Solar panel equipment can be expensive, plus if you’re like me you use it in various locations.
Many of the ready made stands don’t quite fit what I’m looking for and can be cumbersome.
That’s why I started thinking about a DIY solar panel stand.
A stand that would be easy to use when setting up a solar panel outside a campervan or in the backyard whenever I needed it.
I also thought that I can’t be the only one thinking about this, so I decided to share the best ideas for homemade solar stands here.
1. PVC Pipe
The best DIY solar stand I’ve found is super simple and cheap. You can make it in minutes using PVC pipe and joints. This gives you a range of benefits including a total cost of less than $20.
Adding to this, it’s super lightweight and foldable making it perfect for portable setups. You can transform any panel portable to set up on flat ground.
https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/852306298239405065
There’s a few different design paths you can follow with this tilting mount depending on the style of solar panel. And you should be able to fasten it to your panel via the pre-drilled holes in the aluminum frame.
https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/5207355805169030
What You’ll Need for a PVC DIY Solar Stand:
- PVC Pipe
- PVC Joints
- Screws
- Zip Ties
- Tape measure
- Drill
- Saw
- Marker
2. DIY Wood Solar Panel Mount
If you’re looking for a more solid sturdy DIY stand then you should look at building it out of wood. This will give you the ability to build a custom frame and stand to hold your solar array.
With simple carpentry skills, you can really create a substantial setup for a fraction of the cost. When just looking to mount a single solar panel you can keep things simple and create a DIY solar panel pole mount. You can place a wooden pole in the ground and then build a hinged frame to secure the panel like this:
https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/640355640777913752
https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/640355640777913765
Or if you’ve got a big set of solar panels then check this out:
3. Homemade Solar Panel Hand Truck
The next idea is awesome to create a truly moveable solar panel setup. It means you can move it to the sunniest area. Plus you could even include the battery and charge controller in the DIY mount.
Using a hand truck gives you the flexibility to wheel everything in and out when you need it. In addition, you can angle it at 45 degrees towards the sun. Of course, the weight of all the equipment won’t be a problem!
In fact, I wasn’t the only person to think of this one:
https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/731342426990344834
https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/480829697722895087
DIY Wall Mount for Solar Panel
If you’ve got an outhouse with a roof that isn’t suitable for a solar panel then consider a wall mount. For example, the roof might be shaded or at the wrong angle for peak sunlight.
In that case, you might find a nice sunny spot down the wall side of the building. Of course, you need to mount your solar panel to the wall correctly for maximum electricity production.
Fortunately, this is easily done with a simple wood frame made of two triangles. You could even consider building in hinges and so you can alter the angle.
https://www.pinterest.fr/pin/424675440274583618
Final Words on DIY Solar Panel Stand
I hope you’ve got inspiration for your own DIY solar panel stand.
When thinking about what you should use and how to build it, consider your usage requirements.
Do you want a lightweight and portable tilt stand? Then PVC piping is a cost effective choice. But for a sturdy permanent option then a well constructed wooden frame will serve you well.
