| Installing solar power is a great way to protect nature | | | | productivity and lifespan. Flush mounts are not |
| and save a few bucks on energy bills. Before you go | | | | adjustable, so you cannot change the orientation of |
| right ahead and order a set of photovoltaic panels for | | | | your array after mounting. |
| your roof, it is important to learn about how these | | | | Roof-Ground Mount: |
| panels are mounted and installed to provide your home | | | | Roof-Ground mounts are typically used with large |
| with electricity. | | | | solar panel systems, or in more rural areas. They can |
| Home solar panels are typically installed on roofs. A | | | | be mounted either on the ground or on a rooftop. This |
| simple shingle roof is very easy to fit with the solar | | | | type of mount tends to be bulkier because it consists |
| panels, but a tile roof may be difficult. | | | | of a grid-like framework that supports the panels. If |
| Always be sure to install the panels on the area of | | | | you choose to mount the system on the ground, the |
| your roof that gets the most direct exposure to | | | | mount can be adjusted to raise the array over plants |
| sunlight for the longest time period to ensure optimum | | | | and small animals. The tilt of the panels can also be |
| performance. | | | | adjusted using a roof-ground mount. |
| There are three types of mounts available: flush | | | | Pole Mount: |
| mounts, roof-ground (universal) mounts, and pole | | | | This system uses a pole to support the solar panel. |
| mounts. | | | | There are 3 different types: top of pole mounts, side |
| Flush Mount: | | | | of pole mounts, and tracking pole mounts. Top of pole |
| Flush mounts are the cheapest and most simple | | | | and side of pole mounts indicate where the panel is |
| choice when it comes to solar energy installation. They | | | | mounted with respect to the pole. A tracking pole |
| are typically used with small rooftop solar arrays, | | | | mount is unique because they follow the motion of the |
| because they would not be able to support a larger | | | | sun throughout the day. |
| system. Flush mounts are small metal brackets that | | | | Each of these mounting systems caters to a different |
| attach to both sides of the panel, elevating it off the | | | | type of solar array and a different location. So before |
| roof. It is essential to keep 2-4 inches of space | | | | you choose which is right for you, consider the other |
| between your roof and your solar panel to keep the | | | | factors, including your property, climate and budget. |
| panel from overheating, which will drastically reduce its | | | | |