Adjustable angle solution for Solar panels

[Dubious_outlook]

Hi everyone,

Been searching around the forums, but didnt really find what I am looking for. I have a 10 degree steel roof with some panels mounted. This is perfectly fine for summer, but in the winter months my solar productivity drops dramatically.

I am looking for some real life experience with an adjustable frame so I can raise it for winter months and lower for summer. Has anyone done this and what did you use?

 

[denmendez65]

It has been somewhat discussed before and the cost of adjustable frames is the same if not more than just adding more panels.

If you have the space, just add more panels. Frames are a waste of money in m opinion.

 

[wingnut771]

Yeah, it’s cheaper to just add more panels.

 

[Dubious_outlook]

Panels are relatively cheap, but it also comes with a whole bunch of other costs especially if one MPPT is already maxed. Also dont really have the space for it.

Really just seeking advice on the brackets, like make, model, suppliers, etc...

 

[wingnut771]

Panels are relatively cheap, but it also comes with a whole bunch of other costs especially if one MPPT is already maxed. Also dont really have the space for it.

Really just seeking advice on the brackets, like make, model, suppliers, etc...

I don't think anyone has actually done it.

 

[wingnut771]

 

[denmendez65]

View attachment 1910771View attachment 1910774View attachment 1910775

And then its lots of extra holes in the roof, water proofing etc. This needs to be done very well as your panels become a kite also in very strong winds.

Let alone the labor for removing the existing rails, potentially redoing the cabling (might not be necessary). It's one of those things that should have been done the first time around.

I would make this a last resort. Maybe taking the geyser off the solar and adding it on its own system like a Heatpump? A Victron MPPT isnt too badly priced.

With more details one could come up with a better solution.

But yeah, he wants the rails. The ones you posted are what I have seen others use also.

 

[wingnut771]

And then its lots of extra holes in the roof, water proofing etc. This needs to be done very well as your panels become a kite also in very strong winds.

Let alone the labor for removing the existing rails, potentially redoing the cabling (might not be necessary). It's one of those things that should have been done the first time around.

I would make this a last resort. Maybe taking the geyser off the solar and adding it on its own system like a Heatpump? A Victron MPPT isnt too badly priced.

With more details one could come up with a better solution.

But yeah, he wants the rails. The ones you posted are what I have seen others use also.

Yeah, if space is an issue, maybe consider vertical panels on a wall or fence or something with extra mppt going straight to battery.

With low winter sun, vertical panels should be quite efficient.

 

[denmendez65]

Yeah, if space is an issue, maybe consider vertical panels on a wall or fence or something with extra mppt going straight to battery.

With low winter sun, vertical panels should be quite efficient.

There is a factory in Boksburg I saw with panels mounted vertically on the building wall. Was a first I saw. Looked like paint until you see the end and mid clamps.

 

[biena]

I guarantee you that you will adjust it the first 2 years then decide it is too much effort. We get older and just cannot do the physical labor anymore.

 

[wingnut771]

I guarantee you that you will adjust it the first 2 years then decide it is too much effort. We get older and just cannot do the physical labor anymore.

Maybe add some worm gears and motors

 

[biena]

Maybe add some worm gears and motors

At that stage move to a new house !

 

[Dubious_outlook]

I guarantee you that you will adjust it the first 2 years then decide it is too much effort. We get older and just cannot do the physical labor anymore.

I was already thinking along these lines. Im sure if I raise them just a few degrees, maybe from the current 10 deg to 20-25 it would make a big difference in winter and in summer the difference would be ok since im usually fully charged by 11:30 anyway.

Changing the rails are by far the easiest and cheapest solution since it doesnt involve anything more that some additional mounting kit.

I was just looking to see if anyone else on the forum had done it and had tried and proven (recommended) manufacturers rather than me relying on just picking one from google.

 

[denmendez65]

I was already thinking along these lines. Im sure if I raise them just a few degrees, maybe from the current 10 deg to 20-25 it would make a big difference in winter and in summer the difference would be ok since im usually fully charged by 11:30 anyway.

Changing the rails are by far the easiest and cheapest solution since it doesnt involve anything more that some additional mounting kit.

I was just looking to see if anyone else on the forum had done it and had tried and proven (recommended) manufacturers rather than me relying on just picking one from google.

I typically am fully charged by 9/10 in summer and in winter around 12.

My panels are tilted 10 degrees South West, definitely way worse than yours. Have you used a online calculator to see if you actually will gain enough to cover whatever shortfall you are getting to justify all of this?

What is your ROI on getting the stands? Why not just tap into the grid for the 3 months of the year?

 

[wingnut771]

This app is useful, especially if you have multiple arrays:

Gary Does Solar - Solarazma

www.solarazma.com

 

[wingnut771]

I typically am fully charged by 9/10 in summer and in winter around 12.

My panels are tilted 10 degrees South West, definitely way worse than yours. Have you used a online calculator to see if you actually will gain enough to cover whatever shortfall you are getting to justify all of this?

What is your ROI on getting the stands? Why not just tap into the grid for the 3 months of the year?

Yes, but you live like the Amish where you use less power than a dstv decoder.

 

[denmendez65]

I typically am fully charged by 9/10 in summer and in winter around 12.

My panels are tilted 10 degrees South West, definitely way worse than yours. Have you used a online calculator to see if you actually will gain enough to cover whatever shortfall you are getting to justify all of this?

What is your ROI on getting the stands? Why not just tap into the grid for the 3 months of the year?

According to PV Watts changing your orientation assuminga 4kW panel system only gains about 100kWh a month, which is decent one would say. I used 10 degrees tilt North as reference and changed the tilt to 30 degrees thereafter.

Adding just 2 panels achieves the same outcome.


Assuming 4kW of panels and 10 degree tilt North



Assuming 4kW of panels but 30 degree tilt



Assuming 10 degree tilt but adding 2 panels.

 

[Rickster]

What would be cool is having at automated via a stepper motor, synced to a time/date.

 

[wingnut771]

What would be cool is having at automated via a stepper motor, synced to a time/date.

I suggested that but was told to move house.

 

[Dubious_outlook]

According to PV Watts changing your orientation assuminga 4kW panel system only gains about 100kWh a month, which is decent one would say. I used 10 degrees tilt North as reference and changed the tilt to 30 degrees thereafter.

Adding just 2 panels achieves the same outcome.


Assuming 4kW of panels and 10 degree tilt North

View attachment 1910811

Assuming 4kW of panels but 30 degree tilt

View attachment 1910818

Assuming 10 degree tilt but adding 2 panels.

View attachment 1910819

Thanks for this, nice to see the actual numbers.

I am sure I can use the existing frame and add some additional angled brackets. Adding more panels requires more PV wiring, more frame components anyway, more expensive overall labor with CoC, more load on the roof, etc...