AlaskanNoob
Solar Enthusiast
- Joined
- Feb 20, 2021
- Messages
- 952
If so, how far down did you put the I-beams, did you use concrete, and how has it been in the wind? I'm thinking about doing five arrays of seven doing the same thing Dave did with the same beams and same Renogy brackets, but with a couple differences.
Some differences in my setup (other than seven panels instead of two):
1. I would mount the panels so all panel fronts face the same direction (instead of alternating them as Dave did).
2. While Dave put his beams two foot down without concrete, my I-beams would be three feet in the ground with concrete (for now planning on 6" sonotube, 3 foot down, filled with concrete).
3. My panels would be about two feet higher off the ground (11 foot I-beams, buried 3 foot in the ground).
4. My panels are the same dimensions as Dave's, but they are 13 pounds lighter.
My only concern is wind. Dave at 2:35 into the video says he's seen 60mph winds and they hold up alright. But as he shows, the beams are definitely not rigid. Mine would be two foot higher up so I would think would be even more affected by the wind. But my posts would be a foot deeper in the ground with concrete. That wouldn't keep the beams from bending with the wind though. But what's the worst that could happen? If the aluminum bends, I'd just bend it back I would think.
I'll probably send the plan to an engineer before I order these beams though, in case I need to go a size up.
Some differences in my setup (other than seven panels instead of two):
1. I would mount the panels so all panel fronts face the same direction (instead of alternating them as Dave did).
2. While Dave put his beams two foot down without concrete, my I-beams would be three feet in the ground with concrete (for now planning on 6" sonotube, 3 foot down, filled with concrete).
3. My panels would be about two feet higher off the ground (11 foot I-beams, buried 3 foot in the ground).
4. My panels are the same dimensions as Dave's, but they are 13 pounds lighter.
My only concern is wind. Dave at 2:35 into the video says he's seen 60mph winds and they hold up alright. But as he shows, the beams are definitely not rigid. Mine would be two foot higher up so I would think would be even more affected by the wind. But my posts would be a foot deeper in the ground with concrete. That wouldn't keep the beams from bending with the wind though. But what's the worst that could happen? If the aluminum bends, I'd just bend it back I would think.
I'll probably send the plan to an engineer before I order these beams though, in case I need to go a size up.