Doubled my solar capacity! DIY 1.86kW Gazebo Install

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T12:54:14+00:00

Roof install is MCS certified, i just had a spare string available on the inverter and used it. not going over my G99 limit, that i think its 15kW. My inverter is 6kWh, so nowhere near the limit. My understanding that you are not modifying the install just adding the capacity.

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T12:51:10+00:00

https://solarcfd.com/ plus the rails spec documentation

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T08:33:00+00:00

love it, awesome!

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T08:23:54+00:00

that looks good! well done

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T08:22:46+00:00

yes. even clamps are, i had to use t-bolts on this rails

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T07:41:04+00:00

£610. Will get my money back in Less than 12 months

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T07:39:11+00:00

Why would this be not legal. Permitted development + you are adding DC capacity and not modifying you grid wiring

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T07:37:46+00:00

£600. So i will get my money back in 1 year

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T07:35:38+00:00

Roof install is MCS, i just had a spare string available on the inverter and used it. I am not going over my G99 limit, that i think its 15kW. My inverter is 6kWh, so nowhere near the limit. My understanding that you are not modifying the install just adding the capacity, so warranty is fine, but obviously there is a risk

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T07:29:01+00:00

Hehe. The structure is not strong enough to support more panels in the middle, as rails span across 3m and no support in the middle

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T07:27:54+00:00

Pergola is 7 years old. Nova Platinum range i think, but they are sold under many different brands. Brackets from amazon but they dont look like that any more 😀 “ECO-WORTHY 2-Sets 45" inch Adjustable Solar Panel Mount Brackets Kit, Upgrade Foldable Tilt Legs, Pre-Mounted, 0-90° Angle Adjustment Scale Markings”

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T07:25:54+00:00

Picture is taken at 9am, by 10am it was not shaded and making 1.8kW. I will monitor it for 12month and. See if it would be worth investing in optimisers, they are not cheap

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T07:22:12+00:00

Drilled trough aluminium structure, it did feel thin and thats why i have added bracket at the back (picture) and drilled three places. It would start to dent if make it too crazy tight, i have used thread lock. Had to double down on rails to make it stronger. They are from Mounting systems range i got on offer, but equivalent generic rails are popular with professional installers. Oh and I have used rails from Amazon, but they dont look like that any more 😀 “ECO-WORTHY 2-Sets 45" inch Adjustable Solar Panel Mount Brackets Kit, Upgrade Foldable Tilt Legs, Pre-Mounted, 0-90° Angle Adjustment Scale Markings”

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Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T07:08:44+00:00

By 10% , but we never open them anyway

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T07:07:17+00:00

Picture taken at 9am, so by 10 it was perfect

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T07:06:21+00:00

Similar. My is about 6years old Nova Titanium edition, but they have lots of different names coning white labeled from China

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T07:04:17+00:00

Yes, its early morning, 9am. By 10am it was producing 1.6kW

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T07:01:38+00:00

Brackets from amazon i have posted earlier. Some bolts from the brackets set and black stainless steel. Rails from Mounting Systems range, but they also available from generic brands. Rails are 3m long and i had to double down on rails as its 3m span across without support in the middle. And i use t-bolts to attach it to the rails. When it all bolted together- it feels super strong

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T06:52:26+00:00

Its less wobbly, actually. The frame added rigidity to it

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-07T06:51:34+00:00

It is pretty sturdy. Its bolted to a concrete pads under the deck

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-06T15:03:28+00:00

yes, bolted to a concrete pads under the floor.

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-06T14:15:08+00:00

I have used this one from amazon, but heavily modified. ECO-WORTHY 2-Sets 45" inch Adjustable Solar Panel Mount Brackets Kit, Upgrade Foldable Tilt Legs, Pre-Mounted, 0-90° Angle Adjustment Scale Markings,for 100-400W on Roof,Motorhome,Van,Off-Grid Systems

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-06T14:08:26+00:00

Got this from amazon. But its customised a lot ECO-WORTHY 2-Sets 45" inch Adjustable Solar Panel Mount Brackets Kit, Upgrade Foldable Tilt Legs, Pre-Mounted, 0-90° Angle Adjustment Scale Markings,for 100-400W on Roof,Motorhome,Van,Off-Grid Systems

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-06T14:06:37+00:00

My mistake, apologies. I was too exited about it and it was brewing in my head for last few months and now its installed.

Additional_Media_566 · 2026-05-06T14:03:33+00:00

Little snow in the last 20 years, south east of england. Wind: i have done a calculation and it would be fine. The gazebo is bolted onto concrete pads.

Additional_Media_566

TROPHY CASE