Flat Roof Fixing Solar Panels

Installing solar panels on flat roofs is fairly simple to do.

Flat roof fixing solar panels.

Solar panel installers are presented with a number of challenges when designing and installing flat roof solar panels. Skip to 12 15 to hear rex and patrick discuss the main solar solutions for different kinds of flat roofing. 3 1 disadvantages of flat solar panels. Allows some ventilation behind the panels.

When you specify a photovoltaic array for your flat roof there is the option of either mechanically fixing the array or alternatively using ballast to weigh them down without fixing into the structure. The former fixing the panels to the structure involves penetrating the actual roof and securing a support structure and brackets which the solar panels are attached to. By far the most common method for fixing solar pv panels to a roof. As a result when you pair solar with a roof replacement the panels actually extend the lifetime of the portion of the roof that they cover.

Roof integrated panels can be supported on frames fixed directly to the rafters and integrated into the rest of the roof using a flashing kit to keep the roof waterproof. The other benefit of pairing solar and a roof replacement together is that if you re installing on a new roof it s unlikely you ll need to re roof during the lifetime of the system. Fixing solar panels to flat roofs why we recommend an engineered solution. This allows solar panels mounted on flat roofs to be tilted upwards enough to ensure they capture as much sunlight as possible.

Flat roof solar panels need to be at a 20 50 degree angle. 3 2 comparison between inclined vs flat solar panels simulation results. It s clearly easier to take free standing panels off a flat roof than it is to take bolted panels off a sloping roof. Wind speed must be considered for flat roofs.

Flat roofs solar pv panels on a flat roof will produce more electricity if they can be angled toward the sun rather than laid. You can still get optimal energy performance for flat roof solar panels. This is a more intrusive method but some feel that it keeps the array more secure. Generally there are two most common ways of installing solar panels a flat roof.

This also helps to keep the array clean as rainfall will remove surface dirt that could reduce panel efficiency. Flat roofs should not mean flat solar panel angles. Ballast pods are plastic moulded pods in the shape of a triangular prism or large wedge. Normally the lowest price it also gives the best performance as there is maximum ventilation allowing the panels to keep cooler.