Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » 400w solar off-grid kit on Amazon: $1.5k complete
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| Re: 400w solar off-grid kit on Amazon: $1.5k complete [message #194424 is a reply to message #194420] |
Mon, 31 December 2012 07:57   |
Chr$
Messages: 2690
Registered: January 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Karma: 1
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Seems to use Quality parts, mono crystalline panels and Xantrex electronics. $3.75 per watt is pretty high, although it is a complete system sans battery, so may be worth it for a small system.
-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ
77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
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| Re: 400w solar off-grid kit on Amazon: $1.5k complete [message #194425 is a reply to message #194420] |
Mon, 31 December 2012 08:11 |
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SeanKidd
Messages: 747
Registered: June 2012
Location: Northern Neck Virginia
Karma: 4
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I have installed large commercial solar, about 13 MW worth..including North America's largest rooftop array. I have yet to choose one for my own home or coach due to the price of the modules...most new modules installed commercially are up to 300W per panel, polycrystalline. You would be better off installing one or two newer technology panels. Inverter technology has not changed much. Btw the panels(modules) are installed in series, therefore if one is shaded (even partially) you will lose output from entire array. Like one bad battery in a flashlight. Check with some local installers, often they will have ordered spares for mishaps during construction, and can sometimes buy them cheaper...
Sean and Stephanie
73 Ex-CanyonLands 26' #317 "Oliver"
Hubler 1-Ton, Quad-Bags, Rear Disc, Reaction Arms, P.Huber TBs, 3.70:1 LSD Honda 6500 inverter gen.
Colonial Travelers
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| Re: 400w solar off-grid kit on Amazon: $1.5k complete [message #194432 is a reply to message #194425] |
Mon, 31 December 2012 09:22 |
rcjordan
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
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>series
Ah! See, I had no idea that one panel could cripple an array. I'd assumed parallel. Are all consumer arrays going to be in series?
> I have yet to choose one for my own home or coach due to the price of the modules...
Do you feel the tech just isn't there yet?
Or are you just waiting for the next price drop?
Or do you think it'll never be cost-effective versus a generator?
SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
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| Re: [GMCnet] 400w solar off-grid kit on Amazon: $1.5k complete [message #194447 is a reply to message #194425] |
Mon, 31 December 2012 11:33 |
mickeysss
Messages: 1476
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Happy new solar year, can anyone tell us what system to get for solar on the gmc with 1500 to 2000 dollar investment for full solar power possible
or 1000 some where in this area, what would you do if you know what you are doing, How many 6 volt batteries - say 4 X 6 volt batteries house banks two
in front passenger side and two next to onan, would you separate the two from each other, solar cells for the front and some for the rear not attached
or is it best to attach them together. Boondocking design with led lights, where to get the leds, and keep the propane as is, get the old onan working
maybe have a 99 dollars extra small generator as back up, which one of these to get, a 1200 dollars wind mill from west marine maybe for
full open charging when the sun is not shinning, how this would join into the system. How many solar cells for two 6 volt banks of 4 batteries.?
should the windmill, go to both or just one side or be able to switch to one side to the other. How to charge this off the motor of the gmc, where is this
already done and thank you for the time. These are my projects that i want to get started some time this summer. any ideas would be appreciated.
If you want to ignore me that is ok as well, if you just have an idea that makes any of these dreams a nightmare let me know about that horror story,
hhapyypy new yearrrrrrr!
mickey
77 palm beach
santa is still here in disneyland, at the bar.
the raindeer are dancing - square dancing ?
they also use triangles - they have been here for a week.
anaheim ca.
On Dec 31, 2012, at 6:11 AM, Sean Kidd wrote:
>
>
> I have installed large commercial solar, about 13 MW worth..including North America's largest rooftop array. I have yet to choose one for my own home or coach due to the price of the modules...most new modules installed commercially are up to 300W per panel, polycrystalline. You would be better off installing one or two newer technology panels. Inverter technology has not changed much. Btw the panels(modules) are installed in series, therefore if one is shaded (even partially) you will lose output from entire array. Like one bad battery in a flashlight. Check with some local installers, often they will have ordered spares for mishaps during construction, and can sometimes buy them cheaper...
> --
> 73 Canyonlands 26' #317
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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| Re: [GMCnet] 400w solar off-grid kit on Amazon: $1.5k complete [message #194449 is a reply to message #194447] |
Mon, 31 December 2012 11:47 |
rcjordan
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
Karma: 1
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> 99 dollars extra small generator as back up
I'm with you on that one, Mickey. Some of those have gotten decent reviews in the past.
http://kk.org/cooltools/archives/4537
> 4 X 6 volt batteries house bank
Again, that's what I'd been thinking based on what research I've cobbled together.
I'm basing my 400w idea on the earlier thread showing the 140w installation. But that was bright AZ sun. Here on the NC coast, we have plenty of sun ...but also plenty of big pine trees, so Sean's comment about partially shaded arrays is noteworthy.
SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
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| Re: [GMCnet] 400w solar off-grid kit on Amazon: $1.5k complete [message #194452 is a reply to message #194447] |
Mon, 31 December 2012 11:45 |
Ronald Pottol
Messages: 505
Registered: September 2012
Location: Redwood City, California
Karma: -2
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I'd love to hear any thoughts.
Poke around, and you find people with up to 2100 watts (not a GMC!) on RVs,
how much is practical? Tiltable mounts?
Ron
On Dec 31, 2012 9:31 AM, "Mickey Space Ship Shuttle" <mickeysss@me.com>
wrote:
>
> Happy new solar year, can anyone tell us what system to get for solar on
> the gmc with 1500 to 2000 dollar investment for full solar power possible
>
> or 1000 some where in this area, what would you do if you know what you
> are doing, How many 6 volt batteries - say 4 X 6 volt batteries house banks
> two
>
> in front passenger side and two next to onan, would you separate the two
> from each other, solar cells for the front and some for the rear not
> attached
>
> or is it best to attach them together. Boondocking design with led lights,
> where to get the leds, and keep the propane as is, get the old onan working
>
> maybe have a 99 dollars extra small generator as back up, which one of
> these to get, a 1200 dollars wind mill from west marine maybe for
>
> full open charging when the sun is not shinning, how this would join into
> the system. How many solar cells for two 6 volt banks of 4 batteries.?
>
> should the windmill, go to both or just one side or be able to switch to
> one side to the other. How to charge this off the motor of the gmc, where
> is this
>
> already done and thank you for the time. These are my projects that i want
> to get started some time this summer. any ideas would be appreciated.
>
> If you want to ignore me that is ok as well, if you just have an idea that
> makes any of these dreams a nightmare let me know about that horror story,
>
> hhapyypy new yearrrrrrr!
>
>
> mickey
>
> 77 palm beach
>
> santa is still here in disneyland, at the bar.
>
> the raindeer are dancing - square dancing ?
>
> they also use triangles - they have been here for a week.
>
> anaheim ca.
>
>
> On Dec 31, 2012, at 6:11 AM, Sean Kidd wrote:
>
> >
> >
> > I have installed large commercial solar, about 13 MW worth..including
> North America's largest rooftop array. I have yet to choose one for my own
> home or coach due to the price of the modules...most new modules installed
> commercially are up to 300W per panel, polycrystalline. You would be
> better off installing one or two newer technology panels. Inverter
> technology has not changed much. Btw the panels(modules) are installed in
> series, therefore if one is shaded (even partially) you will lose output
> from entire array. Like one bad battery in a flashlight. Check with some
> local installers, often they will have ordered spares for mishaps during
> construction, and can sometimes buy them cheaper...
> > --
> > 73 Canyonlands 26' #317
> > _______________________________________________
> > GMCnet mailing list
> > Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> > http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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1973 26' GM outfitted
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| Re: [GMCnet] 400w solar off-grid kit on Amazon: $1.5k complete [message #194453 is a reply to message #194449] |
Mon, 31 December 2012 11:55 |
Ronald Pottol
Messages: 505
Registered: September 2012
Location: Redwood City, California
Karma: -2
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Senior Member |
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Shade is the most unintuitive thing about solar, even something trivial,
like an antenna, can cause a big drop in output.
Or so I've read.
Ron
On Dec 31, 2012 9:47 AM, "RC Jordan" <rc@rcjordan.com> wrote:
>
>
> > 99 dollars extra small generator as back up
>
> I'm with you on that one, Mickey. Some of those have gotten decent reviews
> in the past.
>
> http://kk.org/cooltools/archives/4537
>
> > 4 X 6 volt batteries house bank
>
> Again, that's what I'd been thinking based on what research I've cobbled
> together.
>
> I'm basing my 400w idea on the earlier thread showing the 140w
> installation. But that was bright AZ sun. Here on the NC coast, we have
> plenty of sun ...but also plenty of big pine trees, so Sean's comment about
> partially shaded arrays is noteworthy.
> --
> 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath "http://RetroChicGMC.com/"
> 76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath "http://ShortCircuitGMC.com/"
> Both currently at GMCcoop
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
1973 26' GM outfitted
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| Re: [GMCnet] 400w solar off-grid kit on Amazon: $1.5k complete [message #194456 is a reply to message #194454] |
Mon, 31 December 2012 12:21 |
Ronald Pottol
Messages: 505
Registered: September 2012
Location: Redwood City, California
Karma: -2
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Senior Member |
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There are three kinds of cells, amorphous, polycrystalline, and
monocrystalline. Mono are the most efficient and most expensive, amorphous
the least. I'd put amorphous on the roof of my house (more square feet than
money), and mono on the GMC (very limited area, so I'll eat the cost).
Being able to handle being on a vehicle is another factor.
Tilt is the final question. Flat is easy, but you give up some power, and
you may need to wash them. Tilt is one more thing to be wrong, but can be a
real output boost.
Ron
On Dec 31, 2012 10:04 AM, "RC Jordan" <rc@rcjordan.com> wrote:
>
>
> I have no idea if these are quality panels or not, but I went searching
> for 300w single panels Sean mentioned: $275.40 (but 4 panel minimum) +
> freight.
>
> http://www.solarsystems-usa.net/solar-panels/renesola/jc300m-24-ab/
>
> Panel is 77" x 39"
> --
> 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath "http://RetroChicGMC.com/"
> 76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath "http://ShortCircuitGMC.com/"
> Both currently at GMCcoop
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
1973 26' GM outfitted
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| Re: [GMCnet] 400w solar off-grid kit on Amazon: $1.5k complete [message #194458 is a reply to message #194456] |
Mon, 31 December 2012 12:42 |
rcjordan
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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>Tilt is the final question.
If 300w happens to work out to be the sweet spot for the system when you factor in price, average use, battery bank size, and available roof space then dealing with one larger panel simplifies the tilt issue. At least it's just one panel to rig up on a gimbal or prop system.
SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
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| Re: [GMCnet] 400w solar off-grid kit on Amazon: $1.5k complete [message #194459 is a reply to message #194454] |
Mon, 31 December 2012 12:45 |
Ray Erspamer
Messages: 1707
Registered: May 2007
Location: Milwaukee Wisconsin
Karma: -3
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Senior Member |
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Lots of good stuff coming out on solar, I love the idea of being free of needing
power. About 80% of our camping is boon-docking.
Last summer we made the plunge. Installed a 100 watt panel and converted the
entire coach to LED interior lighting. Along with that we run the refrigerator
on gas, have a gas tank-less water heater and in cold weather a big buddy
propane heater. In July we camped for 14 days, all we needed was 1 battery
recharge after the 9th day, we did that by running the coach engine for about 1
1/2 hours. In August I added 2 more panels, 2 - 75 watt giving us a total of
250 watts.
I calculated if we get 3 hours of good sun per day we get .75kWh of charge back
into the batteries and our average daily usage is .49kWh, (basically water pump,
some lighting and some fantastic vent use). I'm hoping we can boon-dock camp
for nice long periods without worrying about power at all now.
Here are some pictures of our installation:
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/g6188-rays-solar-battery-charging-system.html
Total cost of my installation was about $600.
Ray
Ray & Lisa
78 Royale "Great Lakes Eagle"
Center Kitchen TZE368V101144
Wauwatosa, Wisconsin 53226
Email: 78GMC-Royale@att.net
414-745-3188
Web Site: http://ray-lisa.page.tl/
________________________________
From: RC Jordan <rc@rcjordan.com>
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Sent: Mon, December 31, 2012 12:05:00 PM
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] 400w solar off-grid kit on Amazon: $1.5k complete
I have no idea if these are quality panels or not, but I went searching for 300w
single panels Sean mentioned: $275.40 (but 4 panel minimum) + freight.
http://www.solarsystems-usa.net/solar-panels/renesola/jc300m-24-ab/
Panel is 77" x 39"
--
77 RoyaleCoachmen Side Dry Bath "http://RetroChicGMC.com/"
76 BirchavenCoachmen Side Wet Bath "http://ShortCircuitGMC.com/"
Both currently at GMCcoop
_______________________________________________
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Ray Erspamer
78 GMC Royale Center Kitchen
403, 3.70 Final Drive
Holley Sniper Quadrajet EFI System,
Holley Hyperspark Ignition System
414-484-9431
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| Re: [GMCnet] 400w solar off-grid kit on Amazon: $1.5k complete [message #194461 is a reply to message #194458] |
Mon, 31 December 2012 13:11 |
Ronald Pottol
Messages: 505
Registered: September 2012
Location: Redwood City, California
Karma: -2
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Senior Member |
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Yes, there is also installed tilt, but that means parking one direction for
best effect.
I keep coming back to the idea of a 600 watt DC air conditioner powered by
solar. Out here in the dry west, running it daytime only could be enough to
make things much nicer, and say 900 watts should be doable, and give you a
reasonable window you can run it in.
I see a lot of math in my future.
Ron
On Dec 31, 2012 10:42 AM, "RC Jordan" <rc@rcjordan.com> wrote:
>
>
> >Tilt is the final question.
>
> If 300w happens to work out to be the sweet spot for the system when you
> factor in price, average use, battery bank size, and available roof space
> then dealing with one larger panel simplifies the tilt issue. At least it's
> just one panel to rig up on a gimbal or prop system.
> --
> 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath "http://RetroChicGMC.com/"
> 76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath "http://ShortCircuitGMC.com/"
> Both currently at GMCcoop
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
_______________________________________________
GMCnet mailing list
Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
1973 26' GM outfitted
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| Re: [GMCnet] 400w solar off-grid kit on Amazon: $1.5k complete [message #194464 is a reply to message #194456] |
Mon, 31 December 2012 13:49 |
mickeysss
Messages: 1476
Registered: January 2012
Karma: 0
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Senior Member |
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are the flex solar cells mono or what are they? this is good info.
It is easy to want solar but hard to educate ones self for quality system choice on an rv.
the whole system as well, it is hard to get clear which way to go with the transfer system and
regulators etc. The whole system is needed, the info is needed for the doing most with the least.
mickey
77 palm beach
anaheim ca.
the flex cells sure are interesting and easier to adapt - it looks. thanks all - happy orbit day!
On Dec 31, 2012, at 10:21 AM, Ronald Pottol wrote:
> There are three kinds of cells, amorphous, polycrystalline, and
> monocrystalline. Mono are the most efficient and most expensive, amorphous
> the least. I'd put amorphous on the roof of my house (more square feet than
> money), and mono on the GMC (very limited area, so I'll eat the cost).
>
> Being able to handle being on a vehicle is another factor.
>
> Tilt is the final question. Flat is easy, but you give up some power, and
> you may need to wash them. Tilt is one more thing to be wrong, but can be a
> real output boost.
>
> Ron
> On Dec 31, 2012 10:04 AM, "RC Jordan" <rc@rcjordan.com> wrote:
>
>>
>>
>> I have no idea if these are quality panels or not, but I went searching
>> for 300w single panels Sean mentioned: $275.40 (but 4 panel minimum) +
>> freight.
>>
>> http://www.solarsystems-usa.net/solar-panels/renesola/jc300m-24-ab/
>>
>> Panel is 77" x 39"
>> --
>> 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath "http://RetroChicGMC.com/"
>> 76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath "http://ShortCircuitGMC.com/"
>> Both currently at GMCcoop
>> _______________________________________________
>> GMCnet mailing list
>> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
>> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
_______________________________________________
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| Re: [GMCnet] 400w solar off-grid kit on Amazon: $1.5k complete [message #194465 is a reply to message #194464] |
Mon, 31 December 2012 14:29 |
rcjordan
Messages: 1913
Registered: October 2012
Location: Elizabeth City, North Car...
Karma: 1
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Senior Member |
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>It is easy to want solar
It sure is.
Many of us have old Onans that need upgrading now or the near future. I'd say that Southern coach owners really need to assess whether jumping to solar might work for them.
>whole system
I'm working from 2 points where space is the problem: battery rack and panel size. My gut feeling is that the system is going to end up being 300w and 2x12v hi amp-hour batteries.
SOLD 77 Royale Coachmen Side Dry Bath
76 Birchaven Coachmen Side Wet Bath
76 Eleganza
Elizabeth City, NC
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| Re: 400w solar off-grid kit on Amazon: $1.5k complete [message #194477 is a reply to message #194420] |
Mon, 31 December 2012 17:09 |
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SeanKidd
Messages: 747
Registered: June 2012
Location: Northern Neck Virginia
Karma: 4
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Senior Member |
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Series versus parallel, if you look at a module up close, really close; you will see each little square is itself in series. my best analogy is the flashlight, even a single panel with perhaps a corner shaded from a roof pod, or ac unit will significantly reduce the overall performance. Commercial systems use 24-36 volt output modules, we "string" together as many as we can to get to 600VDC.then we repeat. each string is tied to the next through an isolation fuse in a "combiner" then routed with heavier cable (250-300MCM). Toys R Us in Flanders NJ uses thin film technology, it is a thin (3/16" thick amorphous silicone that is flexible) you can walk on it. Thin film has a flatter output based on sun orientation, whereas poly and mono have a sharp bell curve with the highest output when the sun is directly overhead. The toys r us project contained over 74,000 panels, 800,000 feet of #10awg and connected to 10- 500kw inverters, total output 5MW
Most of our flat carport style arrays in NJ Have a 10 degree tilt due south. ground mount is 20 degrees.
Sean and Stephanie
73 Ex-CanyonLands 26' #317 "Oliver"
Hubler 1-Ton, Quad-Bags, Rear Disc, Reaction Arms, P.Huber TBs, 3.70:1 LSD Honda 6500 inverter gen.
Colonial Travelers
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