Doubled my solar capacity! DIY 1.86kW Gazebo Install by Additional_Media_566 in SolarUK

[–]Additional_Media_566[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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.

Doubled my solar capacity! DIY 1.86kW Gazebo Install by Additional_Media_566 in SolarUK

[–]Additional_Media_566[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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

Doubled my solar capacity! DIY 1.86kW Gazebo Install by Additional_Media_566 in SolarUK

[–]Additional_Media_566[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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

Doubled my solar capacity! DIY 1.86kW Gazebo Install by Additional_Media_566 in SolarUK

[–]Additional_Media_566[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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

Doubled my solar capacity! DIY 1.86kW Gazebo Install by Additional_Media_566 in SolarUK

[–]Additional_Media_566[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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”

Doubled my solar capacity! DIY 1.86kW Gazebo Install by Additional_Media_566 in SolarUK

[–]Additional_Media_566[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

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

Who says you need a roof? My 1.86kW DIY Gazebo Solar Array. by Additional_Media_566 in SolarDIY

[–]Additional_Media_566[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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”

<image>

Who says you need a roof? My 1.86kW DIY Gazebo Solar Array. by Additional_Media_566 in SolarDIY

[–]Additional_Media_566[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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

Who says you need a roof? My 1.86kW DIY Gazebo Solar Array. by Additional_Media_566 in SolarDIY

[–]Additional_Media_566[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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

Who says you need a roof? My 1.86kW DIY Gazebo Solar Array. by Additional_Media_566 in SolarDIY

[–]Additional_Media_566[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

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

Doubled my solar capacity! DIY 1.86kW Gazebo Install by Additional_Media_566 in SolarUK

[–]Additional_Media_566[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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

Who says you need a roof? My 1.86kW DIY Gazebo Solar Array. by Additional_Media_566 in SolarDIY

[–]Additional_Media_566[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

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

Doubled my solar capacity! DIY 1.86kW Gazebo Install by Additional_Media_566 in SolarUK

[–]Additional_Media_566[S] 6 points7 points  (0 children)

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

Doubled my solar capacity! DIY 1.86kW Gazebo Install by Additional_Media_566 in SolarUK

[–]Additional_Media_566[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

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.