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Yep! Short days and low sun aggravate my array . Neighbors tree kills my winter generation. It’s a rental and when they move out I may need to trim it down a little bit 😂😂😂 You’re awesome Joe. Thank you for your effort inNC.
Looks great! Yes you can see a tiny wave in the panels, no big issue. Even on the big commercial solar farms with professionally installed ground racks their panels also have dips and waves as its just part of what happens and some of the main ground posts may settle more than others. I know you aren't happy in that you cannot power the home totally on solar in the winter but the main thing you are doing is turning the grid into a backup and the solar panels are your main source, December 21 is the shortest daylight day of the year and then the sun will start going back up in January and longer sunlight per day.
It will be fine for a really long time cut if you put copper in contact with aluminum over time you will get corrosion. There are plated washers that should be put in between or just use an aluminum strap.
Really nice job. I would of just shifted them just a little bit more to the left and only used the extension brackets. Are thy adjustable for more of a tilt to shed snow better?
Looks nice! I had also made a extension for the flat roof was just 4cm short to mount 7 panels in a row. Winter time is short on sun, we had clouds for 11 days in a row.
Good idea. I think another approach that may have helped make the ends hang out unsupported so much could have been using a 4x4. You could remove the racks from the top of each vertical 4x4 and lay a longer 4x4 across all of them with maybe an 18-24" overhang from each side. Then respace your aluminum mounts on top of the horizontal 4x4 in such a way that they still spread out the overall span but with out having so much overhang on the outer edges of the aluminum rails. The unsupported 4x4 overhang on each side would likely never even budge or flex. You could use Simpson ties to fasten the horizontal 4x4 to the upright 4x4's. You're gonna have some nice capacity once you get that extra dozen panels mounted. Great setup. Always interesting content. Thanks for your hard work keeping us entertained.
I didnt think of that and it sounds like it would work. Basically remove the rails and install the 2X4s, Then mount the rails to the 2X4s. Hmmmmm Interesting! Id like to install the other 12 panels on the west facing roof but I still kinda want to be "hidden"...if that makes since lol
Down in Tampa yep shadows suck this time of year especially since we still have green leafs on our trees. Milton blessed me for the summer. There is a field between my house and the neighbor's. Milton cleared the 3 huge oaks blocking my backyard. The summer should be quit nice. Don't feel bad Joe I am in the sunshine state that needs to be renamed the chem trail state.
I wondered how it was down there! Good to hear Mother Nature clearing trees for you. We had a BIG storm a few months ago and it knocked down a few tree sized limbs off the biggest tree in our back yard. It didnt help much tho... Only created a crap ton of work🙄😆
Thanks for sharing!! Got to find the one video where you built this particular ground mount. I need one but am looking at a pergola type before I saw this set up closer to the ground! At 75 y.o. Got no business on ladders!! TY again! JWR
There is something about the short days around the winter solstice that always makes me want to move panels around. I just took four panels off one rack and plan to move them to the metal roof of our carport, because that will give them more output for this time of year. Where your rails are sticking out past the supports, consider putting a piece of angle iron under them, attached to the main support and the bottom of the aluminum rail.
@@AveRage_Joe - No, but it will lower my dependence on grid power, this time of the year, a little further. I'm mostly doing this stuff for a hobby, so it's just fun trying to get the most out of the equipment.
maybe you could screw a piece of aluminum angle to the lomg over hang and it would stiffin it up a bit if you are worried abput the flex. looks great to me tho for sure
Nice array but I would worry about that gap. The pair at each end are going to move differently, I fear that may stress the centre panel. I would be happier with a brace to join the horizontal beams securely. Also shading on one panel will affect the output of the whole array, have you considered micro inverters?
Every bit helps I think I had 4 days in a row my 67 panels did less the 5 kwh and the new Lux has 17 panels which did not make enough to run the inverter which takes about 2 kwh lol
The problem is wind 💨 flexibility between the two. Thinking about a stiffer between the sections And I have (not mine) trees on each side of my yard. And I don’t want to use my roof 😢 so yes 🙌 I’m watching you! Thumbs up 👍 Do you think we will see a panel that’s going to be 1000 watts 😂😂😂
I'm in the same boat as you with all the trees. Have you ever considered getting the Eco-worthy Solar Tracker? They have a NEW and Improved Version of it that allows you to put more panels on it
Yeah and Id hate to get rid of my trees. It would help but not as much as I would want due to the neighbors trees. In summer however it would make a HUGE difference. I did look into those trackers but Im pretty sure Id still only be able to use 4 or 5 of these panels. IDK maybe they have a newer version then what Im thinkin. Ill look them up again.🤘
Hey Joe. Instead of adding more panels, batteries and inverters, do you ever consider lowering the loads with more efficient appliances? (heatpump water heater or heat pump dryer)
Hi, considering that you have those large end overhangs, why not increase the spacing of the wood post to bracket mounts a little on your next build to improve that situation. 6 in. increase would give you 3 inches at center plus 6 moving the mount point out 9 in total. 10 in would give you 15 in. Your decision.
Wouldn't it be possible to place 10 panels in two rows like the old panels? Connecting two panels as it was before. Wouldn't that work? Maybe add some supports to the ends...
I originally was thinking I could do that. It would be better if I had the rack further away from my house. I would need to raise it a little to allow snowfall. I do think its doable tho
Did you get the new CAT1 rack? The link for the EG4 rack defaults to SS home page. I have been waiting for someone to review but I hear you cannot connect the old racks with new. BTY great video editing
Ill have to check on which new rack I got as they had the old and new when I ordered before the WNC trip. Ill fix the link when I get to my pc. Thanks for letting me know that!🤘
What gives, the opening part of the video shown a concrete base surrounding the wood uprights with you standing on it but none of the later parts show the same concrete but simply the upright wood posts. Is the concrete base part of another array? Also, the concrete base is in a different location entirely, not alongside the house. In regards to the opening part, are there upright posts embedded into the concrete or are metal supports simply bolted into the concrete?
Alongside this fixed ground mount, make a Single Axis Solar Tracker with solar array of 5-6 panels, which will theoretically give 25-30% more than a fixed mount, according to Brad Cagle's Easiest Solar Tracker - no electronics, no batteries etc. self tilting according to the sun with a 12V actuator with two small solar panels on the ends fighting each other and their balance self tilting the panels. It works automatically and every new day it tilts back to the sunrise. Brad had it for 2 panels, but it could be extralolled to more panels, or make 3x solar trackers, each one for 2 panels with its actuator, all on one frame. It would be a nice DIY video and a nice comparison of data between Fixed mount and a easy-simple Single Axis Solar Tracker on same location with the same panels.
I build a single axis tracker back in 2009ish for my 12v system. It work about the same you are talking. I use a satellite dish mount. It worked pretty good! I could possibly try that again. Will have to C!🤘
Clear out the leaves from under the array, get some white stone and spread it out below the panels the BiFacial will produce more with a lighter background below them (reflects more light).. yes, Jesse Mueller has a great channel as well, been watching him for years as well.. his base is concrete, he of course way overdid it..
@ Why? Using the ground space is a waste. Where do you sit, play and or garden? On the roof maybe? That mass of panels scattered around looks terrible, wastes space and gets less light than a roof mount.
@CncObsession I don't sit, play, garden where my panels are. It makes them easier to maintain, clear off and adjust having them ground mounted. No chance of roof leaking either. I could see in cookie cutter neighborhoods having them roof mounted I guess
LOL Yes, 4kwh a day is shit BUT... I dont think you understand the entire situation at my place. Any set of panels regardless of where they came from would be the same.😉
Save $50 on Any Purchase over $500 at Signature Solar with code "averagejoe10"
Affiliate Links to the Solar Panels, Racks and Tester⤵
🔗415w/539w BiFacial Solar Panels - bit.ly/4dHAIzU
🔗EG4 Ground Mount - bit.ly/3YJRpXn
🔗Bonding Jumpers - bit.ly/3YNCL1b
🔗Elejoy 1600w Solar Panel Tester - amzn.to/4dhQW2Z
Save MASSIVELY on Orient Powers 230ah LiFePO4 Batteries! Use code "joe" at Checkout!!
Affiliate Link to Orient Power⤵
🔗www.opsolarbattery.com/product-page/48V200AH?ref=averagejoe
You are so good at this…I hope you continue helping NC get off grid as soon and as much as possible!
Yep!
Short days and low sun aggravate my array .
Neighbors tree kills my winter generation.
It’s a rental and when they move out I may need to trim it down a little bit 😂😂😂
You’re awesome Joe.
Thank you for your effort inNC.
"And I'd have got away with it if it weren't for you pesky trees!". Living the same situation here also. Thanks as always for the video! :)
Looks great! Yes you can see a tiny wave in the panels, no big issue. Even on the big commercial solar farms with professionally installed ground racks their panels also have dips and waves as its just part of what happens and some of the main ground posts may settle more than others. I know you aren't happy in that you cannot power the home totally on solar in the winter but the main thing you are doing is turning the grid into a backup and the solar panels are your main source, December 21 is the shortest daylight day of the year and then the sun will start going back up in January and longer sunlight per day.
Cool! That’s a great way to squeeze in an extra panel onto those racks! Nice!
It will be fine for a really long time cut if you put copper in contact with aluminum over time you will get corrosion. There are plated washers that should be put in between or just use an aluminum strap.
Troof!🤘
Hallo das sieht gut aus habe auch eine Anlage mit Speicher von Victron 👍🤗
Nice job, man! As always, keep killing it, Joe!
Thanks Man! Appreciate that!🤘
Well, at least this is the shortest day of the year, so from here on out, you'll be making more power with each day that passes 😻😽
💥💥💥💥 You Know it!!!🤘
Wow! Looks nice man. Cool you were able to pull that off!
Thanks Ethan! I was extraordinarily pleased with myself lol😆🤘
hiy joe... ? ummmmmmm happy christmas joe.. and the cat. and the misses... lol take care.. tone U.K.
Thank You and Happy Christmas and New Year to you!🎄💥🤘
Enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for watching!🤘
Really nice job. I would of just shifted them just a little bit more to the left and only used the extension brackets. Are thy adjustable for more of a tilt to shed snow better?
Looks nice! I had also made a extension for the flat roof was just 4cm short to mount 7 panels in a row. Winter time is short on sun, we had clouds for 11 days in a row.
NICE!! Yeah this year we have had nice cool weather but very cloudy.🙄😆
Good idea. I think another approach that may have helped make the ends hang out unsupported so much could have been using a 4x4. You could remove the racks from the top of each vertical 4x4 and lay a longer 4x4 across all of them with maybe an 18-24" overhang from each side. Then respace your aluminum mounts on top of the horizontal 4x4 in such a way that they still spread out the overall span but with out having so much overhang on the outer edges of the aluminum rails. The unsupported 4x4 overhang on each side would likely never even budge or flex. You could use Simpson ties to fasten the horizontal 4x4 to the upright 4x4's. You're gonna have some nice capacity once you get that extra dozen panels mounted. Great setup. Always interesting content. Thanks for your hard work keeping us entertained.
I didnt think of that and it sounds like it would work. Basically remove the rails and install the 2X4s, Then mount the rails to the 2X4s. Hmmmmm Interesting! Id like to install the other 12 panels on the west facing roof but I still kinda want to be "hidden"...if that makes since lol
Down in Tampa yep shadows suck this time of year especially since we still have green leafs on our trees. Milton blessed me for the summer. There is a field between my house and the neighbor's. Milton cleared the 3 huge oaks blocking my backyard. The summer should be quit nice. Don't feel bad Joe I am in the sunshine state that needs to be renamed the chem trail state.
I wondered how it was down there! Good to hear Mother Nature clearing trees for you. We had a BIG storm a few months ago and it knocked down a few tree sized limbs off the biggest tree in our back yard. It didnt help much tho... Only created a crap ton of work🙄😆
Looks cool. We should all have a few Kw on our home.
Thanks for sharing!! Got to find the one video where you built this particular ground mount. I need one but am looking at a pergola type before I saw this set up closer to the ground! At 75 y.o. Got no business on ladders!! TY again! JWR
There is something about the short days around the winter solstice that always makes me want to move panels around. I just took four panels off one rack and plan to move them to the metal roof of our carport, because that will give them more output for this time of year. Where your rails are sticking out past the supports, consider putting a piece of angle iron under them, attached to the main support and the bottom of the aluminum rail.
Yeah I am always thinking of "how can I improve the output this time of year" lol. If you move those panels would it keep you off grid?
@@AveRage_Joe - No, but it will lower my dependence on grid power, this time of the year, a little further. I'm mostly doing this stuff for a hobby, so it's just fun trying to get the most out of the equipment.
I like non-scripted videos. The viewers get to see the mistakes, thought processes, and solutions.
Thanks! Much easier to edit/make! I dont have a fancy screen to read from either like a lot of those channels do!!😏
HOWdy A-R-J, ...
Thanks
COOP
...
YOOOO!
Time for some sparkling white rocks to trim out the ground under and behind the array?
I would like to do that! Will need to find the right ones nearby FO SHO!💥🤘
maybe you could screw a piece of aluminum angle to the lomg over hang and it would stiffin it up a bit if you are worried abput the flex. looks great to me tho for sure
Yeah thats not a bad idea. We havent had much of any snow yet so will wait to see what happens!🤘
Nice array but I would worry about that gap. The pair at each end are going to move differently, I fear that may stress the centre panel. I would be happier with a brace to join the horizontal beams securely. Also shading on one panel will affect the output of the whole array, have you considered micro inverters?
Every bit helps I think I had 4 days in a row my 67 panels did less the 5 kwh and the new Lux has 17 panels which did not make enough to run the inverter which takes about 2 kwh lol
The problem is wind 💨 flexibility between the two. Thinking about a stiffer between the sections
And I have (not mine) trees on each side of my yard. And I don’t want to use my roof 😢 so yes 🙌 I’m watching you! Thumbs up 👍
Do you think we will see a panel that’s going to be 1000 watts 😂😂😂
I'm in the same boat as you with all the trees. Have you ever considered getting the Eco-worthy Solar Tracker? They have a NEW and Improved Version of it that allows you to put more panels on it
Yeah and Id hate to get rid of my trees. It would help but not as much as I would want due to the neighbors trees. In summer however it would make a HUGE difference. I did look into those trackers but Im pretty sure Id still only be able to use 4 or 5 of these panels. IDK maybe they have a newer version then what Im thinkin. Ill look them up again.🤘
Hey Joe. Instead of adding more panels, batteries and inverters, do you ever consider lowering the loads with more efficient appliances? (heatpump water heater or heat pump dryer)
Great code!
Hi, considering that you have those large end overhangs, why not increase the spacing of the wood post to bracket mounts a little on your next build to improve that situation. 6 in. increase would give you 3 inches at center plus 6 moving the mount point out 9 in total. 10 in would give you 15 in. Your decision.
I think you should put the extenders in the middle section because you have better side support there.
I did think of that AFTER I assembled everything lol😅😆
I like it a lot.👍
Did you ever make a video about that homemade temporary mount? I want something like that till I can save up for a Real one
I did actually 😅 ua-cam.com/video/E11YxyvxWwo/v-deo.html
Wouldn't it be possible to place 10 panels in two rows like the old panels?
Connecting two panels as it was before. Wouldn't that work?
Maybe add some supports to the ends...
I originally was thinking I could do that. It would be better if I had the rack further away from my house. I would need to raise it a little to allow snowfall. I do think its doable tho
Did you get the new CAT1 rack? The link for the EG4 rack defaults to SS home page. I have been waiting for someone to review but I hear you cannot connect the old racks with new. BTY great video editing
Ill have to check on which new rack I got as they had the old and new when I ordered before the WNC trip. Ill fix the link when I get to my pc. Thanks for letting me know that!🤘
Hey! There I am @ 2:01...
What gives, the opening part of the video shown a concrete base surrounding the wood uprights with you standing on it but none of the later parts show the same concrete but simply the upright wood posts. Is the concrete base part of another array? Also, the concrete base is in a different location entirely, not alongside the house. In regards to the opening part, are there upright posts embedded into the concrete or are metal supports simply bolted into the concrete?
Alongside this fixed ground mount, make a Single Axis Solar Tracker with solar array of 5-6 panels, which will theoretically give 25-30% more than a fixed mount, according to Brad Cagle's Easiest Solar Tracker - no electronics, no batteries etc. self tilting according to the sun with a 12V actuator with two small solar panels on the ends fighting each other and their balance self tilting the panels. It works automatically and every new day it tilts back to the sunrise. Brad had it for 2 panels, but it could be extralolled to more panels, or make 3x solar trackers, each one for 2 panels with its actuator, all on one frame. It would be a nice DIY video and a nice comparison of data between Fixed mount and a easy-simple Single Axis Solar Tracker on same location with the same panels.
I build a single axis tracker back in 2009ish for my 12v system. It work about the same you are talking. I use a satellite dish mount. It worked pretty good! I could possibly try that again. Will have to C!🤘
We are see-sawing between the Kubota 11k generator and the old 10 panels... time to spend some money and get new panels.
Just curious how often you need to charge from the generator? Ill use grid since I have it every few days it seems. Yep. Moar panels it is🫣😆
So do I go buy these 415W panels or continue with my plans for attempting to put the 8x 245W panels I have on my EG4 rack? 🤔
Clear out the leaves from under the array, get some white stone and spread it out below the panels the BiFacial will produce more with a lighter background below them (reflects more light).. yes, Jesse Mueller has a great channel as well, been watching him for years as well.. his base is concrete, he of course way overdid it..
How do you get multiple inverters into solar assistant?
If the inverters are the same brand, you just highlight both in the drop down list and then click save. BOOOM both show up!!💥🤘
Only You can promote Urban Neighbor Forest Fires 🐻
Joe where have you been I missed you
Putting extensions on extensions.....I would have thought that would be something you would yell at ME for. lol
I feel like you are correct Lol😆😆❤️💋
what are you talking about the hill over there? You’re in Nebraska. There are no hills. 🤣😂🤣
Like that smash button. Interesting wat to have folks remember to smash the like. 😂
Only smashy if likey!!!😆😆💥🤘
Yeah! I was just being funny cause you said it backwards. 😂 Like the smash....
The majority of your viewers picked a ground mount? What are they apartment or basement dwellers? Roof first since it is unimpeded.
I hate roof mounts. Would never do it.
@ Why?
Using the ground space is a waste.
Where do you sit, play and or garden?
On the roof maybe?
That mass of panels scattered around looks terrible, wastes space and gets less light than a roof mount.
@CncObsession I don't sit, play, garden where my panels are. It makes them easier to maintain, clear off and adjust having them ground mounted. No chance of roof leaking either. I could see in cookie cutter neighborhoods having them roof mounted I guess
@@CncObsession plus bifacial panels do better ground mounted
Different panels
Different day
Same location
Same sound
Headphones 🎧 🚨 Alert
I threw mine across the room
hey joe, klein here. Have not hear from you by email.
Dinosaurs 🦖🦕. No solar project is complete unless you hear multiple dinosaurs screams.
Amateur. I did something similar last April. I replaced four 330 watt panels with four 545 watt panels. I used extensions as well.
LOL Whats up Timcat!!! What are you up to now?
ground
1,200watts for 2kw of panels is less than 65%. Only 4kwh/ day is sh*t. Signature solar panels are 🗑.
LOL Yes, 4kwh a day is shit BUT... I dont think you understand the entire situation at my place. Any set of panels regardless of where they came from would be the same.😉
@AveRage_Joe You live where the 🌞 don't shine?