Custom Solar Patio Structure

Our Custom Solar Structures are dual purpose designs that use the solar structure for more than just solar. This one is a patio shade cover that is a leak proof design that allows entertaining without getting rained on, creating the perfect entertainment area. I have many videos showing all my designs to inspire you to design your own system. I will teach you how to build these with my latest projects coming soon. Most of these unique designs can be built with one man DIY plus one or two helpers. I will show the step by step easy & cheap process to build a custom & water tight solar structure / patio. DIYers can build one of these for far less money than you would think. Why install a solar system on your homes roof when you can build these beautiful coverings that add much value to your homes equity. Check out this one that was customized with brick columns, ceiling fan, lights and more. Your imagination can create something awesome! I am here to help you with any questions you may have and I am happy to share the tricks & hacks of the trade.

[@SolarTechFL]

Great job

[@thepennywiseguys]

Hi. Thank you so much for the kind comment. Have a blessed day my friend.

[@efg1311]

I love this! I think using the bifacial panels with clear back sheet (see-through) could even take this to another level. Super awesome though either way

[@Greg-kw1vg]

Hi. Thanks for your suggestion. I hope others that see your idea will give it some consideration. There are so many possibilities. Have a blessed day.

[@russkielol]

Looks great!! I would definitely do this over mounting them on the roof

[@Greg-kw1vg]

Thanks for the compliment. I have had many customers who did not want the solar system on their homes roof and this gave them a great way to have solar and have the space under the system for a secondary purpose. I posted videos of the different types of design ideas we have developed to provide those looking for rooftop solar alternatives to give them ideas of what they could possibly do with a custom solar structure. You have a blessed day.

[@johnfitbyfaithnet]

Excellent thank you so much for sharing this important information

[@thepennywiseguys]

Hi. Thanks for the kind compliment. Please look for my upcoming videos in a couple of weeks showing the step by step process to build these. I am filming my current project that is almost finished. Blessings my friend.

[@jab376]

Brilliant idea

[@thepennywiseguys]

Thank you for the kind word. This idea has worked great for my customers. Blessings my friend.

[@VedaSay]

Excellent setup. This thing should really catch on. Also about washing the panels, for most conditions research indicates there at at worse 5% loss. Just add that to your initial design and you should be good with the occasional rain wash.

[@thepennywiseguys]

Hi. Thanks for your kind comment. Yes we have built many of these. We also installed automatic washing systems on them that have a soap & rinse cycle. Check out my playlist for solar washing systems. I show how to build these for the DIYer. Blessings my friend

[@muhammadriaz6341]

😮 good job ❤❤❤❤❤

[@thepennywiseguys]

Thank you for the compliment. Have a blessed day.

[@johnfitbyfaithnet]

Agreed

[@thepennywiseguys]

@@johnfitbyfaithnet Thank you. Blessings.

[@Calibike]

very nice.

[@thepennywiseguys]

Thanks for the kind comment. You have a blessed day.

[@patrickmaartense7772]

looks great, but I think bifacial panels would have been a WAY better solution 1: better efficiency 2: no backside degredation due to UV radiation ( these will get microcraks over time)

[@Greg-kw1vg]

Hi. Yes bifacial panels are a great improvement in solar technology. This system was done years ago before bifacial panels were even available at a fairly decent price point. The panels used on this system had a much faster payback for investment and produces what the customer needed for his electric usage. I take the approach that whatever is available at the time I do the project that will give the fastest ROI and has a great warranty and expected life is the best choice for my customers. I currently use higher producing panels that are now available. The life expectancy of this system is 30- 40 years and my customer is nearly 70 years old. We made the right choice for him. 40 years from now the new owner of the home can choose to upgrade to newer solar panel technology and can you just imagine what will be available in 40 years. Thanks for your input. Have a blessed day

[@deadpolymers3416]

I’ve been looking at doing solar something like this. I want to build a patio and cover along the back of my house, and mount solar on top, instead of on the roof.

[@Greg-kw1vg]

Hi. Yes this is an awesome way to get both solar and a patio cover. I have videos showing these next to homes as a patio. Please check them out. My next project is a small patio structure next to a home and I will make multiple videos showing every step of the process to build these. Also these qualify fully for the Federal Tax Credit and also in states that charge property tax, these are exempt for tax increase (in most states). Have a blessed day.

[@EVMANVSGAS]

This looks really nice. The only thing I would worry about is if one panel goes bad and it's siliconed down directly to the supports so it doesn't leak. How do you get this panel out to replace? How much more would it have been to actually build a metal roof and then bolt them down to that with normal solar railing? I do agree everyone who has a good amount of direct sun should build their patio/carport like this. Also, it doesn't have to take a lot of water to wash the panels. Water restrictions sounds like an excuse to me.

[@thepennywiseguys]

Hi. Great questions. The panels are not glued down to the purlins with sealant. Once they are installed, just run a small bead of sealant between the small crack between panels. To replace them, cut the sealant with a blade and unbolt from top to replace. The cost to put a roof on the structure and then mount the panels on the roof costs way to much compared to using the panels as the roof as shown. I hope this helps. Blessings my friend

[@F-Bomb313]

I imagine having air circulate on top and bottom removes heat, resulting in better performance and longevity...

[@thepennywiseguys]

Hi. Yes you are correct in that air flow does allow natural and free cooling to help performance. My customers love the use of the space under the structures and for the same price of a solar system that they would spend on a rooftop solar system, they now also have a dual purpose use. Also these do not increase property taxes because it is 100% solar and solar systems do not increase property tax in most if not all states. Have a blessed day.

[@F-Bomb313]

@@thepennywiseguys would there be a load issue in snowy climates? Then again I'd assume you'd want to clean off the panels... d'uh

[@thepennywiseguys]

@@F-Bomb313 Hi. Yes you are correct that you would want to keep the snow build up cleaned off. The structure would hold a lot of extra weight, but since I mount these panels on the ends, the load for the panels would not be as much and would need to be cleared off after a modest amount of snow buildup. I am not in an area with the snow issue and could not give advice on how to remove snow. If you have any good ideas on this, please let me know your ideas. Thanks. Blessings.

[@alexk6745]

I like this, but wonder if it is possible to do similar out of wood? I'd like to have a timber look.

[@thepennywiseguys]

Hi. I would suggest doing it out of steel for the strength and then overlay the post with wood. This project had wood added to the facia to give it that wood look, and the posts with bricks. There is a lot you can do to dress these up. Blessings my friend.

[@rb_eyedit]

Great design. I dont see any rapid shutdown devices in use. Does the structure being away from the residence negate the requirement for rapid shutdown equipment?

[@thepennywiseguys]

Hi. When this system was built the RSD rules were if the central inverter (that has a built in DC disconnect) is within 10' of the Solar array, then the RSD is not needed. We went with and passed current codes at the time. Thanks for your question and comment. Have a blessed day.

[@willbass2869]

Good question

[@ryanyoder7573]

This looks overbuilt which is great. Where does the water go once it hits the trough? Does it roll down into a gutter?

[@thepennywiseguys]

Hi. Thanks for your comment. Yes my engineer likes to design them to last. I slope the structure just a little bit to either side so the water runs to either end. I make a "gutter" out of the 2x2 edge trim on one side of the Z purlins and the other side has its own built in "gutter" with the returns on the bottom 2.5" flange. This works great. Blessings my friend.

[@NashvilleAustralia]

Is it possible to put a ceiling in the patio, perhaps timber? Or does the airflow restriction affect panel performance?

[@thepennywiseguys]

Hi. Yes I have a design to add shade clothe to the underside of the purlins to cover up the bottom side of the panels to give it a finished look. Shade clothe will let the air flow so not to cause panels to get overheated. So far with all of the many solar structures I have done only one got close to letting us do this but decided after we were completed that they liked the look and did not want to go with the extra cost to do the shade clothe. You have a blessed day my friend.

[@howiegrapek]

This is truly beautiful. Where in the country are you? Do you do work in South Florida?

[@howiegrapek]

Oh, i see, you are in California.

[@Greg-kw1vg]

Hi. Thank you for the kind compliment. Yes I am in Central California. I have a project coming up this Fall and I will video all the details of installation of these type of structures. This will aid you or your contractor to build these to be leak proof so you can use the structure for more than just solar. If you have any questions, I am more than happy to help. Blessings to you my friend.

[@bodyzoasispersonaltraining9186]

​@@Greg-kw1vgI need to replicate something like this this winter. It will be 12 x 20. 10 panels.

[@thepennywiseguys]

@@bodyzoasispersonaltraining9186 I am sorry I did not see your comment until now. I am starting a very small structure patio very soon and will film all aspects of the process. I will post the videos to show step by step how to build these. If you have not built yours yet, I hope these videos, that will be released starting April, will help. Blessings.

[@jh500us]

Does this work in a coastal hurricane zone like Florida? Winds 110 mph

[@thepennywiseguys]

Hi. My engineer designs for this area requirements of 100 mph winds. I believe he bumps up the engineering for 120 mph. You can have your local engineer design for your building codes. You would just use a thicker wall steel plus bigger welds. The panel attachments that I use are the same as roof top solar so use what is acceptable in your area. I hope this helps. Have a blessed day.

[@dapperduane]

Have you released the step by step videos?

[@thepennywiseguys]

Hi. I am now building a new structure and will have it completed in a couple of weeks. I am filming step by step videos and will release them first part of June. Blessings my friend.

[@Thebluebimmer]

Where are you guys based from? I want something like this done

[@thepennywiseguys]

Hi. I am in Central Valley California. I am retiring soon after I complete my final list of projects. I have 1 or 2 more structure projects coming up soon and I will film every step of the process in order to help others to see how they can build these or have a contractor to build it form them. If you have any questions, I am here to help. Blessings.

[@byronsinclair3956]

@@thepennywiseguys Fresno, by any chance?

[@thepennywiseguys]

@@byronsinclair3956 Hi. yes I do work in Fresno County. I am retired and am finishing up my last jobs this year. I am in talks with my 2 partners about continuing with the business, but have not confirmed anything yet. I will know more by next Spring. If you are looking for help with a potential project, please email me at [e-mail] Blessings my friend

[@abelincoln3261]

I realize this is a year old now.. my question is did you film the construction of this project ?

[@thepennywiseguys]

Hi. I built this system about 6 years ago and did not film the step by step construction. I am finishing up my current and possibly last system and have filmed each step. I will launch about 8 videos soon on how to build these. Blessings my friend

[@tlteal]

Did you consider using bifacial panels instead of not?

[@Greg-kw1vg]

Hi. Thanks for your question. At the time this was built, bi-facial panels were not an option. Since they have come on the market the price difference has not been an attractive option for the added benefit. Also the low pitch of slope on my structures does not allow enough added production to overcome the added cost. These are better suited for ground mount systems that have 20 to 35 degree slopes. Blessings my friend.

[@tlteal]

@@Greg-kw1vggot it and thank you for the thoughtful and kind reply back. Truly appreciated!

[@audiecarter8886]

How does someone contact you to inquire about materials for a DIY project in Florida?

[@thepennywiseguys]

Hi. We are in Central CA. You can email me at [e-mail] Have a blessed day.

[@Moondoggy1941]

When you watch a video of people cleaning their solar panels they get really dirty, and they use a lot of water to clean them, can you gutter system handle that much debrie and water?.

[@thepennywiseguys]

Hi. Great question. Yes the panels are almost sealed, so most of the water from rain or washing runs off the from the top. What does make it through to the gutter system does run off to the end (I build in a small slope to run the water to either end). I hope this answer helps. Please let me know if you have any other questions. We are in the middle of an extreme heat wave over the last 4 weeks and hopefully will be done in a week, so I can finish up the current project and post the step by step videos soon. Blessings my friend.

[@Moondoggy1941]

@@thepennywiseguys I think we are both enjoying the same little heat wave, 106 here yesterday and a 500 dollar electric bill to boot.

[@thepennywiseguys]

@@Moondoggy1941 We had up to 116 days in June and early July. Now it is a cool 104-109. Friday we are going to have a chilly 98. 98 would normally be hot but after what we had it feels cool. I am hoping August is normal. Stay safe my friend.

[@bodyzoasispersonaltraining9186]

How can i get some of the shared rail system

[@thepennywiseguys]

Hi. I designed this system to be leak proof by using what I call the "Shared Rail System". Each project is custom made and is made with raw components purchased from steel suppliers. I have another project that I will be building in the coming months that I will video each step of the process to produce multiple videos with the step by step process to build. These will be coming out by this late spring. I hope they will help aid you in building your own system. Have a blessed day.

[@locostgt7694]

@@thepennywiseguysany update on the project video? I am highly interested in your amazing work

[@B0X2002]

Want to get your design ❤

[@thepennywiseguys]

Hi. Please email me @ [e-mail]

[@Calibike]

how about a huge solar carport standing 30ft tall with a flat roof 2 story house underneath

[@thepennywiseguys]

Hi. That is an idea that I had not considered. It would be much cheaper to put the solar system on the roof of the home. Could you share with me your reasons to do this? Other than protecting the home from damaging sun and weather, I can not see the upside. I had one customer that had an idea to install sides to the posts to enclose the structure to make it into a shop after we were done with the system. He never did so, but this is the only idea close to what you are suggesting. It is fun to dream up ideas and see what can be done. Blessings to you my friend.

[@Calibike]

Instead of sloping roof get a flat roof with solar canopy Get one extra floor

[@thepennywiseguys]

@@Calibike I now know what you are thinking of. What a creative idea.

[@Calibike]

@@thepennywiseguys your design makes entire roof waterproof. home roof will be like industrial flat roofs and solar overhang on all sides. gives you a nice patio and especially for those who have a view or are near ocean

[@thepennywiseguys]

@@Calibike Nice idea, thanks