You have no shortage of options for commercial solar mounts tailored to address your specific requirements. However, the primary classifications involve the roof, ground, elevated structures, and open spaces.
According to World Economic Forum, Solar will have accounted for 60% of renewable energy generation in 2022, or about 300 gigawatts. About 67% of solar energy projects are classified as large-scale, spearheaded by China and Europe.
If you are looking to invest in photovoltaic technology, you will have the following choices of solar mounts:
Roof Mounts
You can use tripods, which are quicker to install than adjustable tilts since they come semi-pre-assembled. They can be utilized on all types of roofs, such as:
- Non-penetration “Klip lok” “Corrugated iron-type”
- Penetration “Tin/Metal”
- Tile roof
The PV-ezRack solar mount is the ideal solution for pitched roofs. The structure features a high-grade anodized aluminium that can be installed in portrait or landscape orientation. The best thing is the mount is compatible with most of the solar modules in the market, regardless of brand.
The installer will fasten the brackets on the roof’s rafters. So, the rafters will run up and down or north-south while the purlins will be spread out from left to right or east-west.
The type of brackets will also depend on the tile type. Other considerations include the length or the height of the crest. The crucial aspect is the tile should not come into contact with the rail.
For instance, Clenergy has ten tile bracket classifications with varying arm lengths and heights. These brackets are engineered to fit perfectly with whatever roof type you have.
You find our wide range of Solar Roof Mounting Systems here.
Ground Mounts
One example of this structure is the SolarTerrace, specifically designed for large-scale projects. They are already semi-pre-assembled, which makes installation easier. They are also reinforced for added durability.
The ground mount’s durability makes it ideal if you plan to build your solar farm in regions with a high wind and snow load. The metal structure is also highly flexible so that you can install them on uneven slopes.
Ground structures can be pinned into the ground by ramming, set onto concrete blocks, or secured onto ground screws.
However, ground mount solar systems are vulnerable to security issues, which makes it necessary to invest in fencing to secure the area from damage or break-ins.
Solar Carports or Balcony Mounts
These solar mounts are installed on elevated structures in parking lots, open spaces, and even balconies. Some corporations or condominium units mount solar panels on parking lots and hook them to charging ports where drivers can charge their electric vehicles. Cars can also take advantage of the shade by parking underneath these solar panels.
High-rise condominiums and offices can exploit their high positions, free from obstructions, to harness energy from the sun for their power consumption.
For example, SolarBalcony is a preassembled structure that the installer will unfold and attach to the balcony or other unobstructed areas. Since it’s fabricated from stainless steel and aluminum alloy, SolarBalcony is reinforced to withstand the elements such as high wind loads, corrosive wind, or sand from the coast.
Trackers
In recent years, manufacturers added tracking technology to their solar mounts, which boosted energy generation exponentially. Using a series of motors and cranks coupled with AI, the solar panels will “track” the sun’s movements regardless of its position in the sky.
For example, the EzTracker D2P Pro is designed to be durable and stable while optimizing the power output from solar panels of up to 600 megawatts. In addition, the proprietary multi-drive design enables the structure to withstand extreme weather conditions.
FAQs
Are solar mounts expensive?
The solar mount costs depend on multiple factors like your specific requirements, location, raw materials, the complexity of the installation, etc. For example, ground solar mounts are typically more expensive than roof mounts. Also, if the location is less than ideal, it would take more manpower hours to install the structures, which will ramp up the costs. However, they are easier to clean and maintain, and you remove the risk of added weight or if you wanted to do any roof restoration.
You can always request a quotation from Clenergy for a more accurate pricing estimate. Don’t worry. You won’t have to pay a thing for a quotation request.
Are solar mounts easy to install?
Our solar mounting systems are prefabricated and semi-pre-assembled. Technically, you can install the roof mounts yourself due to our cross-connection clamps and Z modules. However, there are other factors to consider, like the latitude tilt, irradiation, angle, the distance between mounts, etc., to maximize energy output from your glass panels.
It is mandatory that all grid-connected systems are to be installed by a certified solar installer as you are connecting a power generation device to the national grid. If installing on an off-grid project, it’s usually not a good idea to install it yourself if you are inexperienced. One mistake and you may drill a hole in your roof.
How long do workers install solar mounts?
The duration from start to finish will depend on the complexity and extent of the project. The job will be finished in a day for relatively straightforward roof mounts. Meanwhile, a ground-mounted solar farm will take weeks and months to finish.
The technology for today’s solar trackers is so advanced that it’s now relatively easier to mount them compared to five years ago. For example, PV-ezRack uses fewer piles for our solar mounts, and these are equipped with self-powered options. Since we use fewer raw materials, you can expect cheaper maintenance costs.
