Installing solar panels on the roof with your own hands: how to mount - Setafi

Installation of solar panels is carried out independently. To do this, you will need improvised materials and tools. Specific skills are also not needed, but you should calculate in advance the angle of inclination, the height of the panels, as well as the distance between the rows. How to do this is detailed below.

Installation Requirements

Installing solar panels is a responsible business, because even with a slight violation of the angle, the amount of energy will significantly decrease. In addition, it is important to take care of the fasteners and the correct location of the panels. To do this, several requirements must be met:

1. First of all, the panels are placed in the most illuminated place, on which no shadow falls, for example, from houses or trees. You can place them on the roof or on the wall from the south, southeast side.
2. Mounting solar panels on the roof is done in such a way as to take into account the correct azimuth. In the regions of the northern hemisphere, the direction should be only south, and the azimuth should be 180 degrees.
   instagram viewer
3. It is also important to correctly determine the angle of inclination of the solar panels. It exactly corresponds to the indicator of geographical latitude. For example, in St. Petersburg, Leningrad region - 60 degrees. But this is not a strict value, because in summer it needs to be reduced by 12 degrees, and in winter it should be increased by the same amount.
4. From a purely practical point of view, it is necessary to provide free access to the panels at any time of the year. This is important for clearing snow and dirt. If this is not possible, you can put the batteries perpendicular to the ground (an angle close to 90 degrees), for example, attaching to the wall.
5. If it is supposed to place the panels in several rows, an interval is observed between them, which should be 170% of the height of one row. For example, if it is 50 cm, then 50 * 1.7 \u003d 85 cm.

What fastener to use

Any way how to install solar panels is associated with the use of fasteners. The most commonly used types are:

1. L-feet (MR-VI-01) is a universal mount that can be embedded in concrete, metal structures. The clamp goes through a rubber gasket, which ensures no gap and maximum tightness. Installation of solar panels involves fixing to the profile using a special channel nut. In this case, the height of the protruding part of the profile can be up to 25 mm.
2. L-shaped mount and bolts - a set of several elements, which also includes a metal corner and a self-tapping screw. It can be used on roofs of a complex profile made of different materials, for example, metal tiles or corrugated board. As in the previous case, waterproofing is provided by a special rubber cuff.
3. Another do-it-yourself solar panel mount is a bolt with an MR-VI-02 platform. In this kit there is a special stud in the form of a self-tapping screw, a plate made of stainless steel, and a side clip designed for an aluminum profile.
4. MR-RI-03 is a fastener designed specifically for tiled roofs. A small margin of height within 30 mm is allowed.
5. MR-VI-04 - a fixing element in the form of a metal trapezoid. Well suited, for example, for roofs made of sandwich panels.
6. The universal clamp XMR-VI-08 is one of the simplest options. Such a retainer allows you to save the surface of the roof, serves for a long time and fits almost any material.
7. MR-VI-06 is another simple solution that combines a profile and a mounting adapter. But such details are suitable only for perfectly flat, new roofs. Because otherwise the design may be fragile.

How to install

For work, a set of improvised tools and materials is prepared:

• bolts;
• metal corners;
• hairpins;
• screws;
• screwdriver;
• wrenches;
• ladder.

The installation work itself is carried out very carefully, taking into account the installation angle of the solar panels. The main steps are:

1. Assemble a frame or frame from metal profiles. This must be done on the ground, connecting each element in series. Metal squares 25 * 25 and 50 * 50 cm are taken as a basis.
2. Assembly can be carried out at a height, but in any case, all holes are made in advance. When installing the frame, take into account that the gap between the battery and the roof should be from 50 to 100 cm so that the surface does not overheat.
3. Each element is successively fixed on an aluminum profile frame.
4. If the structure is sloped, markings are made on the profile, triangles are cut out and assembled - rigid supports.

Now it’s clear how to mount solar panels on the roof. The installation itself is quite simple, but it is important to correctly calculate the angle of inclination and measure it during installation. To do this, use improvised tools, it is desirable to control the progress of work using a building laser level.