Solar Panel Mounts

Roof type vs ground and pole mounts

• Asphalt / composition shingle — flashed roof attachments (for example IronRidge FlashFoot2) with rails and mid/end clamps. Flashing is what keeps penetrations weather-tight for decades.
• Metal / standing seam — often clamp-on S-5! hardware that grips the seam with fewer (or no) penetrations. Match the clamp profile to your panel seam.
• Tile roofs — tile hooks, knockout bases, and replacement flashings sized for flat / S / W tile profiles.
• Flat roofs — tilt chassis (BX) and related hardware so modules sit at a designed angle without a steep pitch.
• Ground mounts — pipe/post structures with bonded rail connectors, braces, and hardware when roof space, shade, or orientation makes a ground array the better choice.
• Pole mounts — top-of-pole or side-of-pole options for small arrays or sites that need seasonal tilt; for pole mounts that are not listed, request a written quote.

Use this page to compare mounting options, and confirm roof-type fit with a technician: Book a Technical Support Call — $99.00.

Rails, clamps, and system components

• Rails — XR-series rails carry the modules; bonded structural splices join rail sections and keep the bond path continuous.
• Module clamps — mid and end clamps (IronRidge UFO / EFO) grip the module frame to the rail; match clamp size and finish to frame thickness and rail series.
• Attachments — L-feet, FlashFoot2, tile hooks, and S-5! clamps connect the rail to the roof or structure.
• Bonding & grounding — bonding jumpers and PV grounding lugs complete the equipment-grounding path required by code.

Mounts are a system: attachment + rail + clamps + bonding. Ordering only clamps without rails (or the wrong roof attachment) is a common first-build mistake.

What to buy with the mounts

• Solar panels — module frame size and wattage drive rail span and clamp choice.
• Solar inverters — grid-tie, hybrid, micro, and off-grid options that convert array DC to usable AC.
• Hybrid inverters — when you want grid-tie plus battery backup (for example the Solis 16kW Hybrid).
• Cable & wiring — PV wire, connectors, and combiners for a code-ready string.
• Solar batteries — storage if you need backup or off-grid autonomy.
• Charge controllers — MPPT/PWM when you DC-couple an array straight to a battery bank.

Shop related gear

• Solar panels — modules and pallets to size with your racking
• Metal roof mounts — S-5! clamps and brackets for standing-seam and corrugated metal
• Ground mounts — IronRidge ground-mount connectors and brace hardware
• Solar inverters — match inverter type to grid-tie, hybrid, or off-grid goals
• Hybrid inverters — grid + battery platforms
• Cable & wiring — PV interconnects and balance-of-system wiring
• Solar batteries — LiFePO4 and deep-cycle storage
• Charge controllers — MPPT vs PWM guidance
• Off-grid home solar systems — kits that package major power-path components
• Solar power systems — broader kit and system browse

FAQ

How do I choose roof mounts vs ground or pole mounts?

Start with roof type, structural capacity, shade, and local setbacks. Roof mounts use existing structure and keep arrays close to the building; ground and pole mounts help when the roof is shaded, weak, or oriented poorly. If you are unsure, review roof photos and a rough layout with a technician: Book a Technical Support Call — $99.00.

Do I need rails and clamps separately?

Yes for most rail-based systems. Attachments hold the rail to the roof or posts; rails span between attachments; mid/end clamps fasten modules to the rail. Metal standing-seam installs often add S-5! clamps under the L-foot or rail. Buy components as a matched set for your module frame and rail series.

Will these mounts work with my solar panels?

Most framed residential modules work with universal mid/end clamps when frame thickness matches the clamp rating. Confirm module frame height, rail span tables, and wind/snow design values for your site — a technician can help: Book a Technical Support Call — $99.00.

When should I get design help?

Book a Technical Support Call — $99.00 for tile or flat-roof layouts, metal-seam clamp matching, ground-mount pipe schedules, high wind/snow sites, or when you need a full IronRidge / S-5! bill of materials rather than piece-part shopping.

Are pole mounts in stock?

Many top-of-pole products are not currently available online. Ground-mount IronRidge hardware and roof attachments remain the stronger in-stock path. Request a written quote for current pole-mount options or alternatives.

Questions about solar panel mounts, racking layout, or roof-type fit? Book a Technical Support Call — $99.00 for one hour of personalized help. altE has served DIY and pro installers since 1999.

Solar panel mounts and racking secure PV modules on roofs, ground arrays, and poles so your system stays code-ready through wind and weather.

Need help choosing mounts?

• Match roof type first (shingle, metal, tile, flat), then rails and clamps.
• Browse solar panels and cable & wiring to complete the array path.
• See solar power systems and off-grid home kits when you want packaged components.
• More DIY guides: DIY Solar Resources Library.
• For a layout check: Book a Technical Support Call — $99.00. For a bill of materials, request a written quote.

More Info on Solar Panel Mounts

Mounting your solar panel array is an important aspect of setting up a solar power system. The structure has to meet code regulations and be stable enough to weather harsh environmental factors such as wind, snow, etc. Various methods exist which can help you find an ideal location for installing the panels depending on what you need.

Introduction to Solar Array Racking

Are you new to solar electric racking? Check out our intro video above to learn all about the basics about solar racking. In it we cover the high level types of solar racking and the info you'll need to get started. We also cover the optimal angle of the of the array to maximize performance—generally for fixed mount it’s equal to your latitude—and how to compensate for changes in the season.

Set up the appropriate ground mounted solar panel system, roof system or pole mounted system and save money while you generate your own power. Enjoy the freedom of the making your own energy and powering your RV or boat with solar panels rather than expensive fossil fuels.

Types of solar panel mounting for a roof

• Shingle Roof Mount (asphalt or tile with flashing required)
• Standing Seam Metal Roof (clamps onto seam)
• Flat Roof (No roof penetrations or ballasted)

S-5! Metal Roof Solar Mounts Interview at SPI 2017

Roof mounting for metal roofs is made easy with S-5! clamps that attach to the standing seam of a metal roof without any roof penetrations. Check out our interview with the S-5! team at the 2017 Solar Power International conference to learn about mounting a solar array to a standing seam metal roof. For roof mounts that do screw in through the roof (metal or otherwise), flashing ensures decades of leak free power.

Types of Ground Mounted Solar Array Racking

• Pole Mount (top of pole or side of pole)
• Ground Mount (fixed tilt or seasonably adjustable)

When it comes to solar panel mounting options, you really have many from which to choose. Plenty of people opt for simple solar panel roof mounts, but if you live in a heavily wooded area or different kind of climate, rest assured you have other options. If you are ready to mount your solar panel, make sure you investigate all of the options available.

IronRidge Ground Mount Racking Solutions

IronRidge, one of the leading producers of solar racking, covers the basics of their SGA ground mount solution. The system is modular and can be built according you your needs, much like an Erector Set. Using 3” steel pipes, each column can fit from two to five full size solar panels high, in landscape, and three to five columns wide, giving you up to 5000W to 7000W in solar panels on only four poles. Larger systems can be designed with more than four legs.

Smaller solar arrays can be mounted on the side of a pole. This can be a great option for one or two solar panels, for example for a small cabin or water pumping system, or any remote system with unique location challenges. A top of pole mount can hold from 1 to 15 solar panels on a single pole.

Pole mounting gives you the advantage of being able to change the tilt of the solar array seasonally to maximize the output. Pole mounting can be a more flexible option than roof mounting depending on the location.

MT Solar pole mount solutions

We sit down with Joel, the owner of MT Solar, to discuss their solar pole mount options. MT Solar has mounting options for as few as 1 panel, and can be expanded as large as needed. Its unique chain hoist eliminates the need to hire a crane to install your solar panels. Additionally, the hand crank allows homeowners to easily adjust the tilt of the solar array to maximize the solar energy seasonally.

Clamps

IronRidge UFO Clamps - Solar Mounting and Racking

Learn a little more about some of the specific components that make a solar racking system work. In the video above we look at the UFO Clamps from IronRidge. UFO, you ask? Universal Fastening Objects, of course! This is an extremely versatile product that reduces the amount of componentry needed and is available in multiple sizes. Click now to learn more.

If you are mounting solar panels on your home, solar tiny house, cabin, or for a solar powered water pump for agricultural use, altE is here to help meet your solar panel mounting needs. No matter what tilt angle you need for your solar panels, request a written quote to get started!