Residential Solar Power

Solar roof mounting can be complex without expertise and understanding about specific roof types. Tick Tock Energy has installed solar systems on all types of metal and shingle roofs.  The rack for both applications is similar and the main difference is the connection between the rack and the roof surface. Common roof types in Illinois and surrounding Midwest states are:

Shingle roofs

Metal – standing seam

Metal – panel type (corrugated)

If your shingle roof is newer and has many years of life left, it’s a good time to make it roof solar panels now.  If your roof is older and near replacement, you should consider replacing the shingles first or do the solar and roof upgrade at the same time.

However, with the 30% federal tax credit available (at full 30% through 2019 and then declining in 2020 and beyond) you may want to accelerate your roof replacement project and not delay.  In some markets like Illinois, the solar renewable energy credit (SREC) is something you don’t want to miss out on either.  Don’t let an old roof replacement project hinder your solar plan and the savings you will otherwise miss!

A common approach for mounting solar panels to a shingle roof is fastening an “L-foot” or elevated block to your roof that is solidly anchored into the center of the truss below the roof deck via lag-bolt.  The L-foot or elevated block forms the structural base and is surrounded by a thin metal flashing system that tucks under a preceding shingle preventing water from reaching the L-foot. The lag bolt anchoring the L-foot is equipped with a rubberized grommet that compresses around the bolt and around the hole penetrating the roof deck providing a waterproof installation.

Metal roofs are common on homes, farm buildings and commercial buildings in many areas of the US.  Mounting a solar array on these types of roofs is similar to a shingle roof with exception of the roof attachment mechanism.  Two major metal roof types exist: Metal standing seam Metal panel or corrugated type

When planning your solar roof mount installation, a 3-foot setback around all edges or peaks of the roof is a good practice. This reduces the overall area available for capturing solar energy but has both structural and fire protection reasons. Some solar installers will ignore these issues. Code or no code, we follow this practice.

In some parts of the country, fire codes require a setback from each roof edge for fire safety personnel to access to your rooftop. This does reduce the available area for solar and can result in a smaller array. Although your local jurisdiction may have not adopted the current fire code, its good probability they eventually will. Although some solar companies will encourage building close to the roof perimeter, you may want to reconsider this advice. Caution!  If your home ever experiences a fire, you don’t want your solar array to hinder the work of fire protection personnel. Furthermore, we also consider that where this code doesn’t currently exist, that one day your insurance company could scrutinize this factor in the future (just like insurance companies now penalize folks with old electrical service panels & wiring).

Our typical ground mount solar installation features are available in 3, 4 or 5 panels per column layout. Most installations today are 5 panels per column since that yields the lowest installed cost.

We also offer ground mount racking solutions that arrange the panels vertically, or in “portrait view”.  These racks feature 2 panels per row and typically offer racks in 2×5 up to 2×9 configurations.

A popular solar ground mount option is an engineered 2” galvanized steel pipe rack secured to the earth via concrete foundations. After the pipe frame is constructed, rails are fastened to the frame, then end and mid clamps secure the solar panels to the frame. A typical construction sequence is shown in the photos.

The typical ground mount array tilt angle is 25 to 35 degrees and lower tilt angles are possible.  For smaller farm and residential ground mounted arrays, a fixed axis is most common and cost effective.

In Central and Southern Illinois, and nearby Midwestern states, the KSUNsolar Tracking System will produce approximately 30 to 35% more power on average than a fixed ground-mounted solar array and possibly up to 40% or more in other locations and applications. Capture the entire day’s solar potential, year-round.

In locations with netmetering limitations, the KSUNSolar Tracker is an ideal solution to keep kW capacity down while boosting energy yield (in kWh).  Many homes in Illinois consume 15,000 to 25,000 kWh per year and one or two solar trackers are often an ideal choice for significantly generating significant energy.

Since the KSUNsolar Tracker maintains optimum orientation to the sun, the power output is higher and more consistent per kW of array capacity throughout the day.  A fixed solar array like a roof or ground mount will produce a pronounced bell-shaped curve with higher amplitude and shorter duration.

In Central and Southern Illinois, and nearby Midwestern states, the KSUNsolar Tracking System will produce approximately 30 to 35% more power on average than a fixed ground-mounted solar array and possibly up to 40% or more in other locations and applications. Capture the entire day’s solar potential, year-round.

Mounted on a single pole, the overall solar array is off-ground making landscape maintenance a breeze. The sun tracker for solar panels can be easily activated to lay flat placing the array about 10-feet above the ground when it lays horizontally.

Generating your own electricity from solar provides a great feeling.  However, an attractive KSUNsolar Tracker is just plain COOL to look at, too! The solar panel tracking system provides an attractive complement to your rural home, farm or open landscape area.

Want to learn more? Contact us today to discuss how Tick Tock Energy can get you started with a smart investment in a solar tracking system.