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solar frames:




Ever since I got my first flexible solar panels I've been looking for a way to be able to angle the panels to
face the sun. (and collect a lot more solar power) There was also the issue of getting them up off the ground
even few inches, to get above the grass which was shading the bottom row of cells.

I decided to try using aluminum "C-channel" sticks to assemble a frame to hold several panels. Aluminum is
easy to work with, light, the different sizes can "dovetail" inside each other like PVC pipe does, and they're
not too expensive. But the local stores don't stock very much, so part of my building constraint was simply a
lack of availability of sticks to build with. But then just as I was pondering this, Winter Field Day was
around the corner which gave me a very tight deadline, so I rushed to build some sort of prototype in time.

The initial design worked but wasn't ideal, and I learned some valuable lessons that led to modifications for
the design I'm currently using.

Since then I have gotten more panels and built more frames. (and more combiner boxes to go with them) They
have proven to be a simple, cheap, portable, and effective method for positioning my flexible panels. The
only drawback they really have is that it takes awhile to set them up, mostly due to the large number of wire
ties that are used to attach the panels to the frames. And since they get cut off and thrown away after each
use, I have to refill the box of wire ties after each event. It's not very expensive, but must not be forgotten.
(I've ran out of wire ties on a few occasions already) So for now I just bring a ton of wire ties with me.
Remember to pack a side cutter so you can cut all those ties when it's time to pack up.


Mark-1 solar frame design

Mark-2 solar frame design


solar panels on the ground (summer):


solar panels on the ground (winter):



highest resolution images
last updated 03/15/2024 at 14:26:52 by make_www_index.command version 2024.03.14.B