DIY Solar Panel Ground Mount - 4-Year Update
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- čas přidán 1. 10. 2022
- DIY Ground Mount Solar Panel Rack - 4-Year Update
Link to original Video: • DIY Solar - Episode 10...
First Update video: • DIY Solar - Episode 16...
This is the final update video I will be uploading for this solar ground mount since we are moving into a new home soon and will be disassembling this rack to relocate it to the new house.
From the previous video:
In this episode, I show the ground mounted solar rack that I built for my twelve 255 watt solar panels. I started by visiting solarelectricityhandbook.com/s... to determine the optimal angle to set my rack for a stationary year-round set-up. After determining the desired angle, I laid a bed of gravel to the area to help keep the weeds and grass to a minimum. Afterwards, I installed five 4"x6"x10' posts for the top of the rack and then attached a couple 2"x8"x12' stringers to the tops of the posts using galvanized bolts, washers, and nuts. I then used my angle gauge to determine where the lower mount needed to be and how tall to make it. I used four 4"x4" posts for the lower mount, but I used a 4"x6" post for the middle since two 2"x8"x12' stringers needed to be butted together there. I then used some trailer suspension U-bolts to mount "Super Strut" channels between the two mounts. Finally, I used some Super Strut spring clips to mount the solar panels onto the super strut channels. - Jak na to + styl
Congrats on finding a new place, thanks for the update before the big move.
Thank you!
Thanks for posting about the deteriorating connectors. Since those all come from China I suspect the quality varies considerably, but it also says that we should routinely inspect our systems, especially the wiring and the connectors. Also, a word of caution. Handling connectors without gloves while the array is in sunlight, and especially the cracked connectors, is asking for a nasty shock. Potentially a fatal one. I have 10 panels in series. In full sunlight they produce over 350 VDC. You wouldn't know what hit ya! Great video and good luck with your move!!
I'm a little surprised the new owners didn't want you to leave the solar system since its already up and going. It might make a good closing video showing you DIS-assembling the system to move it. Haven't seen many of those types of videos. Good luck with your move!!
Oops! Too late for making a take-down video. I took both racks down over the weekend. It really was nothing spectacular. Everything came apart as easy as it went together. All parts were still in good condition. When I do it again, I may upgrade the bolts to stainless steel instead of galvanized. Some of those were a little oxidized and showing signs of being exposed to the weather. Nothing major, but that would probably continue getting worse over the years. That is for your comments!
I will install a system in spring, gathering everything now. I will do same mount but paint the horizontal brace. I wonder why connector got hot. Will see if better connector available. Mine will be 6k, 240vac, 48vdc, 4 batteries, 24-315w panels to start, will expand. Will use wood I have here, but need struts, will get over winter. Good luck in your new place. Oh, try a copper washer between panel and strut, if not bolt will still ground panel. Stay safe. Stay prepped. GOD BLESS GOD SPEED GOD WINS
using stainless bolts with your assembly will maintain your grounding or bonding even with the rubber insulation. the advantage of stainless bolts is they are more neutral to both surfaces and will not corrode. you van use an ohm meter to prove the ground of the panel to the frame through the stainless bolts
Thanks for sharing I hope you find the new home as good as this one was.
Thank you. Yes, looking forward to the new home and new projects there!
Nice looking solar rack Simple
You've produced an outstanding set of vids. Thank you for your efforts, and my best wishes on your new home!
Interesting, Jim. When my pressure treated lumber dried out completely I painted them with a non-latex glossy paint. Mine haven't been attacked by the wasps. However, the supports for my observatory roof and the stairs up to the door the wasps have done a number on all of them as they're not painted. Interesting that your MC4's are degrading. I'll examine mine and I think I'll put them all in conduit or wrap them in weather/UV proof nylon sheathing.
Thanks! You were the inspiration for my first solar ground rack which is still working great 2 years later.
Glad to hear your ground rack is doing well! Thanks for your comments!
Doing one of these near "Mayberry" NC. Thanks for your help.
Good luck with your install.
Nice video. Steel and aluminum can corrode and increase resistance for grounding/bonding. Some will use an anti seize gel to minimize that. I am not a fan of that and think it should be same metals touching where possible. With Ham Radio I have seen bolts seize up and anti seize worked for those things. Good video describing your setup. All the best from Texas.
If you turn the strut around, use a flat washer, lock washer and nut to hold the panel to the strut.
You must not have watched the whole video. That’s exactly what I did.
Thank you! Excellent information!
Great content and awesome video footage ; I mean in what you were showing and describing was good.
The bolt that holds the panel to the superstrut will still be grounding the solar panel even with a rubber pad
Nice job, good vid & explanation of ur panel setups & decisions. I agree with making the new setup all metal & it will look great too. Galvanic erosion or electrolysis are the words ur looking for, ie: any two dissimilar metals will cause this process, some more so than others, & a bit of moisture with a dash of salty air will hasten this process further, but it would appear you have negligible amounts to be a real issue for concern anyhow.
I am considering engineering a very similar tilt-able array for a awning off a 40’ Bus, but I would like to make it waterproof & able to catch rain water so I will have to have them slide in together snuggly with a bead of silicone to help seal them together. Cheers
Zinc washers would protect the aluminum from galvanic corrosion, but you may not have enough corrosion to be concerned.
Isn't the unistrut zinc plated?
Cool 😎 jem them bees here are getting my house
As a person trying to get out of California, I'm interested the property costs in other part of the country. Looking for a cheap house with at least 1 bathroom on 1 acre. A barn / covered storage would be nice.
when you reassemble i am curious to know if you see any signs of galvanic action between the aluminum frame and the superstrut surfaces
I got my inverter, but I decided to go with the 2000w/220V unit. In your AC side wiring diagram in episode 8 would the neutral wires be the second hot wire in a 220V application?
First time viewer, subscribe. Thanks for posting. Curious your thoughts on electrical tape solve cracking/ melting?
Welcome! Electrical tape might probably work as a temporary solution to keep some of the moisture out. However, the true fix would be to replace the connectors with something of higher quality. Since I recently took those panels down to move into a new house, that will be the solution I go with. Thanks for the suggestion. I hope you enjoy the channel!
Run a strip of aluminum duct tape along the bottom, horizontal face of the board. Carpenter bees get through aluminum.
Great idea. Actually, I considered a strip of actual aluminum since the tape probably wouldn’t remain stuck in the weather over time.
@@jimginnyohio thumb tacks help to keep the tape in place
Hello Jim, IYO what type PV Isolator switch would you use on a 5KW array . thanks
I've heard good reviews for the one Signature Solar has available:
signaturesolar.com/dc-disconnect-rooftop-isolator-switch-by-imo
I've also heard good reviews for the one by Schneider Electric - SKU A9E15122
But you would need an enclosure for this one.
Did you pass inspection with this system. How are inspectors looking on home made structures.
I did not have an inspection since my installation does not feed power into the grid. However, after checking the code, there is no requirement for a ground mounted racking system to be commercially purchased. If an inspector gives you a hard time about that, ask them to show you specifically where the code says the racking must be purchased or commercially produced. However, it does have to be sturdy, stable and meet location and local ground use requirements.
Are there any inverters with power limiters that work automatically so that one can use the full power of the solar panels when the power usage of the house requires it, and when the house power usage is low the inverter automatically adjusts lower to keep from feeding power into the grid.
Yes. Go look in my channel for the videos showing the blue Grid-Tie Inverter with Limiter. Those devices will provide power to the house when needed without back-feeding excess power to the grid.
@@jimginnyohio Episode 18 was good on this. So if one checks the "Limit Mode" option the inverter will make sure no power is feed into the grid automatically. For example, if my solar panels are producing 500W but my house only needs 400W the inverter will only allow around 400W to be used from my 500W system. If my house needs 900W than the inverter will automatically adjust and use the full 500W solar system and draw the extra 400W from the grid. Do I have this understanding correct for these 1000W inverters you are using?
@@darylw792 Yes, you’ve got it! That’s exactly how they work. :-)
Did the buyers show any interest in having the panels?
Initially asked if we would consider leaving the panels. Our response was that “anything” is negotiable. However, when they made their offer, they did not ask for the panels after all.
Just paint the wood, they won't bother the painted wood.
Actually, our shed, porch, and chicken coop are painted and we still experienced damage and continue battling them there too.
against wood eating bugs, spray gasoline.