DIY Ground mounted Solar Panels with adjustable angles - 2X4 construction

[PEJ5]

Tractorgp, I see you live in Newfoundland. Did your ground mount method become problematic with winter's snow? Maybe you kept them cleared with your trusty tractor! You mention series/parallel experiments. What we're your results with that and with angle choices? Charge controller choice? Batteries? Do tell when you have time.

 

[tractorgp]

Tractorgp, I see you live in Newfoundland. Did your ground mount method become problematic with winter's snow? Maybe you kept them cleared with your trusty tractor! You mention series/parallel experiments. What we're your results with that and with angle choices? Charge controller choice? Batteries? Do tell when you have time.

No serious prob with snow accumulations. The system is near the end of the second winter since installation. Unfortunately I have not as yet done ANY evaluation of the panels other than noting survival in our weather. One wing nut came loose on one of the angle adjustment arms so I replaced that with a nyloc nut. Hoping to get down to some real testing over the next months.

 

[ultrarunner]

The mounts and the permit/inspection for the ground mount which was in addition to the solar permit was quite expensive...

I've wondered about tracking the sun but conventional wisdom says there is not much to be gained when costs are factored?

I'm in a little valley with excellent mid day sun but lose out late in the day.

So fay the peak production this year from the 6kW system is 28 kW to grid... the home does not have much consumption right now... mostly a large refrigerator and a few LED for lighting...