Author Topic: Mounting panels to a tiled roof (Read 5436 times)

AbyssUnderground · « **on:** November 01, 2006, 06:54:06 PM »

Hi all,

Ive been thinking of mounting my 3 18w panels to the main roof of the house instead of having them laid on the flat shed roof. The only problem is mounting them securely. My Dad does not want to have to drill into or otherwise move the roof tiles since it will cause a leak.

Can anyone suggest a suitable way to mount the panels safely and securely? Id like to mount them side by side if possible.

I can provide pictures of the roof if needed.

Thanks in advance.

fungus · « **Reply #1 on:** November 01, 2006, 11:57:17 AM »

Are they clay or concrete roof tiles? Concrete ones shouldnt be harmed by drilling into as long as if you are using bolts they have plenty of sealant on them. Maybe you could hang them from other parts of the roof without having to drill into it?

AbyssUnderground · « **Reply #2 on:** November 01, 2006, 12:00:20 PM »

Like I said above my dad doesnt want to drill into them at all, simply because it can leak and also they are relativly old tiles, and they are likely to crack if drilled into. It needs to be a way of mounting securely without touching the tiles at all.

I cant hang them from the roof, thats not secure. The wind gusts can get very high here. Just today there were 40mph gusts.

AbyssUnderground · « **Reply #3 on:** November 01, 2006, 12:14:13 PM »

Some images of the tiles.

thirteen · « **Reply #4 on:** November 01, 2006, 12:28:21 PM »

With some cable you could put hooks on the eves put hooks on the peaks with pads under the supports for protection of the tile and put cables over the top of the panels to hold them down.

Darren73 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 01, 2006, 03:21:54 PM »

going off the pic in your previous posting http://www.fieldlines.com/story/2006/9/20/125858/160

could you mount a frame off the brickwork to hold them above the flat roof you have them resting on, this would be easier than trying to mount on the tiles, I wouldn't try drilling them they are likely to crack or leak especially with the stresses imposed by the weather on your panels, mounting on the wall can be easily achieved using angle. if you want any more info let me know.

regards

Darren

Titantornado · « **Reply #6 on:** November 01, 2006, 03:28:37 PM »

Yea, I say do it as described above, and add a few sandbags onto the frame if you can for some extra insurance.

AbyssUnderground · « **Reply #7 on:** November 01, 2006, 03:47:31 PM »

I was going to try this but my Dad thinks they are an eye sore and doesnt want to be able to see them. I can solve this by putting them on the roof of the house instead. Also, itll be more exposed to the sun up there especially in the morning/late afternoon. One extra reason to put them up there. So unfortunately the shed roof is not an option. :-(

Darren73 · « **Reply #8 on:** November 01, 2006, 04:05:49 PM »

ok, sorry to hear your dad doesn't like them, you could bracket off the chimney alongside the aerial post, if you want to contact me directly my msn / e-mail is darren2604 at hotmail dot com

regards

Darren

dastardlydan · « **Reply #9 on:** November 01, 2006, 06:48:43 PM »

I would use LIQUID NAILS ,You will have to

hold them in place until it hardens.

+++++++++++++++-------------+++++++++++++------------------

Ungrounded Lightning Rod · « **Reply #10 on:** November 01, 2006, 06:54:05 PM »

Problem with that is they become a permanent part of the roof. Can't get 'em off without destroying them and maybe the tiles, too.

Countryboy · « **Reply #11 on:** November 01, 2006, 08:37:43 PM »

Why don't you build a frame that you can attach to the chimney? A few loops of metal banding should hold the panels securely to the chimney.

Volvo farmer · « **Reply #12 on:** November 01, 2006, 09:19:21 PM »

Here's my idea. Mount them on a pole in the yard. Perhaps your dad is not against the idea that they are ugly as much as he doesn't want mickey mouse engineering and holes/brackets attached to the house and roof that he is paying the mortgage on. A pole mounted array could be jerked out of the ground in 30 minutes with no detriment to the real estate value of the house.

I don't know if you have any leftover C-band satellite dishes in your part of the UK but it is an extremely easy way to build a pole mount. I adjusted my N-S angle last week in about five minutes. If you ever decide to play with tracking, all the hardware is there to make a go of it as well.

thirteen · « **Reply #13 on:** November 01, 2006, 10:49:51 PM »

good idea can you fallow the sun when it dips lower automaticlly or manual What part of the us are you in I am in montana

AbyssUnderground · « **Reply #14 on:** November 02, 2006, 12:47:07 AM »

Thanks for the suggestions so far, Ill pass them on.

You forget one thing, my dad does not like them, he doesnt want to see them at all, so pole mounting is also out of the window. Plus, we actually have no room to do that anyway. Our garden is surrounded by 6ft fences and houses so the sun doesnt get into the garden early morning/late afternoon.

Ill pass the ideas on and get back to you on what he has said.

Norm · « **Reply #15 on:** November 02, 2006, 07:34:17 AM »

A couple of post just slightly higher than the edge of the roof attach 2x4s to the top of the

post they will be laying on the roof but will be

anchored to the posts.

( :>) Norm

zap · « **Reply #16 on:** November 02, 2006, 10:11:58 AM »

How about making a yoke out of EMT pipe or wood connected to each side of the chimney and running down to the drip edge/gutter of the roof(picture a simple ladder). You could even run the pieces past the edge and then tie the ends to the soffit or the wall below. A few pieces of wood or probably even better, ESP foam under the rails in a few places would distribute the load enough to keep any tile from seeing a high loading. It would require a few fasteners for the chimney and possibly a fastener or two on the wall or soffit. To give you and idea of the yoke:

And a drawing of what it might look like from above.

Except for a trip or two onto the roof, the chance for damage to the roof is minimal and completely reversible leaving no trace that anything had ever been there should you decide to remove it.

AbyssUnderground · « **Reply #17 on:** November 02, 2006, 10:25:55 AM »

Excellent plan! I reckon it would be perfect. Unfortunately my Dad has said no again, so I might as well not have any panels. They aren't working where they are properly, he is saying 30 mins more sunlight wont make any difference, when it will. Im giving up with the solar panels idea, infact, probably renewable energy altogether. What a waste of £400 of panels, battery and other equipment...

Thanks for the help anyway...

Volvo farmer · « **Reply #18 on:** November 02, 2006, 06:41:34 PM »

Ahh, you'll have your own place someday. Until then, you can always leave the lights on when you leave any room. Get an electric blanket and a space heater in your room and leave the window open. Leave the TV and computer on 24/7. Your goal is to double the electric bill for the house.

AbyssUnderground · « **Reply #19 on:** November 03, 2006, 12:39:48 AM »

Could be a plan. Might force him to put the panels up :-)

Darren73 · « **Reply #20 on:** November 03, 2006, 03:21:18 AM »

one of my friends uses the following line on her dad when he complains about her growing cd collection

well dad would you rather I spend my money on drugs?

News:

Author Topic: Mounting panels to a tiled roof (Read 5436 times)