Finished our solar Cover for the Camper/Truck/Etc..

sleepy wrote:
Very nice.... I am very impressed and envious!

What are the materials used in the posts and beams?

Was this commercially constructed?

Are you connected to the power grid.... send them electricity all day.... get some back at night?

I live at 36° latitude.... we are seeing PVSolar farms close by.

Chet

Hi Sleepy,
Pressure treated timber beams were used.
I GC'd the " Array Structure" myself, then hired a company locally here (Green Convergence) to do the install with SunPower solar products.
I am connected to the grid. Here in California we have "net metering". Which basically means I am billed once a year for the difference in what I produce vs. what I use. The system was built with 15% over production to compensate for future growth (electrical use). The first few years, ill make more than I use and get a check back for the amount I make in excess of use at the rate Edison pays for their Energy (30 cents on the dollar approx).
Looking forward to never having an electric bill again.
Those solar Farms are something to see. The future cometh. :)
Gerrit

Very nice.... I am very impressed and envious!

What are the materials used in the posts and beams?

Was this commercially constructed?

Are you connected to the power grid.... send them electricity all day.... get some back at night?

I live at 36° latitude.... we are seeing PVSolar farms close by.

Chet

Hard to find any negatives there. Adding shade to the house while generating electricity and protecting the camper from UV deterioration at the same time! Well done!

Thanks all,
Believe it or not each panel is quite light for being 3' x 5'. The structure was engineered to have a solid roof. Hence the large beams. The footings are massive 3' x 3' rebar laced cement that are located under the pavers. To qualify for the federal 30% rebate we could not make a solid roof covering. So for now it will leak in the seams. But again I purposely build the structure to handle a solid roof which we will retrofit later. That idea was to bring down the entire cost of my lumber, paint, brackets, footings etc. by 30%.
Funny thing is the inspector said that one of the biggest reasons everything had to be so stout was because of wind and uplift. We live here in the canyons and he said he seen these things blow up like kites in the wind.


Now to fix my gates :()

Looks very nice!

I know it's been dry lately - how is the rain handled?

That is awesome...dual purpose idea!! We see the sun once in awhile in west Michigan too. :)

very nice.

Sweet idea... looks like it came out really nice!

Pretty neat... I guess those panels weight add up pretty good. Looks like some good size beams on your structure...

Roy Ken

I plan to cover the other half after we save a few more quarters.