New garage time!

[EddieWalker]

Your shop filled up pretty quickly. Looks like it's time to build another!!!

 

[fatjay]

Where are you getting panels at that price?

Marketplace. They're second hand panels 3-5 years old from a commercial installer. The stupid government tax credit is usable every 3-5 years so they do panel upgrades and claim the credit, then sell the used panels off for cheap.

Panels are warrantied for 80% production after 25 years. I have some in place now and they're doing well.

 

[fatjay]

Your shop filled up pretty quickly. Looks like it's time to build another!!!

I am expanding, lots of projects that are made possible by that shop. Best move I've ever made.

 

[slckeys]

Marketplace. They're second hand panels 3-5 years old from a commercial installer. The stupid government tax credit is usable every 3-5 years so they do panel upgrades and claim the credit, then sell the used panels off for cheap.

Panels are warrantied for 80% production after 25 years. I have some in place now and they're doing well.

Good to know. Thanks for the info.

 

[sodamo]

I did a 12x24 solar panel roof a couple years ago. A nice covered area to park stuff. How are you going to address seal between panels? I just ran a bead of silicone, but have a few spots that leak. I I had it to do over, might consider using butyl tape, but there may be something else available these days. Maybe I was too concerned about thermal expansion/contraction. Otherwise very happy with it. I made my supports from 2inch 1/8 alumimum angle

 

[fatjay]

I did a 12x24 solar panel roof a couple years ago. A nice covered area to park stuff. How are you going to address seal between panels? I just ran a bead of silicone, but have a few spots that leak. I I had it to do over, might consider using butyl tape, but there may be something else available these days. Maybe I was too concerned about thermal expansion/contraction. Otherwise very happy with it. I made my supports from 2inch 1/8 alumimum angle
View attachment 877964View attachment 877965

That's exactly what I needed, thank you.

So I wanted to butt them up against each other, but was concerned about thermal expansion. I was looking at a 1/4" gap and using butyl tape even.

So I will have 3 cross members but wasn't sure what to do for the racking. It looks like you have 3 cross members, if it's 12' wide that means a 6' span. Mine is going to be closer to an 8' span, so I was thinking I need something more substantial than angle aluminum. Or reposition my cross members so there will be overhang on both sides.

If you think about it, can you get more pictures from underneath?

Before I put the metal frame up, I need to stucco the patio wall. Needed to cut a hole first to walk down to the pool. Now i'm ready for the stucco.

 

[sodamo]

Hope these help

My rails were matched to the PV factory holes

Conceivably, I could have considered slots in the alumimum rails. I used 1/4 SS nuts and bolts. Note my panels were a tad short of 12ft, but that was ok. A 4th row would have been overkill for me, but I did consider it.
Only bolted panels to rails, not to each other. I would use the butyl tape without extra gap. You have a more extreme condition as I only see about max daily 22° temp change (60-82)yearlong. The aluminum sealing tape you see on bottom side was an after thought, would have been more effective on top side.

Hope these help

I agree, wouldn’t go more than 6’ span with my 2” 1/8 alumimum.

I’ve done a couple of PV rackings

 

[fatjay]

Hope these help
View attachment 878039

My rails were matched to the PV factory holes
View attachment 878040
Conceivably, I could have considered slots in the alumimum rails. I used 1/4 SS nuts and bolts. Note my panels were a tad short of 12ft, but that was ok. A 4th row would have been overkill for me, but I did consider it.
Only bolted panels to rails, not to each other. I would use the butyl tape without extra gap. You have a more extreme condition as I only see about max daily 22° temp change (60-82)yearlong. The aluminum sealing tape you see on bottom side was an after thought, would have been more effective on top side.

View attachment 878041

View attachment 878042

View attachment 878043

View attachment 878044

View attachment 878045
Hope these help

I agree, wouldn’t go more than 6’ span with my 2” 1/8 alumimum.

I’ve done a couple of PV rackings
View attachment 878046

That helped immensely, thank you.

 

[sodamo]

Looking forward to your progress

 

[fatjay]

I'm only working after dark right now. Got half the patio stucco'd but then had to step out of hte country for a week. Now I'm back and am back at it.

Also picked up a drone, which is pretty neat. It was pretty windy, but the thing managed to have minimal issues.

Got myself a little something while I was out of the country as well.