Looks like we can get 3 phase so now intend to add some more PV. I would like to have them mounted on some sort of adjustable frames to maximise production, especially in the winter. We live in a windy spot so it needs to be sturdy.
Are there any good off-the-shelf systems or components for DIY?
Thanks
Adjustable angle frames for PV
Re: Adjustable angle frames for PV
1) Adjustable generally isn’t worth the complexity. You’d be better off adding a panel or two to the string.
2) Materials comes down to: wood vs unistrut vs scaffold poles. Whichever you’re most comfortable working with.
2) Materials comes down to: wood vs unistrut vs scaffold poles. Whichever you’re most comfortable working with.
12x 340W JA Solar panels (4.08kWp)
3x 380W JA Solar panels (1.14kWp)
5x 2.4kWh Pylontech batteries (12kWh)
LuxPower inverter/charger
(Artist formally known as ******, well it should be obvious enough to those for whom such things are important.)
3x 380W JA Solar panels (1.14kWp)
5x 2.4kWh Pylontech batteries (12kWh)
LuxPower inverter/charger
(Artist formally known as ******, well it should be obvious enough to those for whom such things are important.)
Re: Adjustable angle frames for PV
Thanks
This is what I have had back from Western Power
"I have carried out the calculations based on upgrading your service to three phase and on top of your existing 3.76kW single phase PV installation an additional 9kW three phase PV/battery installation may be connected balanced over three phases with a total site AC export limited to 7.36kW via a G100 compliant fail safe export limitation scheme."
I am limited to 9kw extra which we are tempted to go for. I suspect in a Dartmoor winter (can go a month without seeing the sun) even that much PV at 36 degrees will struggle to meet our energy use hence being keen to go for adjustable angles.
Wood is my go-to material having spent my whole working life making things with it. Even got a mill for cutting the sections
This is what I have had back from Western Power
"I have carried out the calculations based on upgrading your service to three phase and on top of your existing 3.76kW single phase PV installation an additional 9kW three phase PV/battery installation may be connected balanced over three phases with a total site AC export limited to 7.36kW via a G100 compliant fail safe export limitation scheme."
I am limited to 9kw extra which we are tempted to go for. I suspect in a Dartmoor winter (can go a month without seeing the sun) even that much PV at 36 degrees will struggle to meet our energy use hence being keen to go for adjustable angles.
Wood is my go-to material having spent my whole working life making things with it. Even got a mill for cutting the sections
Re: Adjustable angle frames for PV
How much summer/annual production would you lose if the angle is optimised for winter? I can't immediately find the graphs but AFAIR there is not a great deal of difference.
16 x 230W Upsolar panels S Devon, 4kW Steca, 3.9 MWh FITs/yr
8 x 405W Longi panels, 250/60 MPPT, 3.3 MWh/yr
Victron MultiPlus II-GX 48/5000/70-50
10.65 kWh Pylontec Force-L2
zappi 7kW EVCS
Villavent whole-house MVHR
5000l rainwater system
Vaillant 12kW HP
8 x 405W Longi panels, 250/60 MPPT, 3.3 MWh/yr
Victron MultiPlus II-GX 48/5000/70-50
10.65 kWh Pylontec Force-L2
zappi 7kW EVCS
Villavent whole-house MVHR
5000l rainwater system
Vaillant 12kW HP
Re: Adjustable angle frames for PV
PVGIS is what most of us use and nice to play around with,
https://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu
If you can put up south facing unshaded panels, then between 10 degrees and 70 degrees, there is not much overall difference, (about 10%). Obviously the steeper angle the more in winter and shoulder months. However you will find that in winter you will tend to suffer more shading so the steeper angles will suffer more overall.
Around 35 degrees (typical UK roofs) gives the best total yield and I find between 45 and 60 degrees seems about ideal for winter optimisation.
Conversely, completely flat 0 degree slope gives the best in cloudy conditions. So in the UK, best not to over think it and to stick them wherever you can. Avoiding shade is much more important that slope angle and even low slope northerly facing do ok.
Front of Nowty Towers
Back of Nowty Towers
EDIT - Of yeah, forgot about my ESE wall one on a Tigo for that extra early morning generation.
16.9kW PV > 109MWh generated
Ripple 6.6kW Wind + 4.5kW PV > 25MWh generated
5 Other RE Coop's
105kWh EV storage
60kWh Home battery storage
40kWh Thermal storage
GSHP + A2A HP's
Rain water use > 510 m3
Ripple 6.6kW Wind + 4.5kW PV > 25MWh generated
5 Other RE Coop's
105kWh EV storage
60kWh Home battery storage
40kWh Thermal storage
GSHP + A2A HP's
Rain water use > 510 m3
Re: Adjustable angle frames for PV
The attached is a link to a EU website which gives a pretty good estimate of output for solar PV in respect of mounting angle etc. My supplier passed it to me when we were sorting whether to raise the panel angle on the 20 deg. roof to 35 deg. by a frame. It wouldn't have been cost effective back then, 2011.
https://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvg_tools/en/
May be useful for some, in fact I'm surprised it's not more widely known about, or maybe it is and has been dis-counted. I've found the estimates to be very accurate over the years.
https://re.jrc.ec.europa.eu/pvg_tools/en/
May be useful for some, in fact I'm surprised it's not more widely known about, or maybe it is and has been dis-counted. I've found the estimates to be very accurate over the years.
Re: Adjustable angle frames for PV
Yes good bit of software. When I was in the solar industry, we used this as well as the MCS output in quotes.
I have used when doing all of my home projects.
I have used when doing all of my home projects.