Collectors: Ground or Roof Mount?
Choose Roof or Ground Mounting
Sunward provides both roof and ground-based options for mounting the Solar Collectors -- for example our ground mounting frame options allow you to mount the Collectors up to 95 feet from your home.
The roof of your home, garage or existing outbuilding is also a logical mounting location. You’ll need an open roof area at least 9’ x 9’ to accommodate the collectors.
In general we believe that ground mounting using our Steel Frame or Timber Frame mounting kits is the best choice if you are considering performing some of the installation yourself, but here are the pros and cons of each:
Roof Mounting
PROS
- Takes up no space on your property.
- Usually less visible than ground-mounting.
- No trenching required.
CONS
- Roof replacement or maintenance may require taking collectors down and reinstalling.
- Not easily accessible for snow removal or cleaning.
- Requires professional installation.
Ground Mounting
PROS
- Easier to install for homeowners.
- Easy access for snow removal or cleaning.
- Can be oriented towards south most easily.
- Optional Timber frame can be finished as shed.
CONS
- Ground Mount or Timber Frame takes space on property.
- Requires trench: approximately 8" deep x 4" wide.
Evaluating Ground Mounting - It’s generally easy to find a location within 95' of your house that is oriented correctly and receives sufficient sunlight.
Evaluating Roof Mounting - If you are thinking of mounting the Solar Collectors on the roof of your home or garage, we do NOT recommend climbing on your roof to evaluate the site. Instead stand on the ground below the section of your roof where you think you’d like to mount them and check the Orientation the roof surface is facing. If the roof surface you are considering is not facing within 45° to either side of true south then you’ll need to consider another location.