Solar pergola/patio cover
Budget: $250 – $750 USD
I’m planning to build a solar pergola or free-standing patio cover with frame-less bi-facial solar panels. Because it’s covered with solar panels the city planning department requires that I have a structural engineer review and completion of the appropriate calculations.
The pergola will be a 36’L X 14’W X 9’H open frame with the rafters spaced (about 42”) to eliminate shadows on the backside of the bi-facial solar panels. Post will be 6X6, beans will be 6X12, rafters will be 4X10 and rafter crossties will be 4X6. Obviously, all those dimensions are changeable as required.
I have a 2D drawing of the pergola and a mostly complete submittal package ready for review. I’m currently working to select the solar components. My current pergola drawing has large tolerances on the footer positions to accommodate the different size solar panels I’m considering. If we use the maximum dimensions, we should be good for the smaller panels
The pergola will be a 36’L X 14’W X 9’H open frame with the rafters spaced (about 42”) to eliminate shadows on the backside of the bi-facial solar panels. Post will be 6X6, beans will be 6X12, rafters will be 4X10 and rafter crossties will be 4X6. Obviously, all those dimensions are changeable as required.
I have a 2D drawing of the pergola and a mostly complete submittal package ready for review. I’m currently working to select the solar components. My current pergola drawing has large tolerances on the footer positions to accommodate the different size solar panels I’m considering. If we use the maximum dimensions, we should be good for the smaller panels