How to find the best solar mount for your installation
Are you considering to install a solar PV system for your business? Before you do so, you will need to think about the type of mounting system you will be using for your installation. Choosing the right solar mounting system is an important component for your solar installation.
Before deciding on how your system will be mounted, you will need to determine the orientation and positioning of your solar arrays, wind and snow loads, and roof penetration.
The most cost-effective solar mounting solution is a fixed roof mount. Roof mounts are cost-effective and tend to be the easiest to mount because they use your existing roof structure to provide a foundation for the solar panels. This saves money in racking material as well as labor costs to complete the solar installation.
If you choose our mounting system, EkonoRack 2.0, you will not only save money but time installing the system as it only consists of one main component.
Additionally, when considering whether you want to install a PV system, the orientation of your roof is the first thing to consider. You may ask yourself, which direction should your arrays face? It is important for the arrays to face towards the sun to maximize their production. The most common responses are “South”, but there are several variables to consider. The optimal orientation for your solar panel depends on how much you rely on solar panels to meet your demand and whether or not you have batteries to store power. Also, depending on where you are located, will also be a factor in determining the best orientation.
Most solar racking systems require you make penetrations in your roof to clamp the mount in place. The most common way to mount a racking system is first to install the brackets into the roof, which may require cutting precise holes in the roof material for the mounting brackets to protrude from. If you don’t feel comfortable drilling holes into your roof, you can go with a ballasted roof mount. Ballasted mounts rest on a free-standing base that isn’t drilled into your roof. This mount relies on the weight of the PV array, as well as concrete blocks, to hold the system in place.
Furthermore, a mounting system offers structural strength to support the solar arrays, ensuring they stay in place for maximum power output.
To summarize, you must determine the following factors before considering how your solar installation will be mounted:
- Average power consumption
- Geographical location, hours of sun exposure; this will help determine the orientation
- How you want your solar panels mounted
- If installing in a roof, you need to determine roof penetration
Once you have these answers, you may contact one of our sales representatives who will be happy to help you select the right mounting system for your solar installation!
Call us today to find a simple solution you can count on!
