Watertight SOLAR pergola UPGRADE (8 X 400W panels) with GSE Trays
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 21 เม.ย. 2024
- With a love of the changing energy industry, I will do all I can to play with energy technology. This week I install 8 Eurener 400w solar panels on GSE in roof system on top of a DIY garden pergola. To share the energy transition journey! The modern day equivalent of the industrial revolution.... Ooo whatever could I have planned...
Items used for the build:
A few 6x2s
20ish roofing batterns
Protect A1 felt from screw fix (I don’t require breathability with it being an open space below) www.screwfix.com/p/protect-a1...
GSE Trays - midsummerwholesale.co.uk/buy/...
Solar panels - midsummerwholesale.co.uk/buy/...
End clamps - midsummerwholesale.co.uk/buy/...
Mid clamps - midsummerwholesale.co.uk/buy/...
Screws midsummerwholesale.co.uk/buy/...
Plastic wedge - midsummerwholesale.co.uk/buy/...
A few cable clips I had in stock.
Music by: Bensound
License code: LAPSRJ1GHFDWYVHS
Music by: Bensound.com/royalty-free-music
License code: 6K8T8JTK3CUEACX8
Music by Bensound.com/royalty-free-music
License code: 1SIYJHQ3XMW6YPVR
Cyberreality - Mehul Choudhary
/ mehulchoudhary
Creative Commons - Attribution 3.0 Unported - CC BY 3.0
Free Download / Stream: bit.ly/3wVnIXs
Music promoted by Audio Library bit.ly/3TDW3TT - บันเทิง
Such a wonderful idea. Watertight on top and shade below and free electricity.
Governments should provide panels to the general public. Loosen laws on installation. That’s where the real revolution will happen.
Panels aren't expensive anymore but I do agree on regulations since most new systems are plug and play.
Almost makes second hand panels a bit pointless as I found out
Yeah, no!
When hoisting tons of big heavy electic panes up high on roofs? Regulation is direly necessary.
For the electric work to have standards which dont torch the roof, and for installation standards so panels dont rip off and brain somebody walking below. For the house-network, so that doesnt kill you or blow out. Regulations are your friend in building tech. More so in roofs and electric grid.
.
I dont want to give the smear merchants further ammunition when the first baby stroller is hit by someone who never tighened a screw, hanging balcony solar at his sixth floor flat.
@@user-un8tv1pp8m Most of the shoddy work I've seen is from professionals who try to finish as fast as possible. Regulations make a 5k install cost 15k with 5k for the financing.
@@fernarias I´m not saying every current regulation is good, you will notice.
I´m saying _"no regulation"_ in building and electic safety rules - as the op demanded?
Is a baaad idea. Really bad.
Brilliant video. Thank you for sharing and your time to do so.
Thanks for watching
Loved this install and a great idea, I was planning to build a pergola and wondered what everyone else was doing to make it water tight, this is a win win, subscribed for more and saved the video for when I’m ready to build👍🏻
Hi, did a GSE on the back of my house last year. Enjoyed watching someone going through the same learning curve I did. Nice Job.
Thanks for your comment. Did you use the full or half trays?
You should include links to the products you used in the description for viewers that might be interested in any of the products.
Whilst costs may change and get out dates I always like to see them too. just for a point of reference. 👍🏻
A good shout. Leave it with me
@@TheOfficialBatteryMan Thanks for adding them! This has helped me.
I made a solar carport out of 6 x 235w panels that used to be on my roof prior to upgrading; as a recycling project they work fine, keep the car cleaner and produce a fair amount of solar in the summer. Every little helps! 😉
Fantastic use of the old panels. I do wonder who’s going to recycle all the old panels in 20-30 years
Thank you. Well done. Exactly what I needed
Glad you enjoyed. I would like to say the pergola came first but it was just a posh excuse for a ground mounted solar. Making it water tight has been a game changer. We use it so much more in the British weather
Really great project, I discovered something new today with the GSE Tray.
Glad you enjoyed
Excellent channel and content. Dont change!
Thank you. That’s very kind. Please let me know if there are any videos you would like to see
I think you've done a great job.
Thank you. Wanted it to be neat and tidy
It's always a bit eerie when YT suggested a video that helps me - I'm extending a building and adding solar and it's not worth tiling, so I was looking for something like these GSE trays - perfect! Cheers and well done with the work, working in the rain sucks 👍
On a general house roof you would have edging and generally some tiles around the perimeter. They have a comprehensive PDF instructions. I’ve been very happy with the trays and would use again
Love seeing others get on the solar pergola band wagon. Just done my second one. First at the back and second at the side of my house. Bolted the second set together and clamped from below. Gse and new panels was outside my budget, I.e. as little as possible. Lovely job BTW. When I renew my 265w panels I may go for gse. We shall see. My 10 strip of rubber seal from tool station isn't doing that badly. Plus m6 nuts bolts and penny washers.
Nice to hear rubber seals are doing well. I’ve had a few suggesting them but not anyone mention that they have been sealing well over time.
I wonder how long these 400w panels will last before we get a new super duper tech that I want to upgrade too 😂😂
A+ for effort!
Thank you
Great job well done.
Thank you for your comment. Please let me know if there is anything else you would like to see in videos
@@TheOfficialBatteryMan it would be interesting to see a stand alone solar and battery set up powering a car charger. So like a car port with battery and charger and solar array so an EV could be completely powered by the sun for local travel.
Love your channel! Subbed! Keep up the great videos!
Thanks for the sub. Means a lot. Tell your friends
Lovely stuff, nice to see a video showing what is involved in a GSE install, gives me hope for doing one on my roof 😂
A lot of vids I watched beforehand showed. ‘We are going to install’ then ‘bam we’ve installed’. Not the actual process.
I could (not going to)😂😂 train a monkey to install them. I’m sure you will be fine.
@@TheOfficialBatteryMan exactly, I need the detail! 😁
G'day from an Aussie in Asia.
Really enjoyed this video mate. I must say though, when working outdoors, clouds are an absolute luxury over here and back home!!!!
You make a good video and inject an appropriate amount of good humour.
Worked for a pommy company in the middle east for 8 years including 5 months of paid training (partying) in the UK. Good times, great memories.
I think you'll do well if you progress this to a business. Hope you do and good luck.
Always nice to hear positive comments. Thank you. Nice to hear your experience. Australia sure has shown the rest of the world how to take on solar. I mean you’ve got the sun for it 😂
Gay 😮😢
My favourite quote was, "If only I had... longer arms?"
I wish it was even a joke 😂😂
To make the connection between the 2 rows, put a pull string in when you place the trays.
That would have been such a good idea. Didn’t actually think that through. Thank you for sharing. Next time I will follow your advise. There was enough cable between rows but and other poster suggested fly leads that might be a good idea too
What really is required is cheap reliable systems for water tightening the gaps in between semi transparent bifacial modules. You can already get below 25€/m2 with those, but there is no cheap way to use them for a small tight roof, which lets light on the back side of the panels.
Nice job! I would have managed to put my boot through that tar paper several times!!
I tried. It somehow gives you a false sense of security as you get higher up the roof 😂😂😂 thanks for your comment and for watching
next time you redo it, membrane, 1 layer of wood strip on top of the joist then perpendicular the rest, water will have somewhere to run without rotting the wood, and the panels will have nice airflow under them.
Yes I definitely would counter batten next time. Good news on the GSE trays I would say very little if any water makes it through to the membrane. Very impressed with the trays
I do wonder how many watts I’ve cost myself 😂 thanks for commenting
The little groove in the GSE is for the vertical cables. You don't need to go under for those runs!
I have photos of my installation that I could share. We also earthed all the panels and ran the earth the same route.
Wait what. Really. That would have been useful to have found in the instructions. … Sure drop your install photos to my email in the bio. I’ll take a look. Thank you
I'm a bit cheapskate so I would have probably mounted them in the tradition way and just put marine ply down with a pond liner glued to it and just put sealant around where the rail bracket fixing were.
I guess it is nice to have a try of in roof systems and they do look super sleek when fitted. I do worry about cooling though as there is no air flow beneath like on a standard rail system so will affect output on hot sunny days.
True. It was also important to me to look at something nice while we are relaxing below it.
I take your point about cooling. If I was to do it again I would counter batten so there was more airflow between the battens and the panels. However, it’s all open below so some head transfer can happen.
I’ve been tempted on a DIY water spray system video
Tip for bracket install if using stainless steel fixings use lube as they lock up easily
I’m pretty sure these screws were galv. Stainless is very brittle. Good shout on using lube.
Fab video - really well made and great content. Subscribed!
Have you also put panels on the "!Furze" shed?
Thank you. I haven’t so far because I either need more storage or more inverters / export ability. I plan to get into this in future videos. I’ve currently got around 15KWh total battery storage and I can fill this up easily on a sunny day. I could export more if I got another inverter. Or more battery storage. All planned..
My usage will go up in future with an electric van and one day a heat pump too but we are talking next few years.
The other big problem with the furze shed was that the roof was made from 3x2s . So it’s not the strongest roof structure. I need to find a way for it to take panels but spread the weight from the ends. I recon it will only fit 4 panels east west, and it’s shaded heavily from Oct to Mar. Diminishing returns. Still it’s a space that needs filling 😂😂
Those tools are a Capital Expenditure and can be depreciated over time, lol. No need in adding them in the final cost of this one project.
Sounds like you’ve been making up excuses to buy tools for years 😂😂
Your totally right
Have never heard of such a thing, this is great!
Seeing as we would like to have a pergola installed at some point do you have any issues with the pitch of the roof? I read that near flat is not ideal for panels, i'm assuming there is a slight angle on yours?
Hard to tell from the filming but I have an angle of around 10 degrees if I remember correctly. I chose the pergola to angle south in a part of the garden that receives a lot of the sun.
Slowly making it a little snug with a bamboo entrance
Take a bow sir!, I've got the same system (purchased 12 months ago), but (its been so wet) that i have not been able to permamently fix my system - where are you?, I'm in the midlands & would be happy to pay somone to help me out!
Thanks for the comment. What’s holding you back other than the weather? Is yours going into your house roof? Stripping a house roof in the UK spring doesn’t sound fun
Fantastic video! Thanks for sharing your build.
Would you be able to do a quick video on the construction of your pergola?
I am considering building something similar and would like to know what timber you used, how you connected it all together, the height (front and back) and angle (slope).
Thanks. I’ll find a sunny day to share the construction. In the meantime a timber deck made from 6x2s all supported on concrete pads. Corners are 100mm posts if I remember right and the rest of the construction is 6x2s
If I was to build again I might consider adding more rigidity with larger corner posts. The corner posts are also in spikes concreted into the ground.
@@TheOfficialBatteryMan thanks for your reply.
Do you happen to know the height of the front and back of the pergola from ground level?
@@freethink3r I would have to say that it’s 2.5m tall, based on the max height your allowed in my area without planning permission. And I’m pretty sure it has a 15degree slope. Any shallower and you’re getting into dirty panel issues.
3:22 and you wanted to work in the sun on a roof! You should be happy it cloudy
Where I live we don’t get enough of it. Kinda makes you question why I’ve put solar panels up doesn’t it 😂😂
6:14,
Kitty in yard at rear.
Looks nice, but would it have not been better to use bifacial panels, bolted from underneath and rubber sealing strips fitted between the panels?
I was a little restricted on panel choice because I wanted to have 2 rows of panels totalling around 3.6m in height. Any higher and I would have need longer timbers and a redesign. As well as getting into the maximum height permitted for a garden structure.
A lot of the bifacial panels that I see advertised for more watts tend to be a lot bigger.
I went with Eurener mepv 120 ultra premium 400w. They have a module efficiency of 22.3%. Dimensions 1727x1039mm
I also wanted to play with the trays for future house roof installs.
Nice video.
What are your thoughts on the GSE system? I'm thinking of using it when I get round to getting solar; lots of advantages, especially in that trays and panels will be lighter than the existing tiles so no weight issues on an older roof, with only the disadvantage of slightly reduced output due to lack of ventilation.
Would love to see a video of your DIY water cooling system 👍, I've often pondered something similar.
Thank you my friend. Loved the GSE trays. Well worth the money. They are neat and secure. Hard to really measure the power reduction for them. Most panels on a roof on a hot day will be very toasty anyway.
@@TheOfficialBatteryMan My roof is split into 3 parts, so potentially 6 different arrays, although most will be quite small (likely 2 arrays of 2 panels, 3 arrays of 4 panels and then the main array of 8-10 panels). Are arrays that small viable? None of them would really work on the same string as they each face different orientation, slope and shading issues. I'd like to get as many panels up there as possible given the marginal cost of a panel or two is generally a lot lower than the system average cost per panel. What would be the likely best option; a single inverter with optimisers where necessary, a couple of smaller inverters, or microinverters?
I would absolutely have to move those joists and lengthen it- my ADHD perfectionism wouldn’t cope with a half arsed job either 😂
Glad to hear it. A bit more work but worth it in the end.
I kinda think the structure looks pretty and didn’t want to destroy that by just bolting on bits of timber that were lacking the strength of a full rework. My mild ADHD wakes me up at night wishing I counter battened for an air gap then the next sentence I’m questioning where can I put panels next …
I love the GSE system but can't find an installer in the west mids area that will fit them!
A lot of installers get uncomfortable when it involves more than bolting brackets onto joists
I am amazed you did not put your foot through the felting!! Also walking on wet wood might lead to a fall??
I’ve got a circus qualification so always land on my feet.🦶 🐆
Back again. Could you let me know the cost of your system? As I have been looking at doing the same here. Thank you
No worries. Happy to share.
The total cost is around £3000 for a 3.2kw solar system with 7.1kwh of batteries. The inverter is rated for 4000 watt output
Inverter £550
Batteries £1100 (batteries have come down now so could knock £400 off that price)
Solar panels trays and extra timber £1300
£200 ish for cable, MC4 connectors and additional consumer unit
Any updates on how the project is holding up in the rain? (Great vid BTW)
The trays are performing perfectly. With the added protection of the roofing membrane. We’ve got an egg chair underneath which we cleaned at the start of the spring and it’s bone try and not needing to be brought in after use.
@@TheOfficialBatteryMan Awesome to hear. Thanks!
What size timbers are you using? I have a garden room and I am wondering if they will support that set up. Mine are 150 by 50 with 400mm gaps
I’ve used the same timbers and I should expect you will be fine. My centres are slightly wider at 600mm. Another consideration is the span. Longer spans need thicker timber. There are online calculators that might help. Failing that a structural engineer would be your go too
I'm going to use IronRidge Camo clamps and racking on my Pergola. Camo clamps will allow panel seams to be glued and or taped the with Butyl tape. I want to have the light that is provided with Bifacial Panels. Thanks for the video, I had no Idea those plastic waterproof bits were available! Why did you put down the Felt? Wouldn't the Panels be cooler without it?
I’ve never seen those clamps before. Thanks for sharing. I had to carefully choose panels that worked for my existing structure size. That meant around 1.8m long and 1.1m ish wide. Otherwise I would either have to large a structure or wasted roof space.
I wanted a fully maintenance free system hence plastic trays. Plastic has been part of roofing materials for some time near me. Think ridges or valleys.
I put felt down as a belt and braces method this is what would go down when using the trays on roofs. I felt it would look neater from the underside and wanted practise using the system for using on roofs in the future.
Heat could have been countered with counter battening providing an air gap. I do regret not doing this however it’s still far more exposed than it would be on a traditional roof allowing some air flow
@@TheOfficialBatteryMan I'm in The Seattle area, Washington State. Doesn't look like the plastic panels are available around here.
Sure wish they were. As of right now. Industry standard here is.
Put down asphalt shingles. Then proceeded to drill a bunch of holes to mount the Panels. Then remove everything when roofing needs replacing, 20 to 30 years. Or install the very expensive Tesla roof.
Don't want to trust, glued panels and Camo clamps to protect million dollar home. Probably couldn't get insurance!
Can I ask why you didn't use micro inverters for each panel to maximise output?
Good question. Largely because I have an off grid inverter already. A MPP solar 4024. So it was just a case of swapping the panels. But also because shading only affects the bottoms of the panels in the time of year production is reduced (dead of winter for a part of the morning).
So I’m not sure I would gain much from them. I guess I could do a test in future and see how much difference it makes.
From a 3.2kw array at the end of April I’ve seen 3kw max so far. So I’m not loosing a lot right now for not using micro inverters
Interesting build. Why did you not rest the joists on the corner posts. It would have provided better transfer of weight. You are now depending solely on the fastener to transmit the load. As the roof is light I think it'll be probably fine.
Also need more than just a screw up through the roof joists to fix them to the structure. The torsional forces are not being addressed. I would recommend some noggins between the roof joists (to stop the roof going sideways and the roof joists falling flat onto their sides. I would also use some universal anchors at a minimum to tie the structure together (Simpson Strong-Tie A35E)
Largely down to a very DIY structure. If I was to build from scratch again I would make the entire footprint larger. I’m using coach bolts and 6x2 joists. All joints are glued
Would you expect the roofing battens to do some work toward stopping the roof joists falling flat? They do of course have birdsmouth cuts not shown in the video.
@@TheOfficialBatteryMan I'd get some noggins added between the roof joists as a minimum. I wouldn't trust battens to hold it together.
Been installing solar for years. Please do away with the wago connectors in the Wiska box. Wago connectors aren't rated for that kind of DC voltage.
Side note, if you'd of made a small fly lead between the top and bottom rows you'd of struggled less and put less strain on that particular connection.
Other than that, nice install for a pergola.
Thank you for the advice. I have small fly leads and that would have been a good idea. Noted for future. . .
The wagos are 211-612. Rated for 41amps and 450v. 6mm cable. My array is only 12amp and 336v. What would you recommend ?
@TheOfficialBatteryMan I believe that to be the AC rating for the wago connectors. I had the same argument with an MCS inspector once upon a time and he wasn't keen on the use of Wago connectors with DC. So was forced to use MC4s
I've always bought additional MC4s and any joints have been done with MC4s since. Think a kit off geofry bezos is £20 or some such.
Cheap relatively speaking, any ingress of water to the Wiska box is therefore additionally protected by the mc4 connector. I can see the guys logic.
Have you used boot lace ferrules before putting the cable in the wago?. Since it's multi strand.
Great vid and hard work. Couple of suggestions - surely there's a way of attaching solar panels to aluminium rails that's watertight and get's rid of the membrane and trays? I think there's a C and H channel design that allows you to slide the panels in then clamp then down on a watertight gasket. Or just silicone for a pergola. The membrane is a bit ugly - I don't think it would get the wife seal of approval.
I might not have shown off the membrane from the seating area very well. Personally I feel it fits in really nicely with the roof timbers. It provided a clean look. The previous panels did look a little messy with all the cabling for all 18 panels no matter how neat you made it.
We might put some low key lights up in that space for evening sit outs.
@@TheOfficialBatteryMan Yeah the rails I saw had cable mgt built in but they wouldn’t be cheap. There the same ones they use for solar shelters over car parks and I think they nearly always use bifacial panels to let light in.
@@mondotv4216 ooo if you find a product name i would like to look them up
Bi-facials panels bolted from underneath, with rubber sealing strips between panels.
Looking good, what is the solar panel company? I will be doing this myself.
I’ve put together a list of most of the materials used in the video description.
Email me some pics when you’re done. Would love to see your take on using the system
Do you need a planning permission for a solar pergola?
9:57 you could have saved yourself some pain & aggravation if you had used a piece of plywood to slide around over the battens giving yourself a secure platform to work off of
What's the advantage of the GSE trays? They look like a lot of extra material and expense. Did you look into solar panel seam gaskets?
I didn’t look into seam gaskets. I don’t really trust gaskets in the sun to last 25 years. Are they used more commonly where your from?
The trays cost me around £280. For 8 trays. To me money well spent.
They provide a watertight roof which will last years, made from PP a Recyclable material and are easy to install. They are fairly light and once positioned and secured, the panels sit in place on them. This makes install easier and helps manage the weight of the panels.
One big contributing factor for me was that they are designed to be used in roof on tiled or slate roofs. I want to be familiar with the system as I plan to use them in future on house roofs as a full kit for flush mounted in-roof solar systems.
add our battery to your product list.
If you want to send one over we can test it out and pop it on the channel if we like it. Email me
Wow a lot cheaper than I thought. Question. How did you hook up to the house? Ps I am in the south of France.
Connected to an off grid inverter which has its own circuits it feeds. Effectively taken some loads off the house. The inverter has the ability to feed grid or generator input to power those loads and charge the batteries. Useful for winter when the sun isn’t so uhh present
@@TheOfficialBatteryMan I'd love to see more on the inverter/battery side if you fancy doing another video on that in the future? I'm planning on doing the same once i've worked out my plan for the structure the panels will sit on
@@JamieKnowles Based on the interest in this video Ive got a video planned with that in mind. Hopefully I can share a few ‘what I would do different next time’ s to save others the hassle
Ok
Aber es geht definitiv auch viel einfacher, wenn man viele Profi Getue und Material weg lässt …
Habe so eine in Garten gebaut sogar da darunter mit Rankpflanzen
Well done. All worth it in the end
Are you a fan of Dom Jolly?😁
Where is this going? 😂😂😂 I mean I’ve seen him live so yes
You can stand on solar panels. They won't break
I wouldn’t want to do anything that could cause them to degrade faster
panels for £10 bargain!
They had there drawbacks for sure. 90v. Rubbish in cloudy weather. Not as efficient. I’ve learnt that one new high efficiency panel is better than lots of old tech panels. Would always stretch for new if you can.