Sorry for the lack of updates.
So, bunch going on.
Have the 29 SEER Fujitsu 1 ton mini split being installed in the electrical room in about two weeks by an authorized installer. Install costs were low enough vs just buying it and doing it myself that I'm just going to let them do it all. They're also going to wall mount the unit outside on a north facing wall about 6' from the ground. Apparently there is a wall bracket kit for it.
That's one thing off of the list.
Next is final planning for the ground mount array. I have 66 panels that need to be setup out there, 28.7kW worth. That's almost 1600 square feet of panels.
Finding a good way to do this without looking ridiculous has been a challenge. I've been consulting a bit with the folks I had helping with the roof install and we came up with what appears to be the final game plan, pending some final clarifications.
Long story short, the install will be in four different array sections. There will be a front row of arrays and a back row. 3 rows of 3 columns (9 panels) and 3 rows of 4 columns (12 panels) in the front, side by side with minimal space in between. Behind those to the north will be an array of 5 rows of 5 columns (25 panels) and an array of 5 rows of 4 columns (20 panels). The tilt we settled on was 20 degrees for multiple reasons. Aesthetics (highest point on the largest section is only 7' from the ground at 20 degrees); mounting simplicity (higher tilt requires more wind load in the engineering calcs and thus heavier duty mounting); spacing between the two rows of arrays (the higher the tilt the more space is needed to prevent self-shadowing).
The arrays will require about 600' of 2" schedule 40 galvanized steel pipe, about 60,000 lbs of concrete for the pylons, and 32 holes 24" wide by 4' deep for posts.
Two issues being worked before this is all final.
First, the idea is to delete the northern side to the fence around my pool area and related landscaping (some bushes), start the array there, then replace the fence by extending it around the array (along with some new bushes). Code says that the array would need to be 10+ feet from the pool, and this would put it at 12 feet. However the county planning office isn't liking this particular setup for some reason due to the proximity to the pool, so, little bit of unfounded resistance there. Waiting on a final call on that which should come next week. Should be simple, really. My pool equipment runs on 240VAC and is in contact with the water. My PV array operates at a max of about 160 VDC and is 12+ feet away from the water. I personally don't see the issue and can't find any code that would go against this either... especially considering the array will be properly grounded, have GFCI and AFCI protection, etc.
Second, the rear of the array may or may not encroach upon part of the drain field for my home's septic system. With the lack of substantial rainfall and super hot days we've been having my grass is suffering... except where the drain field is. Originally everyone was unaware that it extended this far into the yard. Waiting on a final say on how to proceed with that. We believe the pylons can be placed without needing to go through any of the actual drain field lines in the ground, but I'm consulting with a couple of "experts" on this matter before risking anything. As far as I'm told so far, the array can cover parts of the drain field if it doesn't block the ground directly (like covering it with an above ground pool would), but not sure about the rear row of ~8 pylons being in the drain field. If absolutely needed I may have to have the septic system modified before proceeding with the ground array since there really is no better place to put the array than currently planned.
Assuming all goes well with the above I expect to have permits in hand late next week with construction beginning maybe the second week of August.
Edit: Almost forgot. The grid power maintenance I posted about above happened as planned and lasted until about 4AM. Seems my local cable node must have sufficient backup power because I was up and running the whole time. Only house within several miles with power. A/C running, lights on, etc. hehe. Got a couple of comments from neighbors over the next few days about it. Quite a few of them had no idea I even had any solar or anything installed (back of the house).
