Hello all! I'm getting ready to install solar panels on my patio cover which will be run to my Anker F3800. I have 6 Blue Sun 460w Bifacial panels i'll be wiring in series (2 sets of 3 in series). each series set will run to the XT-60 port on the F3800. This should max out my watts with some overpaneling to spare for cloudy days, and keep my voltage well within the specs of the Anker.
I plan on grounding the panels, and installing breaker switches on the patio cover.
I'm planning on mounting these panels on my back patio cover. Its technically north facing but very gentle slope (see pictures). the panels would be mounted south facing. I'm thinking about a 22 degree angle. For my zip code the recommended year round angle is 31 or 33 degrees, but in oregon most of our sun is in the spring/summer, and rain the rest of the year, so the lighter angle will be easier to mount and provide better output during the sunnier months.
My first question is mounts to the roof. Its a metal roof. I'm thinking about using the brackets pictured below screwed to the roof, then mounting either superstrut or more likely some aluminum 1/4" thick x 1" wide bar/stock (lighter and much cheaper through local metal supplier) to the roof mounts. This will provide the basis for the mounts and panels to attach to, and should distribute the weight more evenly over the span of the roof. The metal bars (superstrut or aluminum) would be mounted to the roof brackets and run along the roof as pictured below in my crappy art work. I guess less of a question then just any general input on this plan?
My next question is layout of the panels. They are big. just under 83"x41"in size and about 70lbs a panel.
my preferred arrangement (A) would be all in a row, angled along their long end as pictured below. (excuse my crappy MS paint artwork, def not to scale and doesn't show 6 panels, but it shows the general layout). also, 6 panels across would be the entire width of the roof (about 20 feet). The other layout (B) would be as pictured, offset (again not to scale, I'm pretty sure they would line up ok and not shade each other). Any reasons you would choose one over the other?
(A)
(B)
My last questions is the actual mounts. mounting the panels to what?? and how to mount them to the metal bars on the roof. I haven't worked this part out yet, but have thought about pre-bought/made ones from amazon (don't seem sturdy or big enough for these panels), or making my own using smaller steel or aluminum bar, or possibly even some lighter wood frame. any thoughts or input would be helpful!
I plan on grounding the panels, and installing breaker switches on the patio cover.
I'm planning on mounting these panels on my back patio cover. Its technically north facing but very gentle slope (see pictures). the panels would be mounted south facing. I'm thinking about a 22 degree angle. For my zip code the recommended year round angle is 31 or 33 degrees, but in oregon most of our sun is in the spring/summer, and rain the rest of the year, so the lighter angle will be easier to mount and provide better output during the sunnier months.
My first question is mounts to the roof. Its a metal roof. I'm thinking about using the brackets pictured below screwed to the roof, then mounting either superstrut or more likely some aluminum 1/4" thick x 1" wide bar/stock (lighter and much cheaper through local metal supplier) to the roof mounts. This will provide the basis for the mounts and panels to attach to, and should distribute the weight more evenly over the span of the roof. The metal bars (superstrut or aluminum) would be mounted to the roof brackets and run along the roof as pictured below in my crappy art work. I guess less of a question then just any general input on this plan?
My next question is layout of the panels. They are big. just under 83"x41"in size and about 70lbs a panel.
my preferred arrangement (A) would be all in a row, angled along their long end as pictured below. (excuse my crappy MS paint artwork, def not to scale and doesn't show 6 panels, but it shows the general layout). also, 6 panels across would be the entire width of the roof (about 20 feet). The other layout (B) would be as pictured, offset (again not to scale, I'm pretty sure they would line up ok and not shade each other). Any reasons you would choose one over the other?
(A)
(B)
My last questions is the actual mounts. mounting the panels to what?? and how to mount them to the metal bars on the roof. I haven't worked this part out yet, but have thought about pre-bought/made ones from amazon (don't seem sturdy or big enough for these panels), or making my own using smaller steel or aluminum bar, or possibly even some lighter wood frame. any thoughts or input would be helpful!
