nextstep:
By the way, we're already producing an average of 30kWH of energy per day. This means we can keep the lights on, charge our phones and laptops, as well as run an efficient fridge indefinitely, without caring about PHCN or fuel scarcity. I personally designed and manufactured the highly-efficient (prototype) LED lights we're using, and I'm proud that they've run without issues for weeks now.

(I'll post pictures soon)

n3xt:
You may want to try using Aluminium fascia cladding used in one of our project in 2012.

However, you'll need to ensure it was properly attached to the trusses and the wall to prevent water from entering the building.

nextstep:
Preparing the H-beams that will support the panels. Each of the 5 beams is supported by 6" legs that will be put into the hollow blocks. Then we pour cement mix into these holes to hold the beams solidly. The beams are all angled 5 degrees from the front of the building to the back, which aids in water runoff.

lastpage:


Please what is the dimension of this H-BEAMS (length & thickness) and how much do they COST?

Tnx.

nextstep:


The beams you see are 22 feet (we bought 6 20-foot beams and cut the 6th into pieces to weld unto the other 5 and for the legs). 150mm wide. My records shows we paid #15.5k per beam in Delta State (includes transport). Labour to cut, weld, and paint the beams was extra.

KolaShangOne:
You can actually do an aluminum cladding and external ceiling with aluminum. Eaves angle at the top, use 2x3 wood to run the nogging. You can drill a hole in iron and then drive a nail with washer to hold iron and wood.

OR

Use light steel angle iron to to the nogging and them cover with aluminum.

lastpage:


Thank you for your response.

Would you be aware of the "thickness" (not Width/wideness! ) of the beam?
I am referring to its "thickness", if you hold a 'flat side' of it with your "thumb and fore finger"!

Tnx.

true2home:
Hello, how much did you spent on panels and what's your total square foot?

nextstep:


Each panel was about #80k, and I bought 28 of them for a total of #2.24 million.
The dimensions of the building is 400 sq ft (20ft x 20ft square), which was covered by the 28 panels. Each panel is about 5.25ft x 3ft.

As arranged, we have 7x3ft = 21ft in rows, and 4x5.25ft = 21ft in columns. This way there's a 6" overshoot on all sides of the building.

The company I got them from is Solynta ( http://solynta.com.ng/ ) which is owned by Nairaland user barcholder https://www.nairaland.com/barcholder

It's an excellent solar products company that provides outstanding customer service, and the team that installed our panels, batteries, wires, etc. were very professional. They were also willing to learn and work with us on this original roof design which had never been done before.

They also offer a payment plan so you don't have to pay upfront for an entire solar solution.

bigrovar:
Sorry I did not read through all your thread. But why does the panel have to be on the roof? There is a general misconception that panels have to be on the roof to perform well.. which is not always true in fact ground mounted panels (if u have a shade free space to mount them) out performs roof mounted for the following reasons:

- They are more efficient: (heat from roof affects efficiency)
- Much easier to maintain
- Easier to achieve the right panel tilt and direction

EgunMogaji:
Learning loads on Nigerian context as it relates to solar on this thread.

I'm going to be having my solar panels on the slope roof of my North facing accessory building, so this is going to be interesting to get them facing South without looking grotesque (absolutely not having ground mount).

I'll have to add hosing down the solar panels to the list of tasks for the Mai Guard.

OP, I don't know enough to guide you on rectifying the roof issue. I would never use a solar panel directly as the roof cover.

n3xt:


Never. I'll only do this on a flat roof slab.

nextstep:


These are really good points, and after going through all this hassle, I totally concur.
I don't have a traditional roof, so I thought I'd save money by making the panels the roof (note that there is no traditional wood and sheets roof on this house). I was also going for the "wow" factor of having a radical type of roofing, but what a pain in the ass it's been.

fippycbk:


This one got me. This will be one hell of an innovation. I'll love to see contributions on this. Following

YoursGEJ:
How much would it cost to set up a solar energy system for a 3 bedroom house? One 70 inch LCD TV, fridge, 10 bulbs, 2 laptops, charging 8 mobile phones?

chris81964:

You should have shingles underneath the panels. There are solar panels that do both. They are not yet common

pulsa:
I have a very practical and proved idea on building better and much more efficient solar panels, but the problem is I don't know how to build a prototype, in fact I don't know how to build anything and this has always been my problem, sometimes I wish I was Igbo, they seem to be able to build things while we seem to be majorly good at thinking and educational pursuits, you have no idea how jealous and sad I feel when I see thread of prototypes of equipment built by them which a lot of times is always them reinventing the wheel.