Fastening my panels to the roof

[50ST8R]

Looking for input here. As this weekend is the first weekend warm enough to consider placing my panels on the roof, I have Renogy tilt panel mounts but am looking for what to fasten them with. Plenty of Dicor on hand and butyl sealant to place on the screws but am struggling with what size screws to go through the roof with. Would love this groups input

[ncitro]

Looking for input here. As this weekend is the first weekend warm enough to consider placing my panels on the roof, I have Renogy tilt panel mounts but am looking for what to fasten them with. Plenty of Dicor on hand and butyl sealant to place on the screws but am struggling with what size screws to go through the roof with. Would love this groups input

I believe the plywood on the roof is 3/4 or 5/8, I’d use as big of diameter as the hole in your bracket is and 3/4 inch screws.

[50ST8R]

I believe the plywood on the roof is 3/4 or 5/8, I’d use as big of diameter as the hole in your bracket is and 3/4 inch screws.

Thanks Neil,

i was thinking 3/4 out 1 inch. I understand there is some room below but don’t want to push it. I figured an Ace hardware run for Stainless screws would be worth the trip. All the internal is done so it is just installing and connecting quite on top.

[gbkims]

My roof was ~5/8", so I used 10 x 3/4" Stainless Truss Head Phillips Wood Screw on AM Solar brackets.

[ncitro]

Thanks Neil,

i was thinking 3/4 out 1 inch. I understand there is some room below but don’t want to push it. I figured an Ace hardware run for Stainless screws would be worth the trip. All the internal is done so it is just installing and connecting quite on top.

Yeah I would do stainless for sure. If your bracket is fairly thick you probably would be fine with 1”. If it’s thinner I would do 3/4, unless someone chimes in and confirms the roof is 5/8. Like you say a small protrusion probably won’t hurt anything but 3/4” of bite should hold fine. Does each bracket have one hole for the roof or two?

[50ST8R]

Yeah I would do stainless for sure. If your bracket is fairly thick you probably would be fine with 1”. If it’s thinner I would do 3/4, unless someone chimes in and confirms the roof is 5/8. Like you say a small protrusion probably won’t hurt anything but 3/4” of bite should hold fine. Does each bracket have one hole for the roof or two?

As it is a tilt panel it has multiple spaces. 28 inches long so will fasten about every 7 inches. I figured at least it will be easier to clear to roof being able to raise a side.

[50ST8R]

Here is the actual mount.

[TucsonJim]

I believe the roofing material is actually 3/8" plywood. It needs to be flexible enough to be able to conform to the curvature of the trusses.

Jim

[openrangeowners]

I used Super Strut (Strut Channel) sold at Home Depot (comes in 10' lengths and is galvanized). This allows me to easily move panels or remove them to service things. With a tilt setup the Super Struts would be great.

[50ST8R]

Thanks all, got 2 panels totally fastened in and will finish up tomorrow and write them in.

[ncitro]

Nice! Congrats!

[50ST8R]

Finished product. Just need to check out the PV in Sun but has 140 watts when I took the covers off at 5:00 tonight.