The installation of photo voltaic panels on a roof varies according to the accessories: laying on rails above the tiles, laying on an under-roof screen, laying on watertight trays. Flashing are made of zinc, lead or plastic. Here are 5 tutorials covering the different methods of installing Solar companies in Australia.
Install photo voltaic panels: several configurations
Photo voltaic panels are mainly installed on roofs (30 to 35 degree inclination and south orientation recommended) and their fixing systems differ and impact the ease of installation , the necessary accessories, the duration of intervention , the degree of skill and the tools needed for installation. From rails laid over the roof to de-curling and then fitting a waterproofing system or an under-roof screen, the costs vary considerably. The choice of solar panels, relative to defined criteria, requires a preliminary study and a precise definition of the needs of the installation and/or the accommodation.
- Implementation steps
- Detailer at the location of the solar panel
- Install the flashings (lower and lateral)
- Install under-roof screen or waterproofing system
- Lay the rails and panels
- Connect the inverter to the grid
1. Detail at the location of the solar panel
Two distinct scenarios can be distinguished. If the roof is covered with mechanical tiles or slate, you will have to carry out a partial removal. You have to start by defining the precise location where you want to install the solar panels. It is then necessary to remove the tiles on a surface slightly greater than the surface of the panels to be laid . Once this operation is done, a hole appears in your roof: the photovoltaic panels will be housed there after meticulous preparation.
De-tile with protective gloves as the tiles are abrasive and can injure your hands. Any intervention on the roof must be carried out with a fall arrest system ( fall arrest net or lanyard with harness ).
2. Install the lower and side flashings
The flashings are connecting parts between the covering materials of your roof , in your case tiles or slates, and the various elements that protrude from the roof, here the solar panels and their fixings. They make it possible to achieve a perfect seal . There are flashings adapted to each model of mechanical tiles, both for shape and color. For slates, it is a slate-colored sheet or an old-fashioned piece of zinc.
The installation of the flashings consists of a fixing with screws on the existing battens or on added battens. The use of a screwdriver is necessary as the meter to report the exact measurements . The hooks are also fixed with screws.
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3. Install the under-roof screen or a waterproofing system
Installation of the under-roof screen
When installing a roof, an under-roof screen must be installed . The latter is a technical plastic film which has the function of creating a waterproof barrier but not airtight. It is recommended when installing this under-roof screen to fit an air gap between this screen and the insulating complex if necessary in order to avoid any risk of mold (the screen is generally installed and stapled to the batten on traditional frames). If this is not possible and it relies on the insulation , then opt for a screen with high water vapor permeability, or HPV , which allows the passage of vapor and reduces the risk of condensation in the insulating complex . If condensation occurs in the insulation , it becomes less effective, and may even rot. The covering of the lengths must be carried out with the adhesives recommended by the manufacturer and according to his recommendations .
Installation of the waterproofing system
Depending on the installation, the solar panels can rest on a flexible plastic sealing system to be installed on the roof (a rigid base made up of battens is then necessary).
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4. Lay the rails and panels
The rails must be firmly fixed to the rafters using hooks (use the screwdriver and suitable screws for this); Solar Panel Sydney are heavy and offer great wind resistance. Complex shapes with possibly some adjustments to adapt their shape to certain tiles allow fixing through the roofing . Complete decurling is then no longer necessary because the structure of the rails is above the cover .
