Movable solar panel cart version all 4 now live

[JJJJ]

Ok. Wanted to build something that had a lower center of gravity. Also wanted to have multiple angles available. Utilized a therapy goniometer to set three angles 20, 33 and 45 degrees. This will let me get close to ideal angles give or take a few degrees for each month of the year. This will have supports on each side. The front will have 10 inch no flat wheels and the back supported with 4x4s like a wheelbarrow with galvanized caps between the post and the ground. I will be covering with solid brown stain.

 

[sunshine_eggo]

That shallow angle isn't going to be very rigid. I tried something like that on my angle iron mount for about 10° tilt, and it was way more wobbly than I liked. I just leave it at 30° year round.



The 3X 330W panel frames are modeled.

Actual:

 

[JJJJ]

shallow angle isn't going to be very rigid

Thank you for that. May readjust my vertical struts to be more upright. One of the benefits of prototyping in wood. Or I may even cut a separate support for that purpose.

 

[sunshine_eggo]

Thank you for that. May readjust my vertical struts to be more upright. One of the benefits of prototyping in wood.

Truly. I had these pre-cut and drilled from the steel supplier, and everything just bolted right up... but... drilling new holes in the angle iron isn't worth the squeeze.

Helps to have crazy good sun in AZ at higher elevation with > 1000W/m^2. I routinely see 80-90% rated output at the winter solstice, so the need for seasonal tilting does not exceed my apathy threshold.

 

[Bananaman321]

I drew up like 4 different solar array designs and then ended up settling on a portable rig for now
Composed of scaffold handrail scrap metal and a little bit of elbow grease took about 4 hours to build strongly enough to walk on

0 $ cost trailer was free no floor
Probably not an option if you get a small yard or an HOA

 

[Bananaman321]

I'm just finishing up my version 2 or 3

 

[JJJJ]

Some very nice looking units! I am trying to keep a low form factor with mine. Really appreciate the other work presented though.

 

[Bananaman321]

I'm on a 60 acre tree farm my nearest neighbor is a 1/2 mile away
The worst part about being off grid is don't know when the grid goes down ha ha

 

[JJJJ]

Have debated building materials for this. Wood has the advantages of being fairly lightweight, easy to work with and affordable. The challenge is the weather. Wood naturally breaks down when unprotected. Reason for adding the solid stain.

A more permanent solution might be aluminum beam or tubing. Before I pursue this however I want to see how the basic design produces in real world applications.

 

[Brucey]

I'm just finishing up my version 2 or 3
View attachment 226861View attachment 226862

Tempted to do with my utility trailer but I assume you can no longer drive that on the road?

 

[MrSparkle]

I have been thinking of a Low-Tech angle-to-sun adjusting system with no light-tracking electronic.
Just think of astro-observatory construction. Angle up/down and 360 vertical axis rotation. Can be done with two geared down motors. Up/down would need to be connected with a rod between PV and motor instead of regular "coged arc" to cogwheel, otherwise extra electronics needed to change direction of that motor twice a day.

Then it is just a matter of adjusting timing of both mechanisms to sync with 24h rythm.

Panels tilting back and forth, most horizontal midday.
Whole rotating constant like mary-go-round.
Ok. A third mechanism and motor is needed to adjust for seasonal position.
Ok, maybe day-tilting overkill. Then down to only two, daily mary-go-round and season-tilt.

All this is most probably not worth the hassle. Might even be that a sloppy quality of construction drains more power in friction between all the components compared to the gain of collected power. Also as mentioned:

does not exceed my apathy threshold

But it is something very special with the feeling of achieving some high-tech result through a low-tech solution.
[EDIT]
Oh, btw, steampunk for the win, for all eternity! JOULE Verne sub any one?

 

[Bananaman321]

I have been thinking of a Low-Tech angle-to-sun adjusting system with no light-tracking electronic.
Just think of astro-observatory construction. Angle up/down and 360 vertical axis rotation. Can be done with two geared down motors. Up/down would need to be connected with a rod between PV and motor instead of regular "coged arc" to cogwheel, otherwise extra electronics needed to change direction of that motor twice a day.

Then it is just a matter of adjusting timing of both mechanisms to sync with 24h rythm.

Panels tilting back and forth, most horizontal midday.
Whole rotating constant like mary-go-round.
Ok. A third mechanism and motor is needed to adjust for seasonal position.
Ok, maybe day-tilting overkill. Then down to only two, daily mary-go-round and season-tilt.

All this is most probably not worth the hassle. Might even be that a sloppy quality of construction drains more power in friction between all the components compared to the gain of collected power. Also as mentioned:

But it is something very special with the feeling of achieving some high-tech result through a low-tech solution.
[EDIT]
Oh, btw, steampunk for the win, for all eternity! JOULE Verne sub any one?

I had pondered these things about the sun angle as well and I Finally came to the conclusion that I was overthinking it.
I have the room solar panels are cheap the racking is expensive and the more complex you make it the more it's going to cost you so just buy more solar panels and overpanel.
My 18KPV will accept 21K of solar. And can you utilized up to 18K of solar at any one time.
My goal is not to harness the Sun in full sun that's easy to do it's when it's overcast outside or rains for 3 days and the best ankle for that is horizontal.
11k+ watts This is in full sun with 34 370 W panels.
When it's overcast or raining I'm a 15 to 20% of this at best
I was seeing around 1-2k watts yesterday during afternoon thunderstorm moderate rain.

I'm thinking my next structure's going to be a solar carport because I'm looking to get an EV.
I have lots of roof area but I rather keep my panels where I can safely maintain them and not risk causing a roof leak in the process.

 

[Bananaman321]

Also has adjustable tilt angle for those that like to follow the Sun around

I almost hauled this trailer to the scrapyard it needs a new floor has multiple roof leaks and needs rims and tires and new wiring
I guess this could also be considered recycling

 

[Bananaman321]

I think I have solar fever
Everything I look at I try to think of some McGyverish way to cover it in solar panels

 

[JJJJ]

A mentor once gave me excellent advice. Keep it simple. There are places that require perfection such as building a battery or doing the wiring, fuses and breakers.

However a project like this can be very forgiving. The wiring and breaker will require perfection. Not having the perfect angle will not.

The key thing really is are you having fun?

 

[JJJJ]

see on your profile picture that you like to travel by boat. Have you fitted panels on it?
C8

Might make an interesting thread of its own.

 

[JJJJ]

Really like this brown stain. Goes well with black panels with black frames.

 

[Dadoftheturkeykids]

Really like this brown stain. Goes well with black panels with black frames.

View attachment 227047

Looks great! I've always liked working with wood too, it's cheap, forgiving, and easy to work with.

Although I'm a carpenter, not a fabricator.

How are you planning to mount the panels to the 2x4s?

 

[Dadoftheturkeykids]

I think I have solar fever
Everything I look at I try to think of some McGyverish way to cover it in solar panels

I have the same symptoms

 

[JJJJ]

How are you planning to mount the panels to the 2x4s?

This is the technique I used for my other portable unit. Two on top, two on the bottom bolted to the panel. I pre fitted these when building the frame. Found from my other build that it is easier to apply the stain first.

 

[JJJJ]

Ok. This is shiny because I just spray painted it with a plastic bond flat black. The inside behind the tape will be still be white. My wiring from the panel will run through this to a Midnite Dc 15 amp breaker

 

[JJJJ]

Just a gentle reminder that this is a thread on “Movable solar panel cart version 2” placed in the Show and Tell section.

Please have a good day.

 

[Brucey]

Ok. This is shiny because I just spray painted it with a plastic bond flat black. The inside behind the tape will be still be white. My wiring from the panel will run through this to a Midnite Dc 15 amp breaker

View attachment 227072

Love the Midnite pv breakers.

 

[JJJJ]

Installed a latch hook so panel stays in place during movement.

 

[JJJJ]

Created a drilling fixture so I can install wheels in same place for multiple units.