Solar panels and roof leaks ?

[Davebones]

See a lot of the solar panel's installed on existing roofs . Just wondered are roof leaks a big issue with panels being mounted on roofs ?

 

[pv_n00b]

Not with modern mounting systems that are correctly installed and flashed. Now, in the old days when people used L feet screwed into the roof with a little sealant applied it was a different story.

 

[gadfly56]

Not with modern mounting systems that are correctly installed and flashed. Now, in the old days when people used L feet screwed into the roof with a little sealant applied it was a different story.

I have heard that standing seam metal roofs can be a particularly good choice to pair with PV systems as the industry has this, er, "nailed down".

 

[jaggedben]

I'd say this depends a lot on the solar company's workmanship.

Take the average number of vents and other penetrations on a residential roof; typical home probably has at least half a dozen for various vents and stuff, sometimes three or four times that. Is this a leak problem? Not if they were all flashed properly by an experienced roofer. Now multiply the leak risk by 3-4 times for a bunch of solar attachent penetrations. If the leak risk was near zero, it's still pretty near zero. If the workmanship isn't comparable to that of an experienced roofer... well maybe the risk is a lot worse. But every roof system has a provision for penetrations, so it can be done properly and not be a problem.

I agree about standing seam metal roofs. No penetrations at all. Just make sure the standing seams have the right number of screws holding them down for increased wind load, especially in hurricane country.

 

[electrofelon]

I have heard that standing seam metal roofs can be a particularly good choice to pair with PV systems as the industry has this, er, "nailed down".

Yeah def. I do a few PV systems per year, mostly ground mounts. I would probably bow out of most roof mounts, but would be a lot more likely to do it if it was a standing seam roof. Lots of people talk to me about future possible PV systems on a building that doesn't exist yet, I always say then put on a standing seam metal roof...

 

[electrofelon]

Well and then there is roof mount with no roof at all:

My solar system

I have alluded to this in various prior posts, but I thought I would post some pictures and mention some of the creative aspects of it. Ive had this idea brewing for years about building a structure and having the modules be the roof. It just seemed like such a waste to have two roofs! So...

forums.mikeholt.com

 

[rainwater01]

I love what you did there. How does it look now? Have you made any improvements?


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[electrofelon]

I love what you did there. How does it look now? Have you made any improvements?


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Working and looking good. dry as a bone inside. Got it sided and painted at last. Hopefully doors this summer.

 

[Fred B]

Here is a new solution by Tesla, a solar roof, the shingles are actually solar panels. Don't know cost or availability in any particular area. Anyone have experience with these?

Solar Roof | Tesla

Solar Roof transforms your existing roof and brings it to life with beautiful solar tiles that can power your home for decades with the energy you produce.

www.tesla.com

 

[rainwater01]

Here is a new solution by Tesla, a solar roof, the shingles are actually solar panels. Don't know cost or availability in any particular area. Anyone have experience with these?

Solar Roof | Tesla

Solar Roof transforms your existing roof and brings it to life with beautiful solar tiles that can power your home for decades with the energy you produce.

www.tesla.com

That’s a really nice clean look. I wonder how the price compares to regular solar.


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[rainwater01]

Working and looking good. dry as a bone inside. Got it sided and painted at last. Hopefully doors this summer.

When I saw your post I was like “he did what I’m contemplating”.

How did you tie your horizontal gutters in?

I like the idea of being able to repair things from below.


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[electrofelon]

When I saw your post I was like “he did what I’m contemplating”.

How did you tie your horizontal gutters in?

I like the idea of being able to repair things from below.


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Nice system! I didn't have any good pictures of this in the rundown, but The the horizontal flashings are L shaped - like a piece of drip edge but upside down. They are held in place by a screw into the Simpson bracket that retains the panels. A quick and easy way to waterproof yours would be just use foil tape. The only reason I didn't do that was mine is pretty high and getting to it to do it initially or for repairs down the road would be a real hassle.

 

[electrofelon]

Here is a new solution by Tesla, a solar roof, the shingles are actually solar panels.

I am aware of them but don't really have any good info. I do know they had been talking about this for a long time and the system had been delayed and delayed, because I think it turned out to be a lot more complicated than they thought.

 

[winnie]

I regularly walk past a house with a tesla roof. It looks good. I have no other details.

For about a year now I've been contemplating a 'solar pergola' in my back yard. Similar to rainwater01's just elevated about 8 feet to create a useable shade area below. I don't think I'm going the full extent of leak sealing like electrofelon.

Jon

 

[Fishbrain]

How do you protect solar panels from getting battered from hail stone as big as golf balls?

We had one a few years ago (it was July.)
The forecast the previous day was a possible HAIL the next day , so I bought some moving blankets used for wrapping expensive furniture to prevent scratches. Saved my panels a total of six, but my neighbors cried.

 

[jaggedben]

How do you protect solar panels from getting battered from hail stone as big as golf balls?

We had one a few years ago (it was July.)
The forecast the previous day was a possible HAIL the next day , so I bought some moving blankets used for wrapping expensive furniture to prevent scratches. Saved my panels a total of six, but my neighbors cried.

My impression was this is not much of a worry, but it sounds like you came up with a great solution.

 

[Davebones]

When I saw your post I was like “he did what I’m contemplating”.

How did you tie your horizontal gutters in?

I like the idea of being able to repair things from below.


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How much power can a section like this supply ?

 

[rainwater01]

That depends on the solar module. This is 8300 watts peak with 20 415wp modules.


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[ggunn]

A type of standing seam roof you need to look out for is the one with "T" style seams. They allow the roof to slide up and down with temperature changes and if you put an S-5 where there is an attachment point you will defeat that function.

 

[solarken]

How do you protect solar panels from getting battered from hail stone as big as golf balls?

We had one a few years ago (it was July.)
The forecast the previous day was a possible HAIL the next day , so I bought some moving blankets used for wrapping expensive furniture to prevent scratches. Saved my panels a total of six, but my neighbors cried.

For UL 1703 certification manufacturers test their panels to withstand various hail sizes by shooting ice balls of different diameters at terminal velocity at the glass surface. Some do use ice as large as a golf ball or even slightly larger.