DIY: Let's Build an 800W Ground Solar Array for Emergency Backup Power - SHTF

[@yebonuts]

Thank you so much for making your plans available to the public. Deep respect.

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Sure man! One thing I added a few months later is some corner bracing on the base frame. Definitely gives it more rigidity if you're going to move it around much.

[@timerskine249]

Built something very similar for my 4 - 100w panels with pallets. It saved on wood costs but increased the weight. My L-brackets were not strong enough and started bending, had to get thicker brackets. Tracking the sun like a champ now, thanks for the idea!

[@jackehli621]

Bravo!!! I've decided to build this design because it make so much sense. I live in Portland OR. where we need to capture as much sun as possible due to the dreary cloud cover. Plus I'm retired and have nothing better to do than go out and adjust my panels as the day goes on HaH!!

[@yebonuts]

I pretty much duplicated your array, except I used 100 watt renogy panels. Thanks again for sharing your design, it is ideal for my application.

[@japanham5973]

A little late to the party, but really enjoyed the video. You did a great job...and I will copy it, if you don't mind! LOL!.. Only suggestion is, instead of the wheels, is to put 3 or 4 large rubber feet on the back brace to keep the 2x4s off the ground....but still give you the resistance you want for wind. The rubber should be resistive enough to prevent the wind from blowing it around if you get ones that have a large footprint. Another thought.....add another vertical 2x4 in the back, in the middle. Attach one of the same handles vertically and use it to easily lift the back of the rack to move around. Thanks again!

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

I did finally end up adding the casters in the back fo the frame as well since I wasn't having issues with wind pushing it around. Also, I did add some corner bracing to that bottom frame, since moving it around in tall grass did cause quite a bit of flex due to the overall weight. With those changes, it's super solid now.

[@rnp1785]

I like that portable solar panel frame

[@jsk2360]

Plywood gussets at the cornets wood make tie corners stronger and a good surface to attach the casters

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Yeah thanks! I may go that route when I put the rear casters on (I'm finding that there seems to be no real downside to adding those now).

[@stomperthemixer1]

Great Build Buddy, I will be copying this but I will need to stop the wind catching the back and lifting the hinged panels and then slamming them into the ground by the UK climate I live in. Maybe a Caribbean Clip to secure them. Take Care.

[@hardtruth2039]

Great video. I need to builds a few racks for my Ecoflow 400w folding panels. I’ll add diagonals in the corners of the base to sit a 4x8x16 concrete block in each corner for wind.

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Yeah I've since added diagonals for added rigidity when repositioning. Big improvement. Good call on your part.

[@hardymichael533]

Great idea 2 bluetti AC500 System. and B300S Lithium. phosphate. System 6 battery. Power your whole house.

[@leova12587]

This panel can put out close to 100 watts kzbin.infoUgkxOqI2yqX0XVrhR2BMJciTWrHJpG8FhJyg when positioned in the appropriate southernly direction, tilted to the optimal angle for your latitude/date, and connected to a higher capacity device than a 500. The built in kickstand angle is a fixed at 50 degrees. Up to 20% more power can be output by selecting the actual date and latitude optimal angle.The 500 will only input 3.5A maximum at 18 volts for 63 watts. Some of the excess power from the panel can be fed into a USB battery bank, charged directly from the panel while also charging a 500. This will allow you to harvest as much as 63 + 15 = 78 watts.If this panel is used to charge a larger device, such as the power station, then its full output potential can be realized.

[@meilyn22]

Stop with the spamming!

[@SarahStuff-p5u]

Built something like this, about 2kw of panels and 10kwh of 48v batteries, ran me about 5k and have another 1kw in panels from that settup purchase I could toss on. Built all the groundmounts myself. It runs almost all my 120 loads in the house daily, if just the furnace/fridge it can make it a couple cloudy days pretty easy.

[@chrisumali9841]

Thanks for the video and info. Your setup is awesome, and gave me a better idea on how to build a similar setup. Have a great day

[@Bailey463]

Thanks for this video I am just starting out in solar and I have zero clue what I am doing. I’ll be sure to use a lot of your info thanks .

[@bruceeverett5372]

You make great videos, subscribed!

[@oodavidyyf8416]

Thank you brother for the tip. I did the same setup with only 2 285 panel and the only thing I noticed for me at least is that it is hard to move it on just 2 wheel. Imma probably add 2 more and see how it does but awesome video and keep it up.

[@Buffy-88]

Good job 👏

[@GShore]

So helpful! Thanks so much for sharing this! This has a lot of mobile camp or hunting camp applications as well.

[@BRAVO_TWO_NINE]

Thank you for this. Gathering supplies I missed (outlet), thanks to this video. Liked and subed. Peace.

[@ImASurvivorNThriver]

This was great! Thanks for sharing.

[@KingCanon]

Looks awesome. Nice build and video

[@Theoppositeofchaos]

If I heard you correctly you said you are building this for backup but let me tell you something 800w is a lot just for backup you can actually run your refrigerator none stop with that power and reduce your power bill

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Yeah for sure! I've actually been doing that for the past week, just to see, and it's working great. :)

[@michaellatham1971]

Just now reviewing your video. Kudos. Excellent planning and execution. I’m a little jealous. Great job.

[@chrispuentemusic]

Great video. Thanks. Now be careful with the "Preactive" ibuprofin taking. I did that for three years and wrecked my kidneys. CKD is no joke. Rock on!

[@hardtruth2039]

Very nice job. I’m looking to build 6 frames for my 400w Ecoflow folding solar panels. This will be temporary until we can get hard panels bought and installed.

[@MrVegasTube]

Very nice time lapse chemtrail action that day.

[@alfie578]

Thank You ! excellent engineering.

[@sgtcote1]

I reciently built a simple 400W system using Renogy pannels and Ive been wanting to improve on how I built my rack. I love how you were able to calculate for quick seasonal changes and recessing the pannels. As I intend on building a south facing wood shed I intend to build something similar for its rooftop thats easy to adjust for seasons. Your setup is just what im looking for.

[@angacamthehobbit-PapaPrepper]

Hi There I'm also in the process of putting a solar power system together . Very similar idea as you. Been kicking it around for 1 year and been watching as many YT vids and have a few books on hand just in case. Love the video and the reference site is very helpful. Keep up the great vids. From Sunny Florida Angacam The Hobbit

[@mitch5077]

Way Cool, Every video I watch I seem to of forgot at the hardware store🤣✌️😎

[@SeekingBeautifulDesign]

I've found this stuff addictive-siren call of your own power. So I've found it's better to drill a hole big enough for 3x2 wires initially. Much easier at the start than retrofitting. New panel sets will need new charge controller and hence additional wiring. (Never able to match V,A from panels bought at different times given pace of tech advance). A minor thing that would have cost nothing: reversing Z brackets would have made panel frame proud of wood allowing more heat dissipation from sides. While recessed solar panels add a bit of racking resistance, maybe they shouldn't be load bearing. But very little racking forces with an array that small and close to the ground.

[@Roll2Videos]

Great job 👍 Nice build

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Thanks for the kind words! Very much appreciated!

[@anthonygasparini1734]

Great informative video thank you!

[@jeffcornelison888]

Damn good video! 👍

[@kkarllwt]

3 position calc. 15 deg less than the suns highest point. 15 deg higher than the suns lowest point. One in the middle. The nearest 15 deg is all you need.

[@dnhman]

Perfect thanks

[@pondafit4249]

Great job!!!

[@daviddrury9869]

Good information and nice job.

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Thank you sir! I appreciate the kind words. :)

[@cretan911]

Nice!

[@pinch270]

Great video. Question: how would you ground a system like this?

[@jake-mv5oi]

That looks good. I wonder if you could use aluminum angle iron to build it and save some weight. Maybe use lawnmower wheels to roll better.

[@CatHound]

Lawn mower wheels are cheap. He's got the good industrial wheels

[@chadrogers3161]

HELP! I know this is older video and I'm sure you're busy but I cannot find those z brackets anywhere! Worked for Home Depot for over 19 years now and can't find there. Been to small hardware stores and nothing!! Any chance you had to order them????

[@jimverh1868]

Well this is exactly what I’m wanting to build wish there was a little more detail on wood design I’m not the most talented at building 😅

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

If it would help, I can scan the design concept that has the dimensions on it and put it up on a Google Drive share. Let me know. :)

[@jimverh1868]

@@ReeWrayOutdoors that would be very helpful if not to much to ask thanks

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

@@jimverh1868 Here you go! Ping me if you have questions: drive.google.com/drive/folders/1a0rKIsYkgAi_im9TJRZxL94KCTsgsnuw?usp=sharing

[@jimverh1868]

@@ReeWrayOutdoors got it thank you so much

[@Mykhailo-bn1zv]

Is it possible to connect Anker SOLIX C1000 to this 800W panel?

[@theoh6260]

Great project. I’m in the process of building something similar, to charge a solar battery. But I’m struggling with the best method to connect to my home from the battery to power the furnace fan, frig, and a few lights.

[@angacamthehobbit-PapaPrepper]

Just an Idea, so please take it in that vain I would have an

[@Panhandlehomestead]

Man that’s hell of nice job sir! Thank you

[@Janzer_]

NICE

[@raymundo670]

Great video series. Curious why you chose a wood frame vs a metal aluminum frame? The wood would seem to be heavier and prone to rot or ongoing painting etc.

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Yeah there are definite advantages to going with a metal framing material. I mostly chose wood because it was easier to work with, given the tools I have, but also because I was a bit concerned that a metal frame without a ton of reinforcement would have a lot of flex in it, potentially creating other problems. I'll say this though, I'm no longer concerned about wind pushing this thing around! It's been through several days with winds in the 30+MPH range and it hasn't budged an inch with the wheels locked. I'll probably add the remaining 2 wheels in the back here at some point since it seems so stable. I'm also learning that I don't really (at least not in the winter) gain much by altering the elevation angle during the day, so I'm thinking that will really just be a seasonal thing that I do.

[@rrr92462]

I thought your idea of using the handles to hook the 3 different seasons was clever. Simple but effective.

[@UnkyjoesPlayhouse]

very nice :)

[@johngreen9876]

Enjoying this series. We are in Lebanon, Oh. Are there any professional installers you might recommend for this project?

[@relicryan6573]

Awesome design and setup. I'm thinking I'll do something similar for my (4) 100 watt panels. Question, doesn't your caster wheels raise the front end affect the angle and length calculation for seasonal height? How hard is it to adjust your angle with the added weight of the panels? Really cool design! Cheers!

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Thanks man! And haha yeah I wondered who would be the first to point that out. But for one the difference wouldn't be enough to really make a noticeable difference, and also since I measured from the bottom of the vertical 2x4 (and not the from bottom of the base), the real difference is only very slight. Regarding the added weight, it IS a bit of a handful. Still manageable though.

[@grassabrutta]

After a year of use, how is it holding up to the water ? Do you get any pooling or corrosion, particularly along the bottom joist ?

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

It's actually holding up very well. The only modification I made was to add some corner bracing on the base because I was getting too my flex when shifting it around in the thick grass. But yeah, other than that, still going great.

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Oh....I did also add the rear casters that I mentioned in the video. Just makes repositioning all the easier.

[@Howbest2live]

I have watched all your channels and even bought a Pecron E600lfp and bought two 100w bougerv 9bb panels based on your reviews, would you mind if possible doing a review on one the bifacial solar panels like this one, JJN Bifacial 200 Watt Solar Panels 12V 10BB Monocrystalline Solar. Thank you.

[@thurston905]

I have 8 old panels with 1,200 watts which I want to set up to run my swimming pool pump

[@sasakostic1982]

gj!

[@robertbuckwald1366]

How many watts do get out of your four panels?, I have similar setup with the same panels and I am only getting 350w

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

In full sun, I typically get upper 600's to lower 700s, when optimally aligned to the sun. I would check for shading and then verify each panel's VOC and Isc output individually under the same sun conditions to make sure that they're all outputting at roughly the same spec....it's possible that you could have 1 panel underperforming and dragging down the rest of the series.

[@gme10955]

Nice design. Are those solar panels waterproof?

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Yes. Completely weatherproof.

[@arthurwolfram3632]

This project looks really interesting. How did you decide on total output for the array? Did you start with your projected daily power needs, divide by expected number of peak sun hours for your location?

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

In this particular case, my intended function was to be able to fully charge at least 3.5KWh of back-up battery capacity in 1 day. So, given an average of about 500Wh production for each 100W of rated output, it seemed that 800W (x 5 = 4000Wh) was a decent choice. Plus I did have to work within some local ordinance constraints if I wanted to avoid requiring permits and a roof-based installation. I'm looking forward to moving later this year (hopefully) to where I can do pretty much whatever I want without having to deal with local government interference. :-/

[@punksjutgbd]

​@ReeWrayOutdoors thanks for the video. I have extra panels and need to size for a portable battery with the same capacity. Glad I found this. How is it still performing? What has been the actual recharge times for recharging your solar generator? Thanks!

[@wrxs1781]

This is a great set-up, not much use in northern Canada or Alaska.

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Yeah, I'd guess heavy snow would render this design inoperable very quickly. :P

[@jeffroberts857]

Still hoping for that follow up wiring video. Lol

[@eunicesarakun3706]

would this setup work with a pecron lfp 2000

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Yes...BUT the Pecron 2000LFP does have a 600W limit on each of the 2 main inputs. So, if you were going to connect 800W, you'd want to create 2 400W strings and input them separately on each of the 2 aviation ports on the Pecron to avoid over-voltage to the charge controller.

[@Eliaslionloky]

I want to do something like that! I have a question... do you ground each panel or it is not neccesary to ground it?

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Depends on who you ask, really, but for a small setup like this one that is only making temporary and periodic connections to my battery and inverter system, I don't really worry about it. However on larger systems, it's not only recommended but required under NEC code to be grounded (despite some evidence that demonstrates grounded solar arrays can have a higher failure rate when grounded in compliance with code.

[@Eliaslionloky]

@@ReeWrayOutdoors is for a 5200k panel system, thanks

[@Eliaslionloky]

@@ReeWrayOutdoors my roof is in concrete but i want anchor the solar panels in wood just like you did it

[@Javaman92]

So what happened to the followup video?

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Still coming! Between the holidays, a bunch of bad weather, and other videos in the queue...just haven't been able to get to it!

[@Javaman92]

@@ReeWrayOutdoors I just finished my ground array today. I'm afraid that a strong wind could blow it over so I'm going to add ground anchors very soon. Hopefully the ground won't freeze before I can do it.

[@richardbird8097]

so, how many 2 x 4's did you need?

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

I believe it was 8, but I don't have my materials list handy still so not 100% certain.

[@andreaferguson5521]

@@ReeWrayOutdoors just did this design with 9 but only used 1/2 of the last one.

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

@andreaferguson5521 cool! If you didn't do it already, you might add some corner bracing on the base frame. I did end up doing that and it added a lot more rigidity when moving it around on bumpy grass.

[@rrr92462]

What was the total weight?

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

It's a bit of a beast, I'll admit. :P Not sure the total weight, but the panel part is something around 60 pounds to lift when adjusting the angle. So...do-able...but probably not something my wife could handle on her own.

[@theoh6260]

I’m guessing you were not the one to contact me by email…. But even with that, have enjoyed your channel. Thanks.

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Nope! Scammer. I've banned him.

[@bruceeverett5372]

I had the same thing this morning....apparently I won a Jackery??? I really hate scammers🙁

[@theoh6260]

I screwed up and sent a text. I may have to change my number now. What a duphus move on my part….

[@bruceeverett5372]

@@theoh6260 Dude, I did the same...but when he asked me for my address I asked him "what's happening today in Cincinnati today at 4:30....(KCvsBengals)...no reply of course. My gut feeling is it was a low-level troller, but who knows....maybe my 401k is gone🥴

[@theoh6260]

That was a good move on your part…. I try and support people’s channels with likes and comments, but no way to control the scammers out there. Sorry Bruce…. We are in the same boat there.

[@littlegreen5845]

We are still doing that to save lives #1 and save money #2.

[@davemay8813]

You’re lucky. My HOA forbids solar

[@ReeWrayOutdoors]

Yeah that is definitely something people should check into if they live "in town" since there are ordinances against solar in some places...which seems short-sighted and draconian, if you ask me!