installation comfortably and safely done on the ground level

The PEG system cable management, running along the north edge of the block to allow shading of the cables and avoid shading caused by the combiner boxes.

Noteworthy Quotes from the DNV GL Bankability Report:

The PEG’s main advantage is in the efficiency of land use (the energy output per acre) and CAPEX reduction. The area-related energy harvest per acre is almost the same for either the fixed-tilt or single-axis trackers systems, while the PEG system exhibits a comparative 227% advantage over either of these types.

The PEG product has been installed in the field since 2014 and Jurchen has not received any warranty claims to date.

Jurchen has performed geotechnical and structural engineering which is typical for a product of this type.

Project Quotes Contact: [email protected]

Additional Information available at: https://www.jurchen-technology.com/solar-pv-power-plants/peg/