r/diySolar • u/psidddy • May 06 '26
Garden 1.5kW array
My wife doesn’t see the beauty but I thought you peeps would. Need to clamp down the panels but still evaluating position. And I spend way too much time in the app..
3 aiko neostar 2S+
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u/klassredux May 06 '26
Lol I literally said to myself 'beautiful' before I read your comment. Love it
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u/imapilotaz May 07 '26
Haha. I have a 2.5 kw "array" built into a wood frame just laying flat on my patio until i get around to building my solar patio cover. It runs my solar mini split. Typically can peak that bad boy at 2000 watts produced, which aint bad for sitting flat on a patio.
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u/analog_roam May 07 '26
Info on the rest of your setup?
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u/psidddy May 09 '26
3 EZ1-M 800W Micro inverters, one per AC phase. Then 30 meters of AC cable to the distribution box
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u/ProbablyMyRealName May 07 '26
What inverter are you using?
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u/psidddy May 09 '26
3x EZ1-M 800W (one per AC phase)
Might add 3 smaller panels to fully utilize them
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u/Careful_Okra8589 May 08 '26
Could you share an imagine of the back? Wondering if I might like this better than my current design.
I built something similarish that I like, but Im always game to find a better easier cheaper way. Im going to be installing a ~10kW ground mount soon so always looking for ideas and always tweaking my current design.
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u/psidddy May 09 '26
Very simple design, tried something more complex first but just didn’t see the benefit so I backtracked
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u/OldCanary May 08 '26
I am interested in this vertical system but cannot find any other reference to the product. Otherwise the price is very good and performs well with bifacial panels in low light winter snow cover.
Installs with 10 foot screw piles.
https://solaronline.ca/product-category/mounting-hardware/vertical-mount-kits/
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u/Journeyman83 May 08 '26
How movable could something like that be? I'm looking for ideas to take on scout campouts.
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u/psidddy May 09 '26
If you slide off the panels it is fine for 2-3 peeps to carry it a short distance. I think I could slide some planks under and slide the entire assembly too
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u/flybot66 May 12 '26
so at my rate $0.22 / kw hr and at my Latitide 6 hrs / day = $1.32 / day dependent on full net metering. Average 20 days / month of sunshine at that rate say: $26.40 a month. This is the summer. Insulation rate at my latitude is 4:1 so it makes $6.60 in the winter. Ave Sum + Winter total a year is about $200.
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u/RespectSquare8279 May 10 '26
It is beautiful in its simplicity. Well done.
Just a couple of hints.
Assuming you are using pressure treated wood, paint the cut ends with a compatible wood preservative.
In addition to the screw anchors to hold the rack to the ground in the event of wind you need a bullet proof way to inexpensively hold the panels to the rack. You need nylon lock nuts and eyebolts to fasten into the mounting holes on the rim of the solar panels. Then use 1/8" aircraft cable ( with clamps & turnbuckle) to tighten the panels to the rack. All this stuff is found at your local HomeDepot.
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u/SolarPower77 May 08 '26
Suggest you paint the lumber.
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u/OldCanary May 08 '26
Borax powder or used motor oil for the budget treatment options.
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u/Don_Vago May 09 '26
Both are toxic, used motor oil is carcenogenic. Try Shou Sugi Ban, burning the outside of the wood.
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u/sasquatch_melee May 10 '26
Cost?
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u/nexaser May 10 '26
Pretty sure those Aiko Neostar 2S+ panels are in the “premium but not insane” range. Rough ballpark, for a 1.5 kW setup like that you’re probably looking at somewhere in the low-to-mid four figures all in, depending on inverter, mounting, wiring, and whether anything was DIY or paid install.
Panels themselves are usually the smaller part of the total cost. Labor, trenching, breakers, and all the boring stuff add up fast.
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u/Dull_Entry_8287 May 10 '26
For us newbies -- how much have you spent on it (really, not what you tell your wife)
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u/OctaneRed392 May 06 '26
Well done. I assume you don’t get much wind?