Instructions for Installing Solar Panels on Roofs – Here are the pro tips when mounting solar panel systems on shingle roofs: Step 1: Lay out the installation materials you need. Make sure that all the materials necessary for installation are nearby. You surely wouldn’t want to go from the roof and back repeatedly.
Step 2: Determine where the stanchions go. Decide where the stanchions go. These refer to the large screws that keep the solar panels in place. When mounted, they should be solid enough and can withstand tearing the panels from your roof (upforce). Find the roof rafters with the aid of a stud finder or your home’s blueprint.
These will help you figure out the correct placement of the stanchions. Position the stanchions at least 4 feet apart.
Step 3: Fasten the screws to the roof. When fastening the screws to the roof, utilize a drill to create holes in the rafters. Step 4: Tightly put the screws in the holes and secure them.
It would help if you tightly secured the lower and upper aluminum rails to the stanchions. Utilize bolts to do this. Since optimal tightness is required, utilize an impact driver to achieve this. Afterward, make sure that you seal the screws tightly to maintain the thermal envelope of your home.
- Substantially, thermoseal roofing is the most excellent way to execute this.
- This approach will help keep an incredibly tight lock on your roof and prevent any elements from getting inside.
- Leakage is less likely to emerge if the stanchions are correctly installed.
- Step 5: Gauge the distance from the rails.
Gauge the distance from the rails when installing solar panels. Put a measuring tape diagonally from the top of one rail to the bottom of the rail situated directly across from it. Repeat the process on the other side. The measurements should be equal. If they are, the rails are parallel to each other.
On the other hand, you’ll need to make some adjustments if the measurements aren’t equal. Step 6: Install the middle rail. The next step will be to set up the center rail. Note that the center rail must be aligned with the lower and upper rails. Step 7: Bring power to the solar panels. Bringing power to entails putting wires into them and running them to the power inverter kit to make up your conductor system.
Then, install the power inverter kit below each of your panels. Set up some 6-gauge copper grounding wire into the inverters. This process will create your conductor system. Link the wire connections from one solar array to the other. Step 8: Position the panels on top of the previously installed stanchions.
- Finally, place the panels above the previously installed stanchions.
- Link the plug connections.
- It is also essential to screw the securing clips onto the rails to ensure that the panels are solid as a rock.
- You will need to deal with more electrical work after all these.
- Start extending some wires from the panels and link them to an electrical meter.
You’ll also need to link the wires to an electrical sub-panel.
Can I put solar panels on my own roof?
Installation – It is possible to do the process of installing solar panels on your own. There are solar systems designed specifically for DIYers that, while sometimes time-consuming, should be more than doable. It’s worth noting, though, that many DIY solar panels are not designed to hook up to the traditional energy grid.
- They are designed more for off-grid purposes, like powering RVs or other spaces that are not typically served by a standard utility.
- If you are only looking to supplement your traditional energy source, DIY solar panels can get the job done.
- If you are looking to power your entire home with solar power, it might be better to trust an expert.
Installing a full solar energy system requires at least some knowledge of electrician work so you can properly handle the wiring and other technical aspects. You will likely have to work in relatively dangerous settings, including doing work on your roof and working with buried wires.
Is it worth putting solar on your roof?
When Are Solar Panels Worth It? – There are various ways solar panels pay off, from reducing your carbon footprint to increasing your home’s value. The National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) found that homes with solar power increased in value by $20 for every dollar saved on energy.
- That is a 20-to-1 return on investment (ROI).
- There are, however, some instances when solar panels may not yield as high returns as you want.
- According to Garrett Nilsen, the deputy director of the U.S.
- Department of Energy ‘s Solar Energy Technologies Office, local electricity rates, your total system cost, and whether you pay up-front, take out a loan, or lease your system can all affect your ROI.
Changing compensation patterns with your local utility or an unexpected lapse in a system’s performance may cause your payback period to take longer. In these rare instances, Nilsen advises engaging with your installer to understand the expected production or why it’s not matching their estimate.
