Driven piles
The SunSentry uses available driven piles to mount the enclosures and sensors. Compatible pile sizes were selected to match those commonly used in solar power plant construction. The main sensor suite mounts to a driven pile using the CM400 Tower Mount with Crossarm. A separate driven pile is used to mount the optional albedo sensor using the CM410 mount. Layout of the three main parts of the SunSentry illustrates the layout of these driven piles.
Refer to Albedo for suggested height of the albedo pile.
Campbell Scientific recommends the use of W6x12 piles.
The CM400 tower mounts to all W6 H-piles or other H-piles with the following dimensions:
Section Depth (A in H pile dimensions ): 14 to 19 cm (5.5 to 7.5 in)
Flange Width (B in H pile dimensions ): 7.6 to 12.7 cm (3 to 5 in)
Flange Thickness (C in H pile dimensions ): < 1.3 cm (0.5 in)
For optimal installation that does not require drilling the pile, drive the pile as shown in orientation A (in H-pile orientation).
Orientation B (in H-pile orientation) also allows installation of the CM400 mounting structure. However, mounting in orientation B (in H-pile orientation) requires drilling holes and using ½-13 X 2 inch bolts, which must be supplied separately. The pile must have a flange width adequate to accommodate the drilled holes.
When using the default mounts provided by Campbell Scientific, the global horizontal irradiance (GHI) pyranometer and all-in-one weather sensors are positioned approximately 15 cm above the crossarm. As a general guideline, to achieve the sensor mounting heights recommended in Required pile exposure, the pile exposure should be as follows:
| Sensor mounting height | Pile exposure |
|---|---|
| 2.5 m (8.2 ft) | 1.37 to 1.86 m (4.5 to 6.1 ft) |