After 5.5 years at the same rented house, we are leaving and the panels are being removed (starting tomorrow and finishing ideally tomorrow but probably later this month). I am wondering if it makes sense to quickly put them into action at the same house I'm most likely currently at. I'm going to stay here most likely for 5 months, so I wonder if I could just do a very simple installation where I lie them flat on the ground. It looks like I can just pass the cables through an existing space and not a single hole would need to be drilled.

Chat GPT says I'll lose about 10% energy with flat on the ground vs ideal orientation (Talagante Chile, latitude 34, assuming Jan 1 - May 31), and there may be say another 10% as I'll lose some early morning and late afternoon sun due to the hedges and the house blocking it so say a 20% loss. Allowing for that, I think I can save about US$250 in electricity costs. However in addition to that an environmental benefit and I would be able to avoid some power cuts. so if I can get it installed and then later taken down for $300-$400 it seems worth it.

Any major issues with lying them flat on the ground? I assume some losses in efficiency due to heat not dissipating as well. Also wondering about safety issues.

Ideal angle depends on distance from the equator and time of year. You'd typically want them steeper in the winter.

I live in Johannesburg, South Africa. In mid summer the ideal angle is close to flat, but by autumn (April) I will need more angle on them.

5 months? Are you reliant on them or using them to supplement the supply from grid? If the latter then the cost of installation and then removal in a few months may outweigh the savings.

I don't know enough to comment on safety issues.

Your losses in production are not just dependant on shading. See above: angle effects efficiency

Edited December 20, 2025Dec 20 by Bobster.
Punctuation

2 hours ago, Green Power said:

Also wondering about safety issues.

You want the panels and MC4 connectors a few centimetres off the ground. Otherwise the DC may start tracking in moisture.

If there is grass around, you have to consider how to cut it without damaging the panels.

Thanks for your comments.

I think I would put them on the gravel area. Some planks of wood or something like that could lift them off the ground, perhaps.

It's summer and the grass has been left to suffer without watering and doesn't need cutting.

I think I prefer the gravel because with grass you'd have to move all the panels probably once a week to avoid the grass dying. Also gravel ought to be dryer area so should be an advantage.

@Green Power Makes sense if you want to put them to use for 5 months. How many panels? Maybe do a temporal diy A frame from wood. Something like this, would be more efficient.

I have 10 325W panels

The solar panel system was removed from the old house and I moved it all last night to where I live now. Batteries are in place but not connected, panels are lying on the floor ready in position. Just need someone to connect it all up for me. Hoping for Saturday.

EDIT: This was later installed and has been working since end Dec.

Edited January 20Jan 20 by Green Power