How to Install Solar Panels on My Roof

Install solar panels to reduce your monthly electrical bill.

Solar panels have become very popular these days. More and more people are switching to these environment-friendly ways of generating electricy. Mounting a solar panel on your rooftop is not a very complicated project. It is important, however, to have another person helping you since you'll be working on the roof.

Things You'll Need

• Solar panels
• Mounts and rails
• Steel bolts
• Tar
• Safety goggles

Instructions

1. Determine the best location on your roof for mounting solar panels. The location should receive continuous sunlight without any obstructions that cause shade. Solar panels are usually mounted facing southwest to achieve this objective.

2. Locate the supporting rafters beneath your roof. You can use a stud finder for this purpose. For marking straight lines for the placement of each mount, use a chalk line or a laser sight leveling. Then, use a drill for pre-drilling holes in the center of the rafters to avoid splitting of the rafters.

3. Use stainless steel bolts for installing the mounts in the pre-drilled holes. Put metal flashing over the mounts and seal the area around the mounts using heated tar. Fasten the metal rails to the mounts using 3/8-inch bolts.

4. Install the panels on the mounts along the rails. Secure them with steel bolts. Then install a solar panel conduit and run wires for connecting the panels to the inverter.

Tips & Warnings

• Hire an electrician to run the conduit from the inverter to the solar panels.

References

• SolarExpert.com: How to install solar electric panels?