Yes, but then many more posts and hammering. What are good posts and fasteners for that?Run it up the side edges of the panels.
Yes, but then many more posts and hammering. What are good posts and fasteners for that?Run it up the side edges of the panels.
I am just thinking Square Galvanized Fence posts. Better would be aluminum - but also much more expensive.Uni-strut would be cheap and easy, but then I guess it create a little shading on the backside.
It really isn't hard to do fences like this, I have installed 'colourbond panel' fences (as in the aluminium panels, not solar panels' lol) which are quite similar at the old place- quite similar in wind loadings to solar panels, and the same method and likely the same or similar could be done for mounting solar panels instead of colourbond sheets- precut lengths of 'u channel' of the right size to hold the frame of the panel- attach to posts concreted into the ground, fit panels and bingo- instant solar panel fence... (not mine lol, but almost identical- even to the 'step down' which took it from the 'privacy screen height' of the back yard down to the lower fence in the front yard...true, the placements would need to really close.
Would need to build some sort of Jig to make them go in the ground at the right spot.
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apply for permit for "panelized" fence, then use PV panels lol unless the next yard has teenagers, and slingshots...I'm wondering about setbacks also as when I did my ground mount it had to be 25' from the property line.
Depends- here where I am in Australia, if it is a ground mounted solar array (ie conventional ground racking frame) then here there is a 3m minimum setback from the fenceline (that applies to all structures here- a shed, garage, carport etc all have to have a 3m setback unless an exemption is applied for and granted)- however 'fences' of no more than 2m height are exempt and can be on the property boundary- there is nothing saying in the regs here WHAT you make the fence out of- so as long as your neighbour agrees, you could put up bifacial solar panels (the other option is one done here when neighbours have different ideas on what they want for a fenceline, is both pay for the rails and posts, and each then can have a 'different side' paneling attached on 'their side' of the rails, at their own cost...Does solar have setback requirements from property lines in certain areas? I wonder how that would work if you were trying to incorporate solar panels into a fence.
In most agricultural settings it's easy. In residential - no way of knowing. Every city, subdivision, even neighborhood can make it's own rules.I wonder how that would work if you were trying to incorporate solar panels into a fence.
I like the idea of a cost/profit sharing model for neighbors. That could be a interesting business plan.WHAT you make the fence out of- so as long as your neighbour agrees, you could put up bifacial solar panels (the other option is one done here when neighbours have different ideas on what they want for a fenceline, is both pay for the rails and posts, and each then can have a 'different side' paneling attached on 'their side' of the rails, at their own cost...
(this is actually quite common where one side may want a traditional 'wooden paling' fence, and the other wants say colourbond panels or bricks instead- you can both have what yo want on 'your side' but the posts/rails costs are split 50/50)
bunnings diy-how-to-build-a-colorbond-fence
These are a simple fence to make, and even if you had to 'make your own' top and bottom channel rails for the panels etc- it really would be simple to do- anyone incapable of this shouldn't be playing around with any form of fencing in the first place... let alone solar
You would be surprised how much wind those colourbond panel fences can handle- the back fence (at the time) was exposed to a cow paddock, so basically there was nothing for about 25km in that direction except fields to stop the wind- and it held up to some nasty weather- including a storm that demolished the local church (took the roof and and demolished one wall) and tipped two 'de-mountable' school classrooms off their foundations- they took a beating that day and were fine the next day...Just watched the installation videos - I those back to back U-shaped rails are the key to the system
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So the panels would just sit in between the Pole rails - the top bar keeps the post aligned and from pushing apart. Another very nice benefit of this design - since the panels are not fixed mounted - they can freely expand and contract with heat. Should extend lifespan.
Not sure if would use this in a high wind area out in a field - but definitely could be a interesting system for residential neighborhood.
Lets go for it I get dibs on the Design Patent. (eXodus Industries TM) You can take up distribution and installs in Australia.
I like the lower rail two/three panels between two post idea - it should make install pretty simple - just drop the panel in - slide it to the side, it will stay upright through the H-rail on the side.Plus as shadowmaker mentioned it would allow the panels to be raised above the ground further for better production (plus the bottom rail could be 'thickened' in the process, adding stiffness to the length between the posts as well as increasing the panel height. It also decreases the distance between posts (rather than two posts per panel, it would be two posts every two or three panels...
500m is not much when you need 5m per panel. (plus whatever high you elevate off the ground x2) 100m of fence line. 100 postsAt least in here they will make any extruded aluminum profile you want, but you'll need to order more than 500m.