Solar Panel Mounts
When you install solar panels, you’ll need a mounting system to hold them (this is part of the “balance of system” you’ll get in addition to the panels themselves and your inverter). There are several different types of mounts, and we’ll cover the most common ones here.
Roof mounts
Most solar installations go on the roof, so this is the type of mount your installers will probably use. Flush mounts use a metal bracket on each side of the solar panel to hold it above the surface of the roof. There’s usually at least 2-4 inches of space between the panel and the roof, so that plenty of air can flow beneath the panel, keeping it cool. If solar panels overheat, they won’t perform as efficiently and won’t last as long. Flush mounts don’t support large solar panels used in some commercial applications, but they work well for homeowners.
Shown above: the “Clicksys” mount by Unirac. There are a few different brands of mounts available, and your installer will select the type that’s best suited for your particular roof and that will be least expensive. The Clicksys mount is one interesting innovation that eliminates the need for nuts and bolts, so it can be installed more easily.
Ground mounts
If you don’t have enough roof space for solar panels, or if your roof is heavily shaded, another option is to mount solar panels on the ground. Ground mounts are more commonly used in rural areas where there’s more land space (some cities have aesthetic restrictions, as well). They’re more expensive to install because more work has to be done to prepare the installation area, including digging holes and laying concrete.
The mount used is often a “roof-ground” mount, which can also be used on roofs, as the name implies. They’re made up of a stainless-steel framework arranged in a grid shape. The framework tilts the solar panels up toward the sun, and the angle can be either fixed or adjustable.
Pole mounts
Two types of pole mounts are often used– top-of-pole and side-of-pole. Top-of-pole mounts use a metal rack that fits over a pole to hold the solar panel. Side-of-pole mounts usually attach to existing structures like telephone poles. Top mounts can be difficult to install because of the weight of the equipment and the need to dig deep holes. Pole mounts may also include automatic solar trackers to follow the sun throughout the year.
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