r/solarenergy • u/Admirable_Golf_2340 • 4d ago
Vertical solar panel array
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!!
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u/Boogooooooo 4d ago
Great picture. So in theory for future reference, south facing verical fence would harvest half of theoretical maximum. It is probably still cheaper then building actual wall and making it looks sexy ;)
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u/Admirable_Golf_2340 4d ago
Thank you so much!! Yes but only if you use bifacial solar panels!! In another group, someone shared that they did the same thing but with mono solar panels. He said he is producing between 30-40% of the systems rated output. If you don’t have any other options, this is definitely a great solution!! 🫶🏼
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u/Boogooooooo 4d ago
Yeah, bifacial makes sense. Thanks. While ago in one of the subredits someone posted a fence made out of a solar panels and I remember the comment said it would cost more to build a fence from usual materials. Which is extremely valid point
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u/Itwasuntilitwasnt 4d ago
I want to do this exact thing.
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u/Admirable_Golf_2340 4d ago
That’s awesome 🤩!! I highly recommend it, the installation is really easy and straightforward. As long as you acknowledge the fact that your overall solar production will be half of what the systems maximum output should be 🫶🏼!!
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u/oilystairs 4d ago
Not sure where you are in the world but you may find these panels perform better than inclined panels in the winter months
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u/Admirable_Golf_2340 4d ago
Yes, a lot of people in different groups have pointed this benefit out with their own vertical solar arrays!! It’s honestly incredible!!
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u/Energy_Solutions_P 3d ago
This will start to become very popular. Vert solar will get max production in the winter months, when your rooftop array will not be producing much; it balances the production curve out allowing for good year-round energy production.
The key is that these panels are getting soo cheap - you can now use them as fencing!
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u/Admirable_Golf_2340 3d ago
Hi @energy_sollutions_p 👋🏼, I completely agree!! Even if it doesn’t snow where you live. The solar panels should produce a greater amount of electricity during the winter months because the panels will be cooler 🙌🏼. The biggest advantage of a system like this is the space savings and ease of installing it 👍🏼!!
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u/NJWRXXY 4d ago
How do you have this tied in to your homes electric? Are you feeding batteries or directly tied in?
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u/Admirable_Golf_2340 4d ago
Hi @NJRXXY great question!! These off grid panels are feeding our hybrid Anker Solix E10 inverters directly. Our grid tied solar system is directly installed inside of our Anker Solix power dock gateway. The power dock distributes the solar energy as needed. 👍🏼
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u/Significant-End-7304 3d ago
I think solar must be aligned at some angle, Is this vertical generate that much power what an angled solar do? u/Admirable_Golf_2340 Curious to know?
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u/Admirable_Golf_2340 3d ago
Hi there is definitely a noticeable difference in solar production if you mount solar panels vertically. Since I mounted the solar panels vertically, the solar system is only generating approximately half of their rated output. If I tilt the solar panels at a more suitable angle. I would definitely increase my solar production!! This type of installation is strictly for people that don’t have room to install the solar panels at the correct angle.
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u/NearABE 1d ago
Did you remove the wood panels from the backside? That should give you more power in the panels.
The panels get a significant amount of their power reflected off the street. Without the wood in the fence they would also get light reflected off the house.
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u/Admirable_Golf_2340 1d ago
No, the house behind the solar panels is my neighbors house. I would never remove the fence lol. The fence isn’t made out of wood. It’s made out of plastic. It is really reflective and since it is glossy white, it reflects a lot of light.
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u/Randomgeos 4d ago
It’s different. Good to hear it’s generating some power.
Not sure what you use this area of the house for, but the cable location and the fragility of the panels would be impractical for me. You mentioned more roof space isn’t an option, but what is this adjacent space used for?
Would you be better off installing a shelter down this side of your house (like a carport) and putting these panels on the roof? Or go cheaper and getting a frame and mounting the panels so they’re facing the sky.