How to mount solar panels?
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Anything you can bolt them to is just fine.
nosys70
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depends also if you want to make it water tight.
in that case just build a regular one with proper cover (polycarbonat panels or wood ) then add extruded aluminium bars (among them , unitstrut or 20x20 ) to bolt the panels on.
gazebo ar supposed to look good, and roof space is small on a gazebo (not all the roof as the ideal orientation for solar panel).
so you could look for other solutions like photovoltaic tiles, that let you fill the space with better shapes and offer better look
in that case just build a regular one with proper cover (polycarbonat panels or wood ) then add extruded aluminium bars (among them , unitstrut or 20x20 ) to bolt the panels on.
gazebo ar supposed to look good, and roof space is small on a gazebo (not all the roof as the ideal orientation for solar panel).
so you could look for other solutions like photovoltaic tiles, that let you fill the space with better shapes and offer better look
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nosys70
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yes , then pergola usually have one flat surface, so it is a lot more easier to install and it will looks good with just regular solat panels.
the question is if the roof has to correct inclination and orientation and no shading.
again if your pergola is just a frame or is already covered with some kind of roofing material you will need to find some anchor points.
unistrut is very flexible with a lot of mounting options.
you need also to make sure if you have an open frame pergola that the panels will not collect the rain water and drain it all at the same place.
the question is if the roof has to correct inclination and orientation and no shading.
again if your pergola is just a frame or is already covered with some kind of roofing material you will need to find some anchor points.
unistrut is very flexible with a lot of mounting options.
you need also to make sure if you have an open frame pergola that the panels will not collect the rain water and drain it all at the same place.
Home Depot doesn't sell Unistrut, but they do sell Superstrut. Looks the same to me.
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For a little more money, you can get aluminum angle, and it so much nicer to look at than the unistrut. Our home depot sells aluminum angle in up to 10' sections.
Ampster
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My preference is aluminum unistrut over plated steel near the ocean because the plated steel rusts. I know the aluminum oxidizes but it doesn't stain the walls like rusting steel does. Stainless would be ideal but expensive and hard to cut.
nosys70
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20x20 is a standard for aluminium rail like unitstrut is a standard for steel rail.
it exists also in bigger size like 30x03 or 40x40, with 2 rails or 4.
www.bing.com
it exists also in bigger size like 30x03 or 40x40, with 2 rails or 4.
20x20 profil - Bing
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The numbers refer to millimeters. It's just the physical size.
Ampster
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An adult version of Erector Set. It can be addicting because there are all these cool connectors and other things.
Webbee
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Is the pergola made of wood or a metal kit structure? Maybe a picture? If it's wood then it could be very simple...
