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Solar Panel - Roof Mounting


Wetkit

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Ok, so I thought it might be a good idea to do a step by step of how I mount my solar panels on the roof.

 

Firstly, I am NOT saying this will work for everybody, or that it is the correct way.

This is just how I have done mine to save costs, as the original equipment from the solar companies is extremely expencive.

 

So, I use electrical stuff every day at work, so it was logical for me to use what I have learnt there.

 

All the following is part numbers from Cabstrut and your local electrical supplier should have it available.

I got mine from BES (Bellville Electrical Services) and Mr Koen there gave me 40% off from the listed Cabstrut price.

 

The following should be enough for me to mount 8 x 235W panels.

 

4 x P2000 (1mm thick)

20 x SN110/M10 (M10 nut mounted on a spring. This fits inside the P2000 rail)

20 x P1063 (Square piece with 11mm hole in the centre. Using this to fix adjasent panels)

20 x M10 bolts

10 x P1026 (90 degree angle. Will use it to fix the panels on the ends)

All the above worked out to less than R1k :)

 

1st step was to make sure I knew where I wanted to mount the panels.

2nd was to start opening the concrete roof tiles to find out where the roof trusses is located.

Here I used Tri-Strap that I got from Brights. I used 35mm long self drillers to fix the Tri-Strap to the roof truss.

post-23-0-49615600-1383718812_thumb.jpg

 

Next step is to bend the strapping and cut it to the correct lenth.

post-23-0-05767100-1383718846_thumb.jpg

post-23-0-80776100-1383718862_thumb.jpg

 

Next would be to close the tile gap again and do the rest. I used 3 fixing points per 5m length of P2000.

post-23-0-01989500-1383718876_thumb.jpg

 

Once all the straps is done, it is time to fix the P2000 to the straps. Here again I used the 35mm long self drillers.

post-23-0-41285600-1383718894_thumb.jpg

 

Final product :)

post-23-0-03696800-1383718907_thumb.jpg

 

Next week I hope to start mounting some panels.

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I am starting to look at this system Wetkit.... is it fair rigid on the roof in the wind?

 

just got a quote from acdc:

 

BMF4001 Aluminum profile  x 6 lengths                 R681.00 ea

BMF4402 Adj roof tile hook   x 14                              R472.00 ea

BMF4006 M8 x 20 Hex head screws 1 pack            R238.00 ea

BMF4005             M8 self blocking nut  1 pack         R329.00 ea

BMF4024             end clamps  x 4                                  R626.00
ea

BMF4012             Mid Clamps x 20                                R593.00
ea

 

EX VAT, less 10% discount.

All goods ex JHB subject to prior sale 1-2 weeks
 

thats a lota moola for a frame...... and you say around a grand for your one?

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Bloody hell Mike, that is a bundle of cash!!!

1st, I would say it depends on your roof construction and angle.

Luckly Kuilsrivier is one of the less windy places in CPT.

I had no problems during the winter storms this year.

If you worried, I would use longer and stronger screws into the roof truss.

Everything I used is HDG, so it should last a long time.

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i had my trusses specially manufactured at 30deg so i can mount as you have directly onto the truss and slide the tile back. Also place the house on it's longest roof line facing as close to solar north as i could....just slightly off full solar north.

Was that that std hoop iron you used, drilled and cut to length?

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Ok, time for an update.

I have not recieved all the panels yet, but have mounted 2 so long.

 

The Tri Strap is available from Brights at R11/m ex vat.

 

Firstly, here is the view of an end panel. The 90 degree bracket is not 100%, but I think it would work well enough.

I did not put is right at the end of the channel just to make sure it does not bend the cannel lips open.

post-23-0-29872800-1384320321_thumb.jpg

 

Here is the view of the square piece used between 2 panels.

Initially I was looking at keeping the gap very small, but then the metal square would start to overlap on the panel PV cells, so using a 17 socket on the bolts works great to make sure the gap is the same top to bottom.

post-23-0-76608100-1384320333_thumb.jpg

 

Here is just a bit of detail on how I have done the earthing.

I would have liked to hide all the wiring under the roof, but that prooved just way too much work for me on my own.

post-23-0-20447200-1384320343_thumb.jpg

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  • 1 year later...

Hi Haggers, to date no issues to report on my install.

 

I have used PowAR SNAP clips on another site. They clip onto the PV panel and is then pushed into the unistrut. It is quick and gives a great look, as the mounts is hidden away and the panels can be mounted without any gaps.

Only issue I have is if you would like to remove a panel again.

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  • 2 months later...
  • 4 weeks later...
  • 2 years later...

Hi all

New to the forum and in planning phase for my solar setup. First up sorry for posting on an old thread but I would love to see the pictures from @Wetkit's roof mounting system.

Unfortunately I can't view the photo's. Anyone with links to this ?

 

Thank you 

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  • 3 months later...

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