LeonSolar

Dumb newbie question: I want to use those triangle mounts, also to get a better angle especially during winter. In the drawing above (by Jaco) there are 2 rails horisontally across the triangle mounts, with then 3 panels in portrait on top. Are these rails necessary? If the panels are mounted in landscape, with maybe two of these triangle mounts each - would rails still be required? Coupled to this question: Are panels structurally strong enough for e.g. the wind storms? Or are they brittle and do not form part of the structural rigidity of the installation? (Meaning you need lots of rails etc. When I see a panel is only secured in 4 points, makes me assume the panel itself is wind proof. I ask because e.g. my old school solar water collectors (geyser) are held at a 45degree angle (correct for winter sun in Cape Town) but only a rod at each high corner (and short brackets at the low corners. These 4 points are mounted on a rail, but that had more to do with where the holes through the (flat) tiles would hit wood beams. So the panel is basically suspended by its 4 corners, at 45degrees, in Cape Town winds, no problem. Could one expect the same from PV panels or do that require rigid structural support? Thanks! Leon