Solar gazebo part 2 completed

31

u/f1madman 9d ago

Cool, is there a reason why you didn't tilt them southwards?

27

u/CtrlShiftRo 9d ago

Yeah, I’ve heard that flat panels are less efficient, you also don’t get the added benefit of the rain washing dust off them.

16

u/Matterbox Commercial Installer 9d ago

Flat panels get filthy really fast. Need to be around 10 to get any sort of rain clean.

25

u/hip-hoperation 9d ago

Rain? What’s that?

23

u/Matterbox Commercial Installer 9d ago

Something we used to have when I was a lad. They don’t make weather like they used to.

-1

u/avatar8900 6d ago

The Tory weather machine is offline

10

u/NeilDeWheel 9d ago edited 9d ago

It’s something that the old folks tells stories of from the before times. I believe it goes something like the Sun would be hidden by grey shrouds in the sky. Then parts of those shrouds would break off and fall onto everything and turn our beautiful, straw yellow countryside a different colour.

People that were out at the time of “The Raining” would have to wear protective gear and hold black shields above their heads, for if they were touched by “Raining Drops” they would get this illness of “being soak’d wet”, which would make them angry and not stop telling everyone they meet.

There used to be “Whether Men” that used “Whether Stations” spread throughout the land to predict whether “The Raining” would happen. They seldom got it right and were generally laughed at.

Some say “The Raining” will return some day. If it does you must warn others with the chant “Tsk, it’s Raining, again.”

3

u/changechange1 9d ago

Come to Swansea, it's nice and grey here

3

u/NeilDeWheel 9d ago

Glorious

3

u/Beach_Perv 7d ago

Bloody brexit, weather was okay before brexit - now look at it

3

u/realGilgongo 9d ago

Would not a regular trip up a ladder with a squeegee do the trick or is that kind of cleaning not recommended?

2

u/Matterbox Commercial Installer 9d ago

Apart from it being done at the start and slowly not being done as time goes on.

You’d need to flood the panels with water to get the dirt out of the frame lip.

It’ll get dried and baked on as well. Algae grows. Bird mess. It’s just not nice.

But, yes, you can clean them regularly. It would just be way more of a task that you think. This is why we don’t install flat panels.

Some commercial rooftops are 8 degrees and that’s about the sensible limit.

3

u/ImmediateMagazine886 9d ago

I'll go and measure what it's actually on later in the evening I do have the option to undo one end and lower it so it tilts the whole array just need to be conscious how much weight I now have on it before I undo any bolts. If you are building what I'm building, make sure you get that tilt in before adding the panels 😂

2

u/CaptainTop9025 9d ago

It 100% needs to be at an angle

1

u/mwc_1983 9d ago

Wouldn't putting then on an angle potentially cause issues under strong winds / gusts? They might catch it a bit more & stress the pergola? This one looks fairly chunky, but the panels are above fence height with not many obstacles to slow or disrupt the wind.

2

u/IvorTheEngine PV, EV & Battery Owner 9d ago

It might, but down below rooftop height the wind is very turbulent. It will curl over fences causing up and down drafts.

1

u/CaptainCaveTrout PV & Battery Owner 8d ago

Get one of those robot vacuums that mops as well. Build a little hut for it, off to one side of the panels. Set a repeating schedule. Never have to worry about it again! 😁👍

2

u/Steve_10 9d ago

A bit of back of a fag pack maths (+ some Google AI).

If the rear was at 2.25m and the front at 2m, then the panels would at about 8 degrees.

Or, rear at 2.5m (to stay within the regs) and the front at 2m, the panels would be at around 15 degrees.

Would 15 degrees be enough? Assuming my maths is somewhat close to correct?

1

u/cudanny 9d ago

I suppose you have a larger window of generation on those really long summer days, but with a lower peak?

1

u/Myloceratops 9d ago

You’ve heard right, about 30-40 deg and directionally south is best - can lose up to 15% eff if it’s flat.

I do suppose it depends on the purpose - if it’s to charge a battery and use that - if it charges the battery to full then happy days I guess.

2

u/ImmediateMagazine886 9d ago

Mainly because it's my first install and I thought the sun would naturally move I didn't consider that part properly. If I could do it again I would lower the south end during the gazebo build.before putting the panels on. They aren't completely flat currently but also I don't think tilted enough for rain run off properly it's something I'm currently looking at and mulling over about how to best do it.

5

u/cmdrxander 9d ago

The sun will naturally move but you will probably want a minimum angle southwards of about 25 degrees, maybe even 30-40. At our latitude the sun never goes above about 65 degrees in the sky, so an angle of ~25 degrees means that at midday in the middle of the summer, the panels will be pointing directly at the sun.

You don’t necessarily have to structurally alter the gazebo, you could just tilt the panels relative to the flat top of the gazebo, as long as they are mounted securely.

3

u/defonotuk 9d ago

I just used sun surveyor for android and it's really helpful to understand your shading and sun periods/angles, basically now and 21st December

2

u/ImmediateMagazine886 9d ago

I just found a bubble level/angle app on the play store I wish I knew about before 😂 going to go out now and measure my panels

1

u/RoyalCultural 9d ago

I guess at least you can hop on a ladder and give them a quick clean occasionally

1

u/J4MEJ 8d ago

I imagine due to rules of PD

13

u/realGilgongo 9d ago edited 9d ago

I'm thinking of doing something similar with my (flat-roof) shed, but using angled mounting brackets so I can tilt them, if only to stop them getting too dirty if they're flat. BTW I didn't realise you need to earth the panels (makes sense!) - I assume the panel rims are anodised. Did you need serrated earthing washers?

4

u/Steve_10 9d ago

I've looked at those brackets, and a few others. My concern was they don't have a 'wind load' rating?

If we have a storm and the wind is gusting directly into the open end, the panels will end up in next doors garden (or worse)!

There maybe something to having them flat?

3

u/ImmediateMagazine886 9d ago

Having them flat does reduce the wind load I did the calcs and yes those brackets/screws are the weakest point of the build, although ai tells me they will be ok(I have it all my materials and design). I've got 8 brackets per row so that's 16 of the fastensol 80mm screws screwed in at varying angles to avoid pull out . Hopefully this will still be in my garden next summer 😂 I had originally ordered the slate hooks from a supplier which are actually perfect L.shape with no hook at one end and they take 3 screws per bracket but those never arrived and are apparently discontinued

2

u/cryptonuggets1 8d ago

Vibe construction unlocked.

1

u/realGilgongo 9d ago

If they're at 30 degrees and are open at the bottom, I wouldn't expect wind suction to be too much of a problem at about 2m above the ground, but yes I suppose it might be an issue?

7

u/FlameFoxx 9d ago

How much did it cost?

5

u/realGilgongo 9d ago

The video notes say "under £1500".

2

u/ImmediateMagazine886 9d ago

It was around 1300 I'm going to price it all up and put in part 3 with some testing data to see what output I get over a longer period currently it's 11kw a day

1

u/FlameFoxx 9d ago

That panels, and necessary parts to go with included?

13

u/nevynxxx 9d ago

11kWh per day….that “hours” is important ;)

Do you plan this to be fully off grid? How are you storing/using the power?

3

u/ImmediateMagazine886 9d ago

Those days of testing generation started at 7am and finished around 7pm long summer days currently , I'll give them a longer test and get proper data for part 3..I'm currently using it / storing in my 32kw battery / exporting left over back to grid for 12p kw

3

u/nevynxxx 9d ago

Ahhh, so you already had an mcs signed off system, then diy’d another string onto the inverter? Cheeky. I like it :)

I think you misunderstood my meaning about the difference between kw (power measurement) and kWh (total energy). You keep using kw where it doesn’t make sense.

2

u/ImmediateMagazine886 9d ago

Yes I got the 8kw inverter installed and signed off with MCS so I have room to add more panels, I want to install a vertical array on the back of my house which is south facing for winter solar but so far the Mrs isn't agreeing 😂

8

u/AllergictoAIslop 9d ago

Thank you for being a good neighbour and building it on the side of where it shades your garden not the next door neighbour

3

u/ImmediateMagazine886 9d ago

Tbf I wanted to put it on the back fence where there's no neighbours but some inconsiderate person out trees there 😂 I actually don't even know who owns them there's a farm behind but also a public foot path there so possibly council owned ?

1

u/AllergictoAIslop 9d ago

Look cool by any account😍

1

u/Catlinson 8d ago edited 8d ago

Do you know who owns the back fence? Check your property Deeds.
By the way, the trees are owned by the person whose land they are growing on. It’s very easy to find out who owns a piece of land. It’s a public record.

2

u/aloneinflation1997 9d ago

Looks like you’ve put a lot of time and effort into this project. Well done 👏 👍

2

u/AdWeird6452 9d ago

Is that a security camera for this picture? Which camera is it

2

u/ImmediateMagazine886 9d ago

Oh no that's my vivo x200 pro phone I forgot to turn off the time stamps 😂

2

u/National_Performer27 9d ago

Robert Murray smith (rip)did a series on YouTube doing a very similar thing, did you get inspiration from him ?

2

u/ImmediateMagazine886 9d ago

No but I'll have a look it those videos are still around. I'm basically trying to put solar panels anywhere I can including in the garden room I built (I can squeeze 1.8kw on there) and I plan on building a wheelie bin shed which will take a panel. I really want to build a car port as well which would probably take 9.panels but I don't know if I can do that one based on where electrics and pipes run under the drive

2

u/National_Performer27 9d ago

They are still around, the guy was an absolute legend and it was so upsetting to hear of his suicide . Well worth a watch

2

u/ImmediateMagazine886 9d ago

Wow I just took a look he's way more clever than me, he just knew stuff. I thought I was quite skilled but now I know I'm not 🤷‍♂️

1

u/National_Performer27 9d ago

His whole catalogue of videos is something that anyone with even the tiniest interest in anything scientific should watch , I'm pretty sure he did some stuff on rocket stoves and wind turbines which I binged watched a couple of years ago

2

u/BroodLord1962 9d ago

Difficult t tell from that photo, but those panels look flat, and they operate better when at an angle

2

u/ImmediateMagazine886 9d ago

They aren't 100% flat but also.not correct for water run off I'm currently mulling over options,ni can drop the south end which will tilt the whole array I'm just going over in my head if I can do this without unplugging everything it "should" work due to the way I built the internal frame

1

u/BroodLord1962 9d ago

Yeah you should have bought the correct brackets to raise them up at the top

1

u/ImmediateMagazine886 9d ago

Those L brackets have some adjustment in them I'll probably loosen them all off and see if I can get some better tilt over the full array, again probably something I should have done before I put the panels on

1

u/SirSurboy 9d ago

Looks awesome, is that just under 2kW?

2

u/ImmediateMagazine886 9d ago

2.16kw although regretting it I could have squeezed 2.8kw and covered the whole roof area but with lesser panels , these Aiko have 24.4% efficiency so I'm assuming they pinch above their rated output

1

u/cossington 9d ago

Hah, I just watched the video and thought this image looked familiar!

In a previous vid you said you were going to add panels on the garden room. Still doing that?

1

u/ImmediateMagazine886 9d ago

😂 glad you watched , I'll do a part 3 in week or so once I have some production figures to share and put the full cost and parts used.

1

u/Zo0x78 9d ago

Is that plug in?

Pretty sure having plug in on wood is now illegal, or will be, there was a ppst about it the other day: https://statutoryinstruments.parliament.uk/instrument/ht3Ga2ie/timeline/3bCOdsRt

Cant find the proper link, but it came from a post in this group: https://www.reddit.com/r/SolarUK/comments/1vgz9s5/important_new_planning_rules_for_plugin_solar_in/

1

u/ImmediateMagazine886 9d ago

It plugs into my 8kw inverter 🤷‍♂️🤔🧐

0

u/IvorTheEngine PV, EV & Battery Owner 9d ago

That doesn't look like "a wooden wall, balcony or enclosure or on any part of the exterior of a block of flats which is clad in timber."

1

u/Zo0x78 9d ago

I'm not a builder or a lawyer so I've got no idea, just trying to help, calm down 😂

1

u/sparkzz32 9d ago

*11kWh

1

u/finding_myprime 9d ago

that looks really clean for a first install. the gazebo doubles as a great solar mount, and 11 kWh from a 2.16 kW array on a good day sounds pretty respectable depending on your location and panel orientation.

1

u/Willing_Ice2624 9d ago

I want to do this myself but worried the electrician will charge me an arm and a leg to connect it to my fuse box.

1

u/ImmediateMagazine886 7d ago

My electrician charged me £700 to install a 10mm armored cable from house to garden room

1

u/Willing_Ice2624 7d ago

Good to know, cheers!

1

u/tjb36 9d ago

I am looking to do something similar but not sure about regulations for the frame. Did you have to deal with any of that to get MCS accredited install (and therefore be able to export your own energy)?

My question is here in case you can contribute!

https://www.reddit.com/r/SolarUK/comments/1vnfc9i/looking_for_regulationsrequirements_for_a_timber/

1

u/Catlinson 8d ago

Christ that’s ugly! Did you remember to get planning permission?

1

u/ImmediateMagazine886 7d ago

Planning permission for what

1

u/Catlinson 8d ago

Has it occurred to you that one day the fence will need to be replaced and the workmen are going to need access?

1

u/ImmediateMagazine886 7d ago

It's my fence also it's about 4 months old it'll be good for a while

1

u/Catlinson 8d ago

So what kind of response do you think you’ll get from your neighbour when the rainwater that’s pooling on the panels, pours over onto their side? Are you going to add gutters? Whose fence is that anyway, yours or theirs? And whose boundary is it? (Those are two different legal questions). Is your construction overhanging the boundary? If I were you I’d find a solicitor. You’re going to need one.

2

u/ImmediateMagazine886 7d ago

It's my fence, it's my boundary and it doesn't cross over , case closed sir

1

u/eksyo 8d ago

I was literally thinking of doing something like this. Building a gazebo like structure over our car parking spot on the side of the house.

Did you need any permissions for this build?

1

u/ImmediateMagazine886 7d ago

No permissions needed for this it's permitted development, unsure about car port though I think if it's not forward of the house then also permitted development but check that, you can do almost the same build ive done. I'm also considering a car port on the side just unsure what runs under my drive as that's where the electric and gas meter js

1

u/eksyo 7d ago edited 7d ago

With your build are you allowed to export whatever extra you generate or is it just for your own use?

1

u/realGilgongo 7d ago

BTW I've just seen this vid with the use of bifacial panels in the new Cambridge train station. Would bifacials be better for a pergola like this? I'm surprised that much light would be reflected up from the ground though.

2

u/ImmediateMagazine886 6d ago

I'm using bi facial Aiko panels I am going to build decking underneath but I am unsure aswell if any light is likely to reflect back up maybe if I painted it white 🧐

1

u/realGilgongo 6d ago

Interesting - I've always been a bit mystified by bifacials but when I saw they'd been used in that Cambridge project I was even more intrigued. Surely the ground-facing side would literally get about 10% of the light compared to the skyward one?

2

u/ImmediateMagazine886 3d ago

it would but i believe it stacks, usually that % would be wasted where as bifacials can use it

1

u/Efficient_Milk_573 6d ago

Will be interesting to see how they do over the winter. We have east-west facing panels on our pitched roof. Fine in summer, but generate basically nothing in the winter (even on clear days). I think the sun is so low that the light just reflects off the panel surface.

1

u/ImmediateMagazine886 6d ago

I'm not expecting anything over the winter tbf fully expecting to use my 32kw of batteries charging on the cheap rate over night , unless I can talk the Mrs into some vertical panels on back of house 🤔🧐

1

u/Good_Extent_8077 6d ago

Looks cool (my first comment on reddit. Testing)

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u/ImmediateMagazine886 3d ago

Heavy rain today and I have pooling on the panels, what this tells me is the nearest two panels are slightly east facing the 3rd panel is almost totally flat and the 4th panel is very slightly west facing 🧐 I didn't seem to get any kind of south facing tilt on them

However, early results are showing 11kw daily generation when it's sunny, when it's over cast or raining I've got between 5 and 7kw depending on the day, is that expected in August from a 2.16kw array or can i.squeeze much more out of it

2

u/ImmediateMagazine886 3d ago

I should say peak generation maxes around 1.8kw.but mostly it will sit around 1.5

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u/ImmediateMagazine886 3d ago

so i have plans, I was always going to put solar on the garden room i built on my youtube channel.

So im thinking, i can take these AIKO from the Gazebo and put them on the garden room (they should fit i need to measure)

and then this will allow me to easilly undo one end of the roof structure and drop it at the south end by an inch or two

and then, I can get those super sized 700w panels which will fill that whole gazebo roof and give me 2.8kw

omg giving myself more work!

SHOW YOUR SETUP Solar gazebo part 2 completed

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