I used a big truck axle, on end so a heavy duty wheel beating 'Up' for panel deck to rotate around,Īnd the axle housing will literally stand up to a tornado. The easiest way I've found is a center posts with rack on top, If it swivels for east/west sun tracking, When you go Up and sun track, someplace you get high wind/severe storms, you will pretty quickly find those single post with swivel on top for panels.ĭid I mention I live in Indiana's 'Tornado Alley'? Its much easier to put dirt back into a hole than to get it out in the first place, but if you use concrete, keep it low down in a DEEP hole if there is any chance at all the ground might be used for something else later down the road. (Unless there is a bunch of big teenage boys sniffing around a daughter, then have HER con them into doing something constructive ) *IF* you have to build Up, rent a tractor with post hole drill. Some people MUST go 'Up', no room to spread out. (And this is coming from a welder by trade) Use screws, bolts & nuts, nails back out.Ī broken weld is an event that requires a welder and creates electrical current issues, a broken or missing screw/bolt is a 15 minute job with hand tools. If you DO want a big, heavy rack, go to the local sports field and see how the bleachers are built, take some pictures. I used my manual pipe bender handles for 'Cheater Bars'. If you have a way to screw in the really big ones, utilities often don't reuse them, there is a pile waiting to hit the scrap yard, buy them for scrap weight. Screw in anchors used for light pole guide wires and house trailer anchors keep the lighter weight supports in place during big winds. (Ever try to dig out big concrete surface anchors?. Pavers or rock comes right back up in the event you want to move it at some point. Some concrete, pavers, decorative rock underneath and you have USEABLE space. Have you considered one of those $1,000 metal tubing/roof 'Car Ports'?Įver want a metal tubing frame 'Green' House'?Ī 'Lean To' added to the garage that can be boxed in later? Have you considered a 'Shade' cover over the patio? (With stylish 'Blue' shade panels) Now, while people build dedicated heavy racks all the time which take up GROUND space. That's almost 'Free' Watts, and Watts are King. Sun tracking with something as simple as posts, a hole saw/drill and pipe adds 15-30% production when you sun track. I like pipes because they are easy to sun track with when installed North/South. While people talk about how 'Cheap' panels are, I use the better glass front, aluminum frame panels that last for 20 years, and I have yet to see a 'Cheap' well built panel. Low wind, wind break, panels width wise, more panels on any given length of fence/posts/pipe. Lots of wind, panels length wise, less wind leverage on the middle of the panel. I did set more posts, a little closer together to keep the livestock from moving posts when they rubbed the fence. I staked the string line, used plain old round tree posts, I just got the tops up next to the string line before I set them, extra tall to keep the livestock from rubbing the panels. Some of my panels are in a livestock pasture, (Even I can stretch a string without screwing up too bad.) Use that same string line for the horizontal pipe through them the panels mount on, Upright posts set on a string line to keep them straight, I had the lowest cost with horizontal since I have the room. Your space usually determines this, small space, hills, flat ground.īeing the worst carpenter ever, and knowing a good idea when I steal it , No you don't, I'm the worst carpenter EVER!ĭecide 'Up' (stacked) or 'Horizontal' along with ground contour. I'd rather learn hands-on with a simple one first, so when I build the final one, I'll be able to creatively create a better end-result. Then, as I learn, consider higher structures, such as pergolas or pavilions. My hands on goal is to start small near the ground, perhaps building something to hold 1-3 panels. I do want the ability to quickly pop them off if needed. I'm also interested in options for rails and other methods for panel fastening. I imagine I'll need steel for some portions, including providing tilt capability, and, of course, bolts. It can include other materials, such as steel. I'd really like more basics on creating joints, types of bolts, cutting, tools, all the knit and grit that goes into building wood based support structures. The links don't have to be directly related to mounting solar panels. enough to know that it's hard to find exactly what you're looking for. I know I can search online, and plan to do that. Can anyone share links to anything helping people learn how to build structures. I plan to play with ground mounting, but have little practical experience in building with wood.
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