A Southern California DIYer sparked a practical conversation after asking whether an ambitious footing design for a 16-panel ground-mount solar array was too much — or not enough — for clay soil and strong coastal winds.
The question behind it was less about appearance and more about how to keep an expensive solar installation anchored when Santa Ana winds arrive.
Here’s what to know
According to a Reddit thread, the project calls for a 7.2-kilowatt array built from four treated-lumber tables, with four 450-watt panels mounted in portrait configuration on each one. The poster weighed two support ideas and asked whether oversized concrete footings at each post were unnecessary or whether treated 6-foot-by-6-foot posts buried directly in concrete would perform just as well.
Most replies centered on the wind hazard. One commenter wrote, “You are absolutely right about the risk. I’ve seen some serious damage caused by panels flying around.” They added that it makes more sense to use calculations or a predesigned system than to rely on instinct alone…