Roof Mounted Solar Panels

A roof mount is the most common type of installation. This is when the solar racking, which holds the panels in place, is installed directly on the roof. Panels can be attached to flat or sloping roofs consisting of metal, shingle, or rubber materials.

Ground Mounted Solar Panels

A ground mount is when the panels are secured to a rack structure that is connected to the ground with steel beams or another type of metal post. Ground mounts can be installed in an open area or as a carport over a parking lot.

Ground mounts can be installed wherever the conditions are best for solar, making them a great alternative for someone who doesn’t have enough usable roof space or just prefer to not have panels mounted to the roof.

Pros of a roof mount:

Roof mounts utilize space that otherwise wouldn’t be used.

Typically the installation cost is lower compared to a ground-mounted system

Doesn’t take up land that could be utilized for other activities

Limits unauthorized visitors from accessing the panels

Panels can protect the roof from exposure to certain elements

Cons of a roof mount:

Roof penetration is required for shingle roofs

Could require a new roof before installation

You might have to remove and reinstall panels for roof repairs or to install a new roof

Adds weight to your roof, and in some cases, the roof could require additional support mechanisms

Some believe solar hurts curb appeal

Can be a safety hazard for the installation team

Things to consider when installing a roof mount:

The age and condition of your roof

The impact solar could potentially have on your roof warranty

Pros of a ground mount:

Ground mounts can be installed to face any direction and in almost any location, positioning them for optimal energy production

They can be installed at multiple angles

The system can easily be accessed for maintenance

Carports can be installed in existing parking lots - providing shading, lighting, and protection to parked cars

Cons of a ground mount:

Typically the installation cost is higher

Limits the use of the land

Takes up large areas

Easier access for unauthorized visitors

Increased chance for accidental damage from rocks or other particles thrown from a mower and other equipment

Will likely be required to install a fence adding cost to the project

It likely requires mowing around multiple posts and under low clearances

Things to consider when installing a ground mount:

The long-term plan for the plot of land

The terrain of your property

In modern day construction, roof covering systems typically include an underlying, supporting deck or like support structure. This underlying support structure is covered by a water proof or leak resistant material that may take various forms. In addition, roofing tiles, shingles and like roof coverings are frequently arranged and secured in overlapping relation to one another so as to collectively overlie the roof deck or like underlying roof support structure. Further, the water resistant covering applied to the outer surface of the roof deck serves to secure the plurality of exterior roof tiles directly to the underlying support. Alternatively, other materials such as cement, polyurethane, “poly-foam”, etc. may be utilized to secure or fix an underlying layer of roof tiles, shingles, etc. directly to the outer water resistant layer. As such, a roofing system, as generally described above, facilitates a water resistant roofing assembly as well as an outer or exterior, aesthetically pleasing roof covering.

However, one constant and continuous area of concern is the structure and procedure utilized in the installation of a roofing system specifically including the roofing tiles or like roof covering materials. In typical fashion, roof tiles may include an underlying tile disposed in laterally adjacent relation to one another and arranged in longitudinally adjacent rows or columns, especially when the roofing system is applied to a slanted or sloped roof. Moreover, an outer array of roof tiles are disposed in overlapping, at least partially supported relation on the underlying tiles. As such, the underlying tiles and outer roof tiles make up the exposed covering of the roof deck or like underlying roofing support structure.

In known or conventional roofing systems of the type generally described above, it is recognized in the roofing industry that both time and labor associated with installation, as well as the material cost of both underlying tiles and outer, exposed roof tiles are significant and sometimes prohibitive. These costs are especially high when both the underlying tiles and roof tiles are formed of a highly desirable but relatively expensive ceramic material, which are typically hand made or otherwise manufactured to meet customized specifications.

Accordingly, there is a long recognized need in the roofing industry for a roofing system incorporating roofing materials which reduce the cost and time of installation, as well as reduce the cost of materials a frequently large number of roofing tiles. Such a proposed roofing system should incorporate a pan tile which is dimensioned, configured and structured so as to adequately and effectively cover the underlying roofing support structure while at the same time effectively support the exterior, overlying roof tiles. Moreover, a preferred pan tile could be machine made either from a ceramic or other appropriate material and dimensioned and configured to provide adequate support to the overlying roof tiles. At the same time such a newly proposed pan tile would require a significantly lesser number of both the pan tiles and the conventional roof tiles overlying the improved pan tiles.

Further, the versatility of the proposed pan tile could be such as to serve as an underlying support for a variety of different outer roof tiles specifically including, but not limited to, barrel tiles of the type which are commonly used on domestic dwellings, condominiums and industrial buildings of various styles and designs. Moreover, a roofing system incorporating the preferred and proposed pan tiles of the type described above, should be capable of being secured in overlying relation to the underlying support structure of the roof using any conventional manner including the use of roof installation connectors such as nails, screws, etc or even the more complex connecting wires, clips, or like connectors which facilitate adherence of roofing tiles during extremely high wind conditions. However, when a securing material such as cement, poly-foam, etc. is utilized with a roofing system incorporating a proposed and improved pan tile a significantly lesser amount of such material should be required thereby further increasing the savings in material costs.