I have 15 panels, 350 watt each. I own a 40 foot storage container. The long side faces south. Looking to mount the panels on the roof. I will probably do a fixed angle. Should I have someone weld angle iron to the roof and then use angle iron or slotted angle iron to build frame? Anyone done this ? trying to keep it simple.
mount panels on top of a 40 ft container
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I have 15 panels, 350 watt each. I own a 40 foot storage container. The long side faces south. Looking to mount the panels on the roof. I will probably do a fixed angle. Should I have someone weld angle iron to the roof and then use angle iron or slotted angle iron to build frame? Anyone done this ? trying to keep it simple.
the ground. But arrange to be able to easily tilt them back to an efficient summer angle
for the non snow seasons. Bruce Roe -
You'll be hard pressed to get more than 12 mounted on the roof. 12 in a single portrait oriented row = 39+ feet. Two rows landscape oriented 39+ feet. Unless they are 60 cell panels then you can squeeze 14 panels in two landscape rows.2.2kw Suntech mono, Classic 200, NEW Trace SW4024Comment
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What materials should I use and how many mount points? Anyone done this ?Comment
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I would not weld to the container. SS Thru bolts with SS & rubber washers outside are likely a better solution.Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
|| Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
|| VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A
solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-ListerComment
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2.2kw Suntech mono, Classic 200, NEW Trace SW4024Comment
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So that brings me to the next question, what kind of metal should I use for it.....
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Probably make them adjustable so the snow will slide off in winter, like Bruce Roe said. This winter we had some serious snow here. Would help a lot to not have to clear that as well.
If I am going to use both containers anyways, I might as well spread them out evenly among the 2. Would be easy to expand the panels at some point as well.
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I am curious as to why you don't recommend welding to the storage containers?
As long as you have a competent welder, I can't think of a downside. Competent is key.........Comment
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It's not thick metal on top, unless you weld it to the corners which is very thick.
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Welding to the metal skin :
Damages existing inner & outer paint, which must be cleaned and repaired (lots of labor)
CORTEN steel may not weld well because of it's alloy
Any heat treatment will be gone after welding, so it may require reinforcement
I'm a great microelectronics solderer, but I can't weld and have seen bad welds fail.
If it was I, I'd liquid nails 2x4's to the inside, drill pilot holes into them, bolt on, with rubber & stainless washers and roof glop over the completed fitting and hope it worksLast edited by Mike90250; 06-25-2019, 08:03 PM.Powerfab top of pole PV mount (2) | Listeroid 6/1 w/st5 gen head | XW6048 inverter/chgr | Iota 48V/15A charger | Morningstar 60A MPPT | 48V, 800A NiFe Battery (in series)| 15, Evergreen 205w "12V" PV array on pole | Midnight ePanel | Grundfos 10 SO5-9 with 3 wire Franklin Electric motor (1/2hp 240V 1ph ) on a timer for 3 hr noontime run - Runs off PV ||
|| Midnight Classic 200 | 10, Evergreen 200w in a 160VOC array ||
|| VEC1093 12V Charger | Maha C401 aa/aaa Charger | SureSine | Sunsaver MPPT 15A
solar: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-Solar
gen: http://tinyurl.com/LMR-ListerComment
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Welding to the metal skin :
Damages existing inner & outer paint, which must be cleaned and repaired (lots of labor)
CORTEN steel may not weld well because of it's alloy
Any heat treatment will be gone after welding, so it may require reinforcement
I'm a great microelectronics solderer, but I can't weld and have seen bad welds fail.
If it was I, I'd liquid nails 2x4's to the inside, drill pilot holes into them, bolt on, with rubber & stainless washers and roof glop over the completed fitting and hope it works
I will use superstrut for the frames. Do you think I can rely on the solarpanels frame itself and only attach the top and bottom of the panel to the superstrut frame? so basically have 4 legs only ?Comment
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To the OP: Know the design loads on the welds (probably wind loadings) as well as how and in what form those loads will be transferred to what the weldment is attached to.
Example : A seriously bodacious lifting lug attached by serious welding to the roof of a 5,000 lbm vehicle will lift and leave the car behind.
Attach the panels to something more substantial than an or under reinforced roof.Comment
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