Building our First Solar Array. Easy, Low Cost Solar Ground Mount.
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Жыл бұрынWe built this ground mount off of our existing Garden Fence. So it saved us the cost of 5 posts and concrete, that was already there. We bought a $110 on treated lumber. And another $20 for Deck Screws and Lag Screws. Total cost of the ground mount was $130 and 1 day of work.
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We live in southeastern Illinois on a 41 acre homestead. We just finished building our log cabin in 2018. Now we are focused on trying to grow our own food and raise livestock. Follow us on our journey we continue to develop our homestead and farm, while becoming more self sufficient.
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@wgoconnor33 Жыл бұрын
Dude you and Lumnah Acres have it going on !!’
@iandale Жыл бұрын
Ground mounts are just so much easier, nice job. 👍
@bobmerrill2057 Жыл бұрын
I’d rethink putting those panels on the roof of your workshop. Keep them on the ground.
@CorvidFriend 10 ай бұрын
I agree. We first installed our solar panels on the metal roof and it was impossible to reach them to remove the snow and we couldn’t clean them because water made the metal roof to slippery. We moved them to ground level.
@CorvidFriend 10 ай бұрын
And space below the panels is good. Circumstances meant we had to place the supports for the panels directly on the ground. When we push off the snow, it has nowhere to go. We can only clean off the top half of the panels. Now we’re looking at ways to elevate the panels. Where you have them placed in this video looks great. I hope you haven’t moved them yet.
@TB_559 Жыл бұрын
This is the best TV show I have ever seen. Fun on the Farm with Evan. 👍
@Jameson4327 Жыл бұрын
Evan, the one video that I think you should watch most of all is wild. Wonderful off grid. That family started out in a little camping trailer and now they have got a beautiful A-frame home. It’s a very good channel to watch and he excellent electrician. Good luck on your bill. I’ll be following you.
@tv-ke4lx Жыл бұрын
Awesome! Run a 2x4 along to bottom to carry the panel weight Temporary, I would think there’s some kind of angle bracket that would be made for this to make it easier to hold the sides down
@Tumbleweed5150 8 ай бұрын
I used 1" chunks of angle aluminum for mine.
@bay9876 Жыл бұрын
Throw a cooling /heating loop into that lake for a heat pump powered by solar array, with wood stove and generator back up. Lot of things to do.
@janosvadas Жыл бұрын
We’ve got a lot for our retirement house with a camper on it that we’ll power off-grid for the next 3 years to give us an idea what we’ll need. So finding stuff like this has been wonderful
@barrybills1449 Жыл бұрын
How do you maintain your sanity with all the wanna, coulda, shoulda comments you get? Every project that you do someone has to put in their 2cents. You’re quite competent, do it your way! Your videos are one of our favorites.
@ronaldlee2376 Жыл бұрын
U tubers are paid by number of contents & they get free ideas that will probably help down the road. btw i get your point, patience is a virtue. ( should be "comments) not contents.
@earthenergyhex 5 ай бұрын
I know, I could never be a youtuber because of all the YT Engineers out there.
@RolandLetendre Жыл бұрын
put a 90 degree bend in your washers close to the center hole for the outside panels, it will keep them from wanting to tilt. Love watching your videos.
@DEJones71 Жыл бұрын
I hope he listens to you he doesn't take my suggestions
@InquisitiveSearcher Жыл бұрын
I would just put a small block of wood of the appropriate thickness for the other side of the washer to tighten up against. And don't forget to cut a channel for the lag screw to pass through. I would think that the edge of a bent washer would to easily cut/sink into the wood as the lag bolt was tightened.
@ronaldlee2376 Жыл бұрын
@@DEJones71 Most of the established channels do not , for a period of time, then the idea is theirs. Same as in real life. This channel has always had great content , filming, explanation & humor......in my opinion. Also, no mumbling.
@jimmieusaf-pol5818 Жыл бұрын
Since Evan said this is temporary the current connections might be fine as is, but if it wasn't and with Evan being a good fabricator, he could make some clips and drill a hole in flat aluminum stock to use, and I'd make some for the bottoms to secure into the wood frames as well, with those panels being heavy enough to move over time.
@CountryViewAcres Жыл бұрын
The bent washers are a good idea and a really easy solution. I will try to incorporate that into my next solar video. Thanks.
@michaelgardner800 Жыл бұрын
Hi Evan, I would put a rubber grommet under the fender washers. As for the ends, it looks like you have room for a block of wood or use a piece of conduit to run the lag bolt though to hold the panels down. Another thing I would do and that is to put a 2 by 4 at the bottom for added safety to help hold the panels in place! These are only my opinion's.
@reese9276 Жыл бұрын
especially the 2x4 at the bottom.... imo...
@kkarllwt Жыл бұрын
And some rubber tubing over the lag bolts. With a little space. On a hot summer day the long array will get longer.
@gradyford7831 11 ай бұрын
You're such a thoughtful dude. This test winter project to see how much power to expect in real life so your final product will be what you want. Really enjoy your content.
@TonysTractorAdventure Жыл бұрын
We are starting an off-grid solar experiment this coming week. It looks like we are going about it the same way.
@DarrenMalin Жыл бұрын
for the end lag bolts , cut a small block and pit it the other side of the washer so it tightens down evenly.
@teenagefarmer Жыл бұрын
Very nice, hope they work out. I look forward to seeing you guys do more with them. Thanks for sharing.
@terrya6486 Жыл бұрын
I have been off grid 5.5 years now and have 16000 watts of panels. 1/2 the year I can run everything in my house and my shop easy. I would say 10% to 15% more than I need in the summer. Now November December and January I could use 15% to 20% more panels. I have 56kwh's of chevy volt batteries and I think 70kwh's would be great when I get there.
@MrVictorchase Жыл бұрын
Need to add a bottom support bar to prevent the panels dropping as the materials change with temperature changes.
@roblynch7234 Жыл бұрын
You mentioned the final place for the solar panels is the pole barn roof. Just a recommendation-I would try to stick with a ground Mount system. Roof mount systems are a maintenance challenge on a good day. JMO God bless.
@DEJones71 Жыл бұрын
I agree, I would never walk around on my roof and risk damaging it. Most everyone in my area have them roof mounted.
@carolmackenzie2283 Жыл бұрын
Nice work can’t wait for the update
@brandonperry3219 Жыл бұрын
Would love to see a cost breakdown after you give this a trial run
@julesdby Жыл бұрын
Evan, love your videos and the wide range you cover. If I may offer some advice, you live in a wooden house, you have two battery storage devices full of lithium ion batteries, if they go faulty and go into thermal runaway that’s 1800deg c and almost impossible to put out. Put them away from the house in a fireproof enclosure .. few feet of cable for the safety is a must 👍
@seansysig Жыл бұрын
Evan the ground heaving with the frost will rack your frame! It could damage the panels.
@donaldkennedy5604 Жыл бұрын
You do know that temporary is semi permanent don’t you lol. The homestead is coming along over the years. I remember you cleaning up all the steel around there and getting the barn in shape.
@lorenmeyer5290 Жыл бұрын
Very nice job Evan and Rebecca!
@Dan-qy1rg Жыл бұрын
Looks good, I think your going to get some real good usable results for your needs. I just set my house up for a gas generator, along with the disconnect, so I'm ready to go. I might try it within the next few days to a week, due to the snow and possible ice coming. Good luck on your results, I hope they turn out the results your wanting. Thanks for sharing, have a great week.
@nathanrobinson7715 Жыл бұрын
Love your videos. I'm glad you made it through that bad winter
@lawrencedavidson6195 Жыл бұрын
Very good job. I much prefer ground mount panels as they are easier to clean. Greetings from Jamaica.
@TKCL Жыл бұрын
I'm right behind you, currently building my solar array. Like you I am figuring out my needs and what will need to be upgraded in the future.
@EastTexasHomestead Жыл бұрын
I like the idea of screwing into the treated 2x4 instead of a traditional metal channel. I've been trying to decide the best option for mounting to our timber-framed ground mounts. Thanks for the idea!
@houndsmanone4563 Жыл бұрын
Nice set up. Love the team work with you and Rebecca. I too would love to set up array down by my tractor shed and it's nice and sunny there. Enjoyed full-watch. 👍🏽🤠 1/28/23
@bruceeverett5372 Жыл бұрын
Great video! Just two suggestions--Ground Mount, and move east of the Wabash!🙂
@tonyshipman257 Жыл бұрын
Evan, If you are serious about Solar, I would go with a ground mount, for easy snow removal and to benefit from using Bi-Facial panels. Because you, like us, have a good number of days with clouds during the winter time.
@edsecorr7812 Жыл бұрын
Great job you two work good together love your videos thank you
@douglasrobbie9998 Жыл бұрын
Agree with earlier comment about keeping as a ground mount, where you can brush the snow off in winter and wash dirt/pollen off on other seasons. A cut piece of PVC pipe slightly shorter than the thickness of the panel for the end panels (lag bolt with fender washer goes thru pvc piece and wall of PVC prevents fender washer from angling down too much. Usually, you want some type of grounding on panels, even Romex with stripped wire every 40" wrapped around a bolt attached to each panel (panels should have a few holes on underside of frame) would work when coupled with 2' of rebar driven into ground with U bolt gripping stripped end of the length of Romex.
@Dmac_at_HellsAcres 2 ай бұрын
LOVE IT! Was trying to find a ground mount that was easy (and inexpensive) to build vs buying something. This was perfect, so thank you so much for posting!
@jvin248 Жыл бұрын
I have a stack of panels with an inverter and battery gathered but yet to attach together. I the shipping company left your yellow cardboard 'do not stack" cone intact. Mine was squashed flat, and four panels were fork truck fork speared. Replacement panels shipped also had a flat cone and oil stains on top but those survived.
@solarcows Жыл бұрын
Bought similar (different wattage) Canadian Solar panels also from Signature Solar recently and I'm going to be building a ground array that will double as an equipment shed (the panels do double duty as roofing material). Planning on installing a couple of off grid inverter/solar charge controllers to be the primary power source for the farm with the grid as a back up.
@brentjohnson6654 Жыл бұрын
New subscriber here. Thanks for the video. I live about 30 minutes from signature Solar here in Texas. They are very helpful for the DiY community. I am in the process of sizing my system on paper and consulting with signature Solar. I am considering various options (partial coverage, emergency generation only, or total off-grid). We just had another ice storm in north Texas. I grew up in northern Minnesota and I have seen cold weather make a mess of things. So I am motivated once again to keep the lights on and provide emergency backup power at a minimum. You are doing a good thing with your real world trial. Keep learning and asking questions. God Bless!
@reese9276 Жыл бұрын
A Newbie here. Following THIS very intently !!! Thanks for sharing these !!!
@williamkn621 Жыл бұрын
We've installed 1 of 3 hybrid inverters with our panels and batteries that are hooked to the grid to run first from solar, second from battery and if not enough solar they automatically switch to pulling power from the grid. The aim is to have a backup for power outage plus daily reduce our electric bill.
@jamesmckay9966 Жыл бұрын
thanks we love your videos. please keep it up.
@e2nomy Жыл бұрын
Nice and cheap mounting. Be aware with washers and corrosion especially if they are not also aluminium based. Versus time corrosion will appear here. Maybe with some plastic washer between, will save the situation. Cheers from France.
@jazzerbyte Жыл бұрын
Real world test results are always interesting to see.
@ustmissouri8029 Жыл бұрын
Hey. I went to SanTan solar. I bought forty of their used 240 watt panels for 2k including shipping. Although used they work fine. Now setting on 13-14 kw of power per hour. BOOM!!!
@trumpingtonfanhurst694 Жыл бұрын
Thanks! Seeing this gave me a great idea how to build my array easily adjustable for summer and winter :)
@billgolcher2537 Жыл бұрын
Awesome setup great solar system install
@bevnelson3678 Жыл бұрын
Awesome job done Rebekah and Even. Hopefully it’s going to save you some $$$.
@lindadecker3538 Жыл бұрын
Very interesting video, Evan. Good luck on this project.
@hungryblackbear Жыл бұрын
You guys are amazing. I am so envious of you.
@jim9520 Жыл бұрын
Great video. Thank you. This is very interesting.
@jap4391 Жыл бұрын
Evan you give me the guts to go off grid. Thanks for you videos.
@silverismoney Жыл бұрын
Great job, very professional looking and much cheaper than buying the regular metal mounting systems.
@RCPVIDEOS1 Жыл бұрын
Great temp solar video so far. Will follow your next video on the output during the winter. I’m interested in adding solar to charge our electric car.
@157-40_T Жыл бұрын
I realize it is temporary but you may want to consider some ground anchors and straps as well as keep taps on weather as strong wind gusts will get under the panels and rip them from framework. We had over 30 tall pine trees rips from ground with gusts only. (No tornados).
@jmackinjersey1 Жыл бұрын
Nice. Just remember, when you think you have enough, add a minimum of half as many more. That goes for panels and storage batteries.
@wileycoyotesr8623 Жыл бұрын
So far so good. I like your plan and hope it works. Creating mounts for the pole barn will be a challenge.
@CountryViewAcres Жыл бұрын
I think the hardest part will be finding the location the roof truss to anchor into. My luck I will miss and have extra holes in the roof.
@StainedToaster Жыл бұрын
I would put a 1x1 or a 1x2 across the bottom of your panels. It’s just added security to keep them from sliding down. It can also take some pressure off of you lag bolts too. If you don’t have any, just rip a couple of 2x4’s down the middle. Just added peace of mind. I also think putting them on the roof would cause issues with cleaning snow, but I don’t know how much snow you get at a time and how often you see that kind of snow fall.
@roberto.peterson9917 Жыл бұрын
Could of used 3rd pearlling at the bottom with 1x1 or 1x2 to make bottom rest for panels take some of strain from lag and washer hold downs
@clintabbott5327 Жыл бұрын
That was very well done, really looking forward to next weekends video of your testing, how many panels you end up going for, and the permanent install later in the year. 👍👍
@CountryViewAcres Жыл бұрын
It was going to be 24 panels, now it looks like 30 - 315 watt panels.
@funnywolffarm Жыл бұрын
Thanks for the video, as always.
@alfheib Жыл бұрын
Don't forget about wind turbines and a lot of areas where there's a lack of sun in the winter time there is a lot more breeze blowing a lot more wind that maybe something to think about too, if need be you can probably as one and your generator being The last resort from power.. good luck with your system.. God bless and have a good day.
@BealyGood Жыл бұрын
Great info. Thanks for the link. Adding more solar is our next big project.
@ahomeinpisgahontheroad4481 Жыл бұрын
Would be nice if we all had this and some wind power.
@santiagoperez626 Жыл бұрын
Madman. You're a genius! You just gave me a great idea!
@andrewmaiden3738 Жыл бұрын
I think a batten along the bottom of the panels to stop any downward slippage would be a quick nd cheap option, even if the rig is short term would be a wise move.
@roberthuckeby2825 Жыл бұрын
Enjoyed this and know you know what you are doing. You said it is temporary, hence no need for treated lumber touching the ground... I was also wondering if you might expect a bit of ground heave that might through your level or plumb off should it occur. Sure looking forward to seeing how this works out for you!!!
@carlbrrt Жыл бұрын
Cold weather makes our panels put out more. The colder the better.
@stevehvac1 Жыл бұрын
You do a great job very smart thinker
@BearMeat4Dinner Жыл бұрын
Good luck with it all!
@colhubbard9348 Жыл бұрын
Just a thought, why dont you put a board on the bottom to act as a footer to hold the panels and give added support than just relying on those lag bolts? Food for thought especially if you are gonna roof mount them.
@joannak4640 Жыл бұрын
You got a good start on your system 👍
@scrapironprepper Жыл бұрын
Hey I forgot about Limnah. Use to watch all the time........Thanks
@arthurfoyt6727 10 ай бұрын
For testing and trial runs..... I used a dozen folding chairs I had around the house. Just prop the panels up on the back of the chairs and wire them up. 6KW array was making almost 5KW during summer testing. Zero cost of materials.
@ianhaggart1438 Жыл бұрын
Great job keep us posted.. I'm very interested in this especially if it means we could go off grid in future.. our electricity prices are going a bit daft just now. Stay safe 🏴
@piefingers1369 Жыл бұрын
Sure ye checked already. But there are loads on second hand panels from the solar farm at Ex RAF Coltishall in Norwich for sale. Ok. They not new. But they Do a trip £65 a pop. They change them ever 5 years. I am in Aberdeenshire. 4kw does in the summer. But not even close in winter. I am looking to add another 8kw at least for now on ground mount with battery backup. Just to capture the most I can in the winter months. I feel yer pain on the sparks pricing.
@charlesbrunner258 Жыл бұрын
Great video educational THANKS
@1fiatman Жыл бұрын
Good to see you making a difference to your environment, energy is way too cheap in the USA here in Europe and UK it's makes real financial sense to fit panels, we have had ours for 8 year's and have paid for themselves. We are now reaping the benefits 👍
@jerryrobson9309 Жыл бұрын
You can grind half of your washer off so it fits the way you want it too
@davidsmathers5621 Жыл бұрын
Good luck evan hope it works out
@earthenergyhex 5 ай бұрын
nice work, looks good. I like the roof idea
@nightsailor1 Жыл бұрын
Consider a foot plate, or shoe, on each panel as wind vibration with rattle the array and create a slipping force.
@marydanen5220 Жыл бұрын
Awesome!!
@mmanut Жыл бұрын
Fun Project Guys‼️‼️ GOOD LUCK 👍 Vinny 🇺🇸
@robertsmith5916 Жыл бұрын
You really should put a support board below a panels to help prevent them from trying to slide down.
@user-of2iw5ko4y 5 ай бұрын
Yes keep them on the ground… I can’t clean snow off mine on the roof unless a climb up there which I won’t do due to my age lol…. Also could you do a vid on the connections on the panels. Thanks
@floydblack3038 Жыл бұрын
For the ends use some small pieces of angle iron. That is if u have some.
@outdoorstudios2022 Ай бұрын
Hi Evan, got to get you up to a mil subs and beyond
@davidmicalizio824 Жыл бұрын
All the best!
@jimjasper9314 Жыл бұрын
Check out Wild and Wonderful Off Grid as they are running a full house from their array and he is a master electrician.
@lujitsu1251 Жыл бұрын
Thank you!
@user-hg2tk3xj9y 6 ай бұрын
On end panels with those fasteners, put a block of wood the thickness of the panel on opposite side, nice build
@Tumbleweed5150 8 ай бұрын
My array isn't that large, but I used 1"X1" angle iron along the bottom on one array, and the same in aluminum on another to make sure the panels cannot slide down. Don't forget to put a grounding wire on the array metal frames to the ground, or you could get a nice "tickle" from that much Voltage, especially if you're running them in series.
@Flowing23 Жыл бұрын
Great video, thank you for taking the time. This is a great approach, testing out the panels in the real world to see what you can actually get. Have you checked online to see the “usable sunlight hours average” for your location. It would be good to have that number and compare it to what you get in the real world. You built a very straight forward, simple but effected mount. Looking forward to the next videos on solar. Thanks. 👍👍
@CountryViewAcres Жыл бұрын
Yes. 2.8 hours in December, 5.8 hours in July. Average off all 12 months, is 4.72 sun hours.
@capecoaster69 Жыл бұрын
good job !
@jackwhite6030 11 ай бұрын
Sun angle is low Dec Jan Feb plus the clouds are pretty thick.....good idea with the test run
@terrycastor8299 Жыл бұрын
Interested to see your results, Evan. We live close so your results would apply at our place too.
@johncarr123 Жыл бұрын
Check out the Solark 1P 10K inverter. It will work perfectly with your current setup.
@CountryViewAcres Жыл бұрын
Sol-arks are the best!👍
@jonathanguess4052 Жыл бұрын
Nice job
@fb510m 10 ай бұрын
Pretty smart!!
@zaphonesofthome Жыл бұрын
Good solar app I have used to figure angles and direction of panels - Sunnytrack. Agree with Cynthia Flick. Best is solar on the ground for many reasons. Also see wild wonderful off grid, my green dream project and good for house size solar-Ambition Strikes but mounted on conex.
@dinavoutour7796 Жыл бұрын
Great video…very interesting
@myk55501 Жыл бұрын
Hey, we epoxy the brackets on the roof of RV no screws works great 65mph on the road no holes on the roof. If you have low light area your going to want to put them on a solar tracker and stand it follows the sun strongest light. Easier to maintain panels on ground. You will get more watts a day. Look for used pipe at scrap yards it cheaper and aluminum frame. I would not put those panels on the barn roof there weight plus a snow load would be bad. You don't want to be climbing on the roof everytime you need to clean the panels. Also add a lighting surge protector to the panels. Good luck
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