Tariq Posted April 30, 2020 Share Posted April 30, 2020 Good morning, Joining the blue club, I am attaching a picture of the top of the carport and a line drawing ( half a roof truss )showing the installation planned, will the wind be a major factor, I live in Cape Town , any other pitfalls I should consider Tariq Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___ Posted April 30, 2020 Share Posted April 30, 2020 Here is a frame I had on a carport (chromadeck roofing) at my previous house. I bought two rails and a heap of angle aluminium and bolted it together. As you can see, it stands at a nice steep 32 degrees. It is held on by 8 x 10mm hanger bolts going right into the beams below. This had no problem dealing with up to 100km/h winds that we sometimes get in the area, although I must say I suspect it was partially shielded by the house itself and possibly didn't get the full force. We also rarely get North-easterly winds of that magnitude (it is pointed west). To my eye, your setup looks fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tariq Posted April 30, 2020 Author Share Posted April 30, 2020 Thanks Plonkster, my array will be pointing northeast ( only option ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tariq Posted May 1, 2020 Author Share Posted May 1, 2020 1)I was thinking of treated lumber, only concern is warping ( as the structure is exposed to the elements ) and putting a strain on the solar panel frames 2) or use wood for the truss frame and aluminum rails screwed to trusses and the panels attached to the rails Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaco De Jongh Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 19 minutes ago, Tariq said: 2) or use wood for the truss frame and aluminum rails screwed to trusses and the panels attached to the rails That is the better option imo? ___ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___ Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 The general guideline is that you should design the frame to last a long as the PV modules, which is in the 15-30 year bracket. I consider this a guideline, of course. There is no reason you can't use a frame with a shorter design life provided that 1) you maintain the frame when it becomes necessary, and 2) the frame does the required job of holding the panels down. For this reason I don't really see a problem with a good treated wooden frame, but I would not mount the PV modules directly to the wood. I would still use Aluminium rails, mount the PV modules to the rails, and the rails to the wood. It is not uncommon on farms to build a frame from treated wooden poles, and mount a frame (sometimes even a steel frame in the dry areas of the country) to this, with the PV attached to that. But there is also the matter of aesthetics. If you are married, the wife usually objects to things not looking the part. Her house is her pride, as they say So, I would only use wood if I could do it in such a way that it looks good, in other words, make it look a bit rustic and on purpose. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tariq Posted May 1, 2020 Author Share Posted May 1, 2020 Would I be ok using the four mounting holes on each panel bolted to aluminum rails ( channels ) or would it be better to use clamps of some sorts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
___ Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 20 minutes ago, Tariq said: Would I be ok using the four mounting holes on each panel bolted to aluminum rails ( channels ) or would it be better to use clamps of some sorts. Depends, look at the mechanical information on the panel's spec sheet whether you may mount it in such a manner. Eg this random Canadian Solar spec I googled into shows the mounting hole clearly: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaco De Jongh Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 33 minutes ago, Tariq said: Would I be ok using the four mounting holes on each panel bolted to aluminum rails ( channels ) or would it be better to use clamps of some sorts. Renusol rails with end and mid clamps works great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tariq Posted May 1, 2020 Author Share Posted May 1, 2020 I have the Ku Max Canadian Solar 355 watt panels and they show mounting holes ( actually two sets of mounting holes ) i am considering the Renusol rails also Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jaco De Jongh Posted May 1, 2020 Share Posted May 1, 2020 7 minutes ago, Tariq said: I have the Ku Max Canadian Solar 355 watt panels and they show mounting holes ( actually two sets of mounting holes ) Just remember to leave a gap between the panels if you go this route, it helps reduce the wind resistance. One solid wall of panels is not good, ask me, been there, done that. And good luck on using those holes, they are at the bottom of the panel frame and the frame is only 35mm thick, you need to get under the frame to get those bolts in. ___ 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tariq Posted May 1, 2020 Author Share Posted May 1, 2020 Hi Jaco, have WhatsApp’ed you . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tariq Posted May 7, 2020 Author Share Posted May 7, 2020 Have ordered the Renusol rails and clamps, it will be a lot easier than laying flat on your back underneath the panels to drill holes in exactly the right place in the aluminum channels, Thanks Jaco and Plonkster Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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