How to Build the Ultimate DIY Solar Panel Ground Mount

How to build the ultimate DIY solar panel ground mount. I built the rails for our tilting solar panel mount out of Unistrut also called Superstrut. The poles are logs that we cut down on our property but you can use pressure-treated wood of even steal pipe. The mount tilts on 6-inch gate hinges. The whole thing is welded together. this should really help us produce more solar power this winter since we will be able to adjust the panels to optimize them for the low winter sun.
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[@MartinJohnsonOffGridLiving]

🔥 *WATCH OUR OFF GRID CABIN BUILD FROM THE BEGINNING* kzbin.info/www/bejne/g3jJppqcqt95gM0

[@hankun5484]

Umm sarah dady, why you not speak indonesia to?

[@hankun5484]

I think it will be interesting if there are outsiders who use 2 languages, so that they can attract Indonesian and your country's audience

[@MartinJohnsonOffGridLiving]

Yes. Checkout my Indonesian channel Pak Martin.

[@pshvffa]

Notification Squad 🇺🇸🇮🇩💞✨

[@blackshuck615]

Whenever I welded Zinc plating & inhaled the fumes, I would go down with "Weld Fever". Was on car body for 10 years. No doctors knew what it was & it took another 12 years to discover the phenomenon. Good thing you were outdoors welding that frame. I just built my rig out of timber with a hybrid inverter, next step batteries. Love the vids, thanks for sharing!

[@greggardiner8779]

That was short and to the point. It sure looks functional and sturdy for solar panel use. Stay Safe and Stay Free

[@careyjohnson1784]

I love that idea the way mount the solar panels. I was going to mount mine on my roof I like yours better so think you for the video

[@MartinJohnsonOffGridLiving]

I’m glad it was helpful.

[@macclark4112]

Just ordered my welder, I know how to weld but haven’t needed to weld till now. I had two professional welders living near by but they both passed on in the last 6 weeks. Meanwhile I am going to start putting up my Solar Array in the spring. So I am getting everything I need together now.

[@shandor2522]

Great way to get adjustable tilt, and I love the tall mounts! But I have much better results hammering hinges in a vise, and prefer fasteners to welding.

[@stevygee605]

This is high tech for sure. Love it. Utilising a prebuild fence is next level. 2 for the price of 1 deal. Very clever and also uses logs is double awesome. Its kinda a waste putting in so much cost into a system which does nt have added benefits like current solar racks not using buildings etc thus extra cost for not extra benefit in my logic as ppl are kinda creating a solar building which is one dimensional and im trying to avoid it so im totally impressed. By far one of the best designs/diy. And also protects the fence and adds extra height for kangaroos in my case not to jump into my veggie patch etc. Well done.

[@allthingselderly]

Hey Martin. Thank you for this valuable video. Keep up the great work. Instructional Prepper videos living off grid are truly needed more from the community. Thank You! I am prepping in Boston. Keep prepping supplies guys and stockpile what you can afford.

[@MartinJohnsonOffGridLiving]

We are. Nice to meet you.

[@allthingselderly]

@@MartinJohnsonOffGridLiving Nice to meet you.

[@dunexapa1016]

Thanks. Good plan. Like the idea of hooking those hinges.

[@tonylarson1960able]

Nice design I went with the solar tracker I love it gives us about 1- 1 1/2 hour of sunlight! Thanks for sharing! God bless! Tony n Lee Ann

[@cherylbethcartercarter4266]

Dude, You ROCK!

[@ko2890]

Auhhh. Great system. Same idea as what in developing only mine will have a motor that rotates the panel from and east angle, to a flat position, and then a west angle all controlled with the flip of a switch. The next 5 panels I will use your idea of unistruts rather than modifying the framing I got from signature solar.

[@gregalot200]

Try a .049 cutting blade they cut metal like butter.

[@joshblick]

The holes DO line up. You need to move it over a half inch and then you'll have a tiny piece sticking over that you can cut off if you like. You'll have about an inch in between the two panels.

[@FREEDOMREDBIRD]

Came over from mountain beaches! Y’all have a beautiful place!

[@MountainBeaches]

Thanks for giving them a look Brenda. You're going to love them.

[@FrankSiler]

This is great! Just one thing- pretty sure Unistrut is galvanized. Not good to weld. Grind to clear metal or you run the risk of "fume fever".

[@vet137]

I agree to be safe and paint with zinc paint after that maybe?

[@bobjoncas2814]

...lookin' good, nice job...keep safe..

[@briha3142]

When that bar slid off the loose bracket, visions of Moe, Larry and Curly popped into my head! Funny stuff you do sometimes, brother! Nice! Keep it coming! During your build, I was thinking that you were building a Solar Tracker setup, (so your panels would swivel on their axis to capture more sun). I was disappointed, somewhat, when that wasn’t the plan after all! I’m learning from you, nonetheless! Thanks!

[@ezerikdaswahreleben2715]

Really really nice work man

[@donavanbangs]

Cool stuff, Maybe mark on adjustment bars degrees or just summer/winter? for easy adjustment. I think you can look up ideal angles based on your location

[@MartinJohnsonOffGridLiving]

I showed how to figure out the angle in a previous video. If you care to look for it.

[@kcimages5157]

Great ideas for mine , thnx !

[@rafaelcristan69]

Nice! I also have mine here, although I still need to add in the charge controller!

[@sreekumarUSA]

081320/1911pst. Sir, if you have not yet procured the main component viz: charge Controller may I suggest VICTRON MPPT , that I’m using? It’s safe, easy and simple to use, plus the device has built in Bluetooth, and all the parameters of charging, discharging cycles, can be monitored on your iOS and or Android devices. There are several enhancements sold by VICTRON, which please check at their URL. Good luck and 73s..

[@e.tech579]

Nice system and good work

[@thetinker3924]

used 2 tape measures one from one side the other from the other side when you get the same numbers together you have the middle

[@eddiet3026]

Great video and clever design. A couple questions: could the frame be bolted together instead of welded? And do you have a parts list available? I love the adjustability!

[@bartmcdonald1251]

I would bolt it using spring nuts, faster and no welding

[@johnpauljonesgrouptv]

I agree Spring nuts way faster and unistrut makes every bracket you can think of including module mounts. Although that will add cost.

[@christinehutchins2446]

I will use fasteners and avoid welding.

[@estring69]

Nice. Wish someone could figure out how to make full size panels not take up a lot of space in a suburban yard. That and can't put above the fence line like this great solution. Jonesin' for a 4 panel hobby and emergency system.

[@yasminghani2073]

Great idea thank you

[@lhffan]

Nice setup :)

[@rislan786channel3]

Good luck sir😁☺from indonesia

[@zweriuskriegsman]

I was disapointed to see you welding with the sparks flying over to the backfoil of the PV-panels!! This is certainly not good for the lifetime of your panels......

[@jeremycrisp4488]

Yeah first thing I was thinking. Pull it off onto a table.

[@jimbob3030]

I was wondering if anyone else noticed that as a problem.

[@jethrohull3539]

Was it safe to be welding with panels circuits soo close to panels electrical circuits if the ground ever decides to carry over to the panels framing...

[@dave3005]

Love this video and your DIY solar, but if I “steal” pipe, I could end up in jail!

[@andyrudd2168]

i am curious why you welded the pieces together instead of using the channel nuts and bolts. so it can be reshaped later or changed easily

[@MartinJohnsonOffGridLiving]

I’m not planing on changing them and I like welding.

[@vet137]

@@MartinJohnsonOffGridLiving 😄

[@BlakeBoege]

Great 👍 video! I can’t image how long that took you to film...

[@ewaa4152]

Thanks for sharing.... Where did you source the material? How did you know if the rack is strong enough?

[@MartinJohnsonOffGridLiving]

I the unistrut is from at Home Depot. Hope 🤣

[@mr.harley6251]

Thinking of ever taking on any interns?

[@iancesar816]

When I see an adjustable wrench used to tighten anything gives me the ick...

[@jrodsalloftheabove8625]

Or a BANDSAW

[@resilientfarmsanddesignstu1702]

When does the moose show up?🤣

[@fahrulgeme4737]

Terbaik

[@chucktrotter9699]

3.29.21 Martin question: What kind of welder were you using to weld the frame together? Make and model? Great idea. Thanks for the video.

[@jerryearick4943]

Are you really welding over the panels?

[@WiSeNhEiMeR-1369]

BOLT vs WELD ... a person can easily UNBOLT ... but ... UN-WELDING will be much more difficult I do not understand why you chose to weld your BRACES to another piece of metal already set up with holes for BOLTS ... ??? COOP ...

[@73superglide62]

What were name panel how are doing today

[@skillsrobles]

i would rather build mines with wood. Wood and metal decay but at least wood is easier to work with.

[@TheKgilley]

Was it still hot at 6:08?

[@Mackster30]

Hey brother sis you use 8 ft 4x4's or 10 ft?

[@Mackster30]

You should be more detailed in your videos. I'm sure you don't have time to respond to everyone but detail for this content would help many seeking to duplicate.

[@nolaughing5087]

No gaurd, no gloves angle grinder magic.

[@amadahmad2159]

sir how can I contact with you.??

[@MorningStars6]

how much total of ur cost to make all tht installation tht solar panel?

[@MartinJohnsonOffGridLiving]

Less than $80.

[@jay-rus4437]

Welding that close to the panels made me nervous

[@terryvang7191]

Not looking and Minnesota too cold

[@pierluigicolotto9570]

You can find best solutions on Avasva .

[@nanangmuhammad2067]

Pak Martin bangun berapa solat panel?

[@MartinJohnsonOffGridLiving]

There are 6 up there. We have 4 more not mounted yet.

[@nanangmuhammad2067]

@@MartinJohnsonOffGridLiving oke, they are used for your new home, maybe?

[@Patriccist]

No guard on the grinder...its your business but man, be safe

[@rickpearson1174]

Anyone priced unistrut lately?

[@randybobandy9828]

Ya.. it's $44 for 10ft! I can find solar panels for dirt cheap and I'm not trying to spend almost as much as the panels to mount them!

[@kbwfgg6400]

I like your ingenuity of your mounting system. However, I am skeptical of how it will stand up during a severe storm with high winds?

[@charlesgoodsell737]

Why wouldnt you introduce a small gap between the panels so the holes can be used without drilling and weakening the strut?

[@Mackster30]

Bro I just got quote for 10 panel pole mount from MT for $4.2K!! Didn't think this was that expensive. I'm going to attempt your setup rather than get my pockets raided! Dark days ahead, they mean to collapse petro dollar.

[@solidsnake4022]

As soon as welding was involved I am taking plan B.

[@Aelanna]

I was wondering if they could be bolted together instead of welded. I have no welding equipment.

[@danb2160]

Welding !?! Might as well saying, Let’s build a Rocket ship , Jeff Bezos

[@WSMITHify]

@@Aelanna mechanical fittings (bolts) will always be stronger than welding, welding is pretty easy with a bit of practice

[@sixpath]

@@danb2160 anyone can do this. Be a man.

[@yadayadayada4674]

You lost me at the welding part.

[@mariowickel456]

Marty be careful with welding galvanized steel, off gasing fumes can make you ill

[@MartinJohnsonOffGridLiving]

I was holding my breath.

[@steveallen9581]

@@MartinJohnsonOffGridLiving Also zinc coated not galvanized not as bad. Safety Sally should have overseen this project!

[@spencerwilton5831]

Steve Allen galvanising is zinc coating surely?

[@joesgarage618]

why wouldn't you push the panels apart slightly to get the inner hoes to line up.?

[@lurkerrrrr]

Late to the Party, loved the Vid! At 12:00 flip the "adjuster bar" around so the bolt goes through the pre-drilled hole in the track/bar. This will keep it from falling off completely yet still allow it to move. ;)

[@johnmason1239]

Brilliant Martin!,wood is carbon neutral+ looks far nicer than metal poles. BUT “purepoint energy’s” solar website says the distance panels should be from trees is 2.5x’s tree height!, this seems VvV excessive!, vmany arrays including yours wouldn’t be possible if this “rule if thumb” is followed. I think 2.5x’s is ridiculous!, I hope you& others agree?. My trees are just over 50ft & I can prune any dead branches safely with a decent extendable pole on sturdy step ladder, if it was a big branch I would cover the panel with a plastic or wooden panel ........ If I was to place my solar panels 125ft from my trees I would have to cut down 1group of trees on the other side of my garden&place my panels on my neighbours land😅🤦‍♂️

[@MartinJohnsonOffGridLiving]

I think it will depend on how low the sun is in the winter. Up north it is pretty low.

[@MakeAnything-]

Welding zinc is no joke. Its a long story ultimately wound up with me being in the hospital.

[@TheMajictech]

And make sure when using a grinder to cut metal, the sparks should be going away from you and no guard. That way if the blade binds it pushes the cut off wheel directly towards you. Lessons learned the hard way are ones you don’t soon forget.

[@ducmagic]

Why weld went you can put a scews and nut on it?

[@MartinJohnsonOffGridLiving]

I like welding.

[@gregorywootton3870]

Pilot holes make drilling easier.

[@jeffshannon7282]

I really like your idea. The storms here in Arkansas get pretty bad so I'am going to put three hinges and three vertical bars on the frame instead of two.

[@tulipsmoran5197]

If using Unistrut to construct your frame, why are you welding?

[@MartinJohnsonOffGridLiving]

That is the way I like to do it. You don’t have to though.

[@PCHSwS]

Nice construction! 👍 But you should get some welding gear. At least some leather gloves and an old leather jacket. Those sparks can cause some nasty burns.

[@PaullaWells]

It is really thoughtful of you to do videos like these sharing knowledge with others. Great job!

[@rustytrewella2381]

Ever heard of a saw horse to support your metal cutting. You nearly ended up in hospital at 10:59. Still, good job.

[@Hilaire_Balrog]

Lol, same time frame when I went to the comments to see if anyone else saw that 😬

[@rustytrewella2381]

@@Hilaire_Balrog Other times on his other videos as well. Frightening.

[@SimonPlatten]

I got a quote from a company in china to import to the UK 32 x 500KW) of solar panels including VAT and import duty just over £2,000 GBP, £10,000 including batteries and invertor.

[@kingstoncreek]

Hi Martin. Love your fun and educational videos. Fantastic that you're family is onboard with all this. I'm still working with that. Is there any chance you could make up a bill of materials for the uni-strut used so I could get this up in short order. I'm only going to put up 4x300w panels using 3 Tamarac logs. Thanks

[@rontuengel5849]

Where are the lights? For 24/7 365 power supply just add lights! Wind power just add a fan! Hydro power just pump the water back into the lake!

[@macclark4112]

I just question your spot welding of the hinges. I think I will weld the full length of the hinge to the unistrut.

[@garretdoi6218]

Thats at all fence is it to keep BIG FOOT 🦧🦶 from visiting the family @ night 🤣😂😆🤭🤷🏽👍🏽🤙🏽? Just asking 🤷🏽‍♂️🤔

[@aaronlandry3947]

Really didn't need to weld. The super strut brackets to hold two pieces of strut perpendicular to each other is like a $1.50. so I guess if you got $1,000 welding machine laying around and you haven't welded in a while this is a great excuse to do so...

[@nawerkrajan6918]

Mr.martin apa kbr ..? Slam dr Indo.. semoga keluarga sht sll. 👍👍👍good job.

[@ujfalvilajos2859]

Great job. Thanks for links! 4:05 welding near solar panels?!? Isnt it dangerous for PV?

[@JackReding-t4r]

The problem you made was putting steel on aluminum, which will rust. But if you put stainless steel boults an washers between them, that will fix it .

[@pharveyrice]

Of course, you could just bolt the cross peices onto the frame if you have no welder, drill and bolt the hinges to the U channel too.

[@ravenest4233]

Thank you so much for ideas how to avoid extra 500 EUR spent , as for me at least. ))

[@wobbleszo]

Thanks for sharing your panel mounting approach! Out of curiosity, what welder do you use?

[@MartinJohnsonOffGridLiving]

Harbor freight wire welder.

[@wobbleszo]

@@MartinJohnsonOffGridLiving Thank you; seems really nice for Harbor freight

[@seanthirtle3470]

What power source was the welder running off? sorry if this has already been asked/answered. Cheers

[@nickv5013]

Why not just bolt the hinges directly to the solar panel frame and skip the unistrut?

[@harleypiper]

Martin ,I sure could use your help in WV. I'm all by myself trying at 61 to do this stuff alone out here.

[@KmanJeeper]

Martin how tall are your mounting poles and how far in the ground did you go? Did you treat them with anything?

[@td389]

❤you home security in the description. What is the hardware you used on the structure to adjust the angle? 11:56

[@gardeningtipsandmore]

Nice, but that wouldn't survive a storm

[@solnaplaca]

I really like your videos. I'm from Brazil

[@alnewell31]

Great video thanks, I gust picked up a cheap mig and will be ordering the steel. Can you tell me what hardware you used to attach solar panels to steel frame you built , and the adjusting nuts are they the ones with the plastic ears on them ? I just watched your newer one and was glad to here they have held up well for two seasons. We are in northern Ontario so we get lots of snow. Cheers AL

[@dosyyomulya1116]

Jangan lupa istirahat, ngopi sambil makan pisang goreng ya Mr martin

[@chiponvali5887]

Man you are very inventive. You have provided me with a solution of great value. Thank you!

[@bobschallalcs584]

why you didn't bolt the unistrips instead of welding them?

[@Buzz-Of-Craze]

you need to add a 1kW to 10kW fuel cell stacks

[@akagapeach]

why weild? can I just bolt them together?