How are solar panels installed?

There are two main types of solar panel mounting types:

• roof mount
• ground mount.

Roof-mounted systems utilize available space most effectively as modules on the same roof cannot shade each other. On the other hand, ground-mounted panels have to be installed in distanced rows so the first row’s shade is not interrupting the second row’s working conditions.

Roof-mounted solar panels.

A rail mounting system is the most common way to install solar panels on the roof.

These systems are made of:

• Roof attachments. There are various types of roof attachments depending on the roof type they are going to be installed on. Roof attachments are fastened to roof structure beneath roofing material or to the roofing material itself.

• Mounting rails.
  • When roof attachments are installed it is possible to add mounting rail to the racking system. They are solar panels support on the roof as PV modules lay directly on mounting rails.
• Module clamps.
  • To keep solar panels in place module clamps are used. They connect solar panels with mounting rails using bolts installed in mounting rail bolt channels. The main types of module clamps are end-clamps used where panel array ends and mid-clamps used where two solar panels meet.

Ground-mounted solar panels.

Ground mounting systems are all-in-one systems that include:

• module clamps
• mounting rails
• ground-mounted racking

Systems of this type usually either use mounting poles dug into the ground or a ballast system to ensure system stability and wind resistance.