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Need help mounting a few panels on small shed

staffaction

staffaction

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Multiple question post here. Thank you for helping out an absolute newbie:

I have a few large solar panels. (6’5”x3’3”)

I would like to get at least two of them on top of shed to charge our jackery 1000v2.

So a few things to figure out:

1) How to mount? the trusses are made of 2x4s and a layer of 1/2 OSB on top of that, then metal roof. These things are HEAVY! IMG_1516.jpeg

2) I think I found the extension wire for the panel: https://shop.rpssolarpumps.com/products/solar-panel-extension-wire

3) But how do I then connect that wire to my Jackery? trying to figure out that out feels about as foreign to me as translating Japanese to German, neither of which I know.

Some pictures are provided for reference. Is there any particular care I need to take about cord being on roof/outside
 

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based on an article on Will's site I think I found my next steps:

I need one of these connectors so that I can connect 2 panels to end up with 1 wire. https://www.renogy.com/solar-y-branch-connectors-mmf-ffm-pair/?afmc=6r

I don't quite see how it will work based on the picture but I suppose it will.

and then I connect that ^ to this extension cable: https://shop.rpssolarpumps.com/products/solar-panel-extension-wire

and then I connect that wire to an MC 4 adapter that will go to my Jackery input.

Now I just need to figure how how to attach the 2 panels to shed roof.
 
staffaction said:
based on an article on Will's site I think I found my next steps:

I need one of these connectors so that I can connect 2 panels to end up with 1 wire. https://www.renogy.com/solar-y-branch-connectors-mmf-ffm-pair/?afmc=6r

I don't quite see how it will work based on the picture but I suppose it will.

and then I connect that ^ to this extension cable: https://shop.rpssolarpumps.com/products/solar-panel-extension-wire

and then I connect that wire to an MC 4 adapter that will go to my Jackery input.

Now I just need to figure how how to attach the 2 panels to shed roof.
Click to expand...


Easy see foto .
Just use solar panel holders
You see 3 options here.
Use kit to make it water close .
 

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easier said that done, which is why I posted here. Amazon has a gazillion results when I search for something like this. Surely they're not all legitimate and according to the pics it's not clear that everything I would need for the mounting project is included.
 
I use pressure treated 2x6's with some small blocks and the Z-brackets in Picture 3 above. The small blocks get a ton of roofing sealant under them, then screwed right to the roof through the metal and underlayment into studs (if I can hit it). Then the 2x6's on top of those blocks and the Z-brackets to the panels.

So far every large panel I've dealt with I've been able to get 2 panels end-on-end on a 10ft 2x6. The ends hang over the ends but the brackets still land on wood.
 
Check out the S-5 website.Great mounting hardware for any type of metal roof. I installed my six 210W panels on a 2x6 shed roof (corrugated metal) and couldn't be happier. Only stupid thing I did was to not trust their seals. I added some silicone caulk and it just made it look worse while likely adding no value.
 
Rednecktek said:
I use pressure treated 2x6's with some small blocks and the Z-brackets in Picture 3 above. The small blocks get a ton of roofing sealant under them, then screwed right to the roof through the metal and underlayment into studs (if I can hit it). Then the 2x6's on top of those blocks and the Z-brackets to the panels.

So far every large panel I've dealt with I've been able to get 2 panels end-on-end on a 10ft 2x6. The ends hang over the ends but the brackets still land on wood.
Click to expand...
I’m having trouble visualizing the order of elements you listed. In my case I have a roof supported by trusses made by 2x4.

So we have truss, 1/2” osb, uunderlayment, then metal roof.

I wonder if I can just do the z brackets to the roof?
 
staffaction said:
I’m having trouble visualizing the order of elements you listed. In my case I have a roof supported by trusses made by 2x4.

So we have truss, 1/2” osb, uunderlayment, then metal roof.

I wonder if I can just do the z brackets to the roof?
Click to expand...
The Z-brackets aren't tall enough to get over the high ridges in steel roofing, and the high points aren't strong enough to really support the weight of the 2x6's and arrays.

Let me throw together a quick MSPaint sketch...

roof layout.jpg
 
I would consider using super strut. Most solar panels can be fitted with a strut nut then mounted to super strut rails on a structure. You can bond them to the super strut and ground them with simple copper grounding rods and wiring. They make mounts for both metal and asphalt shingle roofs to mount the super strut rails. You can even add spacers between the Mounts and strut rails to provide better angles for increased solar production. Mounts can be purchased at signature solar or even on amazon. Super strut and accessories are available at just about all the big box hardware stores.
Also consider a breaker for DC current between your panels and battery/inverter, which sounds like a jackery unit in your case.
 
Rednecktek said:
The Z-brackets aren't tall enough to get over the high ridges in steel roofing, and the high points aren't strong enough to really support the weight of the 2x6's and arrays.

Let me throw together a quick MSPaint sketch...

View attachment 222446
Click to expand...
gotcha, seems straightforward enough.

vertical PT 2x6
horizontal PT 2x6 on top of that
Then z brackets connected to:
Solar panels

Thanks!
 
SolarSamAK said:
I would consider using super strut. Most solar panels can be fitted with a strut nut then mounted to super strut rails on a structure. You can bond them to the super strut and ground them with simple copper grounding rods and wiring. They make mounts for both metal and asphalt shingle roofs to mount the super strut rails. You can even add spacers between the Mounts and strut rails to provide better angles for increased solar production. Mounts can be purchased at signature solar or even on amazon. Super strut and accessories are available at just about all the big box hardware stores.
Also consider a breaker for DC current between your panels and battery/inverter, which sounds like a jackery unit in your case.
Click to expand...
Ok, I get that I would drill a Super Strut.

But then how do I attach the solar panel to the strut? What kind of mount do you suggest?
 
staffaction said:
Ok, I get that I would drill a Super Strut.

But then how do I attach the solar panel to the strut? What kind of mount do you suggest?
Click to expand...

The strut companies have solar-specific hardware for going in the channel. 2 min google yields

And it makes sense because regular rack mounts are also nothing but clamps going in a channel. Very similar to strut.
 
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