Photovoltaic Mounting System

SOLAR PANEL MOUNTING STRUCTURE
Photovoltaic mounting system are used to fix solar panels on surfaces like roofs.
The type of racking or mounting equipment impacts how well your solar
panels function. Mounting system are an important element of solar arrays.
Photovoltaic mounting system must holds the solar panels on its position securely
in the harsh condition of weather and for a long time, and to do so it must be of
FLAT ROOF SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION

A flat roof installation is the easiest way to go solar on building. It offers flexibility
for orienting and tilting the solar panels for ideal solar collection. This installation
type is more common on commercial installations and is perhaps one of the least
complicated. These are the three most typical mounting options in flat roof
installations:
BALLASTED MOUNT
Some solar systems use weights (called ballasts) to hold the solar array to
the roof instead of bolting it down. Ballasted systems are often preferable
because they do not penetrate the roof, but only work for large system in
low-wind zones.
MECHANICAL ATTACHED
Traditional rooftop systems are mounted to the posts secured in the roof
beams. Special roof leak protection is added to each penetration to stop
leaks. These attached systems work for any size, and hold tight even in
windy areas.
HYBRID MOUNT
Often referred to as a minimally attached system, the hybrid mount uses
some structural attachments combined with typical ballasted design. This
results in minimal roofing penetrations but a little more security where
needed.
PITCHED/SLOPED ROOF SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION
Perhaps the most common type of solar panel installation seen in residential solar
systems, the sloped roof mounting option means installing panels on non-flat (or
angled) roofs. Due to the angle and complexity of solar equipment used to keep
solar panels in place on a sloped surface like a residential roof, makes this type of
installation the most difficult.
Solar panels are often found on sloped rooftops. There are many mounting system
options for these angled roofs, with the most common being railed, rail-less and
shared rail. All of these systems require some type of penetration or anchoring into
the roof, whether thats attaching to rafters or directly to the decking.
The standard residential system uses rails attached to the roof to support rows of
solar panels. Each panel, usually positioned vertically/portrait-style, attaches to
two rails with clamps. The rails secure to the roof by a type of bolt or screw, with
flashing installed around/over the hole for a watertight sea
RAIL-LESS SYSTEM
Rail less system are self-explanatoryinstead of attaching to rails, solar panels
attach directly to hardware connected to the bolts/screws going into the roof. The
modules frame is essentially considered the rail. Rail-less systems still need the
same number of attachments into the roof as a railed system, but removing the rails
reduces manufacturing and shipping costs, and having fewer components speeds
up install time. Panels are not limited to the direction of rigid rails and can be
positioned in any orientation with a rail-free system.
SHARED-RAIL SYSTEMS
Shared-rail system take two rows of solar panels normally attached to four rails
and removes one rail, clamping the two rows of panels on a shared middle rail.
Fewer roof penetrations are needed in shared-rail systems, since one entire length
of rail (or more) is removed. Panels can be positioned in any orientation, and once
accurate positioning of the rails is determined, installation is quick.
Once thought to be impossible on sloped roofs, ballasted and non-penetrating

mounting systems are gaining traction. These systems are essentially draped over
the peak of a roof, distributing the systems weight on both sides of the roof.
Strain-based loading keeps the array almost suctioned to the roof. Ballast (usually
small concrete pavers) might still be needed to hold the system down, and that
extra weight is positioned overtop load-bearing walls. With no penetrations,
installation can be incredibly quick.
GROUND MOUNT SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION:

Some buildings are not well-suited to solar installations because of location, size,
or orientation. In these cases, where surface area permits, a ground-mounted
system is an option. The installation for these types of systems involves a wedge
structure made of steel that anchors the solar panels to a concrete foundation.
Traditional ground-mount systems
Ground-mounted solar systems essentially all work the samesystems anchor to
the ground and hold a large number of stacked panels, often two but sometimes
three or four panels high. Two rails usually support each panel, whether oriented in
landscape or portrait. The anchoring to the ground is the tough part of these
installations, as there are many different types of foundations.
If the soil is clear of debris, steel beams are driven into the ground and the racking
system is attached to the beams. If ground conditions are not suited for smoothly
driven beams, anchor systems may be usedhelical piles, ground screws. These
can take more time to install as they have to power through boulders and other
large debris.
Ground-mounted systems dont always have to penetrate into the earth. Capped
landfills and other brownfields are ideal for solar arrays, as they are underused land
areas, but their temperamental ground conditions cannot be disturbed. Arrays can
be ballasted on the ground just as they are on flat roofs. Concrete blocks hold a
system in place, and if ground conditions can hold the weight of a concrete truck,
cast-in-place blocks may be an easier option for installers.
TRACKING SYSTEMS
To improve energy output, developers and installers turn to tracking systems.
These motorized ground-mounts track the sun throughout the day, ensuring the
panels are facing the sun at all times. Panels are attached to similar racking tables
as traditional ground-mounts, usually bolted or clamped into place, but there are
different types of tracking systems.
The two main classifications of tracking systems are single-axis and dual-axis.
Single-axis tracking systems span panels on long rows, following the sun from east
to west. Dual-axis tracking systems separate out tables of panels and follow the sun
on a more circular path for the best energy output.
Tracking systems have two motor distinctions. Centralized trackers move many
rows of panels with a single motor. Distributed trackers use one motor per row or
table of panels. Centralized systems use fewer motors while distributed systems
use many.
CARPORTS AND CANOPIES

Solar carports and canopies can be looked at as really, really tall ground-mounts.
They are very common in commercial settings, especially at schools and business
campuses. Reinforced concrete foundations hold large steel beams that support
solar panels overhead. Carports can be designed to cover one row of parking spots,
span over two rows or be as large as a project needs. Many carports can be
equipped with electric vehicle charging stations for an extra bonus to cars
sheltering underneath.
FLOATING SOLAR SYSTEMS

Flatovoltaicsa solar array that floats on waterhas really taken off in Asia and
parts of Europe, and its beginning to find its way to the United States. Many
reservoirs and water treatment facilities can benefit from leasing their water
surfaces to solar developers. Although not really anchored to the ground, floating
solar arrays still borrow characteristics of ground-mounted solar.
Floating systems are made of a type of plastic that link together into a mat. Each
individual float is molded into a tilted design, so panels are positioned at a similar
degree as systems on a flat roof. Floating systems can often be assembled on land
and then pushed out onto the water as more panels are added. The system is either
secured to shore mounts or floating anchors.
There are many more types of solar mounting structure, specially made to match
the desired need in different situations. It is not possible to name the all but few
more are as per there application:
Mounting as a shade structure
Building integrated photovoltaic and etc.
STANDARD FOR SOLAR ROOF MOUNTING STRUCTURE
IS 2062/IS 4759 Material for solar structure mounting HOT DIP ZINC
COATING
DIN EN 1991-1-4 Actions on structures, Part 1-4: General actions Wind
actions MANDATORY
SOLAR PV ROOF MOUNTING STRUCTURE GUIDLINES

Aluminum frames will be avoided for installations in coastal areas.
In the case of applying for a loan, the total capital cost of the mounting
structure must be 15-20% of the total capital which is equal to ~ Rs 15/Wp.
Bibliography
http://greenzu.com/solar-installation
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Photovoltaic_mounting_system
https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/02/different-types-solar-
mounting-systems-roofs/
https://www.solarpowerworldonline.com/2017/02/different-types-ground-
mount-solar-racking-systems/

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SOLAR PANEL MOUNTING STRUCTURE

FLAT ROOF SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION

Once thought to be impossible on sloped roofs, ballasted and non-penetrating

GROUND MOUNT SOLAR PANEL INSTALLATION:

CARPORTS AND CANOPIES

FLOATING SOLAR SYSTEMS

Mounting as a shade structure

Building integrated photovoltaic and etc.

STANDARD FOR SOLAR ROOF MOUNTING STRUCTURE

SOLAR PV ROOF MOUNTING STRUCTURE GUIDLINES

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