Finally finished my 4th generation
solar array frame, which was assembled last weekend, the panels mounted and are now producing power. The homestead cabin now has 5500W of power, the
workshop 2000. Each got a 1000W array as described below.
I re-designed my
solar frames to be modular, allowing for easier on-site assembly. They're divided into two halves, the lower "T" module, and the upper "double H" module.
The lower T module sits on a 8 foot long 3.5" steel pipe sunk in
concrete. Five feet is sticking out of the concrete. The "T module" can rotate left and right for daily sun tracking.
The "double H" module which holds the panels is bolted onto the "T module" after its sitting on it's pole. Finally, once the two halves are mated, the reinforcing trusses are bolted on. In the pics, notice that the two outer trusses are welding onto the "double H" frame, while the inner trusses are bolted on, because they cantilever over the hinge area.
This array is designed to mount panels in two different orientations, four panels vertically, or six panels horizontally. Since my standard array voltage is 120VDC, I wired 4 panels in series. Someone else though could use this design with 6, wired in a 3S2P configuration.
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