Building a solar panel support structure with wood/fiberglass /epoxy

[mariobrothers88]

Hey guys I know most people use stainless steel or aluminum to build solar panel support structures but is there any reason you can't build it out of dimensional lumber like 2x4s or 4x4s sealed with biaxial fiberglass and epoxy resin? You would have to round out the corners to properly fiberglass it but are there any reasons why this would be a bad idea?

I figure as long as you properly seal it and use enough of the biaxial glass it would be strong enough and would last a long time but please correct me if I'm wrong!

Thanks for all the help and advice guys I really appreciate it!!!

 

[bajansailor]

Yes, it should be possible - but it probably would not look as elegant (or simply 'as conventional') as a support structure built using S/S or aluminium tubing.

Have you sketched out a design yet for what you have in mind?
Is it a 'classic' goalpost type of structure?
Can you post a copy on here of any sketches you have done so far?
And / or a photo of the boat showing where you want to fit this structure?

 

[kapnD]

What are you attaching to?
For weight and simplicity’s sake I’d be thinking aluminum structural shapes.

 

[BlueBell]

mb88,

Have you priced your lumber yet?
And the cost of epoxy and fiber/cloth?
And the labour time involved.
How long will it last if there are a few pinholes.
Paint, ongoing.

And in aluminum?
It will last forever.

It's definitely doable but at what cost savings?

 

[fallguy]

The issue is all the work and time to make glass look nice.

You could make the stuff from coosa or aquaplas or corelite and one coating of epoxy, then bed them in butyl, but glassing them on is an issue if you ever have to replace and sizes are (will be) different.

 

[Will Gilmore]

I'm with Bajansailor, quite possible, plenty strong enough, but not very elegant out of 2x4 dimension lumber. I have been thinking about a transom arch for solar panels out of wood for my boat. I would consider an ash/ mahogany laminated lay-up similar in construction technique to a wooden tiller. I think very strong, not as visually heavy and I wouldn't need a welder. Of course my boat is only 19' so nothing would be longer than 4 feet between supports.

 

[Blueknarr]

Why
Why glass over the wood
Good luck

 

[mariobrothers88]

Why
Why glass over the wood
Good luck

I want to use locally available wood in mexico which isn't the highest quality to avoid having to import the wood. I figure the fiberglass would weather and water proof the structure as well so that it would last a long time.

 

[Blueknarr]

As sticks standing in the air, even crappy wood will survive for at least a decade.

 

[mariobrothers88]

I would like it to survive for many decades

 

[gonzo]

Use galvanized pipe. It is readily available and will last a long time.

 

[fallguy]

Whatever you do, don't bond the wood to the roof. When you need new panels, just unscrew wood bedded in butyl.

 

[mariobrothers88]

Would you guys recommend just wrapping the wood with 1 or 2 layers of 10 oz plain weave or 17 oz biaxial fiberglass? I'm thinking of using 1 layer of 17 oz biaxial fiberglass, but wanted to get your expert opinion as well

 

[bajansailor]

Mario have you built the timber structure yet?
If not, do you have any sketches that you can post which show what it will look like?
And can you post a photo showing where it will be located on your boat please?

 

[TeddyDiver]

Don't use solid wood but strips, and defineatly laminate it fast on the boat. Use also unidirectional glass.