Christmas is just around the corner, and Santa will be making his rounds in mere days. People often think about baking cookies to set out for the Jolly Old Elf or cleaning soot out the chimney’s hearth to give him a clear pathway to the tree. But your rooftop is really the most important spot because this is where Santa’s sleigh will touch down. The big question is: Is your roof ready?
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Tags: snow guards, metal roof, solar mounting, standing seam metal roof, PV
Metal roofing and solar (photovoltaic) PV panels are a winning combination: metal’s strength and durability make it the only type of roofing material able to outlast the 30+ year lifespan of solar PV arrays. Solar modules can produce energy all year long – even in regions with heavy snowfall. But when you’re attaching PV panels to a roof in snow country, be aware snow loads will have an impact on your solar array’s design. Today, we’ll look at important considerations to help your finished PV installation withstand the forces of nature.
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Tags: snow guards, solar mounting, PV, installation
Calling all installers, contractors and DIYers!
Exposed-fastened (EF) roofing covers a lot of territory – from agricultural and industrial buildings to commercial and residential properties. Sometimes called through-fastened, screw-fastened and face-fastened, EF roofing is a popular choice thanks to its reasonable price and long lifespan.
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Tags: solar mounting, metal roof brackets, PV, rail mounted solar panels, rooftop equipment, installation, sealants, weather-proofing
One of the most important aspects of any solar PV installation on a metal roof is wire management, but even seasoned professionals can find this task confusing. There’s a myriad of things to track. You need to position the conductors so they correctly connect as modules are installed, keep all wires off the roof, deliver jumpers to the homerun and down to the inverter, and stay organized. If you have a large-scale job, this process becomes increasingly complex.
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Tags: metal roof, solar mounting, metal roof brackets, standing seam metal roof, PV, rail mounted solar panels, exposed fastened, installation
Are you new to installing solar PV modules on a metal roof? We’ve heard from many of you who’d like a better grasp on the fundamentals of solar PV installation – especially when setting the stage for proper wire management. So today we’re offering you a primer on:
- The components of a PV array and how they work together.
- An overview of Module-Level Power Electronics (MLPE).
- The steps to get ready for solar PV wire-management design.
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Tags: metal roof, solar mounting, PV, rail mounted solar panels, rooftop equipment, cost
Ready to put a solar PV array on your roof? With solar installations becoming increasingly popular, many building owners, DIYers and new-to-solar contractors are learning about this field. If you’re jumping into the world of solar installations, we’ve pulled together some ideas and important considerations to get you started on the right foot.
We know solar installations often occur when you’re undertaking new roof construction or roof replacements. But before you begin your project, if you don’t have a metal roof, now’s the time to consider getting one. It’s the only roof type able to last and even exceed the entire life of your solar array without the need for replacement. To mount a solar PV system on any other roof type is a bit like putting a Ferrari engine on a Ford Escort chassis.
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Tags: metal roof, PV, rooftop equipment, exposed fastened, cost, installation
When it comes to attaching solar modules to metal rooftops, traditional rails have been a conventional choice. But familiar concepts don’t necessarily deliver the best outcomes, and the advantages of rail-less solutions are moving the industry in a new direction.
Decades ago – when interest in mounting solar PV on rooftops began – the introduction of using continuous aluminum rails as a solar racking system to mount PV modules in place was a practical application for all roof types. Eventually, innovation opened new doors and rail-less solutions were developed specifically for metal roofing. Using discrete hardware to directly secure each module to a metal roof, the new strategy completely bypassed the need for rails and brought some clear improvements.
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Tags: metal roof, metal roof clamps, solar mounting, metal roof brackets, standing seam metal roof, PV, rail mounted solar panels, cost, installation
Join S-5! this week for a NABCEP-approved course on wire management. On deck is Mark Gies, S-5!’s Northeast Sales Rep. Missed out webinar? We offer our courses on demand! Visit our Training Center to register and to learn more about our other online course offerings.
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Tags: metal roof, PV, rooftop equipment, webinar
Micro rails are a relatively common way of attaching a solar array to exposed-fastened metal roofs. This method uses small rail sections in specific areas as needed along the roof – reducing the total length of rails. They have benefits which make them desirable to contractors and installers alike. They provide material and shipping cost savings to the customer when compared to rail systems. In addition, they are small, which allows them to be handled easily onto roofs. They are forgiving with spacing allowing for minimal or customizable walk spaces. Additionally, micro rails can be installed with just a couple of fasteners - potentially cutting installation times compared to rails.
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Tags: solar mounting, PV, exposed fastened
Being the experts on all things metal roof and metal roof attachments, we are often asked by solar developers and installers what is the most cost-effective way to install solar panels on metal roofs. There are multiple options when putting solar on a metal roof, and each come with pros and cons that can impact installation costs and lifetime performance.
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Tags: solar mounting, PV, cost, installation
