All About Solar Panel Mounting Equipment

Introduction

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.

What is a solar mounting system?

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.

How are the solar panels fixed on my roof?

The majority of solar PV systems installed in Ireland are fixed directly to the roof frame and sit above the roof tiles or slates.

What roof types work for solar?

Pitched roof types

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.

Flat roof types

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.

Do I need a structural engineer's report to add solar panels to my house?

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.

Is my roof still watertight underneath the panels?

Yes. The roof underneath the panels will be completely watertight. The panels sit above your existing tiles / slates.

What about flush / integrated solar panels?

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.

What are the components required to fit my solar panels to the roof?

• 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.

Is the solar mounting suited to the Irish climate?

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.

Are solar mounting systems storm proof?

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.

What is the mounting equipment made from?

Solar mounting equipment is made from aluminium, which works well for roof installations given its strength and lightweight characteristics compared to other metals.

What is the warranty on solar mounting systems?

The standard warranty is 10-years as standard and similar to the solar inverters, this can be extended to 15, 20 and 25 years.

Will it cause roof leaks?

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.