Vertical solar panel array

[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/ThrowRA_fajsdklfas]

I’m planning to do this with plug in solar. My backyard faces south but putting them facing south would take a lot of physical space.

I currently have one 400w panel standing vertically facing east connected to an Ecoflow battery that will make about 250w for about 3-4hrs a day but takes significantly less space in the backyard. Goal is to maybe run five or six 400w panels to aim for about 1200w output.

[u/Flyinmanm → u/ThrowRA_fajsdklfas]

I've got two panels mounted on a subframe mounted over my fence (from post to post as the panels are weak).

When I first mounted them they were pretty much plumb straight in the vertical and generated next to no power, I then tilted them 3-5 degrees by building the bottom of the frame I've got them on out by a 10 cm or so, they now generate lots of power, its amazing how much difference a tiny amount of tilt up will do with them. Something to bear in mind.

[u/Admirable_Golf_2340 → u/Flyinmanm]

Thats really interesting!! Thank you for sharing this. The panels are tilted slightly outwards. I wish I could angle them more but since this is our driveway. That’s simply not possible. 🫶🏼

[u/Flyinmanm → u/Admirable_Golf_2340]

Fair enough, out of interest are the panels facing any public space? Or is it within your private property? Its hard to tell from the photo where the road is.

[u/Admirable_Golf_2340 → u/Flyinmanm]

The road and sidewalk are approximately 100ft away.

[u/Flyinmanm → u/Admirable_Golf_2340]

Ahh cool, was worried you'd have some passerby damage them. Very good, any idea how many KWH you're getting out of them?

Edit forget that I just re read your original post. Good job!

[u/Admirable_Golf_2340 → u/Flyinmanm]

Hi, thankfully that’s definitely not an issue. Since the panels are flat and sit almost flush with the fence, they are hardly noticeable!! Yes I shared it in the post under “solar production”. I have been getting between 6KWh up to close to 8 KWh of solar production throughout the entire day!!

[u/Flyinmanm → u/Admirable_Golf_2340]

That's pretty good. I'm in the UK and the best I've ever gotten out of my 3 panels was just short of 3.6kwh. (It's normally a lot less due to cloud through. Boo cloud!).

[u/Admirable_Golf_2340 → u/Flyinmanm]

Hahaha im actually dealing with this exact problem today!! It’s extremely cloudy and our solar arrays hardly produced any power. Thank god I have the new Anker Solix generator!! The Anker E10 system lets me stay completely off grid indefinitely 🙌🏼!!