Setting panel angles on fixed ground mounts

Xringer · 11-18-10, 11:49 PM

If I only had two angle settings, what would be the best pick?
35(winter) and 60(summer) degrees?

My 1/4 scale model of a solar panel mount:

Imagine this 'model' as having the panels installed across the left side.
That would be the summer posistion. But, during the winter,
we could just flip the mount on it's other flat bottom (where the roof is in this pic).
So it would have a better angle on the winter's lower sun..
(Of course we would have to pick up the mount and turn it 180 deg).

I think one worry would be the connector boxes on the panels..
They might be upside down for half the year.. Water problems?

Since the bottom sections have to be well anchored to the ground,
maybe it would be better just to make the rear legs length adjustable.?. Telescoping maybe?

Comments or ideas please:

Thanks,
Rich

Daox · 11-19-10, 06:08 AM

Those numbers look alright to me. I don't think its a huge deal. If I recall, up to 15% misalignment doesn't really account for a ton of power loss.

Ryland · 11-19-10, 10:04 AM

In your case 47.5 degrees would be ideal then if you have 35 and 60 degrees, of course an adjustable rack is always nice, box beam tubing with a set of holes works well, have a few snug pins that latch it in place, make sure that those pins have spring clips or better yet use bolts with nuts if you are worried about vibration wearing the holes.

creeky · 08-03-11, 08:53 PM

I've heard a rule of thumb was your latitude plus 15 degrees for winter and less 15 for summer. So, my being roughly 45 degrees latitude means my winter angle would be 60 degrees and my summer angle 30. There's a fellow down the street who has a big solar array, maybe I should go take a measurement. smile.
The steeper winter angle also helps the snow slide off of the panels.
I just noticed, you have your measurements the opposite of mine. Is 0 straight up and 90 lying flat?

TheyCallMeDave · 08-09-11, 11:10 AM

I think ideally, it would be great if you could have a variable angle manual adjustment to your Collector stand and take advantage of the sun thruout the entire year. Thats what i do with my 36x36" Collector Box (oven) for hot water -- right now its flat on its back laying on the ground which is kicking out 170 f. water on total sunny days....and ill start tilting it as we go into Fall here in Florida.

Xringer · 08-09-11, 12:53 PM

I like this one...
‪POWERSHED Solar Energy System‬&rlm; - YouTube

Phantom · 08-09-11, 01:47 PM

I would allow movement on the bottom so it can work as a hinge and sleeve a pipe on the top. I would use 4 holes on each pipe one for 35deg one for 47.5deg and one for 60deg. The extra hole would be a support hole so it can't fall back further than the lowest hole, if you have a few extra inches on the end of the inside pipe you could use that as a support to hold it in place along with the adjustment hole.

Xringer · 08-09-11, 01:57 PM

Hinges on the bottom need to be strong. Mine might be too light duty, if these panels ever pick up 80 pounds of ice each..

I'm kinda drilling the holes in the supports, on the fly, as needed..

creeky · 08-13-11, 08:52 AM

That shed looked good. And Xringer, your set up looks pretty good too. Has it experienced much in the way of wind storms? I'm with you on the hinges looking a bit light. I'm putting my 4 250s up as soon as the combiner box is in. Up here in Canada finding solar bits and bobs is near impossible, so thanks for the web and "ouch" on the shipping charges, I am now awaiting the final two pieces to my "big" solar set up. I already have a 60 watt kit and a 500 watt trailer setup. Now for the kilowatt system.

Xringer · 08-13-11, 09:53 AM

I think the winter winds from the north and NW are going to be the most problematic.
(The array will be in the most upright position).
So, I've stacked six heavy cinder blocks, on the ground, under the north side of the solar platform (deck).
A 1/4" steel cable connects the blocks to the back-side of the deck.
I guesstimate it will take a 90+ MPH wind lift up the rear legs..

The weakness of my north-side connected anchor, is the south wind.
The array+mount is so heavy like it is, I don't see too much of a problem with winds from the south.
Since the house acts as a blocker and will slow down any super gusts.
It would have to be blowing so fast, I would have to worry about my
roof landing on top of the arrays..

11-18-10, 11:49 PM	#1 (permalink)
Xringer lex parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 3,493 Thanks: 44 Thanked 113 Times in 106 Posts	Setting panel angles on fixed ground mounts If I only had two angle settings, what would be the best pick? 35(winter) and 60(summer) degrees? My 1/4 scale model of a solar panel mount: Imagine this 'model' as having the panels installed across the left side. That would be the summer posistion. But, during the winter, we could just flip the mount on it's other flat bottom (where the roof is in this pic). So it would have a better angle on the winter's lower sun.. (Of course we would have to pick up the mount and turn it 180 deg). I think one worry would be the connector boxes on the panels.. They might be upside down for half the year.. Water problems? Since the bottom sections have to be well anchored to the ground, maybe it would be better just to make the rear legs length adjustable.?. Telescoping maybe? Comments or ideas please: Thanks, Rich (Support EcoRenovator.org & get rid of these annoying ads!)

11-19-10, 06:08 AM	#2 (permalink)
Daox Administrator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Germantown, WI Posts: 3,671 Thanks: 206 Thanked 144 Times in 121 Posts	Those numbers look alright to me. I don't think its a huge deal. If I recall, up to 15% misalignment doesn't really account for a ton of power loss. __________________ Current project - To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. & To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

08-13-11, 09:53 AM	#10 (permalink)
Xringer lex parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 3,493 Thanks: 44 Thanked 113 Times in 106 Posts	I think the winter winds from the north and NW are going to be the most problematic. (The array will be in the most upright position). So, I've stacked six heavy cinder blocks, on the ground, under the north side of the solar platform (deck). A 1/4" steel cable connects the blocks to the back-side of the deck. I guesstimate it will take a 90+ MPH wind lift up the rear legs.. The weakness of my north-side connected anchor, is the south wind. The array+mount is so heavy like it is, I don't see too much of a problem with winds from the south. Since the house acts as a blocker and will slow down any super gusts. It would have to be blowing so fast, I would have to worry about my roof landing on top of the arrays.. (Support EcoRenovator.org & get rid of these annoying ads!)

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11-19-10, 10:04 AM	#3 (permalink)
Ryland Master EcoRenovator Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Western Wisconsin. Posts: 809 Thanks: 81 Thanked 60 Times in 52 Posts	In your case 47.5 degrees would be ideal then if you have 35 and 60 degrees, of course an adjustable rack is always nice, box beam tubing with a set of holes works well, have a few snug pins that latch it in place, make sure that those pins have spring clips or better yet use bolts with nuts if you are worried about vibration wearing the holes.

08-03-11, 08:53 PM	#4 (permalink)
creeky Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: oxford station Posts: 114 Thanks: 11 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts	I've heard a rule of thumb was your latitude plus 15 degrees for winter and less 15 for summer. So, my being roughly 45 degrees latitude means my winter angle would be 60 degrees and my summer angle 30. There's a fellow down the street who has a big solar array, maybe I should go take a measurement. smile. The steeper winter angle also helps the snow slide off of the panels. I just noticed, you have your measurements the opposite of mine. Is 0 straight up and 90 lying flat?

08-09-11, 11:10 AM	#5 (permalink)
TheyCallMeDave Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Far northern FLorida Posts: 43 Thanks: 0 Thanked 8 Times in 6 Posts	I think ideally, it would be great if you could have a variable angle manual adjustment to your Collector stand and take advantage of the sun thruout the entire year. Thats what i do with my 36x36" Collector Box (oven) for hot water -- right now its flat on its back laying on the ground which is kicking out 170 f. water on total sunny days....and ill start tilting it as we go into Fall here in Florida.

08-09-11, 12:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Xringer lex parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 3,493 Thanks: 44 Thanked 113 Times in 106 Posts	I like this one... ‪POWERSHED Solar Energy System‬&rlm; - YouTube

08-09-11, 01:47 PM	#7 (permalink)
Phantom Helper EcoRenovator Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 85 Thanks: 12 Thanked 6 Times in 5 Posts	I would allow movement on the bottom so it can work as a hinge and sleeve a pipe on the top. I would use 4 holes on each pipe one for 35deg one for 47.5deg and one for 60deg. The extra hole would be a support hole so it can't fall back further than the lowest hole, if you have a few extra inches on the end of the inside pipe you could use that as a support to hold it in place along with the adjustment hole.

08-09-11, 01:57 PM	#8 (permalink)
Xringer lex parsimoniae Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Woburn, MA Posts: 3,493 Thanks: 44 Thanked 113 Times in 106 Posts	Hinges on the bottom need to be strong. Mine might be too light duty, if these panels ever pick up 80 pounds of ice each.. I'm kinda drilling the holes in the supports, on the fly, as needed..

08-13-11, 08:52 AM	#9 (permalink)
creeky Apprentice EcoRenovator Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: oxford station Posts: 114 Thanks: 11 Thanked 9 Times in 6 Posts	That shed looked good. And Xringer, your set up looks pretty good too. Has it experienced much in the way of wind storms? I'm with you on the hinges looking a bit light. I'm putting my 4 250s up as soon as the combiner box is in. Up here in Canada finding solar bits and bobs is near impossible, so thanks for the web and "ouch" on the shipping charges, I am now awaiting the final two pieces to my "big" solar set up. I already have a 60 watt kit and a 500 watt trailer setup. Now for the kilowatt system.