PV Expansion - Wall Mounted Experimentation

MrPablo
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Re: PV Expansion - Wall Mounted Experimentation

#41

Post by MrPablo »

It might be a little left field, but I've had zero issues with the timber approach. It's worked fine for both garage and wall mounting and shows no sign of movement or damage.

The most awkward part for me was actually getting the panel into position, so anything you can do to have good access is suggested.
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nowty
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Re: PV Expansion - Wall Mounted Experimentation

#42

Post by nowty »

+1 for wood, no issues either. 8-)
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Stinsy
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Re: PV Expansion - Wall Mounted Experimentation

#43

Post by Stinsy »

I’m most comfortable working with wood. But the few times I’ve used strut I’ve entitled very much indeed.
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Sim_C
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Re: PV Expansion - Wall Mounted Experimentation

#44

Post by Sim_C »

Wow, so many ideas and experiences, and I thought I was asking a straightforward question.

Many thanks for all the contributions.

Now to see what mounting materials are readily available and at a sensible price.

The reason I was steering away from standard rail panel clamps is that they are specifically rated for sloping roofs up to about 60 or 70 degrees, not vertical at 90 degrees, so wanted to use direct bolting to the fixing holes already in the panel frames. Of course they may be over-engineered so suitable anyway.

Is this the sort of end clamp that can be used on unistrut with an M8 zeb?


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Stinsy
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Re: PV Expansion - Wall Mounted Experimentation

#45

Post by Stinsy »

It is easy enough to run the unistrut vertically and put the clamps top and bottom if you like. However the clamps should get a good purchase used on the sides of the panels. Personally I'd just go bolt-and-washer but can see why you'd want to spend a bit more for proper panel clamps.

Like I said above, they screw straight into a zeb...
12x 340W JA Solar panels (4.08kWp)
3x 380W JA Solar panels (1.14kWp)
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LuxPower inverter/charger

(Artist formally known as ******, well it should be obvious enough to those for whom such things are important.)
smegal
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Re: PV Expansion - Wall Mounted Experimentation

#46

Post by smegal »

Sim_C wrote: Tue Aug 22, 2023 4:49 pm Wow, so many ideas and experiences, and I thought I was asking a straightforward question.

Many thanks for all the contributions.

Now to see what mounting materials are readily available and at a sensible price.

The reason I was steering away from standard rail panel clamps is that they are specifically rated for sloping roofs up to about 60 or 70 degrees, not vertical at 90 degrees, so wanted to use direct bolting to the fixing holes already in the panel frames. Of course they may be over-engineered so suitable anyway.

Is this the sort of end clamp that can be used on unistrut with an M8 zeb?


Image
You simply discard the silver bottom rail clamp bit and bolt the bolt into a Zeb.

Image

With a bit of creative ratchet spanner use and a short bolt, you probably could mount the panel to a zeb on unistrut but joints between panels would be tricky, so may need a normal clamp.
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