A solar panel roof mount (also called a solar racking mount or solar system mount) will hold your solar panels and system in place. The mounting system is a crucial component because it is responsible for securing and stabilizing the solar panels on your roof without compromising the roof’s stability or water tightness.

You want to be completely confident that you have selected a mounting system that can stand up to harsh weather and other factors. Your roof mount is one of the most important ways to protect your investment in solar energy.

The Rundown on Solar Racking: Everything You Need to Know

Solar racking is an essential part of any solar energy system. It is the system that holds the solar panels in place on your roof and ensures they are secure and stable. If you’re considering installing a solar energy system for your home, it’s important to understand the basics of solar racking and how it works. In this blog post, we’ll provide you with an overview of what solar racking is and the different types of solar racking systems available. We’ll also discuss how to choose the best system for your needs.

What is Solar Racking?

Solar racking, also known as PV racking, is the process of mounting solar panels to a structure. This can be a roof, a ground-mounted system or even a pole mount. Solar racking involves choosing and installing the components and systems needed to support and secure your solar array. The type of racking system you need will vary depending

on the size and design of your solar array and the installation location. Solar racking systems are designed to withstand different environmental conditions, including wind, rain and snow. They must also provide an adequate amount of support and stability to ensure your solar array remains in place.Types of Solar Racking:

Roof Mounting
Ground Mounting
Side of Pole Mounting
Top of Pole Mounting

When it comes to solar racking systems, there are several different types available depending on your needs. The two most popular types of racking for photovoltaic (PV) systems are ground and roof mounts. Ground mounts are typically used in large-scale solar projects and can be used with tilt angles

that range from 0 to 40 degrees. The angle is important as it will determine the amount of sunlight your solar panels will receive over the course of a year. Additionally, ground mounts provide a solid foundation for your solar system since they are not connected to a roof structure. This makes them better suited for areas with high wind speeds or seismic activity.

Roof mounts are the most common type of PV racking

and can be mounted directly onto your roof or onto an independent racking structure. Depending on the roof type and size, different mounting systems may need to be used, such as clamping, ballasting, and rail systems. In addition, roof mount systems can also be adjusted to accommodate different roof pitches and tilt angles

, which helps maximize the performance of your solar system.

Which Solar Panel Roof Mount Solutions are Best?

altE offers the following high quality solar panel mounting and racking solutions from top brands:

IronRidge Roof Mounting System

IronRidge is well known for its XR Rails, which are used for their roof mounting systems and ground mounting systems as well. IronRidge offers an easy-to-use Design Assistant tool to help you list out which parts you need for your racking system.

For their roof mounting system, you will need to:

1) Choose your XR Rail:

XR10 Rail Select Clear: 14', 17'

Low-profile rail- no snow areas
Up to 6' spanning capability
Light/Moderate load capability

XR100 Rail Select Clear: 11', 14', 17'Select Black: 11', 14', 17'

Std. residential mounting rail
Up to 8' spanning capability
Heavy load capability

XR1000 Rail Select Clear: 11', 14', 17'

Heavyweight mounting rail
Up to 12' spanning capability
Extreme load capability

Need Splices? Select: XR10, XR100, XR1000

Use internal splices for a seamless, bonded connection that extends rail length

And Endcaps? Select: XR10, XR100, XR1000

Endcaps provide a finished look to rails, while protecting the collection of water and debris inside the rail

2) Choose the appropriate Clamps & Grounding:

Midclamps Select: Clear, Black

Universal Fastening Object UFO
Bonds the modules to the rails

Endclamps Shop: Stopper Sleeves or CAMO

Stoppers snap onto a UFO
Turns into a bonded endclamp
Sized to module frame width
NEW- CAMO Universal Endclamp fits all modules

Grounding Shop: Lugs and Straps

Only one grounding lug per row
Microinverter bonding kit
Grounding strap for rows over 50ft

3) Lastly, don't forget your Attachments:

Flashing Select: Mill, Black

FlashVue - superior waterproofing
Conduit Mount for flashing conduit, strut, or junction boxes
Bonding hardware sold separately

Slotted L-Feet Select: Mill, Black

Drop-in design for rapid and secure rail attachment
Bonding hardware sold separately

Tilt Mounts Shop: Tilt Leg Kits

Tilt Mounts for flat roofs

Tamarack Flush Roof Mount System Kits

Tamarack Solar offers economical and robust mounting kits that are UPS-able. They also produce ground mounts, top-of-pole mounts, and side-of-pole mounts. Their roof mount kits consist of:

All the parts needed for a 4- or 8-panel roof mount installation - all in one UPS-able kit
Easy wire management where all system wiring fits inside the rails
Universal clamps that fit a variety of solar panel frame thicknesses, from 30mm to 40mm
Different kit versions for light to heavy snow/wind loads

Solar Stack Adhesive Roof Mount System

Check out the rail-less and roof penetration-free flush and tilt mount option from Solar Stack that uses a polyurethane foam that adheres to both a huge variety of roof types and the strictest building codes in North America. This mounting system is ideal in wet climates and is rated to withstand conditions even in High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZs) such as South Florida and Puerto Rico.

No roof penetrations
No rails needed - panels attach directly to mounts
No mechanical attachments or ballast systems needed
Simply prime, spray foam, and place mounts
Use 12" mounts in coastal areas and other wind zones

More Info on Roof Mounts for Solar Panels

A roof mounting system may require the following items:

Rails - to provide a platform for mounting the modules
Splices - to connect rails as needed
Mid clamps - to be located between each module
End clamps - to secure the end of last module
L-feet or standoff - to secure the rail to the roof
Flashing - to prevent water leakage
Grounding lugs - to run the grounding wire

What Are Solar Panel Mounting Rails?

Solar Panel Mounting Rails are a metal rail that protect solar panels against buckling while safely and efficiently transferring loads from the ground up into the structure. Solar panels experience countless extreme weather conditions throughout their lifetimes. High winds capable of tearing off roofs and snow falls heavy enough to bend metal frames are two weather examples your solar panels may have to deal with.

Their superior spanning capability means they require fewer roof attachments, which reduces the number of roof penetrations and the amount of installation time.

Why You Need Clamps & Grounding

Clamps - The module clamps connect the roof attachments to the mounting rail. There are several different types of clamps for each angle and corner on the solar panels.

For mid clamps - the number of mid clamps required is equal to one fewer than the number of modules on each row.
For end clamps - four are required for each row as end clamps are going to be attached to both ends of each of the two rails.

Grounding - It's extremely important to ground your solar panels and your equipment when you're installing a solar power system. If you experience a lot of lightning storms in your area, grounding your solar system could help prevent damage to your system. Furthermore, the NEC requires that all equipment be electrically bonded and connected to the grounding system to ensure the safety of anyone that might come in contact with a dangerous fault current.

Finding The Right Mounts for Your Solar Panel Installation

Still unsure about which mounting option is right for your project? At altE, our team is always happy to help – and with our extensive expertise, we can recommend options for even the most complex or unusual of setups. Call us today for a free quote for roof mounts for your solar system at 877-878-4060.

IronRidge GM-DB2-SLV01-M1 GM 2 Inch Sleeve for Diagonal Brace

IronRidge GM-DB2-SLV01-M1 GM 2 Inch Sleeve for Diagonal Brace