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How to install solar electric panels
PV Installation
Solar photovoltaic panels can be installed on many different types of roofs. Panels can be flush mounted as well as tilted up. When ever possible it is best to install solar panel mounts while a home is being roofed. Solar mounts "flashed-in" during the roofing process will eliminate any possibility of roof leaks. It is also much easier to locate rafters when the roof is off. All mounts need to be secured onto the roof with stainless steel lag bolts bolted through into rafters. Having structural attachment points "flashed-in" is the wisest method of installing solar panels, and the future cost of removal and re-installation of solar panels can be avoided for decades.
Composition shingle roofs are the easiest to work with. Tile roofs are more challenging and carrying solar panels across them can be like walking on eggshells. The installation procedure below demonstrates how to mount solar photovoltaic panels on a sloped roof. This installation also shows how to incorporate solar mounts into a new roof.
Step 1. Many installer companies use "FastJack" solar panel mounts to structurally attach solar panels to a roof. The mounts are secured before the new roof is applied. For existing roofs many utilize "TileTrac" mounts.
STEP 2. Align mounts on top of rafters, then pre-drill with a pilot bit to avoid splitting the rafters. The rafters can be found with a stud finder.
Use a chalk line or laser sight to keep the mounts in a straight line.
STEP 3. Secure the mounts to the roof with stainless steel lag bolts. The roof on this house was brand new but looked sloppy, so a new layer was applied around the mounts.
STEP 4. Metal flashings were placed over the mounts and the layer of roofing was hot-mopped around the mounts. Metal rails are secured to the posts with 3/8' stainless steel bolts.
STEP 5. Next we install pre-assembled and hard-wired solar panels in groups of 4. No "quick connections" are used on our wiring. This array holds 20 of a total of 40 panels installed.
STEP 6. After the solar panels were in place a layer of reflective roof coating was applied to the roof. The final step is to run the conduit to connect the panels to the inverter.
This installation is a low profile, unobtrusive, clean, green energy-making machine.
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SOLAR PANELS
