Use Code RodneyHunt50 for $50 off any order over $500
All Signature Solar Affiliates Sales during September entered automatically into drawing for V2 Lifepower 4 Battery when you use my links or code!
Sirius 415 Watt Panels https://signaturesolar.com/sirius-pv-415w-bifacial-solar-panel-black-assembled-in-texas-elnsm54m-hc-415-up-to-539w-with-bifacial-gain/?ref=rodneyhunt
EG4 12KPV Inverter https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-12kpv-hybrid-inverter-48v-12000w-input-8000w-output-120-240v-split-phase-rsd-all-in-one-hybrid-solar-inverter/?ref=rodneyhunt
14.3KW Indoor power wall Battery https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-wallmount-indoor-battery-48v-280ah-14-3kwh-indoor-heated-ul1973-ul9540a-10-year-warranty?ref=rodneyhunt
Rivet Nut Tool Could Be used for other projects https://amzn.to/3ALt4X2
Rivet Nuts https://amzn.to/3AOzrZD
List of Parts Used for DIY SOLAR PERGOLA
QTY. ITEM
2. 4x4x10
2 4x4x12
1 4x6x10
1. 4x6x12
7 2x6x10
4. 2x6x12
6. 5/4x6x12
120 pack Lath Screws ( 8x 1-5/8 inch)
100. Pack Simpsons Strong Tie #9 x 1-1/2 inch SD Exterior Wood Screws
10. Simpson Strong Tie 5-1/4 inch 18 GAUGE ZXAM STEEL RAFTER TIE
4 Simpson Strong Tie 6 inch 18 ga ZMAX Steel tie wood to wood
100 Pack 3 inch exterior screws
8 used ( try 16) 3/8 x 6 inch Galvanized carriage bolts
8 3/8 flat washer
8 3/8 hex nuts
8 3/8 spilt washer
6. Bags of concrete
Equipment on my Main House Here:
(3) EG4 6000XP INVERTERS https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-6000xp…
(17) EG4 Batteries https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-lifepo…
(28) SOLARVER 455 WATT PANELS https://signaturesolar.com/?ref=rodne…
(2) VICTRON LYNX POWER IN BUSBARS https://amzn.to/48ub3bz
(1) VICTRON LYNC DISTRIBUTOR https://signaturesolar.com/victron-en…
(2) 4/0 BATTERY RACK CABLE SETS https://signaturesolar.com/96in-4-0-a…
(8) 2 AWG BATTERY AND INVERTER CABLE SETS https://signaturesolar.com/72in-2-awg…
(1) 500FT PV WIRE FOR DIY https://signaturesolar.com/500-ft-12-…
(1) CHARGEVERTER 100 AMP BATTERY CHARGER https://signaturesolar.com/eg4-charge…
(12) MC4 CONNECTORS https://signaturesolar.com/staubli-mc…
ALL LINKS ARE AFFILIATES WHICH HELPS THIS CHANNEL WITH A SMALL COMMISION FROM EACH SALE
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Nice job I did basically the same but I used 1-1/2 ngle iron and 1-1/4 pipe . If I had that back yard at the back I would have some wind turbines.
you have so many excellent ideas Rodney. Thanks for sharing
my dear solar brother in christ… please turn off the AI-assisted-vocal enhancement… it sounds very robotic
I built an internal frame to rigid up the panel frame. 1/8” aluminum bar stock an inch wide that I had to cut down to 13/16” to fit properly.
I’m not joining panels together, but lifting individual panels 90° from vertical (alongside Taj-Ma-Haul during transit) and then lifting them 90-95° to horizontal+.
They then produce the liquid juice and provide a shaded deck.
This internal framing was key to helping reduce flexing, not eliminating it. I may add cross-bracing in the future.
Get you some cheap rope and put up some cross bracing with it, prob about 6 bucks for 100ft of clothsline, lasts for a pretty long time,
FIRST RESPECT for building INNOVATIVE things!
Cut the talking by as little as 95% and count me in as a subscriber
You don’t have any sheer support? You might not need it. You planted the post pretty well, but go to one of the corners and push on it and see how wobbly it is.
I want to watch your videos but 38 minutes is just too long.
3:53 at this pause the video point, I think it could cause future damage to the panels due to expansion and contraction of the panels. Of course that will depend on how they are mounted to the structure. Also, fun idea!
How are you grounding the panels?
Makes total sense to integrate solar panels as a roof for a building / pergola structure… if putting up panels, would be STUPID not to.
Really cool. Thanks for the share.
Do you need permit to build this in California?
Always appreciate you sharing your work. Thank you very much.
I can't follow your video so I am out.
The panels are a good price… just gotta buy 10… I will probably order.
Until you get a different surface… you could get some aluminum radiant barrier under the bifacial panels… I am currently using some of the bubble wrap type… gives me over 5 extra watts vs the white concrete. The radiant barrier material is relatively cheap and lots of uses.
I've been thinking about doing something like this. I have limited space where I get the most sun in my yard and it happens to be where we park our vehicles. I could do something similar to what you did and call it a carport. Thanks for the ideas.
This is Lawrence Fishburn's lesser known Brother Leo.
Don't break your panels, put two or three more rivnuts in each end of each panel and bolt on some aluminum angle on the ends to actually add some rigidity to the assembly
I have seen many people spend probably more than that for a permanent or semi-permanent shelter for their RV. I always thought this was a way better idea. Another option that takes much longer in most cases is to use living trees for the vertical posts. You just cut off the tops and branches and voila. Then there are also no pressure treated chemicals.
Rodney, I think this is a fantastic idea and appreciate your videos about DIY solar. This one is especially helpful for anyone that was thinking of building a pergola or other structure. Why NOT make some small modifications to the plan and include solar! Thank you again for taking the time to record, edit, and upload all the videos! I know it’s a lot of work and you should know that you are appreciated.
Nice panels
What is your max anticipated voltage for this setup? Considering panel VoC of 37.24V, 12 panels, and conservative allowance for cold weather of 20% I get 538V which is well below the 600V max. Was this similar to your analysis? 14 would cut it too close, likely.