The Best way to get a full picture of what it take to do an installation is to read the appropriate Color Installation Manual available on the right in System Sections.  Hundreds of Homeowners have installed SolarRoofs.com systems by themselves or with the help of a Handyman using these manuals supplied with the systems. (Please use Back Arrow to return from PDF links)

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Installation must comply with local
Building, Electrical, Plumbing and Permit codes.

The collector is easily installed on a southerly* facing asphalt shingle roof, however, it can be installed on Metal Standing Seam, Tile and Cedar Shake, as well as off orientation situations. The south-facing* roof must be free of shade for at least eight hours of the best available sun. A standard 18 degree tilt kit as well as custom tilt kits are available for reorientation, see tilt kit pdf link above. The system has rails to make spacing and installation easier. The rails are usually lagged into the roof rafters but they can also be installed using "Hollow Wall Expanding Anchors, "J" bolts as well as other methods, see: Alt and Tile Roof" below.  Also See "Installation Details" for more information on collector and system installation.

Metal Roof

Alt. and Tile Roof

Installation Details

A way must exist to run solar lines inside the house or garage from the attic to the solar tank. The collector should be centered in such a way as to look balanced between house features, see installation manuals for suggestions.

THE BASIC INSTALLATION STEPS
(3 to 8 hours required to install, depending on situation and experience)

1. Unpack collector, check and familiarize your self with the parts, read entire manual.

2. Collector placement on roof located, rafters located and marked, end mounting rails with brackets lagged and sealed into rafters, collector placed into mounting rail brackets, center mounting rail and brackets placed, lagged and sealed into rafter, mounting rail brackets screwed into collector.

3. Collector compression unions connecting air vent, pressure relief valve and components installed, two 1 1/2" holes drilled into roof for hot feed and cool return lines. Shingles trimmed and "Roof boots" installed under shingles and into holes.

4. Collector cool feed (bottom compression union) and hot return lines (top compression union) installed through roof boots to tank area. Sensor, if used, installed in collector hot outlet, (or PV wire where used), connected and run to water heater area. Insulation partly installed before tubing connections are made. PV panel installed if used

5. Water Heater Element or Gas turned off, water drained, lower drain removed, "Easy-Connect Assembly" installed, (or Thermosiphon Heat Exchanger, if used) collector cool feed (from circulator) and hot return lines connected by compression union.

6. Water heater refilled, solar loop purged of air, pump plugged into timer (or PV wire or Differential Controller connected, where used). Air purged using return line hose bib, finish insulating lines, Element or Gas turned back on.

* - north facing in the southern hemisphere!

Simple Rail and Ell Bracket Ell Bracket to Collector Easy Compression Connections Protect Edge of Roof with a Tarp and Lean Collector Against Roof

Standing Seam Metal Roof: "S-5" Click the above link to learn about the excellent "S-5" brackets From a Standing Seam Roof Customer: We wanted to pass these pictures along to you along with a narrative of our effort. Have only had the system running for a week, but wanted to let you know that I'm extremely pleased with the results. Even though we've had a shot of cold weather, the sun was shining, so we're making hot water! The collectors were very simple to install. We did not want to punch holes in our nice metal roof, so opted to purchase mounting blocks that attach to the standing seams. This made the installation a real easy task. Unlike most shingle roofs (which are "grippy/slip resistant", our roof was quite slippery (all of the dust on the roof). The rather steep angle and dust make the installation a challenge for me. Because of the dangerous roof condition, I did the job myself. Once the rails were installed, I simply climbed the ladder "pushing" each collector up the ladder as I climbed. I then lifted it up onto the rails. Thank you for making the collectors so light! Once on the rail, I put it onto the top tabs to secure it. Once all 3 collector were on the rails, I made the compression connections, then attached the collectors to the rails using all the supplied hardware. Though this system is not "flush" to the roof, I believe it too will be quite tolerant to high winds. We had a near record low temperature last evening (19 degrees). The system with its glycol liquid mix more than survived the night. When we came back from church around noon, the system was busy at work making hot water! Thanks so much for making a great system. I'm a computer support technician, and not one who normally does this sort of thing. The fact that I was able to do much of this myself is a testimony to the well thought out system that you've developed. I look forward to providing hot water for my family for years to come. ...Rick B.

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Page Updated on: January 14, 2008