Solar Panel Placement On Roof

First ground mounted solar panel systems are very easy to place because they can be located on open land.

Solar panel placement on roof.

If a solar panel is placed on a south facing roof in the northern hemisphere which is shaded by a tree then this can reduce the level of sunlight the solar panel will receive. A solar array can be mounted somewhere other than a home s roof it can be installed on a shade free area of the ground or on the roof or wall of another building such as a garage or shed. If you opt for a pole mount they will usually be installed more securely. If you re installing solar panels on a roof the azimuth will be determined by which direction your roof points and the tilt will likely be fixed based on the pitch of your roof.

Most roofs have an inclination of 30 to 40 degrees. In some cases your solar installer will install racks that allow the panels to be tilted slightly to maximize production. Example of a fire setback code in california. Placing panels flush against these types of roofs will mean less electricity production which will lead to reduced solar savings over time.

In the case of a flat roof solar installers will usually opt to use racking systems that mount your panels up at an optimal angle. This is a good option if the house roof cannot support the panels or there is a building with a better roof angle for maximum sun exposure. The exact size of the fire setback depends on the size of the building but for an average sized home each roof section that has solar panels requires two clear 36 inch wide pathways running along the edge of the roof. Here s what that looks like.

It is simplest to mount your solar panels at a fixed tilt and just leave them there. The international fire code 605 11 3 2 4 that states panels modules installed shall be located no higher than 3 ft below the ridge to allow for fire department ventilation operations significantly decreases the attractiveness of residential solar pv because it applies to both sides of a peaked roof. Depending on the conditions and setting of the property as well as the amount of energy required any of these positions may provide for maximum sunlight. 1 alternative mounting location.

If the east or west sides of the roof are free from the shade then these locations may offer increased efficiency. They don t require drilling into your roof and the bracings used in standard ground mount systems are lightweight and easy to remove. Usually solar panels are mounted on rooftops but they can also be placed on the ground over parking lots and exterior corridors or even close to walls.