Solar panels on a shingle roof – how to install them
Next I explain how to install solar panels on a tile roof, a step-by-step tutorial with images.
Solar panels on a tile roof: how to install them
In recent years , solar panels have become an increasingly common sight on the streets. This is a very logical evolution considering the many benefits they bring. A tile roof is undoubtedly the perfect roof for installing solar panels. Solar or photovoltaic (PV) panels are groups of electrically connected solar cells that convert sunlight into electricity (= renewable energy ).
Having some solar panels on the roof of your house can contribute to cheap electricity generation, leading to lower electricity bills . Your dependence on energy providers is also reduced.
If you are considering installing solar panels on the roof, check what you need for it. In this blog, you will learn what solar panels look like on tile roofs and how to install them.
Solar panels on the roof.
Photovoltaic panels should be placed in a well-lit part of the roof (preferably facing south, southwest) to allow efficient electricity generation. The most efficient roof slope for solar panels is around 35 °. The installation of solar panels is carried out by specialized companies that design and calculate the correct number of solar panels. All you need to do is enter the rooftop photovoltaic plant.
It is advisable to install limiters (snow collectors) under the photovoltaic panels as shown in the image above. The snow that falls on the shingles will remain and gradually melt. But the snow that falls on the solar panels can start to slide due to their smooth surface. Dizzying snow creates the risk of a small but sudden avalanche that can surprise and injure someone. The installation of snow bumpers will protect the space under the photovoltaic panels
How to put solar panels on a roof
The photovoltaic panels are mounted on aluminum profiles . The length of the aluminum profiles for roof installation depends on the number of photovoltaic panels.
The aluminum profiles are fixed to the ceiling with long screws. The bolts go through the shingles and deck and are securely attached to the joists or battens. The screw should have a high quality EPDM sealing washer on the outside to ensure perfect water resistance and prevent leakage from the drilled hole where the screw passes through the roof deck. There are many versions of these brackets on the market, but the safest system is to use a bolt with a metal plate or flange in combination with an EPDM gasket. The top of this metal collar always slides under the shingle above.
<<< Image 1: Aluminum profiles Photovoltaic panels on a bituminous tile roof
<<< Image 2: Fixing the solar panel on a bituminous tile roof
<<< Image 3: Screw combined with EPDM washer and metal plate
<<< Image 4 : Standard combination kit with EPDM washer
The screw must be strong and long enough for the profiles to be firmly screwed to the wooden roof frame. Thanks to this, they will not be damaged or bent by large amounts of snow, and the strong winds blowing under the photovoltaic panels will not be able to remove them.
Image: a strong and thick screw fastens the photovoltaic panels to the roof >>>
Electrical cables connecting solar panels and electrical boxes must be waterproof. They must go through the ceiling in a leak-proof location.
<<< Image 1: Connection between the photovoltaic panel and the electrical box
<<< Image 2: The electrical cables of the photovoltaic panels pass through the roof, through the roof exit
<<< Image 3: Roof exit for solar panels
Quick installation of photovoltaic panels, distribution boxes and other details.
Don’t let fear of lengthy installation keep you from buying solar panels. The following example will show that this is a quick job. A specialized company will only take a few hours to install 10 photovoltaic panels. On the first day, aluminum profiles were installed in one hour and photovoltaic panels were installed on them. The cables were brought into the technical room, where they were installed in the switchboards the next day (see photos below).
>>> Image 1: Electric cables of photovoltaic panels
>>> Image 2 and 3: Electrical switchgear cabinet for photovoltaic panels
The quick-install system was used for local energy production, which in this case is used to heat and heat the water, without having to pay suppliers. Thanks to the solar panels on the roof, this home has cheap electricity generation. This translates to lower bills and reduces your dependency on electricity prices .
