Solar panel mounting systems play a vital role in safeguarding the safety and security of your solar energy system installation. By effectively distributing the weight of the panels, these systems are designed to withstand challenging weather conditions while functioning at peak efficiency. Let’s take a closer look at the different types of racking systems available, as well as the key consideration during the manufacturing process.
What is a Solar Racking System?
A solar mounting system securely attaches solar panels to various surfaces, like your roof or garden. Solar firms utilize mounting products to secure equipment during installation. Solar mounting, also known as solar racking, is typically crafted from aluminium, suitable for rooftop installations due to its durability and lightweight nature compared to alternative materials.
Types of Solar Racking Systems
If you want to choose the best solar panel racking system for your solar energy project, you need to get familiar with the racking options available.
Roof Mount
Roof mounts are a popular solar racking solution. They attach to the roof, providing a stylish and effective method to switch to solar power without using up additional land. Perfect for those wanting to optimize their current space, roof mount systems focus on maximizing sun exposure while leaving your ground free for other purposes.
Flat Roof Mount
The flat roof setup offers stability and maneuverability in choosing the orientation and tilt. While it’s typically the preferred choice for commercial roof-mounted systems, it’s also viable for residential use if the roof is flat. This system involves designing a ballasted concrete structure (similar to an in-ground mount) that allows for placing the modules at a specific angle.
Solar panels can be attached to the concrete base, reducing the need for metal materials in the mounting structure. If the system features solar tracking, the aluminium structure’s base is fixed to the concrete, providing mobility for the solar panels.
Floating Solar Mount
The advanced floating solar mount system uses a smart anchoring mechanism to secure solar panels on water bodies. This PV racking system cleverly uses anchor points, usually situated under the water, though surface anchoring can work well too. The installation process is carefully planned to suit specific water area conditions, ensuring stability and durability.
Depending on the water level changes, the system uses different anchoring techniques. For water level changes up to 1 metre, the system uses sinkers or stones attached to ropes. When the change is less than 3 metres, it combines sinkers or stones with ropes and springs for extra support. If the water level change exceeds 3 metres, the anchoring method involves sinkers or stones connected with winch ropes for maximum stability.
Carport Mount
A solar carport is like a canopy of solar panels that covers parking spaces for homes, businesses, and industries. By installing one, owners can easily generate power to run their operations or earn extra income by selling power. Solar carports also protect cars from the elements, making them very attractive to car dealerships.
Pole Mount
Pole mounts take your solar panels off the ground, mounting them on poles. This option is great for maximizing production by elevating panels above obstacles that might cast shade. Plus, some pole mounts even track the sun, adjusting the panel’s angle to soak up every ray.
By strategically positioning the solar panels at the optimal height and angle, pole mounts can significantly increase the efficiency of the solar energy system. This type of mount is particularly beneficial in areas with limited space or irregular land surfaces, making it a versatile solution for various installation scenarios.
Ground Mount
Ground mount systems allow for optimal placement and angle adjustment, ensuring your panels get prime sunlight exposure without roof limitations. Ideal for homeowners with sufficient land, ground-mount solar systems offer the flexibility to install panels in the most efficient orientation and tilt, potentially yielding higher energy production. This option can be particularly appealing for those with roofs that are not ideal for solar installation due to direction, inclination, or structural concerns.
Tracking Mount
Tracking solar PV mounting system is mainly applied to large-scale solar power plants in low-latitude areas. One motor and control system makes the whole solar module array track automatically. The unique linkage structure and slewing bearing ensure the stability of the whole system, with a low failure rate and low maintenance cost.
It is a good choice for large-scale solar power plants, offering roughly 20% more power generation compared to fixed systems.
Key Factors in Manufacturing Solar Racks
To drive the growth of solar energy, our focus on cost-effectiveness is paramount in solar racking and mounting manufacturing. Our strategy revolves around creating solar panel mounting solutions that strike the right balance between affordability and durability, ensuring steadfast support for green energy generators over the long haul. Here are the key factors we consider:
Material Selection
Choosing the right materials is key to creating solar racks that are tough, weatherproof, lightweight, and sturdy. These racks need to handle all kinds of weather without rusting or decaying.
Popular options like aluminium and galvanised steel naturally resist rust, and they can be coated for extra protection. Additionally, the design has to balance strength to support solar panels against heavy snow loads or wind, while also being light for easy transport.and setup.
Manufacturing Processes
The production of solar racks should involve precise engineering and strict quality control to ensure each component meets high standards. By using advanced machining and fabrication techniques, we can accurately cut, bend, and assemble materials, ensuring seamless compatibility and reliability across the solar mounting system.
Quality checks should be integrated at every stage of production, from selecting materials to final assembly. This thorough approach involves inspections at regular intervals to identify and rectify any deviations from design specifications, ensuring optimal performance and durability in the final product.
Innovations in manufacturing technology have significantly improved the efficiency and sustainability of our solar rack production. Automated production lines guided by computer-aided design (CAD) and computer-aided manufacturing (CAM) enhance precision and reduce waste, promoting eco-friendly manufacturing practices.
Furthermore, methods like 3D printing for prototyping and component production are becoming more common, allowing quick testing and refinement of designs. These advances streamline our manufacturing process and create opportunities for bespoke solar solutions that tackle specific installation challenges.
Design Considerations
Solar mounting systems need to adapt to different terrains and roof types for top-notch stability. This is crucial, especially in areas prone to harsh weather like strong winds or heavy snow. Choosing materials and designs that can endure these elements is key for the long-lasting durability and safety of installations.
Engineers evaluate roof and ground load-bearing abilities to avert structural harm. Working alongside architects and structural specialists, they incorporate solar racks into current structures to boost the system’s resilience against environmental stresses.
How To Choose the Best Mounting Systems for Solar Panels
When planning the installation of solar panels, the choice of the right mounting system is crucial for both the efficiency and aesthetics of your solar project. Here are essential considerations to guide your decision:
Aesthetics
It’s crucial to think about how the solar panel installation will look. Ugly installations can spoil the appearance of your home and may lead to issues with strict Homeowners’ Association (HOA) rules. Ask your provider for photos of finished installations to see how the project will appear on your property.
Ease of Installation
For those mindful of budget constraints, the ease of installation is a big consideration. The simpler the mounting system, the less likely you’ll need to splash out on specialized labour or equipment. Some systems are homeowner-friendly, providing simple set-up procedures without compromising on the system’s reliability or performance.
Nature of the Roof
Your client’s roof features – its age, size, shape, and condition – are crucial in deciding the best mounting option. If your roof is small or not strong enough to hold solar panels, ground mounting is a great alternative. It offers flexibility in placement and angle adjustments without the constraints of rooftop setups.
Installation Options
The traditional way to set up solar panels is by mounting them on the roof, valued for its simplicity and minimal space needed. But, if your client’s energy requirements surpass what the roof can handle, or if they prefer not to drill into the roof, ground-mounted systems provide a versatile and scalable solution. It’s crucial to have a comprehensive consultation with your client to consider all available choices, customising the system to suit your particular needs and circumstances.
FAQs
What are the best materials to make solar racking systems?
The top choices for crafting a solar racking system are aluminium and galvanised steel. These materials are popular because of their innate resistance to rust, ensuring the long-lasting sturdiness of the solar panels they uphold. Aluminium is light, making it easy to manage and set up, yet it still provides the required strength to endure outdoor elements.
On the other hand, galvanised steel boasts outstanding structural strength, making it appropriate for regions with high wind speeds or heavy snowfall. Both materials can receive additional treatments with protective coatings to boost their resilience against environmental pressures, making them perfect picks for constructing solar racks.
How much do solar racks cost in South Africa?
The price of solar racks in South Africa can vary significantly depending on factors like the material, type of mounting system (roof, ground, or pole), size of the setup, and extra features for durability and flexibility. Typically, costs can range from as little as £50 for basic models to over £500 for more advanced systems built to support larger arrays of solar panels. It’s important to consider labour charges for installation, as these can greatly affect the total investment.
What is the lifespan of a Solar Rack?
The lifespan of a solar rack typically matches that of solar panels, usually around 25 to 30 years. This extended durability comes from high-quality materials like aluminium and galvanized steel, designed to withstand corrosion and tough environmental conditions. To boost the longevity of solar racks even more, regular maintenance is key.
Choosing designs that consider local climate challenges, such as heavy snow or high winds, can also help. Still, it’s worth noting that the actual lifespan may vary depending on installation quality, maintenance frequency, and site-specific environmental factors.
How to maintain a solar racking system?
Maintaining a solar racking system is crucial to ensure it lasts long and works at its best. Regular checks are a vital part of upkeep, best done annually. These checks should look for and fix any rust, loose bolts and other fittings, and any harm to the rack’s structure. It’s also important to ensure the solar panels stay correctly positioned and firmly fixed to the racking system.
Managing vegetation around ground-based systems stops shading and lowers the risk of root or debris damage. Also, giving the solar panels a clean now and then boosts their efficiency and output. In spots with heavy snow or strong winds, pay extra attention to the load capacity, making adjustments as needed to cope with these weather pressures. Proper upkeep not only lengthens the life of the solar racking system but also gets the most energy out of the solar panels it holds up.
