Jakob Jelling

How To Install And Mount Solar Panels

Whether you buy or build your solar panels, you need to install them in order to start the solar electricity flowing. You will be pleased to know that the process is a simple one for DIY folks who have a helper and part of a weekend to spare.

Before you start, it’s wise to check with your local government zoning or building permit agency to see if a permit is required before you begin work. You might also want to give your homeowner’s association a heads up to see if the association has any special requirements. Also, it’s wise to check with your homeowner’s insurance agent to see if your insurance policy addresses solar panels in any way. Most do not.

1. Contrary to popular belief, you do not want your solar panels facing south. You need to choose a spot on your roof that faces east or west and gets the most sun.

2. The required angle of your solar panels to the sun is determined by your home’s geographic latitude. If your home is at 25° latitude, for example, your solar panels should be tilted 25°.

For every 5 degrees above 25, add 5 degrees of tilt to your home’s latitude unless your home is located at 40 degrees or higher. In that case, you need to add 20 degrees of tilt to your home’s latitude. Confused? Here are some examples:

• 30° latitude = 35° tilt
• 40° latitude = 60° tilt
• 55° latitude = 75° tilt

3. Your solar panels should come with surface mounts. If you build your own panels, or yours did not come with mounts, you can buy them easily.

Place your mounts 4 feet apart on your roof and make sure each one is centered on a rafter.

4. Drill a hole for the mounting lag bolt used with each fastener. Make sure you drill directly into the center of each rafter to avoid splitting the wood and possibly damaging the structural integrity of your roof!

5. Screw the mounting bolts through the holes in the mounting brackets and into the holes you just drilled. Seal the head of the bolts with roofing compound to protect your attic from water damage or thermal loss.

6. Using the provided hardware, attach the solar panels to the mounting brackets you just installed. Adjust the panels so they are at least 12” from the roof surface. Solar panels need airflow for optimum operation.

There. That was easy! Solar contractors try to make everything seem so complicated so you’ll pay them to do something that you can easily do yourself. Don’t be fooled!

Article Tags: Solar Panels

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