Solar Shed Construction Details

Design vs. Zoning

At first I was thinking of a one way roof shed (Cattle Shed) with the collector on the tall side, but zoning said 10 foot maximum to the bottom of the soffit when building on a lake lot. I wanted ten foot collectors mounted two feet above the ground equaling twelve feet, so that was out. A gambrel roof (little storage barn roof) zoning measures 10 feet from the bottom of the top roof section, so that was out. So I went with a regular roof with the solar collector on the gable end (like a storefront). First problem solved. Setbacks from the well, property side, road, and allowing me room to drive between the shed and the house allowed me to build a 25 x 16 shed. I wanted 32 feet of Collector so I hinged the outer panels in for the summer (Domestic Hot Water) and out for the winter (Space Heating).

Click on pictures for full size