Which Brackets for Renogy Rigid 100w panels?

[thiel]

Gang,

I'm planning a DIY solar install in April and I'm wondering about brackets. Clearly the AM solar brackets are best, but they are SO costly I just can't do it.

In terms of Renogy brackets, they have the standard Z bracket and then the curved bracket. I had imagined I would just use the curved brackets on the outboard side of each panel, but then I realized that the curved brackets make it easier to remove the panel once I've stuck the mounts to the roof (whereas the Z brackets are very difficult to detach from the panel).

I'm wondering if my assessment here is correct? Essentially if I use Renogy Curved brackets on all four corners of each panel I should be able to remove the panels if I really need to?

(At about $30 per set, the Renogy curved brackets are still MUCH cheaper than the AM solar version.)

Thanks!

[fran&frank]

Or make your own, See my thread on my solar install under "Frank's solar upgrade", will try and include link below.

http://www.airforums.com/forums/f448...-a-164507.html

[afk314]

I recently installed 4 panels on my 25'. I used the Renogy Curved-Z mounts that I purchased quite economically (around $20 per). After I installed them, I realized I couldn't stand the way they looked. Another person might have looked at them and said, "good enough" - but every time I noticed them, I felt a little pang of disappointment. And after spending a lot of money on this project, I didn't want to feel that way.

So, I changed them. I bought the AM Solar mounts and spent way too long swapping them out. And it was worth every cent and every hour of work. YMMV and the Renogy mounts may work for you, but do noticed they won't let you get the panels less than 2.5 from the bracket base.

-Adam

[GMFL]

I made these for my renogy 100watt x panels. Made from 1 1/2 aluminum angle. Stuck to Airstream with VHB tape and alpha one over the top. I have less than $20 in all 8 of them.

[waninae39]

this is what i have. also make your own tilt bars out the bar stock and easy to get wing nuts

[switz]

Using the proper supports designed for the panels is more likely to result in a trouble free installation years down the road.

[alano]

The standard Renology Z bracket works well, provides sufficient surface area to use VHB tape and panels can be removed if need be after the brackets are mounted.

[daleyocum]

Originally Posted by afk314

I recently installed 4 panels on my 25'. I used the Renogy Curved-Z mounts that I purchased quite economically (around $20 per). After I installed them, I realized I couldn't stand the way they looked. Another person might have looked at them and said, "good enough" - but every time I noticed them, I felt a little pang of disappointment. And after spending a lot of money on this project, I didn't want to feel that way.

So, I changed them. I bought the AM Solar mounts and spent way too long swapping them out. And it was worth every cent and every hour of work. YMMV and the Renogy mounts may work for you, but do noticed they won't let you get the panels less than 2.5 from the bracket base.

-Adam

Wow, that was quite a project. Not wanting to repeat your experience, as fun as it sounds, I’ll just start with AM Solar! Do you use the standard height AMSolar brackets or did you have some tall ones mixed in to accommodate the Airstream’s curve?