Have standard size solar panels to fit onto my castellated metal garage roof - shown below.
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Single storey roof, typical UK inland conditions (I.e. not generally too windy but the occasional storm coming through in winter).
Want them to be able to be adjustable tilt. Have all brackets and fixings to join all panels together in one long unit. Panels are 24.5kg each.
Thinking I don't need a frame along the roof itself (as sold for ground mount systems) as will be tapping into the metal and often down into the wood supports beneath, so just need to hinge them at the bottom and support them at the back.
Any recommended hinges? solar-type ones that attach into the alu cross brackets
or simple hinge attached to solar panel frame at bottom?
Do I need vertical struts joined to the cross bars as per below
- and if so do I need 1 per panel, one per 2 panels, 2 per panel? Will too few make it flex too much, or does the all cross beam stop this (it's the usual dual channels at rights angles to each other stuff.). Can I just put supports onto the cross struts?
Also trying with hinges of some sort at bottom and linear actuators (prob 3) to push panels up and down according to time of year - each actuator can push 300kg and 8 panels are ~200kg.
Looking for effective, secure, cheap DIY approach......
.
Single storey roof, typical UK inland conditions (I.e. not generally too windy but the occasional storm coming through in winter).
Want them to be able to be adjustable tilt. Have all brackets and fixings to join all panels together in one long unit. Panels are 24.5kg each.
Thinking I don't need a frame along the roof itself (as sold for ground mount systems) as will be tapping into the metal and often down into the wood supports beneath, so just need to hinge them at the bottom and support them at the back.
Any recommended hinges? solar-type ones that attach into the alu cross brackets
or simple hinge attached to solar panel frame at bottom?
Do I need vertical struts joined to the cross bars as per below
- and if so do I need 1 per panel, one per 2 panels, 2 per panel? Will too few make it flex too much, or does the all cross beam stop this (it's the usual dual channels at rights angles to each other stuff.). Can I just put supports onto the cross struts?
Also trying with hinges of some sort at bottom and linear actuators (prob 3) to push panels up and down according to time of year - each actuator can push 300kg and 8 panels are ~200kg.
Looking for effective, secure, cheap DIY approach......