• arrow74@lemmy.zip
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    2 days ago

    My goal one day is to have enough yard space to do an on ground set up. Insanely cheap if you pick up some used panels. The average person would only need an electrician to hook it up to the house.

    I understand not being comfortable with diy roof mounting, I know I’m not. The costs scale quickly when it goes on the roof

    • CompactFlax@discuss.tchncs.de
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      1 day ago

      Ground mount has to address wind load which can be significant. I think the standard is around 500kg wind lift per standard panel. I’ve got a number of 200w panels I haven’t set up because I don’t have an inverter but also because they’re a pain to anchor.

      • arrow74@lemmy.zip
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        1 day ago

        I’ve never lived in areas with high winds. I’ve seen some people with very simple plywood frames to hold their panels. They’ve held for years without issue. Totally regional though

        • CompactFlax@discuss.tchncs.de
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          1 day ago

          People get away with a lot, but as you note it’s regional. All it takes is one gust of wind.

          But I do have a steady average 8kt wind (I mean average over last 5 years day and night), but gusts and storms push 50kt. I wish wind power was more accessible like solar has become; I live in an area that’s frequently the windiest in the country. I’d be able to use it as primary generation and solar for top off.