I'm thinking about building my own mounts for my 590w bifacial solar panels (which are approximately 44.6 inches by 89.7 inches and weigh about 58.4 lbs each). I'm struggling to find suitable mounts, so I have a few specific requirements for a ground mount design: first, I'd like it to be mobile, ideally on wheels, so I can move the panels during hail storms or to store them away when needed. Second, I want mounting peg holes for securing the setup into the ground, similar to giant tent stakes. Third, I'm looking for a one-axis multi-degree locking rotation system to manually adjust the angle for optimal sunlight exposure when necessary. Fourth, it should have a reinforced backing to protect the panels from wind damage and conceal the wiring. Lastly, I want quick disconnects to take sections offline easily for troubleshooting or moving. I have experience with metalworking and carpentry, so I can work with both materials. Any thoughts or suggestions?
4 Answers
I found that vertically mounted solar panels are less likely to get damaged by hail. Check out this article I found; it has some great insights on hail mitigation for bifacial panels. Here's the link for more info: [Hail Damage Mitigation](https://energyriskengineeringinsights.com/2024/09/25/hail-damage-mitigation-bifacial-vertical-mounted-solar-panels-vs-hail-stow-racking-systems/).
Honestly, if your panels do get damaged, just buy new ones! You've got a whole fantasy setup planned for a mobile mount, but panels are super affordable. It's easier to replace them than create a whole complex system!
I built a one-axis tilt mount for my 500W bifacial panels, and it's worked well. If a major storm is on the way, I can take down all my panels in about half an hour. I use only four screws for each panel to hold them to the frame. For extra security, I'm considering adding a hail protection board to shield the exposed parts during storms. Building a mobile mount for those large panels sounds like a tough task — good luck!
Honestly, replacing the panels is probably cheaper than building this complex mount. Panels are relatively inexpensive, so keep that in mind!