How To Build A Solar Panel Rack

On all bolts we used blue loctite.

How to build a solar panel rack.

Costing less than 30 to build this is a great basic solution for power needs on the go. Put the mount together and place it on top of your solar panel to check the. If you re building your own frame and have questions about how to build our projects team is here to help. Do not hesitate to contact us directly.

Lowest cost all steel solar ground mounting system total investment for mounting a 6 panel array is less than 450. Building your own have questions. This solar panel stand easily holds up to five or six 100 watt solar panels. I wanted to add solar panels to my travel truck which meant installing a sturdy rack to mount the panels on.

In this project the panels were attached with simple u brackets. It normally costs over 500 but i figured out a way to easily put one together f. The u brackets attached the solar panel frame to the rack. Divide 216 inches which is the top to bottom length of the roof minus the 12 inch border on each side by the long edge of each panel and you get 3 3 panels obviously you cannot cut a panel so you can get three rows on your roof.

All you need are solar cells gauge wire test lead clips bus wire plastic film diodes and a few other tools like scissors and wire cutters. Low shipping costs everything in our kit fits in an 18 x 12 x 3 box. Large components vertical pipe and cross rails can be purchased locally from any home improvement center. In order to fit thicker 3 8 bolts into the 1 4 holes on the hightec solar panel we drilled out the hole with a 3 8 bit.

Pvc cuts pretty easily but you ll want to make sure your cuts are straight. Instead of buying an expensive roof rack system i commissioned a simple steel rack at the slo makerspace and then installed it on the fiberglass camper shell using stainless steel hardware diy neoprene gaskets and a lot of silicone sealant. To secure the solar panels to the unistrut crossbars we used 3 8 bolts external tooth lock washers and nylon unistrut cone nuts. Assemble and test fit the pieces.

What you need step 1.