I have repeatedly offered to correct any incorrect information that I have posted. I have heard nothing from you about advice that is incorrect.
Don't worry, I spend more time on other forums talking about the LFP cells from China and the latest Tesla battery chemistry. There is not much interest in those topics here.
Solar Pergola Racking Recommenation
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Last edited by Ampster; 09-17-2020, 07:31 PM. -
In my opinion, Ampster does give good advice. He may not be perfect. But I think he is a valuable contributor to the forum.Leave a comment:
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Someone should can Ampster. He is dangerous continuously giving bad advice. If this were a professional forum would have been booted the day he showed up.Leave a comment:
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Did receive HoA approval for the solar structure today. Waiting for a quote to level the area, as the backyard has a 6-8 degree slope.Leave a comment:
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The wonderful state of Indiana.Leave a comment:
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Consider the effects on array size/output per installed STC kW as f(tilt angle, array azimuth). In their well meaning but solar ignorant thinking, your HOA may be thinking a (close to) horizontal array orientation.
Suit yourself, but for several reasons, such a mostly horizontal orientation is probably not a good one for most residential applications, particularly as latitudes go up and winter conditions bring less sun/more snow.
PV can work in such climates, but some unfortunate and PITA inducing considerations are usually necessary that can effect cost effectiveness and practicality.Leave a comment:
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Its largely driven by my developer/HoA, requirements. So trying to do a covered patio that just happens to hold solar panels. Per HoA, solar has to be integrated into a structure.Leave a comment:
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some solar panels, or if you are trying to build a 35KW ground mount solar system
that can be used as a Pergola. If the latter, numbers like $100K are entirely normal.
Ground mounts cost more, I spend more on substantial mounting than on panels.
However you seem to forfeit some of the potential advantages of a ground mount
(such as best angle, variable tilt, snow rejection) which is OK for the former.
Bruce RoeLeave a comment:
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Today I received a preliminary estimate from Florian Solar. Based on a coverage area of 75 x 27, with just the structure and integrated racking, sides, inverters, panels would be extra. the cost was over $100,000. To say the least, that is definitely not in the running for this project.Leave a comment:
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Today I received a preliminary estimate from Florian Solar. Based on a coverage area of 75 x 27, with just the structure and integrated racking, sides, inverters, panels would be extra. the cost was over $100,000. To say the least, that is definitely not in the running for this project.Leave a comment:
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supportstructure01.jpg
For a steel structure, that is about 80ft x 26ft, the price (minus installation) is around 42k. So figure 8k, that's 50k - 26%, around 37k. Still have multiple quotes and pricing exercises to go. Just wanted to share as I go through this process. This design features 5 degree angle, but ideally that will be close to 10-15 degrees in the end.
supportstructure01.jpgAttached FilesLast edited by heimdm; 09-03-2020, 09:59 PM.Leave a comment:
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I will be interested to see how the value engineering comes out. Taking another look at the size of the pergola the 27 foot span is going to be difficult to do as a clear span with wood, unless you go with Glue Laminated beams, Posts on 13.5 foot centers would allow you to use traditional framing lumber but the aesthetics and preference for more or less posts my be the driver of the main structural element. If you are in California, seismic calculations will also influence costs.
At any rate keep us informed as your work through the process.Leave a comment:
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[QUOTE=Ampster;n419220]
No doubt you are correct from an engineering standpoint. Seems to me you want to beat the same horse that you did in the thread of @RShackleford. As the OP noted the HOA has already expressed an opinion from a "visual perspective in his post #3.
Seem what you want. But since, among other things, this is a place to express opinions, based on my experience, education and training, one of mine is that wood is not the most fit for purpose material for PV structural support for most applications.
Most of what I write is meant as much for others with similar applications/questions as for an OP and meant as a more sane contrast to a lot of what shows up around here.Leave a comment:
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