How To Mount Solar Panels
Mounting your solar panels can be an afterthought when considering your first solar power installation. It is an important element of your design, however, and should perform reliably for the life of the solar panels.
A popular method is to mount one’s solar panels on top of their roof. It is a simple and convenient solution, and so most folks attach their solar panels this way. Most often these mounting parts can be purchased right off the shelf.
As natives of northern and higher altitude climates, we discovered a couple issues that pushed our solar panel installation in a different way. We’ve been working on ideas to improve the convenience, flexibility, and performance of a basic solar power system.
The first issue is the snow. When snow builds up on your solar panels, this will drastically reduce your electricity. And if your solar panels are on the roof, then cleaning them can be a little tricky.
In the mountains of Washington and Colorado, we have been working on a solution. We are designers and craftsman who desire convenience and performance with our own home based solar power systems. And like everyone else, we don’t want to spend an arm and a leg. We call this solution the Rotek system.
With this design, the solar panels are installed remotely rather than on the roof. This provides additional space beneath the panels which Rotek puts to use. The panels can be rotated to almost any angle with a simple move. This feature is good for making seasonal adjustments based on the Sun.
A second advantage comes in Winter when the solar panels can be rotated toward the ground, and operated at steeply sloped or negative tilt. This prevents the buildup of snow on the photovoltaic surface. It is also good for periodic glass cleaning, maintenance, or for dumping a load of snow if the panels were left up in a storm.
The solar panels can be left in negative tilt so long as there is snow on the ground. We all know how well snow reflects sunlight, so the panels will still receive their beam radiation. A simple adjustment is all it takes to restore the solar panels to their original tracking angle when desired.
A second important consideration with solar panels is heat. Roof top structures will accumulate heat, and so roof mounted photovoltaics will tend to run warm. This is a disadvantage, at higher operating temperatures solar panels create less electricity. The ideal environment for a solar panel is something cool.
Remotely mounted solar panels with Rotek system will dissipate heat, run cooler, and give you better performance. This is because of fresh air circulating on the back end, instead of a warm insulated roof. This reduced operating temperature will also decrease wear and tear and help increase the longevity of your system.
You will have to come up with a way to install your solar panels. It should be simple, reliable, and mounting them on your roof may be the best option. For those who have to deal with the snow, or who would like to fine tune their performance, they should consider a remote installation like the Rotek system. The Rotek system is a simple to use and easy to install system designed for the home enthusiast.
