The easiest way to make your portable solar panel stand in place is by using the adjustable stand. It gives you the flexibility to control the angle of the solar panel system. It is a beneficial upgrade that you can make to your existing solar panel system.
While carrying solar panels in a remote area, you will encounter the problem of placing the solar panel on the ground or the car. At least I face this problem.
As a DIY system lover, from time to time I create small solar cells, solar systems, and even adjustable solar panels as well.
In this article, I will explain how I created my adjustable DIY solar panel stand which supports my panel and make it stay in place without moving.
How solar panel stand helps me to use the system efficiently?
Solar panel stands are an integral part of the solar power system. Your panel is made of a flat design surface. When you use the portable solar panel in a remote area or during campaigning, it would be difficult for you to keep the solar panel in the sun’s direction.
Carrying a stand with you would give you the benefit of keeping the panel at the right angle without requiring to use of any other supporting equipment.
The stand standalone at the place, and you can adjust it the way you want.
Moreover, the solar panel needs direct sunlight to work efficiently. If your solar panel cannot consume sunlight on the surface, you may not be using the solar panel at its maximum set capacity.
It would be a waste of money if the solar panel is not generating enough power that it is capable. Therefore, having the right type of solar panel stand would give you the advantage of managing your solar panel inefficiently.
Placing solar panels on the groundwork fine. But is not the right way to use it. You can produce more power by tilting the panel in the direction of the sun.
Additionally, when the solar panel stands are created lightweight, you can comfortably carry them with you in a remote location or while traveling on the weekend holiday.
It easily resides on the top of the car or put the panel to the ground to generate solar energy. People generally buy a portable solar panel because they want to carry that with them when traveling.
When I’m travelling, I have several stands which I put on my car. Since they were made from PVC, it does not heavy at all.
How I use the solar panel stand?
Solar panel stands are easy to use. If you have purchase one, then get the user manual guide with the solar panel stands package. You can follow the instruction and get it installed instantly.
This guide will help you understand the ways you can set the solar panel stand for maximum performance.
1) Tilt on the angle: The Solar panel is designed to absorb the sun rays. When the sun rays hit the solar panel surface, it consumes the UV rays and converts them into electricity. The electricity then passed through the wire connection to the batteries.
The solar panel’s surface needs to be directed to the direct sunlight to capture more sun rays.
If it is placed on flat ground, the chances are much of the light will bounce from the glass surface, which will reduce the panel’s efficiency.
The stand helps you to keep the solar panel at the right angle, so you can adjust the solar panel and produce more electricity to charge your batteries enough to use in the night.
2) Placement: Solar panel stand allows you to assemble the panel on the car, RV, or any other platform without needing big construction to fix the panel. You can even use the solar panel stand to place the panel on the rooftop.
The Stand comes with a mechanism that makes the assembly of the solar system easy. It stays at a fixed position and keeps generating solar energy in the daytime.
The stands are adjustable, so in case you want to change the panel direction, move the arm and set the preferred angle of your solar panel.
Sometimes, I put my solar stand on top of my RV too. Its a better place since its in up.
How to Select Solar Panel Stand? (If you are buying one)
Few factors decide the type of solar panel stand you would require to assemble the solar panel. It also depends on the installation space. Generally, for the 1 kWh solar systems, you require 100 sq meters of space.
So if you are planning to use the solar panel stand for the portable solar panel, then calculate the solar panel dimension and choose the stand accordingly to calculate space.
You can also take the help of the support team of the solar panel stand manufacturer. They will guide you in the selection of the best solar panel for your need.
There are different types of solar panel stands available in the market. Also, these stands are designed according to the end-user.
For an example
Root top stand: If you are planning to assemble your solar panel on the rooftop, the specially designed solar panel stand for the roof assembly is the best for keeping your solar panel system in a fixed place.
The rooftop solar panel stand requires more strength and proper placement to avoid falling in a harsh environmental condition.
You cannot use the regular stand to fix the solar panel on the roof. It may fall in the heavy rain or the cyclone.
The passing air from the gap between the panel and the stand would pull the whole structure out if it is fixed properly. Therefore, always use the solar panel stand that is made for the rooftop.
Wall-mounted solar panel stand: These stands useful for consumers who want to use the outdoor space to generate solar energy.
The stands get fixed on the side of the wall, and the solar panel resided on them at the tilt angle to capture the sun rays. It gives you the ability to use the outdoor space to generate solar energy.
The wall-mounted solar panel stand is easy to assemble. Each solar panel will have the maximum weight capacity, so before buying the solar panel stand, check your panel weight.
Do not overload the panel with the extra weight. Else your whole solar panel system will collapse.
Shad roof space: There will be a need for the Shad roof solar panel stands. These are the stands that are tilted in the angle.
If you have space around your home that you use for the garden, or let’s say you want to assemble the solar system in your backyard.
The Shade roof solar panel stand would be a great choice. It will come with a mechanism that quickly gets fixed on the Shed roof. Once it is fixed properly, it will not fall and serve you for years.
Portable Solar panel stand: The portable stand is designed to provide easy movement to the stand.
They are lightweight and can be folded in a small size, which makes them carrying easily. You can fold the solar panel and keep it in the back of your car while traveling.
These types of solar panel stands are best for use in a remote area. You can adjust the solar panel stand and place your solar panel on it to generate electricity.
Place the panel stand on the car roof, on your RV, or place it on the ground. It will work in all the conditions.
Conclusion:
Making a portable solar panel stand is quite easy. You need to understand the tilt mechanism and use the right equipment to keep your solar panel at the perfect angle to generate more electricity.
The stand’s whole purpose is to provide needed support to the solar panel while using it in the remote area.
You might not have a setup in the remote area where you can assemble the solar panel. The stand gives you the ability to use it at the right angle to generate more solar power.
You can also create your stand using it at home. Or buy it from the manufacturer.
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Eng. Matthew Joseph Nandirio is the Founder of walkingsolar.
After graduating from the University of Houston in 2002, matt started working as a Solar Electrical Engineer for several multi-national solar energy companies.
He has a wide range of experiences including solar system requirement analysis, planning, maintaining, debugging and even solar device development through research.
He now shares his 20 years of expertise through his articles on the walkingsolar website.
Further, he is also the author of two books on Solar Technology, “Solar Power for Villages” and “DIY Solar System for Dummies”.
