Hadada, Naivasha: Building the Support Behind a 45 kVA Solar System

One of the project’s defining challenges was preparing the container to support the equipment.

Each 15 kVA Quattro weighs approximately 72 kg. Together, the three inverters alone weigh 216 kg, before adding the charge controllers, cabling, and other equipment. That made the mounting arrangement an essential part of the installation.

The mounting challenge

The original plan included a wooden mounting wall inside the container. When that plan changed, the proposal was to mount the equipment directly onto the corrugated container wall.

We explained why a flat, properly supported mounting surface was necessary for this installation. The corrugated profile did not provide a continuous plane for the mounting arrangement, and the equipment’s weight required careful consideration of the supports and fixings.

Victron specifies a solid mounting surface suitable for the Quattro’s weight and dimensions. A flat finish alone is therefore insufficient; the complete supporting assembly must carry the load.

The approach

After discussing the requirements with the client, we welded horizontal metal bars inside the container to support the mounting boards. These bars also created separation between the boards and the corrugated container wall.

We then fitted two layers of marine board. The additional thickness provided a flat mounting surface and accommodated the screw lengths needed for the equipment fixings.

This arrangement allowed us to position the inverters and controllers on a common mounting plane, with cable containment arranged around them.

The lesson

A container provides an enclosure, but preparing it for an energy system requires deliberate mechanical and electrical design. Equipment weight, mounting surfaces, fixing depth, ventilation, and maintenance access all need attention.

At Hadada, resolving the mounting arrangement was an important part of delivering the installation. The supports behind the equipment deserved the same care as the electrical connections in front of them.

Planning a containerised energy system? Talk to Buddy Systems about a solution designed around your equipment, site and operating needs.