Perhaps the most important part of a solar PV panel installation is the fixing of the solar panels to your roof. It is crucial that the panels and the mounting equipment are fitted securely and safely, without any compromise to your roof. Below is all you need to know about solar mounting equipment.
Also known as a solar racking system, solar mounting systems are used to safely fix the solar PV panels to a roof structure. The system is designed to be easily retrofitted to existing houses.
The majority of solar PV systems installed in Ireland are fixed directly to the roof frame and sit above the roof tiles or slates.
Solar panels can be fitted on just about any roof type. They work very well with all the main roof types here in Ireland.
Flat concrete tiles, fibre cement slate, pan tile / roman tile / wavy tile and natural slate are the most common types here in Ireland and solar panels can be fitted to any of those. Natural slate takes a little longer than the others, and so the installation process might take half a day longer.
Solar panels can be fitted to just about any type of flat roof without compromising it's water tightness. In this case, a frame is added to tilt the panels up to face the sun.
No, apart from certain unusual scenarios with flat roofs.
The only exception we come across is the odd scenario with certain types of flat roofs that might require a structural engineer's report. We would visit your property first and let you know if that's the case with your flat roof, but it is rare.
Yes, solar PV is a proven technology in Ireland and has withstood the harshest weather in the past 20 years.
All good quality, reputable solar mounting manufacturers have the relevant certificates that show their respective products have been tested to withstand the harshest of weather conditions.
Yes. The roof underneath the panels will be completely watertight. The panels sit above your existing tiles / slates.
Using a professional experienced installer will reduce the risk of any leaks in the roof. All solar PV mounting systems have been designed to reduce the penetration of the roof's weather tight surface.
A properly installed system using the correct components should not create any leaks in the roof during the lifespan of the solar PV system.
We have been getting a lot of storms in Ireland lately. It is a valid question to ask if the solar panels can withstand the likes of storm Ophelia and the likes.
The answer is that all solar PV mounting systems are wind tunnel tested to mimic tough storm conditions.
For new-build houses, you will sometimes see solar panels integrated into the roof. Here the solar panels are flush with the surrounding tiles, and the panels make up part of the roof itself. That needs to be planned in as part of the design and build of the house.
For retrofitting solar panels (i.e. adding to an existing house), your original roof remains the same with the solar panels sitting above your existing tiles / slates.
Roof Hook - The roof hooks are the anchor of the solar panel system. A roof hook is effectively a metal bar that slides up between the tiles / slates on your roof then attaches to the main structure of the roof.
Rail - The rail is what the solar panels sit on top of, and this rail is then secured to the roof hook which is secured to the roof frame.
Clamps - Clamps are the parts that secure the solar panels to the rail.
Flashing - Installing solar roof hooks requires moving or modifying slates or tiles. Solar flashing is a material that is used to keep your roof watertight.
Solar mounting equipment is made from aluminium, which works well for roof installations given its strength and lightweight characteristics compared to other metals.
The standard warranty is 10-years as standard and similar to the solar inverters, this can be extended to 15, 20 and 25 years.
How to charge your electric car using energy from your own solar panels.
How to build your own solar panels to heat a hot tub or paddling pool at home.
Everything you need to know about electric car chargers, pros and cons.
Easy wins. Simple tips and tricks to reduce your next energy bill.
How to make money by selling your excess solar electricity back to the grid.
The definitive guide to solar grants [2024]. What you get, how to apply and more.
A look at the evolution of solar energy from 1839 to the present day.
What are solar immersion diverters, and are they right for your home?
Not all homes are right for solar. Here's how to know if yours is one of them.
The science behind solar panels and how they generate energy.
From sand to high-tech on your roof: a look at how solar PV panels are made
Solar PV components explained. The must-haves and the added extras.
The ultimate guide to PV solar panels (the ones that generate electricity).
Costs and results: a one-man mission to slash the carbon footprint at home.
In-depth: the optimal angle and orientation of your roof for solar panels.
The ultimate solar battery savings calculator. Will a PV battery save you money?
Our step-by-step guide to completing your SEAI solar PV grant application [2024].
How to save big money using smart meter plans, solar panels and solar batteries.
The 2024 calculator: find out how many solar panels are right for your house.
Q&A: what are solar inverters, what do they do and why do you need one?
Solar installations 101. A no-nonsense guide to solar jargon and terminology.
Myth-busting the 10 biggest misconceptions about solar power.
What happens when a solar panel reaches the end of its lifecycle?
What you need to know about how solar panels fix to your roof.
What solar panels cost & what you'll save, both in Euros and CO2 footprint
Panels in shadow and shade? Our guide to what causes shading and how to avoid it.
Pros and cons of storage batteries, what they cost, case studies and more.
Differences, pros and cons of solar thermal systems vs solar PV systems.
All about the VAT rate on domestic solar panel supply and installation (0%).
We can provide a first ballpark quote using little more than your Eircode and a few bits of information from you. We look up your house on google maps to give you an idea what might be possible for solar on your house. This includes costs, electricity production forecasts, grant values and payback period. It's free, and you can get the ball rolling with this quick and easy form.
If you are happy with the guide quote, then one of our engineers will visit your property. They will discuss everything with you in detail, and will inspect everything from your roof to electrics to any shading to make sure we can design the best system for you and your needs.
Once we've visited your property, we will send you a full system design proposal along with a finalised quote. Your solar engineer will follow up to go through everything with you and answer any questions you may have. Again this is entirely free.
We're an independent Irish solar panel installation company with bases in Dublin and Galway. We are a solar PV installer across Ireland. Solar is in our DNA, and we're on a mission to see solar panels installed on every roof in Ireland. That way, we can all save money and look after this little planet we all call home. If you have any questions about going solar, please just get in touch – we love to talk!