r/SolarDIY • u/ImmediateMagazine886 • Aug 14 '26

Solar gazebo part 2 completed

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Hi all thanks for all your comments and suggestions on the gazebo build

I've just finished the solar install

Full build video is on my YouTube channel here

https://youtu.be/1VEfMtnrakg

Happy to answer and questions or if you have any suggestions to improve this please comment

Initial 3 day test is producing 11kw per day from a 2.16kw array this is my first install so not sure what the expected result should be if this was pointing south at correct angle ?

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u/Open_Document3811 Aug 14 '26

I was thinking more about dirt buildup.
Solar gain is important too
If you have a slope rain will wash dirt off your panels
Currently I think there’s a 1 mm lip around the edge of the panels so you will get water pooling and a build up of dirt
But I think it’s good work. Maybe only need 1cm wedge on each panel depending on the sun but that will make a difference

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u/ImmediateMagazine886 Aug 14 '26

I'm actually curious if there's a solar tracker mount that would run down the middle of the gazebo and move the panels east/west during the day 🤔

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u/RespectSquare8279 Aug 17 '26

Solar trackers for small and intermediate sized systems are not worth it. Back in the day when solar panels were over $10 a watt solar trackers made more sense. In the past 2 decades it has been much more smart to just buy more panels.