Frequently Asked Questions
How are rooftop Photo-Voltaic (PV) systems
mounted?
According to The Department of Energy’s Better Buildings Alliance’s Renewables Integration Team, there are three main mounting methods on commercial buildings: two primary mounting methods for PV systems on commercial building roofs or hybrid of the two:
- Ballasted Racking – Uses heavy weights, typically concrete blocks, to anchor PV systems on a flat roof.
Advantages: Simple to install; require few or no roof penetrations; hybrid-ballasted systems require less weight than fully-ballasted systems
Disadvantages: Only applicable for flat roofs that are capable of supporting the ballast weight; some jurisdictions limit the use of fully-ballasted systems; may require more advanced wind-loading evaluations; hybrid-ballasted systems have an increased risk of roof leaks from faulty roof
- Attached Racking – Uses roof penetrating hardware to mount PV systems on any type of roof. There are many types of attached racking systems for different applications. The number of required roof penetrations will depend on the roof structure, PV system design, and local building codes.
Advantages: Can be used on sloped or flat roofs and in more jurisdictions than ballasted systems
Disadvantages: Can be more difficult to install than ballasted systems; faulty roof penetrations can reduce the weather-tight integrity of the roof
Some hybrid-ballasted systems use a combination of ballast and roof penetrating anchors to fasten the system to the roof. The number of roof penetrations for these systems usually depends on how much weight the roof can handle in terms of ballast, and how much additional support the PV system will need to meet wind load requirements.
Do solar panels create glare?
Solar panels are designed to be dark colors, usually black or blue, that absorb the sunlight to create electricity. If panels were reflecting the sun, or creating glare, they would not be effective. PV panels are designed with anti-reflective coating to increase panel efficiency and keep the level of reflected light around 2% – less than the reflectivity of water. Airports around the world have been installing PV arrays to provide onsite generation, and studies show that glare from the solar arrays is a negligible issue
How will installing a solar PV system impact my roof?
A rooftop PV should have no negative impacts on a building if installed correctly. Building owners’ key concerns about PV systems typically include the potential impact PV may have on roof integrity (.i.e. risk of water intrusion or other damage), roof warranties, building permitting, and business operations. However, all of these risks can be mitigated or eliminated. All rooftop PV systems should be installed by reputable solar installers. Although national certifications are not required for PV installers, many installers are certified by the North American Board of Certified Energy Practitioners (NABCEP).
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