Ground
mount systems are solar panel mounts that are installed on the ground.
The most common type of ground mount is a wedge structure constructed
from steel supports anchored in concrete footings.
Tracking System
The sun's position in the sky varies both with the seasons and time of day as
the sun moves across the sky. Solar panels can yield more electricity when they're pointed at
or near the sun, so a tracking system can increase the effectiveness of the panels over any fixed position, at the cost of additional system complexity. There are several types of tracking systems available to maximize a system's energy output.
Roof Mount Systems
Flat Roof Mount
Roof
mounted PV panels are the most cost effective and common type of
installation. Typically light weight, most all roofs are able to accept
this mount system without the need for structural modification.
Unlike
with sloped roofs, flat roof applications have the ability to install
the solar modules without making any penetrations in the roof.
Solyndra System Mount
Solyndra panels employ cylindrical
modules which capture sunlight across a 360-degree photovoltaic surface capable
of converting direct, diffuse, and reflected sunlight into electricity. This
self-tracking design allows Solyndra's PV systems to capture more sunlight than
traditional flat-surfaced solar panels.
The Solyndra system is lightweight and the panels allow wind to blow through
them. These factors enable the installation of PV on a broader range of rooftops
without anchoring or ballast, which are inherently problematic.
The horizontal
mounting and unique ?air-flow? properties of Solyndra's solar panel design
substantially simplify the installation process. The
ease of installation and simpler mounting hardware of Solyndra systems
enable its customers to realize significant savings on installation costs.
Standing Seam Metal Roof Mount
No roof penetration is required with this type of installation. The rack mount
is simply clamped onto the standing seams to keep the array in place.
Asphalt Roof
Asphalt shingles are easy to walk on, cut, remove, and re-install.
Shingles can be easily removed to install the mounting hardware and then patched or replaced around the hardware to ensure the roof's integrity. The PV panels are added after the roof has been finished.
Compared to other types of roofs such as wood, slate, and spanish tile, asphalt shingles are more durable and can be walked on without the fear of breaking them. This may improve the speed of the system's installation and reduce labor costs.
Parking Canopy Systems
Parking Canopy
Solar
powered canopies are a perfect way to capture the sun's energy for
reducing your facility's electric energy usage while keeping your
employees' or customers' cars protected from the sun, rain, or snow.
Canopies can also be constructed to capture rainwater for irrigation or other grey water uses.
