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Solar Panel Mounting Options

by Know it All Solar Nerds

Solar panels are a phenomenal way of contributing to the environment; better even, they can save you a bundle on electricity costs. Having worked past the basics, you are looking for deeper insights into solar panel mounting options. Mounting or racking commonly refers to the hardware used to secure solar panels in place, whether on a roof, on the ground or a pole. Mounting is crucial to protect the panels from shifting when exposed to strong winds, harsh weather or snow, and most importantly, to keep them in the intended position relative to the sun. The most common method in residential homes is to install panels on the roof. The reasons are simple; the roof is often a surface that is not otherwise utilised. Plus, its elevation makes the panels up there less prone to shading.

The advantage of ground-mounted solar

Ground-mounted solar arrays are more common in commercial or large scale applications. They can be found in less populated areas where land is more readily available and less costly. They also find use on flat roofs, often in industrial settings. The racking hardware secures the panels into the surface and holds them at a predefined angle toward the sun. One of the significant advantages is that the panels are easy to access for cleaning and maintenance. Ground-mounted systems are also more suitable for angling and tracking. With angling, the slope of the panels can be adjusted based on the sun’s elevation, with a perpendicular exposure being the optimum position. Tracking allows for the panels to swivel east to west, so they can “follow” the sun.

Pole mounted panels

Another version of ground mounting are pole systems. The hardware is entirely different though. Several panels are attached to a vertical pole. Usually, those are smaller systems, or multiple poles hold up the panels. With steeper angled panels, they are great for use in areas with heavy snowfall. Precipitation can run off much more easily and does not cover the panels for extended periods. Tracking is also reasonably easy with pole mounts; rotational motors can be hosted inside the pole.

Trackers are for commercial projects

Solar trackers are a great invention. The panels can be pointed toward the sun at a consistently productive angle. However, they are pricey and, consequently, very rarely used in residential settings. In most cases, it is cost-effective to buy additional panels to make up for the difference in production.

The benefits of roof-mounted systems

Residential roofs have long been an underutilised surface area. Installing solar panels on your roof is a fantastic way of using that space. Of course, there are other advantages. Having the panels higher up means fewer possible obstructions from sunlight. In most cases, the roof comes with a slope or pitch. This angle allows for a relatively simple racking to hold the panels in place while pointing them toward the sun. It often also means fewer debris and dirt accumulated on the panels. However, a big downside in this respect is panel maintenance; reaching the panels for cleaning and potential repairs can be much more complicated. Given that solar panels require very little maintenance, this drawback is commonly seen as minor.

Will there be damage to my roof?

Installing solar panels means attaching them to your roof in some way or form. The roofing material will have to be penetrated to secure the racking, most often attaching it to the rafters. Small holes will be drilled for that purpose. A professional installer undoubtedly applies flashing and seals the holes, so water will not be able to seep through. 

If you are concerned about the weight of the solar panels on your roof, we can put you at ease on that as well. Roofs constructed based on building code have an extensive capacity to bear loads, and solar panels are not an issue. Further, there is a good chance that the panels will protect your roofing material from deterioration, as it is now shielded from the elements. If you are still not satisfied, there is one more solution just for you: Non-penetrating systems that use brackets reaching over the ridge of the roof. An example is Solar Pod’s Z-Rack.

Orientation and Incline

What is the ideal orientation of solar panels, and what is the perfect incline? The sun makes its daily journey across the sky, but the solar panels are fixed on our roof. The ideal location for a panel is where it looks as straight as possible into the midday sun, facing North, that is, in Australia. Thus, you will want to mount as many panels as possible on the north-facing side of your roof. East and west-facing panels come with energy losses of around 15% and are less desirable.

The perfect incline of a panel is a perpendicular position to the sun. While closer to the Equator, this is easier to achieve on a consistent basis, we see quite some fluctuation in the sun’s angle through the seasons in locations further south. The ideal roof pitch is generally equal to the geographical latitude of the site. However, slopes between 30 and 40 degrees are considered sufficiently productive, aligning with the most commonly used pitches in residential homes. Most homeowners, therefore, choose to install their solar panels flush with the roofline. It makes for better aesthetics as well as a more straightforward, less costly and more secure installation.

Sloped roof systems

Let’s look at some of the racking systems that can be used with sloped roofs. There are many different solutions, with rail systems being the most common. Horizontal or vertical rails frame the panel on two opposite sides; the panel is held in place with clamps. Rail mounts work well with most types of roofing, be it metal or shingles. Some rail-based systems come with optional tilt kits, allowing you to adjust the panel’s angle toward the sun, an elegant feature that will help improve energy production. Rail racking can be beneficial when using optimisers or microinverters. They can be attached to the rail, and there is usually enough space for them underneath the panels.

Rail-less racking eliminates the material for the rails. Shipping and handling smaller pieces means less potential for damage and lower cost. The clamps are secured to the roof and attached directly to the panels. They require precise alignment and are entirely dependent on the roof slope. Uneven slopes can make installing rail-free mounting systems hard or even impossible. For an experienced technician, pre-assembled rail-less systems are much quicker to install. There is a variety of specialised rail-less mounting hardware on the market designed to work on specific types of metal roofs, further simplifying installation.

Mounting costs

Roof-mounting hardware is usually quite affordable. Compared to the other mounting types, very little racking is required. The hardware is attached to the roof, and the panels are set in on top, parallel to the roof. The more expensive part is the installation itself. It is comparably harder and more time-consuming to work on a roof installation as opposed to on the ground. One of your key takeaways should be to evaluate the possibilities with your installer. Identify which mounting options are suitable for your property, and how they compare in terms of labour required to install them.

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