ideas on mounting solar panel

[cheoah]

I just removed the old radome that mounted on an 8" x 8" square, flat, stainless pedestal above my bimini. I'd like to mount a kyocera 135 w panel on it and would love to hear some ideas if any of you have experience mounting panels. The surface area is small, but sturdy. I guess two parallel stringers, going longitudinally would offer more support than two supports perpendicular to this 60" long panel. These two supports will be very close to one another since the mounting area is only 8" square.

I'm unfamiliar with mounting options, should I buy some purpose-made rails or L brackets? CAn I just use wood and mount through holes in the panel frame? Not sure if this panel has holes already.

Thanks for any ideas-

csh

[James S]

You can run the two main parallel stringers (stout) as you mentioned..providing the plate has some ass and is fixed well to the pedestal, then run another edge support from the ends of each of those stringers the entire width of the panel.

Stout materials and connections are necessary...and this means it may get heavy.

There are many ways to skin this cat, but I'm in the middle of packing for a trip so this is my contribution for now as it was the easiest to draw

[cheoah]

Thanks James, useful input for sure. The radome was a big honkin' thing, but I'll go through the weights and think about it more. The plate is supported by 1" stainless tubing, and is a little wobbly like most of that stuff is. I think it can handle it. The 135 watt panel is way cheaper per watt than the 65 or 85.

Safe Travels-

csh

[James S]

Thanks csh...1'" hum...sounds a little small.
Arrived in sunny Alaska yesterday...beautiful!