Solar Racking Systems

When installing a solar PV system for your home or business, it’s important to know about solar racking systems. A solar-racking system secures your solar panels to either your roof or to the ground depending on your individual location. These systems are designed to easily fit existing rooftops and other structures.

What you need to know

Solar Panels are classified as “Components & Cladding” in the building code and as such, must be fully integrated into the building structure. You cannot just nail the solar panels to the roof and walk away.

Each component must be able to withstand hurricane-force winds, pounding rain, the corrosive effects of salt air and in some climates, heavy snow loads.

There are two types of solar racking systems: Roof Mounting: where the solar panels (also known as the solar array) is installed parallel to the roof with a gap of a few inches between the panels and the roof. Note: it is important to have the solar array on the side of the roof that is facing the sun most often. Ground Mounting: Ground mounts are usually for large-scale utility installations and are attached directly to a foundation installed slightly under ground.

There are three components to solar racking systems

Roof/Ground Attachments

For roof mounted systems, the attachment hardware will vary in color and style depending on the type of roof you own (i.e. slate, tile, asphalt, etc). At Hilton Head Solar, we use sealed flashing and L-brackets for our roof mounted systems. This assures a low-profile installation that is close to the roof while providing adequate airflow behind the panels.

For ground mounted systems, the attachment hardware is made of anodized aluminum and connected to beams that have been installed into subterranean concrete footings as the footings are poured.

Mounting rails

At Hilton Head Solar, we use PV-specific black aluminum mounting rails for all residential installations, engineered to handle the various weather conditions in our area. Our rails are also anodized to guard against surface damage and corrosion while providing a clean, sleek finish.

Module clamps

These clamps secure the top surface of the solar module to a slot in the mounting rail. At Hilton Head Solar, we use the finest quality clamps that create a grounding connection to the module providing an extra layer of electrical safety.

Installing a solar PV system is complicated. Don’t let just anyone get on your roof and attempt to do the work. You need a company you can trust. You need a company that doesn’t sub-contract the installation work. You need Hilton Head Solar.

Areas Served

South Carolina

Beaufort County
Charleston County
Lexington County
Richland County
Georgetown County
Dorchester County
Florence County
Horry County
Greenville County
Aiken County
Jasper County
Greenwood County

Georgia

Chatham County
Effingham County
Bryan County
Screven County
Sumter County
Bulloch County
Richmond County
McIntosh County
Long County
Liberty County
Candler County
Jenkins County
Burke County
Wayne County

Getting Started is Easy!

Call Hilton Head Solar TODAY at

for your complimentary solar evaluation.
It only takes 15 minutes to find out if solar is right for you.