Flat Roof Orientation

Impact of roof orientation on solar savings.

Flat roof orientation.

Ballasted flat roof system is suitable for both landscape portrait orientation layout thin film framed solar panels can be well installed with our ballast racks. The roofing surface is installed over the joists while insulation is placed between them and the ceiling beneath is suspended from them. Skylights can be successfully installed at steeper pitches but for flat roof applications the height at the top end of the curb will begin to be so great it will compromise aesthetics and potentially contravene planning permissions which in some cases will limit the height of any structure that can be built above roof level. The panels can be mounted east west or south facing or in between depending on roof orientation.

Steeper pitches for skylight installation on flat roof. Flat roofs which are commonplace on residential and commercial buildings provide a great starting point for highly effective solar installations. A flat roof grants the freedom or orientate panels in any direction desired. To build a roof joist for a flat roof you need some carpentry skills and a few basic tools.

Solar panel installers are presented with a number of challenges when designing and installing flat roof solar panels. Solar panels are most effective when installed on south facing roofs. On a flat roof the solar panels are typically installed on free standing frames that can optimize array performance by providing the ideal tilt and directional orientation. Flat roof solar is usually free standing on the roof.

Of course flat roofs are not flat but have a very slight roof pitch of between 1 4 to 1 2 per foot. The mounting frames are not secured to the roof and therefore the system has to be weighted down using ballast. These flat roofs are also commonly known as. The structure of the roof needs to be able to support the ballast.

A roof having a rise of 0 25 inches over a 12 inch run is known as a 12 pitch roof. Last updated 7 15 2020 the direction that your roof faces also referred to as the azimuth angle is the primary factor determining how much sunshine your solar panels will see over the course of the day. Both versions the system s for the traditional south facing orientation and the ew variant for maximum east west coverage deliver outstanding economy. Ballasted racking solar mounted systems for roof solar panel installation.