DIY Solar Frame

[LadyInBed]

I am going to mount 80w semi flexible solar panels either side of my Mizzen Wind Gen L frame.

I need to make a frame to mount them on, Stainless would be great but heavy, out of my skill range and expensive to have made.
The easiest option I have been able to come up with is 15mm copper pipe, it is reasonably stiff and I can pop rivet the solar panels to it. L joints for corners and T joints for centre cross support and for connection to the bottom of the wind gen frame so they can articulate.

Can anyone see any problems with this arrangement or think of another suitable material that would be easy to work with?

 

[Hadenough]

If you are putting them on a frame why use semi flexible which I thought are more expensive and less effucient that rigids?

 

[ningcompoop]

Homebase and B&Q sell lengths of plain and anodised aluminium of various sizes and cross-sections; easy to cut and pop-rivet or bolt together, although I don't know if it's much cheaper than copper pipe. If you've got a local metals supplier you could probably get it cheaper from them.

John

 

[sailorgirl]

Copper pipe -won't it corrode with salt water turning everything green? Would have concerns about its strength in high winds. The skipper made ours in stainless steel with parts from seascrew.com - at about a quarter of the price we were quoted to have one made. Looking good after a years cruising including an trans-atlantic. Picture below of the frame during its construction prior to the addition of the rigid panels and a couple of short struts from the frame to the pulpit to make it completely rigid.

 

[JumbleDuck]

If you are putting them on a frame why use semi flexible which I thought are more expensive and less effucient that rigids?

+1. Around twice the price per watt.

 

[elton]

Homebase and B&Q sell lengths of plain and anodised aluminium of various sizes and cross-sections; easy to cut and pop-rivet or bolt together, although I don't know if it's much cheaper than copper pipe. If you've got a local metals supplier you could probably get it cheaper from them.

John

I used U-section aluminium rail from Homebase to mount a solar panel on the pushpit. Cheap, robust, weatherproof and easy to work. Looks pretty good too. I used 22mm water pipe brackets to attach to the pushpit.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

Copper is heavier and weaker than either stainless or aluminium. It really has no redeeming qualities that make it a good choice for that application.

 

[LadyInBed]

If you are putting them on a frame why use semi flexible which I thought are more expensive and less effucient that rigids?

I already have the panels, used on the coach roof, but I want to put them up out of the way.

 

[LadyInBed]

Homebase and B&Q sell lengths of plain and anodised aluminium of various sizes and cross-sections; easy to cut and pop-rivet or bolt together, although I don't know if it's much cheaper than copper pipe. If you've got a local metals supplier you could probably get it cheaper from them.

John

Thanks, looks like B&Q Anodised Aluminium Square Tube (L)1000mm x (W)10mm x (H)10mm will do a better job.

 

[Hadenough]

I already have the panels, used on the coach roof, but I want to put them up out of the way.

No brainer then :encouragement:

 

[LadyInBed]

B&Q lengths of plain and anodised aluminium
- Collected them today, not the cheapest of solutions, they cost just short of £50
Thank heavens for the OAP Wednesday discount!

 

[ghostlymoron]

Thank heavens for the OAP Wednesday discount!

Why is it I always seem to need stuff on a Thursday?