Landscape Panel Mount

[bcroe]

I am wondering about the physical strength of mounting panels in landscape orientation,
supported by the ends? Upper panels will be spaced 8" from lower panels, minimum
spacing side to side. Perhaps the mount rails should be about 37" apart to allow
securing them the narrow way?

I have a couple reasons to mount landscape. First, snow sliding or being pushed off will
only need to move 39" to fall off, INSTEAD OF 75" (72 cell vertical) or 126" (2 vertical 63
cell panels touching). The vertical gap will keep snow from sliding from one panel to the
next lower.

The other thing is, this will allow the same general mounting scheme for either 60 cell
or 72 cell panels; they are both 39" wide, and 5 of the 72 cell are about the same
mechanical width (as well as output voltage) as 6 60 cell panels. I already have quite a
few of each, but on quite different mounts. Bruce Roe

[DanS26]

Bruce, my Kyocera panels had specific instructions on panel mounting. There was a permissible clamping range measured from the edge. In my case, with 60 cell 245 watt panels, in landscape mode, it was 11.1" from each edge with a 4" clamping range or in other words 9.1" to 13.1" from each edge.

I suspect most other manufacturers have similar specifications. In areas with heavy snow or wind loads, I think it would be wise to follow these instructions.

[emartin00]

Each module will have different mounting instructions. A number of them specifically say that they cannot be clamped on the short side of the module frame.
You will need to check the data sheets and mounting instructions to determine the proper mounting locations and methods, and that will determine the strength and load rating.

[gregvet]

I am wondering about the physical strength of mounting panels in landscape orientation,
supported by the ends? Upper panels will be spaced 8" from lower panels, minimum
spacing side to side. Perhaps the mount rails should be about 37" apart to allow
securing them the narrow way?

Bruce Roe

Bruce, my ground mounted Bosch panels are mounted in landscape mode-3 high. This was mainly to appease our neighbor in our 3-house subdivision as she did not want to see the panels. 2 panel high in portrait mode would be higher than the 3 in landscape. the attachments are about 1/5 the panel's horizontal length(in landscape aspect) from both sides. We have seen high winds and no have had issues. The ground the panels are mounted on is sloped downwards from west to east so on the west end, the bottom panel is closer to the ground. The only problem I have had in clearing snow is that I have to clear more ground on the west side to allow the snow to pile up under the panels.

[bcroe]

I appreciate all the input. On a brief inspection of 4 different types of 250W or greater panels
here, NONE have any mounting holes on the short edges. So they really don't want me to use
that edge, though drilling new mounting (and drain) holes sometimes happens here. Guess that
means horizontal mounting rails will be running right under the long edges of the panels.

Bruce Roe

[emartin00]

I appreciate all the input. On a brief inspection of 4 different types of 250W or greater panels
here, NONE have any mounting holes on the short edges. So they really don't want me to use
that edge, though drilling new mounting (and drain) holes sometimes happens here. Guess that
means horizontal mounting rails will be running right under the long edges of the panels.

Bruce Roe

Drilling your own holes will almost certainly void your warranty, so I would advise against that.
Some module companies will allow you to mount by the short side using mid clamps and end clamps. As I said, you will have to check the specific mounting instructions. I know ReneSola allows mounting from the ends, because I have been looking at using them.

[bcroe]

Drilling your own holes will almost certainly void your warranty, so I would advise against that.

Some module companies will allow you to mount by the short side using mid clamps and end clamps. As I said, you will have to check the specific mounting instructions. I know ReneSola allows mounting from the ends, because I have been looking at using them.

Good information for many, thanks. Not applicable here, too busy experimenting for ANYTHING to
remain under warrantee very long. Some of the surplus & seconds here didn't even have mounting
or drain holes, but cost me little. I have a drill, they have been serving very well a couple years

I've about concluded that mounting along the long edge is the way to go; with the support rails
running parallel, I might upgrade to 3 bolts per side. Bruce Roe

[SunEagle]

Good information for many, thanks. Not applicable here, too busy experimenting for ANYTHING to
remain under warrantee very long. Some of the surplus & seconds here didn't even have mounting
or drain holes, but cost me little. I have a drill, they have been serving very well a couple years

I've about concluded that mounting along the long edge is the way to go; with the support rails
running parallel, I might upgrade to 3 bolts per side. Bruce Roe

Probably the better way to go since you can get a significant snow load and don't want to bend and flex the panels.