I'm sure I'm not the first person to do this and maybe I'm dead wrong and wasted a ton of money and resources but here's what I did for my 4kw array.
I started with these mounts and attached them to treated 4x4s with timber screws which are anchored to the ground with 2.5 foot 1/2 inch rebar. All together it came out to around 80 dollars per panel. Coulda probably saved a bit more if I had bought angle aluminum to cut and drill myself but metal cutting is a pain and they came with all the hardware so I took the easy path. Once secured to the 4x4s they are remarkably solid. We had a storm a couple days ago with 25mph gusts and they remained firm. My only complaint from doing it this way is dealing with irregularities on the ground. I had to use shims under some to deal with the gradient. I guess if I was a perfectionist I'd prepare the earth and level it but eh, I'm no Mozart, or even a Saliari. Anyway thought I'd share for anyone working on a shoestring looking for inspiration.
I started with these mounts and attached them to treated 4x4s with timber screws which are anchored to the ground with 2.5 foot 1/2 inch rebar. All together it came out to around 80 dollars per panel. Coulda probably saved a bit more if I had bought angle aluminum to cut and drill myself but metal cutting is a pain and they came with all the hardware so I took the easy path. Once secured to the 4x4s they are remarkably solid. We had a storm a couple days ago with 25mph gusts and they remained firm. My only complaint from doing it this way is dealing with irregularities on the ground. I had to use shims under some to deal with the gradient. I guess if I was a perfectionist I'd prepare the earth and level it but eh, I'm no Mozart, or even a Saliari. Anyway thought I'd share for anyone working on a shoestring looking for inspiration.