DIY panel ground mount?
- Thread starter Smeeg
- Start date
Some info Here:
Grounding in Off-Grid Solar Systems - SunWize | Power Independence
There are three main reasons for grounding in an off-grid power system: safety, voltage transients, and basic requirement for some loads.
www.sunwize.com
DIY has different meanings to different people. Are you looking for lowest cost, or what specifically?
1. DIY, build it yourself from stuff not made specifically from solar
2. DIY, build it yourself but select, purchase, and assembly products that are made for solar
I recently helped my brother-in-law put together a system. We purchased a UL listed (for bonding) ground mount system, "Sinclair sky-rack 2.0". The contractor-electrician that we hired to inspect the system saw the array and said, "Nice, who did this?" To some people DIY and "homemade" are often considered less than normal quality. But it can be "custom crafted" if done correctly. When I build my system I used IronRidge and made my own post from salvaged gas well drilling stem. I have also mounted panels to 2x4s with RV roof mount Z brackets, for my deer camp setup. Just depends on what your end goal and any local building code requirements are.
1. DIY, build it yourself from stuff not made specifically from solar
2. DIY, build it yourself but select, purchase, and assembly products that are made for solar
I recently helped my brother-in-law put together a system. We purchased a UL listed (for bonding) ground mount system, "Sinclair sky-rack 2.0". The contractor-electrician that we hired to inspect the system saw the array and said, "Nice, who did this?" To some people DIY and "homemade" are often considered less than normal quality. But it can be "custom crafted" if done correctly. When I build my system I used IronRidge and made my own post from salvaged gas well drilling stem. I have also mounted panels to 2x4s with RV roof mount Z brackets, for my deer camp setup. Just depends on what your end goal and any local building code requirements are.
TomC4306
Solar Obsessive
Post in thread 'PT Wood + Iron Ridge Design' https://diysolarforum.com/threads/pt-wood-iron-ridge-design.50146/post-636976
TomC4306
Solar Obsessive
Post in thread 'PT Wood + Iron Ridge Design' https://diysolarforum.com/threads/pt-wood-iron-ridge-design.50146/post-636999
Solar Guppy
Red Cobra Guppy
Wood is a very poor choice for racking ( especially PT ), it will twist and bend over time causing likely failure of the panel frames, then the glass of the solar panels will fail.
And even worse, in some of the links above, the back to front supports are not tied together and, so all ground movement will literally pull the solar panels apart.
And even worse, in some of the links above, the back to front supports are not tied together and, so all ground movement will literally pull the solar panels apart.
TomC4306
Solar Obsessive
?
Steel strut channel.
I own a fence company and I can assure you that those panels are going nowhere nor are they going to break
Yes lowest cost would be the best unless there’s something slightly more expensive but significantly better. This is a remote off grid cabin so no inspections.
peakbagger
Solar Enthusiast
- Joined
- Oct 26, 2021
- Messages
- 309
Lot to be said for Unistrut, it will last for decades and is super easy to assemble.
ncsolarelectric
Engineering Support CEO
Here's an idea for a ground mount. Will recently showed himself assembling the new EG4 Bright Mount ground mount kit, which is a good price for what it provides.
So what if we used 30 Gal Totes like these, filled them with concrete, and then attach these racks to them the same way Will attached them to his driveway?
I estimate at 30 Gal, the weight is over 550lbs each. Just cast them in place.
Could that work? I estimated the cost at under $140/solar panel, which is cheap for a ground mount.
So what if we used 30 Gal Totes like these, filled them with concrete, and then attach these racks to them the same way Will attached them to his driveway?
I estimate at 30 Gal, the weight is over 550lbs each. Just cast them in place.
Could that work? I estimated the cost at under $140/solar panel, which is cheap for a ground mount.
I like the idea! Easier than digging
AZ Solar Junkie
Maricopa, AZ
I don't see the advantage of this versus something like the PowerField buckets, other than if you are using the adjustable angle Bright Mounts that gives you the flexibility to adjust the panel angles that you can't do with the PowerField buckets. Any other advantages, because the PowerField buckets would come in somewhat cheaper per panel.
Yes that seems like a great and straight-forward idea. BUT - can this - or have any had that approved/permitted by AHJ? If the Brightmount drawings and calculations show something different than Sonotubes, wonder if that would be a "problem" ..... ?
Anyone have experience with getting the Brightmount "permitted" ....?
The PT wood and Unistrut maybe the easiest and cheapest way to make your own panel ground mount but I don't recommend others doing it after building my own. Take your time, do your own research, watch YouTube videos, especially if you need to get a permit take a look at IronRidge or other companies.
TomC4306
Solar Obsessive
Nice!
TomC4306
Solar Obsessive
OffGridForGood
Catch, make or grow everything you can.
Whatever you come up with, I suggest keeping in mind:
access under for grass/weed cutting, or plan a barrier to prevent growth
consider other uses that would benefit from the 'solar roof' for storage for things that can be outside, but will benefit from the shade.
putting the panels up high enough that sliding snow clears the lower edge (if you get any snow)
adjustable tilt option - especially for northern latitudes to gain better Winter solar AND assist with snow clearing
You don't have to pick just one medium, you can use steel channel set into concrete sonotubes as a base, then attach PT wood post to the steel, attach galv steel channels to the top of posts, attach unistrut or 18ga hat-bar to the channels. Use what is available, affordable and suitable in your area. There is no one-size-fits-all .
access under for grass/weed cutting, or plan a barrier to prevent growth
consider other uses that would benefit from the 'solar roof' for storage for things that can be outside, but will benefit from the shade.
putting the panels up high enough that sliding snow clears the lower edge (if you get any snow)
adjustable tilt option - especially for northern latitudes to gain better Winter solar AND assist with snow clearing
You don't have to pick just one medium, you can use steel channel set into concrete sonotubes as a base, then attach PT wood post to the steel, attach galv steel channels to the top of posts, attach unistrut or 18ga hat-bar to the channels. Use what is available, affordable and suitable in your area. There is no one-size-fits-all .
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