Solar panel options

tj_online

Hi, wondering if anyone knows whether it’s possible to get different mounting configurations for solar panels.
My house (moved in Dec 2033)has a roof that’s probably unsuitable for panels. (Ridge line runs N to S approx). However, the back wall gets a lot of sun. I’ve wondered about a Solar roofed veranda but that might take up too much space. 

Is there an option to cover the back wall in a load of small panels (tiles?) mounted on a frame to hold them at an appropriate angle to get good efficiency?

wrf12345

the older (but new) panels are trending down towards fifty quid a panel, approx 1m x 2m, they can be mounted vertically on the wall, not optimum but at that price may be worth it. You may also get away with east and west mounted roof panels but not optimum or may be a combination of all three if you can source a pile of cheap panels. Also have the possibility of a solar air heater on the south wall if you are into DIY - see youtube. If you are trying for "free" solar via eco4 probably not going to get it. All assuming no trees or other houses shading the area you want to cover.

DougMLancs

Plenty of people have east-west arrays. You don’t get the same peak as south-facing but you do get better morning/evening generation.

Alnat1

East/west can work really well as it spreads generation over the whole day

[Deleted User]

Hi, I have 12 panels facing east and 4 facing south and that works fine, just means I get more solar energy in the morning. It isn't really too critical if you can shift your use a bit to make the most of the output. Ideally you'd combine the panels with a battery and time of use tariff like Octopus Flux in which case West is best because you'd get the solar energy when prices are highest (for import and export) Obviously depends on the size of the solar array and how much electricity you use, but it's entirely realistic to say goodbye to electricity bills for ever, making enough in exports during the summer to pay for import in the winter. If you expect to be in the house for a while and can afford it a decent solar/battery system would be a good investment IMHO ☀️😁

doodling

Hi,

tj_online said:

Hi, wondering if anyone knows whether it’s possible to get different mounting configurations for solar panels.
My house (moved in Dec 2033)has a roof that’s probably unsuitable for panels. (Ridge line runs N to S approx). However, the back wall gets a lot of sun. I’ve wondered about a Solar roofed veranda but that might take up too much space. 

Is there an option to cover the back wall in a load of small panels (tiles?) mounted on a frame to hold them at an appropriate angle to get good efficiency?

The costs are generally no so.mich the panels themselves but in the electronics, mounting hardware and installation.

If the ridge is truly N/S then putting panels on both sides of the roof would work, otherwise I'd favour the side which is most south facing.

For the back wall, given the low cost of panels, it is probably easiest to mount them flush with the wall rather than try to angle them - the efficiency will be lower but you'll still capture the same amount of energy and it will look better (and be easier to clean).  By the time you've factored in the bracketry to angle the panels it might be cheaper too.

tj_online

Thanks for inputs so far. Neighbour has a couple of tall beech trees which will block the sun 2-3 hrs in the afternoon, except in the height of summer when it’s so high it stays over them. I’ll bear comments in mind - I just wondered if anyone had come up with a Louvre like system (even manual) for lots of smallish tiles I could get on the s/facing wall, tho  I suppose the electrical connections for such a setup would be prohibitive cost wise.

BarelySentientAI

What you want is a ground-mount setup that you just mount as if the wall is the ground.

wrf12345

just to add, if you are into DIY you can make the frame out of treated 2x3 wooden beams rather than welded steel

MeteredOut

wrf12345 said:

just to add, if you are into DIY you can make the frame out of treated 2x3 wooden beams rather than welded steel

Just make sure those frames are well secured to the ground - you don't want your panels flying away on a windy day, and they can catch a lot of wind force...