How To Install Solar Panels on Roof: DIY Solar Panel Installation Guide

If you are working in construction or want to know how to install solar panels on roof yourself, know that it is not as complex as it seems.Still, you will need the right tools and equipment and carefully follow the instructions since you are dealing with electrical wires.

The following are the nine steps in DIY solar panel installation (on shingles roof).

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Step 1: Assemble Everything You Need

Preparing all the materials and tools you need is the first step to a successful project and helps save you a lot of time.

Since you will be up on the roof, you want to avoid climbing up and down to find missing items.

You will need the following:

1.Solar panel 2.Stanchions 3.PV wire 4.Mounting brackets 5.Drill and drill bit 6.Rails 7.Tape measure 8.Chalk line 9.Screws 10.Ladder 11.Lags 12.Anything else in your solar package and a tool belt

Step 2: Mark Locations

With your tools ready, the next step is to mark where the stanchions will be on the roof. These are vital to the installation because the sturdy metal structures carry the panels and must distribute their weight evenly across the rafters.

You should refer to your house’s blueprint to help connect them to the rafter on the roof.

While at it, ensure that the stanchions are in line (using the chalk line) before drilling and place them four feet from each other.

Step 3: Fix Stanchions

You should properly fix your stanchions since they will hold the panels in place.

First, pre drill holes in the rafters and secure them with steel bolts, checking that the distance between each stanchion is at least four feet.

Step 4: Install Flashing

Afterward, you should fix the flashing beneath the shingles and fasten it using a bolt on the rafters. This process keeps your roof safe from leaking after poking holes and keeps the roof waterproof.

Besides flashing, the bolts also have sealants to protect the roof from leakages.

Step 5: Affix the Rails

The rails are essential to installation because they securely hold the panels and attach to the stanchions.

First, screw and fasten the holes, and using bolts, connect the top and lower rails, preferably using your impact driver.

Remember to make them tight to secure them in place.

Step 6: Check That the Rails Are Parallel (Check for Square)

Any professional will tell you how crucial it is for the rails to be in line and parallel.

You can take the distance between them using your tape measure, checking that the diagonal distance is the same.

Using diagonals is the fastest way to check that they are square, and if not, you must adjust or, unfortunately, drill again.

Step 7: Fix the Inverters

All the steps above were merely preparations for installation; the steps from here involve how to wire solar panels, which need care and proper handling.

First, know which wires you need and how to attach the inverters beneath each panel.

Each micro-inverter should have six-gauge copper wires, and the connection goes into and out of the arrays.

Route the wires from the panels to a meter, then to a sub-panel. Next, run them to the inverters through the rails, and remember to turn off the powers before wiring.

It can be helpful to have a diagram of the wiring plan, as well as the placement of your panels before beginning.

Step 8: Panel Placement

When you are confident that the wiring is okay and the connections are working, the next step is to attach the panels to the stanchions you have already drilled.

First, hook the brackets to the panels, which you can do before climbing the roof; lift them and check that they align with the rails you set up.Fasten each of the panels to the rails using bolts and clamps.

Lastly, place the wires through the panels and the inverters to complete the circuit.

Step 9: Connect the Inverter

The final step is to power up your panels by linking them to the solar inverter and electric meters.4 Shut off the power in your house before doing this and connect the inverter to the electric panel.

If your inverter is outside, keep it under shade and connect the battery and fuse board/ consumer unit. This setup is vital because the inverters transform DC from the sun to AC you use at home.

You can forgo the battery, but it is essential for boosting your power on cloudy days.

You can also call in an electrician to do the actual connection, to ensure that no fire hazards have been created.

In fact, many counties and cities require a professional electrician to perform this step, so check with your local building laws.