Solar Panel adjustable pole mount

[KAL]

I’d like to use a 38mm pole that I have already in situ (currently with wind genny mounted) to mount a panel of 100W if possible. I imagine something that holds the panel as a top-mount and which is adjustable so I can angle it to give optimal exposure to the sun, then leave it horizontal when boat is on the mooring. The wind genny does not have to stay.

Has anyone done this and if so, how? Is there a product available that will provide a solution?

 

[PTB]

Hi, I ditched my wind gen and replaced it with a rigid 50w panel. I made the tipping and rotation bits and the panel produces way more than the wind gen ever did. It does better than my 80w fixed panel because of the ability to avoid shade and 'follow' the sun. Panel on a pole not pretty imo but neither was the genny. Picture gives you the idea but not the detail I;m afraid. I can get you a more detailed pic when next at boat if you want. Phil

 

[KAL]

Yes please Phil, that’s the sort of thing I was contemplating. We don’t have an arch and it seems crazy not to use a perfectly good stainless pole with decent cabling already in place. I haven’t got the means to weld stainless, but I know a man who can! Any guidance welcomed.

 

[UK-WOOZY]

good idea using an existing pole if you have it. i recently bought a NOA swivel solar mount. Utterly rubbish. It wobbles when i move about on the boat (boat on the hard still) and the base bolt was knackered out the box. so am returning it. they have a better one with side pushpit brackets but its hard to get hold of or get info from NOA, totally rubbish comms

 

[PTB]

Hi KAL, better pic attached of my set up which will give you the gist. I made this wind gen to solar replacement a winter project. ( although I can swop back easily to the wind gen if I wanted). Did the o level geometry bit for getting winter and summer tilt angles and then made all the bits mostly out of nylon material I had in the garage. I used a mates lathe to do the boring. No welding needed. The mechanism slides up the pole adjusting the tilt and can then be clamped with the aluminium knob. I'm sure a lot could me made with hardwood though. The key to its efficiency is rotating to point at the sun. The tilting does help as well but it could be simplified with a fixed optimised tilt for say midday in spring and autumn perhaps ?. A bit ugly imo but this 50w panel does a lot better than my fixed flat 80w panel on the coachroof if you move it around a bit. PM me if you want more info.

 

[KAL]

That’s a beautiful job Phil. Many congratulations and thanks for sharing. Very helpful indeed.