Flat Roof Orientation

Solar panel installers are presented with a number of challenges when designing and installing flat roof solar panels.

Flat roof orientation.

Impact of roof orientation on solar savings. The s flex leichtmount rail mounting system for framed pv modules is the ideal solution for flat roofs up to a maximum pitch of 5 even with a low load bearing capacity. The mounting frames are not secured to the roof and therefore the system has to be weighted down using ballast. A roof having a rise of 0 25 inches over a 12 inch run is known as a 12 pitch roof.

Ballasted flat roof system is suitable for both landscape portrait orientation layout thin film framed solar panels can be well installed with our ballast racks. Flat roof solar is usually free standing on the roof. Of course flat roofs are not flat but have a very slight roof pitch of between 1 4 to 1 2 per foot. To build a roof joist for a flat roof you need some carpentry skills and a few basic tools.

Skylights can be successfully installed at steeper pitches but for flat roof applications the height at the top end of the curb will begin to be so great it will compromise aesthetics and potentially contravene planning permissions which in some cases will limit the height of any structure that can be built above roof level. These flat roofs are also commonly known as. Facing them north will result in the greatest overall generation but it is possible to attempt to maximize self consumption of solar generated electricity by placing them facing east if electricity use is highest in the morning or west if it is highest in the. The roofing surface is installed over the joists while insulation is placed between them and the ceiling beneath is suspended from them.

Steeper pitches for skylight installation on flat roof. Last updated 7 15 2020 the direction that your roof faces also referred to as the azimuth angle is the primary factor determining how much sunshine your solar panels will see over the course of the day. The panels can be mounted east west or south facing or in between depending on roof orientation. Just enough slope to drain water but also flat enough to be a problem if not constructed properly.

A flat roof grants the freedom or orientate panels in any direction desired. The structure of the roof needs to be able to support the ballast. Solar panels are most effective when installed on south facing roofs. Flat roofs which are commonplace on residential and commercial buildings provide a great starting point for highly effective solar installations.