Ground Mount vs Roof Mount using Sirius 415w BiFacial Solar Panels! Interesting Results

[@AveRage_Joe]

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[@charlesmcghee7734]

I can hear that sound every time I move my panels around. The dinos are perfect.

[@AveRage_Joe]

The good Ol dino sound😆😆🦖🦕

[@trumpingtonfanhurst694]

Hate climbing ladders so ground mount ftw!

[@AveRage_Joe]

Removing a foot of snow on the roof arrays destroys my back too 🙄 Ground Mount ✔

[@martinmiller7623]

Less mowing who mows up there?😂

[@AveRage_Joe]

Maybe people who have earth ships?? Or those sod huts🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️😆

[@markoverton5858]

Very interesting test, my son and I wash solar farms in U.K. for the last 9 years , and these bi panels are being fitted on 50 plus meg sights all over U.K., they say up too 20% power gen from the under panel cells is possible, we also cut the grass but now they want under panel cutting done , as short grass gives better reflective effect, giving us a of work developing a cutter that can cut around two legs and in between with one pass, the plan to put reflective material behind will be very interesting test 👍,

[@AveRage_Joe]

Nice and thanks for the info! Ill for sure add some sort of reflective something to get the extra gains!! Ground Mount ✔

[@zmarko]

Your kitty is so vocal! I wish mine was as affectionate and vocal as yours. He's a beautiful kitty!

[@AveRage_Joe]

Thank You! We made sure to raise him upstairs and be a cat/human upstairs with us! 😄He knows his name when we call him, can catch treats when thrown. All around an Amazing Cat!❤🐈

[@Off-GridManCave-i6t]

That was some real world testing from a typical midwest Home, I would never get rid of trees, I and looking forward to see how the panels do in the winter when the trees loose their leaves, cloudy days and white stuff on the ground.

[@AveRage_Joe]

Thanks! Yeah we dont want to cut down any tress unless they NEED to be. They make some nice shade for the back yard. I to am interested to see what the panels will do when the trees lose the leaves, Cloudy and Snowy Days!🤘

[@YarLeo]

Hi. From my point of view, you have done a comparison between roof mount 10 degrees against roof mount 30 degrees. The point of ground mount for be-facial modules, is that they face south and from the north they are not blocked, but face ground. In your case the are completely blocked by the house, which is, mostly, the same as putting them on the roof. So, probably, in your situation, roof mount would be better, since you do not have a place for a suitable ground mount rack.

[@GapRecordingsNamibia]

Tail hugs are the best..... 🥰I second having some on the ground and others on the roof as you get to test both scenarios at once...

[@AveRage_Joe]

😆🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛🐈‍⬛

[@P81OS2]

As always, this was an amazing test! Nice work, Joe.

[@AveRage_Joe]

Appreciate that!💥🤘

[@jimjr9143]

Ground for sure as before installing panels on my roof i would also have to put on a new roof as well . Not happening . Plus i need mine portable as i would bring my portable power station camping . Also easier to maintain on the ground as well

[@AveRage_Joe]

💥🤘Ground Mount ✔️

[@glencooke494]

Great to see Buddy putting in an appearance 😺 I would probably go for ground mount mainly due to conditions you get during winter (snow) A lot more reflection from the snow and never needs cleaning. The difference is not that much but winter is when it really counts 👍👍

[@AveRage_Joe]

He likes to stroll through from time to time 😆🐈 Yep winter time was the main thought for the "solar improvement program". Sun will be lower in the sky so roof may not get enough sunlight. South ground mount would get the most "direct" sunlight. Snow will be a HUGE help!! Ground Mount ✔

[@F3hunter-2024]

Ironic that I stumbled on this video this morning while enjoying the morning Java. I have been struggling with the same thoughts-Ground or roof. Presently they are on a flat roof on panel stands, but I need to bring them down to redo that roof. I have picked up the new rack system for ground mounts, but haven't put them together yet. I've been re-landscaping the Backyard and a Pergola (10x14) will be going up shortly. Since I suffer from the same type tree shading as you, my ground mount would need to be on wheels/mobile, a lot work everyday moving it around chasing the sun. I think I have decided on mounting the panels on top of the Pergola facing South out of the shade situation mimicking the roof setup. Mount and forget kind of thinking :P. Your shade numbers were interesting and pretty much convinced me to stick with the Pergola mount. Anyway, subscribed now and will keep checking in on this project-Good Luck!-and thanks!

[@AveRage_Joe]

Thanks for the SUB💥🤘 A pergola would be a great option. I have plenty of room for those and ground mounts galore but the trees would still shade them. Just have that smaller area for the ground mount or the roof🙄😆

[@raymondpetersen3543]

Thank you again. I did notice a guy commenting he would like to see you do a wind turbine on a different show of yours. And I noticed you may have a tower laying on the ground under the panels. I bought a 1200 watt wind turbine but am having trouble with location.

[@ricoma6037]

That was fun to watch, though!!! Thank you!

[@AveRage_Joe]

Thanks for watching!💥🤘

[@rodneysmith1750]

First time in many years to be the first post on an average Joe video. My vote would be all the black panels on the west-facing roof.

[@AveRage_Joe]

FIRST FTW!!!!💥💥💥💥🤘 West ROOF ✔

[@jadu79]

What you can test is to mount them vertically on the ground so it's like a fence but from what I understand it's better during the winter with snow and to put them in the east-west direction but then you have to get the voltage up so that the MPPT works well (and have 1-2 feet free underneath)

[@AveRage_Joe]

I would also need the open space for it. With all my trees, I might as well tilt to the correct angle. If I lived waaaaay up north in Alaska, I think standing them up would help A LOT💥🤘

[@jamesbsa6450]

Time to do tree surgery ​@@AveRage_Joe

[@AdamDeLay07]

That was a great test! Honestly I was all for a ground mount before this video but I have to say the data speaks for itself. The whole goal of solar panels is to gather as much solar as possible to provide power to your home. I'm all too familiar with the fact that your environment plays a big role in solar production. Trees are great, except when they're around your arrays. I would end up putting the array up on the roof.

[@larsdrakblod240]

[@AveRage_Joe]

He says Meow(thanks)😆🐈

[@TheTundercat222]

The ground mount looks very nice ..

[@AveRage_Joe]

Ground Mount ✔

[@mattsuser]

Well ground mount you can clean and cover for hail. Don't forget less on the roof is better. No leaves to clean and less chance of water damage.Then adding the reflective tarp should add a bit more w/h.

[@AveRage_Joe]

100% Agree! Ground Mount ✔️

[@koolkevin2357]

You will get old Like me, before they are are at the end of their service life, so ground mount. Just watching you climb up and down made my legs hurt. Fine job, thanks for sharing!

[@AveRage_Joe]

I hurt for days after lifting panels up and down lol. My back is all messed up from the military... Ground Mount ✔️

[@JohnDoe95876]

I've put in hundreds of hours or research on solar. Hundreds. Without watching any part of the video, this is my stance on ground mount vs roof mount. In short, if you've got the real estate, and proper location, a ground mount is the only way to go. But if you don't have the real estate and proper location, then a roof mounted system is fine. Nothing really wrong with it. It just makes life a little more difficult in terms of cleaning the panels from time to time, and you increase the risk of developing a roof leak.

[@muhdiversity7409]

That's a quality cat right there.

[@loucinci3922]

Enjoyed the video. Thanks for sharing

[@AveRage_Joe]

Thanks for watching!!💥🤘

[@keithjansen1734]

On ground mounts you can put plexiglass over them and secure it if hail storm approaching for quick protection.

[@AveRage_Joe]

Thats the TROOF!! Ground Mount ✔

[@offgridwanabe]

I am surprised the ground mount did not outperform the roof I know it's the shade. Since I get a lot of snow I will always go for ground mount. Maybe you should vertical mount some on the wall of the house behind the south array.

[@korishan]

Yeah, if he would of had 1 more panel on the ground mount, it would of made a huge difference, considering the MPPT was "barely" working. If you break the hours of sunlight to the kWh produced, you'll see the ground mount actually made more power with the limited light.

[@AveRage_Joe]

I was on the fence if the ground would do better or not but it was damn close! So back to the first video, most of this "solar improvement program" is mainly for winter time. So ground mount may be best. We also need to consider the leaves will be off the trees which will help...sorta lol. A few panels on the wall is an idea. Id have to think about that. Anyway Ground Mount ✔

[@AveRage_Joe]

Yep, if I added 1 moar panel, both arrays would have done WAY better. Only reason I didnt was because I couldnt fit another on the ground mount... unless I longer rails. But yes, ground mount made more for the actual sunlight received.

[@heart4Pahoa]

Appreciate the work that went into answering this question. I am curious about the heat that is coming from under your roof. If that is being absorbed into the panels and contributing to less efficiency. Perhaps an attic fan would assist with this?

[@AveRage_Joe]

Yeah I would say it is hindering the output. At least on that one array since it is pretty low. That area is over the back patio so no fan required🤔

[@rickalders]

For the ground mount, move all your scrap metal, clear an area a few feet wider than the panel footprint, and lay down a couple inches of white quartz gravel. This should help with reflecting more light on the rear of the bifacial panels.

[@SenatorPerry]

Voting ground mount. I still believe that advantage for the bifacials will be when the snow is on the ground reflecting the sunlight to the back of the snow covered panels. The tarp test will help answer that. Looking forward to the next test.

[@AveRage_Joe]

Just got the white tarp so test will be in a day or so. If we ground mount lets hope for lots of snow!!😆 Ground Mount ✔

[@wayne8113]

Thanks Joe

[@AveRage_Joe]

Thanks Wayne!💥🤘

[@wildrahul]

Ground mount for sure

[@AveRage_Joe]

Ground Mount ✔️

[@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369]

HOWdy A-R-J, ... Thanks COOP ...

[@AveRage_Joe]

Hello!💥🤘

[@Lauren-ci6uv]

That ground mount, when empty, could make a great calisthenics workout area!!!!

[@AveRage_Joe]

Lol you are Hi Larious!💪

[@lloydprunier4415]

The bifacial seem to only be useful if there is some reflective back ground. Is that still Horus cat or one of the others. Have you ever tried any solar tracking devices. I built a crude one several years ago and only have one 100 watt Renogy panel on it, but it has worked for somewhere between 5 and 10 years now. I only use it to charge 12 volt battery for emergency lighting and a car stereo in my garage. It would probably be a good way to test the bifacial panel with some added reflective material placed around the perimeter. Our local school administrative building has a commercial set up of solar tracking panels and they have been there for years also.

[@koolkevin2357]

I put this in the previous video article too late for comment: I am leaning towards ground mount myself. Partially because of my (Partial) understanding that it would be better to change its position for seasonal changes - Is this even partially true? Partial answers excepted!

[@AveRage_Joe]

Yeah the ground mount could have the angle changed. I added some extra bracing cause I over loaded the crap out od that rack lol. Id just need to remove those braces and then change the lower are to the adjustable arms the the new racks come with.

[@SpencerLAPower]

Looks like a nice radio tower.You got there when are you gonna do a video on that that for HAM or GM.R s

[@AveRage_Joe]

HAA I got that for my Diy Wind Turbines many years ago. Took most of it down when I started adding solar to the roof lol. I dont have a clue on radios. I should learn tho jic shtf!😉😄

[@f_blake6096]

I asked today in one of your older videos how the posts were holding up without concrete and I see that they're still sturdy.

[@jamesbsa6450]

I think to be a fair test, both ground and roof arrays need to be in an optimal (higher) voltage range, which is usable by your MPPT. So maybe you need a larger array? 😅

[@AveRage_Joe]

That is true but could only fit the 4 on that ground mount so I just went with it🤗

[@chumanji9]

Have you tried solar optimizers on the ground mount to see if you produce more power during the shade hours?

[@AveRage_Joe]

I havent...yet😄

[@NickWindham]

Watch SolarTime USA’s great recent video on that

[@lnxpro]

ground mount and some white tarp under them is what I would do.

[@AveRage_Joe]

White Tarp should be easy I would think. Possibly cheaper over white gravel unless I have to replace if often😆?? Ground Mount ✔

[@clarencewiles963]

I’m in for the full show 😊

[@AveRage_Joe]

And I 100% Appreciate that!💥🤘

[@cortburris9526]

i'm team ground mount, and i see a couple people saying to use white gravel who i agree with. I also think you should put them in you front yard, a few feet back from the southern property line. That way they don't have the morning shading as much.

[@AveRage_Joe]

Yeah white gravel or I was thinking the white tarp unless Id have to change it often lol. Front yard would be the BEST for panels at my house!!! Ground Mount ✔

[@terrya6486]

I say get some used micro inverters and AC couple them and see how much better that could be. I have been AC coupling more arrays Lately. And I do see a positive outcome from it. I do use low frequency twelve k and bigger inverters to do this with.

[@Alex-Suzanne]

Ground mount easier to maintain… Add more panels for higher voltage… Snow on roof not fun…

[@AveRage_Joe]

Agree! Ground Mount ✔

[@theboston3386]

You made us all suffer with you on purpose. Got it, you don’t want to be the only one. 😂

[@mueckenhoeffer]

Nice comparison. A little off-topic, but I have read of insurance companies not wanting to insure homes with solar panels on the roofs. This was Florida and I kind of get it, having lived through many hurricanes there. Ground mounts wouldn’t really be any less of a hazard IMHO though.

[@fransvankralingen725]

Suggestions, for the west roof test - try 5 panels for better mppt range. For final roof mount, paint the roof white behind the panels.

[@AveRage_Joe]

Do we think adding the 5th panel would skew the "test" compared to these? If I had a metal roof I would possibly paint.💥🤘

[@fransvankralingen725]

@@AveRage_Joe From your graphs it takes 2 to 3 hours for your solar voltage to rise above the mppt starting point - maybe not the most productive hours but hey. For comparing you can simply reduce the "new" output by a fifth

[@jetman258]

You could try those light colored stones put under panels. Not only reflect light but make panel Mount look good

[@AveRage_Joe]

Yeah Im thinkin the white gravel under the panels long term. Tarp for short term if I cant get the gravel soon enough🤭 Ground Mount ✔️

[@schunkelndedschunke6914]

Cleanup is easier on Gndmt. Do you have snow?

[@AveRage_Joe]

Yes we have snow and that was one of my concerns for winter time charging in the first video of my "solar improvement program". Winter is the main driver for this placement. Ground Mount ✔️

[@chuckziska988]

Instead of replacing some of your existing panels. I think you should add the bifacials n/s vertically like projects with every day Dave. cool and clean and long solar days. And keep your old panels too!

[@AveRage_Joe]

Only issue with that for my house is all the trees. I would only get light in one direction so it would be best to mount them facing the sun💥🤘

[@MrJacquesvheerden]

Roof mount sounds and looks good. 🇿🇦

[@AveRage_Joe]

Roof Mount ✔️

[@jackcoats4146]

I'm prejudice on ground mount. I have bifacial mounted at 45degrees and some vertical but we have a large fairly clear area behind us. the orientation isn't the best in both cases. And we have some non-bifacial of the same wattage. The bifacial have some extra that comes from the rear but not much. Both are great, the REC non-bifacial seem to be better in low light, than the bifacial. We got all our panels via Signature Solar and all are rated for 370W. We also use AP Solar Systems microinverters on all.

[@thedabbler2753]

Am I right thinking that the tree shadow at 27:50 will gradually moves to the right? If so, and if you keep the old panels on the ground mount, I had a rewiring idea that might get a little extra generation. Assume the top row left to right is 1,2,3,4,5 and the bottom row 6,7,8,9,10. If you were to wire 2S2P and have the strings 1,2,3,6,7 (string 1) and 4,5,8,9,10 (string 2) then as string 1 came out from the shadow first you'd have full generation from it a little sooner in the day. Anyway, just a thought. Thanks for yet another great video. Glad no panels broke this time! :)

[@AveRage_Joe]

Yep the shadow moves to the right. Only issue with a 2s on these charge controllers is Id be in the low end and possibly not be in the range at all. If I used my PCM60X charge controller I would have to use in a 2s!😆💥🤘

[@RUDY3098]

Joe, When doing a test, do you get more output in landscape position or portrait position, or does it not matter.

[@AveRage_Joe]

Test that in next video. Post in an hour.💥🤘

[@phizicks]

8:19 just get some clamps and make some cable management so you can simply clip them on, or if that is not aluminium, put magnet clips to easy stick and remove hehe

[@bbouc40254]

not a fan of putting holes on the roof, if the results showed a huge increase I would but that doesn't look to be the case so ground it is

[@AveRage_Joe]

Ground Mount ✔

[@ecospider5]

Ground mount with white tarp

[@AveRage_Joe]

Ground Mount ✔

[@justinfowler2857]

Ground mount avoids dozens of holes in your roof.

[@AveRage_Joe]

Ground Mount ✔

[@highflowhighflow9896]

it helps with reflected material, saw some test with that the guy won 8% power with that

[@darylowen6855]

I would like to see the 4 panels on the roof to be tilted up may be an additional 10-15 degs or at optimum for your location. This would allow additional light to be captured from the back side of the panels.

[@AveRage_Joe]

That would be an interesting test. All the panels would need to be along the ridge and some sort of mount. Ill think on that one🤔

[@dropshot1967]

I think I would just go with a roof mount. Any gains made by the bifacial property of the ground mount is lost because of the shading of the ground mount. West or east-facing solar panels can be advantageous if you need extra power or if you need your solar power window to be extended (depending on shade of course).

[@AveRage_Joe]

I need extra due to shade so extended and all over lol. Roof Mount ✔️

[@josefpdx1]

If you put them on the ground, you have to put white gravel to get a good reflection of the ground

[@AveRage_Joe]

Yep, some sort of reflective surface would be needed if we do ground mount!💥🤘

[@korishan]

Considering the ground mount units were in shade longer time than the roof mounted, adding another to the string will probably make a huge impact. So if you put all panels together you'll get a lot better output than the other panels. I think bifacials would do their best on ground mount whereas normal panels on the roof. Not much light is reflected off the roof so it's basically a waste of panel performance, imho. I say mount the bifacials on the ground and but something near by that'll create a reflective surface. Which could just be a white or light colored wall or something.

[@AveRage_Joe]

Yeah they would do WAY better with more panels in series. Ground Mount ✔

[@wernerbecker4137]

Take a press wood and get same cheap Car window blinders the Sliver One,, stick on the presses Wood and put them against the house to get More Sonlight on the back side of the Panels,,, give it a try 😊😊

[@AveRage_Joe]

Like the reflective bubble type stuff? What about a solar blanket?

[@leroyharvey2024]

Ground mount biracial. Would not expect any diff this time of year as your test showed. The difference will be in winter when the ground is all white with snow. Two advantages: 1) ground snow will reflect light to the back naturally 2) higher tilt to the ground mount means less winter snow over time on face Also if you get a tilting ground mount the you can increase the tilt in winter. Sun direction means less in winter because of the additional cloud cover when light comes from all directions so higher tilt gives the back of bi facial panels almost equal access to available light. Ground mount isn’t about difference in summer, it’s about advantages in winter.

[@AveRage_Joe]

Yes 100% Correct and that goes back to the first video. Getting the arrays best situated for winter time charging! 💥🤘Ground Mount ✔

[@electromechanicalstuff2602]

Ha I have an antenna tower laying under my ground panel system too for future CB antenna

[@AveRage_Joe]

I had a diy wind turbine on it for a while then took it down cause it made shade on the roof panels lol

[@MarkRose1337]

Another test is an east-west facing vertical mount, if you have a location where they'd get sunlight morning and afternoon.

[@AveRage_Joe]

I would but dont have the area for that. I have complete shade from the east for a good protion on the morning🙄

[@vpchelko]

the most important question is the price of these panels - almost 200 dollars? Are you crazy? I bought panels for 130 dollars 585 watts - they gave the declared power when the sun was at its zenith. You have a lot of space on the roof... there is no point in overpaying for a such option Costs, power and placement options should be balanced. Perhaps in the sea and ocean, on an island - such panels make sense but not in the case when your panels take up 5-10% of the roof area

[@AveRage_Joe]

When and where did you get your panels for that great price?

[@vpchelko]

@@AveRage_Joe bla bla bla

[@davidbailey3289]

Ground mount with white gravel behind it. Is there any way to take care of the shading problem with the ground mount? Not exactly a fair test otherwise. Just a thought.

[@AveRage_Joe]

Ground Mount ✔️ So for this test if you missed the first video on the "solar improvement program" I am trying to prepare/arrange the panels for my house and winter time charging as I am not to worried about summer time charging. 💥🤘

[@davidbailey3289]

@@AveRage_Joe Yea I caught the video but still think that the shading is an issue and the gravel was just one suggestion for a reflective surface for getting the extra watts from the backside of the panel.

[@shubinternet]

So far, I think the roof mount is slightly superior. That might change based on being able to put a reflective surface behind both the roof and ground mounts.

[@AveRage_Joe]

Slightly better BUT... the ground mount did almost the same with moar shade time. CRAZY. Some sort of reflective test coming up😄

[@Self.reliant]

So on my bifacial pannels i see the best output in whinter time. During the summer is see about 1500 watts from th on fresh show days i get around 2100 watts

[@AveRage_Joe]

Yeah Winter time is the BEST for making that POWAH!!

[@Texas_Radical]

thats a HUGE cat

[@AveRage_Joe]

Hes from Texas! Jk😆🐈‍⬛

[@stevedutcher3875]

Ground!

[@AveRage_Joe]

Ground Mount ✔

[@rodneyhunt]

Nice test but too much work for me lol. I say cut some trees then mount on the ground and roof. If no trees will be cut then roof it is. I like having more potential sun during a day that may be somewhat cloudy. Since your ground mount has less possible time in the sun then it could be covered during its only normal time.

[@AveRage_Joe]

It was A LOT of work lol but I am glad I did it! For the trees.... I am now letting the big ass storms take them out😏😆. The first video I mention this "solar improvement program" is mainly for winter time charging. Sun will be lower in the sky so the ground maaay get moar "directish" sunlight but we will have to see. I am a fan of the roof but also a fan of the ground... Roof Mount ✔

[@notesc821]

Sweet kitty

[@rm6857]

Snow is good reflector for sunlight, so put it under them.

[@AveRage_Joe]

I would let the snow fall and where it lands is where it would stay.🤗

[@rm6857]

@@AveRage_Joe i meant in summer, buy or make snow to gain 10% of electricity. Ofc joking.

[@AveRage_Joe]

@rm6857 Snow Machine on order😆 jk🤘

[@awbean5254]

JOE, 1. GREAT TESTING! 2. A BETTER TEST WOULD BE HOW MUCH POWER YOU ARE LOSING BECAUSE OF YOUR HIGH TREE🌳 SHADING! 3. IF YOU TRIMMED YOUR TREES 🌳 THEN EXTEND YOUR SOLAR PRODUCTION WINDOW 🪟 4. IF YOU TRIMMED YOUR TREES 🌳 YOU MINIMIZE ‘BOOM’ DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME 🏠 FROM FALLING HIGH TREES!

[@AveRage_Joe]

Yes I am 100% losing a crap ton due to the trees. For this ground mount I would need to remove the entire tree since its so close. For the roof, I will try to get the trees trimmed. It may not be this year tho since ALL the tree companies are busy from all the damaging storms we have had😲

[@EjitEnergy]

​@@AveRage_Joe how many trees are you going to remove? If it is just one, remove the damn tree! Ground mount is the best, anytime any day.

[@AveRage_Joe]

At this moment we would need to remove the BIGGEST tree in the backyard due to the last storm knocking down 2 huge limbs(also the size of trees). It did a lot of damage and it cant be healthy now. Its to big for me to do. The trunk is like 5 to 6ft wide. It would need to be cut down in sections😬😲

[@canyondan]

with those results I would surely opt for the ground mount due to accessibility for ease of maintenance and cleaning.

[@AveRage_Joe]

Ground Mount ✔

[@imnobody4522]

Ground mount vs roof mount, which gets the most hours of direct sunlight, should be the winner.

[@Moes_Prep_and_Tech]

Ground MOUNT ALL DAY!!! It's Summer now, Sometimes Winters Can be Brutal. You can Control your own Destiny When the Sun hits with ground. You roof doesn't seem to high up, but me personally wouldn't want to go on a ladder in the wintertime to brush off snow if I was in your situation, I'm alergic to Slippery Ice

[@AveRage_Joe]

I am allergic to those slippery ice areas too!! 😄 Ground Mount ✔

[@phizicks]

bifacial is pointless I reckon, for the tarp reflecting the back, may a well put other panels there.

[@BobHannent]

When you were on the roof you utterly failed because you didn't use your fancy laser thermometer to measure the temperature of the sun! 😎

[@AveRage_Joe]

😲🤦‍♂️😏😆💥🤘

[@DmillerLV264]

Roof mount would be my choice. However I'm a suburban dweller with more roof space than yard.

I am going to say mount them on the roof and put some kind of white or reflective film on the roof under them.. Some light goes through the bi-facials which can be reflected back to get used.. Mounting them a foot off the roof surface will also help get more production out of them.. It has been tested and proved that these panels can actually be stood on end facing Northwest to Southeast and they produce very well.. If you get snow this mounting is also a benefit as is the reduction in heat during Summer which helps efficiency.. Yep the MPPT range is not setup for the lower input voltage and is robbing you of a couple hours of production..

[@joey86bu1]

Woo Hoo!

[@AveRage_Joe]

Ye-Haw🤠

[@GeoFry3]

Cut down the trees. Mount them on or near the ground. Such as a car port, shed, or backyard shelter. Do not mount them on the roof of your house.

[@AveRage_Joe]

Dont plan to cut the trees down at this time. Makes some nice shade for the back yard. Ground Mount ✔

[@highflowhighflow9896]

on the west is good idea,you will get more sun hours so more usefully instead of big peaks and not use it

[@AveRage_Joe]

Roof Mount ✔

[@jeremyfogt6798]

Doesn't look like you have any more room for the ground mount so maybe just keep it split. Since you already have the panels for the ground just add all of the extra to the roof unless you want to get rid of the old panels.

[@AveRage_Joe]

I would remove the old panels for ground mount and put those older somewhere else. Possibly the roof🤗

[@NickWindham]

The ground mount is too close to the house and fence. You can see it being partially shaded by the roof in the early AM. defeats the purpose but I understand he was probably trying to keep wire runs short and keep them out of site as much as he could.

[@notesc821]

I think I want to become an electrician

[@AveRage_Joe]

Me Too!😁⚡️⚡️

[@Bowhunters6go8xz6x]

Joe, Thanks for the tests, I think the ground Bifacials were getting some reflective power (from the house wall) and that is why it was close to the panels on the roof that got more hours of sun, only way to know is to cover the tops of the Bifacials with cardboard, etc.. There is something that reflects a lot of light and is super cheap and at Lowes or Home Depot ! (( Radiant Barrier Aluminum Foil Bubble Reflective Insulation)) ----- Its only about $20 for a 48" X 10 foot roll , it is flexible chrome aluminum reflective sheeting you can attach to cardboard or plywood and lean it against the wall of your house to reflect light under the Bifacial panels. I looked for a (Buy me a coffee or a Thanks) button and was going to donate some money to you to buy it but you don't have anything set up.

[@wernerbecker4137]

Got Same idea 💡

[@shubinternet]

I think you could use that kind of reflective layer on both the roof and the ground mount systems. I don’t know how much that would help, but it would be interesting to try.

[@Bowhunters6go8xz6x]

@@shubinternet - Yeah, glue the reflective material to carboard or plywood and lean it against the wall of the house and you could aim the sun underneath the panels for sure.

[@AveRage_Joe]

Yeah I was thinking the same for the GM. Getting some light off the walls ect. Ill take a look for the barrier. I was going to try tinfoil lol. I only have paypal link for donations atm. Will also look at the coffee thing meow!🙄😆💥🤘

[@ecospider5]

I have always thought a space blanket glued to cardboard is the cheapest reflector.

[@taj-ma-haul9094]

I swore I heard that spider fart...

[@AveRage_Joe]

LOL😆 It should have!

[@HellTriX]

Roof mount :D

[@AveRage_Joe]

Roof Mount ✔️

[@richardc3208]

Paint the roof white where you're going put the panels,put all 8 n series and let her eat

[@korishan]

Sounds great in theory, but light has to get to the painted surface to begin with. And with the panels only about 6" off the roof, not much area for the light to get under them. If all panels had a foot of space around them, maybe.

[@AveRage_Joe]

LOL Im not going to paint the roof. If it was a metal roof then maybe. Roof Mount ✔

[@timcat1004]

Armature

[@AveRage_Joe]

😆😆 Thank you!

[@lightshow10]

Instead of a white tarp or anything. Why not take some cardboard or some other flat sheet, and wrap it in tinfoil. That’s plenty reflective.

[@AveRage_Joe]

I was thinkin a solar blanket or tinfoil and the white tarp for test.🤗

[@lightshow10]

@@AveRage_Joe that’s a great idea! Like one of those emergency blankets that reflect your body heat back ya. That’s a great idea!

[@BajanAlan]

White paint under pannels!

[@korishan]

Sounds great in theory, but light has to get to the painted surface to begin with. And with the panels only about 6" off the roof, not much area for the light to get under them. If all panels had a foot of space around them, maybe.

[@AveRage_Joe]

On the Roof or Ground?

[@phizicks]

lol solar assist is jut grafana dashboard. can host it yourself.

[@AveRage_Joe]

Those are words I dont understand😆

[@Theodor857]

These results mean nothing, there are way too many variables. The aspect, tilt and shading need to be identical. Then you'll be available to see straight away if there is a significant advantage for the ground mount. And it will be interesting to see what the difference between the roof and ground mount will be on cloudy days and on those really dark days.

[@AveRage_Joe]

True there are all the variables but I wanted to see what it would do on my roof and my ground mount area. Cloudy days would change it for sure!🤘

[@Theodor857]

Fair enough, I've been wondering myself what real-life difference bifacials make. Comparing them for instance to monofacial on the same place, are the bifacials more efficient on the the roof than conventional panels. I'm having to decide to go with bi- or mono-, the prices are simmalar for 660 W and 650 W. I would think the bifacials would be the obvious way to go, but they are Chinese imports, the monofacials are produced locally with a 30 year liniar warranty. I would prefer to support my own country, but if the bifacials have a significant real-life advantage, then I'll would consider them. 🤷‍♂️

[@jeanwilliams9520]

Roof. Mount would work best I think love you

[@AveRage_Joe]

Love you to MOM!!❤ Roof Mount ✔