Mount Your Own Solar Panel in 7 Steps

So now that you’ve picked out the best solar panel for your needs from ibuysolarpanels.com (or if you still need help, please feel free to contact one of our customer service representatives for help).

- Decide where you want to install the solar panel(s) – choices include directly on the roof (better aesthetics), on a mounting stand (better function), or even in a field (easiest, but only applicable for relatively rural locations). Wherever you decide to install the solar panels, make sure they’re going to get plenty of sun.

- Some solar panel mounting stands have sensors that will adjust the tilt of the panels throughout the day to optimize catching the sun. If you’re not using a stand like that, you’ll need to position the solar panels according to the geographical location of your home.

- We call this a “latitude tilt” – and you can figure this out by using some simple math. If you live at 25 degrees latitude, your tilt will need to be 25 degrees. Then, up to 40 degrees latitude, you add 5 degrees of tilt for every 5 degrees of latitude. After that, you simply add 20 degrees of tilt to the number of your latitude (eg – 50 degrees latitude means 70 degrees of tilt).

- Install the mounts to the roofing studs (the rafters) of your home. Finding a stud isn’t difficult, and the task can be simplified with a stud finder that you can find in any hardware store for around $20.

- Once you’ve found the studs, drill holes directly into the middle of them.

- Fasten the mounts to the roof with sturdy, stainless steel bolts. Once you’ve done this, you’re going to want to use a sealant of some sort to keep moisture out of your attic that the new holes could possibly let in.

- Connect the solar panels to the brackets you’ve just installed. Most solar panels these days are designed to easily attach to most mounts.

- Connect the solar panel to the Battery System, and then connect the battery system to your electrical system. Unless you are an electrician, you’ll probably want to call a professional to help you with this step as it is extremely technical and very dangerous (plus, your insurance probably doesn’t cover you working on this anyway).

Enjoy your new, clean, sustainable energy