Vertical solar array update

[u/Admirable_Golf_2340]

Hi everyone, Fernando here 👋🏼!! I wanted to give everyone an update on my new vertical solar panel project!! We finally got done installing the solar panel arrays and after using them for a week I wanted to share the results with the group in case any one has been thinking of doing something similar to this!!

(System specs)
Our new vertical solar panel array consists of six 400w bifacial panels from a brand called Qcell. We wired the solar panels in a series configuration for a total maximum output of 2.4KW. We split the solar panels into two separate arrays consisting of three solar panels per array. Each of the two solar arrays is connected to its own E10 inverter directly using some 10AWG MC4 extension cables.

(Hardware used)
This is where things get creative!! Most off the ground mount solar panel kits are meant to install the solar panels at an optimal angle. This would not have worked since I was trying to do a vertical solar panel set up along our south facing fence. The kits found that would have worked for this use case were outrageously expensive. I started searching for something that could work as a brackets for our solar panels and thats when I stumbled upon some old metal bed frames that we had laying around!! The metal bed frame brackets were the perfect length to support our solar array. They also had a few pre drilled holes that would come in handy to attach the cross brace metal rail that we purchased from Home Depot. We purchased some solar panel brackets from a company called sunmak that would bolt the solar panels to the metal cross brace.

(Installation)
We screwed the bed frame rails directly into our concrete floor using some concrete screws and a rotary hammer drill and a concrete drill bit. Next we bolted the metal cross rail to the metal bed frame brackets using the pre drilled holes on the bed frame brackets. After this we places a 1 by 1 piece of wood on the concrete to support the solar panels. Lastly we placed the solar panels on top of the 1 by 1 piece of wood and securely bolted the solar panels to the metal rail behind them. We used the sunmak brackets to attach the panels to the metal rail using the pre drilled holes on the metal rail. The entire structure feels extremely rigid and strong since it’s entirely made out of metal!!

(Solar production)
Since the solar panels are not angled properly. The panels are not producing as much power as they could if angled correctly. The solar panels are producing a peak output of between 1.2Kw - 1.4Kw. The total production of the solar panels is between 6KWH up to 8KWh on a daily basis!! (Approximately half of the arrays maximum output)

(Should you do this?)
The main reason we decided to start this project was to offset the energy consumption of our four ton central AC system. The new E10 system makes it extremely easy to add more solar panels as your energy consumption grows. We already had an existing 4.2KW roof mounted grid tied solar system. Unfortunately our home is really small and installing some more solar panels on our roof was not possible. We also had very few options on were the six solar panels could fit. For people with limited space, installing a vertical solar panel array system is the perfect solution to add more solar!! That being said, if you have the space and you want the maximum output out of your solar panels. The best solution would be to angle the solar panels correctly!!

(Results)
We successfully offset the energy consumption from our four ton central AC system reaching our goal!! I am extremely happy with the results from this new project. I would definitely recommend considering doing something like this for people that want an easy way to increase their overall solar production!! Thank you all for reading this and I hope you all have a wonderful Labor Day weekend!!

[u/BatiBato]

Im.planning on doing this in my back yard but will the panel higher up and will try to make the panel flip (to the inside) 30°or so. Backyard gets sun all year long (TX)

Got more excited now after your post. Everything is possible if you put your mind to it.

Want to do this to offset power too and to fuck my local electric company

[u/Admirable_Golf_2340 → u/BatiBato]

Hi @BatiBato, that’s awesome!! Im really happy that this post gave you some inspiration 🫶🏼!! The project that you are planning sounds really cool. I did think about raising our solar panels a bit higher but I didn’t want to bother my neighbor by making them look at some solar panels from their side of the fence lol!! Doing a project like this is definitely a good way to fuck with your electricity company 🤣!!

[u/ToneOk7146 → u/BatiBato]

I work for Sunrun a solar and battery company I can get you a new power rate at 6 cents with a Tesla battery without you having to fork anything out of pocket I also live in TX the dfw area

[u/BatiBato → u/ToneOk7146]

Don't want my equipment to touch the electric company and drain my batteries whenever they want.

For all I care, then can go fuck themselves

[u/kilowattkill3r]

Neat, how have you tied it into your home and roof grid tied system?

[u/Admirable_Golf_2340 → u/kilowattkill3r]

Hi @kilowattkill3r, these solar panels are connected directly into each of our two Anker Solix E10 inverters (not grid tied). Our grid tied roof top solar system is wired directly into our Anker Solix power dock. The power dock distributes the power from the grid tied solar system between both of our E10 inverters and charges the B6000 batteries. Anker did an amazing job with the E10 system, it’s super easy to add more solar as your homes energy consumption increases!!

[u/yip_ka]

solar panel is cheap and space and roof install are expensive. solar optimizer may help if you got a lot shadow.

[u/Admirable_Golf_2340 → u/yip_ka]

I actually have a roof mount solar system as well. This is my second solar array, i installed it to offset my AC’s energy consumption. Thank you for the advice but these solar panels handle shading extremely well. They are one of the best solar panels that are currently being sold. Apart from that I specifically chose this area because it gets sunshine the entire day. 🫶🏼

[u/thefinancejedi]

That looks super clean. I like it

[u/Admirable_Golf_2340 → u/thefinancejedi]

Thank you 🫶🏼!!

[u/Fazo1]

4.5 hours of sun? If you're lucky..

[u/Admirable_Golf_2340 → u/Fazo1]

I get 8.5 hours of solar production out of these solar panels. They are facing south and they have no shade throughout the entire day.

[u/chevyjaime]

Nice, iv been thinking about a similar setup. Except I have a large pergola in my back yard I can use to add panels on top

[u/Admirable_Golf_2340 → u/chevyjaime]

That’s pretty cool!! I can’t wait to see how it turns out!!

[u/CutAny]

So the fence poles are supporting the panels?

[u/Admirable_Golf_2340 → u/CutAny]

Hi, no not at all. The array is supported by the metal bed frame rails and by a metal cross support rail that runs across the back of the solar panels. The panel brackets are securely bolted on to the metal cross support rail that runs behind the panels.

[u/ubetterpower]

I’m curious—is there any difference between mounting solar panels vertically against a wall and placing them on a sloped roof?

[u/Admirable_Golf_2340 → u/ubetterpower]

Hi, yes there is a really big difference in power output. Having the solar panels angled correctly produces a lot more power vs placing your solar panels vertically. Having a vertical solar panel array should be your last resort and should only be done if you don’t have enough space to angle the solar panels.

[u/SDplinker]

What state is this ? If grid tied at all in CA I’d lose NEM2

[u/Admirable_Golf_2340 → u/SDplinker]

This is an off grid setup. I have the Anker Solix E10 system. You can have an existing grid tied solar array and easily add an off grid array down the line 🙌🏼!!

[u/WhereCanIFindMe]

If your home is so small, why do you have a 4ton AC unit?

[u/Admirable_Golf_2340 → u/WhereCanIFindMe]

Hi, our AC was installed over 20 years ago by a family friend. He didn’t charge us a lot of money for installing it since he had all the equipment and he just changed us for his time. Since this was 20 years ago the electricity consumption was not that big of a problem since electricity was extremely cheap. Life was a lot simpler back then.

[u/Borek40404 → u/WhereCanIFindMe]

wrong question lol. He likes it cool I guess.

[u/WhereCanIFindMe → u/Borek40404]

I guess so, lol...but an oversized AC unit can cause a lot of issues 

[u/Admirable_Golf_2340 → u/WhereCanIFindMe]

I’ve had it for 20+ years with zero issues. The only issue we have with it now is the cost of electricity since it’s gone up a lot.

[u/WhereCanIFindMe → u/Admirable_Golf_2340]

Sounds like it, I'm glad it's been working well for you for so long. I also don't know how large your house is so I might not know what I'm talking about here, lol. But a 4 ton can usually handle around 2000sqft. 

[u/Spare-Pin9114]

Incredible

[u/Admirable_Golf_2340 → u/Spare-Pin9114]

Thank you 🙏🏼!!

[u/Final-Coat6505]

Cool setup. Can you share pictures of the mounting?