Flat Roof Orientation

On a flat roof the solar panels are typically installed on free standing frames that can optimize array performance by providing the ideal tilt and directional orientation.

Flat roof orientation.

Flat roofs which are commonplace on residential and commercial buildings provide a great starting point for highly effective solar installations. The roofing surface is installed over the joists while insulation is placed between them and the ceiling beneath is suspended from them. Last updated 7 15 2020 the direction that your roof faces also referred to as the azimuth angle is the primary factor determining how much sunshine your solar panels will see over the course of the day. A roof having a rise of 0 25 inches over a 12 inch run is known as a 12 pitch roof.

Skylights can be successfully installed at steeper pitches but for flat roof applications the height at the top end of the curb will begin to be so great it will compromise aesthetics and potentially contravene planning permissions which in some cases will limit the height of any structure that can be built above roof level. Solar panels are most effective when installed on south facing roofs. Facing them north will result in the greatest overall generation but it is possible to attempt to maximize self consumption of solar generated electricity by placing them facing east if electricity use is highest in the morning or west if it is highest in the. The structure of the roof needs to be able to support the ballast.

Steeper pitches for skylight installation on flat roof. Ballasted racking solar mounted systems for roof solar panel installation. Flat roof solar is usually free standing on the roof. The mounting frames are not secured to the roof and therefore the system has to be weighted down using ballast.

The panels can be mounted east west or south facing or in between depending on roof orientation. These flat roofs are also commonly known as. The s flex leichtmount rail mounting system for framed pv modules is the ideal solution for flat roofs up to a maximum pitch of 5 even with a low load bearing capacity. To build a roof joist for a flat roof you need some carpentry skills and a few basic tools.

Ballasted flat roof system is suitable for both landscape portrait orientation layout thin film framed solar panels can be well installed with our ballast racks. A flat roof grants the freedom or orientate panels in any direction desired. Both versions the system s for the traditional south facing orientation and the ew variant for maximum east west coverage deliver outstanding economy. Of course flat roofs are not flat but have a very slight roof pitch of between 1 4 to 1 2 per foot.