Roof Mounts for Solar Panels
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.
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
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
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 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.
Mounting rails are what prevent these results from happening. They resist uplift; they protect against buckling, and they safely and efficiently transfer loads from the ground up into the building structure.
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.
