Solar panel mounting systems serve an important purpose in a solar power setup. They hold the panels in place, protect them from the elements, keep them far enough off the surface to remain cool, and even track the position of the sun. There is a mount for almost any situation, and despite claims to the contrary, there is no “best” mount.

Each type of mount lends itself to different situations. A static mount is most suitable for a roof mounted solar system, whereas a pole mount is better for the yard, or outdoor space. It’s also possible to mount panels on the ground, using a fixed array or tracking mount.

Each has its advantages and disadvantages. Solar panel mounting systems are as varied as the types of panel or brand of inverter. There is truly something for every situation.

A roof mounting system is great for those who have a large roof space that faces south. Roof mounting keeps the panels out of harm’s way, directed at the sun and harvesting energy all day long. They provide a very secure mount and allow air to circulate underneath to keep things cool.

The downside is they are harder to clean and maintain. They are also more expensive to fit as it involves messing around with the roof structure. As far as solar panel mounting systems go, this method is the most prolific.

Pole mounts are becoming increasingly popular. They offer many benefits for relatively few downsides. You might see them on the side of the road above road signs, street lights, bus shelters or powering warning signs.

The pole supports the sign, then has a small solar panel on top facing south. Built in to that panel is a small battery, either mounted underneath, or down on the ground. The same principle is used in home versions. A pole is secured into the ground with concrete. The solar panel mounting system is then either bolted on to the pole, or secured on top.

The advantages of a pole mount is that it doesn’t take up much space, needs far less work than a roof mount, works well with a tracker, and keeps the panels out of harm’s way on the ground. They are also considerably cheaper to use than roof mounts.

The downsides are that they can be an eyesore. They are also susceptible to wind, so if you live in a tornado zone, you’re going to need a very strong pole, with very strong footings.

Ground mounting uses a similar technique to mounting on the roof. An A-frame is secured on the ground and the panels sit on top. In the most basic, the panels remain static and point optimum south. In more advanced, they mount trackers and orient themselves as the sun move.

The advantages of these solar panel mounting systems is that they are simple to build, install and use. The downside is they use a lot of real estate. Their footprint is quite large, so those with a small yard may need to look elsewhere.

The objective of solar panel mounting systems is to secure the panels and withstand wind, rain, sun and snow. They have to last the test of time, at least as long as the panels. Common materials are aluminum, steel or iron and even wood. We’re going to discuss the various options here.

Most manufacturers make solar panel mounting systems designed to work with almost any type of panel. Fortunately in most cases, considerations like wind loading have already been included in the design. This takes a lot of the engineering away from a DIY solar panel setup.

It pays to consider the characteristics of the different mounting materials before specifying a system.

Iron – easy to work with but corrodes relatively quickly. Galvanizing will slow corrosion but not stop it completely, especially in a coastal environment. The material is readily available and brackets can be welded easily.

Steel –can be expensive and difficult to work with, but will last for years. It may be a good investment in coastal areas where there is plenty of salt in the air. It’s also easy to shape, weld and secure.

Wood – inexpensive and easy to work with, but may not withstand the weather for many years. Treated wood can last longer, but in this configuration doesn’t have the tensile strength of metal.

Aluminum – lightweight, strong, and resistant to corrosion. It is an easy material to work with, holes can be drilled with DIY tools, and the material is compatible with many PV panel frames. Aluminum is not easy to weld so it will need bolts to secure.

There is no perfect material as each lends itself to different situations. Probably the best all-rounder would be steel as it is strong and flexible, but you pay for it.

The material choice should also consider the wind load you expect it to tolerate. If you live on the coast, you need something strong enough to cope with coastal winds, storms, and even the odd hurricane if you’re roof mounting.

In general, roof mounting is more complex than either ground or pole mounting. Roof mounts are more difficult to install and maintain, particularly if the roof orientation and angle are not compatible with the optimum tilt angle.
This can be offset with a single axis tracker that can be affixed to a solar panel mounting system, or come as part of it.

Penetrating the roof seal is inevitable and leaks may occur if not installed properly. It’s also important to have a secure fixing of the mounting brackets to the roof. Attaching the brackets to the rafters will provide the best foundation, but this may be difficult because module size and rafter spacing are sometimes not compatible. It may take some fettling, but with proper planning it can be achieved.

If you’re planning a roof mounted solar panel system, make sure you leave enough of a gap underneath the panels to allow airflow. This keeps the panel cool, and more efficient.