Solar panels are growing in popularity because of their environmental friendliness and their ability to save money on electricity bills for those who use them. When thinking about adding solar panels to your home, you may be wondering how complicated the installation process is. No wonder: Here is an explanation of how solar panels are attached to your roof.
Basic steps to install the solar panel
The process of installing solar panels isn't too difficult, but you will need to add some hardware to your roof to hold the modules in place. Here is an overview of the process:
- Before starting the installation, your installer will check your roof to see where the L-shaped footers for anchoring the solar panels lead. The footers must be at least a meter apart and should be placed in studs in the roof.
- In the selected places on the roof, holes are drilled to install deck screws, which are passed through a butyl mastic tape to rule out possible leaks.
- The railings are measured to make sure they are parallel to each other. If this is not the case, adjustments will be made. Once the rails are parallel, the middle rail is installed.
- Your installer will then complete the wiring of the solar modules.
- Once all the other steps are completed, the solar panels themselves are attached to the stanchions. The panels will also be connected to the wiring and any additional electrical work will be completed.
Attachment of solar panels to different roof types
Depending on the type of roof, the installation process will vary slightly. Read on to learn how to attach solar panels to your roof depending on the roof type.
Asphalt shingle roofs
To install solar panels on asphalt shingle roofs, L-footers / brackets, special deck screws, and butyl mastic covers are used to secure the system and prevent leakage from occurring.
Standing seam metal roofs
Installing solar panels is easy on metal roofs with a standing seam. Due to the protruding seams, there is no need to drill holes for installation in this type of roof. Instead, depending on the type of metal roof, there are different types of clamps that attach to the metal seam, and the solar panel is then installed on that clamp.
Flat roofs
Flat roof solar panel systems also require little to no drilling into the roof. In a flat roof system, a ballast mounting system is used that holds the panels down with the weight of weather treated cinder blocks.
Solar module technology is constantly being developed so that solar modules can be installed on almost any type of roof. If you are considering solar power for homes, contact Solar Liberty. We offer free solar ratings and can help you determine what the installation process will be for your home.