As time passes, manufacturers are producing panels that are less expensive and more efficient. Solar energy is a good choice if you are looking to adopt sustainable ways of living, use renewable energy options, and reduce your carbon footprint. If your roof is made from tiles, you may be wonder how solar panels are installed. Experts at Sunshine City Solar are here to answer all of your questions.
Solar Panels Installed on Tile Roofs
Solar panels can be installed on different types of roofs using many techniques, depending on the material and pitch of your roof. Free-standing frames are designed and installed on flat roofs to optimise the orientation and tilt for energy production. On tin and metal roofs, L-shaped brackets are drilled into the roof. without any alterations.
The most common method on tile roofs is installing mounting brackets to the rafters and using a rail system. Sometimes tiles need to be replaced, altered, or moved, but the process is less invasive than you think.
How to Set Solar Panels on Tile Roofs
Pre-Installation
The first step in any installation is measuring. The installation team will assess your roof and choose the best place for installation based on the orientation, pitchm and available space. Then they will measure to decide where to set the brackets and rail system. The location of the inverter and wiring is also determined at this stage.
Removing Tiles
Removing tiles and installing mounting brackets is only necessary on tile roofs. Installers will begin to remove some tiles in preparation for installing the mounting brackets. The installers will remove tiles, based on the measurements and length of railing needed for your solar panels, so they can access the rafters and roof structure. The installation team might also make small additions to the roof cavity to create additional mounting points for the brackets.
Fitting the Mounting Brackets
After ensuring the right spacing and measurements, the installation team will attach stainless steel mounting brackets to the rafters. Then the removed tiles are put back into their original position. The tiles will be ground or cut to fit around the newly installed brackets. The installers will also replace any broken or damaged tiles.
An experienced installation team will make sure that the mounting brackets have been thoroughly secured and the roof’s waterproofing has not been damaged. If necessary, the solar panel installation team will fit flashing and waterproofing material around the new brackets.
Installing the Rail System
Once the brackets are fixed, it’s time to install the rail system. Aluminium alloy rails are placed across the roof and fixed to the brackets and act as the anchor point for the solar panels.
Fitting Solar Panels to Tiled Roofing Materials
The panels are attached using clips that bolt onto the panels’ edge and into the metal rails fixed to the mounting brackets. These brackets are specifically designed to allow easy removal and maintenance.
The raised space between the panels and tiles of the roof also creates a pocket of circulation which keeps the panels cool in the summer months. If you would like to know more head over to our "Solar Panels' Cooling Effect" blog.
Connecting the Electrics
The electrical cables underneath them are connected to one another as the panels are installed to form a ‘string’. The ‘string’ is fed under a tile and through a void in the roof to the inverter. The installation team will make sure all the wiring and electrics are taken care of.
The installation process should take around 1 to 2 days and will not need important modifications to your home. The only work that will require alterations is removing and modifying the tiles to install the mounting brackets and creating a path for the wiring to the inverter, which is normally done by drilling a small, simple hole.
Solar Batteries and Tile Roofs
Solar batteries store the excess energy made by your panels and make it available when the sun isn’t shining, like at night or on a cloudy day. Solar storage is more accessible and affordable with improvements in the amount of energy they can hold and reductions in cost and size. They are easily integrated into an existing system or with a new system. Solar batteries can be used with any roof and are normally installed near the inverter.
Factors to Consider for Installation
Every roof is different in its material, orientation, shape, and size. At Sunshine City Solar, we conduct a thorough assessment considering every factor before starting any work. Our pre-installation procedure makes sure you get the best benefits from your solar system. For more information, contact our team today.
The first aspect to consider is the integrity of your roof. Solar panels will add extra weight on a roof, therefore your solar panel installers will need to assess if it can support the panels. The structural integrity can also determine how many panels it can fit, as the bigger the system, the more weight there will be.
Solar panelswork better on roofs with a pitch between 10 to 45 degrees. Flatter roofs can utilise purpose-built frames or tilting brackets to get the panels at the correct position. Solar panels work better on north-facing roofs because they get the most sun throughout the day. Eastern and western orientations are also suitable; however, south-facing roofs are not suitable.
Solar panels depend on direct sunlight to generate solar energy. You need to make sure your roof receives as much sunlight as possible before installing a solar system. It is advisable to clear away trees or objects if any shading can be reduced. If shading cannot be avoided in certain areas, the installation team will place the panels in the best location.
Call the Experts
If you would like to know more about our solar panel installation services, Sunshine City Solar is here to help. We have installed thousands of solar panels, many of which have been on tile roofs. With experience, we take care of every roof we work on and make sure our customers get the best results for their solar systems.
As time passes, manufacturers are producing panels that are less expensive and more efficient. Solar energy is a good choice if you are looking for sustainable ways of living, use renewable energy options, and reduce your carbon footprint. If your roof is made from tiles, you may be wonder how solar panels are installed. Experts at Sunshine City Solar are here to answer all of your questions.