Major types in roof mounted solar racking systems
The typical selections in average households are roof-mounted systems, which provide security to the system, fewer shading obstacles, roof protection and are generally more economical than ground mounted systems.
As a rule of thumb, when considering the design of a solar roof-mounted system the designer must be able to ensure that the roof remains waterproof, is fire resistance, structurally strong and also meets electrical safety requirements. There is more than just electrical norms involved.
Among these type of mounting structures, you may also opt for one of several choices, so let’s take a look at them.
Flat Roof Mounting
The flat roof configuration offers stability and maneuverability in the selection of orientation and tilt, although it is generally the considered option for commercial roof mounted, it is also possible to implement it in the residential sector if the roof is flat.
This type of system involves the design of a ballasted concrete structure (just like in-ground mount) that enables the modules to be placed at a specific tilt.
Solar panels can be fastened to the concrete base, saving costs of metal materials for the mounting structure.
If the system has a solar tracking design, then the base for the aluminum structure is fixed to the concrete while at the same time providing mobility for the solar panels.
Sloped Roof mounting
Within the sloped roof mounting option there are three main possibilities:
Rail-Less Mounting System
Rail-Less Mounting System
Rail free solar mounting sytem is the trend. Consists of a set of rail bracket, EPDM rubber and screws which are directly used to fasten the solar panels to the sloped roof without the use of rails.
#SURF series rail-less solution by Solaracks is the most economical option among sloped roof options, as it saves costs in materials for the racking system and at the same time offers maneuverability, because the solar panels can be placed either in landscape or portrait position without affecting the entire system (as long as tilt and orientation are the same).
This allows the advantage of using more space than with the case of railed systems which require long distances to place a string of panels. Also compact design saves lots of tranportation cost as no need long piece rail.
Railed Mounting System
This is the typical roof installation nowadays. Solar panels are attached to a single straight line of rails which are fastened to the rooftop through a set of roof-mounted assemblies, bolts and screws. In #LINK system by Solaracks, special ARC design increase section properties. Roof attachments inlcude L foot, tile hook, hanger bolt etc.
Shared-Rail mounting system
The same configuration is presented as in railed mounted systems, the only difference is that the use of rails is generally diminished by one because the rails contained in the middle of the array are used to support two rows of solar panels.
Key points of solar racking on roof top
- Solid structure withstanding load
- Water tight, minimize penetration
- Fire and lightening protection
- Weight load to the roof
- Flexible layout for more panels sometimes
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