Extending an east facing solar rack.

softdown
softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,001 ✭✭✭✭
in Off Grid Solar & Battery Systems #1
Occurred to me that one could also attach panels facing to the west - to the same rack. Both sides then offer a “ramp" that reduces wind sheer from both the east and the west. 

But the angle of the east bank kind of “fights" with the angle of the west bank in regards to attaching the west bank to the east bank racking. So screws are not a solution. 

So far I have decided that 2” - 3” C clamps offer the best solution for attaching the west facing panels to the racking for the east facing panels. Tried it and it does work though it is not beautiful. The force of the clamp will likely bend the aluminum frame that exists ~ 1” from the glass part of the solar panel. 

This may be difficult to visualise. I can take a pic if needed. 

This has surely been done a million times. Wonder if there exists an affordable connective device that would be close to ideal. 
First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,001 ✭✭✭✭
    #2
    This clamp looks pretty ideal. But it cost about 10-20 times more than basic C clamps. I plan to use 3 - 4 clamps per panel. 




    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • littleharbor2
    littleharbor2 Solar Expert Posts: 2,159 ✭✭✭✭✭
    #3
    softdown said:
    O

    This has surely been done a million times. Wonder if there exists an affordable connective device that would be close to ideal. 
    Self tapping screws

    2.1 Kw Suntech 175 mono, Classic 200, Trace SW 4024 ( 15 years old  but brand new out of sealed factory box Jan. 2015), Bogart Tri-metric,  460 Ah. 24 volt LiFePo4 battery bank. Plenty of Baja Sea of Cortez sunshine.

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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,001 ✭✭✭✭
    #4
    Don’t see those working although that was initially the plan. Due to angles there is too large of a gap between east and west panels. 
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,001 ✭✭✭✭
    #5
    Gap is too large for securing by screws.
    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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  • softdown
    softdown Solar Expert Posts: 4,001 ✭✭✭✭
    edited August 20 #6
    This is how it is shaping up. The top board at panel bases has a large bevel to help secure the panels. 
    3” clamps were just barely large enough. I far, far prefer the vice grip type clamps. I used those for initial hold and in locations with most exposure to the elements. They have a nickel coating. 

    If you find yourself wanting to hold two arrays with one rack like I did - do yourself a favor and maybe find a bulk deal on small vice grip type “welding" clamps. I paid about $4 clamp after searching pretty thoroughly. 

    Now I seek serial connections for the newly installed panels. Finding connectors or combiner boxes for a three panel serial connection is stymying me so far. Parallel connectors are the norm. The 40 volt panels will yield ~ 120 volts while the CC is rated for 150 volts. New thread coming. Want this string operational pretty soon. 


    First Bank:16 180 watt Grape Solar with  FM80 controller and 3648 Inverter....Fullriver 8D AGM solar batteries. Second Bank/MacGyver Special: 10 165(?) watt BP Solar with Renogy MPPT 40A controller/ and Xantrex C-35 PWM controller/ and Morningstar PWM controller...Cotek 24V PSW inverter....forklift and diesel locomotive batteries
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