I have some solar panels I will be putting up in the spring. Right now they are mounted to my big front windows till then. What I would like to know is how some of you have mounted them on a roof. And what you used to mount them to the roof. Also how it has been working out for you.
Hi Tom, I install solar for a living so mabe I can help. There are many ways to flush mount to your roof. One economical way is to use galv. strutt or Pt wood sold at an electrical supply house-Home depot or lowes. My personal solar system is mounted with a brand called Unirack. All alumin. with satinless steel hardware. This is a more higher end mounting system but will last a very long time. What ever you use make sure you use a very good roof selant like a brand name, DAP is one. If you need more details on mounting just PM me. There is just to many ways to write about mounting not knowing your situation. I am in the middle right now of installing an 8kW Enphase solar system on a roof. I can send you pictures if you would like to get an idea. We are using a Unirack system. Iron Ridge is another brand name as well. Just remeber using a racking system that is not rated for solar is like using a tower not rated for a wind turbine. Builld it to last. Just my two cents worth. Larry
Tom I had used a piece of rubber with a piece of aluminuim L chanel screwed to the roof with no leaks.The cost of the aluminium is the only higher cost.predilled the L and used self tapers to pierce the solars aluminium sides.Easy and cheap though..
Here are the panels I will be putting up in the spring. [attachment=0:3i8i363k]120wSolarPanel.jpg[/attachment:3i8i363k] Bought 2 at DM Solar as of 1/7/2011 for $216.00 each plus shipping. I bought a set for now to do some testing of the output and to see how I would mount them on the roof.
Yes I had a hard time believing what shipping cost. They sent them FedEx. Subtotal: $432.00 Tax: $0.00 Shipping: $120.96 Total: $552.96
That's a good price on the panels and shipping, frankly. I can't find these on their site though. :?:
They are now $240.00 per panel. http://www.dmsolar.com/solar-module-1.html They are from Bright Watts.
These panels have what are called bypass diodes. They are arraigned so if one cell is shaded it does not cut power in the other 3 strings. I found out after checking a few things that there is leakage current to the battery after the sun goes down. So you should still use a blocking diode. I did this and current dropped to 0 A .
