Paradise Energy offers valuable resources for your solar journey. 👇 📙 Download your solar buyer's guide (3,500+ downloads): bit.ly/3uwMtsb 💻 Calculate your solar cost and savings: bit.ly/42HK7TV 🔋 Calculate your battery system size and cost: bit.ly/3uGrS4w 🎓 Get answers to all your solar questions: bit.ly/3UMUV1f
Thanks so much for this video. I have standard roof with about 2 dozen mounts for my existing solar. I was thinking about upgrading to a standing seam metal roof and am happy to learn I don't need penetrations.
Hi I have a shingled metal roof looks like old fashioned slate style. Are there attachments bracket assemblies to put solar panels on my roof w/o any penetrations?
That shouldn't be an issue as long as the metal is properly secured. Here's a video that discusses how panels are attached to a metal roof - ua-cam.com/video/hj8xyLBqxrg/v-deo.html
Your photo doesn't show "hardware to directly mount the panels to the seam", instead it shows hardware to mount the racking to the seams, and the panels to the racking. Other hardware does exist to mount panels directly to standing seams.
This is hard to properly answer without knowing the exact attachment being used to secure the solar panels to the roof structure. Some solar panel racking designs use attachments that attach directly to the roof and do not use a traditional racking system, which we believe is the focus of this question. Systems like this will come with detailed installation instructions that the installer should follow. This type of attachment system would require a properly sized Equipment Grounding Conductor (EGC) that is bonded using a listed ground lug attached per the manufacturer's instructions to each solar panel at the location indicated in the solar panel installation instructions. This EGC would then run back to the inverter and would be bonded to any metallic enclosures and raceway from the PV array to the inverter. In the inverter, this EGC would be bonded to the same EGC bond point as the EGC coming from the system service entrance. Any DC to frame faults will be detected by the internal components of the inverter and will fault the inverter and indicate the nature of the fault to the technician when a ground fault condition exists. An AC line to frame fault will have a low impedance path through the EGC to the EGC to neutral bond point at the system service entrance. This low impedance fault clearing path will allow the fault current to rapidly rise and open or clear the Over Current Protective Device (OCPD) in the AC circuit, which will clear the fault quickly by opening the circuit.
Have you worked with any metal building construction firms at the preplanning stage? Does it help to engage at that point about features like type of roof, pitch of roof, extra support, or anything else? Do metal farm buildings not designed for human occupancy still require the 3 foot border for the fire code?
Yes, we've been involved with the preplanning stage to make sure a building is designed with solar in mind. In many cases, we're able to offer suggestions that will help create the best environment for a solar system in the most cost-effective way. The setback requirements are based on local codes and would apply to all buildings.
Question about this. Recently had a contractor do this to a metal roof on one side of a barn. I now have water leaks/drips coming into the barn which were not there before, however there does not seem to be direct leaks where the bracket screws are drilled into the beams. Warranty is supposed to cover leaks but since they are arguing it is not coming from the drilled bracket holes, I am responsible for labor costs to repair. What to do here?
It is difficult to provide an answer without knowing a few more details about your roof and the installation. To help, we would start by answering these questions: What type of roof was solar installed on? If it was a standing seam roof, what type of standing seam profile is it? How old is the roof? Did the installer verify that the bracket used to attach to the standing seam is designed for the standing seam roof style? Was it installed per the manufacturer's instructions? Sometimes what can happen is on an older roof, the impact of the installer walking on the roof surface can cause the seal between the metal roof and the roofing screw to fail or break, causing a leak that is not directly related to the solar installation. Sometimes a 3rd party roofing inspector may need to be hired to sort things out. If the roof is a corrugated roof, one still needs to verify that the roof attachment is designed for the corrugated roof profile, and that the attachment is installed exactly per the manufacturer's instructions. We'd start by determining the facts of the situation. If it's determined that the bracket used isn't designed to be used with a particular roof profile, that incompatibility may prevent the attachment from sealing properly to the roof. If the leaks are coming from elsewhere on the roof, we would start to question the original integrity of the roof. A properly installed metal roof should be able to have an installer cautiously walk on the roof without causing the screw to roof panel interface to fail and leak, unless the roof is nearing the end of it's useful life, or it was not properly installed.
Corrugated/exposed fasteners..This is on a barn. Roof is about 7 yrs old. I think I agree with your description of the roof and roofing screw shifting due to installers walking around on it which is causing water to penetrate now. Leaks do not appear to be coming directly from the brackets. If this is this case, am I responsible for the leak repairs or how does that work? Since it's an open air roof, the wood does dry over time so how much integrity am I losing over time without doing repairs? Company is saying they think original installers did not seal properly and they would need to remove everything, re-seal, and re-install. Not looking forward for the price of labor for that if I'm responsible. What is a recommended next step?@@thesolarenergychannel
You certainly should be mentioning what slope limitations there are to have either Corrugated or Standing seam roofs. Not to mention the 100s of Screw holes in your roof if a corrugated roof is to be put on. You should be stating the little rubber part of the screws that keep rain out degrade in less than 10 years and also the maintenance is continual with a Corrugated. If not checked every year you may be looking at popped out screws. Freezing and thawing and ice build up under your low roof solar panels can also be a problem if ice pushes the screws out. out. Get real folks. The slope ideally should be 3/12 or 2/12 for Standing seam and less than an inch is probably not ideal. I've learned the hard way. Most reputable roofers would not even use Corrugated steel especially is on a low sloped roof. A shed or barn is another story but not on residential. If anyone suggests Corrugated to you on a low slope roof and on top of that with Solar Panels RUN THE OTHER WAY.
Gail, The corrugated roofs we're installing panels on are sheds and barns. Standing seam is becoming more popular for homes, but still, most metal roofs are on ag or commercial buildings.
Paradise Energy offers valuable resources for your solar journey. 👇
📙 Download your solar buyer's guide (3,500+ downloads): bit.ly/3uwMtsb
💻 Calculate your solar cost and savings: bit.ly/42HK7TV
🔋 Calculate your battery system size and cost: bit.ly/3uGrS4w
🎓 Get answers to all your solar questions: bit.ly/3UMUV1f
Thanks so much for this video. I have standard roof with about 2 dozen mounts for my existing solar. I was thinking about upgrading to a standing seam metal roof and am happy to learn I don't need penetrations.
Glad to hear it was helpful. Thanks for watching! Best of luck with your installation.
Hi
I have a shingled metal roof looks like old fashioned slate style. Are there attachments bracket assemblies to put solar panels on my roof w/o any penetrations?
Excellent video
Thanks for watching!
Can you install solar on a metal roof that was installed over the top of asphalt shingles?
That shouldn't be an issue as long as the metal is properly secured. Here's a video that discusses how panels are attached to a metal roof - ua-cam.com/video/hj8xyLBqxrg/v-deo.html
Thank you
Thank you for watching!
Your photo doesn't show "hardware to directly mount the panels to the seam", instead it shows hardware to mount the racking to the seams, and the panels to the racking. Other hardware does exist to mount panels directly to standing seams.
Where can I get those, what are they called? I need a kit to mount 4 panels on metal corrugated roof. Clamps, rails everything...
Check out S5 and Iron Ridge.www.s-5.com/ www.ironridge.com/
How would you ground the solar panels if it’s not built on a rack?
This is hard to properly answer without knowing the exact attachment being used to secure the solar panels to the roof structure.
Some solar panel racking designs use attachments that attach directly to the roof and do not use a traditional racking system, which we believe is the focus of this question. Systems like this will come with detailed installation instructions that the installer should follow. This type of attachment system would require a properly sized Equipment Grounding Conductor (EGC) that is bonded using a listed ground lug attached per the manufacturer's instructions to each solar panel at the location indicated in the solar panel installation instructions. This EGC would then run back to the inverter and would be bonded to any metallic enclosures and raceway from the PV array to the inverter. In the inverter, this EGC would be bonded to the same EGC bond point as the EGC coming from the system service entrance.
Any DC to frame faults will be detected by the internal components of the inverter and will fault the inverter and indicate the nature of the fault to the technician when a ground fault condition exists. An AC line to frame fault will have a low impedance path through the EGC to the EGC to neutral bond point at the system service entrance. This low impedance fault clearing path will allow the fault current to rapidly rise and open or clear the Over Current Protective Device (OCPD) in the AC circuit, which will clear the fault quickly by opening the circuit.
I wish you stated that the corrugated paneling has to be at least 26 gauge!!! Most roofers want to put 29 on it. The thinnest panel on the market!!!
Good point.
Have you worked with any metal building construction firms at the preplanning stage? Does it help to engage at that point about features like type of roof, pitch of roof, extra support, or anything else? Do metal farm buildings not designed for human occupancy still require the 3 foot border for the fire code?
Yes, we've been involved with the preplanning stage to make sure a building is designed with solar in mind. In many cases, we're able to offer suggestions that will help create the best environment for a solar system in the most cost-effective way. The setback requirements are based on local codes and would apply to all buildings.
@@thesolarenergychannel Thanks for the information.
@@goldenacres3269 You're welcome!
@@thesolarenergychannel Which companies have you worked with?
Question about this. Recently had a contractor do this to a metal roof on one side of a barn. I now have water leaks/drips coming into the barn which were not there before, however there does not seem to be direct leaks where the bracket screws are drilled into the beams. Warranty is supposed to cover leaks but since they are arguing it is not coming from the drilled bracket holes, I am responsible for labor costs to repair. What to do here?
It is difficult to provide an answer without knowing a few more details about your roof and the installation. To help, we would start by answering these questions:
What type of roof was solar installed on? If it was a standing seam roof, what type of standing seam profile is it? How old is the roof? Did the installer verify that the bracket used to attach to the standing seam is designed for the standing seam roof style? Was it installed per the manufacturer's instructions?
Sometimes what can happen is on an older roof, the impact of the installer walking on the roof surface can cause the seal between the metal roof and the roofing screw to fail or break, causing a leak that is not directly related to the solar installation. Sometimes a 3rd party roofing inspector may need to be hired to sort things out.
If the roof is a corrugated roof, one still needs to verify that the roof attachment is designed for the corrugated roof profile, and that the attachment is installed exactly per the manufacturer's instructions.
We'd start by determining the facts of the situation. If it's determined that the bracket used isn't designed to be used with a particular roof profile, that incompatibility may prevent the attachment from sealing properly to the roof.
If the leaks are coming from elsewhere on the roof, we would start to question the original integrity of the roof. A properly installed metal roof should be able to have an installer cautiously walk on the roof without causing the screw to roof panel interface to fail and leak, unless the roof is nearing the end of it's useful life, or it was not properly installed.
Corrugated/exposed fasteners..This is on a barn. Roof is about 7 yrs old. I think I agree with your description of the roof and roofing screw shifting due to installers walking around on it which is causing water to penetrate now. Leaks do not appear to be coming directly from the brackets. If this is this case, am I responsible for the leak repairs or how does that work? Since it's an open air roof, the wood does dry over time so how much integrity am I losing over time without doing repairs?
Company is saying they think original installers did not seal properly and they would need to remove everything, re-seal, and re-install. Not looking forward for the price of labor for that if I'm responsible. What is a recommended next step?@@thesolarenergychannel
@@user-tg1tn3su4o These are questions you'll have to ask your original solar and roof companies or a third-party structural engineer.
Can you walk on the panels once installed on the roof.
Panels are strong enough to hold a person walking on them. However, we do not recommend doing this if you don't need to.
How can I Mount my pannel on a wooden roof
Can you attach solar panel brackets to a standing seam roof with roof panels attached to roof with nail edge instead of clip system?
Sure, it’s possible, but using the brackets will give you a much cleaner install. They are also designed to keep water out.
@@thesolarenergychannel are the brackets rated for high wind? Miami Dade FBC?
@@UKlelegirl They are made to withstand high wind. The specific wind rating would need to be found in the manufacturer's specs.
Do you sell the brackets?
@@thomasleithauser3412 we do not. S5 and IronRidge are two companies to check out for attachments.
You certainly should be mentioning what slope limitations there are to have either Corrugated or Standing seam roofs. Not to mention the 100s of Screw holes in your roof if a corrugated roof is to be put on. You should be stating the little rubber part of the screws that keep rain out degrade in less than 10 years and also the maintenance is continual with a Corrugated. If not checked every year you may be looking at popped out screws. Freezing and thawing and ice build up under your low roof solar panels can also be a problem if ice pushes the screws out. out. Get real folks. The slope ideally should be 3/12 or 2/12 for Standing seam and less than an inch is probably not ideal. I've learned the hard way. Most reputable roofers would not even use Corrugated steel especially is on a low sloped roof. A shed or barn is another story but not on residential. If anyone suggests Corrugated to you on a low slope roof and on top of that with Solar Panels RUN THE OTHER WAY.
Gail,
The corrugated roofs we're installing panels on are sheds and barns. Standing seam is becoming more popular for homes, but still, most metal roofs are on ag or commercial buildings.
where to buy metal roof brackets?
Check out S5. www.s-5.com/